Chapter 289
Chapter 289
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 289
Chapter Title: 117. Next Door Issue (1)
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Today's board is crawling with human scum, as usual.
I blocked a total of three people and deleted their posts.
It's a shame, but the maximum block time I can issue with my moderation powers is just 24 hours.
Originally, a week was the longest ban period, but Melon Mask put the brakes on that.
That said, for a community to last, it needs fresh influx eventually.
On that note, let's borrow the words of Dajeong, who's recently been clashing with Bang Jaehyuk's mother.
The reason Dajeong and Bang Jaehyuk's mother are butting heads is all one-sided from the mother's end.
Bang Jaehyuk's mom stays holed up in her bunker all day and rarely comes out, so she sees Dajeong—who's friendly yet pitiful—and tries to get close. But Dajeong finds the very attempt unpleasant and puts up an icy wall.
So far, it's just a few minor frictions, but who knows. These little conflicts could snowball into something bigger.
I already warned Bang Jaehyuk to avoid contact with Dajeong's side if possible, but his mom seems pretty stubborn.
Better to watch a bit more, then step in myself if needed.
Anyway, back to the board. It's true I view most newbies negatively these days, but there are some decent ones.
Anonymous1936 is one such newbie.
What draws me to him is his fresh innocence.
He keeps asking about things we're long used to, spilling the same early-war dilemmas we're past now, four years in.
It's like seeing ourselves right after the apocalypse hit—refreshing, in a way.
He probably lived comfortably in some safe, stable area post-outbreak.
Most likely an ex-Legion high-up. His posts suggest a group of about ten: family, relatives, trusted friends' families. Well-armed, plenty of supplies and food.
I'm not the only one fond of him—lurkers who rarely post are showing up in his threads.
Settlers next door, huh.
I went through that early on.
Wasn't a great experience.
As the board users said, too many issues to resolve with some volleyball. Ended up wiping them out.
Thought it was the best call back then.
Now, with our established group, maybe rethink it.
The board's poster boy for "next-door issues," Keystone, jumping in was as inevitable as a sparrow at a mill.
He posted right after seeing Anonymous1936's thread.
I clicked it.
Keystone's got a point.
In the apocalypse, outsiders are always potential enemies. Or at least rivals.
But he's not entirely right.
Not every group is combat-ready or eager to kill.
Plenty of non-fighters surviving out there. Fox Game's got zero combat power but thrives anyway.
Judge fluidly.
Board newbie Anonymous1936 thought differently from Keystone.
That's exactly why we like him—and why he's frustrating. It highlights both perfectly.
The biggest reason he reached that conclusion? Lack of combat confidence, as I thought.
He fears combat itself, but even more the losses it'd bring.
But the biggest influence on his thinking? Old-world standards, now worthless as currency.
He still clings to values we've lost—or are losing.
Keystone replied:
I dropped a precious comment right away.
Tap tap tap
A noble visit.
Keystone—who hates me—deleted it instantly, though.
Anyway, ignoring his pettiness, Keystone's point is spot on.
He followed up with a new post revealing a photo of his torso.
His lean but toned, tanned upper body bore a deep scar.
Looks like from a sickle or similar farm tool.
Narrow but deep. Could be fatal depending.
Especially with tetanus—he'd never survive.
Keystone bowed out after that, but their exchange stayed hot on the board for a while—rare drama fodder.
"What does SKELTON think?"
The Defender siblings visited my bunker to ask about it.
Dajeong seems dressed up nicer than usual, light makeup maybe. But focus on the question.
"Hmm..."
Tough one.
Keystone's mostly right, but Anonymous1936 has merit too.
Especially if his group's non-combatants like ours weren't. Rash attack could lose everything.
Nice if you can wipe 'em clean, but if not, seek alternatives?
"What do you think?"
I turned it back on them.
Knew the answer already.
"Kill 'em all."
Defender said.
"Keystone's right."
His sister chimed in.
As expected.
Pure Defender siblings—unshakable.
I stayed quiet with a wry smile; Dajeong sighed deeply, like the earth caved in.
"Haa. Anyway, I'm so pissed lately."
I knew what she meant.
"That Bang Jaehyuk's mom. Why does she keep acting friendly? I get wanting a girl to bond with since I'm the only one here, but I have zero interest."
She stared at me, tapped her tablet, and showed me.
Yeah, that's her vibe.
Not picky—dislikes humans in general.
Personality's far from "nice" too.
She's my teammate, but Defender siblings have rough edges, low morals compared to others.
Met them opposite Incheon hunters, no internet bond—might've killed them myself otherwise.
"...Don't really know Bang Jaehyuk senior. Know Youngjae, but haven't chatted much with him. Kinda prickly personality?"
Defender leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, cold.
Not as much as Dajeong, but wary of group frictions too.
I looked at them.
"I'll talk to Bang Jaehyuk. Or chat directly with his mom. Basically, keep clashes out?"
Dajeong beamed.
"As expected of SKELTON!"
She glanced at Defender.
He peeled off the pillar, glided silently toward the exit as always.
"Know a spot with good gear. Let's recover it when you're free."
Defender left first.
I looked at Dajeong.
Thought she'd tag along, but she stayed, eyes sparkling with heavy gaze.
Her makeup blended with shadows, amping her allure more than usual.
Suddenly, just me and Dajeong in the bunker.
"SKELTON's bunker is always impressive, no matter how often I see it."
Before awkwardness set, she scanned around, speaking.
"Feels changed somehow. Or maybe not."
Her eyes wandered my junk-filled bunker—each with stories—then to me.
"Seeing anyone?"
"Seeing anyone?"
"Yeah. SKELTON's popular."
"..."
Popularity? Sure.
Twelfths Square. Global hero.
Girls? Dunno.
"A guy like SKELTON staying single is a national loss."
Hong Dajeong gazed soulfully, different from usual.
Eyes met; she pouted playfully.
"Not lonely?"
Now I got what she wanted.
Romantic advance.
Not explicit, but direction clear.
Not bragging, but half-expected.
Deep down, secretly hoped a bit.
How many would turn down beauty for one night's pleasure?
But not yet.
Not monk or saintly.
Could hook up with Dajeong here, but aftermath uncalculated.
One event flips everything—I'd seen it.
Especially Anonymous848, who never posted again. Taught me plenty.
"...Not that lonely."
I said calmly to Hong Dajeong leaning in, staring intently.
"Still got lots to do."
"Yeah?"
Hong Dajeong's quick on uptake.
Read rejection in brief talk.
"Classic SKELTON. Board role model."
She smiled primly, stood.
I let her go.
Each footstep carried lingering regret, but right choice here.
"Hey. SKELTON."
She said at the entrance.
"Always thought... Got a girl you like?"
"...That's."
"Nah, don't wanna hear now."
She plugged ears, trotted up stairs.
Heavy iron door creaked open; her low voice faintly, surely struck my heart.
"I'm a weasel."
Light steps, then bunker door shut.
She gone, familiar silence hit like clockwork.
I stared into bunker's longtime roommate—darkness—lost in thought.
Well.
No special girl.
A few faces float up, that's it.
Key is...
"..."
I don't feel anything special for her yet.
Anonymous848 wasn't cause—symptom.
Things change, but not that fast.
Plus, faster, visible change awaited.
Early dawn, with Bang Jaehyuk, eyed golf course ridgeline.
He wiped dew from goggles, pointed.
"There. Right there."
Refugee group entered my turf.
They'd pitched camp around the golf course.