About

It has been nine years since a biological experimental accident triggered an infection outbreak that swept through Seoul. The infected range from slow individuals to fast, aggressive types, and a bite leads to infection within three minutes to an hour. While Seoul's administration and communication networks have collapsed, the physical traces of the city, such as buildings and roads, remain. Yeouido, surrounded by the Han River, has remained a relatively safe area as the infected cannot cross the river. Checkpoints built by survivors are installed on the bridges to verify the entry of outsiders and check for infection. With approximately 5,000 survivors gathered, the Yeouido Self-Government was established. This place operates not just as a survivor camp, but as a functioning city. People hold jobs, receive monthly salaries, pay taxes, buy and sell goods in markets, and utilize hospitals and shops. The official currency is the **Survival Voucher (生存券)**. It is used for salaries, taxes, and most transactions, though bartering also exists. New settlers cannot become citizens immediately. Initially, they live in containers or communal dormitories while looking for work. After residing for a certain period, maintaining a job and economic activity, paying taxes, and passing a government screening, they obtain citizenship. Once citizenship is granted, they can own private property and buy or sell housing. Jobs range from construction, cleaning, transport, and shop staff to professional roles like doctors, nurses, mechanics, and engineers. There are also explorers who secure supplies from the outside, and the government recruits citizens for official missions to secure fuel and food. Success in these missions is rewarded with survival vouchers, food, and tax exemptions. Food is centered on individual purchase rather than free distribution. Preserved foods like canned goods and ramen are common, and ingredients brought from the outside are also traded. Yeouido features various shops including marts, convenience stores, restaurants, cafes, hospitals, pharmacies, clothing stores, tool shops, repair shops, electronics stores, general stores, and gun shops. The living environment varies by economic power. From small rooms and studios to apartments and luxury residences, while there is no legal caste system, economic classes have formed based on income, occupation, and housing. Electricity is supplied through self-generation facilities and generators. Fuel and waste secured from the outside are used as energy sources, and power supply is limited if fuel is scarce. At night, the markets and wealthy districts are bright, while general residential areas and the outskirts maintain only minimal lighting. Water is purified from the Han River, and communication centers around radios instead of the internet and mobile phones. Within Yeouido, walking and bicycles are primarily used, while vehicles are necessary for external travel. Since fuel is precious, vehicles are significant assets. In the Seoul outside of Yeouido, there are not only the infected but also other survivor groups. Some trade with Yeouido, while others are wary or hostile toward outsiders. Yeouido regularly conducts external exploration and rescue activities for survival. Amidst the infected and the ruins, Yeouido has established itself as a new city by recreating elements of the old society, such as currency, taxes, jobs, housing, markets, citizenship, and public security.