Hiding a House in the Apocalypse-Chapter 55.2: 20 Hours and 30 Minutes (2)

dongtanmom: I live behind Warehouse 31 at the pier.

mmmmmmmmm: Let’s meet tomorrow at 11 a.m. in front of Pier 7, near the gate to the evacuation fleet. No need for lengthy talk—I just want to have a man-to-man conversation. Are you ready for that?

dongtanmom: Sure, come on.

Could this be... a meetup for a fight?

Something feels off.

Especially since that smug Baek Seung-hyun isn’t spamming his usual “yum-yum.” It feels ominous, as if something sinister is in the air.

I know all too well that M9 is the kind of guy who never listens to reason, but this is the point where I absolutely have to step in.

SKELTON: Hey, M9. What the hell are you thinking, trying to pick a fight with someone as deranged as dongtanmom? People like that are pure trash—you’re better off avoiding them altogether.

SKELTON: According to rumors, dongtanmom isn’t just some internet troll. He’s supposedly a terrifying man and an ex-hunter. A professional killer, they say!

I sent two heartfelt messages.

But, as expected, there’s no response from M9.

Did he block me again?

One thing’s certain: M9 is dead serious.

He’s genuinely planning to meet Baek Seung-hyun for a fight.

mmmmmmmmm: What is the secret killing art of “Maga Crab”?

mmmmmmmmm: (12-round boxer) It’s been a long time since I last boxed...

mmmmmmmmm: 11 a.m. is when I’m at my most brutal.

Maga Crab, my ass. It feels more like he’s cursed.

But you’ve got to give M9 some credit for his timing.

The day after tomorrow at 11 a.m.

That happens to be the day I’m taking DragonC’s successor to Incheon.

I plan to leave at dawn and should arrive by morning, so by 11 a.m., I’ll already be in Incheon.

This means I might be able to prevent the forum’s greatest oddball from falling victim to a toxic user like dongtanmom.

“Ah, hello?”

The face of Filkrum88, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, had somehow started to resemble DragonC, the bunker’s previous owner.

It seemed less due to drinking and more because of constant worry.

“Is it tough living here?”

Filkrum88 responded with a bitter smile, his tone self-deprecating.

“There’s no paradise at the end of a desperate escape.”

Apparently, the Chinese military was the problem.

He didn’t know what they were up to, but every night, they lit lanterns along the coastline and sent out strange signals.

Sometimes, the lights flickered like Morse code.

“There was even a submarine.”

Filkrum’s wife interjected. Her expression was just as grim.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

She must have been living in constant fear.

Honestly, I couldn’t blame her.

Watching the Chinese military—infinitely more dangerous than raiders—conspiring right next door would drain anyone’s nerves.

“Well, at least the hardship ends today.”

We didn’t linger to chat; instead, we loaded the moving truck.

Calling it a “move” was an overstatement. This was the apocalypse—just clothes and basic necessities.

Still, Filkrum88 had one unique cargo to load.

It was none other than our satellite equipment.

“You’re taking that with you?”

“Yes, I’m planning to bring it to Jeju Island.”

“Did the government approve this?”

“Yes. They said I could bring it along.”

“I see. But may I ask why you’re lugging that heavy thing to Jeju? Aren’t they providing homes with internet access there?”

At my question, Filkrum88 chuckled softly.

“I may not have the nerve to post under Dragon-hyung’s name, but I’ve been lurking on the boards. Of course, I’m on Failnet too. I know all the rumors. People are saying the Jeju fleet was spotted by the Chinese, right? That’s why.”

“So, as a survival check?”

“Yes. If I arrive safely in Jeju, I’ll post on the board. But if you hear nothing... well, it’s a terrible thought, but you can assume I either ended up in China or... somewhere worse.”

I nodded at his explanation.

It made sense.

Even if the Jeju route turned out to be as dangerous as the skeptics claimed, Filkrum88 might still have chosen it. His complexion and his family’s haggard faces told the story.

With the Chinese soldiers practically in their backyard, escaping to China didn’t seem like a worse option.

“Well, do as you see fit.”

“Excuse me...”

“Yes?”

“If I come back, can I write posts under my original nickname?”

“If you make it to Jeju, I doubt anyone will mind.”

“No, I’d like your permission.”

Even amidst his exhaustion, Filkrum88 fixed me with a steady gaze.

“...”

In that moment, I understood.

Humans are creatures of reflection.

His tearful eyes held emotions too complex to put into words.

Letting out a faint sigh, I replied.

“...Go ahead.”

Filkrum bowed his head.

“When I get to Jeju... I plan to write about my foolish actions and Dragon-hyung’s final story as a sort of side chapter for The Remnant.”

“...”

I had nothing more to say.

This was a story between DragonC and Filkrum88.

I no longer had the right to interfere.

With their truck loaded, they left the abandoned bunker behind and headed toward Incheon, carrying their hopes for tomorrow.

As I watched their family smile with optimism and the bunker fade into the distance like a graveyard, I silently paid tribute to a man in my heart.

Rest in peace, friend of the forum.

*

“Thank you so much. Not only for forgiving me, but for taking us here during such dangerous times.”

The sound of seagulls echoed along the pier.

We had completed a successful journey and were now saying goodbye to Filkrum and his family.

Above us loomed a massive oil tanker—so large that it was hard to describe in words.

This ship was the flagship of the evacuation fleet.

Coincidentally, the ship bore a name that seemed to echo the essence of M9’s “sweet home.”

The Hope.

That was the name of the enormous ship.

“Are we boarding that ship?”

“No, it looks like we’re assigned to a different one.”

“Take care.”

“You too, Skelton. I hope you live a long, long life. At least until I finish Dragon-hyung’s masterpiece.”

And so, another connection came to an end.

Whether he was heading toward paradise in Jeju or to a land of death remained to be seen.

I checked the time.

9:30 a.m.

Good.

The fight hasn’t started yet.

I began heading slowly toward the hunter street behind the research lab.

“...”

The desolate, miserable scenery struck me again.

Signs of life could be seen everywhere, making the already bleak surroundings feel even more vividly grim.

At the entrance of the street, I noticed an old man I hadn’t seen before.

His dark, weathered skin and piercing gaze made him look like he could shoot lasers from his eyes. Just looking at him gave the impression of a strict and uncompromising personality.

He stared at me intently, but since I didn’t recognize him and didn’t want to get involved, I ignored him and walked along the street, which I still hadn’t gotten used to, until I found the house I remembered.

A baby’s cries rang out.

“Is Baek Seung-hyun here?”

A young woman holding a baby appeared from the cramped, foul-smelling interior of the house.

“Oh, you’re the sausage guy?”

“?”

“The one who brought sausages!”

“Ah, yes. That’s me. Is Baek Seung-hyun here?”

“One moment.”

She tapped something on her phone.

While phones in my area were only good for taking pictures, using as flashlights, or jotting down notes, apparently phones worked well in the Incheon region.

One of the few benefits provided by the government.

“Hey, the sausage guy is here.”

Why does she keep calling me “sausage”?

What does she think Skelton is—a walking snack? Even if I were grilled, I wouldn’t taste good.

Looking around, I saw a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces.

One of them recognized me and waved.

Was his name Bang Jae-hyuk?

A guy with near S-rank skills.

“What brings you here?”

He strolled over to me.

“Just here to see someone.”

“Who? Don’t tell me... Baek?”

“How’d you guess?”

“You two seem like you’d get along. Birds of a feather, you know?”

“I don’t think so.”

As they say, speak of the devil and he shall appear.

In the distance, Baek Seung-hyun approached, dressed in a colorful, summery short-sleeved shirt, with sunglasses perched on his forehead.

When Baek appeared, Bang Jae-hyuk wandered off, leaving my side.

“What brings you here, Junior Park?”

This man was clearly thriving. A smile practically bloomed on his face.

“Don’t tell me you came to see me off? Man, if I’d known, I would’ve prepared a parting gift! I already gave away everything I had to the people around me, thinking you wouldn’t show up.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, I’d feel bad otherwise.”

“Let’s talk.”

I motioned for him to follow me to the pier.

Once we were out of earshot, I got straight to the point.

“You’re on Viva! Apocalypse!, aren’t you?”

“Oh, yeah. You gave me an invite, didn’t you? That reminds me—I’ve got a little problem with it.”

A sly shadow crossed Baek Seung-hyun’s face.

As I suspected.

This guy had plans to harm M9 on his last day before leaving.

I debated with myself over whether I was just being overly concerned, but now I felt coming here was the right choice.

M9 wouldn’t thank me for it, but he was a mascot of sorts for our forum. I couldn’t let him fall victim to a troublesome user like Baek.

Fixing him with a serious stare, I spoke firmly.

“Baek-senpai. I heard rumors you’re planning to meet someone called ‘mmmmmmmmm’ today for a fight.”

This was a warning.

If he intended to harm M9, I’d have no choice but to teach him a lesson.

Honestly, I wanted to punch him once, just to be sure.

But then—

“Huh?”

Baek’s reaction was strange.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“That problem you mentioned—wasn’t it about that?”

Realizing I might’ve misunderstood, I pressed further, my tone sharp.

Baek’s expression turned aggrieved as he vehemently denied it.

“No way! Why would I bother meeting some loser like that? He’s the kind of guy whose house will collapse on him eventually.”

Today, Baek looked more genuine than I’d ever seen him.

“...”

I guess I’d been meddling unnecessarily.

Then again, hunters rarely act without purpose.

Even Baek’s “yum-yum” had a purpose—to annoy people.

“Oh, that reminds me. I was supposed to meet that guy today, wasn’t I? But Junior Park, how did you know?”

“Someone I know asked me to intervene. Said they’re close to M9.”

“Not happening. No way. A fight, or whatever you call it? I’m not interested.”

“You’re not?”

“Of course not! Not to brag, but I’ve had plenty of fight requests from games in the past and never showed up for any of them.”

Baek smiled faintly.

“They called me a coward, but so what? What else can they do besides talk trash?”

“Hmm.”

This guy...

Rotten to the core.

“Anyway, about my request—it’s about that satellite equipment. I want to bring it onboard.”

“They won’t let you?”

“They said no. Something about security and other nitpicky stuff. But Junior Park, you know Woo Min-hee, right?”

“...”

He really knows how to annoy people.

Meanwhile, something else was bugging me.

That dark-skinned old man near the entrance to the hunter street.

He’d been staring in our direction for a while now.

Baek glanced at him.

“Oh, that old geezer?”

“Who is he? A hunter’s family member?”

“No, just some old guy who showed up out of nowhere. Now that the Pioneer Corps is gone, these old folks are crawling out of the woodwork again. They eat up food without contributing a thing. If I weren’t going to Jeju, I’d—”

“Being old isn’t a crime.”

“No, but that geezer keeps saying ominous crap. Stuff like, ‘Everyone on that ship will die.’ M9’s nonsense is funny, but that guy’s just plain annoying.”

Some people get angrier as they talk.

Baek seemed to be one of those types.

As he spoke about the old man, his growing irritation became more evident.

“I’ve wanted to throw him into the sea so many times, but I held back for my kid’s sake.”

I guess the old man had really gotten under his skin.

At any rate, judging by Baek’s ominous tone, I decided I needed to check out the fight location.

This guy might still change his mind and try to kill M9, just like the others he’d taken out.

“You know something?”

Baek lit a cigarette as we walked to the meeting spot.

“It takes 20 hours and 30 minutes to get to Jeju.”

“That’s a long trip.”

I glanced at my watch.

10:55 a.m.

“Ships aren’t what they used to be.”

Baek exhaled a cloud of smoke, looking up at the massive ship casting its shadow over us.

“Still, it’s thanks to you, Junior Park, that I can even go.”

“...It’s time.”

The appointed hour had come.

M9 and Dongtanmom.

The forum’s two menaces were about to have their fateful encounter.

“Damn. So, there are days even I get stood up.”

Baek chuckled bitterly as he stubbed out his cigarette on the ground.

It was now 11:30 a.m.

Despite his claims of being a “12-round boxer” and mastering the “secret martial art of Maga Crab,” M9 hadn’t shown up at the time he claimed he’d be at his most brutal.

“...Seriously?”

Baek looked incredulous.

“Hey, I didn’t do anything! What do you take me for, Junior Park?”

“Well...”

“Just check the internet!”

Sure enough, Baek was right.

mmmmmmmmm: LOLOLOLOLOL

Our beloved M9 was boldly posting nonsense on the forum, completely unbothered by shame or honor.

One thought crossed my mind.

M9, this bastard.

He’s probably going to outlive me.