A Man of Two Faces
Kang Dohyun and Hong Jinhee stepped out of the kindergarten.
Dohyun carried an axe, and Jinhee gripped a steel pipe.
Before they began their real combat training, Dohyun asked her a question.
"What trait do you have?"
"My trait?"
"Check your status window."
At his words, she opened her status window, checked it, and replied.
"Noise Reduction."
"Oh! That's good."
Noise Reduction was a trait that decreased the sound produced when moving or acting — a genuinely valuable ability for survival. It let you slip past zombies undetected while traveling, and it enabled stealthy hunting. It was a significant advantage in this world.
Dohyun briefly explained the benefits of her trait, then asked.
"But if someone else asks you about your status window, would you tell them? Or not?"
"I wouldn't."
"Good. From now on, don't tell anyone about your status window."
With that, the two of them stepped out into the street.
They were in the outskirts of Seosan, so zombies weren't thick on the ground — but they weren't absent either. Scattered zombies dotted the area, which actually made it ideal for hunting practice. Dohyun used his Presence Detection to deliberately approach a zone where he'd spotted one.
"Grrr...."
They arrived at a spot where a single zombie lurked. Dohyun raised his crossbow.
Thwack, thwack!
He fired, aiming for the zombie's thigh. The bolt struck, and the creature began shambling toward them at a sluggish pace.
Dohyun glanced at Jinhee and gave her a signal with his eyes.
He wants me to try hunting it myself.
Jinhee stood very carefully, gripping the steel pipe.
Swing, thwack!
"Kyeak!"
She struck the zombie's head just as Dohyun had shown her, but the damage was insufficient. The creature thrashed and flailed, still advancing.
"Stay calm. Back away while you hit it!"
Following Dohyun's instructions, Jinhee retreated step by step, swinging the pipe.
Thwack, thwack, thwack.
The pipe struck the zombie's body repeatedly. Even so, the creature kept waving its arms and closing the distance — but fortunately, the leg wound from Dohyun's bolt had slowed it considerably. And finally—
Thwack!
"Kyeak..."
By luck, the pipe connected with the zombie's head one last time, and it went still.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
Jinhee panted heavily. Dohyun smashed the fallen zombie's skull to make sure it was truly dead, then said.
"You did better than I expected. That was good."
And so, Hong Jinhee's first hunt was complete.
Even with Dohyun's help, killing a zombie was no easy feat for someone who had lived a peaceful life her entire days — especially a woman. Yet Jinhee had swung that pipe with boldness and finished the job.
"Good work. Keep doing it like that from now on."
"Hah... hah... That was close."
Jinhee said it was a relief, then took a sip of water.
That's good too.
Her mental fortitude was solid. Despite the grueling situation, she'd stayed calm and rehydrated herself — that composure was a good sign.
"By the way, did you get a skill when you leveled up?"
At his question, Jinhee opened her status window and checked her skills. But she didn't say anything.
"Right now, I'm your tutor. So tell me."
"I got Weak Point Strike."
Weak Point Strike was a passive skill that increased damage at random intervals. It was probability-based, so it wasn't as reliable as the skills Dohyun possessed — but it was still useful.
"That's a good skill."
Any skill that boosted attack power was welcome.
"Want to try hunting a few more? I'd recommend it."
Many people — especially women — gave up after failing to kill a few zombies. But Jinhee was different.
"Yes. Please help me."
With trembling hands, she picked up the steel pipe again.
They spent the entire day together, hunting and practicing side by side.
"Always stay calm. You don't have to kill every zombie, but you must never let one bite you."
"Always keep an escape route secured before engaging."
"Ambush is the best form of attack. Especially with your trait, you're very good at ambushing."
"Avoid groups of zombies. When you can kill them one at a time like I do, then you can handle three or more at once."
"Lying in wait and killing zombies as they pass by is also an excellent tactic."
Dohyun patiently walked alongside Jinhee, teaching her every method of hunting he knew.
They hunted together all day, and returned to the kindergarten as evening fell.
Zombie hunting was nothing special for Dohyun, but for Jinhee, it was an enormous ordeal.
She was exhausted both mentally and physically. The moment they arrived at the kindergarten, she collapsed onto the floor.
"Go take a shower."
"...."
Even after he told her to wash up, Jinhee just lay there. Helplessly, Dohyun said.
"Get up."
He forcibly pulled her to her feet and led her to the bathroom.
Once inside, Dohyun began removing Jinhee's clothes. She offered no resistance, letting him undress her without a word.
Hmm? This woman.
Dohyun's hand naturally moved toward her crotch.
"Heuk."
Jinhee let out a strange moan. The sound excited Dohyun.
"Is it okay if I do this?"
"...."
"I'm asking if it's okay."
She gave a tiny nod. Dohyun immediately pulled down his pants.
Thwack, thwack, thwack!
"Haah, eut, eut, haah!"
They had sex right there on the spot.
Dinner was ramen and instant rice again.
After showering, the two of them ate in nothing but towels wrapped around their bodies.
"Slurp, slurp."
Exhausted from the long day, Jinhee devoured her ramen as if she hadn't eaten in days.
"Eat slowly. I cooked plenty."
Even after Dohyun told her to slow down, Jinhee continued eating at lightning speed.
By the time she finished, the sun had set and darkness had fallen.
It was a bit early, but they had nothing else to do. Dohyun made his request again.
"It's too early to just go to sleep. How about some sex?"
At this suggestion, Jinhee was silent once more.
"Hmm? No answer? Do you not want to?"
"Do whatever you want."
She naturally stripped off her remaining clothes and lay down. She was accepting everything he offered.
"This is how it should be. For every giving, there must be a taking. That's the rule of the new era."
And so their sex began. But this time—
"Ha... haah... heuk... haang..."
Jinhee's moans began to grow sweeter. Seeing her enjoy sex in this situation—
Remarkable. She seems to have some unusual tendencies.
Dohyun enjoyed the sex with her just as much.
The next morning,
Dohyun rose early and began preparing. Jinhee also got up and started packing her belongings.
And there was an additional gift.
"Yesterday was good. I was the one teaching you, but this is a gift from me."
The prepared gifts were leather gloves, a multi-tool knife, and a flashlight.
Leather gloves were essential protective gear since hands were the most commonly bitten body part. The multi-tool knife had countless uses. But above all, the flashlight was indispensable for dark nights — it was a rechargeable model you operated by twisting, making it genuinely useful in their current situation.
Jinhee accepted the gifts and placed them in her bag, then said.
"Thank you. But... you still don't plan to take me with you, right?"
"No."
His firm answer made her expression shift to one of expectation. She brought up another topic.
"Then... can we meet again?"
"Why? Do you want revenge?"
"No. What would I do with revenge? I'd be the one receiving help. After all, we've joined bodies. Even if it was rape. If you succeed, I'll be in a position to ask for your help."
Her words were bold yet pragmatic. Dohyun smiled and replied.
"When I become famous someday, come find me. If you're still alive by then, you'll naturally know where I am."
"Really? What's your name?"
Now that he thought about it, the two of them still hadn't exchanged names. Dohyun spoke his for the first time.
"My name is Kang Dohyun."
"I'm Hong Jinhee."
And so, the two of them exchanged names.
Kang Dohyun and Hong Jinhee left the kindergarten.
Both carried their own bags. Dohyun offered one final piece of advice.
"Head south from here. The rural areas near Taean — if you wander around that region, you'll only encounter small numbers of zombies, and farming will be manageable. But never trust any people."
"Yes. Then I'll go first."
Jinhee began walking ahead along the road. Watching her figure—
From her posture, she'll survive.
She was a good-looking woman with a valuable trait. Her adaptability was strong, and it seemed highly likely she'd find a way to survive.
Right. If fate allows, I'll see her again.
Dohyun mounted the bicycle he'd parked beside the kindergarten and began cycling back toward Suwon.