Major General Ha Dong-Gi paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, before adding, "We will take one final question."
The tension in the room thickened, hanging in the air like the oppressive weight of an impending storm. Everyone present understood that they weren't just waiting for answers—they were clinging to the faintest glimmer of hope amid the looming specter of annihilation.
"The probability of success is over 70%? Isn't that a bit too optimistic?" Dong-Joo frowned, his eyes narrowing as though trying to pierce through the surface of the statement. There was something off about it, like a hidden truth deliberately kept out of reach.
"Something smells fishy," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.
The briefing room, crowded with journalists, was already tense. The air seemed to grow heavier when a reporter raised his hand to speak.
"I'm Kim Gil-Yoon from Cheonji Ilbo," he began, his voice sharp and commanding.
"At present, the asteroid destruction mission is being led by Code One. However, many are questioning the legitimacy of this organization. How is it possible for such a group to materialize just hours after the trajectory of Apophis was confirmed? And can we even trust that the announced trajectory is accurate, or has it been manipulated?"
All eyes immediately turned to Director Ha Dong-gi, who sat calmly at the front. His demeanor was unshaken, his thin smile unwavering.
"Such rumors, which are circulating widely on the internet, are completely unfounded," he said smoothly.
He paused briefly, taking a measured breath before continuing. "Code One is a system that was initiated by the United States in the early 2000s to address potential asteroid threats. That's why, when this situation arose, both the UN and the United States were able to respond swiftly. As for the asteroid's altered trajectory, the data provided by the government is factual. However, because these events occur beyond human control, verifying every detail is inherently difficult."
The answer was polished—too polished. Dong-Joo couldn't help but notice how flawlessly Director Ha delivered his lines, devoid of even the faintest flicker of emotion. It was as if he were reciting a script he had rehearsed countless times.
That day's briefing felt different from the usual. The questions seemed orchestrated, aligning too conveniently with the responses given. Most of the other reporters remained silent, some jotting down notes while others wore blank expressions. It was like watching a staged play that had lost its suspense.
"So, in the end, all we can do is wait for the asteroid to be destroyed," someone murmured from the corner of the room.
"They said the chances of success are high," another replied.
"But it's still hard to put all our faith in it."
When the briefing concluded, Dong-Joo left the room with his colleagues. The atmosphere among them was a strange mix of despair and skepticism.
Later, he strolled toward the memorial park with Dong-ah. Sang-jin, who had arrived late, insisted on tagging along.
"Hey, you look exhausted. Just go home and rest. Stop being so stubborn," Dong-ah scolded her brother, her tone firm but tinged with concern.
Sang-jin chuckled lightly, patting her shoulder. "You're underestimating me. I'm a seasoned veteran at pulling all-nighters. Staying up playing poker till sunrise? That's nothing."
"You're insane! And you still have the nerve to joke about it?" Dong-ah shot back, her eyes narrowing in irritation.
"Dong-ah, aren't you the one with a boyfriend? Hurry up and get married already! Oh, wait, never mind. The end of the world is right around the corner, so what's the point?" Sang-jin laughed again, but this time there was a bitter edge to it.
"Stop saying things like that!" Dong-ah snapped, giving her brother a shove.
Suddenly, Sang-jin turned to Dong-Joo, as if remembering something important. "Oh, by the way, I heard the Seogang gang has cooked up some crazy plan. They're talking about storming the radar base on Mount Mudeung."
Dong-Joo froze mid-step. "What? Why would they do that?"
"They're saying there's a massive bunker there, supposedly indestructible—even against missile attacks. If the asteroid hits, that bunker might be the only safe place left."
Dong-Joo fell silent, his mind racing. A flicker of hope, one he had tried so hard to bury, began to stir within him. Could it be true? Could the bunker really offer a chance of survival?
In the suffocating uncertainty that hung over their heads, even the faintest glimmer of hope felt like a lifeline. But Dong-Joo knew all too well that the path to that bunker wouldn't be easy. And the risks? They were likely far greater than he dared to imagine.
Suddenly, something almost invisible flickered in Dong-Joo's heart—a faint glimmer of hope, weak yet enough to freeze him in place as he hung on every word that came from Sang-Jin's mouth.
"So?" he asked, his voice nearly trembling.
Sang-Jin took a deep breath, as if carefully choosing his words. "It's a rumor circulating among the police working under the Seogang faction. They say that soon, a high-ranking official's family will be relocated there. What do you think? Will the Seogang group just sit back and watch? If necessary, they won't hesitate to take that bunker by force."
Dong-Joo swallowed hard. "Are you saying... they're ready to fight? Even against the military or the police?"
Sang-Jin's gaze sharpened, almost like the flash of a drawn sword. His eyes locked onto Dong-Joo's, as though trying to read the very thoughts in his mind.
"Here's the thing," he said, his tone low but resolute.
"I plan to join them. But what about you, Dong-Joo?"
****
The evening breeze at the base of Mount Mudeung carried a chill, mingling the scent of damp earth with the crispness of dry leaves. In the distance, the sun began to sink, casting a streak of orange across the sky. Dong-Joo stood still, his gaze lost in the faraway peak of the mountain, where rumors of a bunker had begun to spread. The thought of that shelter reignited a flicker of optimism within him—an emotion so rare in a world that was on the verge of collapse.