Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: 55. 20 Hours 30 Minutes (2)
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Could this be an IRL meetup?
Bad vibes.
Especially that chomping Baek Seung-hyeon without the chomping—something sinister about him.
I know m9 never listens to me, but it's time to step in for real.
I sent two messages loaded with desperate sincerity.
But no response from m9.
Did he block me already?
One thing's clear: m9 means business.
Dead serious about meeting Baek Seung-hyeon IRL.
Maga Krav my ass—looks like he's possessed by some maga demon.
But gotta give m9 props for luck.
Day after tomorrow at 11 a.m.
That's the day I'm heading to Incheon with Dragon-oppa's two kids.
Leaving at dawn, arriving by morning—so I'll be in Incheon by 11.
Means I can prevent our board's greatest weirdo from getting offed by a toxic user like Dongtanmom.
"Oh, hi there?"
Filcrum88's face, after so long, somehow resembled the bunker’s former owner, Dragon-oppa.
Not from booze—worry had carved it there.
"Hard to live here?"
Filcrum88 gave a bitter, self-mocking smile.
"No paradise where you flee to, right."
Chinese troops were the issue.
No clue what they're plotting, but every night, lanterns lit along the coast, sending weird signals.
Sometimes flashing like Morse code.
"Saw submarines too."
Filcrum's wife chimed in.
Her face was wrecked.
Probably living in terror day by day.
I'd be the same.
Chinese army—thousands of times deadlier than raiders—scheming right next door? Heart wouldn't hold.
"Well, your hardships end today."
No time for long chats—we loaded up quick.
Not much for moving in apocalypse times: clothes, essentials.
But Filcrum88 had one special cargo.
Our satellite gear.
"Taking this?"
"Yeah. To Jeju."
"Government okayed it?"
"Yep. Asked, and they said fine."
"Huh. Mind sharing why lug that heavy thing? Heard Jeju provides wired internet homes."
Filcrum88 snorted a laugh.
"I've been lurking our board under Dragon-oppa's name—couldn't post with conscience, but I read everything. PaleNet too. Know the rumors. Jeju fleet spotted from China, right? So yeah."
"For survival proof?"
"Exactly. If I make it safe to Jeju, I'll post. No word? Well... grim, but assume China or Dragon Palace got me."
I nodded.
Makes sense.
Even if Jeju's the risky gamble naysayers claim, Filcrum88 might've chosen it anyway.
His pallor, family's exhaustion said so.
China closer than China itself, but whatever.
"Do what you gotta."
"Sorry, one thing."
"Yeah."
"If I return, can I post under my old nick?"
"Once you're on Jeju, no need my permission."
"No. Want your okay."
Filcrum met my eyes, weary but steady.
"..."
His gaze hit me: people are remorseful beasts.
Emotions too deep for words welled in his damp eyes.
I sighed softly.
"...Yeah, do it."
He bowed his head.
"Once on Jeju... I'll post under my name about my folly, Dragon-oppa's final tale—like a Remnant side story."
"..."
Nothing to say.
This was Dragon-oppa and Filcrum88's story.
No place for me to meddle anymore.
Truck rolled toward Incheon, bunker empty behind, each carrying their twists and tales.
Beyond Filcrum88's family, smiling with tomorrow's hope, the graveyard bunker faded.
I silently prayed for one man again.
Rest in peace.
Friend of the board.
"Truly grateful. Forgiving me wasn't enough—you escorting us in these dangerous times."
Seagulls cried at the pier.
Smooth trip done, farewells to Filcrum family.
That massive tanker loomed above—only way to describe it.
Flagship for evacuating refugees.
Ironic: held same meaning as m9's sweet home.
Hope.
That giant ship's name.
"Boarding that?"
"No. We're on another."
"Take care."
"Yes. SKELTON, live long. Till I finish Dragon-oppa's work."
One bond ends.
To death's land or Jeju paradise? We'll see.
Checked time.
9:30 a.m.
Good.
Before the meetup.
Headed slow to hunter street behind the lab.
"..."
Still bleak, wretched scene.
Life's stains everywhere amplified the misery.
Unseen old man at street entrance.
Tanned skin, laser eyes, stern face that screamed picky.
Stared right at me—stranger, no interest in tangling, so ignored, scanned for the memorable house along the unwelcome street.
Baby cries echoed.
"Baek Seung-hyeon home?"
Young wife emerged from cramped corner, baby in arms, reeking of stuffiness.
"Oh, Sausage?"
"?"
"The guy who brought sausage!"
"Yes. Is Baek Seung-hyeon in?"
"One sec."
She tapped her phone.
In my zone, phones were just cameras, lanterns, notepads—but Incheon got signal.
One of gov's few welfare perks.
"Yeah. Sausage guy from before. He's here."
Why's she calling me Sausage?
Like SKELTON's edible.
Wouldn't taste great grilled anyway.
Glanced around: familiar faces, strangers.
One recognized me, waved.
Bang Jae-hyeok, was it?
Nearly S-rank skill guy.
"What brings you here?"
Strolled over casual.
"Someone to see."
"Who? Not Baek?"
"How'd you know?"
"Saw you chummy. Birds of a feather?"
"Nah."
Speak of the tiger.
Baek Seung-hyeon approached from afar.
Summer vibes: bright short-sleeve shirt, shades hooked on forehead.
Bang Jae-hyeok wandered off as Baek appeared.
"What brings you here, Junior Park?"
This guy's life turned golden.
Beaming.
"Here to see me off? Ha, should've prepped a goodbye gift! Thought you weren't coming, gave everything away."
"It's fine."
"Nah, bugs me."
"Talk first."
Lured him to pier.
Confirmed alone, got to point.
"Viva! Apocalypse! Right?"
"Ah, you gave it. Perfect timing—got a dilemma."
Shadow crossed Baek's eyes, sly.
Bingo.
This bastard planned to screw m9 on departure day.
Not nosy—good I came after the meeting.
m9 won't thank me, but he's our board's mascot rep.
Can't let this creep kill him.
Stared him down, dead serious.
"Senior Baek. Heard you're meeting mmmmmmmmm today IRL."
This was warning.
If he plans harm, gotta teach him.
Tempted to punch honest.
But.
"Hm?"
Baek's reaction off.
"What gibberish?"
"The dilemma—that?"
Sensed twist, but pressed sharp.
Baek looked most wronged ever, denied fierce.
"Hell no. Why meet trash like that? Even left alone, house'll collapse on him..."
Today's Baek seemed sincerest yet.
"..."
Just busybody then.
Makes sense—hunters don't act idle.
Every move purposeful.
Even his "nom nom" had purpose.
To annoy viewers.
"Oh yeah, meeting that guy today. But how'd you know, Junior?"
"Acquaintance into it begged me stop the meet. m9's pal."
"Not doing it. No IRL meets."
"You're not?"
"Duh! Not bragging, but in old games, got invites—never went."
Baek grinned sly.
"Called me coward—what they gonna do? Just curse?"
"...Hm."
This guy.
Rotten to the bone.
"Anyway, my ask's simple: satellite gear. Wanna board it."
"Can't?"
"They said no. Security bullshit. But Junior, buddies with Woo Min-hee?"
"..."
Endlessly annoying.
Something bugged me though.
That tanned elder at hunter street entrance.
Staring hard.
Baek glanced sly.
"Ah, that geezer?"
"Who? Hunter family?"
"No, popped up sudden. No pioneer group, elders crawling out. Just eat food, no help. Ugh. If not for Jeju..."
"Being old ain't crime."
"That one's spouting doom. 'Board that ship, all die.' m9 at least funny—that geezer just pisses me."
Some rage while talking.
Baek that type.
Mentioning elder, killing intent sharpened.
"...Wanted to dump him in sea times. Held back for my kid."
Elder irked him bad.
Anyway, this aura means check meet spot.
Bastard might flip, chase m9 like prey.
"Know that?"
Meet spot.
Baek with cig said.
"Takes 20 hours 30 minutes to Jeju."
"Long haul."
Checked watch.
10:55 a.m.
"Ship ain't what it was."
Baek exhaled smoke, eyed the shadowing behemoth.
"Still, thanks to you, Junior."
"...Time."
Meet time now.
m9 and Dongtanmom.
Board's two eyesores fated clash.
"Fuck. Even I get stood up."
Baek bitter smile, dropped cig butt, ground it.
11:30 a.m. now.
m9—12-round boxer, Maga Krav master, brutal peak hour—nowhere.
"...No way?"
Suspicious look, Baek most wronged face.
"No! I did jack shit! What you take me for, Junior?"
"No, I."
"Check the net!"
Baek spot-on.
Our m9, shameless, honorless, boldly shitting up the board.
One thought flashed.
m9 this bastard.
Gonna outlive me?