Chapter 9
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Houseplus Secured
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A child zombie, its entire body caked in dried blood, lunges at me. I kick it away with my foot, sending the child zombie tumbling backward.
Even so, as it tries to rise again, I smash its head with my cue stick and pin it down with my foot before firing the screw gun. The screws embed into the head of the seven- or eight-year-old child.
After two or three shots, the child stops moving.
Entering the playroom on the third floor, I close the door and decide to take a short break. My body and mind have reached their limits from overconsuming AP.
I check my gear. Even though I used it sparingly, the cue stick is in tatters. Its durability is down to just 1.
It would be troublesome if it broke during combat, so I decide to discard the cue stick.
'This'll do nicely.' I spot what looks like a metal pipe among the materials in the playroom. Leaning against the playroom bed, I catch a quick nap.
This place is safe. The zombies can't get in here, I mind-control myself into believing. How much time passes like that? I check my smartwatch.
「12:23PM」
12:23 PM. It was around 11:10 before I fell asleep, so I've gotten a solid hour and thirteen minutes of rest. My mind feels much clearer. I peek at the scenery beyond the shutter, then lift the shutter door.
The third floor hasn't changed much from before I rested. Excluding the single zombie—unclear if it came up from the second floor or down from the fourth.
I head down to the second floor. The fourth is the movie theater. No items worth farming there—just zombies swarming inside the sealed-off cinema.
I could clear them if I wanted, but I plan to leave them as an appetizer for when I revisit this Houseplus later.
Sure, I could snag a 'projector' from the theater, but I don't have the luxury for that kind of indulgence.
On the second floor, I dispatch the zombies much the same way. Their numbers are similar to the third floor. Using the terrain and my weapon's advantages, I handle them without much trouble.
Arriving at the cosmetics store, I stuff the products into another backpack I picked up on the third floor. Cosmetics for trading with James.
After gathering various types, I descend to the first floor. By the time I've swept the first floor, my level is 7.
「Job experience increases. (Solo party bonus +150%)」
「Job level has risen to 7.」
「You have acquired Metal Decomposition (Lv.1).」
Metal Decomposition does exactly what it says: decomposes metal. Sure, I could break down metal with Metal Transformation too, but in terms of pure 'decomposition' efficiency, there's no comparison.
With all objectives complete, I head to the large mart's main entrance. There's still plenty of supplies left in this place. I don't want it raided by anyone else.
The main entrance is blocked by sturdy glass doors and a shutter.
I place my hand on the shutter and use Metal Transformation. It morphs into a solid iron gate. Its strength isn't top-tier, but no one would even think of forcing their way in without serious intent.
If they still manage to get in after this? Oh well, can't be helped.
I go down to the basement. Since I closed the door when I left, nothing's changed there either. I eye the cargo truck for supplies and ponder for a moment. Load everything in there and move it all at once?
I shake my head. I can't fully trust Shelter A. Or the players there, for that matter. I plan to treat this place like my own personal shelter.
No need to stick around Shelter A.
I hit the underground parking button. The parking gate opens, and five or six zombies inside shuffle in. Somehow, they've been holding the front during that time.
I dispatch them the same way I did last time in the parking lot, then forcibly close the gate. Using Metal Transformation, I remove the door handle entirely.
Come in if you can.
Then I hop on the motorcycle and return to Shelter A. Emily greets me warmly.
"Where'd you go today?"
"Raid a small mart in the city."
I don't mention that it was Houseplus. Telling her might boost her favor, but word spreading could put me at risk.
I pull skincare, lotion, and lipstick from my backpack and hand them over. She smiles as she takes them.
"Hee-hee, just like that loudmouth James said—you brought cosmetics?"
"Yeah."
I nod.
"They'll value them generously. Oh, if they don't pay up properly, bring 'em to me. My supply's running low too."
I nod again. New trading partners are always welcome.
"Oh, and you haven't heard yet?"
"Heard what?"
"They came back."
"They?"
"Those superpowered folks you said were dead. Rolled in bold as brass with a big truck, like triumphant generals."
Johnson, that cockroach, is back. I'd secretly hoped he'd died out there. I sigh. Emily's eyes sparkle as she asks,
"You two don't get along, huh?"
"It's not just bad blood... more complicated than that."
I shake my head and head under the truck.
I'm heading to the Grand Hotel, where the players stay. To check on the party's status.
* * *
"Sorry about yesterday. Losing three people with nothing to show for it—we lost our heads for a moment."
Johnson has gathered everyone and is giving a speech. People glance at him sidelong. The whites look somewhat friendly; the Asians and blacks eye him with distrust.
"Won't happen again. Trust me."
"Shut it, Johnson. Don't know what gall brings you back, but you're not welcome anymore."
"Oh, Alicia. So you've taken over as the new party leader?"
"Disgusting prick."
She fiddles with her pistol.
"But you should know what it means that I have this big truck."
He draws his pistol. Alicia moves to do the same, but his draw is far quicker.
Her pistol flies from her hand into his, while his aims straight at her head. Alicia freezes.
"Know what my level is now, Alicia?"
"Level 5. Swept all the nearby zombies with the truck yesterday. Better watch those impulsive moves."
Goyle smirks openly at her, then picks up her dropped pistol. The people hesitate. Help Alicia? Or...
"I won't demand anything from you anymore. Join me, or stick with this Alicia."
He tosses canned beers to the crowd. Supplies raided from a nearby small mart. Their eyes waver.
"But I regret the past, and I have a surefire way to level you all up."
"Damn it, you gonna believe this psycho?"
Alicia scowls. She catches the hesitation in their eyes.
Park Si-hyun eavesdrops on their conversation from the hotel lobby. He realizes the party's situation hasn't changed much with Johnson's return.
In the end, the party splits in two.
Alicia's party and Johnson's party.
Alicia's group is just three: two blacks and one Asian. One black defects to Johnson's side. Ironically, the split hits Alicia's faction hardest.
Johnson's return gets a massive welcome from Shelter A's survivors. He brought back a loaded semi-truck from the highway.
Not only that—he distributes the supplies to the survivors almost for free. Even I was speechless at his giveaway.
The survivors chant his name, and Johnson quickly bonds with them.
Ironically, James comes to me complaining about Johnson.
"That lunatic's messing up the shelter's hierarchy."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, spreading rumors on the sly too. Says we'll soon know who's really in charge."
More likely James is the one doing it than Johnson. But I don't let on and just nod.
No reason to clash with James.
"He's dangerous. He'll ruin this shelter soon enough."
Yeah, you don't seem any different. As I stay silent, he looks awkward and says,
"Just dropped by to say let's keep doing well. The cosmetics were a hit—the women loved them."
Rumor has it James is buying women's favor with cosmetics for nights together.
None of my business, so I don't get involved.
"By the way, what's the laptop and Wi-Fi module for? Installing it won't bring back the internet."
I'd asked for a laptop and Wi-Fi module in trade. The 'Sci-Fi Notebook' from Evergreen School—first step to making the power suit.
Can't tell the truth, so I brush it off.
"I know. Just interested in that stuff."
"Shame."
His face shows no pity at all. Then, as if remembering, he hands me a bag.
"Think of this as a gesture of goodwill."
After he leaves, I open the bag.
Inside is a GK107, a standard-issue pistol, and several rounds of ammo. It's basic, but worlds better than my crude screw gun.
「GK107」
Durability: 14/17
Attack Power: 20~49
Description: Standard-issue pistol developed by Stockholm Corp. Average in durability and attack power.
Restrictions: None
Standard-issue or not, a headshot will one-shot a regular zombie.
'I can make my own ammo.'
I thought I'd be lucky with a broken pistol, but I scored a pristine one. No need to say how huge a win that is.
That night, James's men deliver the laptop and Wi-Fi module. I'd doubted they'd be in good shape, but both check out fine.
I attach the Wi-Fi module to the laptop.
The laptop powers on.
[Welcome, user.]