Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Transaction Day
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Other insomniacs might've been different, but I suffered terribly from it. Brutally so.
Before the world went to hell, this damn insomnia made everyday life a real struggle.
Trying to talk to anyone about it was pointless. No one got it.
"Can't sleep? Try exercising."
"You probably didn't live your day hard enough."
"Don't use your smartphone before bed."
That was the kind of bullshit most people spouted, so I cut off anyone who mindlessly regurgitated crap like that.
But when the world ended and that bullshit window popped up telling me to pick a skill, I found my salvation in it.
Sleep Skill.
Just seeing those words made my heart race.
Induce sleep? Whenever I wanted? That meant... I could do it to myself too, right?
There were tons of other skills, but they didn't register. I picked Sleep Skill without a second thought.
This thing really works, right? Can I actually sleep whenever I want now?
"Sleep."
I cast it on myself without hesitation.
And... nothing happened.
A uneasy feeling started creeping up from my gut. No way—even a fantasy skill like this couldn't knock me out?
"Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!"
I spammed it, but still nothing.
Doubt and despair slowly gripped me.
Can't even sleep, and now I've picked some weird-ass skill. I'm screwed.
Am I even using it right? Or am I just fucking around alone?
I wanted to check the skill info, but I had no idea how.
Whoever set this up in the real world—what the hell were they thinking? How is any of this even possible?
And if they're gods or some omnipotent beings to pull this off, why make it so inconvenient and user-unfriendly?
"Status! Status window! Personal screen! Menu! Profile!"
I yelled every command I could think of, but nothing changed.
Fuck. I'd always hated games that forced you through dogshit tutorials, and the asshole who made this didn't even bother with one? At least let me access a manual or something.
"Settings! Options! Change settings! Option window! Menu! Environment settings! You fucking bastard!"
If an options menu popped up, I could've checked shortcuts or whatever, but nope.
"Skills!"
Whoa.
Something appeared in front of my eyes.
Sleep
Proficiency: 0.4%
Fuck, I was the idiot. If I want skill info, open the skill window—not chase random shit.
Problem was, even with the skill window open, there was jack shit in it.
Just the skill name and proficiency. No description, no details—nothing.
Hah. I really wanna see the face of whoever made this crap.
Wonder if I can meet them after I die. If I kick it, I'll make sure to track down the bastard who made this.
The only info in the skill window was proficiency.
It was at 0.4%, which meant the skill was activating, at least.
Alright, so it's not that the skill doesn't work—it's just low proficiency causing failures?
I lay back down and tried again.
"Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep."
Proficiency ticked up.
So it's either my skill has garbage success rates like total trash, or my insomnia is that fucking severe.
As I kept casting, another question popped up.
How does activation work? Do I have to say the full "Sleep" every time?
"Sleep."
Proficiency rose.
Nice—shorter is faster.
"Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep."
After spamming it a bunch, I passed out at some point.
When I woke, my body felt heavy and groggy as I sat up.
Checked the time—already evening.
How many hours was that? After ambushing that group from the underground mall and getting home, I crashed right away. Must've been over ten hours.
I got up and checked the bunker's status.
First, confirmed the lock on Min-ji's room was intact, then opened the peephole on her door.
There she sat, staring blankly.
Alive and well. I closed the peephole.
No need to deal with that bitch today.
Grabbed a cup ramen like always, poured water, and headed to the monitor room.
Checked the screens—no issues. Slurped down every drop of broth.
"Hoo."
Finally, the day to meet Ye-ji.
Why am I so excited?
Nah, makes sense. Can't not get pumped to wrap my arms around that sleek body of hers.
Stripped down and hopped in the shower.
Scrubbing every inch clean—I looked ridiculous, but whatever.
Dried off, dressed, prepped, and headed out of the bunker. Couldn't shake the hurried vibe through the whole routine.
Of course—thinking of Ye-ji already had my dick twitching.
Through the empty alley, toward the officetel.
Heart pounding, thrilled. Like a kid heading on a field trip.
Hurrying along when footsteps echoed from ahead.
Ducked into the shadows of the nearby alley and peered out.
Four guys, chatting among themselves, hadn't spotted me.
Why don't groups like this watch their surroundings?
Why do guys get all needlessly brave in packs?
They probably won't notice me if I stay put, but no guarantees.
What to do? Hold still and pray?
Nah.
Old me would've avoided unnecessary contact, but not anymore.
Four guys used to be an auto-avoid, but now?
The moment they got closest, I knocked out the three youngest with Sleep and quietly charged the oldest one who was still up.
"Hey!? What the—?!"
The guy freaked as his crew dropped. I swung the machete at his neck.
Older guys' tell in crises: they default to familiar defenses, not skills.
He threw up his arm too late, blocking some—but not enough. The blade half-severed his neck.
As he crumpled, muttering something at me, a laser beam shot from his fingertip my way.
Lucky for me, shit aim—he missed. But inside, I was shocked.
Counterattacking on death's door? And what the hell was that skill? They have shit like that too?
Don't know who made this system, but gotta respect the creativity.
Impressive. Real impressive.
His last gasp over, blood gushed from his neck until he vanished completely—even the spilled blood.
Snagged his coins, then sent the other three to join him.
What the fuck? Were the first guy's lackeys or something?
Staring at those rare three-digit coin hauls, I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief.
They'd all vanished, no clues left on their relationships. Didn't matter anyway.
Men weren't my interest.
Not everyone's out slaughtering like me, but with people still around, maybe folks aren't as aggressive as I'd think.
Or maybe it's a Korean thing.
Makes me wonder about South America or China.
Places with shit security and no qualms about hurting people—how'd they turn out? No way to check now the world's like this.
Anyway, a bit reckless, but beating four guys felt good.
This baseless confidence was intoxicating.
Usually, that's how you get got in one slip-up.
Gotta stay cautious. Careful, careful.
Slipped into the officetel's basement, crept up the stairs.
The closer to Ye-ji's floor, the harder my heart pounded.
Today's stairs felt longer, steeper.
As I neared her floor, banging sounds echoed—thump thump.
Tried ignoring it, but it was coming from her floor.
Pulled out a mirror to check the hall: three guys pounding on a door. My eyes widened.
Fuck? That's Ye-ji's place!
"Hey! You there!? Seriously not home?"
"See? Told you, haven't seen that bitch in a while."
"Fuck. Where we getting beer now?!"
"What a waste. I even killed her red-tag for her."
"What? You fucked her?"
"You fucker. I killed her red-tag, meaning she was off-limits. Who said I did? If I had, I'd call her prime dickbait, not red-tag."
"True. No way that slut'd fuck you anyway. Heh."
"What, you fuck? Wanna die?"
"Ooh, you? Me?"
"This prick's sneak-dissing? Cut it out, huh?"
"Aish, yes yes. Whatever you say."
Good buddies or on the verge? Probably the former.
They banged a few more times.
Ye-ji wasn't exposed, thank god—but those assholes hammering her door would scare her inside.
Damn, anyone'd think I was her boyfriend or something.
Anyway, leaving them be gains nothing.
I do lowlife sociopath shit too, but I hate trashy, loose types.
Three of 'em—easy. Knocked 'em out cold.
Walked up to the heap by the door, nudged the cheek of the one who'd been knocking with my toe.
"You fucking idiots."
Sliced all three with the machete.
Hah. Down seven Korean population today alone.
Far as we know, coins only drop from killing people.
First shop open gave 500 base coins.
So anyone with over 500 has killed at least once.
No sympathy there.
I laughed at myself rationalizing it like that.
I've gone too far to turn back now—what's the point?
All prepped to meet Ye-ji. Took a deep breath and knocked.
Knock knock knock knock knock.
Brief silence, then frantic unlocking.
Bang—the door flew open.
Ye-ji stood there, eyes red and tear-streaked on her cheeks.
She saw it was me and threw herself into my arms.