In the Fog (5)
As soon as I completely cleared the fog blanketing the area, messages poured down like a waterfall, as if they'd been waiting.
[A multitude of constellations applaud your swift and merciless purification!]
[The General of One Against a Thousand feels nostalgia for your sloppy spearwork and sponsors 500 credits.]
[The Guardian of the Forest expresses gratitude to you and sponsors 500 credits.]
[The Hammer Warrior sponsors you with 5 mid-grade Mana Stones.]
"...They're even giving credits outright now."
Sponsorships in credits were incredibly welcome. In this post-apocalypse, they were basically money.
Before, it seemed like the Hammer Warrior and others mostly sent Mana Stones or loot. Maybe the constellations were checking the exchange what people wanted and sending credits accordingly.
"...Credits are always needed anyway."
I collected the credits raining down from the sky.
I led the rescued awakeners back to the school safe zone. The survivors there welcomed us warmly upon seeing the awakeners return safely.
"Whoa! You two look unscathed!"
"...But why's your face like that? All swollen..."
"Stung by bees?"
"Come to think of it, I heard a hornet buzzing—"
"That was a drone."
They slowly savored their reunions and started chatting. After excitedly talking for a while, I noticed some disagreement among the survivors.
"What now? Abandon this place and head to another safe zone...?"
"The fog's gone, though. Why bother?"
"Still, we can't handle monsters on our own..."
"Wasn't this fog weird? Other areas didn't have dangers like this..."
Eventually, their eyes turned to me. They'd seen various regions as I traveled around, so they wanted my opinion.
I shook my head firmly, opposing them staying in their current residence.
"...Honestly, moving to another safe zone seems better."
All eyes focused on me. I explained why the school wasn't suitable as a safe zone.
"Countless windows, front gate, back gate, even side doors. If monsters swarm, too many entrances to defend, and not enough combat-capable awakeners."
I pointed out the flaws I'd noticed here. Of course, there were merits too. Plenty of desks and chairs for sturdy, dense barricades; lots of windows and open surroundings for good visibility—if not for the fog.
But as I said, not enough fighters.
...Petty reason, but they needed to board my train for satisfaction to rise too.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, the school's too big."
"You've seen other safe zones... Everyone, pack your bags."
"Be careful not to leave anything."
Without hesitation, the survivors packed and headed for my train.
On the way, they reminisced gazing at the now fog-free Central Road.
"Ah, that bar over there."
"The place with the frosty beer..."
"Those guys kept asking for my number there..."
"Really?"
"...No?"
Eavesdropping on their chatter, we reached the train. They all flinched upon seeing it. Yeah, I predicted that reaction.
"The inside's more normal than it looks."
I guided the hesitant group into Car 3's passenger compartment one by one. As always, seeing the interior eased their wariness.
"Whoa... awesome."
"Water in the back—"
"Ah, drink freely."
Smiling contentedly at their satisfaction, I opened the door to Car 1's cockpit.
The cockpit's mood contrasted heavily with the passenger car's cheer.
"Huuuuh..."
On Car 1's sofa, Ha Seon gripped her hands tightly, repeatedly deep-breathing. Her eyes glued to the Car 3 interior CCTV on the cockpit panel.
Dozens of Paju survivors crowded the screen, buzzing. Even burly male awakeners wandering the compartment streamed live via lens.
"Ha Seon-ssi? You look pale. Sick?"
As I approached, she shrugged and shook her head.
"N-no. Just... seeing so many people at once... and those big guys too..."
Social phobia and androphobia. Not even face-to-face, just watching crowds—especially strange men—on CCTV triggered it.
"Mm, anyway, they'll all get off in a few hours."
I sat beside her, covering the Car 3 CCTV. Only then did her tension ease; she deep-breathed.
"Sorry... even just on screen, it chokes me."
"Can't help it. Keep breathing till you calm."
After a bit, Ha Seon's trembling shoulders settled. Better focus on gallery admin, she thought, pulling up the gallery to redirect her nerves.
'Now's my chance.'
I slipped naturally out of Car 1 toward Car 3's passenger compartment. Planned to check if the suddenly evacuated folks needed anything. Higher satisfaction boosts it anyway. Might overhear stories too.
Hiss—
"Everyone comfortable?"
As I opened the compartment door, Paju survivors shot up from seats.
"Ah! Engineer-nim!"
"Wait, take this please!"
Thought it mere welcome, but the leading man stepped forward, carefully placing a heavy pouch in my hands.
"This is...?"
"Credits we've gathered. Only 600, but... good items mixed in."
He boasted proudly. Survivor-pooled credits.
"For saving our lives and escorting to safety. Please accept."
"Whoa..."
Touched, I nodded, taking the pouch.
"Gratefully accepted. But your destination safe zone...?"
They glanced around, cautiously answering.
Safe zones aplenty, but destination up to them.
"Could you go to Yeouido Safe Zone?"
"Yeouido?"
"Yes. Gallery rumors say it's huge; pre-ruin shops and infrastructure reviving one by one."
A shy woman in the corner added.
"Truth is, more of us have life or beauty skills than combat."
"Thought we could contribute there..."
Made sense now. Here, beauty or daily skills useless. But Yeouido, regaining normalcy, offered roles and credit-earning for them.
'Yeouido... yeah, time to go.'
I needed to head there too. Credits piled up.
"Good. Yeouido it is. But one stop midway. Vending machine detour..."
"Of course! Whatever suits you!"
They clapped, bantering. Not repayment exactly, but I gave cool drinks before heading to Car 2's workshop.
Before Yeouido, time to polish my gear.
Clank—!
In Car 2, I fetched the bowling-ball-sized orb the Hammer Warrior tossed as reward for guarding his booze, placing it on the armory.
Time for armory's appraisal function.
"Let's see."
◈ Core that powered a massive earth golem. Contains immense mana, but heavy.
◈ Fabricating a golem with this enhances performance.
"A golem, huh."
Stroking my chin, I placed a hand on the Golem's Core. Despite "immense mana," I felt nothing.
First thought: drones. Description suggested golems, but I couldn't make one. Perfect for bombing drones I'd been pondering.
Lizardman dungeon bombs shone; felt bombing drone need keenly.
"Gather materials first."
I approached the new decomposer in Car 2. Dumped unused junk gear and monster byproducts from the corner into its maw.
Vreeeeeng—
Grind grind grind!
With noisy metal whirs, it spun vigorously. Most broke to metal and basics, stacking neatly in storage—numbers on the front screen.
"No more smelting iron runs."
Grinning at ample mats, I dove into crafting. Iron from decomposition, mid/low-grade Mana Stones from sponsors/hunts. Added Golem's Core.
Target: bombing drone. Craftsman's Touch mana naturally applied.
[Attempting to craft Bombing Drone.]
[Golem's Core greatly influences the result!]
"...Huh? ...Should be fine, right?"
Uneasy, I eyed the drone hangar.