Chapter 29
Chapter 29
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Information Collection
-----------------------------------------------------------------
He firmly secures the container filled with waste to the back of his reinforced exoskeleton.
Ever since the Purchase Window appeared, Yuseong no longer needed to venture outside to scavenge for food. But that didn't mean he could avoid going out altogether.
Vital activities included more than just eating and sleeping—there was also defecation. He had to periodically empty the waste that had built up inside his body.
‘If only there was a way to handle this inside the house.’
Then he shook his head.
‘That's a luxurious thought.’
It hadn't been long since he'd been tormented by a shortage of supplies. If his past self saw him now, he'd probably call it a full-belly complaint and shoot him.
Yuseong left the residence.
The world remained the same. Barren and desolate. Compared to the landscapes brimming with Ark's vitality, this world was no different from trash.
He moves forward, sharply vigilant of his surroundings. He buries the waste at a spot far from the residence.
That finished what he had to do.
But Yuseong didn't head straight back. Since he was already out, he planned to search for parts for the Virtual Reality Device.
‘Should I start with the nearby buildings.’
These were places he'd already ransacked multiple times. But back then, his goal had been food and weapons. Now, he was after electronic components. It was worth a thorough search.
Beasts hidden away leap out. But with no more worries about ammo, Yuseong beats down every one that appears. Once the echoes of combat fade and silence returns, he begins tearing through the house.
His target is the Virtual Reality Device. It would only be broken ones, but since he wanted parts, that was fine.
He also pries apart other electronic devices that might be compatible with the Virtual Reality Device and takes them.
Of course, he has no idea if they'll actually be compatible with the one he owns.
‘But there's no other way.’
Dismantling the Virtual Reality Device he already had wasn't even on the table.
What if something went wrong and it broke? It would be idiotic to ruin the device itself while trying to prepare for its potential failure. There was no greater stupidity.
He'd even asked the Strategy Guide, but it just repeated that it had no information.
Still, its knowledge of mechanical devices was extensive enough that he could somewhat identify the parts he needed.
For now, he heads to every spot around that seems to have a decent amount of electronics. Yuseong counts his remaining ammo.
‘This should be enough.’
He'd already decided on the last stop for the day. Yuseong crushes the crumbling dirt underfoot as he climbs the hill.
From the summit, he spots a building with a massive compound below.
It was a factory.
He doesn't know what it produced. He didn't care to find out. But he remembers the products scattered inside the chaotic interior—they looked like electronic components.
And what stuck in his memory even more than those useless survival items were the beasts.
‘There were quite a few.’
The building was huge, so naturally, plenty of beasts had taken shelter inside. He still trembled at the memory of how quickly his ammo had burned through while searching it.
But things were different now. The iron box hanging from his waist, packed full of bullets, couldn't feel more reassuring.
He steps into the compound, passing through the haphazardly crumpled gate barely hanging on.
The damp silence feels off. The only sound is the wind carrying a stench. He hopes the silence persists inside the building too.
He enters the building. His sharp eyes scan the surroundings. No beasts in sight for now.
Staying ready to pull the trigger at any moment, he advances slowly.
‘Definitely a factory for electronic components.’
The items scattered at his feet confirm it. Looking closer, he identifies them.
‘Parts for a hologram device.’
Not a Virtual Reality Device.
‘Too bad.’
But he's not too disappointed. What were the odds the first factory he picked would make Virtual Reality Devices or their parts? Yuseong doesn't consider himself particularly lucky.
That said, he has no intention of leaving right away. He plans to search a bit more for any electronic devices with compatible parts.
Kaang!
At the sudden metallic clang, Yuseong instantly drops into firing position. He peers toward the source of the noise.
It's far from the windows. The already dim sky casts deep shadows.
But it's not completely obscured.
‘Doesn't look like anything's there.’
The moment that thought crosses his mind, Yuseong spins his body 180 degrees.
He spots a beast creeping up silently.
Bang!
No need to look further—he pulls the trigger. In that urgent moment, the bullet strikes the beast's forehead with perfect precision.
-Kraaaagh!
The beast leaps. It's quick, but Yuseong's gun barrel doesn't waver as it spits fire repeatedly.
Thud!
It rolls across the floor before it can even get close. Just in case, he fires two more shots.
No movement. Dead.
But he doesn't relax, turning his body to the left. Another beast is charging. He doesn't fire immediately.
‘Still too far.’
He whips around to the opposite side.
‘Another one!’
And this one is much closer than the first. If he'd dealt with the other first, he would've been in serious trouble.
He unloads on the nearer beast. It dies rolling without closing half the distance.
He ejects the magazine right away. Opens the ammo box lid, grabs a handful of bullets, and starts reloading.
But his eyes stay locked on the beast.
The distance shrinks by the second. Its bloodshot eyes, sharp fangs, and flying spittle grow clearer.
Click!
Magazine full. He slams it home and aims. The beast is already nearly upon him.
The barrel erupts. Blood sprays from its body as it screams in agony.
But it doesn't stop its charge. The intense killing intent in its eyes doesn't fade at all.
-Kraaah!-
Its howl feels like a declaration. A murderous promise to tear him apart and devour him. In contrast, Yuseong's gaze remains calm.
Bang!
Another gunshot. The killing intent vanishes from the beast's eyes. It collapses, spraying blood everywhere.
He wants to swing the barrel around immediately. A building this size can't have just three beasts. More might be approaching silently like the first one.
But Yuseong silently keeps firing.
-Kraaaah!-
The one that looked dead suddenly springs up.
‘Playing dead.’
Some beasts pull this trick. In the past, to save ammo, he'd risked approaching to check. But now he has plenty.
Yuseong pours even more bullets into it. Already on its last legs, it finally expires for good. The coup de grâce elicits no response.
Without a moment's rest, he swings the barrel and scans all around. No approaching beasts.
“…Hoo~!”
Even with ample ammo, life-or-death combat always brings extreme stress. With a deep sigh, Yuseong reloads the magazine.
He pulls his nearly slackening tension back up and steps into the ominous shadows draping the factory interior.
* * *
Bang!
Flames burst from the muzzle. The fallen beast twitches from the impact. But that's it—no further movement.
How many battles had this made already? Yuseong usually avoided fights, so consecutive combats like this were rare.
But now it's over. The passage ahead is the last unexplored area. There can't be more beasts beyond this.
Passing through the twisted, broken door leads to a room.
Several electronic devices are there. But their shapes don't suggest any parts usable for a Virtual Reality Device.
‘No results after all.’
He'd expected as much. Still, disappointment washes over him.
As he sighs and turns to leave—
A window suddenly pops up in front of him.
Had the Purchase Window updated? With anticipation, Yuseong checks it. But soon, bewilderment overtakes him.
‘…What is this.’
[Quest: Information Collection]
Before the world ended, this factory produced laser scanning devices, key components for hologram devices. Information about them still remains in this factory. Obtain that information and input it into your Virtual Reality Device.
Reward: 10,000G
‘A quest?’
First the Purchase Window, now quests.
‘And pre-apocalypse tech info? Why is that needed?’
He asks the Strategy Guide, but it only repeats that it has no information.
Still, he doesn't deliberate long.
‘G must mean Ark's currency, right?’
Yuseong's already strapped for cash. No reason to turn down a way to earn money.
‘Let's find it.’
Since the quest window appeared the moment he entered the room, it's probably here.
Yuseong disassembles the room's electronics down to their guts. He finds several storage devices.
‘This is probably it?’
Most storage devices are standard models, not built to withstand a century. Even with power, they'd likely fail.
But one stands out.
Designed to endure extreme heat and cold, with information that doesn't degrade over long years—high durability.
If the quest info exists, it's likely here.
‘If I had a portable computer, I could check the contents right away…’
But the ones he'd found were all broken, so none now. He has no choice but to take them home.
Yuseong packs the most promising storage device—and the rest for good measure—then heads home.
Back home, he connects the storage devices to the terminals on the Virtual Reality Device's surface.
As expected, most show no response. Only the one he'd thought would work reacts.
‘But now what.’
The Virtual Reality Device only runs game software—it can't read data from storage devices.
There might be ones that can, but not the one Yuseong has.
However, his worry proves unnecessary.
[Quest: Information Collection (Completed)]
You have obtained 10,000G.
Seeing the window, Yuseong clenches his fist.
‘Let's check.’
He calls up the Purchase Window immediately. His lips curl uncontrollably upward. His balance has increased by exactly 10,000G.
What to spend it on? Pleasant worries fill his mind.
But the top priority is set.
Before he knows it, a black bread is in Yuseong's hand.
‘Earned a lot, so one should be fine.’
He takes a big bite. His face melts into an undignified grin. He chews thoroughly before swallowing. He devours the black bread in no time.
He places a hand on his stomach. A truly satisfying sensation spreads.
Fullness.
Something he can't feel in games, and rarely in reality since he mostly takes supplements.
Taste and fullness, both at once—this luxurious moment draws a natural smile from Yuseong.
