Chapter 158
Chapter 158
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Survivors Flocking In - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The incident at the Comprehensive Sports Complex Station quickly spread to the auction house.
Sung-ho was always secretive about everything, but Jang Won-taek wanted to promote it aggressively.
It was the only way to gather people.
Word got out that the veteran players had taken down hundreds of monsters, two Sniffers, and some unidentified beast.
A line formed of people wanting to check out the site themselves.
Those who had been there and fled added their testimonies.
Thanks to that, the four veterans came off looking like monsters themselves.
Even with guns, taking on hundreds of monsters in that cramped space wasn't enough—they'd even killed two Sniffers.
And that mystery beast was said to be far stronger than the Sniffers, which was shocking enough.
By now, the auction house was flooded with praise for the veteran quartet.
Especially for Survivor1 the swordsman, since he was known to have finished off the last monster.
He'd just done as told and shot where directed, but a record was a record.
One comment section in the auction house was overflowing with so-called "holy site pilgrimage" reports.
Lots of talk led to one conclusion.
The veterans were the real deal, and they were all gathered in one shelter.
The government folks targeted that and started full-scale promotion.
They leaked bits of their future vision, tempting the survivors strongly.
The totems' existence sent survivors into a frenzy.
The government didn't mention there were only two totems.
Anyway, combining the government shelter's vision with the veterans' presence created massive impact.
It even got out that they'd reasonably guarantee the freedom survivors worried most about.
And Jang Won-taek drove the nail in.
"Don't think of the government shelter as something grandiose. I'm not the president or the shelter's ruler. Just a survivor with a bit of influence."
"All activities are guaranteed... After proper training, firearms will be distributed fairly. Stockpiled supplies will be used for everyone. Come to the government shelter. We'll be waiting."
The auction house saw huge positive response, and Lee Beom-seok compiled a report.
"Many survivors are responding positively... We can aim for at least 300."
But Jang Won-taek was lukewarm.
"Figure on about 30."
"Pardon? But..."
"Weather hasn't cleared yet—easy to move? Plus, lots will hate abandoning hideouts they've built all winter. Plan supplies for 30."
"Ah, yes. Understood."
"And Sung-ho sent an invoice."
Lee Beom-seok hesitated but handed over a sheet.
He hadn't reported it because it was absurd.
The old man's sharp eyes scanned the invoice.
"Hah, that guy. They clearly secured military supplies from the reserve shelter, but he skipped that."
"5,000 rounds is ridiculous. Best to ignore it."
"Hmm... The consumed supplies are listed pretty specifically."
According to the invoice, the veteran team used 23 firearms and 5,200 rounds of ammo.
A few M72 rockets too, showing how intense the fight was.
But Lee Beom-seok couldn't shake his doubts.
"They definitely inflated it several times over."
"Maybe doubled. Give 'em about 10,000 rounds."
"President."
"Truth or not, they did consume a lot. Isn't that right?"
"Yes..."
"And we got unexpected intel we never would have without their fight."
Not just one mad doctor.
Learning they had power beyond Sniffers was a bonus too.
According to the veterans, those guys gifted the resurrection scroll to Joo Seung-chul.
Though the doctor himself didn't have one and died for real.
After receiving orders, Lee Beom-seok reported on Kim So-ryeong's team's findings.
Jang Won-taek's white eyebrows twitched at the low voice.
"Nothing?"
"Yes. Nothing found under Bupyeong City Hall Station."
"Impossible... Plenty of monster corpses. Veterans said the doctor came from there."
"Kim So-ryeong's team searched thoroughly—not even a trace."
"Hmph..."
This complicated things.
Jang Won-taek had expected at least some clues from the search.
But no traces.
Where did mad doctor Jeon Ji-hoon do his monster fusion experiments?
Maybe a dungeon there.
Without knowing access, finding it would be tough.
Lee Beom-seok made his final report.
A list of people formally requesting to join.
Jang Won-taek's eyes stopped midway.
"This guy's alive?"
"Yes. He contacted us wanting to join."
"Hah, that's... Not someone we can welcome easily."
His displeasure was clear.
The name belonged to a chaebol brat infamous as a thug.
Jang Won-taek tapped the paper incredulously.
"Proudly lists his trait as Brainwash. Doesn't know the world or just crazy?"
"From what we hear, he's hunkered down all this time. Sorry, been surviving in his shelter."
"Low level, then?"
"Barely leveled. Occasionally traded info with nearby survivors."
"Interacting with a brainwasher... Those folks are something."
"Probably kept him alive cuz he's useful."
Anyway, surviving half a year showed patience worth praising.
"Has guns but uneasy, so requests to join... Puts us in a tough spot."
"Accepting him will cause problems for sure."
"We'll meet first. Can you tell him to come?"
"Yes. I'll relay that."
After Lee Beom-seok left, Jang Won-taek lit a cigarette.
Plans go off rails right after starting, they say.
His vision's first step—the surface shelter—wouldn't go smoothly either.
"Already hearing creaks. What a pain."
But he couldn't show weakness.
He denied it, but the government shelter stood on his shoulders.
Jang Won-taek straightened his clothes and stepped out.
.
.
.
Half of February had passed.
The government shelter stretched in earnest.
To secure land for the surface shelter, many were mobilized.
Seok-hyun and Geom-in were pulled, and I went hunting with several others.
Officially to gain experience, but real reason was different.
Dajeong freaked out over the smell living with the women.
"Can't take it anymore—next time out, we're bathing together."
Targeted: Soo-yeon, Mi-kyung, Yeo-ul.
They whispered it was fine among themselves, but not to Dajeong.
"My nose is gonna twist off!"
"No water..."
"Unnie, try wiping with wet wipes."
They had a point.
Government shelter water ration: 2 liters daily.
That barely covered cooking—showers impossible.
Water outside froze solid in the weather.
Thus, everyone stank badly.
Just got used to it since same boat.
Dajeong and I took a Yeouido building, lit a fire with coal briquettes.
Opened dimension gate, pulled out Duck Down Quack's metal tub, stuck in hose—water gushed.
The three stared at the tub mesmerized.
"So amazing..."
Transparent gate made it look like hose from thin air.
Soo-yeon dipped hand in water, surprised.
"Not that cold?"
"Inside's summer now. Water from cabin, lukewarm."
"Where's it from?"
"Nearby valley. Tank there, pump in cabin."
"You're incredible."
"Once Yu-hyun enters, can motorize the pump. Wish he'd hurry."
With Yu-hyun, could install waterwheel in valley for power.
He's studying books now for that.
Grumbling like this.
"Who'd think apocalypse means studying..."
"Need anything?"
"Tell ya later. Need electricity books first."
Promised to find some, cheered him on.
Dajeong emerged from gate, dropped plastic bag.
Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, brushes... even scrubbers. Perfect.
Hands on hips, she declared.
"We're scrubbing off all that grime here. Get ready."
"God, how long since a real bath."
"Can't go in the tub, right?"
"You nuts?"
Clueless Mi-kyung asked, got smacked by the girls.
They stripped off puffer jackets excitedly, then eyed me.
Time to bail.
Excused myself, closed gate, stepped out.
"They'll handle washing..."
Decided to check the furnace Duck Down Quacks made.
Found spot nearby, entered shelter—furnace up to waist height.
Dajeong made from volcanic soil.
Fuel: Ethersone and coal briquettes.
Powdered for special flame.
No need for this to just make molten metal.
But for processing magic metal ore, no choice.
"Counting on you guys."
Duck Down Quacks hauled fuel.
Igniter sparked purple flames roaring up.
"Whoa... cool."
Stared at beautiful fire.
Work began in earnest; boss Duck called me.
"What?"
Explanation: Furnace must stay lit by principle.
Extinguish once, molten metal solidifies—trash.
"Keep fueling... wait, Ethersone?"
Nod nod.
That was the issue.
Ethersone stock: 3 from Sniffers, used 1, 2 left.
One lasts a month—three months total.
To not waste furnace, need more Ethersone.
"Where to get more..."
Sniffers not common.
Others' quest Ethersone eaten by gate.
Hmm.
"Better form Ethersone expedition?"
Boss Duck ambiguous.
Might be none nearby.
Time left—think later.
Sought stag beetles working separately.
Making totems per deal.
"Going well?"
Different from Ducks—didn't even look, pointed with claw.
Elderwood material, time-consuming.
Good so far, but harvesting Elderwood issue.
Cut branches with Elementium knife, but no permission after.
Stag beetles: Want more? Bring others.
"Personal harvest limit, huh."
Ignore and overharvest? Can't handle consequences. Tricky.
"Seok-hyun and Dajeong's shares left..."
That'll hold; new people can harvest theirs.
Toured shelter, spotted Ding-soon's swollen belly.
"You two got busy."
Explains being out lately.
Back, made nest in corner.
Dingo out hunting food.
Tore dried pollack, boiled soup, put in nest.
Ding-soon lapped bowl clean, licked my nose.
"Have lots of pups."
What to do with 'em? Later.
Bathed, joined fresh women for meal.
Heading out with guys from government shelter, Jang Won-taek stopped me briefly.
"Something up?"
Hesitated, then explained.
Chaebol's worst thug wants to join.
Trait: Brainwash.
I cracked knuckles; he backpedaled.
"Brainwash trait's iffy, right? Forget I mentioned."
"Nah. Let's meet. Curious what he'll say."
"Holed up half year in shelter—probably nothing useful."
Wondered if possible, but prep could've made it work.
Brainwash survivors into slaves—basic living ok.
Chaebol, so shelter-building no issue...
"Low level," he said with wry smile.
"Think clueless rich kid. Has guns, vague situation awareness—no clue on auction house etc."
"Thought guys like that all dead."
Apocalypse.
Weak, dumb, troublemakers don't survive harsh world.
Clueless chaebol thug alive? Combo of factors.
Joining government shelter: Scraping bottom of wisdom barrel.
Told Jang Won-taek.
"Let's meet. Decide after."
"Feels like Sung-ho'll shake him down. Hope I'm wrong."
Sharp eye on this guy.
End of Survivors Flocking In - 1