Chapter 123
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Overheard Confessions
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It felt just like playing a game, dumping coins into upgrades until the function I wanted finally popped up.
The problem was not knowing how far I needed to go, and watching those coins drain away like water had me worried. Luckily, it stopped at level 14.
The higher the level, the more coins it sucked up with each upgrade.
Just going from level 11 to 14 today burned through 3,500 coins.
Thank goodness I'd stockpiled so many; otherwise, I couldn't have jumped straight to it. For an average person, who knows how long it would've taken to reach this point.
If you're surviving with just a small group instead of a big crowd like me, you wouldn't even need to push this far. Hitting the level where the outpost gets sewage purification would be plenty.
But in reality—or in any zombie apocalypse story—humans don't stay solo forever. They always end up forming groups with all sorts of people. You can't live alone indefinitely.
Especially as time passes and zombies keep getting stronger. Holding out by yourself won't be easy, in my opinion.
If it weren't for me, plenty of people would stubbornly try going it alone and end up dead.
Just think about the mutant zombies called Takers, which only show up later when Awakeners have powered up a lot. Regular Awakeners wouldn't even dream of facing them.
In the end, it's a world where you have to live with a bunch of others. Going solo just isn't sustainable.
And for someone with the Technician trait—no combat skills—using the Outpost Manager trait makes earning coins even tougher.
The only reason I've progressed this far as a Technician is thanks to my Black Magician abilities, which no one else has.
Man, if I hadn't snuck Black Magic over from my old world, I can't even imagine what would've happened.
I'd probably have skipped Technician and gone straight for Combat Specialist.
Without Black Magic, life wouldn't be this cushy, but I like to think I'd have scraped by somehow.
Anyway, I'd finished everything I set out to do today, so it was time to head home.
I instant-transmitted from the factory zone I'd designated to the outpost, then straight to my room door.
Inside, I could hear the girls chattering away.
"So, what does that guy like, anyway?"
"Oppa? Hmm... girls, maybe? But he's not some huge womanizer."
"He doesn't chase women? He always seems to have cute ones hanging around him."
From the voices, it sounded like Sohee had come back while I was out installing the generator, and she and Yejin—who'd been waiting for me—were talking inside.
Eavesdropping seemed fun, so why not slip in and listen?
I cast Shadow Veil and melted into the shadows to enter the room.
I thought it was just Yejin and Sohee, but surprisingly, Seoyun was there too.
"Sure, he brings girls around, but if he were a real playboy, wouldn't there be one in every room by now?"
"Hmm... yeah, that makes sense."
Sohee sighed as she took in Yejin's words.
"But why are you asking? Planning to get him a gift or something?"
"Wh-what? No, nothing like that... I-I was just curious! That's all!"
"Hmmm? You and oppa have something going on, don't you?"
Yejin wore a sly grin as she slowly closed in on the flustered Sohee.
"N-no! There's nothing!"
"Doesn't sound like it... Oh, did you sleep with oppa or something?"
At that, Sohee flinched hard in shock, and Yejin beamed, her smile stretching ear to ear.
"You did too, huh? How was it? Good?"
"N-no, I mean... I don't know. My head was just a blur... Ah! Keep this from Mom, okay? Please."
"Got it. I won't tell Miyeong unnie. You heard that, Seoyun?"
Seoyun, who'd been quietly listening from a bit away, jumped at being called out and nodded furiously without a word.
"When did you two do it? I had no idea."
"Not long ago. I think it was the day the zombie wave ended. He said he'd do it with me as long as he didn't touch Mom."
"Ah... so no Miyeong unnie? Hmm... I see!"
Yejin chuckled like it was the funniest thing.
Sohee already knew about me and Miyeong sleeping together, which was why.
She wouldn't spill since I'd told her to keep it secret.
"So why ask what oppa likes? You got a crush on him or what?"
"Wh-what are you talking about? As if I'd like that guy!"
Sohee's face turned beet red as she yelled in surprise.
"That flaky weirdo... No way I'd like him! That time was just... unavoidable. Yeah, unavoidable."
"Really? It didn't seem that bad to me."
"What about you, Yejin unnie? Do you like him?"
"Of course."
Yejin answered Sohee's question without a second's hesitation.
Sohee stared at her in a daze.
"For real?"
"Duh. 'Like' doesn't even cover it. 'Love' is more like it, don't you think?"
"What? That much?"
Yejin nodded at Sohee's words.
"We haven't been together that long, but looking back, meeting oppa feels like fate. Without him, I'd have been suffering out there nonstop."
Yejin stood and pointed around my room at my stuff.
"From the electronics we're using so comfortably, to the water for drinking and washing, to this zombie-proof house—without oppa, no way we could've gotten any of it. Right?"
"Yeah... can't argue with that."
No one could deny it, no matter who they were.
I doubt there's any spot in this zombie apocalypse better than my outpost.
"And oppa's insanely strong, right? I knew it from when he was smashing zombies barehanded, but the more I learn, the more ridiculous it gets."
"True... Without him, Mom and I would've been zombies by now."
"On the last day of the zombie wave, that huge monster—what was its name again?—he took it down solo. Sticking with oppa means no worries about dying."
"But does that mean you love him?"
Sohee tilted her head at Yejin's words.
I get where she's coming from. Yejin's reasoning sounded more like "it's great leeching off him" than actual love.
"Nah, that's just the surface stuff. Love's about what's in your heart. Honestly, when I first met oppa, I didn't think much of him. He kinda forced himself on me... and his face? Not exactly handsome."
"True. He's average at best."
Ouch. Listening in hiding and getting roasted on looks hurts.
"But now? His face looks seriously hot. Not sure if it's love goggles, but I can't help it. In this zombie-ravaged world, seeing how badass oppa is for survival... lately, I'm the one clinging to him wanting it."
"That much?"
"Our chemistry's perfect in bed too. Can't forget how he makes me feel so good. And yeah, he's a bit quirky, but not a total jerk. Watching him up close, as long as you don't push his buttons, he's chill."
Getting praised like that to others? Kinda lifts my mood.
Guess the saying's true—praise makes even whales dance.
"And lately, during sex with oppa, I've even fantasized about... getting pregnant with his kid."
"What? Pregnant? You really think that far ahead? Wild..."
"If I'm imagining stuff like that, what else could it be but love? Honestly, I'm a little bummed he hasn't jumped me at night lately. Ah, screw it! When oppa gets back tonight, I'm demanding sex for sure."
I hadn't meant to, but I'd overheard Yejin's deepest thoughts.
I knew she depended on me, but I didn't expect her to straight-up call it love.
I'd brushed off how she acted around me during daily life or sex, but thinking back, she'd been coming on strong lately.
Ah, guess I owe Yejin some attention tonight.