Chapter 8
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Houseplus Raid
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"So, what are you all planning to do from now on?"
Alicia fiddled with her pistol as she answered my question.
"We're gonna stick together on our own. No more listening to that asshole Johnson."
I glanced around, and the others seemed to nod in agreement.
No surprise there. Johnson was the typical stubborn mule who only pushed his own agenda, and his self-appointed lackey Goyle was a top-tier Psycho, which hadn't exactly endeared them to the group.
Of course, given the circumstances, if Johnson came back alive hauling that big truck, the mood might shift again—who knows.
"And there's no way that bastard's coming back alive anyway."
I nodded. Johnson's odds of returning alive were slim. Even if he did, he wouldn't hold the same sway in this party anymore.
"What about you? You've more than earned a spot with us right now. Hell, if you want it, the leader position's yours."
"No, I'm planning to go solo for a while."
Alicia looked a bit disappointed but didn't press further. She seemed to respect my choice. I headed back to my lodgings.
After an early dinner of canned veggies and tuna, I took a rough shower with the leftover bottled water and crashed hard that night.
The next day, as I pondered my next move, I remembered James's suggestion from yesterday.
'Maybe check out some cosmetics.'
I didn't particularly want to get chummy with James, but bringing back cosmetics would definitely score me some generous trades.
'Even a busted pistol would come in handy for synthesis.'
No matter what, I set my destination for Houseplus, the massive mart pretty far from here. I could afford to go that distance thanks to the motorcycle.
I still hadn't returned the bike I'd borrowed yesterday.
Houseplus was over an hour's walk from Shelter A, but on the bike, it'd take just a few minutes.
Of course, getting inside the mega mart wasn't the end of it—the zombies lurking within were the real issue.
There were easily hundreds of zombies inside.
Scattered throughout, sure, but if they swarmed, it'd be trouble. Still, I was willing to take the risk because it tied into my level-up route.
There were dozens of power drills here, perfect for Screw Gun materials. Hundreds, thousands of screws. My goal for today: farm them up and wipe out every zombie in the mart.
'I can probably hit level 7.'
Risky, but success meant explosive growth.
Houseplus came into view in the distance. Couldn't miss it with the giant H on the building. I glanced back.
Zombies trailing the motorcycle were shambling after me. To shake them, I circled Houseplus a few times before pulling into the parking lot.
First things first: find the guard booth to shut the parking lot gate. Last thing I wanted was outside zombies following me in.
The lot was lit by green emergency lights. Bat in hand, I crept toward the guard booth. The door was shut. I peered inside.
Thud, thud.
A zombie—probably the guard—was inside. It lurched up with a look like it wanted to devour me right then and hammered on the window.
I checked around to make sure no other zombies noticed, then opened the door. The freed zombie charged.
I kicked it down, pinned its body underfoot, and fired the Screw Gun point-blank into its head.
Three screws later, it went limp. But I didn't let my guard down—fired one more since no exp message popped.
Only then did it appear.
「Job experience gained. (Solo party bonus +150%)」
I hit the gate button. Rumble. The gate closed with a metallic scrape. Zombies in the lot started popping out one by one.
Ten of them, by rough count. I panicked for a second but snapped to, scanned around, and climbed onto a parked cargo truck.
Zombies couldn't climb up here.
While they flailed below, I carefully aimed the Screw Gun and picked them off one by one. Ones that couldn't reach were just slow-moving targets.
All ten dropped. But it wasn't free—I was down to thirty screws.
Even if I landed perfect headshots like some Wild West gunslinger, that'd only take ten zombies.
I considered Metal Transformation for more screws, but it'd barely make a few. While pondering, I started rummaging through the cars in the lot.
Just in case something useful was inside.
Barring a near-miss with a hiding zombie, nothing major happened—but no real haul either.
A smartphone, charger, power bank, some batteries. Done with the lot, I checked the emergency stairs. No zombies apparent.
I locked the stair door tight and ascended slowly. Luckily, no encounters on the way to the first floor. I belly-crawled and peeked inside.
Appliances everywhere, zombies shambling about. Keeping low, I darted to the escalator.
Groooar!
A zombie stumbling on the escalator bellowed and charged.
I whipped out the Screw Gun and dropped it, but the thud drew every eye.
Five zombies started following. I ignored them and headed to the second floor. No way I was facing them head-on without more screws.
Up to the second, then straight to the third. Cosmetics were on two, but no time with zombies on my tail.
Priority: grab power drills and screws on three. I quickened my pace and glanced back. Fifteen zombies now.
I sped up more and entered the third floor. Then froze—way more zombies than expected.
Twenty of them. Plus the ones from below? Thirty total. Sudden regret: big mistake coming to the mega mart.
But I shook it off fast.
I'm a Veteran.
No matter the crisis, there's always a way out. I scanned around. Spot: massive fan.
'Needs power.'
Easy fix. Emergency power still on—outlets worked. I fired it up on high.
Whirr.
Not enough to blow zombies away, obviously. Wasn't installed to yeet customers.
But I'm a Mechanic. Hand to the fan.
「Used Metal Reinforcement (Lv.1) to reinforce the large fan.」
Durability dropped, but wind surged. Even I struggled to stand; zombies couldn't advance.
Seizing the gap, I dashed into the tool aisle.
New zombies lunging from every aisle—pure horror movie stuff—but I bolted anyway and reached the hardware section.
Tool heaven. I grabbed fistfuls of piled screws and stuffed my backpack. Zombies closed in.
Screw Gun time. No holding back—hammered the trigger.
Front line toppled.
「Screw Gun durability reached 0.」
Then it shattered. Last check was 4 durability—overuse without rest wore it out.
I spun and bolted for the power drills. Gun broken? Make another. Snagged one and a screw.
「Synthesized 1 power drill and 1 screw into Screw Gun.」
「Metal Transformation (Lv.1) experience gained.」
「Screw Gun」
Durability: 10/10
Attack: 5~21
Description: Fires screws. Low power, minimal recoil or noise.
Restrictions: None
Only difference from the last: max attack down by 1. Irrelevant since I couldn't hit max anyway.
While pocketing a spare drill, zombies got in my face. I body-checked one reaching for me and hit the fourth-floor escalator.
Even the ones stalled by the fan pursued. Reinforced the Screw Gun with Metal Reinforcement, then fired. Zombies dropped.
Fallen bodies blocked the rest.
「Job experience gained. (Solo party bonus +150%)」
「Job level increased to 4.」
Level 4. But more zombies drawn by noise. I methodically hunted them.
Dozens of times repeated. Probably took down fifty-ish. Three Screw Guns shattered in the process.
Head pounding from AP drain, but mood was good.
「Job level increased to 5.」
「Metal Transformation level increased to 2.」
Level 5 achieved. Metal Transformation hit 2—finer control now.
Apocalypse All-Purpose Machine