Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Zombie Apocalypse Ruins
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"What're you grinning at, you pickled radish reject?"
"Pickled radish?"
"Perpetual D-rank who couldn't even find anyone to party with, so you got shipped off here. Pathetic."
No, that's such a misunderstanding!?
"Didn't you just see me blowing up in popularity?"
"Flirting with my little sister's friend. How lame."
"Who's the one who has no one to go with unless it's her oppa?"
Stella bristled at my words.
"I solo queue because I'm that good! Anyone else would just drag me down."
"Oh, sure."
"So don't get in my way."
Things were getting tense. It seemed she didn't appreciate me, of all people, invading her territory—her class.
Stella and my relationship was still precariously balanced on the knife-edge of mutual disgust.
Even though we'd dragged that festering wound out into the light, it hadn't healed.
Stella still couldn't trust me.
At best, she just wasn't kicking me out of the house anymore...
'Alright, time to show some real big-brother vibes today!'
If I were Stella, I'd hate my oppa too. Not like I'd ever shown her anything cool.
"Stella, Kim Sanghyeok duo—head out."
"Got it."
[「Perception (Red)」activated]
I grabbed Stella's wrist as she headed for A-9.
"What are you doing?"
"Let's go that way. Found a B-rank dungeon."
"What nonsense is that?"
[C(B)-Rank Dungeon]
[#10098. Zombie Apocalypse Ruins][Rarity C+][Rewards C+][Aberration B+]
[A Devil Merchant appears in this dungeon.]
[This dungeon possesses aberration above standard levels, and its rank rises upon fulfilling specific conditions.]
[Reward weight +1]
[Maximum participant limit - 3 (Squad)]
'Might be a bit risky with just two of us?'
I'd rushed here thinking higher ranks were always better, but...
Come to think of it, I was way weaker than Stella.
I didn't have the power to handle this dungeon.
The Golden Oak Fortress with its burst aberration had been so strong even C-rank Hena's attacks barely scratched it.
In a real pinch, I'd probably be dead weight.
I wanted to show some oppa cred, but...
'Dragging my little sister into danger on purpose? That's not what a brother does.'
Like with Seridwen, hoping things magically worked out so I could swoop in and save her from the cliff's edge?
That's beastly. The moment it becomes a "trap I set," I'm human trash.
Just like Chairman Wilhelm said—I'd be Villain A, fit for isolation.
"Academy dungeons top out at C-rank. Mostly D's. What do you even know?"
"Shh."
I pulled Stella close and whispered.
"We gotta sneak in and keep it between us."
"..."
Stella eyed me suspiciously.
"One thing first. If it seems too risky, we bail. Think you can clear a B-rank with me tagging along?"
"You know I'm A-rank, right?"
"Just confirming..."
I feel stupid for asking.
A-rank puts her above Yuuna, and at her age? Impressive.
"A-rank? That's huge. Rare even in our year."
"Pretty common for first-years. This incoming class is stacked. Including me."
That the confidence of an A-rank?
Stella huffed and lifted her chin.
'Etsol first-years are no joke...'
Seridwen's SS-rank strength was too lofty to fathom,
and in my worldview, Yuuna was the strongest...
Where did Stella stack up among the powerhouses?
"So, this dungeon—we good to go in?"
"B-rank sounds fishy. You sure you can really see that?"
"Mentions needing to meet conditions."
"...So you saw the aberration?"
I'll play it vague.
Scared 「Perception (Red)」 might get branded a hazard skill.
Ultimately, it's Stella's call. If she nopes out, we hit another dungeon.
"If you're iffy, we can go elsewhere."
"Nah. Too good to pass up on someone else."
"Cool. I'll grab some gear. You?"
"Don't need any. Prep stuff."
Stella planned to go in empty-handed.
A-rank perks, I guess.
I headed to the locker room, armed up with the Glock, and slung ammo belts around my waist.
'9mm mags check.'
Today, I'd stick to Stella like glue and porter like a pro.
At the B Workshop, I grabbed essentials.
Despite only going once before, third-year senior Chen remembered my face and greeted me.
"D-rank junior. Back again?"
"Hey. Grabbing some sundries today."
"Go on in. Love seeing the hustle."
Didn't expect entry without Yuuna, but it worked.
Time to stock my locker—nothing but Student Council prez merch—with dungeon raid goodies.
[Etsol Academy Student ID]
[Kim Sanghyeok]
[112,360 coins]
"This crossbag, please."
"50 coins."
Bought a black crossbag first, then stuffed it with all sorts of gear.
Grabbed a rugged field watch too...
Shoved in whatever caught my eye—burned 300 coins, but plenty left.
"Made some cash with Yuuna last time?"
"Got lucky."
"50-coin discount. Fight on."
Third-years are all sweethearts.
Probably pity the scrappy D-rank grinding away.
"Thanks."
Coins left: 112,110.
Still comfy.
Onahole sales ain't the moneymaker anyway.
"Why so late? Thought you bailed!"
"Grabbing all this stuff."
[Dungeon in progress]
[Participants - Stella, Kim Sanghyeok]
I gravity-dived after the head-start Stella.
「Zombie Apocalypse Ruins」
My third dungeon to raid.
A cool breeze hit.
From indoors to outdoors—you notice the air shift first.
"Ugh..."
Stella wobbled a bit.
"Whoa? Dive sickness?"
"Don't touch me."
"Gotcha."
Don't rile our DPS queen.
"I'll porter. Stella."
"Duh, that's all you're good for. Zero actual help."
"Let's have fun!"
"You're way too chipper. I've gotta stick with you for hours—makes me dizzy."
I halted abruptly.
"...You?"
"..."
I fixed Stella with a stare that said I wouldn't tolerate that.
"'Sticking with oppa' is..."
"Hmph."
OK. Let it slide.
Almost planted a stunner in the asphalt there.
Even if she's a stronger A-rank little sis, I don't wanna get violent with the heroine.
'So, where are we anyway.'
Entered expecting 「Zombie Apocalypse Ruins」 from the name,
but getting dumped in a ruined cityscape? Tricky.
And pitch-black night—no clue what might jump out.
A little scary, honestly.
But our A-rank DPS Stella strode ahead confidently.
Blonde red-eyed little sis with a bouncy side-up ponytail.
Light novel main heroine material, strutting through apocalypse vibes—feels off.
'Ah. Perimeter check.'
I drew the Glock and scanned around Stella.
"No need."
Crackle.
A red spark flared from Stella's forehead, and lightning slammed into a pile of collapsed buildings.
Zombies instantly charred to coal.
'What? Auto-hunt?'
Stella wouldn't even let zombies crawl out.
"Just stay 30 paces back so you don't bug me."
"...Yessir."
A-rank for real.
Legend that she almost unleashed that lightning at home during our fight.
If I hadn't Giant Swing-canceled it, the second floor might've burned down...
After 30 minutes of strolling.
No need for me—Stella turned 70 zombies to coal in half an hour.
'Hunt speed is insane...'
"Why so shocked? Thought you'd snag even 1% contribution?"
That stung.
This girl keeps dissing oppa at every turn.
"I'll take 100% contrib, all the coins. Nothing for the rice bug."
"Harsh much, calling your oppa that?"
"Just facts."
Dihirit too—A-rank mages all come with arrogance standard-issue?
Gonna build a bad bias...
"Just spectate from behind. Really drive home the skill gap... Kyaa!"
Sudden girly scream.
"Stella?"
She'd tripped and couldn't get up—I bolted over.
...Big trouble.
What floored an A-rank mage zombies couldn't touch? A jagged rebar sticking from a concrete pile.
Tripped on it from carelessness.
"Ugh, this is nothing..."
"Don't move!"
'Ligaments seem fine, but bleeding a lot.'
Walking like this would reopen it. I helped her up quick and ducked into a nearby building.
Half-collapsed, with debris leaning at angles.
Pulled a flashlight from the crossbag, checked inside, then gently laid her down.
"It's no big deal!"
"Skill gap this, huh? Should've watched your step!"
"..."
Stella pouted, eyes rolling up.
No comeback, though.
"Tetanus shot—when was yours?"
"Maybe two years ago? Ow..."
Bleeding pretty bad. Good thing I had an emergency kit—applied meds and bandaged it.
'Already coming in handy.'
"..."
Stella glared at me intently.