Level 20: The Ascended Kang Dohyun
Kang Dohyun had reached his goal of level 20. The moment it was complete, his older brother spoke.
"Dohun, let's pull out early today."
"Got it. Let's head back and rest."
It was still around midday, but the two brothers began their withdrawal from Chungju University immediately.
They left the university without provoking any more zombies and entered an empty one-room apartment nearby.
"Dohun, I'm going to test out a new trait here."
"Okay."
His younger brother, just in case, assumed a defensive stance again as Kang Dohyun attempted to summon his trait — the drone.
Whirr…
A small disc-shaped drone appeared before his eyes, emitting a faint hum.
"Oh? What's that?"
"A drone I summoned using my new trait."
Both traits and skills were heavily influenced by a person's actions, including their achievements. In Kang Dohyun's case, the recent battle in Suwon where he had used a drone had directly shaped his trait.
"But the stamina drain… it's higher than I expected."
Summoning the drone felt like holding up a 30-kilogram weight. After confirming the significant stamina cost, he recalled the drone, making it vanish.
He then examined the drone trait in more detail.
Looking closer, he found that the drone trait had additional functions.
"It can be upgraded."
"What? It's upgradeable?"
At his younger brother's question, Kang Dohyun nodded. The trait had a function that allowed drone upgrades in exchange for zombie coins.
"We should do it, right?"
"Of course. What's there to hesitate about?"
The first upgrade cost one zombie coin, and Kang Dohyun paid it.
You have paid 1 Zombie Coin.
Trait Drone is being upgraded.
Please select an upgrade direction.
He could choose the upgrade direction, and three options appeared: Attack Specialization, Mobility Specialization, and Stealth Specialization.
"Hmm…"
"Hyung, what's wrong?"
When his younger brother asked about his hesitation, he explained that the upgrade directions had appeared.
Attack Specialization and Stealth Specialization were likely upgrade paths for the drone to conduct direct attacks. Attack Specialization would enable ranged attacks, while Stealth Specialization would allow for assassinations. Various forms of drone-based offense would become possible.
"Still, Mobility Specialization is the better choice, right?"
Choosing Mobility Specialization would open the possibility for people to ride the drone. And if that happened…
"Our mobility would increase dramatically."
"Mobility… so that's good, right?"
In the apocalypse, mobility was an advantage so crucial it didn't even need explanation.
Even if the drone itself had no combat ability…
"We're strong, aren't we?"
"That's right."
As he conversed with his younger brother, Kang Dohyun reaffirmed how vital mobility was and selected Mobility Specialization.
Trait Drone has been upgraded to Drone (Mobility Specialization).
Stamina consumed when summoning the drone is slightly reduced.
The drone's size has increased. It can carry people without restriction. However, stamina drain on the summoner increases slightly depending on the weight of passengers.
After completing the drone upgrade, Kang Dohyun summoned it again.
"Not bad."
The stamina drain was slightly lower than before, and the drone was larger. Most importantly…
"Let's ride it."
Both brothers climbed onto the drone and tested it out. Aside from the stamina drain, everything was satisfying.
"Hyung, this is great, right?"
"I'm very satisfied too."
Kang Dohyun was extremely pleased with his new trait.
He recalled the drone and examined the trait further.
A second upgrade is possible too?
But there was a restriction. It required reaching level 30, and the required number of zombie coins had increased to 100.
A trait that grows… this is god-tier.
He truly felt he had acquired an excellent trait.
"Dohun, let's go back now."
"Full retreat?"
"Yeah. We can head to Daejeon now."
He was also ready to tackle the dungeon in Daejeon.
At the village chief's house — Kang Dohyun and Kang Dohun's temporary base — Han Haeri was staying.
♪~ ♪~ ♪~
Humming a tune while doing laundry, her face was radiant with happiness.
Her current life — doing housework at home and welcoming Kang Dohyun when he returned — was wonderful. It felt like being a housewife waiting for her husband to come home from work.
When the brothers were away, she worried about intruders, but fortunately, Kang Dohyun had already cleaned out the nearby lawless elements, so nothing had happened.
It was a peaceful life — something she had never even dreamed of since the apocalypse began.
While Han Haeri was hanging the brothers' washed clothes on the rooftop of the village chief's house…
Whirr.
A small circular object flew in from the distance.
"!"
Haeri quickly crouched between the jars on the rooftop and hid.
Please… just go away…
She lay flat, praying nothing would happen. She didn't know exactly what it was, but in this new era, anything could happen without surprise.
But the circular object approached the village chief's house and stopped above the rooftop.
"Let's get down."
Kang Dohun and Kang Dohyun stepped off the drone.
"....."
Haeri looked at the two men with a stunned expression.
"How's it look? Cool, right? It's my new trait — the drone."
And at Kang Dohyun's proud display…
"Yes…"
Her strength left her, and she collapsed to the ground right there.
Once she came to her senses, Han Haeri went down to the second floor. While preparing dinner for the brothers…
A drone? You can summon a drone?
She knew the Status Window could grant special abilities, but she had never seen someone summon an actual object like that.
He said he killed thousands of zombies.
And he was strong enough to easily dispatch the lawless men who had held her captive.
I want to go with them…
In a world like this, a strong man was the best. She wanted to follow Kang Dohyun, but there was no way he would accept her.
At 5 PM, a slightly early dinner began.
"This time we just killed zombies until it got boring."
"You got a lot of experience too, right?"
"Yeah, I'm level 16 now."
"You'll hit 20 before the next settlement too."
"We can go to Daejeon now, right?"
"At this point, we're fine."
"In Daejeon…"
The two brothers chatted happily.
They had hunted smoothly in Gongju, gaining plenty of experience, and as a result, Kang Dohyun had received something special as his level 20 trait.
Since they were growing steadily, they were naturally in good spirits. But Han Haeri, who had been listening to their conversation…
I'm envious.
She wanted to have conversations like that with those two people. More precisely…
I want to share their future.
She wanted to be part of the future those two were planning.
As the sun set and night fell, the second-floor room was being prepared as usual — Kang Dohyun and Han Haeri getting ready for bed.
Kang Dohyun had finished his evening workout and was wrapping up with light stretches, while Han Haeri had made the bed.
And then…
"Want to shower together again tonight?"
"Yes."
Showering together had become a nightly routine for the two of them.
Once inside the bathroom, they kissed first.
"Mmm… mmm…"
With their tongues tangled, they naturally began touching each other's bodies. Haeri was more desperate than usual.
After kissing for a while and caressing each other, Kang Dohyun's cock hardened, and nectar began flowing from Haeri's pussy.
"Haa… now, please… fuck me."
Haeri lay face-down in Kang Dohyun's favorite position — doggy style — and he immediately conquered her body.
"Haaang… ahn… haaang!"
The bathroom filled with her moans.
After making love once while washing in the bathroom, Kang Dohyun came out first.
He dried himself with a towel and lay on the bed. A short while later, Haeri came out too and lay beside him, naturally snuggling into him.
"Was it good tonight too?"
"Yes, it was good."
She was pretty and lewd. And her pussy was a masterpiece — a woman who was fun to fuck.
"Um… are you leaving tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Tomorrow, the two brothers had decided to leave for Daejeon. They had stayed here to level up, but now they were moving toward their next goal.
"What about… me?"
"Ah, Ms. Haeri, thank you. You're free to go wherever you like now."
He had given her freedom. But…
"Could I… just be Dohyun's sex slave?"
Haeri had served him desperately. She wanted her worth to be recognized.
Moreover, because of Kang Dohyun's achievements, her affection for him was already quite high. She wanted to be subjugated to him.
Haeri spoke with pleading eyes. Kang Dohyun understood the mindset behind her offer to become a slave, but…
"That's not possible."
He refused firmly.
He didn't want dead weight. No matter how pretty she was or how sincerely she was willing to serve him, someone without combat ability had no value.
"....."
Haeri lost her words. And after a moment…
Drip.
Tears began to flow from her eyes.
Even so, Kang Dohyun ignored her, and Haeri cried silently all night long.