Chapter 19

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 19

Chapter Title: The Birth of a Mutant

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Thanks to the biological lure trap, I'd taken down way more zombies than expected, so I decided to take a breather on top of the building. I pulled a sandwich out of my Subspace and ate it for lunch while reviewing the situation.

The biggest event on the horizon right now is that Zombie Wave. It just says "Zombie Wave" with no other details, so I have no clue how the zombies will ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠swarm in.

Given the term "wave," it's obvious a massive horde will come rushing, but just how many?

Regular folks would hope for as few as possible to boost their survival odds, but I'm the opposite. I want that Zombie Wave to bring as many zombies as possible—overflowing, even.

The more zombies, the better for me. And since it's called a wave, the density in one spot will be insane, making it that much easier to gather demonic energy.

The issue is where this horde will head. If it's toward my place, great—but that's probably not it. More likely, it'll zero in on some random point and swarm there like mad. No idea what that point is, though.

Or maybe it'll sweep across the whole country? A hint would be nice. What an unfriendly system.

Thinking about how unfriendly it was, I checked my status window.

Taking down all those zombies bumped my coins nicely and leveled me up again.

But seriously, what even is the point of these levels? From what I can tell, it's just a marker of how many more zombies I've slaughtered compared to others. The more you kill, the higher it goes proportionally.

If someone's level is higher than yours, they've killed way more zombies. The bigger the gap, the more untouchable they are in comparison.

It feels like higher levels require exponentially more zombies to level up. Today alone, I must've taken down at least ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠200 for that level-up, and factoring in everything before meeting Yejin, it's easily over 600 since hitting level 6.

Not exact, but high-level folks are basically zombie-killing machines compared to lowbies over the same time. And I'm one of them.

Since the apocalypse started, I've been nonstop hunting zombies awake or asleep. Doubt anyone outlevels me.

But raising this level... what's the benefit?

Beats me.

I can't answer that. Leveling up gives me zilch—no bonus points, no coins at milestones, no new traits. Nothing. How should ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I know?

Games at least show stats and let you allocate points. That's standard. If it's mimicking a game system, why half-ass it like this?

The whole system is a mystery, really.

Who made it? What's their goal? Are they just watching Awakeners struggle for fun with this "help"?

Or do they want to see us overcome it with the system's power?

Which is it...

What the hell? Regular updates and a major patch?

Can't they say what it'll do? Tomorrow's Wednesday, so I'll check then.

After finishing my sandwich, I decided to venture beyond my usual hunting grounds.

Around here, zombies won't respawn unless new ones generate, thanks to the lure trap. Hunting farther out saves time over scouring near home.

Plus, I can loot more stuff.

Hopping rooftops, I spotted a group— all guys, looking like lowlife gangsters.

They were barely holding off a bunch of zombies. Looked like about 30 heading their way.

"Hey, you bastards! Push harder! Hold the line!"

"Yes, boss!!"

One team used plywood shields to block zombies, while another stabbed through gaps with sharpened spears. Reminded me of that old Sparta movie.

Except those guys had 300; these had maybe 10.

Still, they were holding decently. The grunts desperately shoved plywood, bosses stabbed away—clumsy, but like they'd drilled for swarms.

But a few days' practice won't cut it.

"Uh, uhh!!"

One grunt slipped, a zombie arm shot through the plywood gap and grabbed his arm. Panicking, he dropped his shield. Zombies poured through the hole.

"Sh-shit!! Everyone, run!!"

"H-huh? A-aaahh!!"

The bosses bolted without looking back. The grunts, clueless, got torn apart.

Is this typical Awakener combat?

Thirty zombies? Piece of cake for me. Ten guys struggling, line breaks, they flee—huge gap between me and other Awakeners.

Guess I'll take those zombies.

I leaped lightly from the three-story roof. One zombie ate a downward smash and died instantly.

- Grrrrowl

- Groooar

Zombies spotted me in their midst and charged to bite. Food delivered itself, after all.

To me, they were a honey pot.

I cleared nearby ones and moved to go elsewhere when...

"Huff... huff..."

A guy half-dead from bites caught my eye.

His pleading gaze screamed "save me," but I had no power—or desire—to help.

Figured he'd die anyway, so I started to leave. Then curiosity hit.

I stopped and approached the fallen man.

What happens to him?

Suddenly wondered. He seemed like an Awakener. Bitten by zombies—turns like normals? Early on, a non-Awakener uncle confirmed bites turn you. But Awakeners? System exception?

I got close to the mangled man to watch. If Awakeners don't turn, jackpot info—no more ass-clenching dodges.

At first, desperate eyes; later, dying resentment toward me.

Breath stopped. Watching for changes...

"Krrk!"

Body twitched despite death, convulsing. Rolled in agony, screaming.

"Gaaahhh!!"

Huh. Awakeners turn too? Not conclusive—maybe probability-based, or he turned from sheer bites. Needs testing.

Time to finish it. Drew my knife—but this zombie looked off.

Normal zombies: gray skin. This one: red.

Long, sharp claws sprouted from hands—not human.

What? Awakeners turn different?

- Kraaaah!

Mutation done, it lunged—not head-bite style, but claw swipes.

No way... a mutant zombie?