Chapter 138

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 138

Chapter Title: Securing Food Supplies

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I'd selected the Technician trait and even acquired the Base Manager trait, allowing me to handle electricity and water on my own.

Normally, Awakeners with these traits lack combat skills, making it essential to rely on Combat Specialists. But since I'm a special case, I can manage everything solo.

However, even I couldn't solve the food problem.

Humans can't survive without eating, and I have no ability to produce food.

Fortunately, it's not an immediate crisis.

Since the zombie apocalypse began, I'd raided a big mart and stuffed my Subspace with every edible item I could find, supplemented by occasional scavenging elsewhere. That stockpile should last us a good while.

Still, it's no reason to get complacent.

Starting with Yejin, then Sohee, Miyoung, Hadongseok, and his crew—the population in my base keeps growing, and food consumption is accelerating.

With supply stagnant and demand rising steadily, our reserves could vanish before we know it.

So, we need countermeasures for food shortages now.

From what I've gathered, the system's answer to food production is the Farmer trait.

Combat Specialists, Weapon Crafters, Technicians, and Medical Specialists are all far removed from growing food.

The system hates all-rounders, so it's obvious they've locked food production behind Farmer.

That's why having someone with the Farmer trait is crucial—and luckily, my base already has one.

Miyoung, who can't defy me, possesses it.

I once had her slightly upgrade her skills and grow some veggies in a simple plot. Word was they were sprouting fast.

Thanks to her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Farmer skills, they're growing quicker than normal.

Without the system's boost, food supply would be unreliable.

So tomorrow, I'll summon Miyoung and beef up her skills.

It sucks that I can't handle this myself.

At least helping her won't backfire.

She's no fool; she knows what happens if she betrays me.

Who with knowledge of me would have the guts anyway?

If someone did, I'd hunt them down, drag them back, and inflict agony until they begged for death.

By the way, that's not just fantasy—I've done it.

That other world was a cesspool of schemes and betrayals.

To survive, I was paranoid about backstabbing, but some hits come like natural disasters—unavoidable.

I remember catching one traitor and leaving them half-crippled.

Anyway, Miyoung won't betray me, so I'll back her Farmer role fully.

Otherwise, I'd need to recruit another Farmer—which, like Technicians, would be a nightmare.

Or spend 5,000 Coins to convert someone's trait, but that's wasteful.

"Miyoung unnie's handling food... It kinda suits her, doesn't it?"

I'd explained my thoughts, and Yejin nodded in understanding.

"So our base has almost every key role covered? Combat Specialists are Sohee and Uncle Dongseok, Medical Specialist is me, you've got Technician nailed perfectly, Farmer will be Miyoung unnie... Oh, Weapon Crafter is Seoyun, right? That's a bit iffy."

Counting on her fingers, Yejin tilted her head at Weapon Crafter.

Which makes sense—Seoyun feels more like my black magic apprentice than a smith.

"It's iffy now, but she'll step up eventually. If we needed special weapons urgently, I'd push her into it, but we don't."

"True. Seoyun's priority is learning black... that from you for revenge anyway."

Yejin started to say "black magic" but glanced at Sohee on the bed and mumbled past it.

Even Sohee, close as she is, must keep black magic secret without my say-so.

Aware of her slip, she grinned sheepishly at me. I lightly flicked her forehead.

"Ow!"

"Be careful. A mouth needs constant watching."

"Sure, but... it's also the hole that makes you feel so good, right?"

Yejin's mouth really is top-tier. Her blowjob skills improve daily; she's got a real talent for it.

"Nngh..."

Then, passed-out Sohee stirred.

"Hey, you're up?"

"Where am I... Oh!"

Disoriented, Sohee threw off the blanket to sit up—then yelped at her nudity and wrapped it around herself.

"Why am I naked... Right, I remember."

"No weird talk. If you're coherent, get back to your room. Your mom's worried."

"Mom? What time is it... Over 10 already?! Gotta go!"

Checking the time, Sohee scrambled into clothes and bolted for the door.

I waved her off.

"Today was great~"

"Sh-Shut up!"

She glared, snapped, and fled.

"Her tsundere vibe is kinda cute, huh? But during sex, she makes those blissful faces."

"Yeah? I'm curiously jealous of you with others. Maybe suggest a threesome later..."

"Sohee'd balk, but Miyoung might work? Lay the groundwork, and I'll join anytime."

Yejin smirked mischievously at my words.

"For real? Then... I'll set it up nicely."

We had dinner, then crashed together.

The next morning, as everyone kicked off their busy day, I fetched Miyoung and headed to the rear veggie patch.

"Wow, they're growing insanely fast. It's only been a week since we planted, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right?"

"Probably. Just a week, but yeah, super quick."

We're growing fast-maturing stuff like radishes, carrots, and green onions—normally a month to harvest.

Miyoung's Touch of Fertility skill is accelerating them.

This is her current skill.

It's why the crops are thriving so fast.

"Here, take these Coins and max out the upgrade."

"Got it."

I handed her Coins—I've got 37,159, plenty to spare—and told her to pump it up.

Miyoung looked shocked mid-upgrade.

"Ah, can't upgrade anymore. Says it's maxed."

"Really? Show me."

Sharing her system window, I saw it cap at 100% boost.

My highest skill before was Base Reinforcement at Lv 14; this topped it.

Cost me 16,800 Coins in a flash.

But now, affected crops will grow visibly faster, producing our food—so worth it.

I also invested in her Farmland Designation.

We're starting small inside the base, but later we'll claim land for massive farms.

Plants are covered now, but meat production is lacking.

Dairy traits probably exist somewhere; haven't found one yet.

Likely for Farmers, so if I snag one, it'll go to Miyoung.