In the House, Part 10
Inside the casino vault.
Kang Hyun, Seo Ji-woo, and Eldia's party finished preparing to move out. They had covered every spot vulnerable to zombie bites. It was a rather luxurious set of armor.
They had melted gold with mana to cast the molds.
“Now this is what I call real loot...”
Seo Ji-woo swallowed hard, running her fingers over the golden armor.
“...Is he someone we can trust?”
Eldia asked Kang Hyun, her tone laced with concern.
“Yes,” Kang Hyun replied instantly.
Beside him, Seo Ji-woo chimed in.
“He's ex-special forces, so you can relax~”
Ji-woo gave Eldia's shoulder a playful tap. Eldia offered a bitter smile.
Seol Ha-woon's voice came through the terminal. Everyone had already fully committed the details of the operation to memory.
“Check your lines.”
At Ji-woo's words, everyone checked their waists. The mana ropes she had woven were securely fastened.
Once gravity inverted, the floor would become the ceiling, and the ceiling would become the floor. When that happened, they had to swing across to the 'tape' using the ropes. They didn't know what the tape actually was yet. They would find out when they got there.
“Ready.”
Thud—!
A deafening roar echoed. Gravity flipped. Gold bars from the vault rained down in a massive torrent, but the three of them remained dangling in midair.
“I'll open the door. Ji-woo, guide me.”
“Got it.”
Ji-woo lengthened Eldia's rope. Eldia slowly descended until she reached the vault's locking mechanism, opening it using her supervisor authority.
Creeeeak—
The moment it opened, Ji-woo pulled Eldia back up.
Immediately after, zombies came pouring inside.
Kraaaaargh!
As hundreds of zombies began swarming the spacious vault, Ji-woo generated ropes along the ceiling at hand-span intervals.
It was a method of swinging from rope to rope, just like Tarzan.
“...Whew!”
Ji-woo took a deep breath and leaped. Kang Hyun and Eldia followed right behind her.
Graaaargh!
The mindless zombies were busy rummaging through the clattering piles of gold. They had rigged the gold with a minor spell, which should keep the horde's aggro for a while.
Meanwhile, Ji-woo reached the lobby area. Sure enough, the tape was laid out like a track.
“There it is. Everyone see it? Let's go. Hup!”
She swung upside down toward the tape and planted her feet.
Slap. The soles of her shoes stuck firmly.
“Ah, my hands hurt.”
Ji-woo rubbed her trembling arms and blistered palms. Kang Hyun and Eldia landed on the tape right on cue.
“Over here.”
Someone called out to her. It was Seol Ha-woon, his hair tied back neatly, riding on Robot's back. He wore his usual calm expression.
“Here we go...”
They walked forward carefully. Every step felt precarious, but they safely reached the slot machine.
“Start immediately.”
“Yeah. What about coins?”
“You don't need them. I hacked it in advance.”
“I don't know what 'hacking' is, but okay.”
Ji-woo pulled the slot machine lever.
Ding ding ding ding—
The slot reels on the screen spun. It was exceptionally clear, bright, and loud.
Kraaaaargh!
Naturally, the zombies heard the noise.
It wasn't a jackpot, but coins poured out.
Clink clink clink clink—
They spilled all over the floor, instantly drawing the zombies' attention.
Splat! A special zombie appeared out of nowhere and shot its tongue out like a tentacle.
Swish! Beside her, Kang Hyun drew his sword and sliced it clean off.
Seol Ha-woon spoke.
“Keep spinning.”
“I am!”
Ji-woo pulled the lever again.
Ding ding ding ding—
Clink clink clink— Coins spilled.
“Oh, damn it.”
I don't need this kind of petty luck.
Before they knew it, the zombies had piled up, somehow forming a hill. They stepped on one another, trying to climb up to the ceiling, but Seol Ha-woon fired explosive rounds.
Whir—bang! Whir—bang!
He aimed specifically for the heads of the closest ones, blowing them apart.
Kraaaaargh!
An athletic zombie leaped all the way to the ceiling.
Swish. Kang Hyun sent its head flying.
Even with its face gone, the body kept moving and leaped again.
Kang Hyun sliced it completely in half.
“Is this actually going to work?!”
Ji-woo had already spun it ten times. Seol Ha-woon spoke as he fired his pistol.
“I believe in you.”
“Believe in what?!”
“Believe in your luck.”
“Huh?”
That was a first—encouraging someone to trust a fluke rather than themselves.
Ding ding ding ding—
Ding ding ding ding—
Regardless, Ji-woo kept pulling the lever.
Ding ding ding ding—
Ding ding ding ding—
“How many minutes left?”
“Three minutes.”
According to the simulation, they needed at least two minutes left to reach the VVIP room safely.
“Don't worry about it.”
“How can I not worry?!”
Ji-woo pulled the lever with sweaty hands.
Ding ding ding ding—
“Ah, so close!”
That was painful.
Ji-woo spun it again.
“Come on, 7. 7. 7. 7.”
“Haa...”
Ji-woo bit her lip. She quietly closed her eyes and held her hand over the lever.
Luck.
Trust my luck.
Taking a deep breath, she poured her Flame of Cognition, single-minded focus, and prayers into the lever. To make the jackpot hit.
“Come on, please...”
In that split second, a visual illusion flashed across her mind.
It felt as if a tiny shimmer was wavering before her tightly shut eyes.
No, it wasn't a shimmer.
A line.
A very tiny, thin thread.
What kind of line was this?
Ji-woo opened her eyes. The thread was connected to the lever.
Click. She pulled the lever.
Trrrrrr...
“I-I did it!”
The jackpot had finally hit.
Clink clink clink clink clink—!
Coins poured down like a raging waterfall. Seol Ha-woon counted the remaining time in his head.
Ten seconds.
Exactly ten seconds over.
This margin of error was manageable. He could put Plan B aside for now.
Slot Machine No. 317: JACKPOT!
Congratulations!
*Clap clap clap clap clap*
Party music and applause echoed. The zombies grew even more frenzied, their shrieks much louder.
“Get ready to grab the membership card.”
“Got it!”
Ji-woo's pupils dilated. Coins rained down from above. Watching like a hawk for the VVIP card that would pop out from among them, she snapped!
She shot a line out like Spider-Man and snatched it.
“Got it!”
“Throw it to Truck.”
Ji-woo looked around for Truck.
Where was he... Ah, the toy truck. The truck with arms was reaching out.
“Catch!”
Ji-woo threw it without delay. Catching it, Truck dashed forward and scanned it at the VVIP elevator.
> Verifying security credentials...
> Temporary VVIP membership confirmed.
> JACKPOT status verified.
“Robot. Let's go.”
Thud. Thud. Thud. Robot moved with Seol Ha-woon on its back. The four of them, along with Robot, ran along the tape track on the ceiling and reached the elevator leading to the VVIP room. The zombies pursued them like cave crickets.
The moment everyone stepped inside the slowly opening elevator—
Thud!
Gravity restored. The zombies on the ceiling came crashing down. From vertical to horizontal, everyone was suddenly face-to-face with the horde.
“Exactly ten seconds from now.”
The VVIP elevator operated on an analog system to prevent hacking. Consequently, the cable inspection took ten seconds.
They had to hold out for exactly the amount of time they had gone over while pulling the jackpot.
Kraaaaargh!
The zombies surged toward them.
Just as Kang Hyun drew his sword to block them—
Robot stepped forward.
Muttering its calculated results, it stood before the elevator like a barrier separating them from the zombies.
Everyone's eyes fell upon its back.
“...Right,” Seol Ha-woon nodded.
Kraaaaargh!
The horde swarmed Robot. Robot spread its arms wide and pushed them back.
Time passed second by second. The zombies tried to tear through Robot, but with its feet stuck to the tape, it was unyielding.
Graaaargh!
One zombie lunged forward. Its blade-like arm pierced through Robot's chest, thrusting into the elevator.
Clang! Kang Hyun's sword deflected it.
With its circuit board damaged, Robot slowly ground to a halt. *Beep, beep.* Its panel flashed red. As its body slowly collapsed, still blocking the zombies to the very end—
Thud!
The iron doors shut.
Whirrrr.
The elevator ascended. The shrieks of the zombies faded into the distance.
“...Good job,” Seol Ha-woon's quiet words broke the silence.
Truck's voice trembled.
Ji-woo scratched the back of her neck.
“...Sorry. I was slow pulling the lever.”
“It was a matter of luck anyway. No need to apologize.”
Seol Ha-woon leaned his back against the elevator wall, letting out a tired sigh.
Ji-woo struck up a conversation with Truck beside her.
“...Hello.”
Truck rolled over and looked up at her.
“Hello,” Kang Hyun greeted him as well.
Truck clicked his front around to face Eldia.
“Me? Ah, thank you,” Eldia smiled warmly, then lowered her gaze, casting a sidelong glance at Seol Ha-woon.
“It's fascinating. I had only heard it was a glitched robot...”
Seol Ha-woon replied.
“There are no bad robots in this world.”
Just then, the doors opened. It was the casino's VVIP section, a private room.
Inside, several game rooms reserved exclusively for VVIPs were laid out—
“The Hot Line is here. It's an inter-hull tram.”
Eldia pointed to the rails at the very back. It was a bus-like tram. She was about to board it immediately, but—
“Before that,” Seol Ha-woon stopped her. “Let's do some farming. We made it all the way to the VVIP room, after all.”
I searched the VVIP room. There was only one desktop, and I claimed the skill. Kang Hyun and Ji-woo looked a bit envious, but the distribution was based on our specialties.
“First... I'll take these batteries.”
Next, I picked up three Zecatron Batteries. They were a higher-tier upgrade to the Xenon Batteries.
“You guys handle the rest.”
“Got it.”
Ji-woo was looking around the VVIP room when she found a bracelet in a drawer. I was about to ignore it, but then I paused.
“Let me see that for a second.”
“Why? You said we could handle the rest.”
“Just want to look.”
“...Fine. Just looking.”
Ji-woo handed over the bracelet.
◈ Description: A special bracelet commissioned from a master craftsman by the casino. Its performance varies depending on the wearer's luck.
◈ Effect: Roll the dice to generate a shield. The higher the roll, the greater the defense.
“......”
How does she get something good with literally everything she touches?
It's even defensive gear, which would suit me perfectly.
“If you wanted it, you shouldn't have given up the desktop~”
Ji-woo snatched the bracelet back.
“Hey.”
I called out to her.
“What?”
“...If you find anything else, show me first.”
“Food is ready,” Kang Hyun served the meal right on cue. It was a proper feast, complete with steak—our first real meal in a long time.
“Whoa!”
Ji-woo immediately dashed to the poker table. I limped over and sat down as well.
“This is insanely delicious! Everyone, try some!”
I cut a massive chunk of steak and stuffed it into my mouth.
It was a habit from childhood. I had to eat as quickly as possible.
“...You really eat well,” Ji-woo marveled as she watched me, while Kang Hyun was merely picking at his food.
I chewed my steak and glanced over at Kang Hyun.
“...Are you trying to perform calculus on that steak?”
“Pardon?”
The steak had been sliced into tiny, perfect grid patterns.
“Ah... I guess it's a habit from when I was young.”
Kang Hyun put a piece of meat in his mouth, chewing slowly. It looked like he was chewing rubber.
“...Right. Enjoy your meal. If you ever want to fix that habit, you should try a military experience later.”
Squeak, squeak.
Suddenly, the sound of rolling wheels echoed.
It was Truck.
He was staring up at us wistfully from below.
“Ah, right. Sorry about this.”
I nodded to Kang Hyun. Kang Hyun picked up a freezing kit.
“I prepared some for you too, Mr. Truck. Three days' worth of kits.”
Ji-woo looked around, searching for someone.
“Ah, Eldia! Aren't you eating?”
“...No, I'm fine. Eat up.”
She was communicating via her terminal. I swallowed a chunk of meat and asked,
“Did a problem come up?”
“No. I just need to make some minor adjustments. Since the Hot Line is open, the rest is just a matter of time. Everyone, eat plenty. I'm fine.”
As Eldia smiled and spoke, Ji-woo looked at her with deep admiration.
I nodded as well.
“She's kind.”
“Oh~ what's this? You're always doubting people.”
Ji-woo laughed, finding it unexpected.