Accepting the New Reality - 2
I was momentarily taken aback by her words, convinced this conversation wouldn't wrap up easily. "Let's head to a safe spot first and talk there. Just in case..."
My apartment seemed like a safe zone, but bringing a woman straight home felt a bit too opportunistic. Still, I couldn't pass up the chance to talk to another living person, and chatting out here felt too risky.
"C-Can I follow you?"
"Yeah, sure. Come on."
Thankfully, she followed me without hesitation. After raiding the mart clean on the way back, I returned to my apartment with her. Or at least, I tried to.
"H-Hold on. We can't get in here..."
"Why not?"
I stepped casually into the complex grounds. Sua tilted her head for a moment, then followed cautiously, as if she couldn't resist.
External access detected.
Grant apartment access permission?
"Grant."
"Wha... huh? Oppa, you're the owner of this apartment? I knew you had to be someone special..."
"I don't know either. It just kinda happened, but the details are fuzzy."
She seemed to know more about the situation than I did. Shaking off my impatience, I headed back to my place.
"Whoa... wow. This is amazing. Do I really deserve a luxury like this?"
"It's nothing special. Just a cup of coffee."
Part of me had wondered if everything I'd been through was a dream, and if I'd have to climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator on the way up. Fortunately, nothing like that happened. The elevator, lights, and water purifier all worked perfectly.
"Anyway, start from the beginning, nice and slow. When did the zombies first show up?"
"Hmm, probably not more than a hundred years ago? Historians would know better, though."
"Historians?"
"People with too much time on their hands. When everyone's busy just surviving, who has time for that?"
She said it casually, but I started feeling a bit serious.
"That doesn't add up. My room's intact, the computer and elevator are working fine. How is any of this possible?"
She beamed and explained.
"Oh, that's because this place is designated a base!"
"A base?"
"I don't know the details, but spaces the System marks as bases get some kind of mystical power."
"Like that... So the supply mart is similar?"
"Yeah, those are supply points. They restock with food and goods every set period..."
My head was spinning, but I could grasp the basics. Some kind of power is at work here.
"So you have a status window too, right?"
"Huh? Are there people without one?"
I'd wondered if I was the only one chosen, but apparently not.
"You get EXP from taking down strong zombies, and leveling up gives skills and stats!"
I pulled up my status window again and noticed the EXP bar had inched back a tiny bit. It'd probably take dozens or hundreds of those zombies to level up.
"Thanks. That helps a lot."
I meant it. Without meeting her here, it would've taken me forever to figure things out.
"So how do the other survivors live?"
"Depends on the situation, I guess?"
Sua tilted her head.
"Some build decent bases and live in groups. Others are lone wolves like me, or small bands of four or five."
Not far off from the apocalypse I'd imagined.
"This area's unclaimed territory, so not many people around. But a few hang out near supply points."
"And the others... no safe zones or bases?"
"Most live without 'em. Unless you're crazy high-level, you couldn't dream of surviving out here forever!"
This apartment's ownership felt like a real privilege.
"Got it. Thanks. I wanna give you something as a thank-you, but I don't know what you'd like."
"Just saving my life is more than enough. If anyone owes a debt, it's me."
An Sua gazed at me with bright, sparkling eyes and a radiant smile.
"I'll walk you back when you go. Rest up, and let me know when you're ready."
"Huh?"
Her expression darkened instantly.
"I... I wanna stay here. I'll do anything, I won't be any trouble—please let me live here?"
"Yeah?"
Truth be told, I'd been hoping she'd ask. I hadn't said anything because of potential issues.
"But don't you have people to live with?"
"No one. I used to live with my mom... but we're separated now."
Her face fell.
"...Sorry."
It hit me anew: I'd landed in an apocalypse world. In a place like this, anyone could die anytime.
"Anyway, welcome aboard. Stay as long as you want."
"Thank you so much! I'll do anything! Please take care of me!"
She bowed so deeply it was almost alarming, her ample breasts swaying heavily with each dip of her torso.
"So, am I the only woman here?"
"I only got back recently myself."
"Hehe... good."
I mulled over the future, ignoring her sly grin. My old plan of scraping by on YouTube was shattered in an instant. So, what did I need to do to prepare for this changed world?
...Nothing?
It was ambiguous. As long as I was here, the apartment seemed to run smoothly. Inside, electricity, water, and gas were no issue.
Food... I can handle that with the supply point for a while, right?
"Any idea how often that mart restocks?"
"Varies by point, but I think about once a month?"
"Huh."
Honestly, it was more than enough for one person—way too much, even. Being a full supermarket, there was rice, meat, fresh veggies. No need to worry about nutrition.
Nothing to do, huh?
No need to farm for stable survival, or build machines for better facilities. Zombies might pop up on mart runs, but they didn't scare me.
Just chill and relax...?
I wondered if I shouldn't be doing something grander, but honestly, I was beat. It hadn't been long since I'd defeated the demon king. Saving a world at the cost of my life deserved a break.
"Come to think of it, this whole apartment is my base..."
Time for a test. I slipped on my shoes and casually opened the door to the next unit.
"It's locked, though?"
"Yeah, figured."
No intention of picking the lock. But with my strength, I could smash the steel door easy.
Unlocked space.
Accumulate points to unlock.
"What if I just break it?"
Damaging the base system with user intent may cause total system collapse.
"Ah."
Can't do that. No point stirring up trouble.
"...Sorry. Tried it out, but looks like I have to crash in my own place."
"I figured you'd stay here!"
She grinned ear to ear, thrilled for some reason. We snacked on mart snacks for dinner. Was she naturally chatty, or trying to cheer me up? She kept talking nonstop either way.
Even her casual stories were gold to me, so I listened closely.
Night fell. I changed into pajamas and lay in bed, blankly replaying the day's events.
Honestly, it still didn't feel real. I half-expected to wake up tomorrow to a normal Earth. Or maybe the sun from the fantasy world I'd saved before I left.
How did this even happen...?
If as much time had passed as Sua said, everyone I knew was probably dead. Even if not, surviving a wrecked world like this seemed unlikely.
It left a hollow feeling. I could live fine, but beyond that... nothing to do.
Then the door opened.
"Can I come in?"
"Sua? What's up all of a sudden?"
Her huge breasts strained mercilessly against her white shirt. No idea where she got it, but she wore a choker around her neck—and nothing below.
I reflexively looked away. But she bounded over like a girl who'd never heard of noise complaints, hollering excitedly.
"Why do you think? To repay the kindness of taking me in! With my body!"
"What?"
Sleep vanished. I bolted upright, staring at Sua. She smiled contentedly, as if her words were the most natural thing.