Chapter 96: To the Hospital!
"Sentinel Eye, how much farther from the primary target?" Adrian asked.
"Primary target is now less than 2 clicks," Sentinel Eye responded. "Current route remains viable, but be advised, density is still high across your forward sector."
Ryan glanced at the tablet, then back to the road.
"Two kilometers," he said.
Adrian nodded once.
"We’re close."
The JLTV continued forward, but the pace had changed. The road ahead was clearer than before, yet it was not empty. Bodies covered the asphalt, crushed and torn apart, forming a slick and uneven surface that forced the driver to adjust constantly.
"Watch traction," Ryan said.
"I see it," the driver replied, easing the wheel slightly to maintain control.
The vehicle rolled over what was left of the earlier engagement. Tires pressed through layers of remains, occasionally slipping before catching again.
Behind them, the Cougar and Stryker maintained tight spacing, their engines still running hot from sustained movement and firing.
"Contacts ahead," the gunner said, voice steady.
Adrian looked forward.
Another group.
Not as dense as before, but still significant. Dozens moved between stalled vehicles and broken barriers, drawn again by the sound of the convoy.
"Keep it controlled," Adrian said. "We don’t need to go loud unless necessary."
Ryan nodded.
"Copy. Controlled engagement only."
The JLTV advanced.
The turret adjusted, tracking the nearest threats. Short, precise bursts followed, cutting down those directly in their path without wasting rounds.
Bodies dropped.
Gaps formed.
The convoy pushed through without slowing.
"Sentinel Eye, confirm approach," Ryan said.
"Convoy, Sentinel Eye," the AWACS replied. "You are approaching outer perimeter of Seoul National University Hospital. Recommend heightened awareness. Structures ahead show signs of heavy damage and possible collapse. Thermal readings indicate irregular movement within the compound."
Adrian narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Define irregular," he said.
A brief pause.
"Movement patterns do not match standard infected behavior," Sentinel Eye replied. "Possible variants or non-uniform activity inside the facility."
Ryan exhaled once.
"Of course it’s not going to be simple. Sir, our weapons are for standard infecteds only, I don’t think we can handle similar variants similar to the hunters. We need firepower."
Adrian thought for a moment and then opened his inventory. He had a whole library of weapons thanks to his 500 spins from the gacha system and he navigated it by just typing the name of the weapons he intended on bringing out.
"How about this? M32 Multiple Grenade Launcher. It’s compact, packs firepower, and can clear clusters fast," Adrian said as the weapon materialized in his hands.
Ryan glanced at it briefly, then nodded.
"That’ll help," he said. "Especially if they start grouping inside tight spaces."
Adrian checked the cylinder, ensuring it was loaded.
"High-explosive rounds," he added. "Six shots per load. Enough to break a push if needed."
Ryan leaned slightly toward the windshield again.
"We’ll need more than just one," he said.
Adrian didn’t argue.
He opened the inventory again, pulling out another M32 and handing it toward one of the operators in the rear.
"You’re on support," Adrian said. "You fire only when we get pinned or when I call it."
"Copy," the operator replied, taking it and securing it across his chest.
"Sentinel Eye," Adrian said. "Give me a clear picture of the hospital perimeter."
"Convoy, Sentinel Eye," the AWACS responded. "You are approximately one kilometer out. Main entrance road is partially blocked by abandoned vehicles. Secondary access point on the east side remains open but narrow. Thermal signatures concentrated near main lobby and adjacent wings."
Ryan processed that quickly.
"We don’t go through the main gate," he said. "Too exposed."
Adrian nodded.
"Take the secondary," he told the driver.
"Copy," the driver said, adjusting slightly as they approached the turn.
The JLTV veered off the main road, entering a tighter street that led toward the side of the hospital complex. The buildings here pressed closer, casting shadows over the road.
"Watch corners," Ryan said. "This is where they’ll stack."
The turret above shifted again, scanning the new approach.
"Movement right," the gunner called.
A group of infected rushed out from a side alley, faster than the previous ones.
"Engage," Ryan said.
Short bursts cut them down before they could reach the vehicle.
"Clear," the gunner confirmed.
The convoy pushed forward.
The hospital was now in full view.
Tall structures, glass shattered, sections of the exterior blackened from fire. Some floors were exposed, debris hanging loosely from the edges.
"Sentinel Eye, confirm variant activity," Adrian said.
A short pause followed.
"Convoy, Sentinel Eye," the AWACS replied. "Thermal readings indicate multiple heat signatures moving at irregular speeds. Patterns inconsistent with standard infected. Be advised, possible hostile variants inside the structure."
Ryan tightened his grip slightly.
"Then we don’t get stuck inside," he said. "In and out."
Adrian nodded once.
"That’s the plan."
The JLTV slowed slightly as they approached the narrow access point.
"This is it," the driver said.
Ahead, the side entrance came into view.
Partially open.
Blocked by debris, but still passable.
Adrian adjusted his grip on the M32.
"Prepare to dismount," he said.
The vehicle rolled forward the final stretch.
There were still zombies around, scattered across the entrance and along the sides of the building, but they weren’t dense enough to justify opening up with the vehicle-mounted guns. The noise alone would pull everything in the area toward them.
Ryan raised a hand.
"No turrets," he said. "We go quiet from here."
The gunners immediately eased off, hands staying on their weapons but fingers off the triggers.
The JLTV slowed to a controlled crawl as it approached the side entrance.
"Dismount here," Ryan said.
The vehicle came to a stop just short of the debris-choked access point.
Doors opened in quick succession.
Adrian stepped out first, M32 slung across his chest, followed by the rest of the team. Boots hit the ground in a tight formation, each operator already scanning their assigned sector.
Ryan moved to the front.
"Two-man lead," he said. "Stack on me."
Two operators stepped forward, taking point. Their MP5s were raised, sights aligned toward the entrance.
"Check your sectors. No unnecessary fire," Ryan continued. "Short, clean shots only."
"Copy," the team responded.
Adrian stood just behind them, eyes fixed on the opening.
From this angle, the hospital looked worse.
The entrance was partially collapsed, chunks of concrete and broken glass scattered across the ground. The doors hung open, one completely torn off its hinges, and there were even medical tents set up, to process the infecteds.
"Here we go guys," Adrian said.