Accepting Common Sense - 1
I'm back.
"Finally..."
I'd been dropped into a fantasy world as a hero, and after grueling adventures, I managed to slay the demon king. But that fantasy world wasn't exactly a great place to live, so in the final moments, I chose to return. The goddess sent me back to my own world.
"It's been a while."
The familiar computer, bed, and wardrobe came into view. The air purifier was humming away.
"So, what should I do first..."
I headed to the living room and immediately put water in a pot to boil some ramen. The familiar chemical seasoning scent tickled my nose—a hometown smell I hadn't experienced in years. After stuffing myself full of ramen, I turned on the computer and fired up a game.
"Why isn't the internet working..."
It was a bit disappointing, but luckily, the game I wanted to play right then was single-player. I loaded up the game I'd been playing before getting sucked into that other world. The save file, paused right where I'd left off years ago, welcomed me back.
"Ha..."
It was fun. This was what I'd craved. In that other world, the only entertainment I had was boring dice games at best. Now, I could lounge comfortably on the bed, alternating between the warm electric blanket and cool AC, lost in a computer game designed purely for my enjoyment.
"Ugh..."
After a few hours of gaming, my body started feeling a little tired.
"Maybe I should grab some food..."
Today was the day I'd returned, so I wanted to treat myself. Head to the supermarket without worrying about value for money, buy snacks, or gorge on whatever meat I fancied. My mouth, tainted by the tough, foul-smelling jerky from my journey, yearned to be cleansed by premium hanwoo beef, even if it wasn't the cheapest option.
I threw on some clothes and pressed the elevator button with a relaxed mind.
"What should I do from here on out..."
I could feel the overflowing power still surging inside me—it hadn't faded. Just to check, I focused aura on my fingertip, and a blue glow shimmered faintly.
"Well, with this, I could do pretty much anything."
I considered going pro as an athlete, but that felt like cheating. Seriously thinking about it, I wasn't confident in controlling my strength.
Well, with this much, I could make insane money even doing something like YouTube...
A concept like hyper-realistic strength feats would pull in massive subscribers just from showing off. Considering my power level, I didn't have to worry about lab experiments or anything, and I had no intention of hiding it anyway.
You have left the Safe Zone.
"Hm?"
It felt like I was hearing a hallucination in my ear. Right as I crossed the boundary of the apartment complex.
Just in case, I stepped back inside the apartment.
You have entered the Safe Zone.
You have left the Safe Zone.
You have entered the Safe Zo—
By stepping forward and back repeatedly, I confirmed the voice was repeating in my ears.
"This is the Safe Zone?"
Just in case, I cautiously spoke the word aloud.
"Status Window?"
"What the— it actually exists?"
This was the status window I'd begged to appear when I first fell into the fantasy world.
"Well, nothing special right now."
Held Territory
Bruli Apartment
Development Stage: 1
"What's this?"
It was the apartment where I lived, but I had no idea what this territory window meant. Still, staring at the status window wasn't going to change anything right now. I headed toward the shops in front of the apartments.
"Hm?"
All the nearby restaurants were completely empty. Lights out, no intact signs in sight. But the mart in the basement of the shopping area looked oddly unchanged.
I pondered the source of that dissonance for a moment before realizing it: the lights were on. Being underground, nothing should have been visible, but the mart was brightly lit.
"No matter how I think about it, this is weird..."
If some war or disaster had happened, wouldn't electricity and water be the first to go? But my place had running water and power just fine—internet aside. Even the elevator worked. Entering the mart with suspicion, I heard the status window chime right away.
You have arrived at a Supply Point.
"Hm?"
The mart seemed surprisingly well-stocked. Milk in the refrigerated section, shelves full of snacks and cereal.
"I just have no clue what's going on."
No clerks, but from the sounds, people passed by occasionally.
"Good, I can ask someone..."
In my excitement, I rushed over—and was met with a horrific sight. A half-melted corpse, oozing pus and blood, shambling around in place of a human.
"Holy shit."
Zombies. Undeniable, straight-up zombies.
"Why the hell are things like that on Earth..."
The status window, everything was too bizarre. And then, I locked eyes with the zombie.
"Grraaahhh!!"
"Shut up."
Glancing around briefly, I sighed and crushed the plastic basket in my hand. With a snap, shards formed. I gripped the handle rod lightly.
"Go peacefully."
It wasn't hard.
"Kreeeek!"
I'd been a hero, after all. Even if it took some effort, I'd slain the demon king. A crawling corpse like this? I could take it barehanded. I just hated getting dirty. The plastic rod I'd held vanished into the zombie's skull in an instant.
"Hmm..."
Keeping my eyes on it until I was sure it was dead, I finally looked away.
"Alright, time to start shopping—"
"Kyaaahhh!"
A woman's scream echoed. My body reacted on instinct, trembling. As a hero, I'd learned to respond sharply to screams. A moment's delay could mean disaster. I bolted toward the cry without thinking.
In the corner of the mart, one woman was desperately fighting.
"Grrooo..."
"Urrghhh..."
Calling it a fight was generous. Three zombies surrounded her, her resistance pitifully weak.
"Hang on just a bit!"
I charged in, slamming one zombie with my shoulder. I smashed another's head with my fist, then kneed a third's leg. Watching the one whose head I hadn't crushed, it limped slowly toward me. I stomped its skull, then finished off the crushed one with a final smash. A bit messy, but clean enough. My clothes were filthy, though.
"You okay?"
I checked on the victim right away.
"Ah... ah!"
Overjoyed beyond words, she threw herself into my arms.
Huh?
Honestly, it didn't feel bad. Up close, she was quite beautiful. No bra? I could feel her breasts pressing against me.
"I'm alive. Alive. I survived... sob, thank you for saving me."
Tears still streaked her face from moments ago. But she could talk, communicate—a real person. I had so many questions for someone like her.
"Sorry, but I came from really far away... mind if I ask you some things?"
"Y-yes! Speak casually! I'm An Sua!"
Without a hint of wariness, her eyes sparkled as she answered. So much to ask. I hesitated, unsure where to start. But with zombies possibly incoming, I went with my top question.
"Hey, I came from way far away, so..."
"From far away? That's amazing! You must be incredibly strong!"
She hyped me up, but I had bigger priorities than basking in praise.
"When did this world turn into... this?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Zombies wandering around and all..."
"Wasn't it always like that?"
Her innocent expression sent chills down my spine. It seemed I'd dropped into a far stranger world than I'd imagined.