Chapter 40
Chapter 40
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Fisherman's Benefit
-----------------------------------------------------------------
< Fisherman's Benefit >
Waking up on the morning of the 21st, snow was falling.
"What the hell, so much..."
I grew up in Busan, where it's hard to even see snow.
So the big flakes secretly excited me, but that lasted exactly two seconds before turning into annoyance.
My stockpiles getting buried in snow!
"Damn it for real."
I dragged my heavy body outside.
Should've organized it better when I stored it away!
But even if I went back to yesterday, in that sweltering heat, I wouldn't have been able to resist just tossing it in.
I sorted the supplies while snow fell on me.
Dingo was thrilled like it was his first time seeing snow, bounding around the clearing.
"Eek, cold."
Yesterday I was dying of heat, today I'm freezing to death.
After struggling all morning, I finally finished organizing the warehouse and covered the bags.
I threw tarps over the two motorcycles and equipment too, cleaning up the clearing nicely.
"Let's see... what's left to do..."
First, finish digging the moat to complete the shelter defenses.
Second, loot the fireworks floating off the coast of Gwangalli.
From what I vaguely recalled from the article, it was a plastic barge, so it probably hadn't sunk.
"Next, deal with those villa bastards..."
If they're still alive, they'll be a threat to me.
Better to take them out quick and move on.
But I was too tired today to even think of fighting.
"Guess I'll go loot those fireworks."
In my mid-term plans: scout Kwon family's bunker, attack the goblin nest north of the cave, etc.
Head out to sea and catch some fish, make a vegetable garden...
"So much to do."
Long-term plans? Who knows.
If possible, I'd like to meet some veteran players.
Thinking back now, I regretted not saying a word during that Russian fishing boat event.
"Can't be helped."
No idea who they are or what abilities they have—reaching out is too risky.
Would be nice if I could chat via the auction house first.
I put on a hat and drove the mini forklift to continue the moat work.
The snow showed no sign of stopping, so I had to clear it midway.
Shoveling the snow behind the barbed wire built up an ice wall layer by layer.
An unexpected bonus.
Dingo played excitedly until the cold got to him and he retreated into the cave.
I baked sweet potatoes in the brazier to tide me over.
Dingo barked furiously, demanding some.
Wonder if it's okay to give to a wolf pup?
I cooled a bit and gave him some—he devoured it like lightning and begged for more.
He was even shoving his head toward the brazier.
"I'm losing weight, and you're turning into a pig."
Woof, woof!
Sounded like "Shut up and give me sweet potato."
No helping it.
.
.
.
Midnight.
From the two-story house, I planned my route to the Gwangalli coast.
All vehicles out of commission.
Best bet is using the rubber boat from the river to reach the sea.
"No outboard motor—gotta row."
Going at dawn because that's when zombies are sluggish.
They're living creatures too, needing sleep—and that's around dawn.
"But Bone Creepers and Keepers might pop out..."
Fresh memories of getting wrecked at the cave entrance.
But in the city, plenty of cover.
With Terrain Detection skill and Perception stat, I can spot them early.
"And I've got Dingo. Right?"
He gave a small bark.
Alright, let's map the route...
Excluding marts, supermarkets, and convenience stores narrowed it down.
"Riverside road here should work."
Buildings and facilities all collapsed—eerie, but fewer zombies.
Assuming there's food around.
Need bridges intact for easy crossing.
"Or just boat straight out to the open sea."
Thinking of those fireworks on the barge made my mouth water.
Fireworks are super effective against most monsters.
No real lethality, but they can completely distract attention for a moment.
In that brief window, I can escape or prepare.
"Definitely going for it."
I shouldered my backpack.
Heading to the fence, I sensed something suspicious.
Three figures emerged from the alley, approaching my house.
What the hell are they doing out at night?
Saw the guide saying zombies are less active at night?
"Keepers are listed too, though."
Speaking of which, it was the villa thugs.
Carrying jerry cans and Molotovs.
Planning to burn me out, huh.
These punks must be crazy.
If even trash like them cleared the tutorial, it really was easy mode.
The three dodged a shambling zombie, then regrouped at my house.
Hat Guy silently bullied a scared-looking woman.
Tutorial just ended, and they're already this energetic.
But they don't know something.
My level's 11, so scary zombies respawn around here.
Think you can handle that?
"This is my chance."
Imagined a Keeper or Enhanced Zombie ambushing them.
High chance they'd run...
Predict their path, prepare in advance, and interfere.
Then the villa stockpiles are mine.
"Just gotta avoid murder judgment."
In-game murder judgment is tricky.
Directly stabbing with a knife? 100% murder.
But indirectly causing death by interference? Judgment varies wildly.
Veterans understand it to some degree.
"From all the dumb experiments..."
Now time to reap the rewards.
The thugs finally reached the front of the house.
They cheered quietly and started dousing the first floor with gasoline.
Meanwhile, something approached fast from afar.
Kek, kek, kek.
An eerie cry spread.
.
.
.
Enhanced Zombies and Keepers differ greatly in appearance.
The former still look somewhat human.
Keepers have twisted skeletons, giving a clear monster vibe.
Limbs positioned for leaping, neck stretched long.
Head flopping on jumps—gives you chills.
Not as bad as Bone Creepers, but Keepers are memorable monsters.
"Thinking about it, similar to Brutes."
Late-game Survival Life critters.
Good thing I don't encounter them now.
No idea what patches the devs pulled.
"Anyway..."
Ate a shade grape to confirm: Keeper.
It bounded toward the thugs on wobbly legs.
I climbed the fence.
Thugs were laughing while splashing gasoline.
Who doesn't say night fireworks mean you'll piss yourself?
I timed it and burst from the alley.
Hat Guy spotted me and yelled.
"T-that guy!"
No time to worry about me now.
By the time I hid in the alley, the Keeper was already charging them.
"W-what is that?!"
"Kyaaak!"
No matter the traits, panic hinders full power.
Thugs dropped the jerry cans and bolted.
Right toward me.
I opened the dimension gate and slipped in.
Dingo waited inside.
"Shh. Go rest over there for a bit."
I left the dimension gate open.
Narrow alley.
To avoid vehicle wreckage, they had to pass through the gate.
My exclusive dimension gate blocks other humans and monsters.
So the leader runs straight into the "wall."
The pursuing Keeper will love it.
Kieeeek!
"Hic! Sniff!"
Keeper's cry terrified the thugs.
The three blindly sprinted, not pondering where I'd gone.
Lead guy slammed into the dimension gate.
He groaned and fell, clutching his nose.
"W-what?"
"Go around! Around!"
Hat Guy thought something was in empty space and vaulted the wreckage.
Woman followed, leaving only Nose Guy.
He rubbed his nose in pain, then glanced back.
Keeper was right there.
"Hwaaaak!"
I closed the dimension gate and waited.
If I'd kicked his gut to trip him, it'd be murder.
But the gate blocked him—not me.
One extra step in the process.
Seems minor, but crucial in Survival Life.
Anyway, if Hat Guy holds the Keeper briefly, best kill method?
Need to drop it before it feels pain and dodges—weapons lack firepower.
Shoot from inside the gate.
From tests so far.
Items I own pass through the dimension gate.
Projectile exiting will catch Metal Plague effect, but brief distance—no issue.
Stepping out, the thug was a gruesome mess.
"Bye."
No pity here.
If I hadn't noticed, I'd be burned or my house torched.
I tossed the bloody backpack into the gate and headed to the hillside villa.
Hoping they hoarded a lot.
+ Points +20
+ Skill: Terrain Detection
+ Duplicate skill effects enhanced
"Tch."
Wasted 5 live rounds for this—disappointing.
Lifeform Tracking or Wound Regeneration would've been nice.
Terrain Detection's not bad, though.
Makes nights easier.
I waited for zombies to disperse, then emerged.
Keeper and Hat Guy's corpses littered the narrow alley.
"Self-inflicted."
Pretending to be raiders with nothing leads to this.
Even hiding and fleeing barely guarantees survival.
Anyway, thanks to them charging in, things got easier for me.
< Fisherman's Benefit > End