Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: D - 5
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July 15th.
A lot had happened in the meantime.
Opposition lawmakers, fed up with the government's silence, attempted to storm the Blue House but were blocked by the security forces.
The National Assembly was practically paralyzed, and the media churned out sensational news.
On the internet, a fresh piece of nonsense like "Who would win between zombies and goblins?" was gaining traction.
Most people thought zombies would win.
If anyone asked me, I'd say it depends on the situation.
"If you block the paralyzing venom, zombies take it."
Unfortunately, zombies and monsters don't fight each other.
More precisely, monsters tend to avoid zombie hordes.
There are just too damn many of them.
"Things are getting noisy overseas too."
Turning eyes abroad, you could feel the world buzzing with activity.
The UN was holding an emergency meeting, the US President canceled all schedules for an urgent visit to Korea, and NASA was appealing to space research institutions, observatories, and amateurs worldwide to monitor near-Earth objects.
In the midst of it, doomsday cults were holding massive gatherings in various regions.
"Another rapture..."
I thought they'd died out after the '90s, but they were still hanging on. Amazing.
Mityube and other broadcasting platforms were hot with apocalypse topics.
These days, people shared info through streams rather than chatting outside.
Of course, no guarantee any of it was accurate.
"What the hell is the President doing anyway?"
It'd been five days since goblins appeared. A national address wouldn't hurt, right?
This President wasn't supposed to be that incompetent. Weird.
"Well, other countries are the same."
Major figures from various nations had already visited and confirmed goblin corpses.
They probably knew about awakeners' superpowers and what was coming too.
Yet no country was taking concrete action.
What happened to tracking down the Survival Life devs?
The government stayed mum, so solid info was scarce.
"They're not waiting for something, are they?"
Decisive proof.
They'd interviewed hundreds of awakeners, so they knew about the zombie event.
Hell, maybe the government was waiting for zombies to show.
When lawmakers gathered in front of the Blue House to protest fiercely, the Chief of Staff came out and just repeated they needed to wait for a precise judgment.
—That damn "precise judgment"! With all this evidence, what more proof do you need?
—We ask for your understanding.
Even as the Chief bowed politely, the lawmakers' abuse intensified.
—Are you sure the President is even here?
—He didn't run off overseas or something?
Actually, quite a few entrepreneurs had made excuses to flee abroad.
With awakeners and monsters only in Korea, rumors swirled that Korea was top on the extinction list.
That was wrong.
Meteor hits near Japan, so Japan and Taiwan are first, Korea second.
The Chief visibly squirmed.
—No private jets have taken off. And his family is here, aren't they?
—You never know. Maybe he ditched them and bolted alone.
As the jeers peaked, a vein popped on the Chief's temple.
—That's going too far.
—Hey, easy there.
People pulled the Chief and lawmakers apart.
From that attitude, the President seemed to still be in Korea.
"Planning to declare martial law after confirming zombies?"
Shutting down nuclear plants and key facilities would burden Korea massively.
Without ironclad proof and resolve, it'd be tough.
Fine, I'll provide the proof.
"Leave a few zombies behind."
I prepped a small rubber boat, built a storage panel in the shelter, and bided my time.
Around lunchtime, watching TV with Dingo, my phone buzzed.
Almost simultaneously, communities buzzed with news of a meteor fall.
Zombies were here.
.
.
.
I floored it to Gamcheon Port.
Chaos everywhere as people who'd seen the alert evacuated.
"Can't be late."
Weaving through cars, I parked far off and climbed a neighborhood building.
From Russian fishing boat events I'd seen multiple times, incoming seawater wasn't that high.
Second floor max?
Still a huge disaster, but I had the rubber boat.
Once the ship beached and water rose, inflate and charge.
Outboard motor meant mobility no issue.
"Finish before cops arrive."
If spotted, ditch the boat and run.
I waited for the tsunami.
Gamcheon Port area was eerily quiet, everyone evacuated?
Just occasional cars leaving; dead silence otherwise.
This silence would be daily life soon.
"At least zombie groans keep it from being boring."
Whether that's fortunate, who knows—but never dull.
Weeee-oooong—
Sirens wailed.
Then I spotted the tsunami approaching far off.
"Whoa..."
Like the whole ocean rising.
Is it safe here?
I hurriedly opened a dimension gate.
If too high, screw the event—run.
Dingo barked in terror, then hid whimpering between my legs.
"Stay inside."
Put him in the gate, and toy-like ships appeared beyond the horizon.
Binoculars confirmed: massive Russian fishing boat, hundreds of tons, Russian flag, pushed by the wave.
"No joke..."
I anxiously awaited the tsunami.
Sirens stopped; surroundings hushed.
Strong sea wind blew.
Building vibrated faintly.
Even knowing it was safe, fear gripped me.
A disaster beyond human control unfolding before my eyes.
In five days, a global cataclysm dwarfing this.
Body might endure, but mind?
"Gotta hold..."
I gritted teeth, staring straight at the incoming ship.
Gamcheon waters receded sharply.
Then a colossal tsunami strode in.
"Fuck."
The curse slipped out.
Giant wave swept the pier, depositing the massive ship atop.
Vast seawater crashed, forming white walls.
"Gah!"
Snapping to, I scanned around.
Seawater flooding between buildings.
About second floor high?
Cars swept away, glass shattering everywhere.
Now.
Closed dimension gate, headed to third-floor office.
"No one's here, right?"
Window view: water rushing 2m below.
Calmly started inflating rubber boat.
Damn, this is tough.
Finally full, smashed window completely.
Waited for water speed to drop.
Motor or not, risk of being swept.
After 10 minutes, flow eased.
"Media should be reporting by now..."
Go before then.
Tied rope to boat, secured to pillar.
Threw it out, jumped—barely grabbed.
"Shit!"
Clambered aboard, opened gate for outboard motor.
Bracket mount here...
Started motor, cut rope!
Vroooom—
Boat lurched, then shot forward nimbly.
Pulled hat low, crouched tight.
Out between buildings, spotted beached Russian ship on pier.
"Just like..."
Identical to background illustration.
Even tilt angle matched.
"Ladder's there."
Approaching ship, gunfire echoed.
Up to here, same as setting.
My worry: zombie spores infection.
Spores hit ship—am I at risk?
"Awakened, so probably fine."
Can't live in forest forever; braced but scared.
Deep breath near obviously contaminated ship—no odd feeling.
"Awakeners immune to zombies, huh."
Other conditions too, but unknown now.
Tied boat to ladder, boarded.
Feels like military ranger training!
Reached deck—atmosphere off.
Two Russians in raincoats staggered awkwardly.
That awkward stance. Been a while.
"Nice to meet you, zombies."
They turned.
Looked normal at glance, but eyes rolled back, skin mottled.
Brains eroded by spores, lost reason.
Fearful beings attacking all life, growing stronger with energy intake.
Zombies appeared.
Then screams from deck house.
Same as shooter?
Zombies hesitated, then bared teeth at me.
Kraaaah!
Always think: roar less, attack more.
Casually opened gate, pulled mace and shield.
Zombies limped forward, but oddly no tension.
Felt exactly like the game.
"Newbies might freak..."
I'm a lunatic with 5,541 hours in Survival Life.
Could dodge zombie swings blindfolded.
Life's one, though—better not.
Krah!
Dodged sideways at attack timing.
While they whiffed, I donned motorcycle helmet too.
"Close gate."
Smashed nearest zombie's head with mace.
Thwack!
Skull shattered clean—refreshing feel, been ages.
Hit zombie's head caved, collapsed.
"Huh? Dead in one?"
Other lunged arms out; shield bash staggered it.
"Stay back."
Don't Come Kick to gut—lost balance.
Weird. This weak?
Even beginner zone zombies weren't this frail.
Patched for easier difficulty?
Early zombies not fully spore-controlled, so they hesitate.
But this excessive.
Body moved on instinct.
Zombie charged again; dodged unconsciously, swung mace.
Not even hard swing—crumpled.
"Definitely easier."
Seemed like pre-shutdown patch lowered difficulty.
Makes my ops smoother.
Survivors' odds up too.
Body reacting unbidden felt satisfying.
Couldn't move this fluid in forest.
"Unfamiliar turf?"
Losing weight lightened me too.
Not time to dawdle.
Move fast to escape undetected.
Hurried to deck house.
Opened door: two zombies eating a corpse.
Chomping sounds loud.
"Damn."
Blood stench overwhelming.
Stomach churning, pressed on; nearby zombie rose.
Kraaaah!
"Hold up."
Shield-blocked, opened iron door.
Kitchen/storage?
Huge mayo tub caught eye.
Korean brand!
Russians do buy tons of tumbler mayo, huh.
Bulk ingredients tempted, but no time.
Crack!
Zombie skull caved.
Down it went; next popped out.
"Tight corridor, eh?"
Barely one-person wide—block front, no worries.
Strike when it hesitates.
Like this.
Crack!
Shattered skull zombie slumped slowly.
Won't be this easy post-Metal Plague.
War Club, ebony stick tough, but not vs. iron.
"Hit twice if once fails."
Stepped over zombie, advanced.
Captain's quarters where...
On these boats, often combined with bridge.
Passing corridor, startled—zombies slamming door.
Seemed trapped after turning in cabin.
Grrraaah!
Three zombies shoving, tearing at each other—chaos.
Eerie but kinda funny.
Daily in Survival Life.
"...Pass."
6 points vs. quick gun loot and escape priority.
Plus leave zombie proof.
Mid-corridor door: corpse and zombie down.
Not work clothes—captain?
Beside him, Tokarev-like auto pistol.
Recent shots/screams from him.
"Ammo more vital than gun."
Nearby door: helm wheel, bed.
Russian boats hide stuff under beds.
Fumbled—box.
"Oh ho."
Ammo box!
"About 100 rounds."
Not 9mm?
All three looted pistols different calibers—insane.
Opened gate, stashed pistol and ammo.
"Dingo, not yet—stay."
Searched quarters more—no extras.
Time to bail.
Passing, mayo tub tempted.
Big cans too?
Russian scale.
"Screw it."
Can't resist bulk.
Entered kitchen, dimensioned mayo, ketchup, cans, sundries.
Dozens transferred—helicopter sounds.
Broadcaster chopper?
No more time.
Dashed deck, ladder to boat.
Cut rope, motored—saw something approaching.
"Huh?"
Someone same idea.
Rubber boat, stab vest, bike helmet—identical.
He spotted me, flinched.
We stared blankly, passed.
Wanted to ask who, but shield up.
Maneuvered outboard, cleared pier.
Heli rotors loud.
.
.
.
That day, sudden tsunami and beached Russian ship grabbed attention.
Broadcasters flew drones, aired footage.
Humans emerging from doors broadcast live.
Wandered deck, bared teeth at approaching heli.
On-site reporter:
—A-as you see, they don't look normal...
Mityube live: hundreds of "Kill zombies quick" comments.
"Sure they're zombies?"
Most knew nothing of zombies.
Creepy? Just kill 'em.
Another heli circled, broadcasting Russian.
Live chaos inevitable.
Meanwhile, President canceled all, headed Busan.
"But don't get close."
Unknown spore mechanics...
Robots exist now—handle it.
I sorted loot neatly.
Wait...huh?
Beetle trap: huge hole gnawed.
CCTV: beetles nibbling wall.
Others joined, square hole instant.
Beetles escaped orderly.
What the hell?
"Ridiculous..."
Laughed in disbelief.
They stole sweet potato jelly.
Grape one mocking me?
"I'll catch you punks."
Grab 'em, tease with jelly give-take.
Up to second house, news on—President arrived Busan.
Some order: SWAT heli sniped deck zombies.
Drone neared deck.
President's face darkened, asked aides—muted.
But guessed from suspected awakener lip-read.
Probably:
—Confirm if zombies.
—They are.
My next job set.
End of D - 5