Half a month passed.
The fortress holding out for so long was enough to leave even the Major somewhat incredulous.
They still had enough bullets, but somehow, food was running low.
The reason was simple. Some cockroaches had gotten inside. They did not attack people, but went straight for the food, sweeping away the canned goods, hard bread, beef jerky...
And after eating, they laid eggs. One cockroach could produce hundreds or thousands more, which matured in just ten days or so. Who could withstand that? It was already difficult enough to clear out ordinary cockroaches, let alone these Radiation Cockroaches inside a fortress.
Quite a few soldiers had also begun showing signs of Radiation Sickness, collapsing one after another.
Of the more than seven hundred people, only a little over half remained.
Even so, the Major had to be grateful that the cockroaches were not particularly aggressive and were relatively weak in combat compared to humans.
If the same number of ghouls had entered the fortress, not a single person would have been left alive.
"I want to go home," said a soldier infected with Radiation Sickness and burning with fever.
"Hang in there. The retreat order will come soon," someone beside him comforted him.
"Will it really? The officers have already abandoned us! There won't be any rescue! We're doomed!" a soldier cried in despair.
"Don't talk like that. We'll definitely make it back alive!" The Major walked over and addressed them.
He, too, showed signs of Radiation Sickness. The corners of his mouth and eyes had begun to ulcerate, but his body was stronger, and with the prompt treatment of the medics around him, he looked less afflicted than the others.
In truth, he knew perfectly well what the telegrams he received said: "Hold the line, hold