Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: 5. Luring. (2)
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Breakfast was delicious.
Grandmother's got some real cooking skills, huh?
Red pepper flakes and dried anchovies?
Got it.
An Su-hyun, sitting next to me, was the same as always.
Chattering away about how tasty the side dishes were, eating heartily.
But Kim Ye-eun and Kim So-eun had these weird looks on their faces.
...They totally know what went down last night.
Did some moans leak out?
Ahem.
"Thanks for the meal."
"Oppa, heading out right away?"
"Yeah, gotta go."
"Then come back safe from the kendo hall, Oppa."
I stopped on my way out.
"...Kendo hall?"
...The kendo hall!
An Su-hyun nodded while chewing her food.
"They probably have real swords there, right?"
That's right!
Damn it, why didn't I think of that?
I've been so obsessed with leveling up and just surviving against the human beasts that nothing else crossed my mind.
A kendo hall!
An Su-hyun grinned and handed me a piece of paper.
"You were out looking for weapons, so I was trying to sleep when it hit me. Here's a rough map. Fourth floor of that mart building."
"Ah, thanks."
I took the map and smiled.
An Su-hyun shot me a prim look.
"Don't smile. I'm getting attached. We need you safe so you'll keep bringing us stuff."
"Yeah, yeah."
I chuckled and patted her shoulder.
Then I turned to Kim Ye-eun and Kim So-eun.
"I'll be back."
"Yes. Take care."
"Okay. Come back safe. Don't get hurt."
Kim Ye-eun said that, but Kim So-eun just kept glancing at me. Her face was a little flushed.
...No doubt she heard the moans from yesterday.
Tch.
Let's go.
It was morning, but the streets were still deserted.
Aside from the occasional screams echoing from somewhere far off.
I checked my phone a bit this morning, and An Su-hyun was right. News updates had pretty much stopped.
Just a few days in, and most media outlets were gone. Broadcasters too.
YouTube, somehow still running—who knows how they're managing it.
That's the only place left for news now.
Anyway, the WHO is done for.
Well, not exactly gone, but useless as an organization.
Pharma companies collapsing left and right, doctors turning into infected and wrecking hospitals—what research on a contagion?
Maybe someone's doing it somewhere, but as the World Health Organization, they're finished.
Done.
Each country's leaders seem holed up in bunkers or whatever, but that's for proper nations.
Third-world spots like Honduras, Syria, Myanmar—their governments are already toast.
Dozens of developing countries wiped off the map in days.
A few survivors posting on YouTube, reporting they're alive.
"Heading out for food now. Will upload again when I get back." And then nothing.
Hundreds, thousands of channels like that.
The world was crumbling fast.
But there were survivors.
I was one of them.
With the convenience store at my back, I crept along the road.
Damn, something about morning makes me let my guard down.
Can't do that.
The mart was pretty close.
Pass the herbal clinic, rice cake shop, clothing store, and there it was.
Those kinds of places? You can't see inside easily. Obviously, can't see out either.
The clothing store had clothes hanging everywhere.
Couldn't see deep inside, but plenty of visible options. Some that'd fit me nice.
Should swing by if I get a chance.
For now, kendo hall.
The mart was getting closer.
Krrruk— krrruk—
"......"
They're there.
Lots of them.
Swarming inside.
Places like the clinic, rice cake shop, clothing store don't get crowds, so I strolled easy. But that mart? Different story.
The low growls vibrated the air, sending chills down my spine.
Sounded like at least a hundred in there.
......No way.
Too dangerous.
I gripped my large axe tight and slipped beside the mart, easing open the side door.
The whole first floor was the mart.
Even through the side door, I could see to the registers.
About a dozen human beasts milling around, some sprawled out.
Gotta be careful.
If they spot me, they'll swarm in seconds.
Careful.
Axe in hand, I slowly climbed the stairs.
Elevator would've been nice, but it'd mean passing the mart entrance.
Impossible.
I'm not strong enough to fight through that.
"Hoo..."
Breathing carefully, I took the stairs slow. Fourth floor, right?
What's on two?
...Two's mart too.
Metal door shut, but discount posters and event schedules plastered on the wall—clearly still mart territory.
Up we go.
Third floor: some office.
...Mart offices?
I pressed my ear to the metal door.
Krrruk— krrruk—
...Shit, more inside.
Whole building's packed with human beasts.
Buildings are just dungeons now.
For real.
By the fourth floor, I was a bit winded.
Creeping so carefully, legs tense—twice as hard as just climbing.
Damn.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Catching my breath in front of the metal door.
Opening this should be the kendo hall.
Big building—maybe other stuff too.
"Haa... hoo..."
Breath steady, I cracked the door.
Quiet.
Silent.
Listening close.
...Nothing?
Easing it open more: Pilates center and kendo hall across a hallway from each other.
...Pilates, huh.
Probably female human beasts inside.
...Don't think about it.
Male or female, if they charge, they die.
"Hoo..."
Slow steps to the kendo hall.
How many people were here?
The apocalypse hit midday a few days ago.
Midday at a kendo hall?
Grabbed the door, eased it open—unfamiliar smell hit me. Like muscle rub, or rubber.
Sweaty workouts give off that vibe.
Looked around—no big deal.
Slipped inside.
Spacious.
Wall with Taekwondo flag, armor, bamboo swords, trophies lined up.
Mannequin in gear, otherwise empty.
Hmm...
Anyone here?
Deeper in: an office.
Krrruk— krrruk—
"......"
Something in the office.
Gripped the axe, peeked in.
Through the glass: someone face-down on the floor.
Wearing a kendo uniform?
Just this one guy, no one else.
......Ah.
The human beasts that started the apocalypse...
Some turned first.
...This guy's one of them.
Alone like that, no other explanation.
Transformed solo.
...Right.
Take him out.
Axe tight, eased open the office door.
"Krrruk— krrruk—"
Uncle hadn't noticed me.
Just no door squeak.
Moved slow as possible, glaring hard, door open.
Door swung.
Hoo...
Quiet breath in.
Raised the axe.
Head.
One smash.
Suuuuck—
Inhale, hold.
"Hup!"
Thud!
The axe blade sank straight into the guy's skull.
The uniformed dude twitched and went limp.
No more growling.
Blood pooled out.
Leveled up.
Now, level 11.
...Feels good.
...No!
Might be more.
Stay sharp!
Pulling the axe might make noise.
Ditched the large axe, drew the tomahawk from my belt.
Anything behind the desk?
Scanned the office—empty.
Just this guy for real.
...Lucky.
"Haa. Shit."
Muttered low, sheathed the tomahawk, yanked the large axe from his head.
Splurch!
Damn.
Gross sound every pull.
Anyway...
Where are the real swords...
Checked the office.
Big cabinet like a dresser.
Opened drawers one by one.
Slide.
Some papers.
Ah, membership cards.
Next: pile of uniforms.
Next, and next.
Tons of damn uniforms.
Last drawer.
"...Oh!"
Couldn't help but gasp.
Bamboo swords and practice swords stacked.
And between them, sheathed blades.
Two.
Lifted a sheath, drew one.
Heavy.
Shing—
......Real sword.
"...Hoo..."
Real sword. Real sword!
Can this split skulls?
Has to be that sharp, right?
...Try it and see.
Sheathed it on my belt.
...Ugh.
Uncomfortable as hell...!
Wish I had a back strap.
Two tomahawks, two real swords, large axe—moving's a pain.
Shit, if this was a game, I'd stuff 'em in inventory.
Ugh.
I do have one.
Opened the storage with the soul stone—tried putting the axe in an empty slot. Nothing. Different purpose. No idea what yet.
Anyway, got the swords. Time to head down.
Back to first floor, tension rising again.
Turn right, straight to mart.
Nearly a dozen human beasts clustered there.
Inside? Countless.
"......"
Mart...
Gotta raid this place someday.
Which means...
I eased open the side door and stepped out.
Not spotted. Good.
Checked the alley.
Left, right—quiet.
...Perfect.
Holding the side door, I pursed my lips toward the mart.
And whistled.
Wheeeet!
"Krrronk!"
The human beasts all whipped toward me at once.