Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Reclaiming the Academy
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"...To think there are people out there doing stuff like that..."
Thanks to our quick escape, no zombies chased after us.
Min-hyuk muttered in shock, and So-yoon nodded along.
Only I and Su-a remained calm, reflecting on those men from earlier with composed expressions—as if we'd known this was coming.
"Isn't that our academy building over there?"
"Yeah."
The guys were on the rooftop of the academy building where we'd been staying.
Our ladder was still there, along with some food and supplies we hadn't managed to grab. They must have spotted it and immediately claimed the place as their hideout.
If I'd known, I should've stored all that leftover food and gear in my inventory.
To dodge the zombies, those guys would use the ladder.
The very ladder that Min-hyuk and So-yoon had painstakingly built over hours of work.
"How could they make a ladder like that just for those bastards to..."
So-yoon looked seriously pissed.
And Min-hyuk was the same.
"If you hadn't been there, bro, we really would've died. I can't forgive them."
Even these kids, who I'd thought were just pure and innocent, were wearing faces like that.
The guys who took over the academy had awakened the protagonist's party.
They must've played that role in the original novel too.
Even though our hunt had been a success, no one looked happy when we got back home.
We gathered in the living room right away and talked about what happened in downtown.
"What do we do?"
"...Pay them back."
Downtown was a crucial spot for us.
It was our prime farming ground for hunting zombies and racking up points, and since it was crawling with them, key supplies like food and medicine were still plentiful.
Beyond that, it held our memories.
Above all, those cocky bastards' faces came to mind.
If we'd been even a little slower to react, or if we hadn't lured the zombies away during our escape, we might've been goners.
I wanted to give those thug bastards a proper beatdown, no matter what.
But the zombies were the problem.
"...I'll figure something out. You three rest up for now."
"...Okay."
We decided to take a break so the three who'd been fighting for three hours could recover.
Back in my room, I sank into thought.
About how to dodge the zombies.
How did they do it at the academy?
"The buildings in downtown are packed close together, so they used ladders to hop from one to the next."
I could do the same this time.
But avoiding zombies wasn't the only issue now.
If they spotted me mid-ladder, they'd definitely counter it.
Even I wouldn't have a way across if they blocked the ladders.
Shhhhhh.
Water started running in the master bedroom as Min-hyuk showered.
The sound sparked an idea.
"How long can those guys hold out?"
The 50-point safe zone setup.
Pricey, but essential—unlimited water, electricity, and gas, turning your home into a true sanctuary.
The academy building looked dark; no lights on.
With power and water cut off, they'd have to hunt soon just to keep those basics running.
If I timed it right and slipped in via ladder while they were out—
I might catch the building empty and take it over.
Maybe one or two left to guard, but once inside, they wouldn't be my match.
And the ones out hunting? Easy pickings.
"Hunting, huh..."
With zombies blanketing everywhere, where could they hunt?
The front gate would be swarming.
It was obvious.
I'd done it myself.
The back door.
That's where they'd hunt, using the stairs for an edge, taking it slow and steady.
I chuckled to myself.
A rough plan was coming together.
"Min-hyuk."
"Yeah, bro?"
I called out to Min-hyuk in the shower, and he answered quick.
"How'd you make that ladder?"
A day passed.
I learned how to make sturdy ladders from Min-hyuk and started dismantling unused wooden desks and chairs for materials.
As expected.
Min-hyuk had a knack for teaching too.
Building ladders wasn't easy, but with tools, my handiwork, and Min-hyuk's know-how from making the first one, it'd be a breeze.
Min-hyuk didn't ask why we needed it.
He just trusted I had something in mind and taught me quietly.
Knock knock.
A knock at the door. Min-hyuk, freshly changed, opened it.
"You up?"
"S-Su-a?"
I'd wondered who it was—turns out Su-a was at the door.
Min-hyuk gave her an awkward, stiff greeting.
"The clothes suit you."
"Uh-huh..."
Su-a complimented the outfit he'd grabbed from the clothing store, and Min-hyuk's cheeks flushed.
A sweet vibe hung between them.
"Figured it was about time for food."
"Yeah! Thanks, Su-a."
Min-hyuk headed to the living room beaming.
I thought she'd follow, but instead, Su-a slipped into the room slowly and shut the door.
Didn't see that coming.
I paused ladder work and looked at her. Su-a hesitated, then asked,
"We didn't... do it last night."
She didn't spell it out, but I knew exactly what she meant.
Never expected her to bring it up first. I blanked for a sec before replying.
"Busy making the ladder."
"..."
"What? You wanted to?"
"Huh?! N-No! I just... since we suddenly didn't... L-Let's go eat."
I'd dropped my voice low and teasing on purpose. Su-a blushed hard and bolted from the room.
I followed after her.
Food waits for no one.
As we emerged side by side, So-yoon glanced at us and smiled.
Just her usual smile, but it didn't feel purely innocent today.
...Probably because I knew her fetish.
Menu was leftover soybean paste stew from yesterday and some convenience store kimchi.
Across from me sat the couple, Su-a and Min-hyuk; So-yoon took the seat beside me.
We dug in, chatting casually.
About what to do today.
I'd head downtown after lunch solo, asking the three to hold the fort and watch the apartments from the window—especially any with lights on.
Anyone lighting fires at this stage would be like us: zombie hunters who'd scraped together 50 points.
We wrapped up planning as the meal wound down.
"...Hngh..."
"You okay, Su-a?"
"Y-Yeah."
For fun, I stretched my foot out and lightly stepped on Su-a's.
That was it.
Still, she let out a soft whimper.
Min-hyuk shot her a worried side-eye.
Just from a foot tap? Her fetishes had piled up so much, I couldn't even pinpoint what triggered it.
Slowly, I slid my foot up her leg.
Then gently pressed it against her slit.
Nothing more after that.
But Su-a looked at me with desperate longing.
I ignored her expression and kept eating.
Clink—
"Oops, dropped it."
Perfect timing—So-yoon beside me dropped her spoon.
Su-a's eyes went wide.
Of course.
If So-yoon bent to grab it, our little secret would be plain as day.
Su-a glanced left and right at me pleadingly.
Her body language screamed: Someone might see—pull your foot away!
Even in that desperate look, I didn't budge.
Instead, I moved my foot, teasing her spot slowly.
"...Haa..."
"...Wow..."
A hot sigh and tiny moan escaped Su-a's lips, while a soft gasp came from So-yoon under the table.
She's watching.
If it was just grabbing the spoon, she wouldn't linger that long.
[Fetish: NTL, Voyeurism]
With So-yoon's fetishes, she couldn't ignore the scene.
"You okay, Su-a? Your cheeks are super red."
"I-I'm... fine. Thanks for worrying—"
Their sweet vibe made my toes curl without thinking.
Su-a ducked her head abruptly, cutting off mid-sentence. Min-hyuk leaned in close, concerned.
"You good? Headache?"
"N-No... I'm fineee..."
Su-a looked dazed, torn between guilt and pleasure.
I knew that face.
Right on the edge.
She glanced at me again.
Shaking her head side to side like not in front of my boyfriend.
Unaware how much it turned me on.
I mouthed slowly:
'Come.'
"Hngh..."
"S-Su-a?!"
Su-a clutched her head with both hands, hunching forward.
Her shoulders shook; ears bright red.
Hidden under the table, her lower body trembled like a vibrator was on, legs shooting straight.
Su-a climaxed fully right in front of her boyfriend Min-hyuk.
"J-Just... coughing. Gotta hit the bathroom."
"Huh? Oh... yeah. Tell me if it hurts. Don't hold back."
"Yeah, thanks..."
Su-a shuffled off to the bathroom with sluggish steps.
Only then did So-yoon emerge from under the table, spoon in hand, face flushed as she sat back down.
"Is Su-a... okay?"
"Who knows."
I calmly finished my meal.