59. A Small Mistake, A Great Price (1)
The next day.
I should've just slept the whole damn day away.
I clutched my pounding head and dragged myself out of bed. It was because the moment I got back to the church, I'd gone straight from the shower to crashing in bed and slept for damn near twenty hours straight. I hadn't even exchanged words with anyone yesterday.
So much to do.
I scarfed down the retort fried rice and water set up in my room for starters, then headed outside. There I saw Jeong Suhyun, staring blankly out the window. He turned to me and spoke.
"Junyoung, you feeling okay?"
"Yeah. Probably just from getting caught in the rain."
Though it felt more like mental exhaustion than the rain. That fetus thing had gnawed at my sanity, after all.
Clack.
But why was Jeong Suhyun hanging around here?
"Not on duty today? You weren't around yesterday."
"Mm. Had to step out for a meeting."
"Makes sense. After yesterday, you'd need one."
The church had been in an uproar when I got back. Lee Yoon's detection skill had flat-out failed to pick me up. Sure, it calmed down once I waved it off, but the night watch—Kim Inho and Lee Yoon—had no clue. Two Ice Spears as a signal, and no surveillance ping? To them, it must've looked like some freak with weird powers sneaking in.
Jeong Suhyun had eventually sorted it, but even for me, it was unexpected. Nothing I could do about it.
As we stood there, he chuckled dryly.
"That's what happens when you forget the most important part. Should've mentioned your skills don't register."
"Can't help a little oversight. Plus, I didn't know even Vice Leader's skill wouldn't catch me."
"No, my bad. Should've made it crystal clear."
"...Won't happen next time."
"Phew. Tough crowd."
Well, no harm done, so all good. I nodded and asked him,
"Kim Jungshik in the next room over, then?"
"Yeah. Head right in. Need to prep anything? You could come back later..."
"Nah. Let's go now."
To repeat myself: shit to do, tons of it.
Jeong Suhyun and I headed to the room where Kim Jungshik waited.
Creeeak.
"Hey."
A casual greeting. But Kim Jungshik stood with a face full of worry.
"Junyoung, you good? You looked half-dead yesterday. Didn't even say a word."
"Yeah, fine now. Just a bunch of stuff piling up."
"Gotta take care of yourself. You're our main beam here."
Main beam, huh. Classic him. Kim Jungshik, fully integrated into our base now. I gave a small smile.
"Think being careful fixes that?"
"Haha, fair point."
"Have a seat."
We gathered around the table. Nice vibe. But what I had to say was serious enough to tank it straight to hell.
I laid out everything from the hospital.
......
"So that's why I took them out and came back."
Silence hung for a beat. Their faces had shifted from before I spoke.
Jeong Suhyun broke it with a sour question.
"...So a giant fetus was popping out monsters?"
His expression dead serious. He knew I wasn't bullshitting.
I nodded. "Yeah. It was quietly birthing those blood clump zombies Kim Jungshik mentioned. Once I killed it, the area cleared up."
"Haa..."
"Makes sense... I guess. No way you'd lie. And if it's true, explains why the country's like this."
Jeong Suhyun sighed, Kim Jungshik grimaced. I let out my own sigh.
"Yeah. The apocalypse probably kicked off with things like that one."
"So multiples like the Rocket Mart one."
"Yep. My guess? Ten types, give or take."
"Haa..."
Jeong Suhyun clicked his tongue and heaved heavy sighs.
"Rocket Mart? You said you burned that place down last time. One of those freaks there too?"
Kim Jungshik's eyes went wide as he asked. Jeong Suhyun nodded to him.
"More silhouette than monster, but similar. Size of a two-story building. Gotta be like this one. Zombies don't get that big."
"Damn. So nine more types besides the blood clumps?"
"Eight, actually."
Yeah, Jeong Suhyun had it right. The remnants we hadn't even glimpsed aside.
"Hospital area's clean now. But the luxury villas and Northdong Station? Still infested."
That was the dilemma.
"Blood clump zombies don't attack me—or anyone with me. Tested it multiple times. Question is what we do about it."
"Why not you, Junyoung?"
Jeong Suhyun's natural follow-up. I furrowed my brow.
"Dunno. Status Window related, maybe? Not sure."
"Ah, figures. My skills don't ping you either."
He nodded. I had a few guesses, but nothing solid enough to share.
"So yesterday with Vice Leader too."
Kim Jungshik narrowed his eyes. Jeong Suhyun shot him a questioning look.
"What's up?"
"Just weird. Thinking back, we did detect Junyoung back then."
"At Northdong Station?"
"Yeah."
This was odd. We'd glossed over it, but Kim Jungshik had invited me thanks to Lee Yoon. Worked then, not yesterday?
Jeong Suhyun picked up. "Weird. Yesterday, nada. Right?"
"Yeah. That's why it's off."
Silence flowed.
"All skills blocked?"
"...Nah. Direct summons or extensions? I'd take damage for sure."
Hammers, tools, flames—those wouldn't phase through.
"New skill growth blocking detection?"
Jeong Suhyun's solid take.
"Could be..."
Unlike when his skill first failed or Northdong Station, my Status Window had leveled since.
If detection immunity grew as a passive...
Unknown passive leveling? Weird. Unless it started unpingable, jumping to Mage (Advanced) and suddenly immune? Off.
"But your skill never working from the start? That's fishy. Not like 'some yes, some no' based on growth."
"True."
No alerts or anything. Kim Jungshik nodded.
"Tricky. Exceptions to what pings, exceptions to what doesn't."
True. But couldn't bank solely on detection immunity.
"That's why I always roll with two Ice Spears."
"Fair, but..."
Kim Jungshik asked, "Then Kim Yunjin's healing? Shouldn't work if skills don't."
Jeong Suhyun and I tilted our heads.
"Dunno. Never been hurt around her."
"Can't self-harm on purpose. Nicking a cut to test? Eh, healing's vague."
"Just roll with it. Junyoung's always been weird. Test later if needed. Bigger issue: what if there's another like him?"
Jeong Suhyun's point cut sharp. Another with four paths? Serious shit.
But.
"Doubt there's two of me."
"Yeah."
Weird how Jeong Suhyun's nonsense got nods. Kim Jungshik just shrugged it off.
What the hell.
Felt off for a sec, but got their angle. Hell, they were on my side. Unpingable powerhouse who ignores surveillance? No complaints. And another Status Window freak? No counter without eyes everywhere.
They've probably thought it through.
Extra me? Double guards, visual only.
I steered back. Unknown threats later—priorities first.
"Anyway, heading south for a new base in Southdong. Leave the fragments or clear? Thoughts?"
"Haa..."
"Tch. Blood clumps really ignore us?"
"Yeah. You felt it last time."
Second fragment. The fetuses. We pondered.
But.
"...Dunno."
"Me neither."
Kim Jungshik and Jeong Suhyun shook their heads. Curiosity hit; I asked,
"Issue?"
Just polling opinions.
Jeong Suhyun said, "Your call, Junyoung. Not for us to butt in."
"Right. We ain't going with to wipe 'em. We're just tagging along for scraps."
Kim Jungshik too. I frowned.
Asked for input, get "you decide"?
Jeong Suhyun caught my look. "Truth hurts. We're not in position to advise. Even clearing it—you do the work. We ride coattails."
"Still, opinions?"
True enough.
"Sure, if you want mine: ignore 'em. We're scraping by—why risk for strangers? If you bail and they die? Not on you. Or us."
Jeong Suhyun: leave 'em.
Kim Jungshik cleared his throat. "Watch your mouth, Suhyun."
"Why? Facts. They live 'cause of you. Dead anyway. Blood clumps or you—same diff. They thanking you? Paying up? Handing skills? Nah."
"Not saying that... just nicer words."
Kim Jungshik sweated bullets. Couldn't handle Suhyun's brutal edge.
"You think the same, Jungshik."
"...Yeah."
Surprise—agreement. Cold logic: not nation-building, no need for every survivor.
I nodded, taking it in. Leaders' takes heard.
"Got it. Leave the blood clumps."
Decision made.
"Then today, scout Southdong south of Northdong Station for a base."
Finger to the map. Yuseong University, Benefit Mart. Or mid-size building for twelve. Meeting goal.
"Secure route: villas down old town, Northhyang Hospital, Northdong Station. With me, old town's safe—no attacks. Just backroute from Station."
Then safe path for twelve.
Jeong Suhyun nodded. "Prepping to move."
"Yeah. Get ready-ish."
"Fast! Good for us! Tell the crew now."
Kim Jungshik fired up.
But Jeong Suhyun tilted his head. "Junyoung, risky? Zombies, Liberation Army down there."
Kim Jungshik paused. "Yeah. Guns too. Southdong pop bigger than North—more zombies."
True. Northdong 10k, Southdong 30k+.
Plus.
"Guns dangerous for you. Night move?"
"Right."
To them, knowing only Ice Spear and shield, guns = threat.
Valid. If those were my only skills.
But Ashes Veil, Frost Blink. Especially Ashes Veil. With it, humans can't kill me.
Zombies riskier, honestly. Once I clock 'em, humans lose. Gunfire? Six seconds invincible, slam shield—house-crusher 3x3m. Dead regardless.
But couldn't demo Ashes Veil. No self-harm.
I used another.
Frost Blink
I blinked to the opposite side of the room. Jeong Suhyun and Kim Jungshik's eyes bulged.
"Huh?"
"What the?"
I continued, seeing their shock. "New skill. Got it killing the fetus. Teleport-like. Fifty meters range."
"Fifty?... Up too?"
"Yeah. Rooftops fine."
Jeong Suhyun brightened. "Fifteen-floor apartments hit forty-five meters. No issue then. Right, Kim Jungshik?"
"Yeah. Worry off the table."
They nodded. Teleport? Silly to fret. Who spots rooftop hopping?
And I don't ping skills.
No Jeong Suhyun or Lee Yoon? Other detection same. Odds plummet.
"Wrap here. Out in an hour or two."
"Two hours? Rest today."
Kim Jungshik protested. I shook my head.
"No. Faster better. Monsters multiply, move while we sit. We gotta match."
"......"
He shut up. Family man—got it.
Mood dipped. Jeong Suhyun lightened it.
"You're turning monster, Junyoung. Buddies with 'em? No attacks, no pings. Kinda convincing."
I stared, dumbfounded. "...What?"
He laughed. Worse: grizzled Kim Jungshik piled on.
"Hah, could be. Monster boss disguised, toying with us. Similar, right?"
"No."
Jeong Suhyun doubled down. "Like those novels? Divine scouting human world. You're the avatar. Leveling up and shit..."
"Stop."
Brainrot central. They cracked up.
"Alright. I'll swap with Lee Yoon. Day shift mine. Dragged too long."
"Gotta help night watch. Good work."
They bailed. Meeting fizzled.
Phew...
I slumped in the chair. Two hours till go. Southdong past Northdong Station today. Bit of rest fine.
Nah.
Something to check. Kim Yunjin's power.
I headed to the room two over, where she prepped meals.
"Unf!"
"Sis, heavy? Gimme."
Peeking in: Kim Yunjin and Choi Yuri cooking away. I knocked on the open door.
Knock knock.
They turned.
"Boss!"
"What's up?"
Bright faces. Thought meal duty'd gripe more than watch, but opposite.
I eyed Kim Yunjin. "Quick check. Be fast. You."
"Huh?"
Nicked my hand, asked for her skill.
"Skill? Whoa, hurt?"
"Yeah. Test."
"Ouch. Okay. Heal."
White light from her hand. Wound gone, like never there.
"Good. Thanks."
Done. Only detection ignored. Direct like physical, magic, healing—works.
Criteria hazy.
Watch for direct skills, summons.
"Thanks."
I nodded, turned.
"W-wait."
Kim Yunjin grabbed me.
Clack. My arm wrapped in her warmth. Soft.
She looked up. "L-lunch today, right?"
"Maybe."
Heading out. Time?
She pressed closer. "Eat first. Everyone wants you."
"Well..."
"Yeah. Just Suhyun oppa and Kim Jungshik—dead vibe."
Choi Yuri chimed. I eyed Kim Yunjin's pleading face.
Meal together? Not bad.
Our chats limited. Casual talk over food? Fine. Plus Frost Blink—no rush like before.
"Sure."
"Yay!"
"Sis! Hurry. Boss gotta go!"
"R-right!"
Room buzzed. I helped prep.
===
Lunch ended warm and lively.
"Urp..."
Better than expected. Awkward lingering, but they kept boundaries, chatted easy. Good folks. Jeong Suhyun's crew, Kim Jungshik's too.
Creeeak.
I stood at the back door.
"G-going?"
"Yeah."
"...Be safe."
"You too, Kim Inho. Two Ice Spears, remember."
"G-got it."
Just past noon. Quick goodbye to night watch Kim Inho, then down to old town.
Paths familiar now. Spent real time here.
Week tops, though.
Checked him as I walked slow.
Clean Northhyang General Hospital near dark red flesh.
Squelch.
Old town flesh again. Through it: Northdong Station, my today's pass.
Hm...
Paused at entrance, pondered.
Tell Park Donghyuk?
Hospital shit. Our impending move. Tell or not?
Better secure south base first, but their relocation iffy.
Nah.
Staring at quiet Northdong Station, mind shifted. Park Donghyuk, Lee Euna's camp—broadly my allies.
Kim Jungshik beef aside.
Irrelevant to me. Gotta scoop 'em eventually. Park's Surveillance, Lee Euna's barriers? Gold.
Plus, Kim Gapsu, Choi Youngchul linked us to Kim Jungshik's group. Spill on second fragment, blood clumps? Smart.
Know they're smart, but details? Nah.
Say hi, head south. Meet, check.
Confirm Kim Jungshik-less camp. Probably fine, but just in case. See healthy faces again.
With that, turned to station underground.
Clack.
Detection, huh.
Descending stairs, doubt hit.
Am I invisible to him now?
Different criteria?
Lee Yoon: waves, animal vision. If blocked, no animal sight on me.
Wanna know.
CCTV—direct eyes? Visible now?
Stopped thinking. Reason not to dwell.
Ask downstairs.
Last meet ended well. Win-win deal, know skills—fine question. Plus blood clump intel—they'd love it. Swap info, chat long.
Test ping, he learns of my type. Strengthens his watch via him.
Kept descending.
Clack. Clack.
Off...
Unease grew. Prickling back. Foul air. Like Northhyang sixth floor dread.
Right spot?
Hand to wall by Northdong Station underground.
No mistake. Straight ahead: stairs to Park Donghyuk's room.
Should be Lee Euna's barricade, watch here.
Where?
No barricade. No people. Flickering lights, busted concrete, dusty stairs only.
Talked here with Lee Euna, Kim Gapsu, Choi Youngchul.
Timid but real cop, smiling "good guy" elders. Liked 'em. No mix-up.
So what?
Pulled her power back on purpose.
Or.
Something happened inside.
No need shrink barriers. Stretching front-back optimal. Was that way.
Then inside incident.
"Ice Spear."
I summoned one. Bad vibes. Dark thoughts swelled.
Drew pickaxe, crept forward.
"......"
Clack. Clack.
Soon knew what happened. Midway to residences and Park's office: familiar face.
Boyish guy. Kim Minhyuk.
Craaack.
Precisely: middle-schooler who'd yelled at Kim Jungshik's crew for boozing. Raged at his mom. But backed off Park's word—brat with brains.
......
But no more yelling. Or hearing Park.
Waaail.
Cause: brash Kim Minhyuk, head severed, tongue lolling, impaled on iron rod against wall.
Flies, maggots crawled his head.
I sighed at him.
Shit hit the fan.
Northdong Station was gone.