Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Did We Take It Down?
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Kim Dong-su, who had ruled over the management building, knelt before the Cult Leader.
The followers of the Cult Leader possessed overwhelming combat prowess. The miracle that had saved him from the brink of death. The mobility that pierced through the horde of zombies at the main gate to assault this place. There wasn't a single thing he could overcome.
The other survivors made the same choice.
If they didn't follow the Cult Leader, it was obvious they'd end up stabbed like Kim Dong-su. So they all rushed to declare themselves believers.
The existence of the Cult Leader inspired as much terror in these people as their fear of zombies.
The Cult Leader called Kim Dong-su aside.
"You'll continue managing this place as is. Swear loyalty to me, and I'll grant you the title of Elder and set you above the other believers."
"Yes, Cult Leader."
"Do you know what it means to become the head?"
"I... I don't know."
"You saw Elder Park's power earlier, right? I bestowed that upon him. Without my miracle, Elder Park is powerless. You have the aptitude, so you could wield even greater strength than him."
Recalling the hulking figure who had effortlessly subdued him, Kim Dong-su swallowed hard.
"Could I really become that strong?"
"Of course. Your power will be precious in serving me. The more you devote yourself, the greater the strength and authority you'll gain. Don't just work for me—pour your heart into it. Can you do that?"
Kim Dong-su's eyes gleamed.
If he could gain immense power like the Cult Leader's subordinates, there was nothing he wouldn't do.
"I offer my life to you, Cult Leader. Grant me strength."
Looking at Kim Dong-su bowing his head, the Cult Leader smirked wickedly.
It was the answer he wanted.
He pulled out an Offense/Defense Ticket (Small) and tossed it to Kim Dong-su.
Higher-grade tickets could wait until loyalty was proven.
"Along with Elder Park, sweep the zombies from the access route. Clear a path from the shops across the way to the student hall as quickly as possible."
He had already heard about the massive monster in the plaza.
Once all obstacles on the path were removed, he planned to deploy the Elders and Kim Dong-su to slay it.
For that moment, he was certain, he had received the precious miracle called the Offense/Defense Ticket (Extra Large).
Over the next two days, Kim Dong-su hunted zombies more diligently than anyone under the Cult Leader's blessing.
Status Window functions have been upgraded. Refer to Zombie AI explanation for details.
A notification popped up, and the Zombie AI appeared without being called.
In a different outfit than before, no less.
'It's changed from last time?'
[Showing up in the same look every time would get boring, right? DLC isn't activated yet, so Zombie costume is all we've got—bear with me. But these twintails... cute, aren't they?]
'Yeah. Cute.'
[Hehe, thanks!]
The stiff AI, which only answered direct questions, was starting to show some emotion.
Combined with her busty avatar costume, she was actually fun to talk to now.
'What got upgraded?'
[My communication functions have been enhanced. Before, I only appeared when called, but now I'll pop up on my own when needed to inform you of things.]
That explained why she showed up unbidden.
'That's it?'
[No. Navigation has new features too. It used to only show heroines and locations with guide lines, but now it displays other stuff.]
'Other stuff? Like what?'
[It varies, but you can see obstacles and such—super useful.]
'Obstacles?'
Blocked roads were already marked by colors on the guide lines.
[Not that kind—story progression blockers. You'll see soon enough; check it out yourself.]
Villains or something, probably.
It'd be nice if she could find where that Cult Leader bastard was hiding.
[Difficulty's been adjusted too... Ah, you don't need that explained. Good luck!]
With that, she vanished.
Tell me the rest before you go!
A rescueable celebrity has appeared!
📍 Location: Woojin University Student Hall
💀 Death: 3 hours
⚠️ Target celebrity dies in 3 hours. Penalty on death: 'Player Death'.
'W-what the hell?'
I bolted upright from the sofa without thinking.
A 3-hour time limit? Was that even possible?
【Remaining Time】
Death: 03:00
No virginity loss timer meant she dies before anything happens.
But that made it even more dangerous.
Navigation showed Woojin University's location and guide line.
50 minutes by car, but half the line was red.
Drive halfway, then run the rest to school.
Too tight to clear the path like before.
'Three black dots.'
One dot mid-campus, two near the main gate.
These must be the obstacles the Zombie AI mentioned.
Deal with them before rescuing the celebrity—all in 3 hours.
'Take out three villains and rescue in just 3 hours? For real?'
Guess this was her "difficulty adjustment."
At least I could use skills three times.
I dashed home while the girls were there.
"Oppa, we were just about to—"
"I've got somewhere to be. I'll be back in 3 hours, so lock the door and stay put. I'll barricade the stairwell entrance and first floor."
"What if you go alone, oppa? We should come too."
"No. This time I'm going solo. No time."
With 3-hour limit and villains to fight, I couldn't bring them.
I hammered home the order to stay inside and headed out.
The Cult Leader marveled at Kim Dong-su's abilities.
Even with only low-grade Offense/Defense Tickets provided on purpose, he displayed combat power surpassing Elder Park's and cleared the path to the student hall.
Woojin University Central Plaza—
As they approached the plaza, the monster he'd only seen in videos came into view.
A colossal body stitched with dozens of zombie rags.
Even now, it was ripping incoming zombies to shreds and attaching them to its body.
Red eyes gleamed through its melted face.
"It really doesn't come this far."
"Yes. We've watched for days—it never leaves the plaza."
"Hmm..."
He placed five at the front of the monster subjugation squad: Kim Dong-su, Elder Park, and the three hulks granted butler roles.
Behind them waited 20 believers from the athletic clubs and shops across the way.
All sturdy fighters. Once battle began, he'd distribute Offense/Defense Tickets.
The Cult Leader ordered the five armed with knives and steel pipes from the athletic clubs.
"Split into twos and threes—target the monster's legs. The butlers will do the same from the opposite side. Dong-su and Elder Park follow up, so stay ready to charge."
"""Yes, Cult Leader."""
"The rest, scatter and draw its attention. I'll bestow miracles right away."
Native hunters wear down beasts with small wounds, keeping them moving.
When exhaustion sets in and movements slow, they strike fatally from behind with blades or spears.
'It'll tire eventually. Then Dong-su and Elder Park hit the back.'
The Cult Leader scattered over 20 Large Offense/Defense Tickets to the squad.
He'd invested nearly all his saved points for this.
Topple the monster and capture the saintess—this was nothing.
As they absorbed the tickets, the squad's eyes changed.
A few fast ones dashed out to draw the monster's aggro.
Following believers sniped from all sides with slingshots.
Improvised from jeans and twine, but effective at range.
"Roooaaarrr—!!"
The monster chased the squad, but couldn't catch everyone scattering in and out.
Stones flew from afar; steel pipes with sharpened ends relentlessly sliced flesh up close.
The superior butlers focused on the legs, slowing its mobility.
Fast for its size—several times zombie speed—but no match for the squad with Agility over 100.
After over 30 minutes of skirmishing, a butler's sharp pipe finally pierced the monster's calf deep.
Follow-up attacks sliced to the knee; it lost balance and staggered.
"Grrr... Groooaaarrr—!!"
Writhing in pain, it tried to rise, but one leg was useless.
Kim Dong-su crept toward its back as it propped itself with one arm.
In hand: a steel spike reinforced with pipes.
A dark red aura rose behind him.
The ecstasy from the Cult Leader's miracle was insane.
An orgasm beyond any sex made his body boil.
In this state, he could crush any foe.
At ideal range, he leaped toward its back.
Raised the spike overhead mid-air.
"Haaaaah—!!"
Splurt!
"Kaaaaaargh—!!"
The spike pierced through its back and burst from its chest.
The monster strained to pull it out, but failed.
Twisting and howling, it finally collapsed.
Twitching and groaning, it went still.
From afar, the Cult Leader watching spoke up.
"Did we take it down?"