Cohabitation Begins! [Gluttony's Blessing]
And so, cohabitation started! I was stunned reading the description for Gluttony's Blessing.
◈ Activates to absorb the ability of the killed target.
I couldn't help but laugh. Hell, it was so ridiculously good that the laughter just burst out.
This is insane.
As expected from the name.
Truth be told, I'd picked Gluttony's Blessing for a different reason. I was hoping it'd let me eat less or turn anything into food. Y'know, given the state of the world.
But absorbing the ability of someone I kill as a one-time item? Now I get why it was so damn expensive.
I checked Hot Deal Channel again.
How broken do the even pricier ones have to be?
A hollow laugh escaped me. With only one sheet of Gluttony's Blessing, I had to use it wisely. The dilemma was who to use it on.
Actually, not much of a dilemma.
I had a ring that let me view status windows. I could just check every enemy I met. If they had something useful, kill and absorb.
Of course, skill names weren't always straightforward.
There could be flashy names hiding trash effects.
I'd keep my options open. Had to use it very carefully.
I glanced over. Sa-eun was talking to Arorong—or trying to, anyway. It was pretty one-sided.
"Hey, wanna be my pet? Oh my, look at that fluffy fur."
"No thanks. Hard pass."
"Aw, playing hard to get? So cute!"
"I'd rather die. What's the Han River water temp right now?"
I snorted with laughter. I thought back to everything I'd gained today. Impressive haul already.
Then an even crazier notification popped up.
'The Howling King of Rakshasas' has sponsored 100 AP!
Whoa!
It felt like getting a massive birthday gift I'd half-expected but still blew my mind. I screamed internally.
100 points just rolled in, blink of an eye. All from my performance!
Just as planned. The constellations are basically the live audience for this show.
Do what they like—entertaining, violent stuff—and they sponsor. Proves they're thinking beings.
I'd milk this from now on. Especially note the trigger-happy, moody ones.
Could turn 'em into personal ATMs.
I licked my lips with a grin. This apocalypse was starting to grow on me.
This end-of-the-world crap feels kinda lovable now.
I fought to keep my twitching lips in check when suddenly a clear notification hit.
Wait, what the hell?
First Trial
◈ Converts wind and sunlight into electrical energy. Essential where power is cut!
Eh? What?
Out of nowhere. I double-checked the quest notice from before, then the reward. Tilted my head, then freaked out.
Wait a sec. These are separate?
Thinking back now, it was weird. The guidance said "First Trial," but for some reason, a quest popped up too. I'd assumed they ran parallel.
But this quest was grayed out. Different color from the prologue one I'd gotten first.
Something's off. What gives?
As if answering my doubt:
'The First Thinker' says: You know that's a quest I sent, right? Keep pushing!
A chill ran down my spine. The First Thinker was odd among constellations. Never chimed in with the group. Gave me that proficiency item solo at the start, and now this. Always acted alone. And now quests too?
Couldn't make sense of it. Looked like favoritism.
Who the hell are you? Did I do something you liked? Or zombie tamer turn-on?
Even I knew that last bit was ridiculous. No one sponsored when I railed Chaerin—they just gawked.
The reply came quick.
'The First Thinker' says: Your ability is the key to ending this repeating game!
I licked my lips and tilted my head. The First Thinker had ulterior motives. While others just enjoyed the survival show, this one thought differently.
Or maybe some others did too. My power ending the Divine Game? Did that mean winning?
Or stopping whatever Akasha's up to?
No more replies. Probably skips non-essentials. Or watching its back from other constellations.
I shrugged.
Whatever. Seems like it wants something from me. Could be a solid partner.
Time would tell. I checked the item from it. Looked like a solar panel.
Game-changing. Pair it with the water tank, and water/power problems solved.
Whoa escaped me. Best luck of my life. Gave me chills. Like prepping a full dowry before even engaged.
Damn, is my life peaking like this?
Things were about to get fun. I turned. Arorong, finally free from Sa-eun, was declaring:
"Ugh, anyway! Wishing you all victory! Got it?"
"Hold up. Any special rules for this game?"
"Rules?"
"It's a game, right? Real name's Apocalypse or whatever, but every game has official rules."
Arorong's face turned sly. Like a tutor spotting a middle-schooler who'd pre-studied high school material. It crossed its arms, dragging it out.
I waited patiently. It spilled useful info straight, held back the juicy stuff.
"Not bad. Yeah, Akasha'll announce after I go."
"Cool. Can I summon you if I've got questions?"
Arorong nodded, dodging Sa-eun's hands with a smirk.
"Of course."
"Heeey, can I summon you too? I'll give you kisses! Whaddya say?"
"If you call, I ain't coming. Figure it out!"
"Boo."
"See ya next game! Poof!"
Leaving sulky Sa-eun behind, Arorong dusted away. Sa-eun sighed deeply. Really liked that thing.
"It hates me, huh. Hmph."
"Chin up. Anyway, let's head back."
The street had stabilized. Zombies probably holed up in nearby buildings. Too soon to relax.
That many zombies confirms it. Excluding survivors, most non-survivors turned.
Issue was, only a fraction of game-spawned zombies might be dead. Rankings showed maybe just over 200 kills.
False prophet or whatever meant mutants, probably. But population drop was massive. Most turned zombies.
Disaster. Zombies everywhere still.
As I pondered, the announcement dropped.
● All humanity becomes Adversaries to fight Void Entities. Defeating them grants 'Apocalypse Points'.
● Adversaries wield 'Ether' energy for power. Void Entities use 'Void Power'.
● Apocalypse Points earned by clearing unique/official Akasha Quests, or killing fellow Adversaries.
● Each Adversary gets a 'Destiny'. Could be secret quest, item, or unbeatable nemesis. Overcoming it transcends your existence.
● Last one standing, or strongest accessing Akashic Records, gets wish granted by Akasha.
Sa-eun and I locked eyes. Words failed, but mind-blowing stuff. Only the Ether bit was oddly colored.
Why different?
Whatever. We used Ether? I'd thought mana or magic power. Guess not.
Ether what? No clue.
Abilities were plug-and-play anyway. Problem was Destiny.
I have one too? What is it?
First Thinker came to mind, but probably not a constellation. Too vague. Hadn't met it yet, I guessed. Kinda wanted to. Sounded fun.
"Najin. Get the last part?"
"Survive to the end, something happens."
"Hmm. So only one survivor?"
"Or that one commands the rest."
"Why? Said last one."
I shook my head. Divine Game felt like Akasha's duty, but also entertainment. Individual flair mattered. Constellations proved it.
Last one standing might be flexible.
"Who knows. We'll see."
"Hmm. Zombies ain't gone, right?"
"Some dead, but most turned. Plenty left."
"Don't count as survivors then."
"Exactly. No slacking."
I scanned around. Gave Sa-eun a warm look.
Time to wrap. But hungry.
"Sunbae."
"Y-yeah?"
Her cheeks flushed. Weirded me out.
"No, just checking leftover food."
"Ah, we're tapped. Just seolleongtang ingredients left."
"Then let's eat that and go!"
"Hehe, sure? But where to?"
"My place!"
"Really okay?"
"From here to yours? Epic journey."
"True. Hehe, thanks."
No personal ride? Even if, Songdo probably wrecked. Wanted a capable woman like her close. Get closer.
Sa-eun made seolleongtang. We ate together. Delicious.
Belly full, warmth spreading. Great gains today. Glanced at ring. All it held made me grin.
Gonna snag even crazier stuff. Akasha, Divine Game—got my interest now.
Cleaned up post-meal. Thought to boost stats.
Points spare—pump 'em up!
Might need items sudden, but stats first.
1 mil flat! 20 each stat!
Muscles swelled. Senses sharpened—heard breeze outside. Fibers twitched. Cells reborn, popping.
Stats rose in an instant.
Adapt slowly to current stats.
Stat increase sensations now 'Normal'.
Normal feel from now on, huh. Sa-eun approached.
"Ready?"
"Yeah, me first this time!"
Wanna test this physique. Leapt through open window. Grabbed AC unit one-handed, peered down. Used one hand on pipes/AC descending. Landed casual.
Nice. Senses totally different.
Brought Sa-eun home. Neighborhood unchanged-ish. Inside, advised:
"First floor bedroom's mine. Use second floor."
"Okay? Hold on."
Toured house. Sa-eun giddy like kid. At second floor, tilted head. My usual spot.
"Shouldn't you use second?"
"Nah, better for sunbae. Terrace great for naps."
"You're the owner though."
Odd tone. I chuckled.
"Please use second floor bedroom. Thanks!"
"Thanks, really."
"No prob. Looking forward to it!"
"Me too! Sigh, shower and sleep."
"Go for it."
Downstairs. Cracked first floor bedroom door. Chaerin slept soundly.
Perfect.
Quick shower, stripped. Entered, stroked her hair. Soft, fragrant. Zombie? Nah.
"Grr, gruuu."
Chaerin woke. Kneaded her big tits, grinning. Her vacant stare.
"Let's do it? Victory fuck storm."
Experiment time too. Deep kiss Chaerin, stripped her. Me too, pressed close.