Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Swarming Survivors - 3
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No one would like a brainwashing trait.
Of course, I didn't either.
The ability to turn humans into puppets and manipulate them was dangerous in a whole different way from violence.
That's why I'd killed every brainwashing ability user I'd encountered so far.
Only two, but still.
"They've expressed a desire to visit us here."
Lee Hye-jin whispered in an extremely low voice, as if afraid someone might overhear.
As if that made any difference—everyone could hear it.
"They showed interest when we mentioned heavy weapons. We might be able to lure them in."
Well, look at that.
So luring me in was the goal all along?
Drag me into the bunker first, then make their move?
My cheek twitched, and Jang Won-taek took notice but didn't say a word.
Come to think of it, Lee Hye-jin was just as naive about the world as anyone.
There were plenty of people with sharp instincts out there, even if not quite on my level...
She probably didn't realize just how varied traits could be, cooped up in that bunker.
Information available through the auction house was limited, after all.
Lots of supplies, but blind to info—perfect for fleecing.
That's when I heard Kim Ho-je mutter.
"I'm bored... What should I do?"
Not a kid anymore, whining in a place like this—his brain must've atrophied.
Should've moderated that drug use.
"Be quiet."
"S-Sorry..."
Lee Hye-jin must've smacked him on the head, because there was a dull thud.
A faint sound I wouldn't have caught without super senses.
A subordinate hitting their superior...
That made me reconsider if Kim Ho-je even had a brainwashing trait.
What if Lee Hye-jin was the one with it?
I recalled Kim Ho-je unconsciously reaching out.
Might not be brainwashing, so he acted that way.
Lee Hye-jin would've needed him to seem like the brainwasher, so she pretended to stop him.
Thinking that far, her feigned surprise earlier felt sly as hell.
Pretty face, and she knew how to deceive people.
Soon, the two returned.
Lee Hye-jin's lips curved up slightly.
"After consulting with the boss, we've decided to open the bunker."
"Good choice. So... when would be a good time?"
"Tomorrow would be best. You two must be tired from traveling today."
"We'll provide a room, so rest up and head out tomorrow."
With me and Jang Won-taek in sync, Lee Hye-jin found herself agreeing before she knew it.
One thing left to do before going.
.
.
.
I took Yoo-hyun outside with me.
He was thrilled, saying he'd been studying so much he needed fresh air.
Made me feel kinda guilty for no reason.
"Yoo-hyun, think you can paper airplane all the way to Hannam-dong?"
"Plenty far enough. Where should I check?"
"The rich area. Center it around here."
"Got it. One sec."
Yoo-hyun folded a sturdy paper plane and launched it.
Could've used my drone, but its range was only 3km.
Traded off for clearer footage, pros and cons.
A moment later, Yoo-hyun spoke up.
"Hyung, we're there. You mean near the Grand Hotel, right?"
"Spot on."
Used to be buried in snow.
I pointed out Joo Seung-cheol's bunker location.
"Scout around that area. Tell me if anything seems off."
"Uh... Flying low now, and I see guns. Y'know, those anti-air machine guns?"
Machine guns?
Goosebumps prickled my arms.
I asked for details, and he frowned, adjusting the plane.
"Fences have plenty of guns too... and dogs? Wow, security's no joke."
Not quite my level, but they'd prepared well.
Having seen what happened to Joo Seung-cheol, infiltration via vents would be tough now.
But no security's perfect.
Knock, and it opens.
Yoo-hyun tapped my arm.
"Hyung, drones are swarming around. What now?"
"They spot you?"
"Same altitude, but probably not yet. Camera's underneath..."
Good then.
"Keep tailing them. Stay hidden."
Yoo-hyun maneuvered the plane a while longer before opening his eyes.
"Whew, distance made it tricky. Anyway, marked the bunker with guns."
Moments later, a map of Hannam-dong showed several bunkers.
Seven total—not huge, but close together.
Could aid each other in a pinch.
When I hit Joo Seung-cheol's, they probably just watched, no choice.
I eyed the map and asked Yoo-hyun.
"Which bunker did the drones land at?"
"This one."
His finger pointed to one.
The same one I'd pegged as Kim Boss's before.
Practically next to Joo Seung-cheol's— they'd witnessed his death.
Now it was clear: they were luring me with ulterior motives.
Not revenge—probably to puppet me and extract info.
Having someone as strong as me as a slave? Pretty reassuring...
Starting to piss me off.
I stayed quiet, and Yoo-hyun gauged my mood.
"Uh... hyung. I didn't mess up, right?"
"Huh? No way. Just... some stuff going on."
He placed a hand on his chest and sighed in relief.
"Good... I kinda felt it a bit. Like while you were away from us, something changed..."
"Changed how?"
"Y'know, absence makes the heart grow... distant or whatever. Or not?"
That's for lovers, isn't it?
Broadly human relations, maybe, but not entirely.
I slung an arm over Yoo-hyun's shoulder.
"Worried I'd ditch you and go solo? No chance. You've got tons to do inside."
"Tons?"
"Yeah. Motor pumps, solar panels, alarms, bike repairs..."
I rattled off whatever, and his face relaxed.
"Phew... glad there's lots."
"Gotta build a house too. For you and Yeoul's newlywed life?"
"W-We’re not like that..."
"Sure you are. I heard everything."
His embarrassment made me want to tease more.
But he brings up affection, it gets tiring—stop here.
I ruffled his hair roughly.
"I'll handle it, so just study hard."
"Ji-man said the exact same thing."
"Ji-man did?"
"Yeah. Said if I work hard, you'd take care of it..."
Not wrong.
Handed him snacks as a pat on the back, and his grin split ear to ear.
I stepped out and sat somewhere comfy.
Recon done—now how to act inside the bunker.
Could smash from outside, but too much hassle.
Bunker armed with drones, machine guns, dogs—breaking in externally would take effort.
"Gotta break it from inside."
Paralysis darts, pepper bombs, taser gun—use as needed.
Sorted thoughts, entered dimension gate. Boss dung beetle approached with something.
"What's this now?"
A ring.
Polished to shine, with options.
Mithril Ring: Permanent Durability, Mental Resistance
"Ooh..."
Mental resistance—guards against mental attacks?
But no skill slots free.
Lemme see... drop the gloves.
Sacrifice three stats and Critical Strike for now, but mental resistance too tempting.
Slipped on the ring; message popped up.
Used to have to test items blindly, but lately these messages appear.
Submarine patch, no doubt.
Mental Resistance: Gain resistance to all mental attacks.
"Kinda vague..."
I once had paralysis resistance as a skill.
Difference between resistance and immunity?
Sounds like resistance is the lower tier.
"Immunity above resistance, maybe."
Not the point—how'd they make it?
Asked boss dung beetle; pointed to ether ore.
"Extra options if made with that?"
Drew a 20.
Abysmal odds.
Permanent Durability from mithril; lucky to get mental resistance too.
"Lucky break."
Should block brainwashing completely? No, but hold out some.
Pet the waiting crew one by one.
"Good job."
Turning, boss stag beetle yammered at boss dung beetle.
What's his deal?
Rang on, packed gear in backpack.
Outside, ground shelter crew returned from securing site, all abuzz.
"Where's my husband!"
Da-jeong bellowed for me.
Embarrassing the crowd...
She found me, went for a hug, then flinched.
Grabbed my hand; mithril ring gleamed.
"What's this? Which bitch?"
"Huh? Oh, the ring."
Before her eyes blazed, I clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Listen. Not a bitch—dung beetle made it."
"Mmph!"
"Mental resistance, see? Ether ore. Awesome, right?"
Finished explaining, removed hand.
She gasped, then glared dissatisfied.
"Block lips with a kiss, not your palm. Lips right on."
"People around. Hold it."
Greeted returnees, called Seok-hyeon over.
"Listen, good opportunity. Remember Seung-cheol's bunker? Nearby."
Spilled details; he looked bored.
"So what's my job?"
"Hide in dimension gate, jump out, beat 'em down."
Seok-hyeon grinned.
"Cool plan."
"Rest inside first. Call you later."
Chatting, Yoo-hyun came running.
Da-jeong bear-hugged him from behind, stopping him.
"Where's my cutie headed?"
"S-Seong-ho hyung. Uh, sis... let go a bit..."
Twisting, eyeing me—worried I'd get jealous?
Not really.
Da-jeong laughed, released; Yoo-hyun reached me.
"After you left, I rescanned Hannam-dong... Dungeon appeared."
"Dungeon? Where?"
"Big art museum up top. Dungeon entrance right in front."
Sudden wrinkle.
Bunker rich folks wouldn't miss a chance.
Shoo survivors, monopolize dungeon.
Play right, eat the bird and the egg.
Da-jeong cackled at my look.
"Showtime. We'll watch cozy from inside."
"Catch some fish?"
Her face flipped.
"Nah."
"No picky eating. Eat balanced."
"Don't wanna hear that from a meat-only guy."
Seok-hyeon tilted head, confused.
"Listen. We mostly eat herbivores, right?"
"Yeah?"
"What do they eat?"
"Grass... fruit... grains...?"
"So we're eating balanced too. Got it?"
Da-jeong blanked, then kicked Seok-hyeon's butt into the gate.
"Good words sound good."
"Shut up and go."
Finally gone.
Noisy bunch.
.
.
.
I followed Kim Ho-je and Lee Hye-jin to Hannam-dong.
Man was loud and immature; Hye-jin stoic—boring trip.
Some monsters appeared; she dispatched with silencer rifle.
Blew smoke from suppressor.
"Monsters? Turns out they're nothing special."
"...Yeah?"
"Can't stand up to modern firearms. Feels that way."
"Stronger ones later."
"We'll have stronger firepower."
Confidence overflowing.
Not wrong, so I shut up.
Soon crossed Han River to Hannam-dong.
As expected, area buzzing.
"Why the sudden commotion?"
"Dunno."
Didn't know about the dungeon at the museum nearby.
Arrived cautiously at bunker; woman opened door.
"Welcome."
Blank expression; I feigned puzzlement, Hye-jin bowed apologetically.
"Brainwashed. Didn't want to show, but unavoidable..."
Ridiculous.
I'd seen brainwashed; pupils don't look like that.
She's acting.
Needed proof Kim Ho-je brainwashed her, since he likes women.
Followed inside; sensed another presence immediately.
Someone hiding with stealth.
Focused; heard breathing and heartbeat.
Sealing room... there.
"Something down there."
Lee Hye-jin guided straight to sealing room.
Brainwash me now, then both pounce?
"Step out a moment."
Kim Ho-je shuffled awkwardly at her icy tone, scurried off.
Revealing true colors too quick.
Sat in chair, quietly opened dimension gate.
Lee Hye-jin removed hood and sunglasses.
Refined beauty.
Lips moved.
"Show weapons first?"
"More to see?"
"Plenty. Lots..."
She moved chair, sat before me.
Pulled knees up, rested chin.
"Hate to say it, but... heard lots about you, Seong-ho. Strongest."
"Not really. One bullet ends anyone."
She giggled, then shrugged off top—not even hot.
Thought slim; quite voluptuous.
"How's the government shelter?"
"Food sucks, otherwise decent."
"Aw. Apocalypse needs some joy."
"They say it'll improve. Wait and see."
"Patient guy. Not in swamp labyrinth, they say..."
I leaned in, eyed her.
Speech pattern shifted—bad sign.
"What's the deal?"
Suddenly, Hye-jin flung open her shirt.
Bare skin inches away.
I blinked; she smiled satisfied, straddled my thigh.
"Suddenly like this..."
"Shh."
Lips covered mine.
Then slyly felt my hand, removed glove.
This is it.
I froze with a gasp.
Hye-jin wiped smile, pulled back.
"Done. Why no message?"
Mental resistance.
I eyed man rising from corner, signaled dimension gate.
Fuming Da-jeong burst out, booted his ass.
"Urk!"
"Which slut rubs lips on my man? Wanna die!"
"Huh?"
Seeing her, both panicked.
End of Swarming Survivors - 3