Chapter 46
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Skill Upgrades and Smasher Rematch
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I'd been racking my brain over how to secure drinking water, but this skill solved it in one go. It feels too damn good.
While upgrading the skill added the ability to store electricity within the base, I'd hoped it might handle water too—and it immediately eased my worries on that front.
Honestly, considering the number of coins I've sunk into the Base Manager trait, this is the bare minimum it should deliver.
Just the points spent to acquire the Base Manager trait came to 10 points, which equates to 2,000 coins. Then, to raise the base reinforcement to level 8, I've poured in another 2,800 coins.
That's a total of 4,800 coins invested in this skill alone.
Taking into account that killing 10 zombies typically nets me 5-6 coins on average, I'd need to take down 8,000 to 9,600 zombies just to recoup that amount.
Probably only someone like me could pull this off right now. For an average Awakener, this would be a pipe dream.
They're likely struggling to scrape together even 1,000 coins. And even if they did, they'd probably blow it on upgrading their own skills or buying shop items.
There's no way they have the spare capacity to hoard coins right now.
Unless they're massacring zombie hordes like me in a short time, few—if any—would have bought the Base Manager trait. And I'm probably the only one who's upgraded it this far.
With electricity and water off the table now, I'll cap base reinforcement upgrades here. Time to think about what to do with my remaining coins.
The only other thing worth spending on is upgrading Equipment Crafting. I either pump points into it or hold onto the coins for emergencies.
After a moment's thought, I decided to boost Equipment Crafting from level 4 to 6.
I had 1,116 coins left, and it costs exactly 1,100 to hit level 6—a perfect match.
Alright, let's see how it changes. I'm looking forward to this.
Equipment Crafting Lv 5 skill upgrade successful.
Available equipment crafting list has been expanded.
Coin cost for crafting has slightly decreased.
Up to level 5, the only notable change is the addition to the craftable equipment list. Nothing else jumps out.
Let's push it one more time.
Equipment Crafting Lv 6 skill upgrade successful.
Available equipment crafting list has been expanded.
Coin cost for crafting has slightly decreased.
Even at level 6, no major changes? Right as I thought that, a new system window popped up.
Equipment Crafting skill has reached Lv 6. Equipment Decomposition skill unlocked!
What the hell is this?
An Equipment Decomposition skill? I quickly opened my status window to check out the new addition.
Equipment Decomposition Lv 1
Disassemble equipment crafted by yourself or another Technician to convert into coins.
Higher skill levels increase the coin conversion rate.
Coin Conversion Rate:10%
This is a fun one.
So, if gear I craft with coins becomes useless, I can decompose it back into coins with this skill?
Decomposing equipment that cost 100 coins would return 10 coins.
It's not super efficient for my own gear, but the fact that it works on anyone else's Technician-crafted stuff is huge. Down the line, if I raid a group of Awakeners, I can convert all their skill-made gear straight to coins. Massive profit.
Those items are probably stuff I can craft myself anyway, so no need to keep them—better as coins.
Upgrading skills keeps spitting out these gems. Makes spending coins addictive.
I'm down to just 16 coins now, but with zombies swarming tomorrow, I can farm more then.
I topped off the jerry cans with diesel, so it was time to head home. I climbed to the roof for a quicker route when I heard a booming thud from somewhere.
In this world right now, the only thing making thuds like that...
Mutant zombies!
The sound was construction-site loud—impossible for regular zombies or any actual construction in a zombie apocalypse. It had to be a mutant zombie attacking something.
I bolted toward the noise, wondering who the hell was fighting a mutant zombie.
Judging by the volume, it was probably the Smasher near the Haedong Faction's turf that I'd snagged before. No average Awakener could handle that thing.
Someone on my level might, but who would even tangle with it? Normals would run without looking back. You don't need to kill it.
Who could it be?
I arrived at the source and took in the scene.
"Sh-shit!"
- Grraaaarrrgh!
Sure enough, the massive roars came from a Smasher. And facing it down was none other than Kang Sohee.
Sohee dodged the Smasher's wild haymaker swings with agile footwork, swinging her greatsword at its neck with all her might. But her wide arc gave it time to block with its arm.
She retreated fast after her attack was parried, then charged again. The Smasher thrust both fists forward at the approaching Sohee, but she sidestepped and slashed deep into its side.
"You bastard! Die!"
She pressed the attack without pause, but...
- Grrraaaarrrghhh!
The Smasher whipped its arm faster, shoving the closing Sohee back. She blocked with her greatsword, but the weight difference sent her flying into a wall.
"Gah!"
The impact was brutal—she dropped her greatsword. The Smasher didn't miss a beat, charging and rearing back for a downward punch on her.
Couldn't let that land. I dropped down, scooping her up and relocating her just before the fist connected.
"Wh-what?! You!"
"Hey. Second time's the charm."
I set down the wide-eyed Sohee—who recognized me—and drew my sword, advancing on the Smasher.
"H-hey! Be careful! That thing's a total monster!"
Ignoring her worried shout, I infused my blade with Mana Drain and dodged its swings, slicing at its neck.
The cut was shallow. Last time, I'd one-shot it with the Dark Flame Sword, but with demonic energy costs in mind, I wanted to bag it using just Mana Drain—no other spells.
- Grraaaar!
Furious at the neck slash, the Smasher flailed wildly, but it was no threat to me.
The shallow cut hadn't killed it yet—that was just one slice.
Keep slashing until the head comes off. I evaded every attack flawlessly, carving its neck repeatedly. After six hits, the head dangled half-off. One final strike severed it completely, and the hulking body crashed down.
Nice. Used a bit of demonic energy on Mana Drain, but netting 100 demonic energy from the Smasher? Huge win.
I'd burned some at the department store today, so saving where I can.
Hoping for a good drop like last time... but nope, nothing. Total letdown.
"Aw, nothing again. Blame my luck stat?"
If there was a way to raise Luck, I'd dump everything into it. Better drops from mutants, higher coin odds from regulars.
Turning back, I saw Sohee staring in shock, mouth agape.
I picked up her fallen greatsword. She snapped out of it, stood, and approached. I handed it over.
"Here."
"Th-thanks... for saving me again."
She mumbled without meeting my eyes, face flushed. Must be embarrassed to thank me.
"What was that?"
I teased, pretending not to hear.
"Goddammit! I said thanks, you jerk!"
Her face red, she yelled in frustration. She's fun to mess with.
"No biggie. I got coins from the Smasher—pure profit. If I asked for your share, would you pay up?"
"Hmph, forget it. I'm not crazy enough to demand that from my rescuer. What's yours is yours."
"Some folks go nuts and act way out of line. Anyone tries that in front of me, straight to the afterlife. Anyway, what're you doing here?"
This spot was midway between the Haedong Faction and old Chilsung Faction areas from my house.
Why was Sohee here?
"Zombie hunting for coins, duh. But none around, so I was heading back when I ran into that Smasher. Tried running at first, but it chased relentlessly—had to fight."
"Why not head home? Don't you have backup there?"
I recalled her mentioning borrowing coins at the shop for a zombie infection cure. If true, she had people to help. Why fight solo?
Common sense: get help if you can't handle it.
"No way. Can't lead a monster like that to where Mom is."
Mom again.
She'd wanted that cure for her mom? She cherishes her that much.
Didn't want to risk dragging the Smasher home and endangering her mom. Intense maternal love.
"Gotta farm coins fast and get Mom to a safe place ASAP."
"Safe place? What do you mean?"
Safe place? In this zombie apocalypse?
My base has to be the safest spot right now.
"Not sure exactly. Some guys came to where I live, said there's a paradise—the safest place in the world. Pay coins, and they'll protect you."
"A place like that in this world? Hard to buy."
"I don't fully trust it either. But better than leaving Mom somewhere danger could strike anytime."
A safe paradise... Honestly, isn't my base the safest paradise in the world right now?