Chapter 165
Chapter 165
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Flocking Survivors - 8
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Not only Jang Won-taek and Lee Beom-seok had watched the battle between the veteran and the ogre.
The ogre's massive size allowed people to spot it from quite a distance.
They shuddered at the ogre's raw power and toughness.
At the same time, they thought it was absolutely unbeatable.
It had taken hundreds of bullets, suffered damage from grenades,
and even got caught in a rocket blast, yet the ogre's momentum remained unbroken.
An impregnable fortress.
It was enough to make people wonder if it could even be killed.
Of course, the ogre's enhanced strength was due to the apocalypse's influence, but the survivors didn't know that.
Anyway, as always, the survivors started relaying the scene in the auction house.
Survivors from nearby areas, unable to believe the relays, started heading over themselves.
And upon confirming the ogre's presence, they freaked out even more.
That was when Sung-ho's rocket exploded inside the ogre's mouth.
As its head blew off and blood sprayed from the stump, the auction house erupted in frenzy.
Regardless of the noisy auction house, those on site immediately evacuated.
Because the ogre's death had drawn a horde of monsters.
Everyone was exhausted and couldn't even think about cleanup.
Sung-ho's group hid in an empty mansion, while Jang Won-taek, Lee Beom-seok, and Kim Hyun-woo reached a building.
"Lieutenant Kim, Lieutenant Kim."
Hyun-woo was practically catatonic.
With his men dead, the shock must have been immense.
Especially losing two he'd spent months with.
Jang Won-taek patted his shoulder with a heavy expression.
Hyun-woo, nearly out of it, suddenly jerked upright.
"The ogre... what happened to the ogre?"
"...It's dead."
"Who... no need to say. It had to be them..."
"Just as you said."
"I... I failed... but they..."
"The failure isn't on you. I should have given the order."
Command of the Striker Team was Hyun-woo's alone.
Jang had respected that and not interfered, only for it to end in disaster.
Despite the comfort, the despair in Hyun-woo's eyes didn't fade.
He hunched over and sobbed quietly.
"It's all my responsibility... If only we'd retreated then..."
"..."
The two watched him in silence.
Telling him anyone could make mistakes wouldn't help.
Lieutenant Kim needed time to process his emotions.
Soon, he stood slowly, as if resolved.
"Crying helped a bit. Go on ahead. I'll return later."
"Hand over the gun."
What a lone man might do was obvious.
Hyun-woo gritted his teeth and glared at Jang Won-taek.
"Doesn't someone have to take responsibility?"
"Suicide doesn't absolve responsibility. Forgot your promise to serve me to the end? You have much to do."
"..."
Hyun-woo bowed his head, and Jang launched into a speech.
"No world has only successes. Someone has to fail, and it was you. Humanity's history is one of blood. We just minimize sacrifices in the process. That's our job."
"Rather than entrust it to a failure like me..."
"If one failure means giving up everything, I never could've become president. Know this? From entering Yeouido, I failed repeatedly. My party distrusted me, the opposition hounded my mistakes. Yet why did I become president?"
"..."
Hyun-woo was listening intently now.
"Because I never gave up. Even when it seemed over, I rose again. You'll be the one laughing last."
Jang patted his valued subordinate's shoulder.
"Don't return to the shelter yet. Hunt monsters with a cold weapon to clear your head. I'll assign a new mission in a few days. Chief of Staff."
"Yes, sir."
Hyun-woo surrendered his gun without resistance and left with Lee Beom-seok.
Only then could Jang sigh in relief.
Losing Hyun-woo now, after the whole Striker Team, would be devastating.
"What a tragedy..."
More lives lost.
Due to the ogre variable, but undeniable damage.
The silver lining: Sung-ho's reputation soared.
People drawn to the ogre killer might head to the government shelter.
He'd leave eventually, but until then, it'd benefit them.
Jang felt a twinge of self-loathing for calculating gains like this.
But...
"No choice..."
The government shelter had to rise on blood.
It would be the foundation of New Korea; it couldn't fall here.
Jang lit a cigarette.
Smoke and thoughts scattered together.
We moved to a nearby mansion.
Everyone was too worn out to return to the shelter.
Seok-hyun took the hardest hit fighting the ogre, but potions and Soo-yeon's care brought him around.
He shook his head, said he'd nap in the dimension gate, and went in.
"We killed the ogre, but the damage is huge..."
Dajeong tended to her halved ghoul pack with a bitter look.
Almost lost the tank too.
"I'll help later, don't worry."
"Gonna need a lot of help. Anyway, no cleanup?"
"Too many monsters."
"Saw a lot of people died. The soldier uncles..."
"They could've avoided it if they'd retreated when Sung-ho oppa said to."
It was Hyun-woo's fault, but I kept quiet.
No point souring the mood.
Dajeong clapped her hands and plopped on the sofa.
"So what'd you get? Spill quick."
Everyone's eyes sparkled, curious about my gains.
I was honest.
"Item first."
I placed the gloves on the sofa table, drawing all eyes.
"Whoa... first time seeing +5 stats."
"Me too. But the name's weird? Usually material first, right?"
True.
Items usually go material then name.
Orihalcon long knife, elderwood longbow—rare exceptions.
Unique item?
I slipped on the gloves and punched the wall behind the sofa.
Thud. The concrete dented deeply.
A burning pain hit me.
"Kuh."
Hard Skin helped, but not enough against pain.
Ogre strength was real, but this body couldn't handle it properly.
A penalty, basically.
Meanwhile, people gawked at the hole.
"Whoa..."
"Insane..."
"Sung-ho's strength is no joke. But your hand okay? No physical resist."
"Not really."
I shook my hand, and Soo-yeon stepped up.
"I'll heal it. Take off the gloves."
"No, it's fine. Skills heal it."
Gloves off, hand good as new.
Dajeong shoved the others aside with her hips and sat beside me.
"Stamina regen wouldn't cut it. Got a new skill, right? Spill what."
"Primordial Life."
"Whoa, badass name. Exact effects?"
She lounged back, crossing legs, clearly expectant.
I told her straight.
"Compound skill. Super Regeneration, Berserk, and..."
"Know those two. And?"
"Vigorous Vitality mixed in."
Her eyes narrowed slyly.
"Vigorous Vitality? Sounds vague."
"Doesn't tire easily... something like that."
"Nice. Gotta test it myself later."
Dunno about bedroom stamina.
Soo-yeon caught the implication, but Mi-kyung innocently grabbed my hand.
"Oppa got so strong. Congrats!"
"Yeah, thanks."
I patted her, then got everyone's attention.
"Lots happened today, but thanks to those who helped. Thanks... but doing more here feels off, so let's head to the shelter."
"You're coming too, hyung?"
"Nah. Got people to meet. Dajeong can dimension gate in..."
"I'm crashing inside. Don't wake me."
She took her ghouls and vanished inside.
To Mi-kyung and Yu-hyun:
"You two, go to the shelter. Dimension gate quest tomorrow after inspection."
"Us too?"
"Everyone."
All three held their roles against the ogre without flinching.
Metal plague fading soon—time to prep.
They cheered like kids, then asked:
"What about Soo-yeon unnie?"
"Soo-yeon-ssi... mind helping me a bit? Need to meet people."
Her knowledge would help with the chaebols.
She tilted her head with a smile.
"Gladly."
Meanwhile, Oh Jung-min and Kim Ji-eun returned to their villa and contacted others.
Other meaning like-minded chaebols.
Time for bunker-dwellers with firepower to stretch after the metal plague.
They weren't as foolish as the dead, but info-blind just the same.
No game experience, mostly bunkered.
Gathered, the topic arose first.
"Demand info. We give guns in return. They'll be satisfied."
Lee Min-su, father of K-pop idols, spoke.
He dreamed big with agency stars.
Build a new shelter around his bunker.
Impossible alone, but idols had massive fame.
With proper info, they could rally people.
Park Kyung-hoo nodded beside him.
"Right. Veterans or not, guns beat them. Gov shelter gave some, but not to us."
"Smuggling past crackdowns was a jackpot, haha."
"Everyone was chaotic then. Empty ports—who watches our ships?"
Weapons smuggled from Russia.
Hannam-dong bunker owners mostly did the same.
East Sea coast guard failed.
Lee Min-su leaned back casually.
"Wait... why not tell him to join us?"
"Not bad."
Park agreed.
They giggled about idols perfect for Kimbap Lover.
"No man hates girls. Especially in apocalypse..."
"Don't you regret it? Spent days in the bunker..."
"Hey, stop."
Lee waved it off in horror.
"We're equals. No one's above."
"Still, you're the bunker owner."
Oh Jung-min and Kim Ji-eun just listened.
Doubtful Kimbap Lover would bite.
Kim Ji-eun sighed, scanned auction house, spotted new info.
Ogre dead.
Whispered to Oh Jung-min; his face changed.
"What? That monster's dead?"
The room tensed.
The other two asked; she told truth.
"Kimbap Lover killed the ogre. Not alone, but still."
"...The ogre?"
"No way... for real? Killed an ogre?"
Park clutched his hair.
No game, but guides said ogres were powerhouse.
Guide: Never engage. Flee on sight.
That ogre dead by Kimbap Lover.
He'd hoped their guns could do it, but killing was different.
Kim Ji-eun briefed quickly.
"Gov Striker Team failed with heavy weapons. Veterans finished it. Kimbap Lover main star."
"Wh-what skills dropped?"
"Bet good items too..."
Then an arrow hit the window and fell.
Blunt tip.
She smiled faintly.
"He's here. See for yourselves."
Now?
They jumped up, looked out, met his gaze.
Ogre killer.
The hulking man's eyes swept them.
He mouthed something; they recoiled from the window.
Looked like:
--Let's talk upstairs.
No escaping.
Lee Min-su and Park Kyung-hoo desperately pondered offerings for Kimbap Lover.
Hope he was satisfied.
End of Flocking Survivors - 8