The large survivor group that is said to be gathering in the north.  

When I expressed the intention to make contact with them, the reaction of the unit members was quite lukewarm.  

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”  

“Even the awakened farmer has settled nearby, so we should be able to be self-sufficient on our own. Do we really need to?”  

But my thinking was a bit different.  

We’ve only managed to meet the bare minimum conditions to survive.  

With the fact that the area near the military is overflowing with monsters, we cannot be at ease.  

Even our current base could be destroyed by a monster invasion at any time.  

‘After all, a single military unit alone is not powerful enough.’  

The strength of the modern military does not come from the power of one unit alone.  

It’s built through the cooperation and complementing of weaknesses between multiple units.  

Now that other military units have been annihilated, if we can create a human alliance to take their place…  

 There will be no harm in that.  

“To be honest, when I first heard the rumors about them, I was suspicious because the conditions seemed too good. But thinking about it, the conditions for us accepting survivors are quite exceptional in this world too, aren’t they? In the end, I think we just have to meet them in person.”  

“If you really think so, then there’s no helping it.”  

“But just in case, you should take enough forces with you, right? The risk is real after all.”  

That’s true.  

After entrusting the unit’s management to Min-jae and Lee Sang-ah,  

I decided on the soldiers who would accompany me.  

The elite forces of our unit – squad leader Jeon Gwang-il, squad leader Seo Su-hyeok, and 3 others selected from other squads.  

Plus, our drone operator Jeong Soo-ah for visual surveillance.  

“Although there are just over ten people in total, in the game, it’s all about the level.”  

 ‘I’d say around a third of our unit’s strength is here.’  

Unless we encounter an unusually powerful monster, we should be able to easily deal with the zombies.  

The navigation was entrusted to Jeong Soo-ah, who has the Sprit Vision ability.  

We boarded the combat vehicles modified by the engineers and immediately set out.  

While minimizing noise, her spirit vision allowed us to avoid confrontation as much as possible.  

As we moved further north, the number of zombies and monsters visibly decreased.  

Just like how we periodically patrolled and cleared the monsters around the ammunition depot, it seems they have also been maintaining security in this area.  

Suddenly, a group of humans came into view in the distance.  

“Those people are… just ordinary survivors, it seems. Given how the rumors have spread, there are probably a few such groups in the vicinity.”  

“Hold on a moment,” I said.  

It seems Soo-ah didn’t feel the need to report this, so she didn’t say anything.  

That group – their appearance is quite familiar to me.  

I stopped the vehicle and got out to approach them.  

The survivor group seemed cautious as I approached, but…  

“That military uniform. Are you the ones…”  

As I got closer, a man approached me with a look of surprise.  

“It is you! The soldiers from back then!”  

In the past, there was a time when we hunted the monsters around to awaken the survivors in our unit.  

On one such occasion, we encountered a survivor group being attacked by monsters.  

Although we helped them, they initially mistook us for deserters and looters, causing quite a commotion.  

‘The misunderstanding was cleared up later, but they said they were moving to join the large survivor group in the north.’  

Come to think of it, the first news we heard about the large northern group was from them.  

“It’s been a while since you said you were going to join the large group. Have you just arrived now?”  

“Could it be that you’ve already met and talked with them?”  

“Does that mean you’re already part of that group?”  

“Not exactly,” the man said, waving his hand.  

“We’ve been here for a while, but they can’t just accept everyone who shows up unannounced. They have to confirm that newcomers are trustworthy first before allowing them to join. We’re not the only ones waiting – there are a few other groups here as well.”  

I see.  

When Lee Sang-ah joined our group, we didn’t know there were criminals mixed in.  

They must also be carefully vetting the newcomers to prevent any undesirable elements from infiltrating.  

“It seems the verification process is taking some time.”  

“But doesn’t that mean you’re just wasting time here…? Isn’t that a loss?”  

The man laughed heartily.  

“Loss? Not at all! This area has already been cleaned up by them, so we don’t have to worry about monsters. And with the awakened among us, we have plenty of firepower to keep things secure.”  

He then went into the group and returned with a bag, showing me its contents.  

“This is the food they’ve provided for the groups waiting to join. Apparently, they give this to all the groups that have expressed interest in joining.”  

Wow, if those who are waiting to be accepted in their “guild” are getting this kind of support, then it’s no wonder their reputation is so good.  

“I couldn’t believe it either when I first saw it, but it’s true. Thanks to this, the waiting time hasn’t been too bad.”  

The man said with a smile.  

This is not a bad situation for us.  

We came here to find a capable human alliance to cooperate with, and if their resources are this abundant, that would be great.  

“But, ah, that’s only until today.”  

“Only until today?”  

“Didn’t I mention there are quite a few other groups waiting? Well, our turn is coming up next. We’re scheduled to join them tonight.”  

“I see…”  

“By the way, I still haven’t properly repaid the favor you did for us back then.”  

“Favor?”