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The condition of the bicycle left unattended for months was not good. Rusty chain, flat tires, and a body covered in dust and cobwebs.

Still, the somewhat intact bicycle managed to roll somehow.

On the way back to Villa Street, the companions slowly pedaled the bicycle, spinning around, then shook their heads and got off.

“We need to do some maintenance. The noise is quite noticeable. Riding this bike at night will expose our location.”

“It’s also hard to use a rifle. Not ideal for combat.”

There are many minor issues, but it’s still a means of transportation.

“Let’s go home and think about it. Whether to fix it or attach it to a cart.”

I carefully examined the bicycle structure. If I remove the front wheel and handlebar and fix a cart in its place, it might roll somehow. It would take some time to do it properly, though.

‘If done well, it could become a mobile machine gun turret.’

The companions also seemed to be struggling, frowning as they alternated their gaze between the bicycle and the cart.

On the leisurely way back to Villa Street.

I felt the world slowly welcoming autumn with my whole body. Cool and refreshing air. Dragonflies flying in the air and noisy crickets.

But the unseen joy of autumn.

The street trees had already been cut down by people. No autumn leaves to see. Looking at the nearby mountain, its slopes were eerily empty. The river flowing beside us had dried up significantly, trickling weakly.

It felt as if the world was turning into firewood.

“Firewood…”

I muttered. The world is indeed firewood. Dry leaves perfect for burning. People are the same. Starving, emaciated people would kill for a handful of rice.

The city was already a powder keg, easy to ignite, and even easier for flames to spread.

The companions were having casual conversations around me, but I couldn’t hear them. I was lost in thoughts of a blood-red future.

***

While gathering information about pillagers who had taken over another river, we worked hard.

Receiving tips from survivors near Villa Street, we pillaged small resources and attacked bases of people who seemed active at night.

Sometimes, signs of fire would appear.

On the way back after a daytime pillage. We saw smoke rising faintly from a building. It looked like cooking smoke.

“Boss. Should we go there?”

“Wait a moment.”

I stared at the smoke. No one would light a fire so openly during the day. Smoke is a visible sign, and lighting a fire so blatantly?

It’s either a fire or a trap.

If it’s a fire, we need to suppress it quickly. If it’s a trap, we need to push in with the cart and kill them. Either way, the conclusion is the same. Approach.

“I’ll go first. Follow behind me.”

I pushed the combat cart with force. The sturdy and heavy combat cart is perfect for dismantling traps. It can handle pit traps or rope traps by triggering them first.

We moved forward step by step, tense, and saw the fire.

The third floor of the building. Flames flickered beyond the broken windows. The shattered windows spewed black smoke like chimneys. The sprinklers weren’t working, so it burned well.

“Is it really a fire?”

I tilted my head in confusion.

Because I had once used fire as bait to lure people out, it looked like bait to me. Thinking about it, fire counters firearms. You can’t bring a gun into high flames.

Jeondohyeong stomped his feet and took a few steps forward.

“We need to put out the fire quickly. If left alone, it will spread everywhere.”

Not wrong… The streets were filled with corpses, trash, cars, and weeds, all excellent firewood.

I scratched my head inside the bulletproof helmet.

“If we leave it, will it reach our place?”

“No reason it can’t. The drains are full of trash and leaves. It could spread through the drains.”

The drains meant to carry water could become a path for fire. Glancing at the roadside drain, it was indeed true. The drain was piled with various trash and weeds.

“Let’s find fire extinguishers around here first.”

We can put out the fire or use them like smoke grenades.

Just as we were about to scatter, we heard someone running. Everyone quickly aimed their firearms in the direction of the footsteps.

There, a few masked people were running with red fire extinguishers. The extinguishers swayed roughly.

“Move aside!”

“Stop. Come closer, and we’ll shoot.”

“No, there’s a fire!”

The survivors shouted loudly as they approached. Their path led straight to the burning building.

The problem was that their path crossed right through our formation.

I suspiciously looked at them and drew my handgun from my pocket.

‘Is it a trap? Are they vicious people aiming for our firearms?’

Using the fire as bait and firefighting as a pretext to close the distance. Once the distance is closed, the rest is easy. Attack in the middle of our formation. Friendly fire would occur, and if lucky, they could use our corpses as shields and seize our firearms.

If luck is on their side, they could loot our weapons.

Seeing them desperately running, I became certain. They were ready to die to seize our firearms. It’s a trap.

“Kill them.”

I said shortly and pulled the trigger. Bang, bang, the handgun fired, and the companions followed without hesitation, scattering bullets.

In an instant, the vicious survivors fell. The fire extinguisher hit by bullets exploded, spewing white powder-like smoke.

Puff, the powder bursting out from the bullet holes. Vision instantly limited.

At that moment, realization struck.

‘The fire extinguisher is a real smoke grenade!’

If we had allowed them to approach, it would have been a disaster. If the extinguisher had exploded in the middle of our formation, a terrible situation would have unfolded. How do you distinguish friend from foe in thick fog?

Randomly shooting, and a survivor approaching with a weapon. Just imagining it gave me chills.

I switched to a hammer and shouted loudly.

“Retreat outside the smoke range! Prioritize getting out even if attacked!”

Dragging the cart behind me, I stretched out one hand. My body was hunched. Hiding in protective gloves, I only needed to guard the front.

The crackling sound from the burning building, the fire extinguisher spewing powder, the sound of many footsteps. Chaos in the white haze.

I only looked forward and ran, soon escaping the smoke range.

“Stay alert!”

“Confirmed!”

The companions who escaped quickly formed a familiar formation. The numbers… I quickly counted and nodded. Thankfully, everyone made it out.

Now, the problem is those vicious survivors.

Beyond the slowly settling powder, the fallen survivors were visible. Red blood mixed with extinguisher powder, sticking together. Perhaps because we poured so many bullets, the survivors didn’t move.

“Confirm the kills.”

“Yes.”

Feeling threatened, the companions entered combat mode. Without letting their guard down, they approached and slashed with knives, turning the survivors into corpses.

I wiped my sweaty forehead.

“That was close.”

“…Were those people just trying to put out the fire?”

It was Jeondohyeong. He looked indifferent, glancing at the corpses.

I looked at him in disbelief. Has he been living too comfortably lately? His vigilance has dulled.

“If we had let them approach, we would have been done for. Imagine them spraying the extinguisher in the middle of our formation and attacking.”

“That’s true, but…”

Still looking doubtful.

I shook my head.

“They’re all survivors. It’s a season full of malice. The fire is a trap, and they’re pillagers. Get a grip.”

How dangerous autumn is. Everyone is living like beasts to survive the day and stockpile food for winter.

Goosebumps rose on my skin. I shivered.

‘Unknown survivors are this vicious.’

They prepared a way to defeat armed pillagers. Even though it’s a life-threatening challenge, they moved without hesitation.

I learned two things from this experience.

How to use fire extinguishers as smoke grenades. How to weaken the enemy’s strengths to increase our chances of winning.

‘I also need to clearly recognize my weaknesses and prepare.’

The companions holding the fire extinguishers left by the vicious survivors slowly went to extinguish the building fire. I watched their backs and swung my hammer.

I don’t have many weaknesses. Past actions that could make me an enemy of the police or Hope Community, betrayal by companions, possible karma from various actions, resource depletion.

I’m already mindful of these. It’s more important to weaken the potential enemies’ strengths.

How to cut off Rider Zero’s line, empty the armories of the police, alliance, and Electric Nomad, divide the alliance…

Unknowingly, I muttered.

“Fire is indeed the best.”

If you set a fire well, the ammunition depot explodes, and resources disappear. The alliance can’t maintain its body and will collapse. Fire is the solution to all problems.

***

On the way back after extinguishing the fire and gathering some remaining resources. In this season of famine, we worked hard.

Peeking into abandoned cars for leftover bottled water or resources, unnecessarily opening delivery trucks, and entering empty houses like scratching lottery tickets.

The resources gained this way were minimal, but sometimes, like winning the lottery, we found decent resources.

“Ah, there’s food here.”

“There’s a mask. And soap too.”

Resources hidden inside the bathroom ceiling inspection hatch. Likely hidden by someone with survivalist tendencies, but the person seemed to have died long ago, as there were no traces in the house.

I smiled contentedly at the decent harvest, then suddenly realized.

Water. We didn’t find any water.

 

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