Chapter 361
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 361
Chapter Title: 148. Painkiller (1)
"......"
They say you meet your enemies on a log bridge.
While writing my "Killing Blow" series and hitting refresh to check the results, I spotted Jeremy Irons posting something new.
I knew tactics like this were underhanded, but the world of competition is ruthless.
I jumped into his piping-hot post, which hadn't even hit three views yet.
Drag—
I skipped right past the unread text.
"......"
Tap tap tap
This wasn't some petty scheme or childish jealousy.
As a veteran of the post-apocalypse internet, it was just a preventive shot of the spicy flavor unique to this world's online scene.
And sure enough, Jeremy Irons, who hadn't yet tasted the harshness of the post-war web, got pissed.
His wordiness screamed inexperience.
He reeked of noob.
Smirking with satisfaction, I fired off a reply.
"Huh?"
I tilted my head slightly.
I was about to dash to another computer to delete the guy's post when a message popped up on screen like a warning.
"......"
Viva Bot.
What a bored woman.
From her profile pic, she looked early to mid-20s. Shouldn't a woman that age be dolling up and hitting the streets?
Why was she blocking me?
"......"
I decided to hold off this once.
Fine.
I'm the adult here, so I'll endure.
But then.
Suddenly, comments started pouring in.
Views had shot past 15, landing it on the hot posts.
Being popular meant comments flew fast.
...
...
Time to lay low for a bit.
The tide had turned against me.
"......"
Eh, I'd just take some flak and it'd blow over.
Hate comes with popularity.
One or two days of shit-talking was nothing new; it'd pass like wind.
With trembling hands, I powered off the monitor and stepped out of my official residence.
It had taken a shell hit, but the place was still standing.
To be precise, it wasn't a direct hit.
The blast nearby had shaken the villa and smashed a few of my valuables.
As the manager said, if it was prime real estate, it was prime.
Current time: 2:20 AM.
Late, but New Seoul glowed like the old days.
Generators from government warehouses lit up the city, bringing heat and light, while below, people shoveled ruins, sweeping debris to the corners with picks and spades.
They were clearing a path to Hanam.
Once done, the refugees under The Hope would relocate there.
According to the city ops manager, it'd all be wrapped in a month.
Of course, one thing to handle first.
Clean out the nearby district heating plant.
One reason Hanam was picked as new housing: the recently completed cogeneration plant under it.
But vital facilities like that always spawned monster nests with high probability.
A nest from early war days wrapped the plant in gray-white.
Bad luck for the city, but four years post-outbreak, it was hidden pocket money.
At least scavengers didn't prowl monster turf.
Scavengers seemed milder than raiders, but from national infra view, they didn't kill people outright—they wrecked the country's foundations.
To the point of ripping up railroad ties and rails to sell.
That botched southern industrial freight plans big time back when it was intact.
Anyway, an untouched plant like this could give New Seoul's people hope this winter—with enough fuel.
But that nest was tough.
Old or prime spot for monsters, it had three-plus small types nesting together.
No zombies meant no necromancer type, but at least one spider type made it no cakewalk.
Even with Kim Daram, it'd be rough.
Regular Awakened maybe.
Standing blankly in front of the building, blowing frosty breath, I sensed someone approaching.
The moment I turned, I had a bad feeling something ominous awaited.
Eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
An Awakened.
The one giving me the biggest headache right now.
"Boss."
Ahn Seung-hwan, leader of the regular Awakened, bowed to me.
I don't like people bowing.
Experience taught me exaggerated gestures always hid demands.
"Wow. Using two laptops, huh."
No cafes like pre-war, and not warm enough for outdoor chats, so I reluctantly invited him into my still-messy official residence.
"Ah, that's the Obelisk?"
Ahn Seung-hwan eyed my stuff curiously.
"Wait, why two of these......?"
"......What brings you here?"
I served hot tea.
Orange-flavored synthetic sweetener from Woo Min-hee.
Tasted just like you'd imagine, but rare these days—a real treat.
Decent hospitality.
No luxury sofas, so we sat on IKEA-style folding chairs facing each other.
Ahn Seung-hwan bowed again.
"Thanks again, and sorry."
"......Might sound cold, but what's the point? Haven't slept yet."
Ahn Seung-hwan sighed, hesitated, then steeled his face with resolute eyes.
"Truth is, I think we should be under your command too."
I don't like "thinking about it."
Better to say no or can't outright.
"Thinking" commits to nothing.
I waited silently for more.
"Straight talk."
Ahn Seung-hwan let out a heavy sigh.
"The regular Awakened here."
Am I getting old, gaining insight?
I could guess what he meant.
"......Kids pushed out from Jeju."
Bingo.
Bad feelings never miss.
"Combat unfit?"
I asked.
"Not psych-test rejects. Trauma from missions... or repeated fuck-ups leading to post-review unfit."
"I see."
"Meant for the lighthouse, but contact cut off... Sigh. They were on standby."
Ahn Seung-hwan bowed again.
Some say young folks not bowing lack manners. I disagree.
Not saying never bow.
Youth shouldn't bow easily.
Stay stiff.
Once bent, soft necks don't straighten.
"Please. They're in rehab or scared kids. Already timid, and new greater Awakened strain has them shrinking more. If you need us, assign safest missions."
Whether habitual or deliberate, I'd judge Ahn's bows slowly.
Talk to Woo Min-hee.
Not everyone grows up with age.
Growth needs experience and reflection.
Adulthood's definition varies; I change mine too, no denial.
Woo Min-hee lives differently.
Not quite The Hope, but top floor of a slightly tilted business hotel.
Unmaintained, rebar and concrete exposed ugly, shattered windows letting in winds—grim space, but one room with proper door.
While rest decayed post-apocalypse style, her space retained past glory—unreal in many ways.
"Kim Daram said so."
Fresh from bath in robe, drying hair, she spoke low to me.
"You're not aged a bit, sunbae."
Her hook hand moved in mirror, scraping marble vanity top with horrific screech.
Screeeeech—
"You're still stuck in that era. While we've gotten filthy."
Sigh, then.
"No, grown up."
Snort.
"......"
She clenched her iron fingers scarring the marble, turned, stared.
Face blank, unreadable, but no hostility.
"No choice. Adult stuff. Know it won't end well, yet sending kids, youth to war, labor. View only selfish adults chasing their own see."
Haven't defined adulthood fully, but her version differed from mine.
I met her glare calmly.
"Not curious about that view."
"First time's hardest. Like anything, it dulls with repetition. You know? We do it without malice. You taking all dangers romantically? Romance is just romance."
"......Got your situation. Talk to Ahn Seung-hwan again."
Confirmed differing adult views, but understood needing even combat-unfits.
Now, who to take.
Lee Ha-ru maybe.
Follows to battlefield—has grit.
Panicked at new monsters, but fixable with will.
"Thanks for advice. Picking team now to secure plant."
Turning to leave, Woo Min-hee blurted.
"Ask for the worst one."
Her profile reflected in mirrors, smiling.
"You excel at it? Taming trash into useful people?"
"......Was I?"
"Why not? You made that tough Kang Min-sun pull weight."
Seeing her face, I got it.
My shrewd kouhai knew everything from start.
Knew, so called me.
Coming here was right, at least before shells hit my turf.
"......Nickname's Jetong. Why Jetong? Short for Jeju Integrated Hospital."
Ahn Seung-hwan sighed, briefing on the "volunteer."
"Fakes sick whenever. Always malingering despite fine. Yeah, nobody likes her. Who would? Selfish prick can't even act her age."
Jetong the regular Awakened: Kim Han-na.
28, female, eldest regular Awakened.
"Ah, hi?"
Her faintly glowing eyes and clumsy greeting, peeking at me, explained why others shunned her.
"Sorry, but it's that time for me today. Feeling awful. Can I go next time?"
Lame excuse while gauging me.
Lee Ha-ru—bandaged head, casted arm—watching from back, winked at me, then loudly for Kim Han-na to hear.
"Unnie, wasn't it last week?"
Amid younger colleagues' laughs, Kim Han-na's face flushed red. I sighed inwardly.
This won't be easy.