Chapter 95

Chapter 95Wildfire(4)

Could this be called a fateful reunion?

Go Eun-sil couldnt believe that a rescue team, including her elementary school classmate, had come up through the sea of fire.Th.ê most uptodate novels are published on n(0)velbj)n(.)co/m

Just a minute ago, they were in despair.

Risking their lives to descend, they found their phones continually out of service in the darkness. They had to rely on the sky to guide them through the spreading flames towards the evacuation center.

Jeong-woo, are you a firefighter? According to Soo-chan

Eun-sil.

Yeah?

Lets talk in detail after safely getting down. Anyway, its good to see you.

Oh? Uh, yeah, same here.

Jeong-woos gaze towards the mountain was exceptionally serious.

This incredible coincidence didnt seem to be heading towards a happy ending just yet.

Gather around! Well distribute fire protection equipment.

At the call of one team member, Go Eun-sil glanced at Jeong-woos back and, like others, moved behind.

It will protect you from smoke and heat.

Amidst the team members distributing special vinyl masks covering the entire head and firefighting blankets made of fiberglass, an older-looking man stepped forward.

Im Rescue Team Leader Kim Jae-ho. Answer while wearing it. We need to identify you and report to the command center. Why did you come here, of all places?

We were here to manage endangered animals and plants in this area. One of us is a journalist who came to cover our work.

The director of the National Park Management Agencys Ecological Restoration Department and two employees, a veterinarian from the Animal Protection Association, and one social affairs reporter.

After confirming their identities, Kim Jae-ho picked up the radio.

Command Center. Command Center. This is Rescue Team 1. Weve secured a total of 5 isolated individuals at the evacuation center. Currently preparing to descend.

Squeak.

-Any injured individuals?

No. The list of rescued individuals is

Kim Jae-ho, who quickly reported, was approached by Director Nam Jeong-yeol.

Theres a mountain rescue team on the southwest side of this location, on Mount Seoraksan. If you talk to them theyll support us with a helicopter. We have an agreement with the National Park Management Agency.

We also arrived by helicopter initially. If it were accessible, we wouldnt have climbed through these flames.

Kim Jae-ho opened his mouth to those who seemed not to fully comprehend the seriousness of the situation.

Let me briefly explain the situation in this area.

The following explanation from the rescue team leader was increasingly grave.

This area was declared a disaster zone due to a wildfire, and it was the most dangerous place. If they didnt evacuate as soon as possible, there was a high risk of losing their lives due to flames and toxic gases. On top of that, the advancing fire line was expected to forcefully break through, posing an even greater danger.

The five isolated at the evacuation center were both dumbfounded and at a loss for words.

Why did this happen

Director Nam stared at the flaming forest with a disheartened expression.

A man in his mid-thirties, who had been holding a camera like a lifeline, asked Kim Jae-ho with a bewildered expression.

Jumping into a pit of fire, are you in your right mind? Is that something a 119 firefighter would say?

Despite the challenging attitude of the man questioning him, Kim Jae-hos expression remained unshaken.

You said youre a journalist, right?

Im Seong Ra-il from Dongmyeong Ilbo.

Theres a question journalists always ask at the scene. Was that rescue the best option?

Seong Ra-il, trembling in fear, and others in a similar state, were carefully scrutinized by Kim Jae-ho. He calmly spoke.

The best response from a firefighter at a disaster site threatening lives may not be the correct answer. However, who can determine the best response in such a situation? You, the journalist? Us? A third party who hasnt experienced this situation?

Seong Ra-il couldnt answer Kim Jae-hos question.

As someone who has experienced a scene like this a bit more, Ill give you an advice. If you find a way with a high probability of survival, act without delay. Its a hundred times better than just standing still. But if you dont know the way

Kim Jae-hos gaze turned towards Jeong-woo, who was observing the area below.

Find the person who seems to be the safest in this hell. Then follow them, whether its to live or die. My team and I came here that way, and thats how well survive in this place.

Descending the steep cliff, Rescue Team 1 and the five rescuers confronted swirling flames with the force to uproot trees.

A dead-end alley.

Throughout their descent from the peak, they had faced the flames, making it inevitable to feel despair, but it was especially intense here. In the smoke-filled surroundings, the only visible light amid the haze was the crimson flames.

Finding a way in such a place was practically impossible. However, people, clinging to a glimmer of hope, focused their attention on one person.

We have to jump over there.

Everyone was startled at the sound.

Kim Jae-ho, who was standing beside Jeong-woo, said.

It seems much more intense here than elsewhere. If we have to go through, whether its firefighting equipment or team members, well lead the way. Kim Yi-hyun, Park Dong-myeong!

No. The eastern fire line has thickened. We should conserve our supplies as much as possible if we intend to break through.

But

As the fire is concentrated here, the area right behind is relatively safe for a while.

Even Kim Jae-ho, who had consistently trusted Jeong-woo, had a doubtful expression, given how threatening the flames were.

Jeong-woo observed the two currents beginning to intertwine and said.

The timing will become apparent. The time to pass will be about 20 seconds. The distance is approximately 50 meters.

Due to the dense smoke, people couldnt know where they were or which direction was safe. They could only rely on Jeong-woos voice.

Jeong-woo, though already hoarse from shouting on the way, had no time to rest in order to boost the spirits of those who could only be pessimistic in this dreadful heat.

Is there anyone here who cant run 50 meters in 20 seconds? Im sorry, but you have to run now. Run at full speed, go and collapse. Im counting! Three, two

Shooooo.

All kinds of branches and nearby flames swirled in a whirlwind, soaring high into the sky. Peoples eyes widened at the unexpected path that appeared.

One! Run!

At Jeong-woos shout, a team member with a rake ran ahead, dodging the smoke. The rescuers followed, using the path he secured.

Jeong-woo, who was running at the back, calculated the reaction time while watching the space where the flames disappeared as oxygen was rapidly sucked in.

It wont be 20 seconds. 15 seconds, no, 10 seconds?

In the midst of catching his breath, rotating his head was not a normal act.

Among those running behind him were Jeong Pil-du and Go Eun-sil. Jeong Pil-du, who had intentionally coordinated with her to protect him, wasnt a problem.

[Our Jeong-woo? Doing great. He became a researcher at a major company. KG Chemicals.]

He clearly said he was a researcher. Thinking about it from her childhood perspective, it didnt seem like a fitting profession, but now that she faced Han Jung-woo, he was more than just an expert.

Its really you, Jeong-woo?

Why? Doesnt seem like it?

The kind and considerate old image of him, who extended his hand first to her when she transferred to a new school with no friends, overlapped throughout the encounter.

No, it doesnt matter.

What are you talking about? Oh? Watch your head.

Amidst occasional falling embers, the group continued to walk without rest.

About five minutes passed.

At that time, in the smoke, where only the sounds of each others labored breathing could be heard, somewhere, a high-toned animal cry, sounding like a whimper, echoed.

Go Eun-sil perked up her ears and looked around.

Director Nam, is this, by any chance

Yeah, its the cry of a marten.

Endangered wildlife, grade 2. One of the species they had been observing and researching on Hwango Peak.

Jeong-woo, who was walking ahead, stopped abruptly.

Theres something over there. In our way.

As they moved a bit forward, they saw a 30-centimeter marten writhing in the ash, unable to breathe.

Someones flashlight illuminated the marten. Nam Jeong-yeol, who was nearby, said.

Its not an adult. These little ones must have their mothers by their side. Probably due to this fire

Oh, no.

Jeong-woo clicked his tongue at the prospect of a dead parent. When Jeong-woo was about to approach the marten, who was unable to hold himself up due to weakness, Go Eun-sil quickly grabbed his arm.

It may look gentle, but its a top predator.

When the marten realized they were approaching, it went wild. The dying creature revealed a sharpness that made it look like it would bite anyone who approached.

Go Eun-sil, after carefully observing the martens whole body, said.

It seems more like suffocation from the smoke than burns.

Jeong-woo clicked his tongue.

This damn wildfire is a disaster for them too.

Kim Jae-ho, the team leader at the front, spoke to the people.

Theres no time to waste. If were not going to catch it, lets move.

With the need to keep moving, there was no time to pay attention to the marten, which was showing its hostility.

As they continued to move, Jeong-woo looked at the marten as if it were nothing and reached his hand into the air.

Phew, smoke, go away.

What are you.., doing?

At Go Eun-sils question, Jeong-woo scratched his chin with a somewhat awkward expression.

Just.

Crackle.

Around the marten, white flashes gathered, completely different from the sparks. Crackling, the animal, which had been breathing heavily, soon stabilized its breath and calmed down.

A small creature suffered in the middle of the forest as the flames consumed it.

Through its jet-black pupils, the footprints of people moving away to the other side of the fire could be seen.

Oh, Chief, are you out of your mind? Who on earth would come through this?

In front of the scorched forest, 20 meters from the burning pit, Lee Heung-sik, a forestry officer from the county office, wore an expression of disbelief.

It was an order, yes, but with only twelve firefighters in the suppression team, there was a danger of being swept away, let alone trying to control the raging flames.

Captain, the fire is likely to reach here soon. Shouldnt we retreat? Weve waited as much as an hour.

Im seriously considering it too. Let me try the walkie-talkie.

While calling the situation room and waiting, the walkie-talkie blinked.

Crackle.

-Fire suppression team on standby at the east fire ignition line, do you copy?

What?

Lee Heung-sik pressed the transmission button on the walkie-talkie with a surprised expression.

Forest Service fire suppression team leader here. Who are you over there?

-Its Kim Jae-ho from the rescue team. Were planning to break through the fire line soon. When you see the fire light, concentrate the firefighting equipment in that direction.

Youre inside?

As absurd as it sounded, there was no time to be dumbfounded. Lee Heung-sik ordered all members carrying backpack pumps to prepare for forward waiting.

Where is it? Where?

Observing the flames for about a minute, a point of fire suddenly surged like a flickering candle. Along with it, the light of flashlights began to twinkle.

Theyre here! Concentrate!

A stream of water from the backpack pumps was directed toward a point.

On the opposite side, an air-compressed firefighting device shot out, creating a small path through the sea of flames.

Shoot, shoot! Pour it in!

After a while, about a dozen people walked out of the flames.

Crackle.

-Team leader, have you met them? Tell me. Is everyone safe? Please tell them that everyone is safe.

A transmission came from Chief Oh Seon-yong.

Lee Heung-sik looked at the survivors who emerged from the inferno with an expression of disbelief.

Are you all out? How many in total? Report to the situation room.

The firefighter wearing a Beware of wildfires safety helmet, walking out from the far end, answered Lee Heung-siks question.

Ah, there are eleven of us.

While answering, something black suddenly shot out from under the firefighters feet and swiftly brushed past Lee Heung-siks side.

Startled, Lee Heung-sik jumped to the side.

The firefighter, surprised and confused, continued to speak.

and a marten.