The Line Between Us: Part II

Chapter 2: Crossing the 38th Parallel

Joon-seok nodded, his voice firm.

"시작한다. 물러설 수 없다. 서울로 가는 길을 열어라!"
("Let's begin. No turning back. Open the path to Seoul!")

The soldiers broke into a run-careful, but swift. Their footsteps made soft sounds over the damp grass. Under the pale glow of the moon, every movement was measured-as if each step carried its own danger.

Up ahead, the scouts weaved through tall grass, eyes sharply scanning the surroundings.

One of the scouts gave a hand signal-the eastern hill was clear. No enemy in sight.

Platoon 1 and Platoon 2 were close by, waiting for the signal.

"1소대, 앞으로 전진! 2소대, 좌측으로 이동-측면을 확보하라."
("Platoon 1, move up. Platoon 2, move to the left-secure the flank,") Lieutenant Joon-seok ordered in a low voice.

At the foot of the hill, the scout team began to crawl upward-bodies low, eyes scanning the crest above.

Suddenly-

A hand shot up, signaling the team to stop.

One of the soldiers quickly crouched and moved back down, panting,

"중위 동지! 언덕 위에 불빛이... 있습니다. 전초기지 같습니다."
("Sir! There's a light... up on the hill. Looks like an outpost.")

Joon-seok's jaw tensed. He didn't ask further.

"측면을 공격한다. 정면 공격은 금지다. 정찰대는 후방으로 돌아간다. 2소대, 풀숲에 기관총을 설치-지원사격 준비!"
("Flank them. No direct assault. Scout team, take the rear. Platoon 2, set up the machine gun in the grass-ready to cover.")

The officers nodded. Under the slow retreat of the morning mist, Joon-seok's regiment began to encircle the South's first line of defense.

The air was still quiet.

But inside every soldier, a storm of tension brewed.

They knew that any moment now-

the war would begin.

Moments later-

A South Korean sentry emerged from a small shelter atop the hill, flashlight in hand, unaware of the danger closing in.

As he sensed movement in the grass below, he froze.

"거기 누구냐?"
("Who's there?")

He leaned forward slightly. Shadows. Moving fast.

He stepped back, cold sweat running down his spine.

"북한군이다!"
("It's North Korean troops!")

He couldn't believe it.

This wasn't a drill. It was real.

He turned quickly toward the outpost.

"적이다! 북쪽에서 왔다!"
("Enemies! From the North!")

Gasps erupted among the defenders. One soldier rushed toward the machine gun-a heavy weapon mounted on a sandbagged mound beneath a tarp, aimed down the slope.

Others raised their rifles, aiming toward the lowland below.

"저기 있다! 저기!"
("There! There they are!") one shouted, spotting the prone figures.

Suddenly, gunfire erupted from the hilltop-bullets snapped through the grass.
Several North Korean soldiers, still lying flat on their bellies, were hit. One took a bullet through the skull-his head snapped back, blood spraying as his body dropped lifeless to the earth.