Rainbow City

“Is it true that all the vaccines distributed by Eden Paradise for free have been recalled?”

No, not all of them might have been recalled. Some people might have opted to use the pen-type injectables distributed by Eden Paradise rather than going to the hospital and getting Rainbow City’s vaccine, which covers one-third of the medical expenses. There were always variables.

“Let’s focus on the move for now.”

As Kwak Soohwan suggested, moving to the city was a top priority.

“Oh, join us at Jeju Airport.”

Lee Chaeyoon, who had shaken off the moisture, also got into another jeep. Seokhwa, sitting in the back seat where the captain was driving, calmly began to bring up the topic with Kwak Soohwan beside him.

“At first, I thought the vaccines were contaminated. But when I was kidnapped by Doctor Choi Hoeon and taken to Busan, I asked if they deliberately implanted parasites. That day, Doctor Choi admitted that they had done it.”

“What contamination?”

“Some of the vaccines distributed by Eden Paradise contained malaria parasites in a dormant state. Rainbow City broadcasted not to trust Eden Paradise’s vaccines, but there might have been people influenced by Eden Paradise.”

Kwak Soohwan also sympathized with that point. Although citizens of the city, some might have crossed over to Eden Paradise.

“If you get vaccinated with those parasites, you become an Adam?”

“That’s just a hypothesis. If I make it up, I’ll go to Yeouido Shelter. There should be data from previous research.”

The Adam virus vaccines so far have been a form of inducing resistance to the Adam virus.

In other words, those who have been vaccinated have individual resistance to Adam. Although the 7th Adam virus vaccine has not yet been released in Rainbow City, citizens were vaccinated with the 6th vaccine because they couldn’t just sit around. Of course, becoming an Adam is not solely due to parasites. Seokhwa speculated that the parasites might have caused something else in the body.

“Can Yeouido Shelter assess the situation?”

Kwak Soohwan asked the captain, who was driving.

“We believe that Yeouido, Gangnam, Gwacheon, Busan, and a few other shelters are still safe.”

The collapse of a shelter with military presence meant that the area was practically wiped out. Since the inception of Rainbow City, there had been only two Level 1 emergencies so far. It was when the early Adam virus, established by the coalition, mutated again and spread, and today. Mother’s announcement of a Level 1 emergency indicated that the infection was spreading uncontrollably fast.

As dawn broke, Jeju Airport bustled with soldiers waiting to board planes. The total number of personnel being relocated was 125, and the forces guarding Jeju were more systematic than those in the city above, with a considerable number of A-level forces.

Kwak Soohwan and Seokhwa disembarked near the waiting military transport aircraft. The soldiers were armed, wearing bulletproof vests instead of formal uniforms.

Approaching them, a soldier in uniform introduced himself, “I’m Lieutenant Colonel Oh Heewon from Jeju Shelter.”

Kwak Soohwan also saluted respectfully towards the rank, “I’m Major Kwak Soohwan from Gwacheon Shelter.”

“I have received orders for Dr. Seokhwa’s safe escort, and simultaneously, an emergency dispatch order for a Level 1 crisis. Eighty of our armed forces will move by C-130, and the rest by CN-235.”

“Dr. Seokhwa will board the same aircraft as me.”

“Permission granted. Major Kwak Soohwan will command the CN-235. The armed forces on the CN-235 will be divided to support Gwangmyeong, Yeouido, and Gwacheon shelters. Major Kwak Soohwan will protect the critical site, Yeouido Shelter.”

“Understood, received the orders.”

As the lieutenant colonel raised his arm and gestured towards the aircraft, the soldiers began boarding. Lee Chaeyoon followed orders and boarded the aircraft heading to Suwon, while Kwak Soohwan and Seokhwa boarded the CN-235 bound for Seoul.

The interior of the aircraft was not much different from a regular passenger plane, albeit smaller. Kwak Soohwan escorted Seokhwa to the VIP seats at the front. Seeing Seokhwa fastening his seatbelt, Kwak Soohwan approached the cockpit where two pilots were seated.

“What’s the exact landing location?”

“We’re scheduled to land at Seongnam Base runway.”

Although Kwak Soohwan’s rank was lower than that of the two pilots, there was a directive to follow the command of Kwak Soohwan, who was classified as S-rank due to the crisis.

“Isn’t Gimpo Airport closer?”

“Currently, Adam infection is spreading rapidly in Gimpo. And Gimpo’s runway is still under repair.”

When the Adam crisis first broke out, bombings and road closures occurred everywhere. The runways were no exception. Kwak Soohwan, who had been on the scene, knew better than anyone about the condition of Gimpo’s runway. However, the military transport aircraft had reverse thrust engines, so even with a distance of just 500 meters, landing was possible. There were still parts of the runway intact enough for this.

“We’re going to Gimpo.”

“Pardon?”

Both pilots turned to Kwak Soohwan simultaneously. Ideally, they would have liked to use the streets of downtown Seoul as runways, but there were still standing skyscrapers, making it impossible.

“If we move from Seongnam Base’s runway, there are several areas where vehicular movement is impossible. Going around those areas would waste much more time.”

The pilots had no knowledge of the urban road conditions. So, Kwak Soohwan, who had been operating on the ground, would be more accurate, and after all, he was the one giving the orders.

“Roger, we’ll go to Gimpo.”

As Kwak Soohwan returned to his seat, Seokhwa, who was sitting by the window, was still lost in thought. To block the line of sight of the soldier beside him, who was looking at Seokhwa with curiosity, Kwak Soohwan sat down.

“When we land at Gimpo, we’ll head straight to Yeouido Shelter.”

“Yes.”

As the pilot’s announcement of readiness for takeoff ended, the landing gear began to retract. The military aircraft raced down the runway at a much faster speed than a passenger plane, defying gravity and taking to the air. Seokhwa’s ears went numb from the sudden ascent. Until the aircraft reached a certain altitude, the turbulence shook his whole body, and the clattering sound of military equipment rubbing against each other sounded dull and muffled.

Looking out the window, the view of Jeju Island gradually diminished, turning into a speck in the sea. As they soared above the clouds in the dawn, the hot sun touched their shoulders. Unlike the bloody land below, the azure sky seemed peacefully serene. Seokhwa didn’t marvel at the sight of the sky for the first time. What occupied Seokhwa’s mind now was the immediate need to rush to the laboratory.

“Dr. Seok.”

Kwak Soohwan’s voice sounded farther than usual, not just because of his mood. The noise from the transport aircraft’s engines was loud.

“Just relax for now. It’ll take another 40 minutes until we land, so you might as well take a break and enjoy the view outside. Isn’t it the first time you’ve seen clouds up close like this?”

“Yes, it is.”

Seokhwa absentmindedly replied and draped the blanket, only available in the VIP seats, over Kwak Soohwan’s legs. It was because his boots and training clothes were wet from being in the seawater. Seeing Seokhwa tidy up the blanket, Kwak Soohwan chuckled.

“Why?”

Seokhwa sat up straight again, leaning against the chair back.

“Remember when I knocked you out before?”

“Yeah.”

“We were on a plane back then too, but you don’t remember, right? Even back then, I never thought I’d be so intertwined with Dr. Seok like this. That’s just how life is, you never know.”

The impression Kwak Soohwan had when he received the socks was just another soldier from Rainbow City, and when he knocked him out, he was just another wary soldier. But since their time in Yeouido Shelter, they’ve been through a lot together, fought against Adam, and traveled across the country. In between, Seokhwa had become such a significant part of Kwak Soohwan’s life that he couldn’t imagine it without him.

“I’m grateful for your involvement.”

Kwak Soohwan widened his eyes for a moment, then smirked.

“Saying that in this situation feels like you’re practically asking for death.”

“I don’t want to die.”

“It’s just the saying, you know? Like in movies. Confessing love in dangerous situations usually spells impending doom.”

Seokhwa couldn’t quite grasp Kwak Soohwan’s playful words.

“I’ve never properly watched a movie, and the broadcasts sent out from Rainbow City were dominated more by radio than by screens. People in somewhat higher positions could access conventional movies or content, but even that could only be rented for the purpose of acquiring knowledge beneficial to the city.

Kwak Soohwan, who was outside the city, dug through all sorts of books after becoming a soldier and occasionally learned to play musical instruments. It was none other than Oh Yangseok who introduced him to the piano. Still, what Dr. Seok could play on the piano was nothing more than the simple do-re-mi.

“After we safely resolve this infection crisis and Dr. Seok develops the cure, I’ll play the piano for you. It’s something I’ve never done for anyone else.”

“Don’t say things like that.”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

Kwak Soohwan looked sulkier than usual.

“I told you before that saying things like that feels like you’re asking for death.”

Seokhwa’s shoulders looked even more stooped as he spoke expressionlessly. Unable to bear it whether there were soldiers around or not, Kwak Soohwan kissed Seokhwa’s plump lips lightly. In the brief moment of the kiss, Seokhwa’s tongue slipped out and licked Kwak Soohwan’s lower lip. It was an action that neither of them had consciously intended. Then Kwak Soohwan pressed his lips against Seokhwa’s again and sucked on the saliva.

Kwak Soohwan soon straightened up as if nothing had happened. Of course, even if someone caught them and scolded them for what kind of situation it was, it wouldn’t matter.

“Major Kwak Soohwan.”

“Yeah?”

Seokhwa wiped his reddened lips inward and then pulled away. There was still a lingering heat.

“We have to capture Choi Hoeon Doctor this time.”

“If capturing him alive is impossible, we might have to resort to assassination.”

“We have to make sure he stays alive.”

“Do you like stones, Dr. Seok? Do you like research?”

Kwak Soohwan asked somewhat seriously.

“…I like stones.”

“Then you like me the best, huh?”

Kwak Soohwan raised the corners of his mouth slightly. Since Seokhwa had once said he preferred him over stones, it was natural to deduce that Seokhwa liked him more than research. As his top priority was Seokhwa, Dr. Seok’s priority should also be Kwak Soohwan himself.

Still not understanding Kwak Soohwan’s proud expression, Seokhwa had to look out the window again, feeling a headache coming on. As the transport descended towards Gimpo runway, the altitude gradually decreased, and black smoke could be seen rising in several places.

The transport, which had secured a runway of about 600m, circled around before attempting to land again. As the transport lowered its altitude as much as possible, it shook violently as if someone was grabbing and shaking its body. With the reverse thrust engines working, the transport disregarded its speed and abruptly came to a stop.

Seokhwa, who had leaned forward, was abruptly thrown back onto the seat with a thud. Kwak Soohwan reached out to support his head, fearing it might hit something. Although it was a landing that made you wonder if anything would break, the fact that the transport safely touched down alone was a testament to the pilot’s skill. As the transport came to a complete stop, Kwak Soohwan unbuckled and stood up.

“At 3 o’clock from the transport exit, there are about twenty military jeeps in zone B32. Each squad leader will take command and move to B32. Squads 1 through 5 will move to Gwangmyeong Shelter, squads 6 through 9 to Gwacheon Shelter, and the rest will move with me to Yeouido. If Adam is spotted during the move, shoot on sight but refrain from stopping, and although civilian rescue is top priority, there may be insurgents among the civilians, so be careful. Squads 1 through 5, start moving first.”

Soldiers systematically disembarked from the transport and ran towards the area where the jeeps were located. Escort and advance teams were divided to ensure each other’s safety, and the remaining teams after the 6th followed suit. It was bitter to think about why there were so many elite soldiers like them on Jeju Island. Naturally, there was only one reason: the higher-ups had placed only the most capable individuals on Jeju Island, promising to prioritize their safety. Ironically, fearing the collapse of the city and the loss of their own livelihoods, they pushed them to the forefront in emergencies like this.

Once this incident was over, Kwak Soohwan planned to expose the corruption of Eden Hills and the higher-ups on a large scale. Since a Grade 1 crisis had occurred, it would be relatively easy to change public opinion in favor of the city.

Seokhwa also unbuckled and stood up, waiting for his turn to disembark. He needed to return to the lab as soon as possible to address the issues with the Eden Hills vaccine. Kwaang! In the distance, the sound of an explosion was heard. Though the shockwave made the transport shake, Kwak Soohwan extended his hand gracefully, as if escorting someone.

“Seokhwa, shall we head to Yeouido now?”

***

If there were such a thing as the turning point in life, Seokhwa thought it might have been after meeting Kwak Soohwan. That’s why he mulled over their first encounter several times. Was it really just a coincidence that Kwak Soohwan became his guardian and came to Jeju Island?

Kwak Soohwan first visited Jeju Island with Major Jang. Prior to that, he had used the excuse of investigating the 13 Red Zone to raid bars, and the person who ordered the investigation of that area was none other than Second. With Senior Researcher Dr. Oyang Seok dead, there was sufficient reason for Seokhwa, who was on Jeju Island, to go up to Seoul. Looking back, there were even stranger aspects. After his mother’s funeral, he had expected to be summoned immediately, but the city abandoned him. Had Rainbow City ever left a capable researcher unused?

Just by blocking contact with Dr. Oyang Seok, it was evident that someone did not want him to return to the lab. In the midst of that, when Doctor Oh died and Kwak Soohwan, who had to go to Yeongchang, took charge of his security, their meeting was arranged. Of course, one could attribute it to sheer coincidence. Just like how occasionally penicillin was accidentally discovered as a cure. However, even that couldn’t be called perfect happenstance.

Suppose unexpectedly a restaurant owner created some substance that could be a cure for an incurable disease; could a cure be developed? It would likely lean towards no. The restaurant owner had no reason to investigate that substance, and its effects were completely unpredictable. Often, those who accidentally discovered vaccines and cures were usually related researchers.

While it could be considered that Seokhwa and himself met unexpectedly, conversely, it was possible that someone who was interested in them connected them at the right timing. It was the meeting of a Doctor who needed protection and a perfect soldier, a fortuitous mutation. Of course, there were also relationships that couldn’t continue, loving the enemy’s child, and simple causal relationships that couldn’t explain the reunion of separated siblings. Some called it the will of God.

Seokhwa, who had never thought about God before, suspected it might not be an artificial meeting. However, how would one explain that Kwak Soohwan had become more precious than a stone?

Seokhwa calmly observed the changes after introducing dormant parasites into Cheongwoon’s blood. Moreover, he also introduced parasites into the blood of healthy individuals.

Putting his hand in his pocket, he rolled the pebble he had been given. Since all the other stones he had been given were in the Violet Zone, it was nothing but regret. Just the journey from the runway to Yeouido Shelter would involve dealing with a tremendous number of Adams.

Seokhwa knew better than anyone what Adam was like, but the city, where fires were erupting everywhere and it was impossible to distinguish between people and Adams, resembled hell itself. He wondered if it looked exactly like when the Adam virus was just beginning to spread.

Suppressing his anxious heart, Seokhwa also introduced the Eden Hills vaccine into his own blood. Setting the temperatures of the blood samples in the incubator differently and checking for changes every 10 minutes. Since it was a daunting task to do alone, some of the shelter researchers were also assisting Seokhwa.

Even now, it seemed like screams of people were echoing in Seokhwa’s ears. The sound of children crying also kept swirling around his ears like tinnitus.

***

“Don’t shoot civilians! You idiots!”

“Civilians and Adams cannot be distinguished. If we don’t kill them, we can’t stop the spread!”

The sacrifice of the few for the greater good. Faced with death, everyone thought there was no other choice.

Even during the early spread of the Adam virus, there were instances where people bitten by Adam secretly entered air-raid shelters where healthy people gathered, and even high-ranking officials exposed to the virus opted to be admitted to virus research centers or hospitals to avoid dying like that.

In fact, there were more people who stepped forward to save others than those who did such acts of self-preservation. Among the officials, there were those who willingly chose to be trapped in the air-raid shelters with Adam-infected individuals.

Unfortunately, the Adam virus was different from war, and the impact of one villain outweighed that of a hundred heroes. But were they all really villains? Some soldiers looked at people struggling to survive with Adam bites around their necks with perplexed eyes. They couldn’t even aim their guns properly. Were these people really villains?

Since all bridges leading to Yeouido, surrounded by the Han River, had been blown up or cut off, the only remaining route was the Seoul Bridge. Furthermore, the current boundary of Yeouido was the Seoul Bridge intersection.

Dozens of tanks blocked the intersection, and beyond them was a boundary fence that the city had erected as a crisis contingency. However, if enough force was applied, even the fence was likely to collapse. Worse yet, there were Adams mixed among the people.

From the concrete fortress, which served as a boundary checkpoint and was equivalent to a 15-story apartment, Kwak Soohwan raised the magnification of the sniper scope. He distinguished Adams and shot them in the head.

“Major! Orders have been given to exterminate everyone outside the fortified defense base.”

While reloading, a communications soldier urgently relayed the message.

“What?”

“Orders came from the top.”

“Who?”

“First Master.”

Damn bastard. Click. Kwak Soohwan consecutively shot Adams attempting to attack people. He was the commander of the Yeouido intersection, but he couldn’t completely ignore orders from above.

Kwak Soohwan lowered the muzzle and looked down. People from other zones were pushing forward like a flood to cross the Seoul Bridge and reach the Yeouido Shelter. It was evident at a glance that the virus was spreading in both directions, even among those bitten by Adam.

As Kwak Soohwan remained silent, the communications soldier spoke again.

“Major, orders to exterminate have been delivered.”

It was now impossible to select and bring in healthy people. The moment the fence was opened, Adams would flood in like a torrent.

“Major…”

Kwak Soohwan pressed his eyes tightly with both hands before releasing them. Exterminate them all?

Kwak Soohwan, who had been going back and forth at the scene countless times, was experiencing such a situation for the first time. Killing the mutated Adams was easy, and so was organizing the zones based on the starting points where Adams appeared. However, with mutated Adams appearing simultaneously in unspecified areas, soldiers from all zones were struggling. The same was true for Lee Chaeyoon, who had gone to Suwon, and Yang Sanghoon, who was guarding Gwacheon. There had never been such a large-scale Adam cleanup since their birth.

At this point, wouldn’t it be better to just let everything collapse? The bastards above could figure out how to survive on their own, and I could just go somewhere with Dr. Seok, maybe to some island, and live peacefully.

Kwak Soohwan, with his loaded gun, continued to kill Adams, but then he saw even a child being carried by their parents turning into one of them.

What if Seokhwa wasn’t here? Would they have just ordered to kill everyone? Or would this insane city have to perish? If they couldn’t disobey orders from above and ended up killing even innocent people, how would Dr. Seok look at me?

Kwak Soohwan signaled to exterminate everyone, but it was difficult to issue the order so easily. If the intersection was breached, Yeouido, where they were barely holding on, would collapse completely. He bit his lips and spoke. It felt like cold air was escaping from his mouth.

“All… “

Before he could issue the order to exterminate, gunfire erupted from the opposite concrete fortress. Countless screams and gasps erupted. As the city’s soldiers began indiscriminately shooting, people started scattering in all directions. There were those retreating, those trying to break through the fence, and Adams rushing at people like bloodthirsty demons. Kwak Soohwan approached the communications soldier behind the fortress and grabbed him by the collar.

“Major General Yoon personally gave the order. Major Kwak Soohwan, you’re accused of insubordination…”

The eyes of the communications soldier, whose breath was choked by Kwak Soohwan’s grip, were bloodshot.

“Sir, is it really true? If we can’t save everyone… is it right to kill them all? I just can’t do it.”

The lieutenant holding the machine gun in front of him was trembling.

The sound of a propeller tearing through the air began to be heard. It was air support from helicopters flying past the fortress. In an instant, the intersection was soaked in blood. It was a hellish world overflowing with people screaming in pain from gunshot wounds and those searching for family members, guiding them with injured bodies. Kwak Soohwan knew he could only protect his own body and nothing else. Despite being touted as having superior abilities to criminals, he couldn’t perform any magic to selectively kill only Adams.

“Where is General Yoon right now?”

Kwak Soohwan opened his mouth, looking down at the carnage.

“He’s at the Yeouido shelter.” That bastard called the General Yoon could perform magic with just a finger or a voice.

Inside that shelter, those who were waving guns around, not caring about the aftermath they would face later, were the ones giving orders.

“Cease fire.”

“Pardon?”

“I said, cease fire. I’ll take responsibility for what happens next.”

Kwak Soohwan started descending from the fortress. What remained after the tremendous storm that swept through the intersection was only corpses and injured people, with Adams relentlessly attacking survivors regardless of which way they turned. As he descended the ladder, the smell of blood became stronger.

Once on the ground, Kwak Soohwan walked towards the fence. All gunfire stopped at Kwak Soohwan’s command. He ran from behind to help close it, grabbing the fence and climbing up. After crossing the fence, standing at the intersection, there was a smack, and his combat boots were stained with blood.

Dr. Seok had said that he was always a burden to others because he lacked strength. So, Dr. Seok also wished he were as strong as I am…

No, Dr. Seok. The solution to all this is the cure. If there were a cure, none of this carnage would have happened.

“I’ll find a way. I’ll find a cure, no matter what.”

That’s what Seokhwa had said when they were lowering him down at the Yeouido shelter.

“I promised. Trust me.”

Kwak Soohwan used his boot to crush the head of an Adams that had become a half-wit, crawling towards him. He approached where he could hear whimpering amidst the sea of blood. The origin of the sound was under a sprawled corpse.

Grabbing the neck to clear the body, the woman was dead, her shirt crammed into her throat, perhaps to prevent her child from being bitten by an Adam. Kwak Soohwan tried to pick up the child. However, the child, gasping for breath, convulsed all over, unable to overcome the virus, trembling with a broken body. Even the child, whom the parents were trying to save, had died, and there seemed to be no hope anywhere.

I understand too well why Choi Hoeon wants to use Dr. Seok. Those who have experienced terror firsthand will deify Seokhwa as an immune being. They’ll try to mesmerize others by saying that if they receive a divine revelation, they too can become immune.

Kwak Soohwan began rescuing the survivors. The emotion in their eyes, as thick as fear, was resentment towards the soldiers.

Kwak Soohwan murmured inwardly.