Stock the Warehouse Generously - 3
"A vehicle?"
An Sua, Han Seohee, and Shin Roa all turned to look at me at the same time.
"Yeah. We kinda need one, right?"
"How do you plan to get one?"
"...I figured you guys would know."
I scratched my head with an awkward smile.
"No one's driving around out there? Not even one?"
Come to think of it, maybe I'd been too optimistic about this world. The apartment had somehow been sorted with the status window, and food had been manageable through supply points so far. So I'd assumed we could snag a vehicle the same way. Like how we got meds and rations from supply points, maybe there was a spot for vehicles too.
"It's not impossible," Shin Roa said with a nod.
"It works?"
"Of course it's inefficient, though. Even a big organization with enough juice to run vehicles would be better off just sending people on foot."
"Why?"
"Plenty of reasons."
Me, An Sua, and Han Seohee stared at her with wide eyes, hanging on her every word.
"First off, unless you've got some super-reinforced beast, they're not safe from zombie attacks."
"Hmm..."
"Plowing through zombies wears down the durability fast, and if you're unlucky enough to run into a Goliath, it's game over."
I'd charge the thing on sight, so no sweat for me, but she said they hurl rocks or debris at anything getting away. A massive boulder smashing into a car? No thanks.
"Acquiring them costs a fortune. Maintaining, repairing, fuel—it's all pricey."
"Hmmm..."
"If you've got a huge outfit or a gas station supply point nearby, fine. Otherwise, big problem."
After hearing her out, I made up my mind quick.
"Sounds manageable enough."
Money wasn't an issue. Farming it wasn't easy, but a few dungeon runs and it'd pile up. We'd need to hit the dungeon anyway to liberate the whole district—no point skimping now.
I wasn't planning to mow down zombies with a car either. Or joyride. Just needed it as a big ol' cart.
"You know how to get one, right?"
"Rough idea. Patients rolled up in cars sometimes at my clinic." Shin Roa sighed and marked a spot way out on the edge of the map. "Probably here. No clue on exact prices or trade-ins, though."
"Good enough."
The status window gave decent intel, even if it seemed stingy. Once we got there, it'd spit out what we needed.
"Eh, probably just cash anyway."
So far, most status window stuff boiled down to money.
"Alright, let's head back out!"
The car dealership Shin Roa marked was pretty damn far.
"How long is this gonna take...?"
We'd cleared monsters nonstop to get here—body was beat. No real payoff either. EXP came steady, but we were past Anseongu now. Kill zombies, more spawn. Pointless grind.
"Looks like it's there!" An Sua pointed excitedly at a distant shop, arm shooting up.
"Yeah... something's there alright."
Amid the ruins, one shop glowed with actual lights. A car dealership.
"Let's check it out..."
You have arrived at the Transportation Acquisition Point.
You can acquire transportation via money, materials, trials, and various other means.
"Let's see..." I scrolled through the status window, eyeing what we could grab.
"Electric scooter. No idea why a car lot sells these... but useless anyway."
I'd brought a decent chunk of cash, but even the scooter made me gasp.
"Motorcycle. Lots of types... still not what we need."
For pure mobility, these might even be better. Dodge zombies easy, park anywhere, faster than most cars. With crappy roads, solid pick.
But I needed cargo space.
"Hoping for a truck..."
Flipping the catalog, I gawked at the insane prices and mats required. Dream trucks and off-road combat rigs were there, but no way I could afford 'em now.
"Steel, electronics, glass, plastic... what the hell?"
An Sua shook her head.
"Heard bases can craft that stuff once leveled up... but not happening today."
"Guess we skip those."
Stripping requirements, only a basic sedan was left in my range.
"This one, huh..."
Staring at the holographic car shimmering before me, I got nostalgic. If my world hadn't gone to shit, after wrapping hero duties, I'd have lived normal. No sports—too OP—but plenty options. Super strength YouTube vids? Viral. Or esports—FPS bosses I'd never beaten before? Cakewalk now.
Never pictured owning a car, but if I did, it'd be this. Nothing fancy, just average. Common enough for good used armor plating. Everyday life—
"Master?"
"Oh, nah. Just spacing out."
Pointless now. Shit to do here. People to protect. Not continent-scale heroics, but no lazing in memories.
"Purchase options..."
Cash would work, but 'Trial' caught my eye.
Defeat a specific monster in combat to acquire the vehicle without paying money.
"Huh?"
Checked trucks and combat vehicles—no dice on resources, just cash waiver.
"Hang tight. Gonna fight something quick."
"Pardon?"
"I got this solo. Guard the place. Got it?"
Han Seohee sighed deeply.
"Thought being all healed up meant I could help... guess not."
"You're helping plenty."
Doing this alone? Fatigue aside, loneliness and boredom would've cracked me.
"Just having you here helps."
"Sweet talk... thanks."
"Back soon."
The trial was underground. Stairs led down to an iron door. Touching it popped the status window asking confirmation. I hit 'Accept'.
Trial started.
"Grraaaaaah..."
"Weirdos again."
Zombies. Wheels and motors on their legs—weird as hell.
"Time for a new staff soon..."
Too comfy with it, but I'm a swordsman. Can't get rusty on other weapons.
Still, this worked fine.
"GRRAAAAAHHH!!!"
Rough engine roar and exhaust fumes—reminded me civilization clung on. Or monsters wore its husk.
"Alright, let's do this."
My new car awaited. I swung the staff, smashing the zombie gunning for a hit-and-run.
"GRIII!!!"
Flesh exploded instantly. Even torso-blown, lower halves wheeled on, motors whirring into my spot.
"Up we go!"
I leaped high, watching them tangle and boom.
But not over.
"Ho..."
A big one lumbered out. Probably the 'trial' boss. Bit bigger than Goliath, steel shards in shoulders. Motor whines on move—tougher than the ones I knew.
That was it. Tougher than known Goliaths, but nothing to me.
I swung the staff at it.