Chapter 185 - The March Toward the Fire
The air was tense in City A. The scent of gun oil, sweat, and desperation clung to the soldiers as they checked their gear one final time beneath the steel canopy of the underground base. Rifles were cleaned and reloaded, helmets strapped down, and bulletproof vests clamped shut like second skins. Every man here had seen death. Every man here was ready to meet it again.
"Everyone, make sure to bring enough bullets," General Shin Kailun barked, his voice echoing off the walls like thunder. "The situation in City S is unstable. We might have to fight our way through hell. Anyone who’s bitten is a liability. I don’t care if it’s your friend or your brother—deal with it. That’s the first and foremost rule. No hesitations. No exceptions. Kill quick. Stop the spread."
He spoke like a man who had lost too many already—and refused to lose anyone else without a fight.
Among the gathered soldiers stood Shin Shinjun, his fists clenched at his sides as he stared at his father with a fire in his chest. "Father, let me go. I’ll handle it. I can get Jai out. I’m faster than most of the men here, and I’ve already dealt with outbreaks in the base—"
"You calling your old man slow now?" Kailun cut him off, snorting. "Just take care of things here. I’ll bring that rascal back and give him a firm beating on his buttocks myself."
He chuckled, but the tension didn’t leave Shinjun’s shoulders.
"It’s not a joke, Dad," he said quietly. "We received news from higher authorities. The bombing’s scheduled in less than ten hours. We need to get Jai out now. If you miss the window—"
"I won’t," Kailun said firmly, stepping closer, placing a heavy hand on his son’s shoulder. "Listen, son... You have a job to do here. Make this place safe for him when he comes back. Do that much for me. For your boy. Let me handle this."
There was a long silence between them. Shinjun’s jaw clenched, but he gave a tight nod. "Bring him home."
Kailun nodded once and turned on his heel, voice bellowing, "All right! Mount up!"
The assembled fifty elite soldiers surged into motion, climbing into armored tactical vehicles and tanks fitted with reinforced plow attachments.