Chapter 33
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: It's Finally Here!
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It's finally here!
The shop I'd been waiting for forever had finally opened. No one could possibly know just how long I'd been holding out for this.
I was itching to spend the 9 points I'd racked up. Surely there'd be something worth buying in there. And as I checked out the newly opened system window, I spotted some intriguing details.
For starters, purchases could be made with coins or points, and the shop would stay open all day—stuff that had already been announced in the major patch notes. Nothing new there.
What was interesting, though, was that only one person could enter the shop at a time. If that was true and there was no forced eviction system, whoever got inside first could lock everyone else out forever. Even if there was a kick-out mechanic, a group could just take turns squatting in there and claim it for themselves.
In other words, a single faction could monopolize the entire shop. I'd thought of that the moment I first heard about it. I could block everyone else from entering and charge an entry fee to anyone who wanted in. I hadn't decided on a price yet, but the more people desperate to buy stuff, the more I could rake in just sitting on my ass. Talk about easy money.
I didn't know the exact mechanics yet, but this seemed worth exploiting. I'd keep it in mind.
Next up, the area within 500 meters of the shop was designated a zombie-free safe zone.
You could see it as a haven where the weak could hole up safely for the day. That said, I'd need to verify how the zone worked and what kind of protection it offered from zombies.
For example, zombies outside the 500-meter radius might sense people inside but be unable to enter, or they might not even register them at all.
If it was the former, I could try something like this: Lure a massive horde and surround the shop completely. Once the day ended and no one could escape, the trapped folks would get overwhelmed and turn into zombies. Then I could sweep them all up in one go... Yeah, that idea felt a bit too scummy, even for me.
Lately, after wiping out the Chilsung Faction and profiting off the zombie conversions, my brain had wired itself to the equation "people = zombies = coins." I'd shelve it as a potential tactic for now. Might come in handy later.
Finally, the shop's location would be marked. The system window description was vague, but one glance out the window made it crystal clear.
A pillar of light shooting into the sky screamed "shop location" to any Awakener. Follow that beam, and you'd find it.
Glancing around, it didn't seem like there were many pillars. No clue on the spawn criteria, but it felt like one per region at most.
Folks in awkward spots might get jumped by zombie packs on the way. Oh well, their tough luck.
"Whoa, that pillar must mark the shop, right?"
Yejin, who'd woken up around the same time as me, stared at it in awe and muttered to herself.
"You're heading to the shop today, aren't you, oppa? I'll stay home and behave."
"Yeah, might be late tonight... If I am, go to bed first. Don't wait up like last time."
"Nah, I'd feel bad going to sleep without you. I'll wait. Besides, I sleep in late anyway, so I've got nothing better to do."
She had a point. Her schedule was flexible. If she was making me breakfast, that'd be different, but I wasn't a morning eater anyway.
"Do whatever. I'm off to the shop, then."
I geared up to head out, waved goodbye to Yejin, and bolted outside. Time to sprint toward that pillar as fast as I could.
The shop was pretty far from my place. Even at full speed, hopping between buildings, it'd take about 15 minutes. Weirdly, the closer I got, the dimmer the pillar's glare became. Smart design—just enough to guide you without blinding anyone.
I'd woken up at 8 a.m., thrown on some clothes quick, and figured I'd beat the rush. Nope. A ton of people had beaten me there.
Roughly 100, give or take? They were clustered in front of a small building where the light pillar originated from the roof. Obvious as hell—that had to be the shop.
Judging by how they were gathered, something fun was going down.
Like the system said, only one person could enter at a time. In the old world, folks would've lined up politely.
But this? Totally different. Over ten guys were forming a wall, blocking the entrance, while the rest glared daggers at them.
Wonder what's up. Time to check it out.
I slipped down quietly and wormed through the crowd to the front.
"So, pay up the coins, and you can use the shop. That's the deal."
As I neared, one of the blockers flashed a smug grin and shouted.
Loud enough to draw zombies, but none stirred. Guess sound didn't carry out of the safe zone.
Anyway, these assholes were actually charging an entry fee? Just like I'd thought.
"You crazy bastard! 100 coins? No way!"
"Then don't use it. Did we put a knife to your throat? Don't wanna pay? Tough shit. Of course, there's killer stuff inside, so it'd help you survive... but hey."
100 coins entry? Where's their shame? Who'd pay that?
Right as I was about to step in and handle these lunatics—
"Hey, you fucking pricks!"
Someone else bellowed and charged forward.
Curious who'd volunteer, I turned toward the voice. Looked familiar—a bleach-blonde ponytail, sharp eyes screaming "delinquent," and a petite frame smaller than most women.
Sohee, the girl I'd briefly met last night. Lived around here, apparently, if she was at the shop.
But strolling right up to these goons solo? She gripped a battered baseball bat—probably her weapon. Dented and bent in spots.
"What're you, kid? Scram and get your mommy or daddy to pay the coins."
"Little girl. Beat it before you get hurt, yeah?"
"Yeah, go fetch a grown-up. Kahaha!"
Their third-rate villain taunts twisted Sohee's face in anger.
"What bullshit? I'm a grown-ass adult, you psychos. Quit blocking the way like idiots and let people use the damn shop!"
She thrust her bat forward with a yell. The thugs just sneered.
"Kuhuhu, it's been over a week since the zombie apocalypse hit, and there's still chicks who don't get it."
"You call yourself grown? You even fucked anyone? No guy's touching a kid-faced bitch like you."
"Hey, face ain't bad, though. I like it. Join our Dissolder crew. I'll fuck you special every day. Come here."
One thug stood and lunged, reaching for her—
Crack!
A sharp crack echoed from Sohee's bat.
She'd swung without warning, smashing his head. Caught off guard, he flew back and crumpled.
"Fucking psycho. Why'd you rush me like that, asshole? Trying to die?"
The thugs froze in shock, then jumped up roaring.
"That crazy bitch!"
"Grab her and beat her ass!"
Several drew weapons and rushed her. I figured she'd back off. Smart fighters keep distance against mobs.
But Sohee charged straight in.
"Die, you fucks!"
The lead guy stabbed at her with a knife. She sidestepped easily and smashed his face with a bat swing.
Crack!
Another crisp hit, and he toppled backward.
Damn, broken nose at least.
Spotting two grabbing for her, she ducked her small frame effortlessly and bashed one's head hard.
Explains the dents—that bat had pulped plenty of zombies. And she targeted heads without hesitation, like she'd scrapped with humans post-outbreak too.
Deceptively strong for her size; not getting pushed around by bigger guys. Those "battle-honed muscles" you hear about?
"You fucking bitch!"
But even pros can't dodge a swarm forever. Mid-swing on one skull, a fist clipped her cheek from the side.
"Hmph? Ptoo! That your best punch? Weak as shit!"
She shook it off like nothing and dove back in.
Best fighter I'd seen since coming back, hands down. Strength aside, her combat sense was next-level. Trading a few hits with bigger, numerous foes without flinching—fought like she'd been born to it.
But the brawl didn't last.
"That's enough, you morons. I'll handle it."
The one thug who'd sat back arrogantly watching stood up. The rest halted and retreated instantly.
Obviously the boss—biggest build, looked powerful.
Wonder if Sohee could take him.
"What, you're the boss?"
"Something like that, for now."
"Good. Then fuck off!"
Like before, she leaped, aiming a overhead bat smash at his head.
But—
"Huh?"
"Can't even handle one kid?"
The boss caught the bat effortlessly with one hand.
Sohee's eyes widened in shock at the block, but she yanked it back for another swing. He countered with a gut punch that folded her.
"Gahk!"
Unlike the others' weak hits, this dropped the bat from her grip and sent her flying back.
The boss pursued to finish her, raising the bat high and slamming down—
Thud!
"Huh?"
But it never reached her.
I'd jumped in and blocked it with my arm.
The boss and the wincing Sohee on the ground both stared at me in surprise.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Me? The shop owner."