Chapter 117
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Hoarding Generators and Purifiers
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"Generator and purifier?"
"Isn't this super important?"
"But... don't we already have them on our side?"
I could see that everyone else besides me was startled by the newly added system announcement.
"Alright, listen up!"
I needed to share my thoughts with the group first, so they all focused their attention on me.
"You saw the notice that just went up, right? The one selling generators and water purifiers. But we all know we can live just fine without them."
Everyone nodded at my words.
Ever since the Zombie Wave, the solar generators we'd installed in advance had been running daily, producing electricity. Thanks to my Base Manager trait, the generated power was stored internally without needing separate batteries, ready to use whenever.
On top of that, the base had a function that automatically purified any water produced inside it. So these new items were completely unnecessary for us.
"Jaehwan, does that mean we just skip buying generators and purifiers and watch others snatch them up?"
"Exactly. No point buying stuff we don't need."
Ha Dong-seok, who'd been listening, raised his hand lightly with a question, and Sohee chimed in agreement.
"No, what are you two thinking? Why sell this stuff right now, timing-wise? It means power and clean water are about to get cut off soon—they're forcing everyone to buy."
In two days, the electricity and water supply essential for daily survival would be severed, making these items mandatory for everyone.
Someone with the Technician trait might craft a generator like I could, but there wouldn't be many who'd picked that trait. And even fewer would have invested coins into Equipment Crafting to the point of making one.
Until recently, they'd prioritized strengthening survival skills against the Zombie Wave.
Investing in the Base Manager trait for water purification would be even tougher.
It was available for purchase in the shop, but few would have the spare coins, let alone enough to upgrade it.
"True... but we don't need them."
"Yeah, we don't. But everyone else will."
I could see the surprise on their faces—they'd caught on to my intent.
"So... you're saying we should hoard them?"
"Obviously. I'll buy up as much as I can from the shops, then resell to those who need them at a markup. Pure profit."
"You mean sweep every shop nationwide for generators and purifiers?"
Honestly, that's exactly what I wanted to do, per Sohee's words. Imagine the coins from jacking up prices on these soon-to-be essentials after clearing them out nationwide—it was beyond calculation.
"Nah, haven't checked prices yet, and I don't have coins overflowing like that. Nationwide's impossible. But we can hit all the nearby shops and stockpile."
I currently had 16,012 coins. I'd spent 5,500 recently upgrading Plunder, but the raider bosses had a ton, plus what Sohee and Ha Dong-seok brought in, totaling this much.
Not sure how much this would buy, but since they're essentials, they probably won't price them outrageously.
My guess: 500 to 1,000 coins each.
Even those short on coins could pool with others.
While the group controlled the shops, I'd dart around snatching these up everywhere.
To others, I'd look like total scum. Not just charging entry fees to 'free' shops, but looting the generators and purifiers they wanted.
But I didn't care.
No matter what anyone says, since the zombie apocalypse hit, I'd declared I'd live my way. And wouldn't this be fun?
Of course, it was also about raking in max coins. Made my life easier, sure, but I had people under me now—they deserved some care too.
Then, as if shops were opening, beams of light marking their locations began rising.
"Alright, time to get to work. You've split into teams already—scatter, seize the shops, block everyone else out. Crush anyone who rushes you. If some idiot hesitates to shoot and gets taken out, they're dead by my hand. Got it?"
I'd distributed pistols loaded with my black magic Darkness Arrows to each team—no way they'd lose to weaklings.
Unless they chickened out shooting back.
Any like that? They'd die by my hand, as said.
"Use my name to take over. Threaten with it if anyone bitches."
My name was already famous from the Zombie Wave kill rankings.
Hardly anyone wouldn't know it, so flaunt it to claim shops easily.
"No more talk. Let's move."
My words were the signal—teams piled into vehicles and dispersed. Sohee and Ha Dong-seok teamed solo for nearby shops.
Few would be up pre-dawn for shops, but we needed to beat them and block entrances.
Seeing them head out, I moved fast too.
Hit the shop from last time first?
Hopping rooftops between buildings, I reached it—empty still.
Time to check inside quick.
As I approached to enter, a system window popped up.
[Would you like to enter the shop?]
[Yes] or [No]
I hit Yes, and the scenery shifted instantly.
This felt like magical teleportation to another space, but I couldn't figure the mechanism.
If it used mana or demonic energy, I'd sense it—but no, some other energy source I couldn't detect.
If my traits guzzled mana, I might study it through use, but they don't, so mana research was at a dead end for now.
Whatever—later for that. Time to browse the shop.
Inside looked the same as last time. Display shelves empty where original items sold out.
Not important today. Check generator and purifier prices first.
I approached the black-hooded shop clerk.
"Hey, where's the generator and purifier you said you'd sell today?"
"Welcome, customer. Just tell me, and I'll handle it."
"Fine. Show me what they look like first."
Suddenly, like when I crafted gear, a new item appeared before the counter—no warning.
"Hmm, so these two are the generator and purifier?"
"Yes, that's right."
The generator matched my first Technician-crafted one. The small purifier was new, generator-sized.
"Selling these, huh. Hey, how much?"
"500 coins each."
My predicted price.
Though my first homemade one cost 200 coins to craft, shop price 500.
Buying from shop might be cheaper short-term than investing coins for Technician crafting, but long-term, homemade wins.
Anyway, not burdensome. Next key question.
"How many of these does the shop have?"
Checking stock was vital for hoarding and reselling.
If supply was huge, hoarding pointless—I'd skip.
"Each shop sells 2 of each."
Worried about massive stock as essentials, but nah, not much.
Time to hoard.