Chapter 144
Chapter 144
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: In This World, Power Is the Only Truth
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NyanTamon, real name Song Ye-ji.
Thanks to a recommendation from her friend Kang Haneul, she joined the Project Zombie server—nicknamed PrZom—and blinked vacantly at the scene unfolding before her eyes.
Crack... Crunch...
Her character, surrounded by zombies and brutally slaughtered.
Finally collapsing into a cold corpse atop a pile of grass.
The zombies scattered in all directions, once more in search of fresh prey.
And not long after.
One person who had wandered off into the distance returned and began rummaging through her corpse pile.
"Whoa, NyanTamon's farmed a ton. Hehe, yummy..."
And at the same time, a voice laced with laughter rang out.
The owner of that voice was none other than Lulu.
The Twitch sweetheart representative, the VTuber fans called Mother Luresa.
Watching her cheerfully dig through her own corpse pile.
NyanTamon stared blankly at the chat window.
Unable to believe it was real, she couldn't hold back and tossed out a question.
"...Guys, was Lulu always like this?"
What did smashing a raider's skull even mean?
She desperately wanted to look it up right away.
But it felt like peeking into the abyss, so NyanTamon decided to hold off.
Her close friend Kang Haneul's virtual group.
The maknae in that group couldn't possibly be like that—she scolded herself while thinking it.
"No, I get running away... but coming back only after I died to loot my corpse? That's kinda scary?"
The viewers felt the same chill she did.
Most expressed shock that this was Lulu's image.
Of course, as the saying goes about rooms smelling bad, hardly anyone truly believed it.
"Gonna grill Haneul about this later. What kinda employee training did she do?"
"Hey, you doubting my friend right now? Haneul's not that heartless. She'll definitely give Lulu a stern talking-to."
Did she forget how that heartless friend recently blanked on her birthday?
NyanTamon unwaveringly believed Haneul would back her up.
She respawned her character and resumed farming.
The viewers unanimously agreed to just let her believe what she wanted.
Imagination is free, after all.
Hehe.
Luckily, NyanTamon's corpse let me farm up quick.
Good thing I started with the Tidying Up trait.
Otherwise, weight management would've forced me to leave some behind.
[Grroooar...!]
After farming one more house.
I moved toward people while picking off zombies here and there.
"Hya!"
Whoosh—Splat!
I shoved the zombie aside and stomped its head flat.
Later, with weapons and high proficiency, I could skip the hassle.
But early game, this was the most efficient, reliable way to kill zombies.
Still, Faint Presence really works—zombies barely notice me.
Even right in front, aggro's low.
Heard it's great for dagger play, so I picked it. Not bad so far.
After cleanly taking down three zombies.
The Cherries rushed to praise me.
Ehehe, it's not that great.
But Cherries praising me always makes me happy.
I couldn't help but grin.
"Oh? Everyone! There's a huge building over there. Shall we go in?"
While scouting around.
We spotted a massive building, and the Cherries and I agreed.
Yeah, even if there's nothing, it's a high spot!
How could we turn our backs on such juicy fruit?
That'd just be cowardly!
I pried open a window and slipped inside.
A quiet interior greeted me.
Looks like it wasn't overrun by zombies for farming.
"...Ah! This is fucking sweet! Yo, this spot's honey!"
"Hm? Sounds like someone's here."
Still, better safe than sorry—I crept forward carefully.
When a man's voice echoed from somewhere.
This server had mic detection mode.
Best not to make loud noises if possible.
But it was a survivor after so long, so I decided to chat.
"Who's there?! Can you hear me?"
"Whoa?! Human voice?"
They sounded desperate for survivors too.
Expressing joy, they emerged from a room and approached.
Above their head: the nickname 'Gig'.
Huh? Is this Finigig?
"Ah, hi! I'm Lulu. Are you Finigig by any chance?"
"It's Lulu! Oh, you know me?"
"Hehe, of course."
Know you? Duh.
You used to collab a ton with our President back in the day.
I even know you picked your nick as an anagram of guinea pig 'cause you've always looked like one since you were little.
Lots of viewers from the President's streams carried over to mine.
Plenty seemed thrilled to see Gig.
Makes sense—he's famous for high energy and fun broadcasts.
"Lulu, if you're looking for guns, there's some deeper inside. Follow me."
"Ah, thank youuu..."
Following Gig deeper into the building.
Cabinet-like fixtures lined up in rows.
Whoa, tons of guns.
Plenty of mags too.
Which one's best...?
"Gasp, thicc boi!"
While eyeing the guns and deliberating.
I spotted one and my eyes went wide.
The double-barrel shotgun, aka the thicc boi.
In PrZom, the thicc boi was pretty rare.
Unlike shotguns easily farmed at military bases.
Only in specific areas, sometimes in unexpected spots.
But its performance made up for it.
Great for pump-and-shoot zombie baiting.
Solid in horde fights too.
Since he didn't take it.
Guess Gig doesn't know PrZom well or doesn't like shotguns.
Hehe, mine then.
"Thicc boi? Lulu, you look so sweet but you're a shotgunner?"
"Hehe, yeah. I like in-your-face brawls."
Yep yep.
Shotguns have their own charm.
Poor folks who don't get it!
"Hehe, thanks, Gig. Scored big thanks to you."
"Nah, I'm grateful. Must be tough working with Haneul noona."
"Ah, no. The President's always great to us?"
Gig suddenly trash-talking the President caught me off guard, and I shook my head.
Gig let out a low whistle and spoke.
"Whoa, you're deep in the cult. How much did she grind you... Sigh, hang in there."
"N-No, that's not it...?!"
No matter how much I denied it, he wouldn't listen.
Not just Gig—even the Cherries joined in.
"Wh-Who badmouthed her?! Don't slander me...!"
You evil Cherries!
If the President tunes in now, she'll think it's true!
Gonna perma-ban some!
Quiet down!
"I'll give noona a stern word later. How much does she bully her staff that Lulu sweats at her name?"
"Nyaaaaack!"
"Whew, so much pent-up frustration you're bursting."
Tell me about it.
If PK was enabled, I'd school Gig right now.
Too bad I can't... Huh?
"Um, Gig? Why's your speed so slow?"
"Ah, I made a char like me with obesity penalty. Plus I hurt my leg climbing the window earlier."
"Aha..."
This guy's super committed to RP.
Making a char like himself is one thing.
But picking actual obesity trait?
And contrasting my Faint Presence, he picked Prominent Presence penalty too.
Meaning higher chance of zombie detection and aggro.
Hmm, draws aggro easy and slow speed...
Opposite of my stamina for sprints and Faint Presence.
In that case... Nice, got a fun idea.
Click—
I smirked triumphantly and gripped my back-slung shotgun.
Then, as soon as we stepped outside.
Bang—!
I fired at empty air.
In PrZom, brainless shooting is suicidal.
And I just did it.
"L-Lulu?! You can't just shoot like that...?!"
"Ah, sorry. Still getting used to controls, accidental misfire. Hehe..."
"N-No, accidents happen. But that'll bring zombies..."
As expected, zombies swarmed at the gunshot.
Unlike me with stamina for long sprints.
Gig couldn't sprint long due to obesity, and injured leg slowed him—perfect bait.
Plus Faint vs. Prominent Presence.
Aggro piled solely on him even more.
"Gyaah! S-Stay back, you bastards!"
Bang—Bang—!
With gunfire meaningless now.
Gig fired at the horde in resistance.
But no business survives sheer numbers.
"L-Lulu! Save me! My bad! No more slander, I swear!"
Realizing he couldn't hold alone.
Gig SOS'd me for help.
He even guessed I shot on purpose out of spite.
Time for the main point then?
"Nah, what'd you do wrong, Gig? It's all my fault."
"N-No! Lulu did nothing wrong! It's this foul mouth! So please, just save me once!"
Saying that makes me the bad guy.
I didn't even plan to kill him.
Just scare him into realizing his mistake.
"You know what happens if you badmouth our President or me again, right?"
"Y-Yes! Crystal clear!"
"Good, helping you this once."
Bang—Bang—!
Finally stepping up, I cleared zombies closing on Gig.
Then, humming lightly, I prepared to move on.
But remembering Gig's job, my eyes sparkled.
"Right, Gig. You're a thief, yeah? Can you hotwire cars?"
"Yessir!"
"Hehe, mind driving then?"
"Of course! I'll get you there comfy. Hop in!"
Hey, rude much?
Calling Gig a slave.
He's just a comrade surviving this harsh world together.
"Gig, sorry, mind if I smoke? I'm a chain smoker."
"Go ahead! Normally I'd light it for you, but driving..."
Watching Gig reflexively respond to every word of mine.
I smiled contentedly, pulled out a cig, and lit up.
Every glance at the smoothly cruising car thrilled me with thoughts of seeing the members soon.
Hehe, can't wait. Everyone.