Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Commercial District
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Shopping District
Now that I'd secured a new secondary base, there was a ton of work to do.
First things first: fix up the cameras. I couldn't stand the idea of blind spots.
The best part was that both cameras were still functional.
A little tweaking, and the blind spots were gone. What a relief.
If they'd been completely busted, I wouldn't have been able to salvage them at all.
With the cameras sorted, next up was clearing the area.
For all I knew, people could be hiding right next door.
In this world, the best-case scenario was that no one was around. Trustworthy neighbors? Reliable allies? What bullshit.
In a world where you couldn't even trust your own siblings or family, that was just nonsense.
I methodically searched house by house.
Tiny traces, footprints, dust patterns, cobwebs... I used everything I could to check for signs of human activity.
Carefully. Slowly. Thoroughly.
This was life-or-death stuff. No room for sloppiness. Half-ass it, and you'd die a half-assed death.
After spending nearly a week combing the neighborhood, I concluded the housing complex was empty.
Not surprising, really. It was tucked into a hillside with no nearby spots for resupplying.
Unless you'd lived here before, there was zero reason to crawl all the way out here.
Perfect spot for me.
I felt great. Securing a secondary base without any hitches or red flags? Better than expected.
Made me think I could even use this as my main base.
Still, I'd scout a bit more.
Time to expand the search radius bit by bit.
Most importantly... I needed a woman. Bad. Felt like I was in heat.
I slipped out again under cover of dawn for another night hunt.
Focusing between the main base and secondary. Had to secure the travel routes, after all.
Fastest paths, escape routes, safe houses—the works.
Tedious, but those could save your life.
Like I'd said, solo players could game over on the tiniest mistake.
The one thing that pissed me off was the apartment complex between the two bases.
I hated apartments. Too damn tall, for starters.
And secure. Which meant they always had someone holed up inside.
Like boss mobs unique to every complex.
The last survivor who'd eaten everyone else around them.
Luck, skill, whatever—there was always one who'd made it.
Simple example: a massive 4,000-unit complex.
Average 2.5 people per unit? That's 10,000 heads. 500 coins each? Five million coins.
With that, you could hole up forever without foraging, just grinding coins.
Just an example... but I'd seen plenty like that.
Plus, mid-floors gave insane recon advantages.
Even cheap binoculars? No escaping those eyes.
That's why I crept through shadows and darkness at night.
Man... if only I had one more skill. Something like human detection.
Invisibility would be great too. Or teleportation... damn, teleportation sounds amazing just thinking about it.
Passing the apartments, tension eased a bit.
Whoa, no. Can't let up. That's how you die. Stay sharp.
Beyond the apartments lay the shopping district.
A bunch of storefronts. Annoying to clear, sure, but people didn't hole up here much.
I didn't get it, but Koreans had this obsession with their "homes."
Whatever the case, bases or camps went in actual houses. Places where you could kick off your shoes, relax, and feel secure.
Shops didn't cut it.
Not clean, not secure, no comfy spots to crash.
So looted-out shopping districts were surprisingly empty.
Still, stay tense.
Just past this district and the park, I'd be near the main base... what was that?
A flicker of light. Just now.
My body went rigid. Vision sharpened, movements quickened.
I crouched low behind cover, staring at the spot.
What was it? Nothing?
Another flicker.
This time, I was watching closely. No doubt.
Someone passed in front of a light. That's what it felt like.
Pretty far, but I closed in silently, fast.
A food street packed with delivery joints. At the far end, in front of a shop.
People moving stuff.
Three guys, all men. Confirmed.
Loading cargo into a car. Holy shit—a car.
Electric. Yeah, electrics could still run. But a car? Impressive. Who thinks of driving in this world?
Mind-blowing. Still reeling.
If that thing moved, it'd be the first running car in years. Three? Four?
The three guys loaded up from inside the shop a few times, then gently shut the doors.
They went back in, and soon one came out with a woman slung over his shoulder.
Wow... people really do anything.
She was out cold, limp as a ragdoll on his shoulder.
Popped the trunk, stuffed her in, slammed it shut.
What the hell? Why do they seem so practiced?
They snickered softly, lit up smokes.
Now I saw them clearly: burly guys, short hair, nasty faces.
The kind that screamed "gangster" in your head.
Three of them. Perfect number. And a woman to boot. Thanks for the gifts, boys.
As they finished their cigs, tossed the butts, and went for the car, I put them to sleep.
Ugh. Assholes. Could've lived if they'd just not littered.
Cause of death: illegal dumping. Bitches.
Even after they collapsed, I watched a bit. No more coming?
Looks like that was all. Time for my part.
Approached, rifled their pockets.
Needed the keys.
Kill 'em now, and poof—keys gone too.
Chump change. Whoa... I'm calling 3k coins "chump change" now?
Killed another, taped the last one up tight with duct tape.
Ah... need to restock tape soon. Still got a box left, though.
Dragged the guy into the shop they'd come from.
Simple setup—delivery spot, so one table, mostly kitchen.
Dumped him inside, headed back to the car.
Opened the trunk.
Girl inside, still out. Long hair, skinny, short. Decent chest. Face? Oh... nice. Thank you very much.
Early twenties? Twenty-one? Cute young thing. How'd you end up caught? We'll talk later.
Hit her with Sleep, closed the trunk. Won't suffocate in there, right?
Now, interrogation time.
Propped the blindfolded, gagged guy against the wall.
Then kicked him square in the face.
"Mmph."
By the way, these were combat boots—the kind my old squad leader bragged were straight A-grade.
Hard as hell. Face shots hurt like a bitch.
No one I'd booted ever said otherwise.
...Duh?
"Mmph mmph mmph."
"Hey. If you've got any brains, stay quiet. Otherwise, it's express to the afterlife."
The guy shut up.
"Good boy. Now, gonna peel that tape off. Scream or make noise? You get another shot at that express train you missed. Got it?"
Sorry. Lame jokes incoming.
But to survive, you'll need to laugh. ...Nah, no plans to let you live.
So just don't.
Riiiip.
Tape tore off rough; he blurted,
"Jong-sik, you bastard?"
"Hey. I didn't say anything yet. Answer only what's asked, no lies, no extras. Got it?"
"Who else? You think you'll get away with this?"
I booted his mouth again.
Thwack.
Oof. Teeth okay?
"Why not listen first time? Need a repeat?"
"You... fucking dog..."
Thwack.
"No brains? Tofu in there? This your tofu wrapper?"
He toppled sideways from the kick.
"Hey, you dog fu..."
Tried mouthing off again; I stomped his mouth.
"One more peep, and you join your dead buddies."
Lifted my foot; he finally clammed up, sensing something off.
"Let's not drag this out. Quick and clean. Got it?"
No answer.
So I politely placed my boot on him and asked again.
"Answer?"
"...Yes."
Good. Now we're ready for a real talk.