Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Rest and Reinforcement - 1
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Emergency! Emergency!
The appearance of a single human sent the insects living deep in the cave into a state of high alert.
The dung beetles and stag beetles fixed their sharp gazes on the human entering through the dimension gate.
—That outfit doesn't look normal.
—Our owner really is a pervert...
—That crazy human!
—To think our noble species has to live with a guy like that... This is hell!
Their appearances differed, but their reactions were similar.
It was Bunny Duo, their owner—or partner—who had repeatedly warned them to stay on guard, crossing through the dimension gate.
The owner had mentioned this.
—Someone besides me will come in. They're all good people, so get along with them.
And added this.
—There's one with a bunny headband on their head, so be a little cautious around them. Not that they'll cause harm or anything... just saying.
Harm...
The insects, whose combat power was low compared to their abilities, looked up at the wandering Bunny Duo.
A naked body with a bunny headband brazenly defied the common sense of this world.
No pervert dressed like that had ever existed on this continent, they swore.
The stag beetles spread their will.
—Why is our partner living with a human like that?
—I thought they could judge situations calmly, but apparently not.
—He's coming! Hide!
They all scurried into their tree houses.
Seok-hyun, who had wanted to greet the insects he usually relied on, felt a bit disappointed but was too busy sightseeing everywhere.
Sung-ho followed him in.
"You've stockpiled so much..."
"Yeah."
Even to Seok-hyun, who had no concept of stockpiling supplies, Sung-ho's reserves were astonishing.
Everything except the absent was present.
But he wanted to explore the outside world more than the cave.
As Sung-ho opened the door, the forest drew near.
"Sex!"
The insects who understood Earth's language were startled.
He's really out of his mind.
—I heard he was crazy, but I didn't think he was actually crazy...
—I heard we're going to live with him from now on... We need to be careful...
—Live together? This is a disaster!
Regardless, Seok-hyun stepped out of the cave and inhaled the forest air deeply.
Just then, Dingo and Dingo-soon caught his eye, passionately mating.
The two wolves recognized this shelter as a safe place.
Seeing that, Seok-hyun grinned mischievously and gave a thumbs-up.
"Sex is great."
Sung-ho quickly placed a dung beetle on his bunny ears.
And sure enough.
After looking around briefly, Seok-hyun leaped over the barbed wire with astonishing agility.
And then started running off somewhere.
"Kiyoooooot!"
Is that what happens when you're too happy?
Sung-ho watched his retreating figure for a moment before closing his eyes.
What's the point of looking at a guy's ass?
Da-jeong came over and leaned against him.
"You okay leaving him like that?"
"He'll come back with the dung beetle. He's the boss of this forest."
"Right... Wait, is he fighting?"
"Goblins. They charge in thinking it's easy prey and end up as the prey."
"Puhahaha."
Da-jeong clutched her stomach laughing, then rested her head on his shoulder.
"Haa... Sleep a bit. Don't wake me."
"...Not in the mood?"
"Still, we've spent months together with those guys."
Though she'd said they creeped her out, the loss of her loyal minions hit her hard.
Sung-ho wrapped an arm around her waist and escorted her back to the cave.
Da-jeong lay on the mattress and stretched out her arms.
"It'd be nice to lie next to my husband and be held like this."
"I want to, but there are eyes watching. Later."
"Tch. Fine."
She fell asleep under the fan breeze.
Sung-ho, washing in a large basin, realized Mi-kyung was outside.
Leaving her alone in the dark bunker felt wrong.
He fetched fresh water and went out.
Mi-kyung, sulking on the bed and swinging her legs, brightened up.
"Oppa."
She looked just like a puppy welcoming its returning owner.
.
.
.
I carried out all the dishes and cookware.
To eat with Mi-kyung.
A promise is a promise.
She washed with the water I brought and boiled the bird eggs.
The leftover tteokbokki set didn't smell bad.
Thanks to vacuum packing, the rice cakes survived, but the fish cakes looked iffy.
"This is the last of it."
She made a regretful face as I shook the half-opened package.
"Can't make tteokbokki anymore, huh?"
"Not easily. Making garaetteok is the first hurdle without machines."
I could make handmade noodles with flour, but calling them tteokbokki? Doubtful.
Fish cakes involve frying too, surprisingly tricky...
Anyway, the things we took for granted are no longer so.
We have to adapt.
The rice boiled vigorously in the pot.
I turned off the burner and let it steam.
Mi-kyung poked at the burner curiously.
"Thought I'd never see one again, but it's holding up. Amazing..."
"Short use is fine. As long as no big shocks."
"So next month we can use stuff like this too?"
"Depends on the big boss. Can't predict what that old man's choice will be."
Mi-kyung giggled.
"Rumor is the president grandpa's desperate to recruit you, oppa."
"Recruiting me would just start fights."
Mi-kyung flinched, knowing my rough history.
Lots in the government shelter must hate me.
I'm on good terms with leaders like Jang Won-taek, Lee Beom-seok, and Bae Geom-in, but not everyone.
Once Metal Plague fades and guns circulate, what then?
No law against sniping me when surveillance slips.
So when Metal Plague ends, I need to be even more cautious.
In areas with stockpiled firearms, at least.
Mi-kyung, sensing the heavy mood, scooted closer and changed topics to Geom-in.
"Lately, Geom-in's been hitting on Soo-yeon unnie. Doesn't suit her, in my opinion."
Huh? That coward on Soo-yeon?
I recalled two soldiers under Hyun-woo calling Soo-yeon "Mercy."
Gamer boy, figures.
"...Aren't they a bit far apart in age?"
She stared into space and gasped.
"Ten years..."
"A number tough for ordinary love to overcome."
"I get she's super feminine and pretty, but why her?"
Feminine and pretty are big points, but this case is different.
"Soo-yeon looks just like a game character. Remember those soldiers in Gimhae calling her Mercy?"
Mi-kyung's mouth dropped open.
"Ah... He likes her because she resembles a game character?"
I put a finger to my lips.
"She probably won't like that, so don't tell her."
What woman would accept being liked for looking like a game character?
Lucky if she doesn't coldly reject him.
Mi-kyung nodded happily.
"Thought apocalypse would make everyone gloomy, but no. Gym owner oppa's seeing someone good lately."
"That hyung? Who?"
"He's kinda leadership in the shelter, but don't know details..."
Hyung-jun hyung was lonely too, huh.
Not my place to talk, eaten by Da-jeong.
Mi-kyung suddenly looked downcast, burying her face between her knees.
Emotions flip fast.
"Everyone has a boyfriend but me..."
Come to think, Yoo-hyun paired with Yeo-ul too.
The early pessimism passed; spring of love arrived.
Though it'll shatter soon.
"Mi-kyung, make one."
"I'm too plain; no one likes me..."
"You're plenty pretty now. Grow your hair like before?"
Apocalypse makes it tough, sure.
As I made sauce, she slowly lifted her head.
"How'd you know I had long hair?"
Oh crap.
Slipped that I saw her direct cam.
Tried glossing over, but she stuck to my side, prodding.
"Quick, where'd you see? After the salon, I kept it short."
I confessed.
"Saw your direct cam. They called you the pale-skinned girl."
Her skin's still "whitey" white.
Her face flushed red.
"The... dance?"
Couldn't say her hip shaking was art...
I ignored it and peeled the boiled bird eggs.
This pounding heart? Swear it's not mine.
Super senses picked up Mi-kyung's ragged breathing.
Damn.
I calmed myself, picturing Kkunkkungi’s bland face and Seok-hyun naked.
Temptation vanished.
"..."
Mi-kyung fidgeted, watching me.
Weird atmosphere.
I added rice cakes to the pot, scooped rice, and rolled kimbap.
Just washed pickles, smoked pork, tuna—but tasty.
Mi-kyung, cheeks puffed, grinned and sliced kimbap.
Then Da-jeong appeared.
Mi-kyung jumped like guilty, pulling away.
"Yaaawn... What, playing house? Thought you were merging."
What nonsense.
Da-jeong shook her head, hip-bumped Mi-kyung aside, sat by me.
Her eyes lit at the menu.
"Tteokbokki! Kimbap! All my faves!"
"Didn't say you like junk food."
"No woman hates junk food! Weight's the issue."
"Right."
You two decide for all?
Anyway, mood improved.
We ate tteokbokki and kimbap.
Mi-kyung cracked eggs with a spoon, blissful.
"Love these... Cheese would perfect it."
"Catch a goat, make cheese? Sung-ho-yang?"
"Even with goats, raising and milking takes huge effort."
Doubtful for noobs like us.
Someone who could... Ji-man's traits might.
After he enters the dimension gate, anyway.
They finished clean.
As Da-jeong licked lips, Seok-hyun emerged from gate.
Fish biting his dick.
"Caught fish."
Always genuine smile, shining.
Mi-kyung covered eyes in shock; Da-jeong threw chopsticks.
"You crazy Bunny! Ruining appetite!"
"Eating? Let's grill this."
"No!"
"No way!"
Seok-hyun looked at me silently.
Sorry, no from me too.
.
.
.
We four focused on farming.
Da-jeong and I moved weapons down, then bunker supplies.
Seok-hyun and Mi-kyung scoured Gyeryongdae, gathering supplies.
Lucky Kkunkkungi’s turf war kept monsters low.
Three days cooping, Gyeryongdae emptied; my shelter brimmed.
Da-jeong beamed.
"Now build cabins inside."
Talked it, but timing off.
Once they leave, start proper construction.
Seok-hyun asked.
"Can I build a cabin too?"
"Of course. Anyone entering can build their home."
For a fortress.
Alone tough, but group doable.
Cabins, fences, defenses.
Monsters attack shelter regardless; unavoidable.
They hit when I'm here or not.
Barbed wire rusting bloody; moat weakening.
Great to have reliable guardians for peace.
Anyway, they rested three days, headed Seoul.
Da-jeong and I prepped for Daejeon.
Bigger than Gyeryong, more strong ghouls expected.
Packing, government shelter called.
Da-jeong sighed, scrubbing lone ghouls solo.
Not a puppy.
Jang Won-taek ajusshi.
Share or not?
Da-jeong urged sharing info here.
Lucky us.
I downplayed.
Jang Won-taek went silent.
Didn’t confirm orders properly, probably.
Chaos makes it hard.
I warned.
Having a Kkunkkungi guarding is suspicious from start.
Someone's scheme, I'm sure.
My emphasis worked; Jang's reply hurried.
We never three-tackled, actually.
But our firepower killing Kkunkkungi? Near impossible, I think.
This guy's asking favor again.
Wasn't this time.
Tank.
I instantly knew the enhanced ghoul.
Enhanced ghouls have distinct physical traits.
Like Da-jeong's locusts: super long legs, frog posture.
Tank tops ghouls in strength, top-tier tankiness and defense.
Not called Tank for nothing.
Da-jeong'll love it.
Closed auction; she was dressing the ghouls.
Will rip anyway.
"Da-jeong-ah."
"Yeah?"
"Tank's out."
Her eyes widened.