Chapter 39

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 39

Chapter Title: Devouring Dread

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Just a second ago, the horde of zombies charging at me like a tidal wave to tear me apart had vanished completely under my black magic, Devouring Dread. It was as if they'd never been there—no trace left behind.

Anyone witnessing this scene would probably rub their eyes in disbelief. Especially fellow Awakeners—they'd be dying to argue that it was impossible. After all, over 1,000 zombies had been wiped out in a single second.

"Phew... It's been a while since I returned to the original world and got to use some proper magic."

Skills like Shadow Pierce or Shadow Veil that I'd used up until now were basic beginner black magic spells, barely costing any demonic energy. But Devouring Dread, the one I just cast, was mid-tier magic, demanding a hefty amount of it.

On top of that, it felt like I'd overdone it, burning more demonic energy than necessary. If basic spells cost under 100 demonic energy, then Devouring Dread had guzzled nearly 600-700.

Still, it was worth it for sweeping away that many zombies. It wasn't a spell you'd waste on the few stragglers left. If only zombies held more demonic energy—most only had about 1, which was a shame.

At least the coins were stacking up nicely.

This damn luck stat means I don't get a guaranteed coin per zombie kill—such a shame. If there's a way to boost luck later, I'll max it out.

Maybe it's time to check achievements for a change.

Last time I checked, it was around 200-300 kills. Definitely took out over 1,000 just now.

Time to clear this one too.

That netted me an extra 150 coins, bringing the total to 777.

And it didn't stop there. Zombies don't always drop coins, but they reliably provide demonic energy. After burning 600-700, over 1,000 had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flowed back into me.

Maybe expand the Subspace now? It's currently about 10 pyeong—roughly 330 square feet—and almost full with temperature-sensitive food storage. Past time to make it bigger.

I burned 600 demonic energy to expand it from 10 pyeong to 30 pyeong. Now I can store way more stuff. Today's goal: raid nearby gas stations for as much diesel as possible to fuel the generator.

If I run into zombie hordes along the way, I'll sweep them clean.

Diesel goes in jerry cans, easy to store. Might as well hit K-Mart again. Last time, I only grabbed food—didn't touch much else.

With the expanded Subspace, I can loot everything useful: jerry cans, clothes, daily necessities.

Especially underwear for Yejin. She was clearly uncomfortable without spares beyond ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what she was wearing when I brought her home.

Plan set—better move fast. I dashed toward K-Mart.

Taking a different route than the one with the wave earlier, I spotted another teeming mass of zombies.

Couldn't let that slide. These needed wiping out too.

"Zombies! Follow me!"

Like before, I leaped between buildings, shouting to draw them. The horde spotted me and gave chase, recreating the same spectacle. No choice now but to gather even more and wipe them in one go.

Mid-tier magic has a fixed cost, so hitting more zombies per cast saves energy overall. I kept yelling and darting around to hold aggro. The pursuing pack grew exponentially, all hellbent on one guy.

"Huh? Huh?!"

"W-what is this?!"

"R-run away!"

Then some people wandering my path got swept up by the horde chasing me and vanished. Probably trampled to death without even being bitten.

I hadn't meant to drag innocents in while pulling aggro. But what could I do? I stuck to empty routes as much as possible—they just happened to cross my path.

Bad luck on their part. Real bad luck, costing them their lives.

Once I'd gathered a massive horde, I lured them to a wide plaza like before. But this time, instead of waiting, I charged right at them.

I used the lead zombie as a springboard, stomped its head, and leaped high into the air. As my body soared over the horde's center, I unleashed the black magic.

Last time, a massive maw had engulfed them from the front. This time, one erupted from below, swallowing countless zombies in a single gulp from the ground up.

Coins check: up to 1,423. Achievements too:

Cleared already, of course. Reward claimed.

Today's haul is insane. Loving the coin flood.

Coins keep rolling in.

Curious how other Awakeners are faring, I checked the zombie kill rankings.

I figured I'd dominate, but this lead is ridiculous. Can second place even catch up?

"Huh, third is Sohee?"

She bought that greatsword yesterday and must be grinding hard. Probably stocking up coins for her mom's zombie infection cure.

Folks used to fighting zombies since the apocalypse hit will scramble for coins now.

But with the stronger zombies from the wave, some will die chasing coins. No guarantee Sohee won't.

Might look for her later if I'm bored.

I've cleared every zombie from the streets around here, so it'll be quiet until new ones spawn. Better roam farther before the wave ends—rack up more kills. Check on Sohee while I'm at it.

She shopped at the same store yesterday, so she can't be far. Easy to find.

Head toward the shop first, circle around—might spot her.

Then a signal pinged in my head. Thought it was weird at first, but it was the alarm bell I'd given the Haedong Faction for emergencies.

Are they in trouble right now?

Was gonna check on Sohee, but I promised to help if they rang it. Gotta keep my word. Instead of Sohee, I bolted toward the Haedong Faction's building.

Not too far from my place, so I arrived quick. Figured the zombie surge had them overwhelmed, but seeing their building explained Kang Jin's call.

A new mutant zombie was prowling nearby.

Twice the size of a regular zombie, thanks to its grotesquely swollen arms. Unlike the Lacer, whose claws were just overgrown but body normal-sized, this one's arms were so massive it walked on them like legs. Each arm as thick as a person's torso— one swing could flatten anyone.

That's why they called me. Might as well talk first.

The entrance was barricaded against zombies, so I ripped open the rooftop door and went in.

"Wh-who are you... Ah!"

"It's me, idiot. Take me to Kang Jin."

"Y-yes, sir!"

The guy on the roof pulled a knife thinking I was an intruder, but recognized me and led the way.

In Kang Jin's room, I saw him sighing gravely with the others. Spotting me, their faces lit up like saviors had arrived.

"Ah, you came!"

"Yeah. You rang the bell, right?"

"Yes, sir. We were waiting."

Approaching Kang Jin, I scanned the room—lots of people clumsily bandaged up.

"Zombie wave must've been rough. Plenty injured."

"They're charging harder than before. No bites, thankfully, but scrapes and collisions added up..."

"No Medical Specialist? Get one of those traits to heal up."

Kang Jin scratched his head sheepishly.

"Well, we're all Combat Specialists here..."

"Sigh. Picked without thinking, huh."

Nearly half injured—if this keeps up, they might get overrun. Doesn't affect me, but losing a free coin farm would suck.

"So you called because of that mutant nearby?"

"Yes. We tried sizing it up, but it looks impossible for us... Thought you could handle it, so we reached out."

"Of course I can. Stay put—I'll take it out."