Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Rest and Reinforcement - 2
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The Gwangju Time Shelter incident greatly inspired other regions.
Especially the part where nearly 200 survivors gathered supplies without a single death.
Of course, there were people who tried to steal the luggage, got caught by Dajeong and beaten to a pulp, then died to monsters.
But their traces were quietly buried amid the chaos, so no one knew.
Thanks to that, a movement to emulate the Gwangju Time Shelter sprang up in the auction house.
They could no longer endure the cold, endless winter.
Currently, around the G Department Store where a Time Shelter existed, several of Daejeon's powerhouse clans, including Conquest Clan, were stationed.
Unlike Gwangju, there were no Chinese nearby, so it hadn't descended into total chaos.
Anyway, each clan's members eyed the opportunity and tried to break the seals, succeeding with one.
But the second one was the problem.
Crude Molotovs simply wouldn't cut it.
Flame cans had some effect, but materials were hard to procure.
And in the midst of that, new monsters appeared.
Commonly called trolls in Survival Life.
The reason they're called "guys" is because trolls come in various types.
The ones that appeared at G Department Store this time were the most common spiky trolls, with attack power that could instant-kill most people.
Their defense wasn't particularly high, but their regeneration was insane, and when attacked, they overturned their surroundings with tremendous strength.
They were hard to handle with current weapons.
On top of that, ghouls with hypertrophied shoulders and arms appeared, turning the area around G Department Store into a monster-infested mess.
In truth, the two monster types were just fighting each other, while people were busy hiding.
"Look at that crazy troll."
Strawberry Princess Park Hyun-seung had once claimed to be Sejong's ruler but recently relocated her entire clan to Daejeon.
There wasn't much left in Sejong City.
Housing districts were essential for survival, but Sejong was full of apartment complexes and public institutions.
There were places to farm, but the clan members wanted to move to Daejeon.
Everything was fine up to that point, but friction arose with existing clans over the Time Shelter.
Fortunately, the friction died down, but it was clear it would reignite once the shelter opened.
Right now, Park Hyun-seung and her clan members were watching a single troll rampaging in front of G Department Store.
In agility, it lagged behind werewolves; in strength, orcs outdid it—but its regeneration was no joke.
It was the only monster that could take dozens of arrows and still flee.
Having claimed the area near G Department Store as its territory, it ambushed a passing goblin pack and made them its meal.
Crunch crunch.
The troll plopped down at the Time Shelter entrance, gnawing on a goblin leg.
Conquest Clan members all turned away, dry-heaving.
Monsters eating monsters wasn't unusual, but something about trolls felt off-putting.
Probably due to their ugly appearance.
Orcs had the air of savage warriors.
Werewolves were fairly cool-looking.
Compared to them, trolls had lumpy skin, bristly black fur—ugly as sin.
Park Hyun-seung and the clan members shared experiences while staring at it.
"Is that thing really that strong?"
"We fought it earlier—man, no answer. Not super fast, but regen is insane."
"Surround it and stab with long knives or something."
Everyone shook their heads.
"Can't get close because of the spines. Our squad leader's laid up from it now. Seems poisonous."
"This is driving me nuts."
There was something even more maddening.
A ghoul with grotesquely swollen shoulders and arms appeared.
Those who'd played Survival Life spotted it and shouted:
True to its nickname, it boasted monstrous strength and durability.
A mob of goblins including orcs charged it, but it smashed them in under a minute.
The tank swung a half-broken utility pole, leaving a deep impression.
"That fucker's gotta weigh over 500kg, right?"
"No answer at all."
"Life's so damn harsh..."
While Conquest Clan members watched from hiding, the tank and troll finally met.
The two faced off right in front of the Time Shelter, building tension.
Park Hyun-seung, watching, couldn't help but blurt out in disbelief.
"What, they filming a goddamn Western?"
The ensuing monster brawl was enough to silence everyone.
Grrraaah!
Boom!
The troll with insane regeneration versus the tank with brute force.
No room for survivors to intervene in that fight.
The clan members thought:
Even a vet wouldn't stand a chance.
.
.
.
Dajeong and I headed to Daejeon via the national highway.
She got excited hearing about the tank and urged us to leave immediately.
Our transport wasn't on foot but a cart made by the stag beetles.
It had wheels, making for a comfortable trip.
Dingo and Dingsun steered, while ghouls did the pulling.
It'd hurt if it tipped, but that's the risk.
Chungcheong's winter winds were brutally cold, but shade grapes and hooded puffer jackets kept it at bay.
Plus, we were huddled together for warmth.
Rumble rumble—
The cart carrying us sped merrily down the highway.
Speed around 20km/h maybe.
Not fast, but comfy enough.
We chatted while sitting in the cart.
"Your trait will change at level 30 too. For the better."
"So instead of just zombies and ghouls, it'll control monsters in general?"
"Not sure about that far."
My trait was Exclusive Dimension Gate Open.
It evolved to Dimension Gate Open, so probably similar for others.
Dajeong flexed and bent her legs, numb from sitting.
"Zombie control turning into monster control would be total OP."
"There'll be limits. Like only monsters below your level."
Monsters have levels too, just like people.
The unhelpful system doesn't show them.
You can tell from not getting skills when killing them.
Dajeong turned back to look at me.
"But if a monster's too big, it won't fit in your gate."
"Maybe the gate grows by then?"
"Ooh, possible. Sounds possible."
My gate's currently 1m x 2m.
Anything bigger can't go in.
But if the gate enlarges, I could store more.
Though it'd probably demand more Etherstones.
I placed a hand on Dajeong's shoulder.
"Just a guess, but from level 30, a lot changes. Already demanding Etherstones, and extra effects are different."
"What if instead of every 5 levels, extras come every 10?"
Sounds plausible.
I'd dug through the auction house and got intel on trolls appearing.
"Trolls are out."
"Already? Before owlbears."
"Timeline fits roughly. Winter ends, erosion ramps up. Owl bears come with it."
She shuddered, goosebumps rising.
"What is this, some fantasy flick?"
By then, the world would look totally different.
Traces of human dominance on Earth fading one by one.
I'd gotten rough info and said,
"It's around Daejeon City Hall now. Fighting the tank."
"Let's take it!"
"No. You take it."
"Huh?"
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
"I've been hogging everything. Time you got stronger too. Skills, items."
She went quiet for a while.
Had I said something wrong?
Looking back, her eyes were misty.
"I'm happy. Sung-ho, who used to eat everything solo, thinking of me..."
"Hey, I didn't eat everything."
"What'd you share with me?"
Well...
I racked my brain desperately, then gave up.
Yeah, I'd hogged it all with excuses.
Dajeong grinned.
"Forgiving you 'cause my greedy boy's on my side. You wouldn't deny that, right?"
"Can't deny that."
"Whatever. Left's Daejeon, right?"
She pointed at the fork.
Daejeon was right around the corner.
.
.
.
"What a mess."
We settled near some department store.
Just realized—the government loves department stores.
Gwangju's Time Shelter after, now Daejeon's in an underground parking garage.
This one's had its share of drama with clans trying to breach it, but we ignored it.
Our dimension shelter was already packed.
Gyeryong base haul was no joke.
Even I, greedy as I am, admitted we couldn't farm more.
Passing the Time Shelter felt wasteful, but we'd help Dajeong here.
Her growth was mine too.
"This kimbap is killer."
Dajeong grabbed the whole roll I'd made and chomped away.
Ham swapped for spam, cucumber for rinsed pickles...
Seemed tasty enough.
She inhaled it, washed down with coffee, peering outside.
Trolls at the Time Shelter entrance had doubled to two.
I glanced at auction house and chuckled.
"Strawberry Princess is here."
"Strawberry Princess? Oh, the perv?"
Survival Life had a princess series.
Original was Bunny Gong, trend led to lame princess IDs popping up everywhere.
Most famous: Bunny Gong and Strawberry Princess.
One chased the other unilaterally, but the antics were so pervy they got dubbed the Twin Princesses.
I swabbed my ear with a cotton swab.
"Her first ID was Fairy of Love."
"Dude, right?"
"What woman uses that? Uncle in his 30s minimum."
In Survival Life, feminine IDs were 100% guys.
The few women used funny or pervy ones like Dajeong.
KimbapLoverWannaeat or whatever.
"..."
Sudden chill.
That stalker was surely still alive...
Dajeong skimmed auction house and burst laughing.
"That guy's hilarious. Conquest Clan? Conquering what?"
"All of Korea?"
"You seriously think that?"
"Never been normal. A bit unhinged."
Not as crazy as us, but earned his ID value.
Anyway, clan leader watching this mess from the tank.
"Here it comes."
Ruckus started; Dajeong leaned on the window.
Tank appeared.
Survivors lurking nearby vanished at the sight.
Orc that charged blindly got obliterated.
Limbs literally torn off.
Its strength though...
Dajeong looked ecstatic.
"So cool... Way stronger than it looks..."
"Like the blue zombie—get close and tag it?"
"But that won't be easy."
Guy was thrashing too wildly.
Two trolls joined, turning Time Shelter front into pandemonium.
Slightly different from Gwangju, but survivors couldn't approach either.
We'd watch and wait.
Trolls aside, tank's power was intimidating.
During dinner, system updated.
Tier 3 shop finally open.
I nudged Dajeong and pulled up the shop.
"Shop's open. Tier 3."
"Time to spend our saved points!"
If those damn devs hadn't snuck in patches.
Shop prices had a whole new digit upfront.
Saw Mithril Blade and was speechless.
"8k points for this?"
"What's 8k? Oh."
She saw it too and got pissed.
"These bastards crazy? Jacking 5k to 8k—what the hell?"
Gouging like never before.
I calmed down and inspected the Mithril Blade.
Permanent Durability was standard for mithril; Regeneration Reduction was key.
Hit by this, regen drops sharply.
Doesn't fully block, but noticeably effective—essential for high-regen monsters.
Especially trolls.
With this, troll hunts feel way easier.
They can't move much.
Still gotta dodge the spines.
I'd "hunted" trolls before, but trapped ones don't count.
"To approach the tank, gotta kill trolls first..."
At my words, Dajeong trembled with rage and bought two Mithril Blades.
Longer, thinner blades than long knives—looked slick.
"Why two?"
"One for you."
So thoughtful.
Now just kill the trolls.
Dark night, preparations done, we headed to the road.
Trolls sprawled sleeping amid half-collapsed building rubble.
They'd spring up if anyone neared—stay sharp.
"Lure one at a time."
I nocked an Adamant Arrow on the Elderwood Longbow.
About time to upgrade this too.
Released—the arrow nailed the troll's head.
"Nice shot!"
With Dajeong's cheer, gasps from nearby.
Super senses picked up their voices.
"Who the fuck is that punk messing with a troll?"
"About to get halved."
"Bro, check his build. Like the Gwangju guy?"
"Who? Kimbap Lover?"
"Fuck, what? Kimbap Lover's here?"
Area got noisy.
Dajeong oblivious, but I sensed every move.
Better finish quick before interference.
Troll with arrow in head rose; Dajeong's locusts swarmed from around.
Battle on.