Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: 12. New Specialization. (3)
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Maintenance Gloves...
Let's see just how good they are.
Looking around the room, there's nothing worth testing them on.
"......"
...Found it.
I don't know if it's okay to do this, but I found something anyway.
The bathroom door.
A thick wooden door.
...Let's see what happens.
I extended my sword and lightly poked the door.
There was a slight crunching sensation as the blade sank in a bit.
"......"
A little more force.
Puuk! The sword slid right in.
I hadn't even put much strength into it.
I just pushed my arm forward.
The thick wooden door was pierced like it was a ramen box.
...This is insane.
Another true sword rolling around in the corner of the room.
I pulled that one out too and gave it a try.
Faint smoke rose from the newly gripped true sword before slowly dissipating.
The way it reflected the light from the bulb was different from before.
I held the sword with both hands and stabbed the door.
Puuk! It went in.
It didn't take much effort to pull it out either.
Three thin holes now marred the door.
"...Nice."
Now I can finally use dual swords.
The reason I hadn't used two swords all this time, even though I had them, was because piercing skulls required quite a bit of forceful stabbing.
I wasn't confident I could do it properly with one hand.
Might as well grip one properly with both hands and thrust! That was why I'd stuck to a single sword.
If I could pierce even this thick wooden door without much effort, then I could definitely wield two swords now.
"...Hoo..."
Maintenance Gloves... nice.
I sheathed the swords and lay down on my bedding.
The new specialization—I'd picked it somewhat by accident—but it was useful. Plus, I got the tattoo and gloves out of it, so not bad at all.
Good.
Raids start again tomorrow.
...Where to go...
The mixed-use building and the large mart.
Those two spots around here offer the most prey.
...Well, whatever.
I'd already cleared one mid-sized mart, and even for an inline skating club, it'd take at least a week or two to loot it all.
The mixed-use building across from the gas station.
To let Su-hyun work smoothly, I should completely clear that place and secure the street as safe as possible.
Starting fresh tomorrow.
From level 1.
* * *
Morning.
...Damn it.
Can't hide the tattoo.
I put on a long-sleeved button-up and the Maintenance Gloves before heading downstairs.
They didn't say much when I said I wore it to avoid getting blood on me.
...It'll show eventually, whatever.
Breakfast was clam miso soup and kimchi pancakes.
How could anything in the world taste this good!
The stir-fried anchovies were delicious, the sweet potato pancakes were delicious, and the braised soybeans were delicious too.
Grandmother's cooking is top-tier.
No, was it Ye-eun's work?
Lately, Grandmother's joints have been bothering her a lot, so she hasn't been moving much.
My eyes met Ye-eun's.
I tossed her a word.
"Delicious."
"Thank you."
Ye-eun smiled back.
So it was her cooking.
Her culinary skills are impeccable.
I don't know who's going to take her, but she's a good woman.
Home-cooked meals really are the best.
I scarfed it down mindlessly.
Overhearing, apparently So-eun was an aspiring webtoon artist. She mostly draws comics at home, and Su-hyun was asking when the next chapter would be out since they're pretty fun.
Hmm.
I knew she drew comics, but she's seriously preparing for it. Fun, huh? Maybe I should read some sometime.
She's shy around people, introverted personality, so she must've taken up drawing as a hobby.
"Oppa. What are you doing today?"
Su-hyun asked as I was chowing down.
I swallowed and replied.
"Mm, thinking of heading to the big building's parking lot over there. Need to clear it out completely to make the path to the hardware store safe. It's pretty safe now, but I want to make it even more secure."
Su-hyun grinned brightly and patted my back.
"Got it. Don't get hurt, okay?"
Treating me like a kid, patting my back...
I chuckled and glanced at Hoon, the big burly guy.
Now Hoon and his wife eat with us. We got pretty close grilling pork belly together last night.
From what I overheard during breakfast, his wife is thinking of going to the mid-sized mart too.
She's even planning to step outside, so her mental state has definitely recovered a lot.
Good to let the baby get some sunlight.
Better than staying cooped up inside.
I said to Mr. Hoon,
"When Su-hyun heads to the hardware store, could you go with her? She'll probably need quite a bit, and it'll be heavy."
Mr. Hoon nodded with a smile.
"Of course, sir. Our place needs some window fixes and odds and ends anyway, so I'll help however I can. Su-hyun-ssi, just leave the heavy stuff to me. I'll carry it all."
Su-hyun laughed.
"Thank you. Sis, mind if I borrow your husband today?"
The wife smiled.
"Sure."
Ooh.
She smiles too.
Smiling makes her even more beautiful.
Auntie smiling reminds me of that actress from TV, Hwang Shin-hye or something.
Mr. Hoon scored a great woman.
How'd he snag someone like her?
Well, anyway.
I glanced at Su-hyun.
She's definitely different from the wife.
Su-hyun has a cuter vibe.
Like a red panda if you compare to animals.
In terms of cuteness level, she's top among the women here.
Small and cute, just my type.
And proactive when we're together.
"Mr. Han. Should I tell the inline skating club folks about working together on that?"
Work?
Oh, gathering and burning the bodies.
I nodded.
"Yes, please say something."
"No worries. I'll handle it and get it done with them."
This guy's diligent too.
His only issue is being cowardly, but his work ethic is commendable.
Su-hyun, Mr. Hoon, Ye-eun with her great cooking...
...Not a bad group to live with.
With those thoughts, I finished the meal in a pleasant mood.
Alright, time to go.
Back to the rooftop room, I hung the two swords on my lifting belt and headed out.
Always gotta be careful leaving the house.
Scanning the surroundings, I stepped out the gate—and something caught my eye.
Or rather, something that wasn't there.
The four rotten old thug corpses that had been decaying by the supermarket were gone.
Mr. Hoon must've dragged them off somewhere.
A nasty trail from where the bodies had been led into the supermarket.
...Looks like he tossed the four in there.
The supermarket's been completely looted by Mr. Hoon making daily runs these past few days, so he figured it was fine now.
Whatever.
No need to go back to a fully stripped supermarket anyway.
I walked toward the convenience store and onto the road.
A wide 8-lane road.
Almost straight shot from the convenience store.
The building across, its view blocked by countless cars stopped at the three-way signal lights in front.
I slowly walked toward the mixed-use building.
Reaching a parked 5-ton truck by the sidewalk, I crouched down.
Krrrarrr—krrrarrr—
A faint rumble carried through the air.
Those things don't sleep.
Don't eat.
Yet they've stayed alive this whole time.
...Hard to call it "alive."
They show extreme aggression toward humans, biting to mutate them, but ignore their own kind completely. Bizarre creatures.
Not quite zombies.
At least, from what I know, they don't rot and fester like the zombies in TV or movies.
They just... stay as is.
Weird bastards.
Human Beasts.
...Time to hunt.
I placed my hand on the truck bed and slowly moved toward the rear lights.
They hadn't spotted me yet.
The path down to the underground parking was pretty dark.
There seemed to be lights at the entrance and inside the parking lot, but none along the ramp itself.
At night, they probably relied on streetlights; during the day, sunlight to find the entrance.
The massive building blocked the sun, casting cool shadows—barely visible from here.
I passed the truck and stepped onto the sidewalk.
Then slowly approached the parking lot wall.
Krrrarrr—krrrarrr—
They're there.
Definitely hear them.
Leaning against the wall, I peeked into the parking lot.
...Over 20 visible from here alone.
Who knows how many deeper inside.
...Over 20...
That's over 20 level-ups in this one go.
I slowly drew my dual swords.
Shing—
A clear ring.
The Maintenance Gloves gave a solid grip.
Feels good.
About 15 meters from here to the underground parking entrance.
...Taunt them?
...Nah.
If I call them out here, bodies will pile up from the sidewalk all the way forward.
Better to start making corpses from the entrance, blocking the path of the Human Beasts inside.
Acceleration, 12 stacks.
Enough.
"...Hoo..."
Deep breath.
"...Suuuup!"
Krr—rr—rrrrr——
The low growl stretched out long.
I instantly sprang from the wall and charged forward.
15 meters.
Running fast, I could take out at least two before starting.
Thud—thud—thud—
The parking entrance, walled in.
My footsteps echoed overlapping.
From the end!
Left end!
Thud—thud—thud—
Arrived!
"Hup!"
Crack! Puuk!
I thrust both swords in with full force!
Damn it!
Right hand pierced the head properly, but left hand only got the neck!
Left hand's still clumsy!
But definitely!
The sword goes in properly!
Without much effort!
"—Krrk."
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Footsteps rushing in like a machine gun!
Done for!
This time, properly!
Right hand!
Crack!
Left hand!
Crack!
One step to the right.
Then stabbed.
Crossing right and left hands, kept stabbing.
Not sure if this is faster or not.
Feels slower even.
But left hand!
Got to make use of the left hand!
Only way is to keep stabbing and train it!
Crack, crack!
After four,
"—Kah—ruk?!"
Their heads turned all at once!
Stab! Damn it, stab!
Crossing left and right, stepping right, piercing heads as I went.
Crack, crack, crack, crack!
Damn, been holding my breath!
Stepped back and gasped for air.
"Huup!"
"—Kya—rarak!"
Their arms shot up!
Eyes.
Countless eyes!
Dozens of eyes gleamed toward me in the darkness.
I lunged a foot forward, stabbing the heads deeper inside.
Crack, crack!
Step to the left!
Crack!
Damn, the ones I pierced earlier are in the way!
I leaped back a big step.
Thud—
"—Krr—rrruk!"
Acceleration ended.
Thud! Right after my footfall echoed.
The sound of pierced-head corpses collapsing crashed down like an avalanche.
At the same time, they charged me.
Rumble, crash!
Tripping over corpses, leaping over, tripping over the fallen ones.
Acting independently, but all with one goal: to overwhelm me.
"Kraaaak! Kyaaaak!"
Coming!
The ones on the right first!
I stepped big with my right foot, thrusting right hand.
Crack!
The one beyond with left hand!
Crack!
Stepping left, kept stabbing.
Crack, crack!
"Hoo!"
"—Kya—ruk!"
Left hand still awkward!
Damn it, left hand's awkward!
Stepped left foot forward, stabbed with left hand.
Crack!
Moving left like that, pierced three more heads.
Definitely different.
Left hand's clumsy.
Like using chopsticks with left hand.
Uncomfortable!
Damn it!
"—Kr—ahuk!"
Focus!
Focus!
Left hand! With left hand!
Crack, crack!
Two stabs with left, reached left wall.
Past pierced heads, one step forward!
Left hand again!
"Hup!"
Crack!
"—Krr—ruk!"
Damn it, this time left hand only!
Crack!
Passing pierced heads, kept stabbing with left.
Crack, crack!
Stepping out is still awkward too.
Need way more focus than right hand.
But can't avoid training.
Time's up.
Back!
Two big steps back.
Just as feet hit ground, Acceleration ended.
"—Kr—ahuk!"
...How many?
"Status."
...1 Strength left.
Good.
One more.
Leaped in hard, pierced one head.
With left hand.
Crack!
Good.
Escape.
I turned and ran immediately.
After three steps, noise from behind.
"—Uh—uuwak!"
Rumble, crash-crash!
Several collapsing at once sounded like cargo toppling.
I hit the road and sprinted straight to the convenience store.
One more Acceleration, reached the boarding house, then caught my breath.
"Hoo, haa."
Roars echoed from across the road.
"Kraaaak! Kyaaaaak!"
...They don't know where I am.
Barking from the road's edge but not coming this way.
Even though I'm right under their noses.
Phew.
Good.
That's 27 level-ups.
[Your level has increased by 2.]
...What?