Chapter 71
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: The Holy War
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There wasn't a hint of deception on his face.
"Is that all you want to ask? Feel free to ask as much as you like. I'll answer everything I know."
"The Holy War. Who's the opponent?"
"Shelter C."
Shelter C. It looked like they were properly clashing with the Salvation Church.
Then again, those two had a notoriously bad relationship in the game lore too. As time passed, the two factions would naturally go to war. And most of the time, victory went to the Salvation Church.
'But...'
Right now, Shelter C had Johnson's party. If they were there, the tide of battle could turn completely the other way. Of course, that was just my guess.
As I was lost in thought, the young man spoke up.
"Are we done now?"
I nodded and untied the wire. I wanted to give him the right to decide his own end. He picked up the dagger. Then plunged it into his chest.
He bled out and died. It wasn't long before his body went completely still. Staring at his closed-eyed corpse, I let out a deep sigh.
Apocalypse All-Purpose Machine
Episode 71
While loading the decomposed Gauri No. 1 from Hansol University onto the truck and heading back to Shelter Apocalypse, I was deep in thought.
My thoughts were about Shelter C—or more precisely, the "Holy War" unfolding between Shelter C and the Salvation Church. Depending on who won this war, the power balance across the entire city would shift dramatically.
If Shelter C won, the Salvation Church in Scenario 2's area would be crushed so badly they couldn't recover for a while. But if the Salvation Church won...
'Player zombies like Goyle could be born. Maybe even more than one.'
There was no rule saying only one would emerge. Johnson's party had five members.
What if two or three turned? If they led a horde of player zombies or converts to sweep through the shelters, could ordinary ones hold out?
No, they couldn't. Not even Shelter Apocalypse would be much different.
In short, Shelter C had to win the war, no question. And to make sure they did, praying from here wasn't enough—I needed to support them.
'First things first...'
I needed to assess the situation.
'Head to Shelter C and check it out.'
"Si-hyun, you've been spacing out like that for a while now. Thinking about me?"
"Zixuan."
"...Guess not."
"Why call me and then go quiet?"
"The Salvation Church is at war with Shelter C."
She looked at me with an anxious face.
"...And?"
"Johnson's party is at Shelter C. If they lose... it'll lead to a horrific disaster. Maybe not just our shelter, but the whole city in danger."
Frowning, she spoke up.
"...I'll go too."
"No, Zixuan, you stay here."
Taking Zixuan would definitely help. She'd grown almost to my level and was equipped with the Halo, a key item.
But...
A Holy War was the Salvation Church throwing everything they had. Per the game scenario, it would likely include the Archbishop, Michael, and all the other bishops.
Helping in a war like that was insanely dangerous. Taking Zixuan—or anyone else—would put them at high risk.
'What if something terrible happens...'
I could escape alone. But with two, or three, it'd be much harder. Sorry to say, she'd likely just be a burden this time.
'More than anything...'
I didn't want her in danger. Maybe that was the real reason, and the others were just excuses to rationalize it.
"Is it because you don't trust me, Si-hyun?"
Zixuan stared at me with a stiff expression. I shook my head like I was making excuses.
"It's not that. It's just..."
"I'm not a kid. Being behind you is safe and warm... but I can't rely on your help forever. I'm coming too."
I sighed, gazing into her beautiful, trembling eyes. It was natural for her to feel that way. I'd been overprotecting her all this time.
But...
'I really can't this time.'
No choice.
"Sorry. Just wait a little, please."
I threw myself off the moving truck. Rolled once on landing, then looked back at her. She swung her fist toward me and yelled.
"Hey, you jerk!"
She glared at me with resentment, then plopped down on the ground.
As I watched her, feeling guilty inside—
A Chaser burst out from a building with a screech.
I stood stock-still until it was right in my face, then stepped back just as it opened its mouth, shoving my gun into it.
Click.
Bang!
The trigger pull sent a bullet ripping through its throat. With a blank expression, I kept firing mercilessly. Bang! Bang! Even after the EXP message popped up, I didn't stop.
I only stopped once its face was a shredded mess.
"Sorry."
I muttered briefly toward the vanished truck, then hopped on a roadside motorcycle. Rrrr. It roared to life, shaking roughly.
Atop the wobbling bike, my senses sharpened like never before.
Sometimes in the game, days like this happened. Everything you tried just worked. Like becoming one with your character. That's exactly how I felt now.
Senses sharp as a blade. The bike shot forward like a bullet.
Destination: Shelter C.
The residents on the truck with Zixuan were all watching her nervously. Even Prof. Alex, Bernie, and Jason were no exception.
"Hoo."
After staring wordlessly for a long time at the spot—or direction—where Park Si-hyun had been, Zixuan finally spoke.
"Why did Si-hyun abandon me?"
Prof. Alex, who'd been watching, spoke first. His mind was still tangled from earlier—the encounter with his student turned Salvation Church follower—but now wasn't the time.
"Probably because he cares about you."
"Because I'm weak?"
"Miss, setting aside strong or weak, how many men would drag their woman into a death trap?"
Bernie, watching from the side, yelled in frustration. Zixuan's face darkened instantly.
"Does that mean Si-hyun will die?"
"No, not that..."
He trailed off for quite a while, then groaned in defeat.
"I need to get stronger..."
"??"
Prof. Alex and Bernie looked at her with confusion and unease.
Regardless, she was thinking about ways to get stronger.
'Healers lack combat ability.'
She'd practiced with guns, but it was nowhere near enough for leveling. She needed another way.
She recalled her conversation with Park Si-hyun a few days ago.
-The scariest veteran among veterans was the healer vet. Why? Grab a zombie like a Tyrant, heal it, shield it... totally unstoppable. Whatever you do, don't try that, Zixuan.
-Bernie has a superpower to control zombies. If he can master it, he'd pair great with you. Though it'll take him time to get there.
Finished thinking, she looked at Bernie. He flinched under her gaze.
"W-Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Bernie, can you help me?"
Bernie swallowed hard at her stare. To him, it sounded like "help or be cursed."
Soon, his head nodded heavily—very heavily.
* * *
Even with the Tyrant deployed, Shelter C's barrier held. The mithril-infused wall was too sturdy for even the Tyrant to break easily.
But "not easily" didn't mean invincible. Cracks were starting to form in the mithril barrier. And those cracks would only widen with time.
The people of Shelter C began to tremble with anxiety. Johnson's party members felt the same. The ones who'd seen the Tyrant earlier were talking with uneasy faces.
"Can we even take down something like that?"
At Psycho Natasha's words, Cheonghan irritably slammed his sword down and shouted.
"Johnson's shots didn't faze it at all. It's a monster. Johnson, we should run now."
"I give the orders. We defend Shelter C."
"Why?"
"What changes if we run from here?"
"If you're leading the charge, maybe I'd think about it. But if not, staying seems smartest. And..."
"And?"
"I'll request help from Park Si-hyun."
At his words, the party members looked at him with faint hope.
Pessimistic Cheonghan said negatively,
"You think that guy will actually come? And even if the Mechanic helps, what difference does it make?"
Even with a Mechanic helping, he didn't think the situation would change much.
"True, but... Zixuan's probably with him. Better than nothing, right?"
Olivia added with a bloodless face. In the previous fight, she'd used shields on the party, exhausting all her AP. Sitting up straight was a struggle now.
Johnson half-listened as he peered outside the barrier. Unlike before, when it was packed with zombies, it was empty now.
As Cheonghan said, they might be able to escape. But something felt off. They wouldn't just let them go.
'This is a trap.'
He pulled the trigger on the approaching zombie. Bang. The bullet shredded its head. It burst like a balloon.
'But Park Si-hyun, why no response.'
Truth was, he'd already requested a trade from Park Si-hyun earlier that day. But no reply. Was it deliberate? Or had the Salvation Church got him already?
'Trouble.'
Without Park Si-hyun's help, a prolonged war was bad. They needed to end it fast. Meanwhile, the Salvation Church side was in the same bind.
"Uwaaa!"
The Tyrant's fist swung. The struck follower flew dozens of meters, crashing into a street car and crumpling.
"Archbishop!"
Michael chanted prayers at the Tyrant with a strained face. Soon, it froze.
Having halted the destruction, he gazed at the bright moon, breathing raggedly. Controlling that tyrant—the Tyrant—was no easy task, even for the Salvation Church's Archbishop.
'It has immense power, but the cost is too high.'
He thought a prolonged war might break him first. No long war. End it quick.
Perfect mutual understanding.
And...
'He's here.'
Park Si-hyun appeared at Shelter C. More precisely, in Shelter C's underground.
Apocalypse All-Purpose Machine