Chapter 70
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Hanseol University
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[Hanseol University]
To be honest, it wasn't a place I wanted to return to. And for good reason—last time I came to Hanseol University, I nearly died after running into a Tyrant.
I could still vividly picture that thing chasing us relentlessly, hell-bent on killing us.
Of course, the Tyrant wouldn't be at Hanseol University anymore.
Hanseol University was located directly opposite the Salvation Church chapel where I'd shaken it off. The odds of it coming all the way back here were extremely low.
I climbed down from the truck. The trucks following behind soon stopped as well, and the residents disembarked. Among them, Professor Alex stood out as he stared at Hanseol University.
He'd asked to join us when he heard we were heading there, and I'd approved his request.
Professor Alex gazed at Hanseol University with a bitter expression. Even though this was just a game, he was a professor who'd taught countless students here.
Seeing the university swarming with zombies must have stirred up complicated feelings.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
At my words of comfort, he forced a smile and shook his head.
He said he was fine, but he didn't look it at all...
I turned my gaze from him to the main gate. The residents were firing at the zombies. There were some variant zombies mixed in, but mostly ordinary ones.
They fell one after another under the overwhelming firepower. Once I'd confirmed the zombies were dead, I slowly walked through the wrecked main gate.
Hanseol University main building.
Last time, I'd decided to enter through the basement level.
The zombies swarming the first floor had been too much of a hassle.
But now, there was no need to go underground. I had heavily armed residents following me and a healer to back me up.
I approached the building's main entrance and roughly yanked the door open. Zombies surged toward us from the spacious first floor, like the tide rolling in. There were quite a few Chasers among them.
Of course, I'd anticipated this and prepared accordingly. The moment the zombies got close, I used Metal Transformation to seal the main entrance shut.
At the same time, the residents lobbed grenades through the open windows. Boom! Boom! Boom! The grenades detonated in unison amid the explosions.
「Occupation experience gained. (2-person party bonus +160%) (Massacre bonus +150%)」
We waited like that for a moment. The zombies that survived the blasts began crawling through the shattered windows. We easily took them out and then opened the main entrance.
We successfully entered the first floor without issue. Then we swept through the zombies on the second, third, and fourth floors, making our way up to the fifth... the top floor.
'Gauri 1'
The name of the supercomputer at Hanseol University. According to the game lore, it was used for professors' research. Unlike Hani 1, Gauri 1 couldn't predict weather patterns, but it excelled at code decryption.
To be honest, it was a skill I didn't need right now—I could manipulate most locks at will—but it would come in handy once we reached Region 3 in Scenario 3.
As I entered the professor's lab, a blue giant charged toward us. A Destroyer.
"What the hell am I supposed to do about a monster like that!?"
Bunny shouted urgently, but he soon blocked the Destroyer's path as I'd instructed. The Destroyer hesitated for a moment.
At that instant, the residents' firepower converged on it. Bang, bang, bang. Since it wasn't wearing a power suit, the bullets pierced it easily. It put up quite a fight, but that was all.
「Occupation experience gained. (1-person party bonus +150%) (Chain kill bonus +250%)」
「Occupation level increased to 35.」
「Metal Decomposition level increased to 6.」
I noticed something gleaming on the Destroyer's corpse. A sword fragment. I realized this was the Blader's hidden piece, 'Hybrid Z Parts.'
「Acquired Hybrid Z Parts x1.」
An item I'd also picked up shortly after entering the factory district. Collect three Hybrid Z Parts, and you could craft the Blader's hidden item, Hybrid Z.
As a notoriously difficult hidden item to obtain, it was one of the best available in the early to mid-game. Plus, it doubled skill power, making it viable even into the late game.
'That Chinese Blader named Qinghan, and the black guy in Alicia's party...'
I couldn't quite remember the black guy's name.
Anyway, there were only two Bladers left. Holding onto it myself would just be a waste, so if I ran into them, I'd trade it or just hand it over.
With that thought, I stepped deeper into the professor's lab and spotted Gauri 1. Its sheer size was no joke. That was why I'd brought the residents along.
I used Metal Decomposition on Gauri 1, and the residents began transporting it down to the first floor. It was during this lengthy hauling operation that it happened.
Bang! Bang!
"It's the Salvation Church!"
Gunfire rang out, followed by Jason's voice. I stopped what I was doing and rushed over with Zixuan. Salvation Church? What were they doing all the way out here?
The residents were exchanging fire with Salvation Church followers. We held the advantage of terrain—they were on the tenth floor while we were on the eleventh—but their armament was nothing to scoff at.
Of course, that was only in a straight-up fight... Things changed with variables like Zixuan and me.
"What do we do?"
At Zixuan's calm question, I shook my head.
"We'll be fine. Shield, please."
Her Halo glowed intensely, and soon a pure white barrier enveloped my body. I threw myself down the stairs.
Bullets ricocheted off the shield. I ducked behind a wall, then poked my head out, raised my rifle, and pulled the trigger.
With the gunshot, one Salvation Church follower toppled over.
"That heretic bastard's wearing a power suit! Don't get close!"
Pretty sharp eyes... But even if they kept their distance, would it make a difference?
As I stood there, something came flying toward me. I used Metal Generation and Metal Transformation to create a massive shield, which I swung back at them instead.
"Dodge!"
Boom! It exploded midair, and I charged at them. I instantly forged a katana and slashed through them. Their severed body parts tumbled through the air.
Surprisingly, some of them were wearing power suits. They even tried to grapple with me.
Of course, they couldn't match the strength of a level 35 me in my Aegis power suit. And the residents weren't slacking off either.
Following Jason's plan, they formed an encirclement and tightened it. Realizing they had no chance, the followers began fleeing to the ninth floor.
But they tumbled down the stairs, struck by Jason's gunfire from the ninth-floor vantage. Now, only three remained.
I approached them. In an instant, two leaped over the railing into the abyss below. Their bodies plummeted, hitting the first-floor ground with a sickening splat, sprawled out in a giant X.
They were probably dead.
Now only one left. The young man, who looked to be in his early twenties, drove his dagger into his own heart.
"Heh heh, heretic scum. Don't think you can pry any info out of me."
Blood poured from him, but he seemed pleased, thinking he'd screwed me over. I just smirked. Who the hell gave you permission to kill yourself?
I signaled Zixuan, and she cast healing.
"Huh? How... the Leader's blessing..."
His face froze upon witnessing the 'miracle.' I walked up and punched him square in the jaw. Thwack! I'd held back, so it only shattered his teeth.
I bound him with generated wire. He spat at me.
"Why did the Salvation Church come to Hanseol University?"
From the circumstances, it didn't seem like they'd followed us. They must have had some scheme here. I had a pretty good guess.
They were probably after Gauri 1 for their 'holy war.' With its decryption prowess, it'd be a huge asset in battle.
A powerful zombie like the Destroyer guarded it, but a bishop-level figure could've gotten inside without much trouble.
"If I talk, you won't kill me?"
"Nope, I will."
"Then why should I tell you?"
"So you can die comfortably."
"Fucking logical."
"If you don't wanna talk, don't."
I said coldly, and the young man let out a long sigh before nodding. That's when Professor Alex, who'd been watching from above, approached him.
"You..."
"...Professor Alex?"
They knew each other. With trembling hands, Professor Alex asked,
"Why are you with the Salvation Church?"
"I had no choice if I wanted to survive."
"What about the other students?"
"Professor, it's been months since the zombie virus spread. You think any of them are still fine in this world?"
"Even so, the Salvation Church? They're..."
Professor Alex looked at him with pity.
"You were the one who always paid attention in my boring classes..."
Finally, the young man spoke in a quavering voice.
"Do you think this world has a future, Professor? But I met the Leader myself and glimpsed the possibility. Besides, the Leader can perfectly control any zombie, mutant or otherwise. Only the Leader can save this world."
Professor and Leader. One little stick apart, but worlds different in meaning.
"If salvation means getting it from people who slaughter innocent survivors and eat human flesh, then it's far better to leave that shitty world unsaved. Get your head straight."
His body stiffened at the harsh words, but Professor Alex climbed the stairs with a face stronger than ever. The young man's eyes twitched.
"What was the goal?"
His voice was much softer now—almost resigned at first glance.
"...To activate the supercomputer, Gauri 1."
"Any other comrades nearby?"
"No. We're all there is."