Chapter 25
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Portable Generator
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Ever since the zombie apocalypse began, one thing I'd been wondering about was when the power would finally go out.
It's been about eight days since it all started, and the electricity is still flowing just fine. It should have cut out by now—what's keeping it on?
Are the power plants somehow fending off zombie attacks and running smoothly even in this mess?
Nah, that can't be right. No way. If that were the case, everyone would just hole up in the power plants. You think whatever kicked off this zombie apocalypse would allow that?
Not a chance.
So why are Yejin and I still enjoying our electronics at home? Until now, I'd figured the entity behind the apocalypse and turning people into Awakeners was letting us use electricity freely.
But that all changed the moment I spotted the portable generator while upgrading my skills.
This bastard... it's pulling the same trick as when Main Quest 1 started. Back then, the system message mentioned starting in tutorial mode to give Awakeners time to adapt to the zombie apocalypse. Then, once Main Quest 1 began, it declared it would ramp up the difficulty. But what if that kind of consideration is still in play? What if that's why we can still use our gadgets without issue?
I'd already planned to prepare for a blackout, but since there were no signs of it happening, I'd pushed it down the priority list. Now that I've seen this, though, I can't afford to delay any longer.
Of course, maybe I found it too early. I picked the Technician trait, but mine's on another level compared to a regular one.
I'm solo massacring zombies and hogging all the coins, so I've already maxed my skill to level 4. For your average Awakener, I doubt they'd even reach this point—level 2 would be lucky.
Taking that into account, it seems like the portable generator only unlocks around skill level 4, which lines up with cutting the power after Main Quest 1 ends.
Support traits like Technician have super limited ways to earn coins right now. Even scraping together 100 coins for a level 2 upgrade would be tough. Hunting zombies solo? Forget it. They'd be stuck struggling to farm coins or level up, probably leeching off Combat Specialists or sniping kills on half-dead zombies to scrape by.
Maybe that's why the power's still on—consideration for this situation. Cutting it now would cause total chaos. The thing's been "kind" enough to give Awakeners adaptation time, so it might be extending that courtesy here too.
But who knows how long that'll last? Better make the portable generator now, just in case it cuts tomorrow.
I immediately clicked on the portable generator in the [Equipment Crafting lv. 4] list. It asked if I wanted to use coins or craft it manually, so I checked the materials...
Damn, way too many required items.
How am I supposed to gather all this? It's like a game where you farm random junk from hunting grounds—tedious as hell to collect piece by piece.
Unless I'm in a life-or-death pinch without the item right now, using coins from zombie kills is way more time-efficient. This feels like it's just there for show.
Checking other list items, they all demand multiple materials too. Some include sub-materials I can craft, but not this generator—it has zero intermediates, so it'd cost straight coins otherwise.
200 coins, to be exact.
Luckily, I've got 242 left, so I can swing it.
Coins are precious blood money, but no choice...
Ugh, my hard-earned coins!
Tears in my eyes, I committed to crafting the portable generator.
[Successfully crafted 'Portable Generator' using Equipment Crafting lv. 4.]
[Equipment Crafting skill proficiency has slightly increased.]
Whoa, using the skill boosts proficiency? I'd never used skills before, so this is news. But what does proficiency do?
Checking the term, I found this:
[If proficiency is low, higher-level skills cannot be strengthened.]
It's not some bonus perk—it's a gatekeeper for skill upgrades. Guess I need to grind proficiency early.
That thought brought Yejin to mind, sleeping soundly beside me with her soft breathing. If proficiency matters, she should grind hers too. She's got healer potential with her injury treatments.
My skills burn coins on crafts, so I can't spam them. But Yejin's [Healing Touch lv. 1] just needs injured people—she could burn all her mana for free proficiency gains.
Later, I'll drag in some wounded folks and have her practice. Once healed, I can reopen the wounds and loop it infinitely for her Medical Specialist skills.
That might be the fastest way for her trait.
The next morning.
"Oppa, what's this?"
Yejin, up before me, pointed at the portable generator I'd made yesterday.
"That? It's a portable generator. Unlocked it while upgrading skills yesterday—made it for backup."
"Ah, for when the power cuts? Yeah, it's weird it's still on. Do you know when it'll happen?"
I shook my head at her question. I'd love to know, but no intel yet.
"Prepare for the worst, right? It'll come in handy someday."
"Got it. Heading out again today?"
"Yeah. Gotta swing by the Haedong Faction today. I'll scout 'em first—might be late depending on if they're worth robbing or wiping out."
Handle faction business quick, then zombie hunt.
I'd cleared all the biological lures yesterday, so today's pure hunting—takes time, so late return likely.
"Off to work then."
"Yeah, oppa. See you~"
I bolted toward the Haedong Faction building, waving back at Yejin's cheerful send-off.
I arrived at the Haedong Faction building in under five minutes and waved casually at the guards.
Different guys from yesterday.
"Hey? Keepin' up the good work. Comin' through~"
As I strolled in with a friendly greeting, the door guards jumped in front, blocking me.
"Wh-what the hell are you?!"
"This ain't a place for randos!"
What? I said I'd come in the morning—didn't they tell the guards?
"Uh... name's Kang Jin, right? He invited me in. Said join Haedong Faction. You sure you wanna block me?"
"K-Kang Jin-hyung?"
"H-hold up! I'll check!"
One yelled at me then bolted inside.
"Why not trust me? Sheesh. Didn't Kang Jin brief you? 'Let him in free pass' style?"
While waiting, the guy rushed back down, panting.
"Huff, huff. C-come in!"
"Wha—?!"
"Told ya. Have a good one~"
I patted their shoulders lightly as I passed. Their sour faces? Priceless—must think I'm cocky.
Inside, one of the guys who'd fetched Kang Jin yesterday waited.
"Uh... oh, you. The one who grabbed my collar yesterday. Who'da thunk."
"Sorry about that."
"No biggie. I'm cool with it—don't sweat."
"Thanks. Big bro's waiting—I'll guide you."
Following him slowly into a big room, it was straight out of a mob flick.
Huge goons lined up on both sides, ending with yesterday's Kang Jin and a top-dog-looking guy on a chair. Total gangster vibe—tats, facial scars, the works. No average Joe.
Gotta talk to that boss, so approach. As I neared, he spoke.
"You're here. Heard about you from Kang Jin yesterday. Name's Lee Younggil, running Haedong Faction."
"Yeah, sure."
"Ahem! So, you wanna join us?"
"About that—still thinking it over."
Younggil flinched at my reply, shooting Kang Jin a side-eye. Guess my words threw him.
"Hey! That's not what you said yesterday!"
"Yesterday's yesterday, today's today. Minds change. If you're useful, I'll stick around. Otherwise? Gone."
Honestly, from what I've seen, they're useless. Leaning toward wipeout.
"What? This punk?!"
Suddenly, footsteps from behind. Turning, a bear-sized bald brute with no forehead hair glared furiously, shoulders tensed, arms ready to swing.
"Boss! We don't need this arrogant shit! I'm enough for Haedong!"
Confident much? Wonder how strong he is to brag like that.
"You got somethin'? Looks like high Strength from the yelling—ears hurt, so shut it and scram."
"What? This fucker..."
"Or what, gimme your Strength stat?"
He smirked mockingly.
"Me? A whopping 6, asshole!!"
After boasting, he swung a face-smashing punch. 6, huh? Athletes are around 5—insane for a street thug.
But too bad. Mine's way higher.
"Huh? Wha?"
His fist stopped dead in my palm before hitting. Not expecting such an easy block instead of me flying? His panicked face was hilarious.
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