Satisfaction. Or Moving Forward - 1
"Hmm..."
I calmly tapped the status window. The money stacked on my hand melted away into thin air like snow. The status window was using my funds.
"Ugh, this is so boring. If you've got money to blow on this crap, why not open a gym first? It doesn't even seem useful right now."
Seohee pouted her lips. I grabbed her ass firmly.
"Eek!"
Feeling the slick resistance under my fingers, I gazed at the library under construction.
"I told you. I built it because there's something I want to find."
There was still some time before the boss hunt. I needed to wrap up what I could before then.
No time to waste. I have to figure this out now.
What I needed most right now was information. And the only way to get it immediately was this library.
"Sorry I couldn't be more help..."
Seon Yeowon murmured in a small voice.
"It's fine."
I shook my head with a smile. She had a decent amount of info, sure, but it was all from living here long-term. What I needed was something more basic, more commonsense—like stuff I could've Googled in the old world.
Unfortunately, info didn't flow freely in this world, and I couldn't just go hunting down experts on my specific questions. This was my only option.
Library unlocked!
The door swung open. Inside, I slowly examined the status window that popped up.
Would you like to designate a librarian?
"Designate. Shin Roa."
The types of books stocked in the library will increase based on the librarian's knowledge and skills.
The library had various functions. With enough effort, you could raise your Knowledge or Wisdom stats through books, or studying there boosted efficiency. But I didn't care about the library's features. I wanted the books themselves.
"It's definitely... there, right?"
Shin Roa nodded. "Yes. I know a bit myself, but I figured relying on solid, objective info is better than my fuzzy memories."
She strode confidently through the library, sat in the librarian's chair, and crossed her legs seductively.
"Hmm..."
Books began appearing one by one on the empty shelves. Not all of them filled, of course—maybe 5% at best. Filling this massive place completely would take way more than amateur stock. But this was plenty.
"Not bad, huh?"
"My Knowledge stat's over 20. No one around here could summon this many books, no matter who we called."
Shin Roa flashed a confident smile, then closed her eyes in thought.
"Hmm... Got it. No need to hunt around. There's one... Section D, shelf 411. Check there."
"Thanks."
I'd figured it'd take ages to find the right book amid all these. But with her help, I grabbed exactly what I wanted.
"...Yeah, this is the one."
It had a modern design, but the cover alone screamed it wasn't some pre-war normal book.
District Liberation and Occupation, A to Z!
"Perfect."
With all the monsters in this area about to be wiped out and the district fully liberated, one nagging thought crossed my mind: What if other people come in? A perfectly reasonable worry.
From my rough guess, a safe zone meant the entire district became zombie-proof. No more dodging zombies to hit the corner mart, even kids could run errands safely.
But ironically, I'd barely seen anyone in Anseongu because it was too dangerous. I could stroll around smashing zombies no problem, but others? Not so much. Aside from the orphanage with periodic Katus support, no one lived or passed through here.
That was about to change.
I hate fighting people...
Zombies were monsters you could kill guilt-free. Same with dungeon beasts—slash away like game mobs.
But humans? Even if someone deserved death, it'd feel off. And if they attacked but weren't that bad? Total mess. Plus, where people gather, fights brew. I couldn't stomach watching the folks I'd saved turn on each other—not even if it made my blood boil.
I needed countermeasures before that. The boss I could handle easy, but this—people problems—was trickier. Time to scout solutions.
"I'm gonna read, so browse around and pick some books."
Seohee pouted. "Ugh, boring—"
Roa patted her shoulder. "Seohee, check Section A, shelf 142."
"What's that?"
"Pre-apocalypse sports info... on baseball."
"I played baseball back in my gang days sometimes."
That surprised me. Her current nail bat had no nails, but the first one I saw was brutal. I'd assumed she'd think bats were just for bashing skulls.
"Sure. But you never heard about scientifically training the top pros picked from millions, right?"
"...Huh?"
"No idea if it'll help you, but it might."
"...Okay, that piques my interest."
The peanut gallery cleared out. I opened the book calmly.
Wilderness entry... zombie clearing... skip.
I flipped pages fast. I'd already conquered most of Anseongu—no need for monster-takedown basics. What mattered was after.
Dungeon exploration, boss hunts... skip. Next.
Pages flew by. Only a few left.
Found it.
Finally: What happens to Anseongu after all monsters are dead. What to prepare for. The perks.
"...What."
I was floored. For better or worse, not what I'd expected.
I reread meticulously, disbelieving.
This is system-made, right? No reason to lie.
I wasn't one to trust "infallible" sources blindly, but here, the status window was absolute. Doubt it, and you're lost. No matter how crazy, this was fact.
"Hey, everyone."
Sua, Seohee, Haena, and Roa set their books down and approached.
"What is it?"
"Something bad happen?"
I sighed deeply. Finding this now was lucky. Delay it, and I'd have no time to think before deciding.
"Read this one by one."
I set the book on the table and eyed Roa, who looked surprisingly calm.
"Not shocked?"
"I've seen and heard a lot. I kinda knew it wouldn't end that simply."
"Could've warned me."
"Didn't want to rattle you with uncertain info."
"Fair enough."
Roa flipped pages with her slender fingers.
"Heard it from Dad once."
"..."
"Way back, his ancestors cleared all zombies from that district. That's why we could build our base there."
"Sigh..."
"But I could spot zombies outside the walls just peeking."
My apartment, her hospital, the orphanage—they weren't true bases. Just safe houses. Apartment for living, hospital for healing, orphanage for kids. Pre-war themed facilities you could expand or stock with money—like Roa buying meds or me unlocking the dump and library.
But not general bases. No gun forges, ammo fabs, or steel mills in an apartment.
Those were proper post-apoc strongholds. Zombies outside walls. Safe inside, but no zombie-free district.
"Gotta... think this over."
I bit my lip hard.