Chapter 21

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 21

Chapter Title: The Irregular and New Stats

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I'd felt a flicker of excitement when I read the notice about the massive patch, but the moment I saw the additional details, I couldn't help but frown.

Irregular?

Was this sniping at me, by any chance?

It sounded like the system had planned to include stats in the status window from the start, but some weird guy popped up out of nowhere and forced them to make changes.

No matter how I thought about it, it pointed straight to me. This wasn't just paranoia, was it?

But if someone asked if anything special had happened before the zombie apocalypse hit, the only thing would be me returning to this world from another dimension. And honestly, with a massive entity capable of applying a system to the entire world calling someone an "irregular," who else could it be but me?

Me, wielding black magic that shouldn't exist in this world. From their perspective, I really was an irregular.

Alright, then. Let's see what this massive patch actually changed.

First things first, the new stats added to the status window.

I opened my status window, and sure enough, something new had appeared.

"Strength, Mental Power, Charm, Resistance, Luck? So five stats in total?"

There was a "Details" button next to them. I clicked it, and a window popped up explaining what each stat represented.

Starting with Strength, then?

Strength was exactly what it sounded like—related to the body. With a set benchmark, people could gauge their physical abilities based on it.

So, someone who could claim to be an athlete might hit around 5? That meant average people topped out at maybe 3, and total couch potatoes were stuck at 1.

Next, Mental Power.

Unlike Strength, there was no benchmark for Mental Power. Probably because mana didn't exist in this world originally, so no reference point. Best to assume higher was better.

Next up, Charm.

Strength and Mental Power seemed crucial for survival in a zombie apocalypse, but Charm popped up out of nowhere.

This was basically a self-assessment of looks, right? Had to be.

It was all about leaving a good first impression, which inevitably tied to appearance. People judge books by covers, even if they shouldn't—same actions get different reactions based on looks. So handsome or pretty folks would have high Charm.

Ah, benchmark here too.

Charm over 5 meant you were in the "pretty" category pre-apocalypse. Celebs varied, and tastes differed, so it wasn't a guarantee of universal appeal, but easier than low-Charm folks. Got it.

Resistance next?

Resistance was zombie bite tolerance, as named. Pump it max, and you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠might avoid infection even after bites?

But the next line shut that down completely.

Even at max 10, no full immunity. So no point investing in it for me—I never get bitten anyway, and it doesn't guarantee safety. Better spend elsewhere.

This was for weaklings who get chomped a lot, praying for prayer-meta survival.

Finally, Luck.

Oh, this one looked solid. Zombie kills didn't always drop coins, which felt like a loss. Max this, and zombie = 1 coin becomes formulaic? Nice.

"Ugh... Good morning, oppa. Rubbing my chest again today, huh."

As I read through the five stats, I'd been kneading Yejin's breasts while she slept beside me. She opened her eyes.

"Your chest is mine. Touching it gives me mental peace."

"What's that supposed to mean? Oh, massive patch completed?"

"Just checking it now. Hey, show me your status window."

"My status? Sure, whatever. Here."

I had her share her status window and took a look.

Yejin's stats looked mostly pitiful.

Resistance at 0 meant a bite turns her zombie for sure. Strength 1 screamed low physical ability.

Mental Power 2—maybe she's still getting used to mana? Not sure if that's low.

Wait, Charm's 6? She's pretty, sure, but I didn't realize it hit that high. I sneakily scanned her body up and down as she lay beside me, peering curiously at her status.

Her dark black hair cascaded naturally beside her face, contrasting her snow-white skin and making her even more stunning. First time I saw her, she was trapped in a convenience store stockroom, crying with tears and snot everywhere. Now, resting peacefully in my place, her neat features stood out more.

A face that looked like a teen idol's, paired with massive breasts ample enough to stir any man's lust. Together, they formed an alluring woman. Yeah, she could probably be a celeb. Scouting offers on the street? Plausible.

That explained the 6 Charm. Good call bringing her along.

"Hmm... My stats look super low. Except Charm."

"High Charm's all you need."

"Still, I want to help you, oppa. Maybe find a way to level up my skills..."

Since moving in, Yejin often asked what she could do to be useful, seeking validation. Her body was plenty for me, but apparently that wasn't enough.

I didn't need much—just dinner ready when I got home, and her holes available when I wanted. That'd cover it.

But I got why. She was probably imagining me finding a hotter girl outside and saying, "This new one's enough onahole duty. You're done."

As long as she didn't screw up, no dumping her. Even if a hotter one appeared, I'd keep both.

Plus, in our short time together, she seemed smart enough not to cause trouble.

"What about you, oppa? Can I see yours?"

"Mine? Hell no."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because it's mine."

Sorry, Yejin, but no one's seeing my status unless absolutely necessary.

It'd cause a riot.

Comparing Strength or Mental Power to anyone in this world? Doubt anyone tops me. Zombie apocalypse just started, athletes at 5? I'm already double that.

Even if they grind Strength, two digits seems unlikely.

My movements matched— if 5 is athlete speed, mine at full power transcends human limits, letting me go full massacre mode in zombie hordes.

Mental Power measured way higher. No clue how they quantified it, but I didn't care much.

I used demonic energy for magic anyway—mana pool and recovery meant nothing to me. My demonic energy capacity could hold mana drained from 100 million zombies easy, though recovery crawled at rock bottom.

Maybe high rating because of that insane capacity... Who knows, didn't make it myself.

Charm 1? Whatever. Not trying to impress anyone. Never expected high.

Resistance 1, one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠more than Yejin's—still pointless.

But Luck lower than hers? Kinda pisses me off. Is that why coins don't drop reliably? Gotta find a way to boost it later.

Anyway, today's to-do list.

Yesterday, saw an Awakener turn mutant after bite—test if trapped ones do too. Spare one to guide to Haedong Faction, let it devour them.

Busy day ahead.

Then a thought flashed.

Hold up. My Mental Power's sky-high...

If the system maker knows my black magic and adjusted for it...

Maybe they're finally okay with me using black magic in the zombie apocalypse?