Chapter 24. Safe Zone (2)

"Grroooar!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The orc let out a beastly roar from the pain of its broken arm and started swinging its remaining left arm like a madman. Boom! Its massive fist shattered pillars wherever it hit, slicing through the air with fierce gusts of wind. I used my boosted agility to dodge its brutish swings with light footwork, weaving this way and that.

As I deflected its attacks and gauged the distance, my eyes locked onto its dangling right ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠arm.

"...!"

With a grotesque crackling sound, the broken bones realigned themselves haphazardly, torn muscles weaving back like spiderwebs to slowly knit the wound closed.

'It's regenerating?'

The wound was healing bit by bit—did it have regeneration abilities? Dragging this out would be a hassle. Now was the chance, while one arm was still out of commission. I decided to use Leap aggressively for a one-shot kill.

Thud!

I focused power into my toes, kicked off the ground hard, and raised the flail high toward its crown once more. The orc saw through my intent and forcibly lifted its left arm along with the half-regenerated right one, crossing them to guard its face and head.

"..."

Those thick slabs of muscle would block my attack, making a fatal blow tough. Forcing it might leave me open to a counter. Should I power through with brute force or twist mid-air to target its legs? Right as I debated in that split second—

"Over here!"

A sharp shout rang out from behind the orc, silver flashing in the light. The middle-aged man who'd been crumpled in agony was now standing tall on both legs, gripping his spear tight. I'd figured the stamina potion I'd slipped him would help, but for him to rise and move like this? It had to be sheer willpower.

Squelch!

With bloodshot eyes, he thrust the spear into the back of the orc's thick leg, right at the knee joint. In response, the drones that had finished off the small fry opened fire on its legs in unison.

"Grraack?!"

Caught off-guard by the fierce rear assault, the orc staggered and instinctively whipped its head around to spot the human who'd stabbed it. That haste created an opening—its arms guarding its head ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠parted just a sliver.

I didn't miss that fleeting gap and dove in without hesitation.

"Hup!"

With my shout, the heavy flail cleaved through the air and crashed down. Crunch! It smashed into the orc's skull, the thick cranium pulverizing with a sound that echoed through the lobby. The horrific feedback of shattering bone traveled up my arms.

Thud!

The orc finally lost its strength and collapsed onto the marble floor. The whole department store seemed to shake as its massive bulk hit the ground.

I confirmed the limp corpse, then casually slung the flail over my shoulder. Our eyes met with the man, who was leaning on his spear and panting just as hard. We nodded lightly in unison, both exhaling in relief.

The drones and other awakeners had already teamed up to mop up the remaining monsters around us. As the orc fell, the lobby fell silent for a moment—then chatter erupted.

"That big monster...!"

"A-are you okay?"

"Did we... actually take it down...?"

The survivors grabbed my hands or approached with bows, thanking me nonstop. It was overwhelming, but satisfying too.

Once things calmed, we started seriously looting the department store. They'd been traveling light for survival and quick escapes—heavy packs were just dead weight in fights or flights. But after wiping out the monster pack and seeing my drones stand guard, their attitudes shifted completely. They rushed back through the aisles, stuffing bags to bursting with essentials, food, and gear.

I didn't miss the chance either, heading straight for the kids' clothing section.

"...Kids' clothes are ridiculously expensive."

Maybe because it was a department store, but the prices were steep—no real difference from adult wear. Considering how fast kids grow and the fabric used, it still felt overpriced. Of course, there were probably kid-clothes-specific headaches... Who'd have thought I'd be pondering this?

I chuckled as I gathered outfits.

"This should do it."

Small clothes for Sua, fluffy sneakers, sturdy activewear and new shoes for Jiwoo. I splurged on the priciest, most comfy stuff. There was a luggage section too, so I grabbed a carry-on. Imagining the kids' happy faces in their new duds brought a smile.

"Ready to head out?"

"Yes! We're all set."

Satisfied with our haul, I led the group of about 14 survivors toward the station where my train waited. As I strode confidently ahead, one man following hesitantly pointed.

"Um, the Yeonsu-gu safe zone is the opposite way—quite a walk. Heading to the station will take us way off course."

I turned back with a casual wave. "Our ride's at the station..."

"Ride? But with 14 of us... you don't mean a big bus, do you...?"

"Eh... I'll explain when we get there."

"...Okay."

They exchanged dubious glances. With roads wrecked in the ruined city, normal vehicles couldn't even move. Instead of long explanations, I just smiled faintly and led their uneasy steps.

We reached the station soon enough. And there, in plain view, my black train revealed itself.

With its turrets and spikes, the survivors halted in unison, jaws dropping.

"...This is—"

"You don't mean this is the ride...?"

"Yep."

They gaped speechlessly at the train, as shocked as when I'd felled the monster. I savored their stunned faces and walked to the front of passenger car 3 at the rear.

Hiss!

With a satisfying sound, the doors slid open, revealing cozy lighting and plush seats.

"Come on in."

"Huh? Oh..."

"Y-yeah, let's board!"

"We gotta take our shoes off, right...?"

Enchanted, they piled into car 3. Everyone sank into seats for the first time in ages. You'd think subway or train rides were commonplace, but sighs of awe escaped as they settled in.

"Seats... been forever."

"Who knew I'd miss the commute..."

"This thing actually moves, right?"

I told them to sit tight and wait, and they nodded awkwardly. I headed to car 2. Sua and Jiwoo were dead to the world, napping on the bunk beds in a corner. I slipped past to the cab in car 1, inputted the destination, and pulled the throttle.

Vroom!

The train glided smoothly into motion. Back in car 3, passengers relaxed in the steady ride, shedding their fatigue.

"It's moving..."

"...Isn't that what trains do?"

"Ch, you were gaping out the window same as me."

"...Was I?"

The mood had lightened a ton—like a group of adults on a trip. Huddled together, conversations flowed naturally, fueled by our shared ordeal.

When a monster approached mid-trip, tension spiked briefly—but boom boom! The train's turret vaporized it, and calm returned.

Soon, we pulled gently to a stop before the massive apartment complex in Yeonsu-gu.

"We're here."

"Already?"

"Kinda sad it's over..."

"Thank you so much!"

I opened the doors, and they bowed repeatedly as they disembarked. The man who'd taken the potion approached, offering a bag and worn book with both hands.

"As promised: 40 low-grade mana stones and an unidentified skillbook. It's not much, but please accept it. We'll never forget this kindness."

"No worries. Rest up—you never know."

I felt the hefty weight in my pocket ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and grinned brightly.

"Um... you sure you won't join the safe zone...?"

"Worrying about the worrier. I'll manage, no need to butt in."

"But you look so young..."

They all thanked me on the way out, some with concerned words. Once everyone was off, they waved until the train faded from view, heading to the complex entrance.

I had no intention of entering the safe zone myself. No need with the train—but saving these passengers had taught me something.

"Feels pretty good..."

They were a side rescue, sure, but chatting with them filled some void. The kids felt more like parenting.

'Glad I saved 'em.'

I smirked, and a message window appeared.

"Doing good deeds pays off, huh."

The best reward yet among all my achievements. Like the skill was made for this exact moment.

I set the rewards aside and launched a recon drone over the apartments for a final check. The Yeonsu-gu safe zone on the monitor looked way better than expected. Thick barricades lined the outer fences in layers, armed awakeners patrolling at intervals. Even the playground bustled with people distributing food.

"Good thing. Woulda felt weird dropping them off at a dump after all that."

It was a solid safe zone with rules and order. The folks from the department store could heal up and rebuild there safely. Smiling in satisfaction, I recalled the drone.