Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: <It's All Mine>
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“So in the end, we're all going to turn into zombies?”
“Yes. It's certain. When the zombie outbreak hits, most people will become zombies. But us Awakeners are different.”
“How are we different?”
“We have power and information. We have the strength to survive even when zombies and monsters pop out.”
“Is there any guarantee we won't turn into zombies?”
“Well, that's...”
The man being interviewed seemed unsure.
Me too.
A bitter smile crept onto the reporter's lips.
“Next question. If that really happens, how will our society change?”
“I told you it's going to happen. Anyway, from then on, real power matters. The winner is the one who fights and wins. Stuff like working at a job and earning money? Totally useless.”
The interviewee let out a rough breath, getting a bit excited.
It was the tone of someone eagerly awaiting the apocalypse.
Did he have a lot of grudges against everyday society?
Well, back when I was in my early twenties working at the factory, I hated going to work more than dying sometimes.
But that's still better than the world ending, right?
The interviewer didn't seem to think so.
Hyung-jun hyung, who had been watching with his arms crossed, chimed in.
“To me, that guy's a loser. He's cursing the world, like 'may this shitty society just collapse.'”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Bora, with her sharp eyes, spoke up.
“I've always wondered— the conditions for turning into a zombie. Does no one really know?”
If it hasn't been revealed so far, then no one knows.
Hyung-jun hyung stated the general consensus, but the man thought differently.
“That's not true. People around Awakeners will be fine.”
“What do you mean by that?”
As Bora's eyes narrowed, he chuckled lowly.
“Why do you think I Awakened? Because I played Survival Life, right? Meaning I've made contact. So what about all of you who've been in contact with me?”
The man's gaze landed on Bora and hyung.
Mi-kyung was an Awakener from the start, and I guess he wasn't even paying attention to me.
Well, I'm not part of their group anyway...
Hyung asked him.
“So you're saying Bora and I won't turn into zombies?”
Kyung-hoon shrugged.
“I can't say for sure, but that's the feeling I get.”
“Then we'll have to stick with you, Kyung-hoon oppa?”
As Bora stroked his muscular forearm, he seemed pleased.
“Haha, just trust me. Those zombies? They just groan 'uuuuh' and can't even move properly. Just smash 'em all.”
“The tutorial was super hard though...”
Mi-kyung said, and Hyung-jun hyung asked.
“I've heard it's hard, but how hard exactly?”
“Insanely. I died without even getting past the early tutorial. The zombies were crazy fast.”
Bora shot Kyung-hoon a glare.
“You said zombies are slow?”
“It feels different depending on the person.”
“So how far did you clear? You beat the tutorial, right?”
“Yeah, well. It was a long time ago, so I don't remember well, but I must've cleared it.”
He didn't even clear it.
So this boastful Kyung-hoon couldn't even beat the tutorial either.
No wonder he's feeding Hyung-jun hyung weird info and confusing him.
He demonstrated, saying footwork is key when fighting zombies.
“Zombies come charging in, right? They can't move normally, so you just back away like this. Back, back.”
Oh, please. Give him a stage and he'd dance.
Hyung-jun hyung looked skeptical.
“Is that really right? Earlier when we talked weapons, you said to check the hardware store.”
“Oh, I was a bit confused then. It's been a while since I played the game.”
It's not even been two years, you poser.
I pulled hyung aside to a corner.
“I heard from watching Kimbap Lover's stream— when you face a zombie, dodge to the side.”
“Why? Got a reason?”
“When the apocalypse hits, roads get insanely cluttered. Building debris, car wrecks, bodies, zombies, rubble... it's no joke. Backing up risks tripping.”
“...Yeah, that makes sense. So, to the side?”
“Yes. Check your surroundings before zombies close in. You have to be careful with every step. Honestly, fighting zombies isn't great. Better to avoid them.”
“Got it... Avoid and run, huh.”
“Our neighborhood has how many people? Imagine most turn into zombies. You'll get surrounded mid-fight.”
“Hmm...”
Hyung eyed Kyung-hoon, who was bragging to Bora and Mi-kyung, with distrust.
“You should've joined instead of that old guy.”
“It was already full. But where'd the other one go?”
“Oh, there's that camping discount store. He went there.”
Camping discount store... tempting.
If the outbreak hits that day, raiding there beats a convenience store.
I noted it and was about to say bye to hyung when the door opened and someone peeked in.
The doctor I'd seen before... well, not a doctor anymore. Anyway, Su-yeon.
“Su-yeon, what brings you here?”
“I have something to give you. Got a sec?”
“Come in, come in.”
Hyung-jun hyung ushered her in.
She greeted the gym members, then pulled something from her bag.
“Red cross... first-aid kit?”
Su-yeon opened it.
“This is painkillers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory packs. Pop one if you get hurt.”
“Whoa, jackpot.”
I was pretty surprised too.
“You can't buy these without a prescription.”
“Who prescribed... ah.”
Meeting everyone's stares, Su-yeon declared boldly.
“I forged the prescriptions.”
“Didn't you quit being a doctor...? Isn't this illegal?”
Hyung asked slyly, and she held out the kit.
“My license is still valid. So, you taking it or not?”
“No no, we'll take it. Thank you so much.”
“I've been watching TV since this morning. Total chaos with the goblins.”
Ah, that's what made her decide.
Su-yeon looked around at everyone.
“World's ending anyway—who's gonna care about a few forged prescriptions? No one.”
“You're on fire.”
“That's it then. Oh, Sung-ho, you're sticking with them?”
“No, I'm on my own.”
“Ah. Then take this.”
She handed me a small pouch.
Inside were the same medicine packs as the kit.
“Thank you. I'll repay the favor someday.”
She patted my shoulder.
“Don't forget that. Next time something comes up, help me once.”
“As long as it doesn't put me in danger.”
I tucked the pouch into my backpack and said goodbye to the gym crew.
Hyung-jun hyung really wanted me as a member.
“I can't, hyung—too much to do.”
Truth is, I'm dangerous to be around.
Higher level means stronger respawning monsters nearby.
Zombies are a big threat to them early on, but Enhanced Zombies? Nah.
To avoid trolls, I have to go solo.
I drove the SUV to the seed shop.
The seed shop was packed with seeds I'd never even heard of in my life.
According to the owner auntie, it's the biggest in Busan.
I nodded politely and browsed the shelves.
Fangfeng? Asuri? Dog shit mugwort?
Stocking seeds no one's heard of seems like a waste.
If I haven't eaten it yet, I probably never will.
I picked familiar ones.
After buying hundreds of thousands of won worth, the owner threw in extras for free.
“Thank you, come again.”
“I will.”
Next time, I'll probably clean the place out.
I saved the seed shop's location on my map.
Actually, there's something more important.
The seed vault in Gyeongbuk, the Seed Vault.
Asia's largest, storing 50,000 seed varieties.
Of course, when it hits, power goes out—no more stable storage.
But seeds are tough. They'll last.
Once Metal Plague passes, I should check it with the sheltered bike.
I removed the convenience store from my Day 20 loot list.
More important spots.
Convenience store stuff is mostly short-shelf-life food.
Better to hit seed shops, hardware stores, camping discounters.
Route gets longer though...
Worried if I can loot it all in five hours.
Who knows how things change.
What waits for me that day: orderly end or chaotic ruin?
Depends on the government.
They could at least tell us the time.
Would be nice for the scoop-hungry reporters.
If government secures Survival Life servers, pointless though.
I stopped at the camping discount store.
The parking lot was huge— the store itself was factory-sized.
What the... so big...
Can I loot this on D-Day?
Gonna be zombie central.
Inside was packed with customers.
All young folks with backpacks.
Apocalypse has seeped deep into daily life.
Even the counter staff was watching goblin news on their phone.
Goblins, zombies, end times chatter everywhere.
Rope... here it is.
I found quality paracord.
Used for bracelets now, but main use is parachute cord.
Super tough—one strand holds 250kg.
Perfect for tons of forest uses.
Gonna need traps for hunting later— this'll do.
Tons of other tempting gear too.
Saw a cool ceramic pot and utensil set— nearly bought it.
Could show it off!
Damn, too pricey.
Chopsticks for 10k? Insane.
I memorized locations and bought some paracord and essentials before leaving.
On the way back, I spotted a heavy equipment rental.
Various machines in the lot, but a cute mini-forklift caught my eye.
Didn't know they made 'em that small...
Might fit in the dimension gate?
Parked and measured: width just 80cm.
Perfect.
The boss-looking ajusshi came out.
“Renting the 008?”
They call this size 008, huh.
I wanted to rent, but he asked for a license.
Damn. License needed?
As I looked disappointed, he tipped me.
“License takes two days. Can't do heavy stuff, but.”
“Really?”
10 days left—plenty of time.
Beats digging moats for two days; rent instead.
Following him inside, spotted odd gear.
“What's this?”
“Hydraulic splitter. For firewood.”
“Even this is automated now.”
“What era we in.”
Boss demoed: wedged log, flipped switch—boom, split in half.
Powerful.
“Told ya. Cheap rental.”
I thought of the otherworld forest.
Power limited—can't use power-hogs like this.
“Gas-powered ones?”
“Got 'em, but pricier.”
“Show me.”
The gasoline hydraulic splitter was motor-sized huge.
Over 200kg, but wheeled—movable.
I ordered chainsaw, engine oil, oxy cutter too.
Term: 11 days.
I was an idiot not knowing about this.
Next: bookstore.
Actually, I have video substitutes from Mityube—various knowledge.
But videos limited, terms unfamiliar, hard to parse.
Koreans need Hangul.
Dozens of gardening, home farming books—satisfying.
Just in case: electricity, electronics book; basic architecture too...
...Gotta hit here too.
On D-Day, I'll die of exhaustion before zombies.
But they'll enrich life—can't skip.
Bought top knowledge books per field, loaded car.
Now jerry cans, then gas station for fuel.
Can I get gas after world ends?
Doubt it.
Tanks are metal—Metal Plague corrodes 'em; months later, just tar.
Need a way to store it properly.
Got gas, stopped at department store—4th to 1st floor essentials.
Toothpaste, TP, soap, sewing kit, dishes, etc...
Wait, this place is a goldmine.
Tons of daily necessities—prime loot post-tutorial.
Check.
Loaded up, homeward—equipment boss delivered.
“Here, unload and I'll handle.”
“Yep.”
I opened dimension gate, transported gear and loot to forest.
Dingo charged excitedly.
“Shoo, shoo. This stuff's scary.”
Sprayed vinegar.
It lunged at chainsaw, smelled vinegar, yelped and fled.
“Sorry, Dingo.”
Read manual thoroughly, started chainsaw.
Vroooom—
High-pitched roar echoed through forest.
Monsters incoming, but gotta pass Yoon Hyung-chul fence first.
Aimed at thick tree hard to clear—zrrrt, sliced clean.
Feels good.
Three days passed.
<It's All Mine> End