Isaac

The Korean Army’s headquarter was situated within the heavily-forested mountain, far from any civilization. It was a giant tunnel, leading deep into the mountain itself. Joon-young wondered when and how this place came into existence when he saw it.

At the gates was a sign. Considering it had the name ‘New Energy Research Centre,’ Joon-young guessed it was originally a research facility, not a military one.

The generals and officers were dumbfounded when they saw Joon-young and his men knocking on the front gate. The orders to stand ground were given only a moment ago, yet they came back so confidently as if they belonged here.

The newly joined officers and generals fumed with rage and stated they should be executed for insubordination, but the veteran generals and officers simply shook their heads to that idea. They were in a desperate time for survival, and every soldier mattered. They also felt sorry for using these infamous, battle hardened veterans as sacrificial pawns. Some suggested they should be sent back to the front lines, but it was met with the argument that they would simply desert their post again, and aid in the collapse of the front line. They had no choice but to incorporate Joon-young’s men into the research centre’s security force.

Joon-young had a good reason to come here. There was a rumour about a new weapon under development in this facility. This information was given to him by his now-deceased regimental commander, to cheer up Joon-young with the hope of victory when he was grieving for the loss of his family in Busan.

Joon-young wasn’t aware of the details, but the rumour suggested that its completion could change the war, and that Japan was aware of its development. The Japanese forces would only harass the research centre instead of an all-out attack, waiting for the results of the weapon’s development. If this rumour was true, Joon-young believed that the Japanese forces were attacking now because its development was nearing completion.

"You’ve got to give it to them. They’re putting up a good fight."

The battle still continued in the darkness of the night. The artillery shells echoed in the mountain like the beating of the drum, while tracer ammunitions lit up the night sky with its dazzling display.

"Can I have one too?"

"Hm?"

As Joon-Young sat on an ammo crate on top of the guard tower, admiring the battle like it was a movie, a beautiful researcher wearing black rim glasses and a lab coat approached. Her face was pale, and her eyes were soaked in depression as if she had no will to live on.

"Have a sit."

Joon-Young moved to the side of the box, making some space for her and handed her a cigarette. The moment he lit her cigarette, she began to cough furiously. It seemed like this was her first time.

"Kuh! I don’t understand why people enjoy smoking if it’s so bad for you."

"What does that matter when you could die at any moment?"

The woman smiled back at Joon-young’s reply.

"Huhu! You must be that famous sergeant."

"Hm? Do you know me?"

"Of course. Even the researchers know about the sergeant who fled the battlefield with all of his men. Most of them call you a coward but strangely, many in the army don’t seem to be bothered at all."

Joon-Young simply shrugged. It seemed the woman had nothing more to say as well. They just sat there and watched the battlefield together in silence. Despite the constant struggle, the woman continued to smoke. When she finally finished the cigarette, Joon-Young asked a question.