Accepting Reality -7: "Well, We Made It Out..."
I'd changed into comfortable clothes and was looking at Sua, who was smiling brightly in her light outfit.
"It's dangerous from here on out, so let's stay on high alert and move carefully!"
But her beaming smile didn't look like the face of someone who was tense at all. Realizing what my gaze meant, Sua shook her head in surprise.
"Even if it's dangerous, this district was basically like my home! I can't hold it together without smiling!"
"Fair enough."
Looking around, the apartments outside my complex were already in ruins, collapsed and wrecked. It hit me anew how abandoned buildings could deteriorate into such a pathetic state. In Korea, you might see facilities so corroded no one could live there, but never an apartment left like that for decades or centuries.
"Level up, level up..."
She let out a deep sigh.
"Honestly, I have no idea what to do!"
"I was counting on you."
It felt like the axe I'd trusted had chopped my own foot. I'd believed she would know a way.
"Normally, level ups just... well, for me at least, they happened naturally as I survived."
"Huh?"
"Usually, you avoid zombies as much as possible, but eventually, you end up having to kill them or run away."
She shook her head again.
"And that's how it happens, like it or not—you level up."
"Ah, got it..."
"If anything, Master hunting zombies just to level up feels kinda luxurious."
To them, fighting zombies wasn't training for growth—it was a struggle for survival.
"Not for a meal or a place to sleep, but actually going out to kill zombies..."
"Well, if we can find other supply points, that's good too."
"Honestly, it's not impossible... but a supply point right outside your home is insanely good."
"Yeah?"
Sua sighed deeply again.
"Fresh meat, vegetables, plenty of food in good supply."
"True..."
"If this were in a decent spot, people could build a faction around it—no surprise there."
"Faction?"
"When groups of people band together, they set up bases near good supply points and form organizations. Strength in numbers."
"What about you?"
She gave a hollow laugh.
"I'm... not great with people, so solo works better for me."
I planned to respect her privacy. But that didn't solve my question.
"Then why no faction here?"
"Too dangerous. Lots of zombies wandering around is one thing, but the elite zombies mixed in are the real problem."
"What's that?"
"You'll see."
Without knowing anything, conversation stalled. No progress.
"Guess we wander the streets and hunt zombies for now."
"Not many nearby. I cleared them all when I came here..."
"What?"
I tilted my head. Hard to believe this little girl was that strong.
"Anyway, let's look! Even with tons of elite monsters, finding ones on your level might be tough!"
I scratched my head with an awkward smile.
"Levels make a big difference!"
"Yeah! Past a certain point, regular zombies won't level you up anymore!"
"Then we're good for now."
"Huh?"
"I'm level 1."
"Whaaaat?"
Sua stared at me in disbelief.
"I was far away... came back recently."
"A-are you really an ancient one? Like those robed women preaching about saving the world?!"
"Not exactly what I had in mind."
"Then you're super weak right now! What were you thinking saving me?!"
"You looked in danger. And I'm not that weak."
But Sua pouted.
"F-from now on, I'll protect you! Stay behind me—I'll take the lead!"
"Wasn't I supposed to protect you?"
"You're level 1!"
"Ended up scamming you unintentionally. Sorry."
Sua paused, then shook her head.
"Don't say that! Sure, I wouldn't mind clinging to a strong guy, being cute, and living as a sex slave—but that's not all!"
"So you did think that..."
"But basically, it's repaying kindness! No regrets, even if it's selfish. Once you're a sex slave, no take-backs anyway!"
"Appreciate that..."
I voiced one lingering question.
"Do you have to repay it that way? What happens if you don't?"
Walking the streets made this apocalypse world crystal clear. No zombies yet, but the desolate scenery screamed it was no longer my old world.
"Couldn't someone just think 'He saved me, let my guard down!' and threaten me?"
"Sure! Happens a lot among women."
"Men?"
"Mess with a man? You'd die horribly!"
"What?"
A chill ran down my spine.
"Saved women strip naked, beg, hand over everything, and offer their bodies—whether the guy wants it or not?"
"They kill you if you don't?"
"Mostly! I've heard stories, and plenty actually died that way."
Some word like "potential something" flashed in my mind, but I held it back.
"Sex slave stuff isn't that common... but I'm that grateful to you, Master!"
"Deep gratitude..."
If I saved another woman, I'd refuse whatever she offered first.
"Ah, finally—one!"
During our walk-slash-scout, a zombie appeared.
"Should I handle it?"
"No, I'll take care of it. Jump in only if it's really dangerous. Let's see..."
I snapped a decently long branch from nearby bushes and stripped the twigs by hand.
"Whoa, a weapon?"
"Don't want zombie blood on my hands."
Even as a great swordsman, a branch is a branch. Honestly, trickier than bare fists. But better than smashing skulls barehanded and getting brains on me—this fake sword would do.
"Here goes."
Gripping it made my whole body scream—not pain or tension, but naturally shifting into stances and moves fit for holding a sword.
"Charging."
I rushed the zombie pack.
"...!"
Light. The mana-infused branch sliced a zombie's neck effortlessly.
"This the level?"
But it didn't satisfy. More zombies charged.
Rehab training... even that?
Before returning to Earth, I'd rested a lot—no activities. Defeated the demon king easily, and my presence could've endangered others. My current skill was far below my peak.
I hadn't learned proper swordsmanship from a master—just battle-honed hero buffs. Away from combat, my skills plummeted naturally.
Still, I wasn't weak enough to fall to these zombies.
Slash, slash, slash. Mana shaped the branch into a sharp blade, cleaving everything in my path. Dozens collapsed as corpses in seconds.
"Oh, that! You gotta crush the heads—it's manners!"
"Huh?"
I thought I'd decapitated cleanly, but the severed heads were still chomping.
"Don't wanna get bitten by bad luck. If it's a hassle, I can do it! Looking for something to smash heads with..."
"Nah, I'm good."
I speared the branch like a spear, meticulously crushing each brain.
"Seriously level 1? Even level 10s can't handle zombies that cleanly and calmly!"
"That impressive? Or is level 10 not high?"
"Depends on skills, but yeah, pretty high."
"Then elite zombies aren't big deal—"
A massive zombie appeared down the street. I tilted my head.
At least ogre-sized— a big one.
"Eek! Goliath! No way—we run! I'll cover you full force, go first!"
"What're you saying."
This branch should suffice here.
"Gotta check what these elite zombies are like, right?"
I charged the Goliath.