Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: The Mart
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As soon as Yuseong got into the car, the Strategy Guide set it in motion. Still feeling awkward, he kept running his hand through his hair while glancing in the rearview mirror.
[It suits you well.]
The voice of the Strategy Guide came through the earphones he'd hastily put back on right after getting his hair cut.
"Yeah?"
He still wasn't sure. But the praise didn't feel bad.
His mood soured immediately at the Strategy Guide's next words, though.
[An hour has passed since you arrived in this world.]
"Already?"
Time spent in this world truly felt like it flew by.
'Still, two hours left.'
That was some small comfort. But it wasn't enough to quell the growing impatience.
'I've already used up a third.'
[Where to now?]
At the Strategy Guide's question, Yuseong racked his brains.
Where to go. Where could he make the most of the remaining time.
'What was the place I wanted to visit most before civilization collapsed?'
He delved back into memories from the desperate days before he knew about the Ark.
"...The mart."
[Pardon?]
"I want to go to the mart."
A place stocked full of all sorts of goods. Hadn't he longed to see it intact, rummaging through its remnants? It was almost strange that it hadn't come to mind right away.
[Understood. I'll take you to the largest one nearby.]
The Strategy Guide turned the car around.
The cityscape passed by outside the window. He'd been mesmerized by the sights earlier, but now that the mart had captured his full attention, nothing else piqued his interest. He just stared ahead, brimming with anticipation.
'There it is—the mart!'
A massive building came into view. Similar in scale to the ruined, desolate marts Yuseong had scavenged before. The word "mart" was prominently displayed on the building's exterior.
It was in English, but there was no trouble reading it. How could he forget a word he'd seen thousands of times in his longing?
The Strategy Guide pulled into the parking lot and parked in an empty spot.
Yuseong got out of the car.
It was a quiet time of day, so the lot wasn't very full.
'Looks just like the ones back home.'
It was a familiar sight from the marts he'd raided.
But in his world, the parking lots were filled only with burned-out, shattered wrecks—like a graveyard of cars.
By comparison, this lot felt vibrant, if such a word even applied to inanimate objects.
Yuseong headed to the entrance. The glass automatic doors slid smoothly open. It was the first proper mart entrance he'd ever seen.
He hurried inside.
There was none of the filth and clutter from his memories. Even the floors were spotless.
He stepped onto the moving escalator and rode it down several floors.
He arrived at the shopping area.
Yuseong stopped in his tracks. He didn't throw his arms up in cheer or burst into tears of emotion.
He just stood there quietly, taking in the scene before him.
Shelves lined a vast space, packed to the brim with products. And countless people wandering between them, picking out items.
He'd imagined what an intact mart might be like, stretching his imagination to its limits. But now, faced with the real thing, Yuseong realized how pitifully inadequate his fantasies had been.
None of his imaginings could compare to this reality.
[Do you like it?]
"...Yeah."
He barely managed a response to the Strategy Guide's question.
Yuseong, who took down even the notoriously tough optional bosses without flinching, overwhelmed by the sight of a mere mart. But anyone who knew his life would never mock him for it.
'...Time to go in.'
He couldn't stand there dumbfounded forever. Not with a time limit looming—no more wasting time.
From then on, he wandered in a daze.
He'd once read the term "another world" in a book. To Yuseong, the mart was exactly that.
Familiar items, unfamiliar ones—everything filled the shelves to bursting. Of course, as the Strategy Guide had said, this civilization lagged behind his pre-apocalypse world, and many products looked crude to his eyes.
But it didn't matter. A pistol in hand was worth more than a particle cannon you didn't have.
Yuseong tried to skim lightly over the items. There wasn't enough time to examine every single one in detail.
What could he possibly do in just two hours? And there were still other places to see.
'Food's in the basement, right?'
He desperately held back the urge to head straight down, wondering if there might be something useful for survival.
But skipping the grocery section wasn't even an option in his mind. He had to stop by.
Finally, Yuseong visited the electronics store.
'Hm?'
A sign caught his eye.
'Western Flower?'
It was that guild member from earlier, smiling brightly.
'She must be famous.'
"Western Flower. Isn't she super pretty?"
"Dunno. Not really my type."
He overheard a couple passing behind him. The girlfriend casually praised Western Flower, and the boyfriend grumbled in response.
A man's desperate squirming to avoid future headaches. Anyone else might have pitied him with a tsk, but Yuseong wasn't sharp enough to notice.
He just felt the reality of her fame from people recognizing her.
'Alright, time to head down.'
He'd seen everything up here. Yuseong stepped onto the downward escalator again.
He skipped the first floor. No time to check it out. He went straight to the basement.
And he was left speechless by the sight that unfolded.
'This... this is all... food?'
Even opening his home fridge back then had moved him with how full it was. But this scene made a fridge look insignificant by comparison.
The faint aroma of food made his mouth water involuntarily. Yuseong rushed inside.
'A cart!'
He grabbed one first. Having seen others use them, it was no trouble. Conquering the mountain of food ahead would be impossible with just two arms.
"I can buy anything, right?"
[Yes. Use the card if cash is short. No matter what or how much you buy, the amount won't be an issue.]
Confirmation received. Yuseong approached the nearest shelf.
He reached for the food, then hesitated.
'What should I get?'
In life-or-death battles, he made optimal choices in split seconds without hesitation. But before this mountain of food, he dithered like someone with decision paralysis.
"What should I buy?"
In the end, he asked the Strategy Guide for advice.
[I understand you lack basic appliances. I recommend avoiding or limiting items that require freezing, refrigeration, or cooking. Even meal kits won't work without a way to prepare them.]
As the Strategy Guide nixed this and that, Yuseong's expression hardened. Oncoming shoppers flinched and gave him a wide berth.
But the Strategy Guide didn't back down. Yuseong just let out a small groan, knowing it made sense—he couldn't argue. Wouldn't.
[Canned goods, jerky, hardtack—foods with long shelf lives at room temperature are ideal.]
At least there were things he could buy.
[Or consider getting appliances.]
"Appliances?"
[Even a microwave expands your options. An electric stove allows heating, and a mini fridge extends shelf life.]
"Never mind the rest—fridges aren't heavy?"
[There are compact ones under 100kg.]
"Oh?"
Electricity was plentiful in Yuseong's world. He already used solar panels. If power ran short, he could add more generators.
'The issue is that appliances mean less room for food.'
Sensing his dilemma, the Strategy Guide continued.
[Filling all 100kg with food isn't ideal. 100kg is a huge amount. I expect you'll visit this world about once a week. Buy more if you run low then.]
'Fair point.'
But he couldn't just follow blindly.
'What if I can't come back here?'
It wasn't unfounded worry. Hadn't his Ark connection cut off once for skipping urban searches? World travel could stop anytime.
'And who knows what might happen in my world.'
So he needed some preparation. But he wouldn't dismiss the advice entirely. Even if visits stretched out, he'd return eventually.
He didn't even consider permanent severance. It'd be as good as death.
'Fill up with long-shelf-life stuff first.'
He accepted the advice and decided not to cram all 100kg with food.
Yuseong pushed the cart, adding the Strategy Guide's recommended items. Mostly long-lasting ones, as advised—and as he intended.
Not entirely, though.
Ordinary foods could last a day or two.
'And even if they spoil, I can eat them.'
Spoiled or contaminated, his stomach—or precisely, the nano machines—could digest anything. He'd survived on highly toxic monster meat; processed food was nothing.
Before long, the cart was full. He checked out. The receipt was endless. The total was hefty. But no issue. He paid with the card, and as promised, it went through fine.
He pushed the cart to the bagging area like everyone else, transferred the food to empty boxes, and loaded them into the car.
As he sat in the driver's seat, the Strategy Guide spoke.
[Heading back now?]
'No time left.'
Sightseeing and shopping had eaten it all. Just enough time to get home.
He could return to his world from anywhere—technically, he'd be forcibly pulled back regardless of location.
But he couldn't let anyone see that. Even the Strategy Guide had strictly forbidden it.
A secluded spot would do, but no need to risk it. The car ride home was quick anyway, so Yuseong decided on that. The Strategy Guide agreed.
Returning to that godforsaken world always pissed him off.
But today, his heart felt a bit lighter.
He peeled the banana he'd grabbed separately and popped the snowy-white flesh into his mouth.
"Graaah!"
Pure bliss.