Chapter 327
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 327
Chapter Title: 133. Fair Trade (1)
It's a well-known fact, but Viva! Apocalypse! was made in America.
America and China went to war.
To be precise, China invaded Taiwan and simultaneously attacked America, dragging every country with a mutual defense pact into the conflict.
Even if Taiwan was the first to get hit, no one could deny that America's main enemy was China.
In truth, Taiwan was already half-conquered by countless self-sustaining spies even before the war started. Korea wasn't in the same precarious position as a glass shard lodged in China's throat anymore, with the area north of the Yellow River and North Korea fully eroded.
Back in the day, Japan had lobbed crude balloon bombs at America, but China unleashed a staggering barrage of strategic nukes across the entire U.S. mainland.
Nukes even hit Yellowstone National Park, so you can imagine the depth of China's hatred without needing to dwell on it.
Naturally, America hated China just as fiercely.
Before the war, the PC fad swept America, but Anglo-Saxon racism has a long history, deep traditions, and even impressive track records.
Viva! Apocalypse! has boards in languages from around the world—even Egyptian hieroglyphics—but there's no Chinese board.
Full translation features came later, but early in the war, plenty of Chinese users posted on the English boards, or so I've heard.
As always, Chinese folks believed their language was just as universally accepted as English, so they posted in Chinese. But those got deleted by mods quick, and repeat offenders faced permanent bans.
People with Chinese identities kept only a hint of it in their surnames, never creating content or posts in Chinese.
China, once the world's most populous nation and wielding that as a weapon, is now rarer than the pandas they cherished.
Korea has a few Chinese holdouts too.
We even clashed in front of John_nenon's haunt once, but outside rare cases like that, real-life encounters are scarce.
They mostly stick to their sea-connected hideouts.
There are signs they shuttle stuff via subs, but in this meaningless world, whatever they're up to doesn't matter anymore.
But then, a Chinese person appeared right before our eyes.
Not in reality, but in the internet world, which matters more.
Early one morning, a post went up on the boards.
No one knew if this guy was really Chinese.
Even if our boards are better moderated than Failnet, trolls are inevitable.
But even China haters admit Chinese are master merchants.
The reason this Chinese poster hit our boards? "Advertising."
He attached a neatly photo-compiled list of their vast inventory, edited with software only Chinese used.
Guns and ammo, meds and electronics, drones and chemicals—an enormous catalog.
The big hurdle—facing off with "Chinese military"—was handled by their prized drones.
All trades via drone, no face-to-face unless the Korean side acts shady.
Board reactions were skeptical, but suckers always step up.
One newbie bravely tried trading with the Chinese.
- Talk terms, set meet spot. Chinese park nearby, send drone—trade happens there. Was nervous when drone arrived. Worried they'd scam when it took my stuff, but false alarm.
Once they checked my goods, dropped off as promised.
Solid deal. Easier than market haggling.
Old-timers like me don't jump on newbie hype.
We vets hold the line, keeping the boards steady.
But similar testimonials piling up from Necropolis? Enough to suspect the Dangjin Chinese are serious about trading.
Lately, my beloved laptop's on its last legs.
Used to begin with, now dying from age.
I could internet without it, but losing portability and flexibility would make life rougher.
Got a spare gaming laptop, but I hate those things.
Conveniently, the Chinese list—still up—had laptops.
Same brand and line as mine.
American brand bought by China, mass-produced there—plenty in stock, apparently.
...
Necropolis reactions are positive.
No full trust in Chinese, but folks riding the stock market waves back in the day are betting on them now, posting big gains.
One or two? Viral marketing. Dozens in this world? Probably true.
Pop-
Laptop just died again.
Power cut out like a person flatlining.
Booted back up fine, but my baby laptop's days are numbered.
I glared sleepily at the dusty gaming laptop in the corner.
"......"
No.
Just use it.
Heavy, loud, crap keys—but better specs than this one.
The Chinese trade I'd scrapped reignited with an unexpected message.
The true ruler of the "City of the Dead" sent me a photo.
It circled one item from the Chinese list in red.
*
iamjesus's pick: a game console and games.
A classic from 30 years ago, no less.
That iamjesus guy.
Must've been lurking the boards steady.
Makes sense—playing with zombies has limits.
Imagine: buddy-buddy with zombies, what do you do?
No deep talks, maybe walks at best?
Leading them around feels boss, sure.
Volleyball over a net?
Post-war, some crazies bragged about banging hot zombie chicks—their fates? We know.
Anyway, VIP iamjesus reached out.
Personal ties aside, an over-leveled Awakener like him? Can't ignore that potential.
A bit behind schedule, but befriending a powerhouse like iamjesus? All upside.
Defender dislikes Kim Daram but joins her crew after seeing Woo Minhee's strength.
People say power isn't everything, but coldly? It's damn near all.
Not 100%, but over 90%.
To argue, convince the souls slaughtered just for weakness first.
Plus, iamjesus ties to my other net pal, head of a strong group.
Sejong's ruler, King, needs iamjesus.
Befriending King? Solid insurance in this era of sprouting factions.
Congrats rain down too.
Thus, the scrapped Chinese deal surged ahead.
Chinese merchant still advertising on our boards and Necropolis.
Scrutinized the list closer this time.
iamjesus's game console and software? Still there.
Issue: what Chinese want.
Board Chinese welcomes any tradeable goods, but added a premium list at bottom with extra value items.
Some highlights from that premium list:
Welding machines (TIG or electron beam)
Radiation-resistant robots
Karl Fischer moisture analyzers
Gyroscopes
Corrosion-resistant reactors
Corrosion-resistant stirrers
UAVs with sprayers
Artificial graphite
Maraging steel
...
"......"
Obvious.
Missile production gear and parts.
Still fighting a war?
Where to fire missiles from missile-less Dangjin? Questionable.
Maybe mimicking fallen North Korea, missiles just to prop regime.
Anyway, our trade items work without premiums.
To confirm, messaged them.
Viva! Apocalypse!'s translation is legendary, but Chinese deliberately blocked.
Our chat quality hinges on their Baidu translator—which sucks, IMO.
So, simple sentences for courtesy?
I recall experts saying Korean lit skips Nobels 'cause words like "nurlknulhada" or "parlrani" lose nuance in foreign tongues.
Straight to it: iamjesus's console/games, my laptop model.
Quick reply.
This guy.
Can't haggle?
Or playing hardball?
"......"
Tap tap
China had strict price scouting, I remember from Shanghai shopping.
Silver?
Don't have any.
Don't have those either.
But our King might.
As expected, big group leaders got backing.
Set meet with King, picked date.
Familiar turf, and shy iamjesus, so solo trip planned.
But not smooth.
"Skeleton. Off alone again?"
Soo's been bored lately.
Rebecca's quieter since visiting our turf, not mingling much.
"Bored to death! Take me this time!"
Hmm.
Not risky.
Worst: trade peril with Chinese?
Kids this age? Uncontrollable.
No stress, no harm.
Caging her after bringing? Rude to Soo and Rebecca.
Plus, stopping by Sejong—drop her with King, fine.
Our King's gentler than rep suggests.
"Alright."
I smiled softly.
"But get Mom's okay first."
Chose Baek Seung-hyeon's motorcycle for transport.
No heavy load, best mobility and mileage.
Soo showed soon.
Toting two rifles on back.
"What's this? Not war."
"Mom said swap since you're trading."
"You trading too?"
Soo blinked, nodded.
Rebecca's Rebecca, alright.
Grimaced wryly, hopped on bike.
Seat felt good after ages.
Soo climbed behind.
Grown some, but still light—felt when she settled.
"Ready to roll?"
Left crew mid-winter house build, sped toward summer-green fields fading fast.