The Second Trial (4)
“Aaaagh! Ugh.”
“That all you got? Not bad for a girl.”
Near Sung Najin's house. Myung Sa-eun, back from scouting, was struggling hard.
She'd been on her way home when she ran into Im Gwan-hyung, sparking a fight.
Sa-eun panicked. The guy was way stronger than expected.
Ugh, who the hell is he? Looks like a thug. But he's too damn strong.
She hauled herself up with effort. Gwan-hyung, who'd waited patiently, sighed.
He leisurely pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and slipped it between his lips. Thin smoke curled from the gap.
Seizing the moment, Sa-eun charged like a bullet. She threw a straight punch.
Gwan-hyung spotted it with just a flick of his eyes. He turned his head to dodge, then tripped her with his foot.
“Eek!”
“You looked good using your ability. But relying on just one skill is trouble.”
“Why... why isn't my skill activating? This can't be happening.”
“Of course not. That's my ability.”
Gwan-hyung grinned, palm open. Soundwave-like energy pulsed from it, hitting Sa-eun—like Wi-Fi.
Realizing it now, Sa-eun freaked. Her skill had just stopped working out of nowhere, and this was why.
A skill that nullifies abilities?
Chills ran down her spine. Plus, his stats seemed high. He fought like a pro. Perfect for dominating human fights.
A bead of sweat trickled down Sa-eun's cheek. Gwan-hyung finished his smoke and squared up.
“No hard feelings, but I serve my boss.”
“I won't hand it over to you—never!”
“Risking your life for one ration coupon? I don't make a habit of killing women.”
“Then why don't you live for yourself?”
Gwan-hyung blinked at her retort. First time anyone had hit back like that. Sharp and cold.
Sa-eun smirked icily.
“Don't hold back. I've steeled myself!”
Gwan-hyung tilted his head, clicking his tongue.
“Steeled for what? To kill? To die? Stick to what your strength allows.”
“Urk.”
“Time to end this. Sorry, girl.”
Gwan-hyung closed in heavy. Sa-eun backed up until she hit the wall. No room left.
Glancing back, she saw the first-floor bedroom window. Newspaper and boards blocked it from inside, with tiny gaps.
Gwan-hyung reached out, ready to crush her throat.
“I'm not like those twitching zombies. Farewell, girl.”
“Ngh!”
Sa-eun gritted her teeth, glaring. One solid hit—that's all she needed. She braced.
Then—
“Ugh?”
Gwan-hyung's eyes bulged. Like he'd stepped into an invisible trap.
He froze. Panic etched his face.
Sa-eun, fist cocked, hesitated. “Wh-what?”
“Guh... grrk... kek!”
Gwan-hyung just trembled all over. Nothing else.
What the hell? No time to wonder. Sa-eun slammed a straight into his jaw, then spun behind for a rear naked choke.
Please end it, please! I hate killing... but I have to!
She hated it, but apocalypse rules: kill or be killed.
She clung desperately. Even paralyzed, he barely thrashed. Soon he shuddered and went limp—like a puppet with cut strings.
Enemy defeated!
Acquired 3 Apocalypse Points (AP)!
Sa-eun exhaled, stepping back. She eyed the corpse cautiously. What happened at the end?
She patted him down first. Got the ration coupon. Relief washed over her.
Finally... four now.
Mission accomplished. She could breathe.
But the mystery lingered. What got him?
Suddenly ill? His eyes met the first-floor bedroom window... then he froze. Like he was controlled.
She glanced at it. Something inside?
Just Najin's room, right? She crept closer. Curiosity peaked—
“Sunbae!”
“Oh, Eunha.”
Perfect timing—Je Eunha appeared. Sa-eun brushed it off, watching her approach.
Just imagination.
“Got all the ration coupons?”
“Yeah, just finished.”
“Hehe, with that? Wow, we're surviving! Right?”
Eunha beamed innocently. Sa-eun nodded slowly. A doubt flickered. Where'd she come from?
“Eunha. Where you coming from?”
“Oh, actually... I was watching you fight that guy.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I trusted you'd win! And you did! Hehe.”
Eunha stuck out her tongue playfully. Sa-eun smiled awkwardly, nodding. They shared a bed now, but...
Eunha felt distant. Alien. Even face-to-face.
In this apocalypse, watching her almost die? Just my imagination? Anyway, I'm still weak. Gotta get stronger—for Najin!
She steeled her resolve. Eunha yawned, approaching.
“Anyway, is Najin-sunbae still out?”
“Who knows. Could be.”
“Huh?”
“He might bring something crazy. That's him. Heh.”
“Hmm.”
The two headed inside.
I let out a long breath, staring at the stack of ration coupons. Seven of them vibrated in resonance where they touched, backs glowing faintly.
What the hell?
Secret? This?
No way just glowing backs were it. I stared. The resonating, glowing ones.
I stored the rest in my ring, laid out the seven. They drew together like magnets.
Huh? It's a map!
Camouflage patterns merged, pointing to a spot.
My minimap pinged gold nearby. Not far. Worth checking.
Too good to head home yet. I pocketed them and ran. Battle fatigue melted away.
Tired, bloody—feels great! This rush!
Lips twitching into a grin. I kicked off, sprinting.
Then static noise. Speakers nearby? Mechanical voice followed.
I froze. Government finally stirring? Quick work.
The speaker droned on.
Snorted. Citizens? The top 10% in rich hoods and good school districts? Or the rest of us trash?
Can't trust 'em. Worse than war. Elites? Flee abroad.
Korean War proved it—abandon the peninsula, remake Korea with bigwigs.
They prioritize our safety? Yeah right.
Listening more.
Whatever. No expectations. Haven't seen cops, let alone soldiers.
Point: Bigwigs got caught too—can't flee. So "efforts."
Whatever. I sprinted on, pumped.
Soon, the Comprehensive Social Welfare Center appeared.
There.
Clutching coupons, I approached. Resonance hummed through me. Barged in.
Immediate reaction nearby. A sign: This? Or behind?
Welcome to the Social Welfare Center!
I glared at the long, thin sign. Kicked it up hard. It flew off.
Behind—a compartment. A key glowed dull crimson.
A key?
Grabbed it.
◈ Qualification to enter the ark. Hope left by the progenitor after the end.
This exists?!
Mind blown. Just collecting coupons led here.
And those seven—from Kwak Man-ho and me. Wouldn't have without crossing paths.
I chuckled. Fun offer. Shrugged and called out.
“World for it? Maybe!”
Ringed the key. Ark-related, probably. Perfect timing.
Coincidence? Thoughts swirled.
The ark splitting Eunhaeng Intersection? Why'd it fall? What's it for?
Day one intimidation? Seemed off now.
“Kyaak!”
Roars. Sign kick drew zombies.
I welcomed them casually. Varied horde charged.
Hardened blood into gloves on hands, greaves on feet.
Straight kicks: Thud, splat, crunch! Shredded all in sight.
Half-scalped one leaped from side. “Kahak!”
“Sneak quiet if you're charging, idiot.”
Spinning heel crushed its skull.
Flung blood wildly, wall-bounced, improvised. Time flew.
Mooks cleared. Points at 22!
Grinning—something zipped in. Plastic bag in wind? Barely audible.
Turned. Couldn't believe my eyes.
“What the fu—shit!”
Cockroach-mutant zombie, head whipping side-to-side, barreling at me.
Instinct: 200ml blood spear, hurled.
“Die, fucker!”
“Gehrek, gerehk!”
Dodged with creepy chirps. Mutatio, definitely.
Crawling floor—then wall, ceiling. Dropped with arms wide.
Blood control. Here you are, Mutatio!
It zigzagged, veered. Palm out—blood wall repelled it.
As it flailed up, ring-sword to solar plexus. No mercy!
Enemy defeated!
Acquired 3 Apocalypse Points (AP)!
Body dissolved. Exhaled.
“Fuck me. Way nastier than regulars.”
Sweat down my spine. Roach visuals hit hard.
Sighing to leave—glass door beyond showed something odd amid chaos.
Elderly ping-pong area? Big-titted woman zombie headbutting wall. Breasts jiggled massively.
Holy shit, those tits are huge! Asian possible?
Stared, stunned. Pressed button, opened glass door quietly. Approached.
Two watermelons!
Suit-clad office-lady zombie. Prime for fucking.
Bon appétit!
Hugged from behind, lifted. Dick hardened. Slammed her head to wall, downed.
Pinned, stripping—
“Wha—fuck! What?!”
Couldn't believe my eyes.