Chapter 27
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Zixuan Joins Shelter D
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Due to the commotion inside the munitions factory, all the zombies in the vicinity had gathered in front of it.
A quick scan with the camera showed hundreds of regular zombies and dozens of variants.
There were plenty of weapons inside the munitions factory, but taking on that massive horde was impossible. Wiping them out entirely was out of the question.
I opened a window and fired off a few rounds from the anti-materiel rifle to thin them out, but it was hard to hit them, and no matter how many I dropped, they kept coming.
I even got a kick out of landing headshots, but all it did was draw more variant zombies with the gunfire.
In the end, I decided to hole up in the munitions factory for the day. I figured their attention would naturally scatter as time passed.
I was worried about Zixuan, but with all the zombies drawn here and the plastic factory doors sealed tight, she should be fine for a day.
…Right?
An uneasy feeling welled up for no reason. It was unlikely, but what if the variant zombies broke into the plastic factory?
I'd given her a rifle just in case, but she'd never fired one before.
Of course, worrying wouldn't change anything I could do.
The sun was already setting. Heading to the plastic factory now would just put us both at risk.
I pushed down the anxiety and started looting items inside the munitions factory.
「Acquired MJ Machine Gun Blueprint.」
「Acquired Improved Sentry Gun Blueprint.」
「Acquired Automated Robot Blueprint.」
「Acquired Small Generator Blueprint.」
The munitions factory was practically heaven for a Mechanic. From weapon blueprints to robot and generator blueprints—there wasn't a single thing missing.
It was high risk, high reward. If I had to nitpick a downside, it was that while there were tons of blueprints, the materials to build them were scarce.
But that hardly counted as a flaw, since this was an industrial zone and I could scavenge everything nearby.
'For now…' After moving the supply truck, my plan was to build the Sirius 2 first. It was essential for powering Queen and everyday life.
Luckily, I'd grabbed some materials from Shelter A, so I just needed a few more from nearby factories.
I decided to start by using Blueprint Synthesis on the Sci-Fi Notebooks to turn them into blueprints. Sirius 2 first.
The yellowed cover of the notebook glowed with a pure white light. When it faded, the dingy notebook had transformed into a pristine white one. I stowed the white notebook in my backpack.
「Acquired Blueprint: Sirius 2.」
A solar panel boasting efficiency far beyond standard photovoltaic panels.
I couldn't wait to gather the materials and build it. Next, I pulled out the Sci-Fi Notebook I'd gotten after killing Baal.
「Acquired Blueprint: Halo.」
「Blueprint Synthesis skill has leveled up to 2.」
I got the Halo blueprint too. They say a Healer with a Halo and one without are like night and day—it's that overpowered.
…Not that I'd ever played Healer, so what do I know.
From what I'd noticed, it just made healing more effective and shields stronger.
Since I could farm the materials for Halo here too, my plan was to make it after the Sirius. It'd help Zixuan get stronger.
Just three days ago, zombies weren't a major threat to the survivors in Shelter D.
They had sturdy steel walls surrounding the shelter, and regular zombies couldn't climb over them.
As long as they stayed inside, they were safe from zombies.
But then the variant zombies appeared, flipping the situation. Unlike regulars, they could leap or climb the steel walls.
Shelter D got hit hard, barely fending them off but losing a ton of survivors.
To make matters worse, their supplies were running critically low.
The resource team's burden grew heavier.
Pushing through variant zombies to scavenge wasn't easy, but they had no choice. If they didn't, everyone would starve.
"Is there really something in here?"
At the question from the male survivor who'd volunteered for the resource team, Sophia shrugged.
"Isn't it weird that only this factory has its main gate blocked?"
Her instincts were screaming that there was something inside this plastic factory. She kept tapping on the building, searching for hollow spots.
'Found it.'
She quickly located an empty section and knocked a few times. That's when it happened—a knocking sound came from inside. Was there really something in there?
Sophia swallowed hard and ordered the survivors to drill through the wall.
Little by little, the wall crumbled. Finally, it gave way completely, letting her peer into the plastic factory—and at the woman aiming a gun right at her.
"Who are you?"
Zixuan was just as startled, but she quickly composed herself and replied evenly.
"I'm a survivor like you… and Team Apocalypse."
"Team Apocalypse?"
Sophia tilted her head. It sounded familiar. A female survivor beside her whispered the answer.
"Isn't that the psychics Dr. Elena was researching to fight the zombies?"
"Psychics for real?"
She eyed them skeptically. Even for someone like her, not exactly an ordinary civilian, psychics were hard to believe in.
"You should introduce yourselves too."
"I'm Sophia. You might not know, but I'm the head of Shelter D's resource team. You're here alone?"
Zixuan said nothing, her gaze wary. Sophia shrugged.
"No need to be so on guard. We just stumbled on you while scouting. But what's that…?"
Sophia's finger pointed to the supply truck. As her gaze lingered, a few survivors approached it. Zixuan trained her rifle on them.
The survivors hesitated, and Sophia gave an awkward smile.
"Looks like there's good stuff inside? Don't be like that. I don't know how many of you there are, but you don't seem like many. It'd be better to come live in Shelter D."
"That's not mine—it's Si-hyun's. Put it down right now, or…"
"Si-hyun?"
She recalled the madman she'd spotted yesterday while scouting. Circumstances suggested he was this 'Si-hyun.'
Back then, she'd just thought he was crazy, but now it made sense—he must be a psychic pulling off bold moves.
Still, psychic or not, he was a madman in her book. These supplies belonged to that lunatic? She hesitated whether to take them or not.
That's when the zombies started pouring in through the hole in the wall. Regular zombies shambled through, and Zixuan bit her lip.
Sophia dropped one with a shot and casually suggested,
"Let's move with us for now."
Zixuan thought it over. She had no idea when Park Si-hyun would return, but with the wall breached, staying here was just asking for trouble.
Better to go to Shelter D with these people…
She nodded, decision made.
* * *
After a night passed, most of the zombies around the munitions factory had dispersed. Plenty still lingered, but they'd keep thinning out over time.
"Why stick around if you can't even get in?"
I muttered to myself, eyeing a Jumper raking its long claws down the main gate on the computer feed. No way it'd break through, but the thing was persistent.
I ignored them and opened the fridge in the munitions factory basement, pulling out some canned food. Sliced bread. In normal times, I wouldn't have touched it, but it was heaven when you were starving.
After a simple meal of bread and water, I crashed in the manager's office. I slept over ten hours, and still felt groggy—must've been some serious fatigue built up.
5:57 PM.
My head was clearer than ever. A look outside showed the Jumper at the gate was gone, along with most of the zombies. Finally. Realizing it was time to go, I packed light.
Since I'd be back, I just grabbed my guns.
Desert Eagle—cool name—and an assault rifle. Plenty of ammo, so even if I ran into a zombie wave, I could handle it with enough time.
I stepped out of the munitions factory. Thinking of Zixuan weighed on my chest. More delay than expected—hope she's okay.
She wouldn't have done anything drastic… right?
The truck had plenty of food and water, so probably fine… Lost in such thoughts, I arrived at the plastic factory.
The factories weren't far apart to begin with. My face soured as I checked the plastic factory.
There was a gap in the wall. No idea if it was made from inside or out… I slipped through. Zombies inside greeted me.
Groooar.
I squeezed the trigger at the approaching zombies bellowing their cries. Bang, bang. They crumpled with the gunfire.
'Zombies inside means…'
I searched for Zixuan but found no sign. I headed to the supply truck. The boxes inside were empty.
Completely cleaned out. Stolen. By who?
'Zixuan betrayed me?'
No, more likely survivors broke in and took everything. Hiding my shock, I scoured the plastic factory.
That's when I found a note. Scribbled hastily, but legible.
- Zombies swarmed, had to head to Shelter D. If you see this, come to Shelter D.
No clue if Zixuan wrote it, but it confirmed Shelter D survivors were with her. I crumpled the note into my pocket and blasted a zombie drawn by the shots.
'No way those guys will hand over the supplies easily.'
What a pain.