Chapter 63
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Gorilla's Choice and Sohee's Plea
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After notifying the Gorilla Boss that he was to become my underling, I quickly slipped out of their base.
At first, I'd considered just smashing the place to bits and looting all the coins from the Gorilla Boss.
But midway through, I changed my mind.
Thinking about it, as time passes in this zombie apocalypse, more Awakeners will start popping up—ones who've grown strong or at least useful by spending their coins. Constantly killing them off to steal their coins felt like a sneaky waste of time and resources.
Assuming I take on a subordinate with zero foundation, it's obvious it'd cost a fortune in coins to make them worthwhile. So wouldn't it be more efficient to recruit someone who's already invested their coins and powered up?
Like hiring an experienced worker instead of a rookie.
Especially if that veteran has sunk a ton of coins into getting strong—the inefficiency of killing them and starting over with a newbie to reach the same level is just ridiculous.
So I decided to bring the Gorilla under my wing.
He seemed respected by his men, so his personality probably wasn't an issue, and he had the raw power to take on a Smasher solo. That makes him worth recruiting as my subordinate.
That said, even if he's useful, I'm not forcing him. If he says no, he'd just slack off under me anyway.
No point keeping a guy like that around.
I wonder what choice the Gorilla Boss will make.
From the look on his face the moment he first saw me, he instantly knew I was stronger—even if his underlings didn't.
And considering the performance I put on, he'd never even think of challenging me.
I blocked a barrage of bullets flying my way with a single barrier.
From the shooters' perspective, it must've looked like the bullets hit me without leaving a scratch.
I did burn a bit of demonic energy for it, but that much is no big deal.
I got a good show out of it, and I've got this fun event queued up—waiting to see what choice they make by the end of Day 7 of the Zombie Wave. Should be entertaining.
What will it be?
Whatever the Gorilla Boss chooses, it doesn't matter. If he agrees to join me, great. If not, I'll take it by force.
I'm just waiting for whichever option amuses me more.
Anyway, time to get to work.
The area where the Gorilla Boss is holed up is definitely cleared of zombies—not a single one in sight.
Figured as much, so I headed away from my base, pushing as far as I could until I crossed into another city district. That's when I found a spot piled high with zombies.
Looked like all the Awakeners here got wiped out; zombies were stacked everywhere. I pulled their aggro as usual, then wiped them all out with a single mid-tier spell.
Must've been at least 1,200 to 2,000 of them.
Checked my achievements, and yeah, this haul was pretty solid too.
Defeat 2,500 zombies.
Reward: 550 Coins
Current Kills: 3,186/2,500
Scored a bonus 550 coins on top of it all.
Checked my status window—I've got 8,274 coins now.
Impressive number on paper, but they vanish in a blink if I look away.
Maybe I'll burn some when I get home tonight. Obviously on Equipment Crafting; reinforcing that skill last time unlocked a better generator option than the one I made before.
Meaning more upgrades will let me craft even more efficient generators.
Yejin's probably running the diesel generator I brought back all day long right now. When the power grid finally craps out for good, we'll need stockpiled electricity to use freely. Gotta hoard it while we can.
Wonder how much chaos will hit when the electricity we've been taking for granted suddenly cuts out.
Thought about scouting other areas, but it'd be late night by the time I got back, so I called it and headed home.
First time venturing this far from base; got a bit turned around on the way back.
Wonder if I can check my base's location. Pulled up the Base Management skill.
It shows who's inside and where: Yejin on the first floor, probably running the generator like I told her. Miyoung on the fourth.
No sign of Sohee yet—hasn't made it back.
But right now, I just need directions...
Whoa, activating Base Management gave me this intuitive sense—like an arrow in my head pointing straight to base. I can just feel the direction.
With this, I can zip right back in a straight line.
Racing home fast, I suddenly heard fighting nearby. Curiosity piqued, I detoured over and spotted a familiar face.
"Raaargh!"
It was Sohee, swinging her greatsword freely amid a zombie horde, mowing them down effortlessly.
Watching zombie heads fly with every swing up close felt so damn satisfying.
Then, hearing the commotion, a Smasher and a Lacer burst from an alley and charged straight at Sohee the moment they spotted her.
Mutants can be dicey, so I figured I'd help—but Sohee didn't flinch. She charged right at them instead.
She nearly got wrecked by a Smasher not long ago; most would bolt. But no fear on her face.
The faster Lacer engaged first. Sohee swung her greatsword horizontally with full force, but the Lacer leaped high to dodge. It dove at her with razor claws—Sohee sidestepped by a hair's breadth and shoulder-checked it mid-air.
The airborne Lacer couldn't evade and slammed into the wall. Before it recovered, Sohee's greatsword sliced horizontally again.
Stunned from the impact, the Lacer took the full hit—head clean off in one stroke.
Sohee's combat sense is no ordinary human's. Most would've backpedaled wildly to avoid the claws; she slipped it razor-thin and exploited the opening for the win.
Pretty fun spectating quietly from the sidelines.
Sorry, Sohee, but nothing beats watching weaklings scrap it out. If it gets hairy, I'll bail her out.
Now, how's she handle the Smasher she struggled against last time?
The instant Sohee dropped the Lacer, the Smasher closed in and swung an arm as big as her torso.
Bam!
"Ho? Dodged that?"
She was wide open, but somehow sensed the Smasher behind her and ditched the sword to roll aside.
"Hah, you bastard. Sneaking up from behind like a coward."
- Grrrrowl...
The Smasher glared at her for dodging, then barreled forward with another massive arm swing.
"Too slow, dummy!"
Instead of dodging back, Sohee rushed in to slip the blow—one hit from that thing would cripple her—passed it by, and reached for her dropped greatsword.
Grabbing the hilt, she yanked it up overhead and smashed down into the Smasher's blind spot as it turned to grab her.
- Roooaaar!
"Oh?"
Last time, her strikes barely scratched it. This time, she carved a deep gash.
Not lethal, though. The wounded Smasher flailed wildly at her with both arms. Sohee easily weaved through the sloppy swings—barely aimed anyway—and slashed its body again, deeper this time.
That one was fatal. The raging Smasher's blows whistled through empty air, never touching her. Sohee ended it by severing its head.
Staring down at the Smasher she'd felled solo, Sohee started hopping in place like an excited kid.
"Kyahaha! I can take punks like this alone now!"
Looked just like a little girl jumping for joy after dressing herself successfully.
She's powering up on her own—impressive. Figured I'd praise her and sneak up for a scare, but she sensed me mid-celebration and whipped around, swinging her greatsword my way.
Of course, it didn't touch me.
Gotta catch it cool with one hand, right?
"Good work~"
"Wha—? You? Huh? With one hand?"
She looked shocked again that I'd blocked her swing single-handed.
"That's the gap between you and me."
I let go of the blade, grinned, and patted her head. With at least 10cm height difference, she gave off little-sister vibes—but she blushed and swatted my hand away, embarrassed.
"Ugh, were you watching me fight?"
"Yeah. You were awesome. Fun to watch."
"Then why not help... Nah, pointless asking you."
"Hey, I was gonna if you were in real trouble."
Dead serious. Losing Sohee would hurt me bad.
Can't have my combat subordinate dying in some dumb spot while grinding coins solo.
Worst if she overdoes it and drops dead weirdly. Gotta slap some protective spells on her later for insurance.
"Hey, just in case—bail if it gets dangerous."
"What? Duh, obviously."
"I'm worried about you. Can't always protect you, so be careful. Got it?"
"...Got it."
Sohee mumbled reluctantly, face flushing a bit as she replied.
"Alright, let's head back. Getting dark."
"Wait! Take some coins."
Her sudden offer stopped me in my tracks.
"The 50 coins for Mom's treatment I couldn't pay last time. Earned 'em today."
True to her word about hating debts, she was paying up pronto.
"Told you no rush."
"Whatever. Clears my mind to settle it quick. And... I need a favor."
"Favor? What kind?"
Didn't know she had anything to ask me for.
"What I'm asking is... don't touch my mom."
What? The hell?
I scowled like I'd misheard, and she yelled louder.
"I said, don't touch my mom!"
Uh... sorry, Sohee, but I've kinda already half-touched Miyoung.
And she approached me first, anyway.
She begged me not to tell Sohee, so I can't spill now.
Puzzled how to respond, Sohee ducked her head and muttered softly.
"If you wanna touch Mom, th-then... rather..."
Too quiet; caught nothing.
"What? Couldn't hear."
She squeezed her eyes shut and bellowed.
"Rather than Mom, do me!"
Miyoung says don't touch Sohee; Sohee says don't touch Miyoung.
And both offering themselves instead.
What an ironic mess.
This situation's hilarious.