Chapter 28: How to Duplicate Points
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 28: How to Duplicate Points
Points are a crucial progression mechanic for me as the server host.
With no set source of points, and knowing—at least for now—that quests are the only way to obtain them, I have to clear as many quests as possible to get stronger, faster.
That means I need to pick up a lot of quests.
From the simplest repeat quests like killing Level 1 zombies, to hidden quests and main quests.
These kinds of quests didn't exist in Zombie Apocalypse, so even with my 100,000 hours of playtime, I don't really know how or where to get them.
However, most of the content on this multi-server is based on mods created by individual Zombie Apocalypse players.
Similarly, back in Zombie Apocalypse, there were a few users who created quest mods to give players some direction in an otherwise unforgiving game.
At this point, you might wonder if there was anything the game didn't have, and indeed, people said that a lot.
Is there anything in this game that the players didn't make?
The developers just built the engine, and the players made all the actual content.
Well, it wasn't exactly wrong, so neither the players nor the developers really denied it.
I suppose that's why they allowed the mod system in the first place.
And even when it came to quests, it wasn't like the players coded entirely new systems from scratch. Mostly, they just took existing in-game events, displayed them as quest messages, and added rewards. That was the basic formula.
Some people went as far as turning Zombie Apocalypse into a full-blown RPG, but that wasn't my cup of tea, so I passed on those.
Anyway, regarding these quests.
If they're tied to events, then interacting with as many survivors as possible is the best way to trigger them.
Whether I kill them, milk them for points and get kicked out, or whatever, I need to trigger a quest first.
So, accepting the survivor recruitment event and bringing Kim Ji-hee to the Seongsu Apartments in connection with it—all of it was done solely for points.
"Oppa. Um, the food boxes that show up at the door every day... is it okay if I ask where they come from?"
"Why ask if it's okay to ask after you've already asked?"
"...I was just curious..."
I squeeze Kim Ji-hee's breast as she gives me a cautious, sheepish smile.
Seeing Kim Ji-hee lately, I finally understand why people say good looks are a weapon.
A fleshlight. A mouth-pussy fleshlight. Plump tits.
I try to view women as nothing more than that—mere tools for release in the zombie apocalypse—and I know that's the right mindset, but when she acts like this, it's hard to keep thinking that way.
Well, if we're going to keep living together, I should at least grant her the level of trust reserved for a "Resident."
"It's my skill. A mod."
Other people seem to call mods "skills."
Even when talking with Kim Ji-hee about various things while looking at her phone, she often refers to them as skills.
I suppose it's because most other games use the term "skill."
It's not like the word "skill" bothers me or anything.
I only call them mods because that's what they're called in Zombie Apocalypse, but calling them skills is fine too.
"I think that's a really amazing skill."
"It's not just amazing, it's a fucking broken mod. That's why a guy like me gets to walk around with a girl like you on his arm, isn't it?"
"..."
"Why aren't you denying it?"
"We're here!"
I'm pretty self-aware.
I don't delude myself into thinking, Does this girl actually like me?
That kind of delusion is a hallmark of the guys who die first in a zombie apocalypse.
She changed the subject at the perfect time, but we really had arrived at the Seongsu Apartments.
The barricades at the Seongsu Apartments were completely destroyed, but people were outside, busily moving around.
Their numbers had definitely dwindled since the last time I saw them, but there were still quite a few.
This time, instead of trying to secure the entire apartment complex, they seemed to be clustering around just a few buildings, shrinking their defensive perimeter.
Dumbasses.
Setting up a base across a massive apartment complex when you have absolutely nothing to start with was a mistake from the very beginning.
That's what happens when clueless idiots try to run an autonomous organization. But even if someone who claimed to have played Zombie Apocalypse gave them advice, and they still ended up like this, it could only mean one of two things:
Either they ignored the advice out of stubbornness because they wanted a massive base encompassing the whole complex,
Or the guy who "played the game" only had a superficial understanding of it.
Well, since they've never managed a massive group on a multi-server before, I suppose it's understandable.
But now that they've survived, they'll probably get their act together.
Of course, in my opinion, defending an area spanning two or three apartment buildings is still no easy task.
If they gathered everyone, would they have around a hundred people?
That number might seem decent, but if the ratio of combatants and weapons doesn't back it up, a large base will inevitably attract larger, stronger hordes of zombies.
Not my problem, though.
"Kim Ji-hee!"
As we drew closer, the auntie I had seen in the community service center auditorium ran toward us.
The ahjussi was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Uncle...?"
"...Where on earth did you go? Because you weren't there, your uncle, while trying to block the door..."
"...Is that my fault?"
"Yes! You should have protected him! After how your uncle and I raised you!"
Kim Ji-hee, on the verge of tears, didn't reply.
Thank goodness.
Watching a cliché family argument would have put me to sleep.
I reached out and pulled Kim Ji-hee to my side.
"I'm going to stay with Oppa from now on."
"What? Who is this man?"
"He protected me that day."
"Are you out of your mind? How can a girl throw her body away like that? Is that how I raised you?"
This script was so cliché it could rival a daily soap opera.
Feeling like I'd throw up if I watched any more of this, I stepped forward.
"Mother-in-law. Ah, sorry. Auntie?"
"Who is your mother-in...! Unbelievable! Excuse me! Kyaaaah!"
I draw my dagger and slash her throat.
I didn't intend to kill her, so I only nicked the surface of her skin, but that actually worked better for dramatic effect.
"What the hell!"
"That crazy bastard!"
"Are you okay?"
A crowd of tattooed thugs and other men rushed over.
Naturally, they made up the majority of the survivors.
All eyes locked onto me.
"You bastard. You're that guy from before, aren't you?"
"Son of a bitch."
"So Kim Ji-hee ended up going with him after all."
"I knew it."
"Acting all high and mighty, only to spread her legs for a guy like that..."
"Look at what she's wearing."
Kim Ji-hee's expression stiffened.
Her grip around my waist tightened.
Well, I hadn't brought her here for this exact reason.
Even without severing her remaining ties, she was already dependent enough on me.
"I've already fucked this bitch, so don't even think about touching her. You worthless motherfuckers don't have what it takes, yet you expect to get a premium prize for free."
"What?"
"You son of a bitch. You wanna die?"
"Motherfucker. I can't take this."
My blatant provocation hits a nerve, and one of the tattooed thugs steps forward.
Level 3 Strength, Level 2 Agility, Level 2 Stamina—he's actually built his stats quite well.
His mod is a Level 3 Fury Skill, which temporarily boosts all stats by 1 for 30 seconds.
He charges at me, fists clenched.
If he was here before, he knows I've already killed two tattooed thugs, so he won't be letting his guard down.
I can see his body suddenly speed up as his stats increase.
He activated Fury.
The trajectory of his fist instantly appears before me.
The red line shifts to blue at a rapid pace.
I lightly dodge.
I watch his fist graze past my face.
Even without the effects of Base Invincibility, my stats—boosted by the Rest Bonus—are only slightly lower than or equal to his.
But with the help of Hunting Expert, that tiny gap feels like absolutely nothing.
"You think fists are gonna cut it? Dumbass. I literally just showed you I have a knife."
I see his expression falter as he raises his arms in realization.
A wise choice.
He must remember how I took down the other two by stabbing their vitals, so it's only natural he'd try to protect them.
But his arms are still part of his body.
"Aaargh!"
I had no intention of killing him this time.
My dagger plunges straight into his forearm.
It's a bit tight due to his muscle mass, but it's fine.
I grab his stabbed arm and slice upward with the dagger.
"Aaaaaaargh!"
His screams echo through the apartment complex.
From his raised left wrist all the way to just below his armpit, the flesh is torn open.
If he doesn't get medical attention immediately, he'll probably lose the use of that arm.
His guard has been down for a while, and I could easily kill him if I wanted to, but instead, I just kick him away.
Famous movie quotes aren't just the delusions of screenwriters.
When fighting a crowd, destroy just one guy.
Make the onlookers realize that they could be next.
As they stared at the man who had passed out from shock, the noisy chatter from earlier completely died down.
He was probably one of the strongest guys here.
And I had taken him out in a single blow.
The sheer shock of the outcome would make it hard for them to rationally process that he had simply charged in recklessly without a weapon.
"Let's go."
"Okay..."
Thanks to him charging in out of nowhere, the situation resolved itself much easier than expected, and I was able to lay down some bait.
I had briefly wondered if I'd have to endure more of that cliché bickering with her aunt.
"Will it be okay...?"
Kim Ji-hee asked worriedly on the way back.
While she trusted me after what I'd shown her, she was probably anxious about making so many enemies.
If I didn't have Cheat Mode, I wouldn't have acted like this either.
There are plenty of quiet, underhanded ways to bring down a large group.
[Event Quest 1]
– Protect the base from looting.
– The base's food warehouse has been looted. Drive out the raiders and protect the food warehouse.
– Reward: 2 Points, Safe Base-Exclusive Automatic Door(★)
"Hehehe... Fuck... This is exactly what I wanted."
The most satisfying thing in the world is seeing things play out exactly as I predicted.
My footsteps were light as we walked back.
"You know what my absolute favorite thing is?"
"...What is it?"
"Boomers on their last legs. I love them. They never fail to disappoint."