Chapter 36
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Chasers and Sentry Guns
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There had been some friction with Shelter D, but they hadn't directly harmed us, and the shelter expansion proceeded smoothly.
Not only at the crossroads, but I also created a massive wall connecting the factories to block zombies from entering the survivors' living areas as much as possible.
On top of that,
"Used Metal Transformation (Lv.6) to synthesize iron wire mesh x30, insulated wire x30, and power units x3 to produce an electric fence."
I built the electric fence and laid it out, completely preventing zombie intrusions. For something I'd made myself, its performance was quite impressive—even variant zombies couldn't get through easily.
Of course, unrelated issues cropped up as well. Word must have spread, because scavengers from the factory district started flocking in. Even after one group had been wiped out, their numbers weren't insignificant.
"Please take us in!"
"We want a stable life too!"
They knelt before the fence, pleading desperately. If they got electrocuted like that...
I found myself deep in thought. What if there were Salvation Church spies among them? Betrayal from within was far scarier than external attacks.
As I pondered, Zixuan spoke up.
"Why not have Queen check them?"
"Queen?"
"Queen can detect lies by analyzing human expressions, right?"
Her idea sounded solid, so I called Queen over and had her scan the scavengers. In the end, we filtered out five of them.
Honestly, I couldn't say for sure if they were actually Salvation Church followers or just bad apples, but either way, they needed to go.
The number of survivors in the shelter surged dramatically.
Even excluding the filtered scavengers, we were nearing forty survivors now. Naturally, supplies ran out in no time.
I felt the urgent need to head to Hanasol University and grab crop seeds quickly.
The survivors were handling the tilling smoothly, but without seeds, there was nothing to plant.
I decided to take five survivors and sweep Hanasol University clean. With three trucks, we could haul not just seeds but all the useful supplies inside.
But I ran into one obstacle. None other than...
"This is..."
"You know this zombie?"
I nodded at Zixuan's question. So this was the thing that broke through the electric fence and smashed a sentry gun...
It was a Chaser.
Chasers appeared if Scenario 1 dragged on too long without progress. They were also inevitable in Scenario 2.
Stronger than most variant zombies—though not quite elite—and they kept respawning no matter how many you killed. They terrified NPCs and players alike.
And now one had shown up. Just one for now, but I knew their numbers would grow.
"It's a Chaser."
"What kind of monster is that...?"
"A tough bastard."
Its whole purpose was to ramp up game tension. It had stats above variant zombies, and at night, those stats doubled.
Weaker than the Devourer from Scenario 1, sure—but that thing was exceptional.
'Of course, that's for average players...'
Though it cost me one sentry gun, I successfully blocked the Chaser's attack.
"If it can smash a sentry gun..."
"Don't worry. I can just make more."
I'd prepared for this by blueprinting sentry guns via the notebook. Even without parts, I could build them now.
Wi-Fi modules and such I'd have to source myself, but those were common enough in the factory district.
'Should I just cover the place in sentry guns?'
I put the thought into action immediately. Using steel from a nearby steel mill, I forged barrels and built autocannons. At Lv.6 Metal Transformation, complex work like this was feasible.
Add a Wi-Fi module and wiring, and done. I easily completed one sentry gun. Though calling its quality "excellent" was a stretch.
"Imperfect Sentry Gun"
Attack Power: 40~50
Durability: 50/50
Description: A sentry gun handmade by Mechanic Park Si-hyun. Due to inexperience, its performance is subpar, and it has a chance of malfunctioning.
Even its name screamed "Imperfect Sentry Gun." Compared to standard ones, attack power and durability were low. But that was fine. Low quality meant make more.
Over two days, I drained my AP dry and churned out twenty sentry guns. When I tried making more, thinking it still wasn't enough, Queen—who'd been watching—spoke up.
"Queen can control a maximum of twenty sentry guns. Anything more requires a computer upgrade..."
The main computer's limits made extras pointless. I nodded and halted production.
No sense making ones I couldn't control anyway.
In any case, I deployed the twenty sentry guns across the shelter's nooks and crannies. Chasers? Let 'em come. If they got destroyed, I'd just make more.
The next day, by sheer luck, I found a Chaser riddled with bullets like a beehive. Ammo consumption was heavy, but not a single sentry gun was damaged.
Two or three at once might be trouble, but for now, we could relax.
'Time to upgrade the main computer too.'
Not just any high-end PC—a supercomputer. Conveniently, I knew where one was: Hanasol University, my next stop.
* * *
The survivors of Shelter Apocalypse had no complaints about their current lives.
It made sense. Compared to their scavenger days, always one zombie attack away from death, this was better—sure, it required labor, but they had stable shelter.
Plus, Shelter Apocalypse's leaders wielded superpowers.
And they realized Park Si-hyun's powers were in no way inferior to those of his lover—as they saw her—Zixuan.
"Truly amazing."
New resident Natalia thought so as she caressed the sturdy wall. She'd witnessed it firsthand: nothing but empty space, then Park Si-hyun touched it, and a wall rose up.
Every time she recalled the scene, faith in him welled up naturally.
"He must be the Second Coming of God."
"What about Lady Zixuan? Thanks to her grace, my wound healed."
Kalinin had amputated his zombie-virus-infected leg and lived as a one-legged man.
But he no longer needed to. Zixuan's healing hadn't just fixed external wounds—it regenerated his severed leg.
"She's incredible too. But if we're talking sheer impressiveness..."
Overhearing their chat, Maria felt praised herself but forced her lips down and said,
"Quiet down and get back to work.
We have to finish before he returns."
"I hope he comes back safe..."
"Who'd dare harm him?"
...Maria's words had little effect.
Shelter A lay en route to Hanasol University. I decided to drop by after ages. Not so much for bartering, but to check on the NPCs and players.
As always, Emily stood guard with her anti-materiel sniper rifle. Spotting me, she lit up and greeted me warmly.
"Si-hyun, come on in! And who's that...?"
"Oh, I built a new shelter."
"A shelter?"
"Shelter Apocalypse... Didn't put much thought into the name..."
"Can I visit sometime?"
Visit how? I thought, but nodded without showing it.
"You're welcome anytime."
I tossed her a soda as I spoke. Not cold, but still fizzy.
"Thanks. Come in."
"Won't be staying long."
Shelter A's survivors welcomed me warmly. The kids, especially, stuck out their hands boldly since it had been so long.
Wondering if I had anything to give, I came up empty, so I made yo-yos with Metal Generation and Metal Transformation. Should've made screw guns instead?
"How's things here?"
"Other shelters are hell, but we're managing. Probably because of them."
"Johnson?"
"Yeah, looks like he's leaving soon, but he's still hanging around."
Even with variants out, he couldn't let go. Honestly, past grudges aside, he seemed a bit pitiful.
"And Alicia?"
"Stuck to James like glue, so no clue. Neither James nor Johnson are welcome here..."
Once Johnson left, James would enact his plan. And he'd likely swallow Shelter A whole. Not ideal, but none of my business.
It might even be better for Shelter A. Still, I made her an offer.
"If things go south later—'just in case'—I'd love for Emily to join our shelter."
Emily perked up at my words.
"A recruitment pitch?"
"Sure, call it that. Skilled snipers are always welcome."
"You've gotten way cooler since last time."
"Have I?"
"In a world like this, capable guys always look good."
She handed me glasses. Not ordinary ones—night vision goggles.
"Got them from a military outpost. Might come in handy, so take 'em."
I could've scavenged some myself, but I accepted her kindness.
"I'll put 'em to good use."
After Emily, I met Alicia next. She'd put on some healthy weight since last time. Not fat, just nicely filled out.
"Johnson's crew'll be gone soon."
"Is that so?"
"They've been total slugs lately."
She cackled happily. I got her vibe somewhat, but doubt crept in.
Did she realize? With Shelter A's players dwindling, she'd be the one suffering.