Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Ghoul in the Basement
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After bragging about himself for a good while, Jo Younggi finally seemed worn out and started asking questions.
"So, your group is planning to stay in this village for ten days?"
"Yes."
"Same as me."
"Oh... really?"
"Staying too long just because it's safe isn't smart. Even now, the others are pushing forward."
"Pushing forward..."
Hearing the name Chakan i, she did seem like a capable talent.
I scratched my head.
"What do you plan to do when heading to the next round?"
"...What?"
"The bridge between the third and fourth rounds. You can't cross it alone."
Jo Younggi cleared his throat a few times before continuing.
"I'll gather other players then. Join whatever group they've formed."
"Why didn't you form a group in the first round?"
"...They refused. Those idiots! They ignored my call to fight the zombies, ran away, and all died."
"..."
"In the second round, you guys didn't take me along. No place to go, so no group."
"Oh..."
No place to go.
Hearing his story, he seemed pathetic. Pitiable, even pitiful in a way.
"No, back in the first round. If the villagers hadn't run from my face... Damn it. Why did they avoid me?"
He didn't realize his face was scarier than the Z Virus infected.
I would've run too.
I responded positively to Jo Younggi's words and wrapped up the conversation.
"I see. Good luck finding a good group."
"Thanks. Anyway, once I get out of this hospital, I'll run into other players..."
He kept talking after I abruptly ended it. The guy really loved to chat.
Makes sense—he'd spew useless talk nonstop even when playing Land of Ruin on the computer.
"Nothing else you're curious about?"
"Nope."
"If there is, say it now. Won't have time later."
"...Then, uncle, your job is gangster—no, wizard, right?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"Just a guess."
"Heh... In that case... I'll keep the element I use a secret."
Do whatever.
Probably fire or lightning anyway.
A wizard with low strength just touching my shoulder made it burn red hot.
If anything, closer to lightning. Fire would've melted my clothes.
I nodded and asked Kim Yeonhui.
"Kim Yeonhui, what's your job?"
I knew she was an assassin, but asked anyway. To double-check if she was hiding anything from us.
"Me? Assassin. What about you, uncle?"
Should I reveal my job?
It's a weakness if the enemy knows, but since they opened up first, I had to reciprocate.
I thought for a moment, then continued.
Yeah.
Even if they knew my weakness, they wouldn't get the chance to exploit it.
"Necromancer."
"The uncle over there?"
"Barbarian Warrior."
"Ooh... Looks like a strong combo."
"What about the guys traveling with you?"
Kim Yeonhui paused.
She didn't want to answer about them, dodging the question.
"I don't know their jobs."
"Why not? Aren't you in the same group?"
"We are, but I met them after the first round ended, so no idea. One of them came in with me—hey, no answer."
"...Got it."
-Kuwek- Kuwek-!
A strange groan echoed from the stairs above.
Probably a zombie coming down.
Kang! Kang! Kang! Kang!
Someone was descending the stairs. Why was a zombie inside the village?
The sound wasn't too loud, so probably not a strong one.
I pressed close to the iron bars and stared toward the stairs.
Kang! Kang!
Hm?
A new type of Z Virus infected appeared.
It looked like a ghoul, walking on all fours.
-Kuweok!
A steel collar around its neck, broken handcuffs binding its hands and feet.
Where'd it escape from?
Everyone underground went silent. Making noise would draw its attention.
Srrrrk-
The sound of chains dragging.
Thud.
Its thick leg slamming the basement floor.
Srrrk- Thud. Srrrk- Thud.
I held my breath.
First time seeing this monster, and it didn't look weak or strong—just middling.
-Revive.
"..."
The spell didn't work.
Meaning it was a living being.
All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind.
What happened up there while we were down here?
Did the story glitch, letting Z Virus infected attack the village?
No.
This village was an impregnable fortress guiding players through the latter half of Land of Ruin.
Early-game monsters couldn't breach it.
Srrrrk- Thud.
It stopped walking.
Bad spot. Right in front of the room I was in.
"..."
I gripped the chicken leg bone in my pocket tightly.
In case I had to fight it.
"Kuweok-. Kuweok."
It vomited from its mouth. Gray rats like from sewers and various bugs.
Not human, so probably not attacking the village.
Came through the sewers?
Kang! Kang! Kang! Kang!
The stairs rang again.
Multiple people coming down—not just one or two.
At least four.
-Wh-what? Why are there bloodstains on the stairs?!
-What? Who was the last to come and go from here.
-Oh, Dr. Oh. No, last was... Kim Cheonjae entering the facility.
-What?! Hurry down and check!
A loud, gruff voice.
Major Kim Juncheol.
Kang kang kang kang kang kang!
Two soldiers rushed down to the basement.
Their outfits were completely different from the second round.
Not special forces gear and red goblin masks.
Goblin-shaped steel helmets. Black bodysuits of special material, like space suits.
Swords at their waists, rifles slung on their backs. Impressive.
Their gear had evolved far beyond the second round.
Kim Juncheol's key NPCs must have all awakened successfully.
"...Well, five years have passed."
The two soldiers spotting the ghoul drew their short swords. Smart choice—didn't know what kind of guns were at their waists.
In tight spaces like this, swords might be better.
I pointed at the ghoul with my finger.
The two guards extended their swords, halting its movement.
-Mu-mutant? Hey! That's a mutant, right?
-Seems like it. How'd it get in here?
-No idea. Process it quick before the brigade commander and doctor come down.
-Got it.
The ghoul, spotting the guards, spewed sticky fluid from its mouth and began threatening.
-Kiyaaak!
It swung its sharp claws at the soldiers.
I watched their fight silently.
I wanted to see how much they'd grown in the five years I didn't know about.
Da da da da da-!
The two soldiers spun like tops, slashing the ghoul to pieces.
Shiiik- Shk!
Slash. Slash. Slash again.
But it kept regenerating.
Its red HP bar above its head barely budged.
Regeneration no low- or mid-tier mutant could match.
Meaning.
In the third story of Land of Ruin where we landed, high-tier monsters existed.
In the early game.
"...This is a headache."
-Hoo... Why won't this bastard die?
Kang! Kang! Kang! Kang!
Three more soldiers rushed down hurriedly. They wore goblin masks and suits too.
The biggest one bellowed angrily.
"Why is a monster down here!!"
Kim Juncheol.
I recognized the voice instantly.
Seeing the ghoul, he charged forward. Drawing his blade from his back was so fast it was hard to follow with the eye.
Whoosh-.
The sound of his sword swing was different. Not cutting wind, but smashing it.
Kwang!
One strike cleaved the ghoul in half.
Its red HP bar turned gray in one hit.
"This place is... "
The weapon in Major Kim Juncheol's hand was unique—a thick, massive blade like a cleaver.
'That huge weapon at such speed...'
Impressive.
* * * * *
I ended up talking with Major Kim Juncheol after he dealt with the ghoul. Of course, with the iron bars between us due to possible virus in my body.
Major Kim Juncheol lifted his goblin mask up.
No idea what happened in the time before we met again, but a big X-shaped scar marred his face.
"Cheonjae!"
He looked thrilled to see me.
"Long time no see, Major."
"What happened to you? We were worried sick after that day when you vanished."
"...Circumstances."
He nodded.
"I see. Your companions...?"
"They'll come. We agreed to meet here."
"Glad you're alive."
"Haha... You're looking healthy too, Major. That's a relief."
Kaaang. Kaaang. Kaaang.
Someone descending the stairs.
Major Kim Juncheol and I turned toward the sound.
Seeing the face of the newcomer, I couldn't hide my surprise.
"...Doctor?"
"Oh? You know the doctor?"
"...No. Just guessed from the outfit."
I knew who he was but pretended not to.
No idea why he was here.
He was supposed to be researching alone dozens of kilometers from the ruined village.
How'd he get here?
The doctor approached with hands in pockets and spoke to Major Kim Juncheol.
"This the one you mentioned?"
"Yes."
"Oh ho... Hello. I'm Dr. Oh Jimyeong, researching virus vaccines here."
I bowed politely.
"I'm Kim Cheonjae."
"Nice to meet you. Heard a lot about you from Major Kim Juncheol. They say you took down Snufen, one of the strongest mutants?"
"...Yes."
The doctor adjusted his glasses.
"Oh ho... A man of such prowess—where've you been wandering, and why show up now?"
"Circumstances had me drifting."
"Care to share what kind?"
Dr. Oh sounded like he was interrogating.
Major Kim Juncheol looked troubled.
"Doctor. Kim Cheonjae just arrived in the village and must be tired. Save the questions for after he rests."
"..."
"Not urgent, right?"
"Understood. Cheonjae, we'll meet again, yes?"
I nodded blankly.
We definitely would.
As enemies or allies.
Still unknown.
The doctor led Major Kim Juncheol toward the opposite side of the quarantine room.
They talked in low voices, out of my earshot.
Idiots.
Other players' ears were there anyway.
I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall. Until Major Kim Juncheol returned.
Kang! Kang! Kang! Kang!
Someone else descending the stairs again.
Stiff military talk mixed with a familiar voice.
I pressed to the iron bars and looked up the stairs.
"...You're here."
Yoo Sora and Michael came down.
"Take it easyyy!"
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