Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: 25-Hour Convenience Store Horror - Rules (4)
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When dealing with anomalies.
I didn't use my body.
It wasn't because they were pretty.
It was simply because there was no answer.
If I could—
I always used every means available.
Because in matters of survival, there's no such thing as 'leeway.'
Handicapping yourself.
Is something you can only do when you're superior to the opponent.
And all the anomalies I'd faced so far.
Were always things no ordinary human body could dare confront.
They were like natural disasters.
So it wasn't that I only used my brain.
To be precise—
My brain was the only thing I could use.
And now.
For the first time, I saw one I could reach with my strength.
BAM!!
The counter rang out once more.
The drinks on the shelves rattled along with the vibration.
The thing was still slamming its fist down.
Blood splattered, veins bulging on the back of its hand, distorting in the light's reflection.
"Lies!!! Liesaaaaah!!!"
"It's a lieeeee!!"
Screams like its throat was tearing echoed through the store.
Each time it swung its arm, the counter shook, unable to withstand it.
The metal plate screamed.
I caught my breath and observed it meticulously.
My heart pumped hot blood.
But my head maintained maximum calm.
To avoid getting swept up in the heat.
The dents left by its fists.
They matched the power of the one that punched holes in the wall earlier.
Definitely high attack power.
But—
From the impacts, black blood flowing from its hand stained the white metal plate.
Its durability absolutely couldn't keep up.
"Lies… Liesaaaaah!!!"
It raised its shoulder again.
Like a gauge filling, its muscles swelled.
—That's the signal for a 'punch.'
I recalled the one that smashed the wall earlier.
Accuracy isn't high.
Not just its pure strength, but destruction from mass and acceleration.
So, just dodge the trajectory.
I took one step back, simultaneously measuring the counter, Great Mop handle, shelf gaps, and its arm length.
My eyes fixed below its neck.
Don't meet its eyes.
Calculations are only for 'proper customers.'
The core of the rules boiled down to just two lines.
Its momentum surged once more.
If this kept up, the counter would shatter, and next I'd be crushed by that fist.
I controlled my breathing from turning ragged.
The hand hidden behind my back.
In it, the small plastic can I gripped.
I measured the timing.
At the perfect moment, I threw it backward.
The can hit the floor and burst, the sound echoing through the store.
In that split second.
Matching the sound, I deliberately let out a short gasp.
"Ah."
Toward its back.
Beyond the shelves, I widened my eyes as if staring.
If it was just sound.
I added a fake, in case it wouldn't react.
As if something was really there.
If it weren't for the confined counter space, I'd have considered other methods.
But this was the only one I could think of now.
And the effect—
Wasn't bad.
Its gaze shifted.
Facial muscles twisted.
Its head slowly tilted back reflexively.
'Bingo.'
With my left hand, I yanked up the Great Mop handle from under the counter, and with my right foot, I nudged the bottom shelf to open up one step's width.
Two steps' width now.
My hands didn't stop.
The Great Mop handle's tension pulled taut.
Gripping the end, I loaded centrifugal force.
Strength and inertia.
One rotation.
Gravity loaded at the end of the spinning arc.
And—
WHAM!!
Between the temple and earlobe, I smashed that spot.
I didn't plan to kill it in one hit.
Trying to end anything in a single blow invites mistakes.
Excessive force.
Unnecessary focus.
Actions ignoring the follow-up.
If any went wrong.
I'd be the one dying next.
I recalled the earlier anomaly.
When I smashed its skull with full force.
It staggered into a groggy state.
It only hesitated briefly before trying to move again soon after.
That was enough.
I learned they had 'vital points' like humans.
So the target wasn't the skull.
No real damage even if hit mid-air anyway.
What I aimed for now—the vestibular organ.
The balance and equilibrium sense, the body's center awareness.
In an instant, it staggered wildly.
From the temple hit, its unbalanced body tilted toward the counter.
Its toes, trying to steady, slipped futilely.
Now its full weight bore toward the counter.
That moment was the chance.
Its balance crumbled, nullifying its arm's reach.
Its long arm flailed wildly, even in falling, slashing toward me once more through empty air.
But I wasn't in the path.
By a hair.
The arm whiffed over my head.
The shelves behind it collapsed in a heap.
Fine. Clean later.
The rod end shook heavily.
Almost simultaneously as its head hit the dented spot on the counter—
BAM—!!!
In an instant, the air burst.
The dull thud of metal on flesh.
A brief recoil, then silence.
The shock rippled along the rod.
Heavily, deeply.
The vibration climbed to my fingertips.
One collision echoed, and the store fell silent again.
I steadied my breath and delivered the second strike.
BAM—!!
The counter's metal plate caved inward.
Its fingers twitched faintly once, then stilled completely.
Black ichor dripped along the floor.
Dot by dot, leaving droplets.
I slowly exhaled.
Wore a suit thinking it was an interview…
On second thought.
Casual clothes would've been fine.
The account was long, but this took about 10 seconds.
Finally, the heat drained from my body.
I buttoned my suit.
And propped the Great Mop handle against the wall again.
I looked at my trembling hand.
The vibration at my fingertips hadn't fully faded.
Gently, like a heartbeat.
My fingertips pulsed.
And then—
There was someone I'd completely forgotten.
A voice burst from the receiver.
—Ehhh?!
—Th-that...! ...By any chance, are you ex-special forces, or from the NIS, or an assassin?!
I paused to think, then answered calmly.
"I was a company employee."
The sort who couldn't even wring a chicken's neck.
An ordinary company drone.
"Before that, unemployed."
The type who just browsed galleries at home.
This… might lack credibility.
"Now—"
—Gulp—
A swallow echoed from the receiver.
The reaction oddly cute, a faint smile tugged my lips.
A line I hadn't used in ages.
"Agent."
A moment of silence.
Soon, an excited voice followed.
—W-we haven't introduced ourselves yet!! I'm Han Soo-ryun, 20 years old! Just call me Soo-ryun casually! Please!
Seemed to anticipate my reply, so I spoke.
No real way to explain 'basement NEET' anyway.
Fallen for a high-pay gig.
Victim of a horror tale felt off too.
Saying my name might disappoint.
I used a familiar alias.
"…Alpha Agent. Just call me 'Alpha.'"
***
"So, come to think of it."
—Yes?
"Do you see inside the convenience store?"
—Yes! Watching on CCTV right now!
—Of course, it only activates when shifts start, so nothing before.
—Also, blind spots for CCTV… can't see those!
Listening to her.
I surveyed the store.
The floor glistened with mixed drinks and blood.
Plastic shards embedded sporadically.
Black ichor slowly seeped between shattered glass.
One shelf side fully collapsed.
Instant noodles piled like a mountain.
Wet wrappers clung to the floor underfoot.
The counter was worse.
Dents from the anomaly's head impact.
Beside them, crushed and burst something, shredded receipt piles.
The whole store resembled a warzone.
Refrigerators half-open, inner lights flickering to cast dark shadows.
And there, in the center, I stood.
Total mess.
'When to clean this all.'
Then, as if answering my worry.
Time hit exactly.
[10:00:00]
Beep—
With the chime, three ceiling lights winked out simultaneously.
Why three lights.
No need to ask her on the receiver.
I already knew the reason.
What caused the issue.
On the counter, the anomaly slumped leaking black ichor.
Floor littered with broken shelves and spilled drinks.
Behind the counter, debris scattered.
A regretful sigh from the receiver.
—Ah...
I eyed the now darker store.
It looked exactly like a crime scene.
[10:00:01]
Past exact time, the store normalized.
Luckily just one deduction—no seconds. Good.
Broken shelves, etc.
No way for me to fix anyway.
Amid it, the sole thing remaining undeleted: the anomaly's corpse.
The Great Mop, slightly bent inward from earlier impacts but now straight again, I picked up.
Time to clean.
Won't get used to it.
I hoisted the anomaly and dumped it in the regular trash.
It vanished like deleted.
With the Great Mop, I wiped its spilled blood.
Black ichor.
Tar-like, resisted cleaning.
Stuck stickily to every wipe.
Faint stench rose.
A few minutes mopping floor, tidying counter.
Back at the counter.
Now my lives: 7.
Holding out till midnight without zeroing all 10 from here looked tough.
Thought 10 lives made it easy.
My mistake.
Total three customers so far.
Two weren't customers—but anomalies.
Some from initial inexperience, sure.
First anomaly: stared at its face too hard.
Second: rejected too slowly.
Its words were the hint.
Lies.
If after checkout and change, I said "Barcode's broken."
Even I'd see it as a lie.
Ding—
Door opened again.
Single short bell chime.
A line of cold air seeped in.
Store with three dead fluorescents still dim.
Floor from fresh mopping gleamed reflective.
A single footprint slowly imprinted atop.
Black shadow.
Breathing like low groans.
At the counter, I lifted my gaze.
Entrance side, crossing threshold: looked human.
Hoodie-clad.
Face shadowed by hood brim.
Both hands jammed deep in pockets.
Footsteps slow.
But rhythmic, step by step.
Toward the shelves.
Pretending casual receipt sorting on counter.
Fingertips drew the floor Great Mop handle closer.
Weapon close.