00046 --- The Little Prince in the Ossuary ---
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#Omens (6), Atascadero
The next day, Gyeo-ul revisited Atascadero. It was for the search of missing people. Reinforced troops were deployed compared to the previous day, and additional support came from another camp to the south. They had arrived first and established a foothold in the southern part of the city. Reconnaissance drones were launched to aid the search operation.
The missing individuals had become undead, wandering the streets.
Thud!
A blunt gunshot. Gyeo-ul put an infected soldier to rest. Considering appearance, he shot the heart instead of the head. The body convulsed as it fell on the asphalt.
"A whole company of Bravo has been wiped out."
Elliot, who was dragged out again today, grumbled. The missing troops in Atascadero were all from the 2nd Company. It wasn't a concentrated loss; it simply occurred due to the order of duty per company.
"What about the missing Chinese people?"
Elliot's complaint was valid. Infected U. S. soldiers were easy to identify; they were in uniform and could be captured clearly through aerial reconnaissance. However, it was different for volunteers who were Chinese refugees. They had no markings, and the command had essentially given up. But Gyeo-ul knew the answer.
"It's not impossible. We can narrow the search targets to East Asian infected individuals, and they'll likely have tattoos,"
Gyeo-ul replied.
"Tattoos? What, are they Red Mafia?"
A fellow soldier was puzzled. The Red Mafia, russian criminals, engrave affiliations and criminal records in tattoos, with meticulous details. How they killed someone, what sentence they received in court, and if they served prison time, how long. It's their version of a badge of honor.
Gyeo-ul responded, "Similar. Most of the missing Chinese individuals belong to the Triad."
The soldiers shook their heads. The Triad, a notorious criminal organization even before the disaster, wasn't viewed positively from the soldiers' perspective, who saw refugees aligning with criminals.
The search for the missing Chinese people faced difficulties. Even though Gyeo-ul shared information, everyone involved from soldiers to non-commissioned officers and officers remained passive in the search operation.
Thus, once all U. S. missing soldiers had been accounted for, the search basically continued only in the direction managed by Gyeo-ul. This approach was underlined by cold calculations.
'They claim heroic virtues despite being a crime organization. I'll make sure they owe me.'
The less a group adhered to societal norms, the more they emphasized reasons to maintain order. Naturally, the head of the organization might think differently, yet they couldn't deny the organization's identity; it'd be suicidal.
The soldiers, unaware of these circumstances, admired Gyeo-ul's character.
"You're working hard even though they're of a different nationality. It seems you're quite an impressive person, Lieutenant."
In truth, Gyeo-ul prioritized the living over the dead. That's why he spared no effort to allow roses to bloom. He didn't feel the need to shatter the soldiers' positive misconceptions. He diligently focused on the search, shooting the heads if they weren't obviously Asian, and capturing them as intact as possible if they appeared Asian.
"I found one,"
Gyeo-ul announced, pulling open the upper clothing of a corpse and gesturing to the soldiers; it was an indication to see the tattoos. There was a single character etched inside a triangle.
"What does this character mean?"
For Westerners, chinese characters were challenging. From Gyeo-ul's perspective, it was a character that needed no technical enhancement.
"It's Hong (洪). It means 'vast'."
It was one of the Triad's prominent symbols. The three strokes of the radical 'water' (氵) represented the three foundational organizations of the Triad: the Green Gang (靑房), the Red Flower Society (紅花會), and the Black Snake Society (黑蛇會/different from Black Society). It symbolized the joining (共) of three organizations.
"So, these three dots represent the original three organizations? That's profound. How do you know these things, Lieutenant?"
The soldier asked after hearing the explanation, and Gyeo-ul replied aptly, "Korean and Chinese cultures are similar. I learned about it one way or another."
It was a plausible excuse, and the soldier nodded in understanding.
The back and chest of the Chinese corpse were filled with tattoos. Even Gyeo-ul couldn't recognize all the symbols. However, the opulence suggested the individual wasn't just a regular member. A depiction of a dragon alone would be ornate but hollow. Yet, there were distinctly different symbols.
'A high-ranking member.'
The Triad, amidst a leadership struggle with the Black Society, enjoyed the protection of Captain Markert from the 1st Company. Gyeo-ul had concluded that the missing Chinese individuals were Triad members for this reason.
Gyeo-ul speculated about the hit the Triad must have taken. They themselves revealed that they had suffered significant losses. With nearly a hundred losses, including executives, self-defense would no longer be possible.
There'd probably be a re-approach upon returning.
The thought was momentarily interrupted by a warning from command through the receiver.
"Hold your position. A group of infected mutants is approaching from the left alley ahead. Estimated size is about 50. No special or enhanced mutants have been identified."
The soldiers took a knee-shooting stance following the lieutenant.
The first mutant was killed upon emergence. Gyeo-ul didn't even offer the soldiers a chance. They fell the moment they appeared, not knowing what hit them. Exactly fifty-three, two magazines sufficed.
Gyeo-ul extended his hand towards the soldiers for ammo.
"What are we even here for?"
Elliot grumbled, handing over his share. Without a reply, Gyeo-ul posed another question.
"Elliot. Don't you find it strange?"
"Strange? What?"
Elliot chased away a cockroach, questioning in return. Gyeo-ul pointed at the corpses.
"They're all adults."
"What?"
"Don't you remember the infected infants from yesterday?"
At this, not only Elliot but all soldiers who were listening grimaced. Despite being deformed, they were still infants. Shooting at them could have left a marked trauma. But Gyeo-ul didn't bring it up to distress the soldiers.
"Those infants were so many yesterday, but today they're nowhere to be seen."
"Well, that's true,"
Elliot concurred.
Yesterday, the number of infected infants was overwhelming. So overwhelming that grenades were necessary to handle them. As Gyeo-ul directed the pondering soldiers, he posed a similarly themed but differently structured inquiry.
"Why did the 「Trickster」 only summon infants? If its intention was to test our firepower, summoning matured mutants would've been much more effective."
「Trickster」 was the mutation code for a special mutant manipulating frequencies. It was officially designated that morning, a name reflective of its cunning nature.
"What do you think is the reason, Lieutenant?"
"Generational difference."
Gyeo-ul answered immediately. The soldiers were briefly left dumbfounded, then hurriedly followed the lieutenant who was moving ahead.
"I don't get it. What generation are you referring to?"
"Listen while you work."
Gyeo-ul removed the upper garment of a corpse of East Asian descent. Reminded of their duty, the soldiers scattered clumsily. While carelessly checking corpses, they asked again. What did the earlier statement mean?
"I find it odd that so many infants suddenly appeared all at once. My view is that mutants are reproducing."
"What the F......"
Though before an officer, Elliot refrained from swearing. Another rigidly standing soldier muttered, "Uh...... That may be possible. These creatures rely on human body functions; there's no rule against conception. Damn......"
Gyeo-ul articulated his continuous thoughts.
"My hypothesis is this. The 「Trickster」 didn't not summon adults; it couldn't."
Quick-witted soldiers shivered. Gyeo-ul acknowledged their concern.
"Yes, that's what I mean. Children surpassing their parents. New abilities for a new generation. 「Trickster」 is a special mutant manipulating frequencies. Newly born mutants might, at the minimum, possess abilities to receive frequencies."
"Is that possible?"
One soldier questioned. Confronted with horrifying reality, denying it was a natural reflex.
"Isn't the probability high? The existence of 「Trickster」 is nonsensical. A creature adjusting frequency through bioelectricity to emit jamming signals—did you ever imagine that?"
"......."
"Don't act so shocked. By always preparing for the worst, you avoid despair in any situation. At least that's how I see it."
Indeed. A piece of wisdom gleaned at a young age. Gyeo-ul lived his life assuming worst-case scenarios. He never expected anything from his parents.
Elliot said earnestly, "It's certainly a valid opinion. We should report it."
"Don't worry. I have to submit a report anyway."
Gyeo-ul, having identified nine more Chinese corpses, noticed a spot heavily populated by cockroaches. After firing a few rounds, the bugs scattered.
Together with the soldiers, he started to rummage. A soldier spoke up.
"Emergency ration packets. They're air-dropped types."
There were many, enough for at least dozens. They looked recently opened. Presumably, they hadn't been blown away, pressed under the mass of vermin.
"It might have been the last supper for the missing people."
Elliot's voice sounded somber.
Internally, Gyeo-ul shook his head. But this time, he kept his thoughts to himself.
#Unread Messages (3)
「Владимир: After cracking through the heinous wall of ActiveX for the first time, what I encountered was the horrifying sensation of roaches crawling all over my body.......」
「ActiveXStaresDown: Ha.......」
「YeominROCK: Man, that was a real horror experience. Now I get why 「After the Apocalypse」 is niche.」
「UnitedbyFaith: Did you feel the texture when Jeffrey's character crushed bugs? That crunchy feeling when they were squashed, right? That was the consequence of taking a life, people.」
「ElectronicAnkleMonitor: Shut up Monk.」
「SALHAE: What was the presenter doing anyway? Didn't even flinch when roaches came. Totally stunned.」
「Storm224: I know, I felt like fainting.」
「NoGroupChitchat: Idiots. Why not just detach from Synchronization then.」
「RetiredYouth: 22222222」
「HogoodHoGuGood: 33333333」
「Doechi: Exactly ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Why stay attached like morons ㅋㅋㅋㅋ」
「Jjarappappa: I couldn't detach.......」
「Storm224: Agree. Simply couldn't.」
「Ppukku: Why? Why couldn't you? System error?」
「SALHAE: It's not an error. Just didn't want to disrupt the immersion, fuckers.」
「Ppukku: Why? Why not? Certifying yourself as idiots?」
「Eeek-dah: Idiot alert, swearing at others cause you can't explain yourself. Lame talk.」
「NoGroupChitchat: Calls others out without explaining shitㅋㅋㅋㅋ Shows angerㅋㅋㅋㅋ」
「SALHAE: Do you even know what real immersion is, chitchatter?」
「SALHAE: It's about wanting to forget this isn't real.」
「SALHAE: You shallow observers will never grasp it, not in a hundred years.」
「まつみん: Why are you all fighting? After having such a wonderful experience.」
「AngryNeeson55: ...... Wonderful experience?」
「Eeek-dah: Oh! It's Matsumin! Hi there!」
「まつみん: Hello!」
「FrankSausage: Hello, miss Sexy Diplomat! Thought you left, been so quiet!」
「KimJongUnBastard: But Matsumin, what did you mean earlier? Wonderful experience, really?」
「MagnaCarta: Did Matsumin lose it again?」
「まつみん: Not at all! I mean it, it was a wonderful experience!」
「まつみん: I synchronized with the cockroaches!」
「DdongDdaengDdaeng: Huh? What are you talking about?」
「OldSpice: Cockroaches were synchronizable objects?」
「GrapesOfWrath: Goodness.」
「まつみん: Yes! Only visual and olfactory synchronization, but it was enough!」
「まつみん: While peeking inside Gyeo-ul's clothes! Savoring the scent mixed with Gyeo-ul's sweat! Sniff sniff! Sniff sniff! Sniff sniff! Oh, Matsumin can die happy now! はあはあはあはあはあはあはあ#!%「email protected」#%」
〈Strings of incomprehensible gibberish〉
「MagnaCarta: She's gone, lost it.......」
「Ryu Kwon-nae Lau: Synchronizing with roaches, couldn't have imagined.」
「HogoodHoGuGood: What drugs lead to such thoughts?」
「まつみん: Excuse you! Matsumin is drug-free! Merely studied the Sensory Synchronization manual! It contains everything!」
「AngryNeeson55: The fact you read that unkind, hundreds-of-pages long manual is what's more surprising.」
「SpicyLaw: ㅇㄱㄹㅇ」
「Don'tPitchWithNames: Never thought someone would actually read it.」
「DutyofBread: I didn't even know such a manual existed.」
「まつみん: Ahem! Japanese are thorough!」
「GrapesOfWrath: Man, wish I could date a girl like that.......」
「SALHAE: But knowing it doesn't help.」
「SALHAE: Could you ever immerse yourself in being a bug? Just grows the gap.」
「SALHAE: I just want to be the protagonist.......」
-------------= Author's Notes -------------=
1. As notified, the transition to Premium will be indefinitely postponed.
Beyond the identity of the Noblesse service or Joara's irresponsible operation, looking solely at the relationship between the author and the reader, it seems right for the author to feel a moral obligation.
It's natural for readers who encountered this work via Noblesse to expect to see it completed through the same service. It might have been an implicit promise from the start. Serialized works with payment assume a conclusion.
I understand that many readers find per-episode payments beneficial.
But even if 99 are satisfied, one should not feel unjust. At least, that's how I view it.
Especially in situations where publication allows providing per-episode payments on another platform, more so.
2. There was criticism that shifting to Premium isn't guaranteed to be better than Noblesse.
That's correct. I never thought transitioning to Premium would ensure considerable profits. I estimated less than 500 buyers.
The intent was mostly driven by Kakao Page's requirements. Kakao Page seldom accepts pieces serialized under Noblesse. A publisher contact confirmed this; they advised against it.
Is Kakao Page crucial? Yes, very. From the ratio distributions, Joara's Noblesse monthly revenue is around 350 million to 400 million KRW. It's decreased since last year. Kakao Page collects similar figures daily. The daily max is 380 million, and as of Q1 2016, 143 works surpassed 100 million in revenue.
Assurances of 100% success aren't needed. The entry opportunity into a much bigger market was sufficient. I'm not short on living expenses... there's a reason I keep a day job. Haha.
To remain on Noblesse means significantly delaying entry into Kakao Page. I can only look to enter post-completion, and by then, considering Joara's security, the text version would likely circulate.
I share this because I worry it may trouble other authors contemplating platform transitions.
Perhaps it's simply me worrying excessively... please understand my nature of being overly concerned.
I'd hate for there to be talk like, "The author of The Little Prince in the Ossuary does this, what about you?"
It's a fact Joara hasn't been responsible regarding works and authors.
3. This note has become particularly lengthy.
Lately, there have been frequent arguments in the comments.
Nevertheless, even though disputes reduce life spans, impede world peace, and hasten the rise of subterranean cities, I'd rather my readers not partake in such "beneficial" effects.
If it's unbearable, direct your frustrations at me. Comments like suggesting a second military service, claiming I resemble Won Bin, or having two legs are Sanity pinch insults I can't handle... but I can endure insults like assuming I'm ugly, dumb, or should crawl chaotically with a thousand tiny cuts to my heart. Especially avoid disputes on Chapter 1. So what if there are some bad comments? Opinions differ. Unless it's personal attacks or excessive criticism, all opinions deserve respect.
I sincerely ask for your understanding and cooperation.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Mutated zombies are terrifying enough, and now they can reproduce? I won't survive a single day in that kind of world.
Also, Gyeo-ul has new viewers. :D