Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Overwhelming Numbers
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However, right now, the massive horde of beasts blanketing the ground was nothing more than a fairy tale he'd heard from his parents as a child—nothing more than that.
Yuseong had spent his entire life fighting beasts since being born into this godforsaken world, but he'd never seen so many.
Ordinary people prioritize their own experiences. Naturally, Yuseong had never seriously considered a horde of beasts covering the ground to be a real threat.
No, perhaps he'd tried not to think of it as scary. In a situation where even occasional encounters with beasts put his life on the line, having to face that many?
"It's telling me to just die."
It would be better to put a clean bullet through his head.
But now that he was facing the massive horde summoned by the transparent beast, Yuseong couldn't help recalling that old memory.
"Nothing's ever easy, huh."
A sigh escaped him involuntarily.
He'd thought finding the robot and railgun had boosted his survival chances, but then this appeared—an astronomically vast number of beasts that plummeted those chances.
"It might be temporary."
Both the beast that could command others and the number of beasts it commanded. This battle might just be an extreme outlier, bad luck for Yuseong.
But for some reason, the ominous feeling that the battle he'd just gone through would become the norm lingered in his mind.
"No choice."
Yuseong ended his deliberations. Whether his foreboding hunch was right or wrong, what he had to do wouldn't change from what he'd been doing.
Yuseong tore his gaze from the beast corpses and looked at the robot, one of the greatest prizes from this expedition.
It was connected to the generator, charging. Even as it did, it swiveled its head, scanning all around.
Surveillance mode, checking for nearby threats.
This was one of the main reasons Yuseong had wanted the robot so badly, unfolding right before his eyes.
"Now I can finally sleep during expeditions."
Sleeping while out on an expedition was still extremely dangerous, even with the robot.
But with its various sensors able to spot enemies even in the dark, and no need for sleep or fatigue, the robot would undoubtedly drastically reduce that risk.
Of course, the best option was not to go on expeditions at all. But Yuseong was in a position where he had to diligently gather information and supplies.
He might hold out for a while by just scavenging around the hideout. But what if the info and supplies nearby ran dry?
Venturing out was an inevitability for him.
Thus, something to stand guard while he slept was absolutely necessary.
"It said full charge would take a while."
ABR-025's battery was fairly high-capacity, so charging took quite some time. To shorten it, standby mode or powering down completely would help, but he couldn't risk that when beasts might strike again at any moment.
"Maybe swing by the server room while it's charging."
He'd hastily extracted just the OS, but the server surely held plenty more info. Some of it might be to Quest's liking.
"Of course, what Quest wanted was strictly downtown scouting."
Yuseong was confident.
"Quest wants not just downtown tech, but any info that could help, whatever it is."
As if praising Yuseong's thoughts as correct, a translucent window popped up before his eyes.
Quest: Technology Scouting
Explore the world and uncover useful technologies from the fallen civilization.
Reward: Varies by the technology's value.
"Hah!"
Yuseong let out a hollow laugh to express his feelings.
A quest that looked like they'd just swapped a few words from "Downtown Scouting," with zero sincerity. Yet it clearly confirmed Yuseong's guess was right.
"Yeah, yeah. Got it. I'll find some and offer them up."
Had he picked up the habit from clashing with those hot-tempered bastards lately? Yuseong snarked cynically.
"So please, make sure the rewards are good ones."
* * *
Arriving at the server room, Yuseong powered up the server. A humming noise filled the room.
He connected both his original portable computer and the new one he'd found to the server.
Manipulating the computer, the server's vast data soon displayed on the screen.
"Should I take it all?"
But the portable computers' storage was insufficient.
"Buying more portables might work, but it'd be too wasteful."
The Purchase Window had portable computers, but they were pricey at 800,000 gold. Given the server's capacity, one or two wouldn't cut it. How much would it cost to copy it all?
No way.
That left selective extraction as the only option.
'Strategy Guide'
【Yes】
'Can you pick out and copy only the necessary info?'
【Possible. Please provide criteria.】
'Stuff that could sell for a high price.'
【Preparing.】
Lag hit the screen again as various data began copying.
'Feels like the Strategy Guide can do more now.'
Watching the file transfer window, Yuseong thought so.
During this expedition, he'd relied on the Strategy Guide a ton. He'd always leaned on it heavily in-game, but in reality, it had constantly let him down by claiming no info.
'The only change is the attention spike before this expedition.'
Could attention affect the Strategy Guide's performance?
'Or maybe I just didn't know what it could do.'
Some time passed, and the copying finished. Yuseong looked fondly at the portable computer.
'Wonder how much this'll fetch.'
Holding Ark's login hostage was pure dogshit blackmail without exaggeration, but he did like that they'd pay for tech.
'Important stuff, so probably a good amount?'
It looked more valuable than that hologram laser scanner he'd sold before, to anyone.
In high spirits, Yuseong left the server room and began wandering the area.
To find items to take to the other world.
First up were the parts he'd eyed in the production bay earlier. But when he left it, his hands were empty.
【That part's tech is stored in the computer; you won't get full value.】【That part's tech is stored in the computer; you won't get full value.】【That part's tech is stored in the computer; you won't get full value.】
The Strategy Guide's advice chimed every time Yuseong reached for a part he thought was good.
Of course, it wasn't intruding on its own. Yuseong had specifically asked the cooperative Strategy Guide for item selection advice.
But its chatter that nothing would fetch full value sapped his energy inevitably.
In the end, all he decided to take were the solar generator, batteries, NK-4, railgun, and what he already had.
Ding!
An alert sounded from the portable computer.
'Charging done?'
ABR-025 had comms, so its status showed on the portable. Yuseong turned and headed back.
* * *
"Here."
Yuseong loaded ABR-025 up with the reinforced exoskeleton and a bundle of gear. The weight pressed down on its frame, but ABR-025 cheerfully assured him it could handle it easily.
"Map inputted?"
Affirmative.
Yuseong planned to send ABR-025 to the hideout solo.
Beasts ignored inanimate objects, so sending it alone while he returned via otherworld travel was safer. Even if a hostile beast appeared, ABR-025's combat power could handle it.
'If it's fated to meet something it can't handle, better not go together.'
He'd offloaded everything too heavy for otherworld transport—like the exoskeleton—onto ABR-025. With the solar generator for power, no issues.
"See you at the hideout. Go."
Command received.
ABR-025 turned and started walking toward the hideout.
Watching its back for a moment, Yuseong opened the Purchase Window.
'Time to head out.'
His heart always raced before going to the other world. Especially with a full three hours there this time.
'First, buy this.'
He selected "Include Carried Items During World Travel (100kg)." 500,000G vanished in an instant, making his chest ache.
A purple circle about 1m around Yuseong appeared.
He could guess without explanation.
'Put stuff to take inside this circle, right?'
Yuseong moved his items in. Purple energy enveloped them.
'Applied.'
He shifted everything. Over 100kg wouldn't get the glow, per Strategy Guide, but luckily, all shone vivid purple.
Preparations complete, Yuseong purchased the otherworld travel item.
The familiar sensation hit, and as always, he stood in the second-floor room. Except this time, items surrounded him.
'Now what to do with these?'
Just leave them? Yuseong went downstairs to the living room.
[Welcome back.]
As always, the Strategy Guide greeted him from the large TV. Yuseong pointed to the second floor.
"Where do I put the stuff I brought?"
[Please place them in the storage box over there. Thank you.]
Following the arrow onscreen, he spotted a large metal box that hadn't been there before. Yuseong brought the items down and stowed them.
[Not putting the one on your wrist?]
"Huh, the portable computer?"
[Yes.]
"The info inside is why not."
It had copied it itself—what kind of question was that? He needed to connect it to the Virtual Reality Device back at the hideout to get paid.
[If it's info, you can give it here.]
"Hm?"
[Connect the computer to the TV. I'll take the info.]
"Really?"
Yuseong approached the TV.
[Cables are in the drawer below the TV. Use those.]
He opened the drawer. A cable lay there as described, with different connectors on each end—one for the portable, one for the TV.
Connecting them, the files began copying.