Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Shopping District
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Shopping District
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"But..."
"You little shit, just answer the damn question."
"Gah!"
I stomped on the guy's stomach with my foot, and he let out a scream.
"Don't even think about yelling."
"Heh... heh heh."
Suddenly, the bastard started laughing.
"You think this is funny?"
"You're such a small-timer, you punk. Heh heh."
"Shut the fuck up!"
Thwack!
"Hngh."
This time I kicked a bit higher up on his gut, and he sucked in a sharp breath, writhing in agony.
"You... heh heh."
Even in pain, the guy started laughing again. What the hell is wrong with this psycho?
"You! Fucking! Piece! Of! Shit! You think the world's gonna roll over for you?!"
The man suddenly bellowed at the top of his lungs.
I jolted in surprise and put him straight to sleep.
Calming my pounding heart, I peeked outside.
I worried someone might've heard his shout and come running, but after ten minutes, nothing stirred out there.
Stepping back inside, my rage finally boiled over as I glared at the guy.
This fucking prick, acting all tough? You're done for today. Wait... I was gonna kill you anyway. No mercy for you.
I sealed his mouth shut with layers of duct tape.
Wrapped his arms, legs, and torso even tighter. He looked like a goddamn tape caterpillar now.
Loaded the crossbow and aimed at his leg.
Won't kill him right away if I hit the leg, right?
Thwip!
Thud!
For some reason, it sounded louder inside the bunker.
"Mmmph! Mmmph!"
The bolt punched through his thigh and embedded in the wall. The pain jolted him awake, and he screamed like a maniac.
"Wanna keep acting tough? Go on."
The guy kept howling.
Loaded a second bolt and nailed his other thigh.
"MMMMPH!!!"
The bolt lodged in his thigh. It pierced the calf but stopped at the thigh? Must've hit bone.
He thrashed in agony, but the tape held firm—he couldn't budge an inch.
I yanked the bolt out of his thigh. Grabbed the one on the floor too. Limited supply, gotta save 'em.
Blood gushed from his thigh, pooling on the ground in seconds.
Leave him like this, and he'll bleed out. Better hurry up.
Aimed at his gut and fired. It went clean through.
His body jerked violently before he slumped flat.
Damn, this crossbow packs a punch. Unless it's a bad hit, the bolt should stay in the body when they vanish.
But he wasn't dying instantly, and all that blood pooling annoyed me.
Everything vanishes when they die anyway, but the smell and the mess right now sucked.
Head shot? Nah, it'd probably stick. Waste a bolt.
Neck instead? Might pierce. Wait, no... I think necks have tough bones and muscles.
As I pondered, the guy dissolved into light and vanished. Damn, all that worrying for nothing.
Sucks I couldn't get any info out of him.
What a bunch of dumbass gangsters, all bark and no bite.
Not even real gangsters. Just wannabe punks, low-level thugs.
No need to dwell on a dead guy. Time to grab the spoils.
The woman and the car. And whatever's loaded in it.
Whoa. Holy shit. Suddenly feeling like a baller.
But doubts crept in. Is driving off with this car a smart move?
It's electric, so... pretty quiet. Not like a gas guzzler roaring. Still, in this silent world, a car stands out like a sore thumb.
Plus the woman. No way I can carry her all the way on foot. I could manage, but that apartment complex en route is a hassle.
Think, think, think.
Then it hit me—simple solution.
This isn't the first time they've driven it here. They came in it.
If these gangsters have been making runs and someone’s watching, they'll know it's their ride.
Me driving it once won't raise flags. No one knows they're dead yet.
Alright. Let's roll with it. Can't recharge it anyway, so one-and-done, but worth a shot.
My driving experience? Got my license and drove once on the road. Minor detail.
Popped the trunk and reset the Sleep on the woman.
Checked the cargo. Why so much stuff?
Canned corn, canned tomatoes, that kinda thing.
Ah... pizza joint had this stash? And it's still good? Wild.
Goods confirmed. Time to bounce.
I strode confidently to the driver's seat.
Heart's racing...
Hit the start button. Engine hummed—surprisingly quiet.
Okay... this should make it go forward? Whoa, it's moving.
Gliding along felt amazing.
Like my whole life just leveled up.
One-use or not, it looks badass.
Slow speed, but way faster than walking.
Plus that freedom—no eyes on you, just cruising.
But trouble hit quick.
I suck at roads.
On foot, I got a mental map. In a car? Lost.
Then I realized—duh, no other cars moving. Who cares about lanes?
I drove like a maniac, stuff I'd never dream of in the old world.
If a pro driver sat shotgun, they'd either smack me or beg for a turn.
Another issue: How far to take this thing?
Right to my officetel? That's advertising my spot.
What to do? Think. Can I even drive it all the way?
Glanced at the clock—only 10 minutes in. Felt like 30.
Need to arrive in another 10... or re-Sleep the girl.
Roads were clearer than expected.
A few wrecks or blockages, but manageable.
Stuck to main roads—no alleys for me. I'd scrape the hell out of it.
Wait, scrapes? Who cares? Not my car.
Five more minutes, and familiar turf appeared.
This way to the residential area, right?
Pulled into the complex and parked a bit away from my officetel.
Quick trunk check—hauled the woman into an open house's yard.
She won't freeze in this weather, bundled up and all?
One more Sleep layer, hopped back in the car. Now, where to stash it.
Not too close to home, but not too far—could track it.
Ideally in sight range.
Parked it at the edge of CCTV view. Can check cams later.
Tried my best, but it looked amateur. More like abandoned than parked.
Wait... maybe that's better? Make it look ditched for realism.
Repositioned it smack in the middle of the main road, in camera view.
Left the doors open. Drain the battery.
Hmm. Natural enough? In a no-body world, folks seeing it can speculate.
Cans? Corn, tomatoes—edible? Eh.
Fuck it, hassle. I got coins. Leaving 'em fits the scene.
Headed to grab the woman, then—blackbox! Duh!
Ran back, yanked the memory card, pocketed it. How'd I forget?
Now I can watch their footage. Genius!
But how? Need a card reader, PC...
Figure it out later.
Back to the house. Girl still out cold.
Hauled her up—no strength left anywhere but determination surging elsewhere.
This is fun. Everything going my way.
Grinning, carried her toward my officetel.
Stay cautious now. If I were ambushing, this is prime time.
Paranoid, scanning everywhere, I slipped into the bunker.
Sweat-soaked, heart hammering like it'd burst.
But triumph drowned it out. Fuck yeah! Nailed it!
Her Sleep had three minutes left. Wake her? Re-sleep?
Nah, enough sleeping. Tie her first.
Grabbed tape, wrapped her arms, legs tight. Gagged and blindfolded.
She'll wake soon. Sit tight.
Need a shower. My own stink's killing me.
She stirred, but I ignored it—stripped down, hummed a tune, and washed up.