Roll the Dice (4)
I finished circling the entire church and headed up to the empty fourth floor, a place I hadn't visited since cleaning it out before. I found Kim Kwonyong's room with its shattered door, pulled out a dust-covered chair from the table, and sat down.
Creak.
In the quiet room, sitting like this reminded me of the time right after I snapped out of my week-long shut-in phase and left Happiness Villa.
'Hoo...'
Of course, it wasn't that long ago.
'But it feels like months have passed.'
I pulled out a sheet of paper to organize what I needed to do next and picked up a pen. It seemed best to slowly sketch a map and sort things out.
'What's this...'
Then I spotted a white sheet of paper on the table. Curious, I flipped it over. A family photo came into view: dad, mom, and daughter, all smiling.
'Ah, this.'
It was the photo I'd glimpsed and flipped back over when I first came to Our Love Church. Of course, they were all gone from this world now. The man here, Kim Kwonyong, had been killed by my hand after raping Choi Yuri, and I'd roughly guessed what happened to his family back then. Truly pitiful lives.
'...Or maybe not.'
Stuff like this always made me sentimental for no reason. A harmonious family. They must have had their own circumstances and stories. If the world hadn't gone to hell, these people would've been laughing and deciding what to have for dinner.
Yeah. The ordinary daily life shaped by dad, mom, and daughter. An ordinary evening. In a few years, this girl Arin might've grown up, gone to college, gotten married, and told Kim Kwonyong, "I love you, Dad," fulfilling her filial duties. And the woman next to him, Jeong Sua, might've chuckled and said, "Who knew our daughter would turn out like this?" Kim Kwonyong could've lived happily with them, laughing together.
Tick.
Of course, that could never happen now.
"......"
I stared at it and turned on my smartphone, its battery nearly drained. I opened the gallery and scrolled through photos of my parents. Then I found one: me, Dad, and Mom sitting on the sofa. From a few years back. We'd been watching TV in the evening when Mom suddenly wanted a photo. I'd resisted, saying why bother, but ended up taking it anyway—and still kept it in the album.
Thinking back, evenings when the whole family gathered, I'd make coffee, and we'd sit around chatting. Back then, it was just everyday life, and I thought it'd last forever.
Ordinary daily life. Ordinary evening. Did I know back then the world would turn like this? If someone had told me, I wouldn't have believed it. I'd have yelled, "What bullshit is this?" Told them to write a novel and serialize it somewhere.
But in just 18 days. I'd gained a Status Window, killed zombies, committed murder, and become the leader of a base. Today was March 20th, not even a month since the outbreak—it was ridiculous. I'd been through more than most lifetimes hold.
Snap.
Enough. It wasn't even dawn, and here I was getting all emotional. I neatly folded those thoughts away. Not just me—everyone gathered at Our Love Church, hell, everyone left in the world must feel the same. Besides, unlike me, still hoping to find my uncertain family, Kim Yunjin, Jeong Dojin, and Choi Yuri had already lost theirs.
Unlike them, I still had hope. I turned off the phone and refocused on my original purpose.
'Status Window.'
Ice Spear [C]: Summons and launches two 50cm ice spears. Mana cost: 1
Ice Shield [E]: Summons a 3x3m ice shield. Mana cost: 5
Ashes Veil [E]: Constantly occupies 2/4 mana to summon an ashes veil blocking fatal damage for 3/6 seconds. Mana cost: 4 [Occupied]
Main Quest Chapter 1: City of the Dead. NO.1. Find the Savior. [0/1]
Sub Quest. NO.1. Collect Ruin Fragments. [1/10]
Message Confirmation [1/10] [Y/N]
The Status Window hadn't changed at all since incinerating Jeong Suhyun and Rocket Mart. Three skills. One main quest. One sub quest with just one completion. One lone message.
Tap.
I drummed my fingers on the table. Excuses aside, I'd saved people. Yet I couldn't trust them fully, so I tested them all—from Jeong Suhyun onward, Kim Yunjin, Jeong Dojin, Choi Yuri, and finally Kim Jungshik's crew. I didn't regret saving them. Or testing them. Those choices got us here.
But they're people. Problems arise, fights like at Northdong Station. Trying to keep everything under my watch and control causes issues—like this time. Did I really need to gather them and explain my thoughts? Monitor if they were doing well?
'Yes.'
"Ice Spear."
Not even a second after saying no regrets, and here I was. 'I made the right choice.'
I summoned two Ice Spears and floated them in the air.
Whirr.
The Ice Spears shot into the sky.
"Ice Shield..."
This time, I summoned three far up in the sky. Gravity pulled the massive shields down at tremendous speed.
And then.
———!!!!!!
A vibration and roar echoed from afar. I could see a small house half-destroyed by the crashing Ice Shields.
"!!!!!!"
"!!!!!!"
Watching the dust rise and zombies swarming from the distance, I thought: My choice was right. Sure, I'd been tossed around and agonized early on. Some might see it as wrong. But now, only I judge myself.
'Safely.'
My creed. But.
'Realistically, it's just idealism. Can't assume Mom and Dad will last forever.'
Nearly three weeks since the outbreak. I believed they'd survive on their own—they're tough—but worry gnawed. Zombies alone? Fine. But if those damn Remnants or Blood Clump Zombies reached my hometown...
My goal vanishes. Can't go alone—outmatched. No food, no shelter on the road. Gathering reliable people was right, no matter how I thought. Having a fallback versus none is clear. Even if it buys time, better than charging ahead planless.
But this delays. So this dilemma is for me.
'Blood Clump bastards, black foreigners. Liberation Army.'
Current obstacles. Unlike mindless zombies, rooting them out takes time. But then, when escape Seoul? Head home?
'So what to do.'
Ignoring uncontacted Liberation Army, two immediate threats: black foreigners threatening Our Love Church. And unseen Blood Clump Zombies.
'Blacks aren't an issue if we defend.'
If they had strong powers, they'd have attacked outright, not scouted. Without me, Our Love Church lacks offense but excels in surveillance and defense. Vice-leader's Animal Tamer, Jeong Suhyun's Clairvoyance. Both detect distant threats. Plus, Jeong Suhyun has 200 rifle rounds left. His merciless nature means he'll fire at any sign of trouble—like with the blacks.
So leave blacks to Our Love Church crew. I'll watch a few more days, then hand off fully to Jeong Suhyun and Kim Jungshik. Their problem to solve.
What about Blood Clump Zombies? They control old downtown but didn't attack me or Kim Jungshik's group. Even if for some reason they ignore me, we must find them. Too strong for our group, and those dark-red flesh walls show they're a human threat, if not mine.
...I have magic. Superior lethality. Only I can handle this.
'But I don't know.'
Tap tap.
I drummed the table, thinking. If Remnants, wipe them. 'Need new skills.'
Even the supposed seventh Remnant at the mart, wiped out Liberation Army—dangerous. That huge silhouette wasn't illusion. To grow, must hunt Remnants. Extra skill, more mana—vital for survival.
But if not Remnants? No clue why, but unlike zombies, they ignore me. Don't touch my group either. Hunt for other survivors? And I think they're not that strong. If like mart's seventh, Northdong Station would've fallen long ago.
So, if no Ruin Fragment or Remnant, leave them. Waste time otherwise. Could use as breakwater for future Northdong Station south base.
'Breakwater.'
I grimaced. Word stuck suddenly.
'Recap.'
Blacks in rich area and Our Love Church. Northdong Station blocks own Blood Clumps. They don't attack when I move.
'So if I lead people south of Northdong Station?'
Tap tap tap.
'Blacks can't follow naturally—only north, or fight Blood Clumps.'
Assuming safe church exit. Pursuing blacks would hit Blood Clumps.
'Possible.'
They might attack suddenly. But didn't when leading Kim Jungshik's seven—why with eleven?
Tap tap.
Not moral or dutiful. Local survivors die to Blood Clumps. But for me, viable. No saint, focused on my people. To south fast, ignore ignorables, handle needfuls, grab base quick.
Dilemma. More dilemma. Soon, I decided.
'...Detour to hospital.'
Assuming church holds, check obvious Blood Clump base first. Confirm what they are—priority.
...And why they ignore me.
'If Remnant, clear. If not, decide then.'
Then abandon church, head south. Scout bases near Northdong Station, Yuseong University. Move safely. Repeat to Han River.
'Northdong Station...'
Can't absorb. Park Donghyuk, Lee Euna—fake nice, black hearts. Kim Jungshik says survivors incompatible. Force? Chaos without me. Leave as planned.
Tap.
Clear zombies above? Via station?
'No.'
Too many thoughts. Decide later.
'Done.'
Confirm first.
===
"...Junyoung."
"Yes, my doing."
"You scared us. Others peeked in, saw nothing, left."
Down to second floor, Jeong Suhyun, rifle-watching outside, fussed. Ice shield crash must've been loud.
He asked carefully.
"Something happen?"
"Yeah, got a feel for next steps."
I explained plan to Jeong Suhyun.
"Sounds good. Makes sense. You get stronger, easier move."
"That so?"
"Yeah. But you really smashed building? Why? How?"
"Ah, that..."
I led him to fourth floor, pointed at wrecked house.
"Totally wrecked."
"Yeah. Summoned Ice Shields in sky, dropped 'em."
"...Works in air too?"
"Yep."
"Damn. Zombies swarmed 'cause of noise."
Never used, but Ice Shield like Ice Spear—no range limit. Anywhere in sight.
Not random.
"Like a warning. If foreigners nearby, won't dare rush."
Used same shields deliberately. Deter blacks while I'm out.
"Yeah. But... hmm."
Jeong Suhyun eyed me, made odd noise.
"What?"
"Why not just smash church perimeter with Ice Shields?"
"That..."
Still insane suggestions. I considered realistically. No issue. Innocents maybe. But we'd crossed lines long ago—we torched possible-occupied Rocket Mart.
But.
"Nah. No need."
"Reason?"
"Yeah, heading to check Blood Clumps. If Remnants, new skill—gain. If not, past Northdong Station to meet Northdong Liberation Army below."
"Straight south?"
"Yep. No attacks moving before—if not Remnants, no need kill. Helpful even."
"If Remnants?"
"Even better. Kill, take skills/powers, seize south base."
"...Liberation Army there?"
Probably. High chance people, truth aside.
But.
"No reason drag time on people forever. Gotta find family. If cooperative, fine. If not..."
"Not?"
"Tragic accident, unavoidable."
Silence fell. Words from first meeting, convincing him leave Northdong Office. But now, dead serious.
"...Hmm."
Block me? Kill somehow. Jeong Suhyun grinned slyly.
"Haven't heard that in ages."
"Time to roll dice. Count on you. You'll handle fine."
Jeong Suhyun. First survivor in this shit world. Crazy, but always right when mattered. Torch mart, defend church, fetch Kim Jungshik's, first black attack.
"Yeah, always have."
Why trust him.
"Sure. Still, few days here."
"Huh? Sound like leaving now..."
"Worried, y'know."
"Damn..."
Even so, hand off day one? Overkill. Watch three days min. Accidents happen first meetings.
'Plus, black warning bugs me.'
Jeong Suhyun nodded.
"You got reasons. Dinner soon—join?"
Already past 6.
I nodded.
"Sure, stay then."
"Hmm. Two guys eating... awkward."
"...What?"
"Haha."
Jeong Suhyun laughed. Knock at door.
Suhyun, dinner ready.
Kim Yunjin. Jeong Suhyun replied.
"Ah, yeah! Coming!"
They used casual before.
Okay, take time. Set in lounge.
Who formal? Defense solid. Jeong Suhyun formal to her too.
"Uh, vice-leader. Yunjin fetch..."
I smiled.
"I'll watch. Eat."
"No. Rules."
Leader? Here?
Surprised Jeong Suhyun, Kim Yunjin. Different flavors, but flustered.
I continued.
"Yeah. Can't bring food here?"
No sentry below? Eat here fine.
Agh! Duh! Suhyun! Why not think?
"No. Eating loosens guard..."
What!
"Yunjin, that's..."
Jeong Suhyun floundered. Sometimes idiot.
I sighed.
"What. Your skill on sees straight line."
"Ah."
Jeong Suhyun froze.
Bringing now! Two servings!
Kim Yunjin dashed, brought dinner: pork belly, rice, fruits like melon, retort soup mix.
"Tasty."
"Yeah."
"Not awkward?"
"Rules first. Mutual formal, strict sentry—church watch rule."
"When our church?"
"Today on."
Fuss, but dinner smooth. Then Jeong Suhyun asked idle me.
"...Not going?"
"Staying tonight."
We ate, pulled all-nighter. Like first church takeover—ready any situation.
But.
"...Déjà vu?"
"Kinda."
"Ugh. Thought gone."
"Warning worked."
No black, zombie, or Blood Clump attacks overnight. Like days ago seizing church.
"You two... all-nighter? Over 12 hours. Shift long past. Crazy, gonna die."
"Sleep."
Next day, grim Kim Jungshik, Lee Yoon found us. We greeted haggardly. Bodies failing.
I grinned woozily.
"Gotta push. Never know."
Planned this. But Kim Jungshik shook head.
"Say trust, but actions scream doubt..."
"...Not. Sleep soon."
Not yet 7am. Till then.
But.
"Won't listen. Suhyun, home sleep. Morning our kids."
"No, I..."
"Tch. Go sleep."
Kicked out. Exhausted, crashed anyway. Worst didn't happen. Strict watches, no blacks.
But never fully relax. Watched closely after, held position. Stood sentry, swapped toilet breaks, monitored human issues, sorted food—worked.
Warning hit? No blacks. Church ran smooth under Jeong Suhyun, Kim Jungshik as expected.
Two days passed.