A Fight Without Regrets (1)
Go Cheon-su headed downstream along the riverbank for now.
"Ah, damn it."
Unfortunately, there was no obvious way to cross the river.
The current seems faster again.
When the soldiers had left the rubber boat behind, the flow had slowed for a bit, but now it was picking up speed once more. Even after the explosions, the water level was still rising—it made him wonder if another monster upstream was messing with the environment.
No survival items either.
Short on Zen, there was nothing he could do. His gaze naturally drifted to the axe at his waist.
He did wonder if grabbing the axe had been too reckless, but he shook his head. Without it, he wouldn't have overcome half the obstacles he'd faced. Only One had warned he might regret it later, but Go Cheon-su had no such intentions.
T_T
Unable to stand by any longer, another sponsorship rolled in. Go Cheon-su let out a hollow chuckle.
"Big sis, I'm good."
Normally he'd thank them, but not with OverLimit. "I'll handle things here myself."
If he wanted to keep profiting from the golden goose, he couldn't go cutting open its belly. The viewers couldn't spam donations recklessly either, which proved Zen held real value for them. For a long-term symbiosis, no one could overdo it.
Rumble rumble rumble.
An ominous sound echoed from somewhere.
The chat exploded into chaos just as Go Cheon-su whipped his head around.
No way...!
It was exactly that. A Wood Zombie was crawling out from the water.
"Please no."
He figured it wouldn't die easily from just drowning, but this situation left him flustered.
What now?
The Wood Zombie hadn't fully surfaced yet. Once it got its footing, he'd have to pour everything into fleeing. He needed to pick a direction now.
North? South?
If he couldn't cross here, only two options remained. But info on both was scarce.
I need to cross this damn river...!
East was best—straight to Cheongju Airport. The 7.5 Division soldiers knew the route best; he could tag along covertly after getting intel. Optimal scenario.
Rumble rumble rumble.
But the Wood Zombie gave him no time to think.
Bam!
Its massive arm smashed a riverside sign and slammed the ground. The Wood Zombie hauled itself up and was soon blocking the road where Go Cheon-su stood.
"Ha."
Sighing, Go Cheon-su had no choice but to bolt. Southward.
09:59
Duration: 10 minutes
The moment everyone knew without words had arrived. Go Cheon-su glanced back, and sure enough, the Wood Zombie was charging straight at him.
"Aaaahhh!"
Screaming—not quite a scream—he pumped his legs harder. The Wood Zombie accelerated in response.
Why's it so damn fast?
Go Cheon-su wasn't normal either. His speed far outpaced any average person's, yet he could barely keep ahead without getting caught.
"Kuh!"
All or nothing. He veered west.
Not turning back—just something there came to mind.
The viewers had caught on too.
Rumble rumble rumble.
Go Cheon-su swallowed hard, scanned around, and climbed to the roof of a five-story building.
"Huff, huff."
Peering out the window, the Wood Zombie was sniffing around. It hadn't seen him enter, luckily.
He'd dodged for now, but couldn't stay put.
It's looping the riverbank?
Unable to pinpoint him, the Wood Zombie turned back toward the river.
"Whew."
Go Cheon-su sighed, dashed to the rooftop, cracked open a canned tin from his bag, and wolfed it down.
As viewers puzzled, he finished the contents and hurled the empty can outward hard.
Clang crash!
The can tumbled from the roof, clattering loudly on the street.
Rumble.
The Wood Zombie, heading to the river, turned back and lumbered this way.
"Can't let you go easy."
Traces before the bridge collapsed suggested it patrolled the bank without stimuli.
"I'll take you down here."
Fighting on flat ground was tough. He'd beaten a bloated Ent once, but Wood Zombie was another league. Comparing it to a half-sensory Ent was an insult.
"Here goes."
Go Cheon-su sprinted across the roof and leaped from the ledge.
Thud!
He soared high, landing and rolling on the neighboring rooftop.
"Guh?"
He stopped by smashing into a brick pillar, slumping without a scream.
The mockery didn't register. Shaking his head, Go Cheon-su eyed the next rooftop.
"Going."
Another leap to the adjacent roof.
Thump!
This time, no proper roll—he slammed into the surface.
"Ah, shit...!"
Writhing like a bug, viewers questioned him.
Spot on. He'd come west on purpose.
"Nngh."
Gritting through the pain, he staggered up. Luckily, rebar nearby—no need for another precious can.
Clang!
The flung rebar plummeted, smashing asphalt.
Rumble rumble.
The Wood Zombie followed the noise back.
Go Cheon-su dashed again, launching to the next building.
Thud.
Clean landing. No more dumb crashes.
"There."
Smoke rose in the distance—the spot where Director had wrecked Oh Young-jun's truck, no doubt.
Clink!
Thankfully, buildings here linked at similar heights. Judging he could reach Director safely via rooftops, Go Cheon-su kept moving, dropping items along the way.
Clang!
The Wood Zombie trailed the sounds.
Rumble rumble.
Finally, it arrived near the wrecked truck.
Go Cheon-su knew about the Wood Zombie's initial weapon too.
Still, no guarantees.
No thorn vine scars on it. If they'd fought, that'd be odd.
They haven't clashed yet.
He was certain.
Clang clang!
A small can, chucked like a baseball, hit near the truck.
"Gift for ya."
No eating contents this time—full weight for precision.
The Wood Zombie waddled toward it.
Rumble rumble.
It dashed, halting before the truck.
"Now."
Spotting wriggling near the truck, Go Cheon-su spread his arms.
"Kill each other."
Outcome? No time to watch.
Pat pat pat pat!
Director's thorn vines snagged the Wood Zombie—the instant Go Cheon-su leaped from the building.
"One second's plenty!"
Buying time was key. While they fought, he'd return to the river and find a crossing.
Crunch crack!
Glancing back after exiting the building, the Wood Zombie dragged by vines.
"As expected...!"
No prior real clash with Director. Vines probably scavenged or snatched luckily.
Rumble rumble!
"Yeah, work it!"
Cheerfully waving at the roaring Wood Zombie—
Krunch crackle!
An ugly sound made him look back.
"Huh...?"
He witnessed what he didn't want to.
"What."
Crunch! Krunch crackle!
The Wood Zombie was ripping off Director's thorn vines.
Surging dread. Go Cheon-su flailed arms, sprinting to the river.
"Gotta cross quick...!"
Wood Zombie couldn't swim well—hadn't crossed or returned.
"Ah!"
Water level dropped a bit. Slower current. Go Cheon-su muttered joyfully.
"Ah, fuck."
If only he could swim—he was barely better than a beer bottle. Recalling near-drowning, even improved conditions deterred him.
"Easy for you to say—it's not your ass!"
That time had safeguards.
Rumble rumble!
Sound from behind. He turned and sighed.
"Did you really win?!"
Wood Zombie, shedding vines, charged.
"Damn it!"
No choice. Go Cheon-su aimed at it.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Survive first. Saving bullets meant nothing if dead.
"Ah."
No time bought this round. Smartly, Wood Zombie shielded its face.
Hitting the eye once was luck; no miracles now. Bullets thunked into its bulk and silenced.
Gotta dodge...!
As viewers said, its physique was no joke. Emptied mags swapping—useless.
Tossing the now-useless weight gun aside, Go Cheon-su clenched teeth. Run faster. Getting caught meant pulverization.
"Big bros! 11 Zen quick!"
11 Zen to repay debt and buy a tube.
"I want it!"
Silly puns filled chat as Go Cheon-su yelled.
"11 Zen, please!"
Did he look chill? Wood Zombie nearly upon him.
"Fuck!"
Go Cheon-su dove into the river.
Splash!
The gauged current hit full force.
"Guhk!"
Thought calmed, but inner flow was fierce. Thrashing to avoid drifting.
OverLimit, OnlyOne, Embargo, NewOwner, FoolKid, HowlingPsycho have set a Union Reward Mission.
[Union Reward - 11 Zen]
Mission popped up.
"Gulp!"
Swallowing intruding water, Go Cheon-su grimaced. Full cross for Zen? Joke? OnlyOne involved fueled doubts, but effect was solid.
"Raaahhh!"
Carrot dangled—he swam with all might.
"Tubeeee!"
Item meant no drowning even exhausted. Eyes blazing toward opposite bank, Wood Zombie didn't idle.
Rumble rumble!
Splash!
Can't swim worth shit, yet it jumped in too.