Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: 19. Focused Leveling (2)
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Heading down to the first floor, I saw Su-hyun and Hoon-ajusshi working on the floor by the open side door.
I looked around as I walked toward them.
All the entrances around the main area had their shutters down, at least.
They'd slathered on thick silicone sealant, so nothing short of a tank was getting in.
The only one left was the side door shutter.
They hadn't sealed that one.
People needed to be able to come and go, after all.
"What're you guys doing?"
Hoon-ajusshi, who was cutting a thick steel pipe with a power saw under Su-hyun's directions, turned to look at me.
"Oh, Teacher. You're here."
I nodded and turned to Su-hyun.
She smiled as she spoke.
"We're making this shutter lockable. Gonna hang rings on both sides and slide a steel pipe through them."
I nodded.
"Ah, like a bar lock?"
"Yeah."
Su-hyun glanced at Hoon-ajusshi, then grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the elevator.
To keep him from overhearing?
What's this about?
Su-hyun spoke up.
"Oppa. Ye-eun was saying something weird."
...Hmm.
I had a pretty good idea.
I shrugged and asked.
"What'd she say?"
Su-hyun narrowed her eyes.
Hmm, this feels ominous.
"She said sorry for bursting into the bathroom. Oppa. What happened?"
...Ughhh...
...Just tell her.
I shrugged.
"Truth is, when I was heading back yesterday, I went to the wrong room. Supposed to go to 1023, but I ended up next door."
Su-hyun eyed me with those narrowed eyes.
I continued.
"I was beat and needed a shower and sleep. So I was washing up when Ye-eun opened the door asking if someone was there. That's it."
"...That's really all?"
"Yeah. Wrong room mix-up, showered, nothing happened."
Su-hyun stared at me with those thin eyes for a long moment, silent.
...Damn.
Makes me feel guilty as hell.
No, wait.
Why's she looking at me like that?
It was an accident.
An unfortunate mishap from a mix-up and misunderstanding.
Hey, and even if something had happened with Ye-eun.
We're not even officially dating, you know.
So, like.
You know what I mean.
Not that I'd say it out loud.
Why am I even getting flustered?
Su-hyun looked at me, I looked at Su-hyun, and we stood there like that for a bit.
She was the one who finally spoke.
"...You like Ye-eun?"
I couldn't help but snort in disbelief.
"What're you talking about? It was just an accident."
"............"
Su-hyun stared at me wordlessly for a long time.
I didn't have much to say either, so I just stood there looking back.
Eventually, she let out a soft sigh.
"...Can't be helped, I guess."
...Huh?
What can't?
Su-hyun went on.
"Honestly, I've been thinking about it for a while. Our group has more women than men. Feels like things might end up that way... like back in the old days, men keeping concubines and all."
"...Hey, isn't that taking it too far? Concubines?"
Su-hyun let out a small laugh.
"Oppa. I've got eyes and ears. No more police, courts, or government. It's a miracle the water still runs and phones work. That's the world we're in now."
"So?"
"Just crossed my mind. World's gone to hell, and if you hadn't shown up, I'd probably have starved in that boarding house. Same for the others here, and even that other group—they wouldn't have made it out without you."
...Hmm.
Is that how it is?
I was just out grinding levels.
I didn't say anything.
Su-hyun continued.
"Thought about that other group. I wouldn't join them no matter what. They're awful people. I like it here. Feels safer and more comfortable with you."
Hmm... hard to respond to that too.
I just gave a slight nod, like yeah, okay.
Su-hyun said.
"So, if you wanna take another girl. Go ahead."
...?!
I stared at her in disbelief, too stunned to even laugh.
"How'd we get here?"
Su-hyun looked a bit bitter.
"Told you. More women in our group. Probably same over there. Hunting, scavenging—mostly guys doing it, right? I saw them raiding that convenience store from my window."
"Well... yeah."
"Means men die easier. Leaves more women behind."
"...And?"
Su-hyun looked up at me, staring hard.
"Oppa. If you think women don't have sex drives or some nonsense like that, drop it now. You know what I'm saying, don't pretend."
...Ahem.
I know, sure.
I just shrugged without answering.
Su-hyun pressed on.
"What I'm saying is. If you wanna be with another girl, fine. But hogging a guy like you all to yourself? The other women will end up hating me."
"Th...that so?"
Su-hyun frowned.
"Guess you've never dealt with jealous girls. They get vicious. Ugh, I couldn't handle that."
She let out another soft sigh.
"Plus, I already know how the girls look at you. Ye-eun, So-eun, Eun-seo, the other women in line. Their eyes were sparkling already."
"...Were they?"
Had no idea.
Su-hyun shook her head slowly.
"But."
She reached up and grabbed my collar hard.
Then glared at me.
"...You have to love me just as much. No favoring others. If you do, I'll cut your dick off. Dead serious."
...Eek...
Le...leave the dick alone...
I didn't do anything...
I lowered the corner of my mouth and shook my head.
Then shrugged and said.
"...Look, I'm not some woman-obsessed maniac."
Su-hyun looked at me and slowly shook her head.
"Oppa. You weren't listening. Doesn't matter what you think anymore. The women are already eyeing you that way."
"R...really."
...What do I even do here.
I scratched my head.
Then said.
"I get what you're saying."
I spoke slowly, deliberately.
"I'll do as you say."
I nodded along.
Su-hyun wrinkled her nose and glared, then kicked my shin hard.
Oof, shit.
"Ow."
"You jerk! Hmph!"
Su-hyun stormed off.
...That ass is plump...
Shin hurts, but the view's nice.
...Ahem.
Anyway, got it.
I get the words, but flip it around—we've got three guys in our group too. If I hog all the women, they'd try to kill me.
Why didn't that hit me earlier?
Pretty sudden, yeah.
...Women see me that way?
Barely made eye contact with any.
Who knows.
Anyway...
Think about that later. Got work now.
I placed my hand on my sword hilt and headed into the mart.
Time to level up.
I raised a hand to Su-hyun and Hoon-ajusshi.
"Be back soon."
"Yes, Teacher. Take care!"
Su-hyun just glared at me fiercely without a word.
...Staring like that makes me wanna pounce.
Damn, hearing that useless talk got my dick reacting weird.
Focus.
Leveling first.
I flung open the mart door and went in.
I remembered leaving just the right amount—not too many, not too few—for a single clear.
So...
Let's do this.
I took a deep breath.
"Nergulman's here!"
I'll handle it, so everyone relax.
"Kyarrgh?!"
Heads popped up here and there.
The beasts stared at me slack-jawed.
Their faces twisted.
Mine smiled.
"Grraaagh! Kyaaagh!"
They charged at me.
I hummed a tune.
"Maiya hi~ maiya hu~ maiya ha~"
"Grraaagh!"
Acceleration.
"Maiya, hot!"
Splat!
29 beasts.
That's how many were left on the first floor.
The key point: killing 29 only got me 2 levels.
Damn, numbers ending in 9 should've given at least 3.
Last time must've been an even 10 or something.
Coincidentally.
"Hoo."
I swung my sword to shake off the blood.
Splatter!
First floor: clean now.
Only the second floor left.
"Status."
Specialization:Survival SpecialistTitle:One Who Gained StrengthLevel:42Distribution Points:2Skills:
• Passive: Soul Tattoo Lv. 2
• Passive: Recovery
• Active: Acceleration (Auto-casting)
Hmm.
Level 42 already.
Boosting Stamina means I can fully recharge about twice a day now.
Stamina at 64...
I smiled and dumped both points into Stamina.
66 now.
Let's see how much faster Recovery gets.
At this rate, three raids a day soon?
Oh.
Come to think of it, fighting does drain Stamina a bit. Not much, but noticeable.
Maybe 1 point per 5 kills?
Feels like a tad more since picking Survival Specialist.
Not sure.
Anyway, Stamina drain's no big deal.
Wonder how many on the second floor.
Four Accelerations ready—maybe scout it out.
I looked around the mart.
Flat escalator up to the second floor.
Hmm. They said each residential unit's 20 pyeong.
This floor's gotta be around 400 pyeong then.
Not a mega-mart like Homeplus or E-Mart, but fully stocked.
I took the escalator up to the second floor.
Bolt with Acceleration if needed.
Strength's only 1, after all.
Second floor: appliances, clothes, kitchenware, bags, bedding—household goods and apparel.
Food's all on the first floor, yeah.
And definitely fewer people here than downstairs.
Fewer Human Beasts, I mean.
Heads popping up sporadically, but not many.
Counting the ones out of sight under shelves: 40? Maybe 50.
Could be a bit more, a bit less.
Anyway, got it.
Clear this later.
Second floor done, mart's cleared.