Her Changing Confession
Meanwhile, Sa-eun was spending her busy time.
Thwack, smack!
“Kek!”
Near the house, at the organic produce mart—Cheongun Village Jungkye-dong branch. A zombie burst out spewing blood. It slammed into the ground, its throat torn open, and died on the spot.
[Enemy Defeated!]
[Acquired 1 Apocalypse Point (AP)!]
After dispatching the zombie, Sa-eun lightly dusted off her hands. She fiddled with the Ogre Armband in surprise. She'd hoped for something good, but this was beyond expectations. The stat bonuses from the armband were bigger than she'd imagined. On top of that, she'd smartly invested her newly acquired points into her stats. And this was the result.
“A zombie wrapped head to toe in a down parka looked tough, but one shot.”
She swallowed dryly. Letting out a long breath, she looked down at the zombie. She soon re-entered the mart to check it out.
Fresh foods were rotting or fading. Not much worth taking. Thankfully, stuff like shake powder and misutgaru powder was still intact.
Should be fine to take.
With a slight smile, she stuffed them into her backpack. Najin had brought food from the big mart, but who knew how long this situation would last. There were surely endless games left.
A voice came from behind.
“Your mindset's changed, huh?”
“Yeah, Arolong. Thanks for the advice earlier.”
Arolong floated in the air, looking down at Sa-eun. She shrugged as if amused. Arolong was like Akasha's terminal, but no young soul.
“You asked such a ridiculous question.”
“Still curious. What if I dump all my points into Strength?”
“Just to be safe, I'll say it again. If all other stats are single or double digits, and one skyrockets, points get forcibly reclaimed.”
“Why's that?”
“No idea. It's Akasha's will.”
Akasha's will. The ultimate excuse for any inconvenient situation. Thanks to it, she'd learned something important. At least balance would be maintained. If people dumped everything into one stat? It'd crush counters, unbeatable against unknowns. Without restrictions, balance would collapse unexpectedly.
If Arolong's right, I've distributed well. What about Najin?
Her heart fluttered. Worrying about him without realizing.
She gathered everything and stepped out. The sunlight was bright today. Arolong asked,
“I'm off then.”
“Yeah, see ya. Gotta steel myself.”
“Planning a surprise event or something?”
“Shut up with that crap. I finally know my feelings.”
“Heh, spring's here, huh.”
“Yeah. Gonna tell Najin.”
“Good luck.”
Arolong vanished. Sa-eun smiled brightly and headed home. This feeling she'd realized before. Today, she'd confess to Najin.
I let out a long sigh at the notification floating before my eyes. Hated this bureaucratic bullshit.
[Among your Apocalypse Points, some are designated for Hot Deal only.]
[This means they can only be used in Hot Deals, literally.]
[They'll be reclaimed after 3 days from receipt, so be careful!]
“Fuck, seriously. Is Akasha Korean or what?”
Ridiculous. The amount was huge. 10,000 points. To get that, you'd need to smash thousands of zombies, mutants included. But only for Hot Deals. No stat allocation. And reclaimed after just 3 days. Speechless.
“Call Arolong and bitch? Nah. Amount's big, but time-locked and restricted use. Fuck.”
Hated this most. Better small unrestricted amount. Why add time limit too? Scratched my head.
Use it now. Think slowly before deadline.
Hot Deal channel had too many items. Days to browse all. Sighed and headed home. Getting closer. Passed the cramped housing near the cafe and music studio. Weather was great today. Han River Park on a day like this? But no one to go with.
['Black-Clothed Old Man' laughs, saying this death is closer to rest than death!]
['FailedArtSchoolDestroyerGod' complains why so few Jews in Asia!]
['PrincessOfHonorKnowingGods' orders you to execute all the villains, saying there are too many!]
['PessimistFairyKing' sneers that humans are inherently evil!]
“Constellations, I'm troubled here? What kinda reward is this shit. Argh.”
Couldn't see their faces, but probably smirking. We players were clowns or actors. Constellations, comfy audience.
Once imagined: What if I were audience?
What bullshit.
Shook my head. Lame reward soured my mood. Wanted to beat someone to vent stress.
['FirstToThink' advises grabbing known useful Hot Deal items first!]
Grudgingly nodded. Entered Revelation Live. Checked my previous post—reactions specifically.
Hmm.
Snickered reading comments. One stood out.
'CivilianExpert? Shows up often.'
Checked profile—high activity. Frequent visitor despite blacked-out tiles. Normal, but.
Seems analytical. No combat, but smart? Top recruit priority.
Lucky I progressed early. Otherwise, needed drone pilots, engineers, strategists. Eye on CivilianExpert. Could research any bounty or mutant. And low-key, but all in Divine Game—surviving desperately, venting desires here.
Hang in there, CivilianExpert.
Curiosity rising when—
A bloodcurdling scream nearby. Paused. No urge to help, but checked. From nearby daycare.
Middle-aged guy just finished a zombie. Blocked another with shield.
“Ugh, stay back, stay baaack!”
Smashed zombie with shield—chipped and dented, used as weapon. He turned, eyes met mine. Panicked.
“Uh?”
“Hmm.”
Status window: nothing special. Not threatening, but wary. He greeted cautiously.
“Oh, hi?”
“Yeah. Heard scream.”
“Zombie popped up suddenly. Haha.”
“You okay?”
Checked him. Arm grazed by something sharp. Red blood flowing. He hurriedly covered.
“Not bitten, no.”
“Sure?”
Blankly asked, then idea hit. Breakthrough. Approached slowly. He panicked, shook head.
“Haha, I'm fine!”
“I'm a healer. Want treatment?”
“Huh? Really?”
“Hold on.”
Eyed wound, rolled eyes fast. Remote blood pull failed. Had to close in. Touched wound—blood flow rippled. Like controlling water streams. Felt his bloodstream.
Works on contact?
Stroked wound with index finger. He panicked.
“Uh, hey?”
“Know this? Blood flows backward, you die.”
“Huh?”
“Precisely, flows too fast, even teeth.”
“W-wait!”
“Like this.”
Jam finger in wound. Twisted hard, yanked blood out. Close-range blood frenzy.
Splurt! Spurt!
“Gaaahhh!”
“Oh, sprays like that? Hya.”
Wound gaped, red blood sprayed. Not fountain, more max faucet stream. Still cool. Mesmerizing. Red blood swirling ethereally in air, bloody scent. Haah, dopamine rush.
Man clutched wound, backed away. Clumped his blood, hurled at face. Blood lump whistled. Smashed his face.
[Enemy Defeated!]
[Acquired 1 Apocalypse Point (AP)!]
Done. Approached corpse, bowed slightly.
“Thanks for the fun discovery. Not practical in real fights, but appreciated.”
Polite thanks due. Mood lifted nicely. Back outside. Strolled leisurely.
Comment: "lmao watching you is totally my type. Secret friends?"
Snickered. Tempting, but waved off. Tons of constellations, varied tastes. Couldn't favor one. Already covertly coordinating with FirstToThink.
“Thanks for sponsorship. But I wanna be everyone's Bloody Dancer. Expect more action!”
Appropriate reply. House in sight. About to go when—
Someone hopped lightly from nearby alley.
“Sunbae.”
“Je Eunha?”
Sudden appearance. Tried sensing via pre-placed blood nearby. Seemed Sa-eun inside.
Weird. Missed Eunha? Distracted by constellation chit-chat?
Eunha approached slowly. Hands behind back, eyes sparkling amused.
“Sunbae, you're amazing. So fun.”
“Am I a comedian?”
“Not that. In all my loops, never seen anyone like you.”
“What? Loops? The hell?”
“Time to confess. Not spilling all secrets. Just serious collab with you.”
Serious Eunha—eerie. After weird loop talk. Sighed, glared.
“Fine, what? Not love confession, hope.”
“Too early! If you ask, maybe?”
“Bullshit.”
“Truth: I'm a Foreigner.”
“Foreigner? Foreigner?”
Shook head, hair swaying.
“Simply: I alone know the future.”
“...What?”
“Proposal: Team up with me?”
“Huh?”
“As is, you'll die soon. Next game, Akasha pulls shit.”
What the fuck did I just hear?!