Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Outsider - 3
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Honestly, I never thought the ice would sell.
It wasn't cheap at five points, either.
You had to take down three zombies just to bid on one ice pouch.
In this sweltering heat, hunting down three zombies meant breaking at least a bucket of sweat.
It just didn't add up business-wise.
So after listing it, I didn't pay it much mind and focused on other tasks.
I'd decided it was time to start a vegetable garden.
I was picking a spot and pondering how to set it up when the ice suddenly crossed my mind.
Checking the listing, someone had already snapped it up with instant buy.
The comments were full of complaints about why anyone would buy such a thing.
And at the end, there was one from the buyer.
"Oh ho. They want more, huh."
For me, it was about as easy as selling river water.
I had stockpiled snow from the last big snowfall into an ice wall, and all I had to do was saw off chunks and sell them.
Roughly ten minutes for five points.
Of course, the ice wasn't unlimited, but the weather looked drizzly again, like more snow was coming.
Ah... damn it.
Snow was never a blessing.
Anyway, since I wanted points, I listed five more ice pouches.
The buyer must've been waiting, because they instantly bought them all.
Spending a total of 30 points on ice...
"They got points to spare or what?"
Of course, if they had a good trait, 30 points might not be a big deal.
Still, traits required effort in the end, so blowing it all on ice...
"Nah. Drop the preconceptions."
It could be a trait that made earning points easy.
Who would've thought Bunny Duo had revival as a trait?
Wonder who it is...
Spending 30 points without hesitation? Definitely not your average veteran.
I wanted to ask the buyer, but I was wary of the other onlookers.
I was debating peeking in when the buyer straight-up revealed themselves.
Damn. Running into Duck Down Quack here of all places.
He was part of the veteran quartet, always pulling crazy stunts alongside Bunny Duo.
If Bunny Duo was a bomb that could go off anytime, Duck Down Quack was the one lighting the fuse.
Whenever those two caused trouble, cleanup always fell to me and Survivor1.
Sometimes all four of us went berserk at once and had to restart the tutorial.
...Good times.
Thanks to him outing himself, the three onlookers started swarming.
But Duck Down Quack seemed uninterested.
Meaning he could handle everything solo?
Or maybe he only dealt with fellow veterans.
The three kept pressing.
Duck Down Quack, who'd been watching, finally left a comment.
His true colors were showing.
Bunny Duo was famous for being a perv, but the real deviant was Duck Down Quack.
Goblins, kobolds, zombies, werewolves... his dirty talk covered everything.
At least he didn't harass the tame users. Small mercies.
With Duck Down Quack coming out swinging, the three went quiet for a bit.
They must've figured it was best not to poke someone with an obviously OP trait.
As if they'd ever meet later.
He asked me in a much softer tone.
We stuck together almost to the very end.
But I played it off casually in my comment.
Lots, but not something to advertise here.
Instead of answering, I listed more ice.
Duck Down Quack grumbled about regretting revealing himself but still bought it.
Ice-making wasn't that impressive a trait. Why was he so into it?
Some guy who only drinks ice water even in midwinter?
Pretending not to hear, I left the auction house.
I'd made 45 points selling ice today.
Demand was low for now, but it'd grow over time.
And people's needs would multiply too.
"Fish for sale... meat for sale... veggies for sale..."
Everything from the forest was auction fodder.
My future was paved with gold.
"Just gotta stay the course."
A life of abundance in the apocalypse...
I couldn't share it due to my trait, but so what?
Secure my own stockpile, then help out the neighbors a bit.
Neighbors had popped up around me.
At least three that I'd spotted passing by.
They'd settled between my two-story house and the academy.
I'd observed carefully, but no major activity.
Yoo Hyun messaged that Soo-yeon had moved.
―The two-story officetel at the intersection. Sis claimed it, says don't touch.
I asked about her stuff, and she said she'd move it slowly herself.
She's handling it on her own. Gotta respect that.
"Still, moving's man's work."
Might lend a hand.
By the time I got to the officetel, Soo-yeon and Yoo Hyun arrived.
Her face lit up.
"Sung-ho, you here to help?"
"Nothing better to do."
"Thanks a ton. Not everything, just a little."
We started hauling boxes from Soo-yeon's villa.
Yoo Hyun was scrawny and not much help, but he'd brought Mi-kyung as reinforcements.
Right, she had Blink.
Mi-kyung ran up to me beaming.
"Uncle, my ability's gotten way better."
"What's the upgrade?"
"Taking one person with me."
"Ooh... impressive. Full-on transport now."
"A transport for one."
She glared when Yoo Hyun nitpicked.
"Won't take you next time."
"I'll go solo. I can chill at Soo-yeon noona's after."
"..."
She glanced at me, then kicked Yoo Hyun's ankle.
"Ow ow."
"Go check the hideout."
These two were getting along great.
Asked if they were dating; both said it was too much.
My bad for assuming.
I suggested to Mi-kyung,
"Lure the zombies. We'll move the stuff while you do."
"Got it!"
We hustled the boxes.
Decent distance between old and new place, so luring zombies was key.
Mi-kyung was fast with Blink—perfect for it.
She did so well we didn't run into a single zombie.
Soo-yeon was amazed.
"Mi-kyung's incredible."
"Hehe, no biggie, sis. Uncle, didn't I do good?"
"You did great."
After she left, Yoo Hyun gave me a weird look.
"Hyung, Mi-kyung's nicknames are off."
"How so?"
"Soo-yeon noona's older than you, but she's 'sis' and you're 'uncle'..."
True on second thought.
Couldn't bring herself to call me oppa out of principle?
"Guess she feels distant."
"Nah, that's not it."
Soo-yeon said, but I brushed it off.
Just finish moving and rest.
After a couple hours, we'd cleared Soo-yeon's stuff.
We were all sweat-soaked and panting.
"So damn hot..."
"No breeze, brutal summer."
"Ugh..."
Stairs were coolest; we sprawled out.
I unpacked Soo-yeon's supplies and prepped food.
Planned to eat here before heading out.
Alone, I'd dimension-gated for a cool meal, but oh well.
Today's rations again.
Everyone lacked appetite but forced it down.
Yoo Hyun glanced around and said,
"This place is comfier than our hideout."
"Why? Bad vibes?"
Soo-yeon asked. He sighed.
"Atmosphere's tense lately. Some folks don't get along."
Hyung-jun hyung and Kyung-hoon.
Heard they were clashing, but still going?
My guess: Kyung-hoon's fault.
Hyung-jun was gentle despite looks, not one for fights.
Unless truly pissed.
Mi-kyung set her food down midway.
"Better if you and sis lived with uncle. Kyung-hoon oppa and Bora unnie always whisper to each other. Super awkward."
"Then we'd split supplies."
"Divide fair and split. They're closer to others anyway."
"Others?"
Mi-kyung mumbled,
"People moved into the 3rd-floor office. Hiking gear types."
"Ah, those guys."
Two men, one woman.
Watched 'em close, no issues yet, so observing.
Reminded me vaguely of camping gear folks from outbreak day.
If those two left, I'd join this crew no problem.
Kept distance 'cause Kyung-hoon rubbed me wrong.
His bravado was one thing, but acting like the boss? Cringe.
If both dipped, teaming with Soo-yeon sounded good.
Hyung-jun, Yoo Hyun, Mi-kyung—all solid.
Levels matched decently too.
Yoo Hyun folded a paper plane mid-meal and launched it.
"For the gym owner. He's alone now."
"Aw, eating solo?"
"Offered to join, but someone had to guard the hideout."
Stubborn as ever.
Moments later, Yoo Hyun looked grim.
Gazing via paper plane at the hideout, probably.
"Gotta go. Gym owner and Kyung-hoon hyung's vibe is bad."
"How bad?"
"Not fighting, but sharp words flying. Even told him to leave if he hates it here."
"Eek."
Mi-kyung pouted.
I'd heard they bickered often.
Hyung-jun prioritized farming; Kyung-hoon wanted hunting focus.
Two mismatched groups poorly merged.
Now cracking at the seams.
Leave it, and it'd end ugly.
Time to check.
I shouldered my pack and told Mi-kyung,
"Let's go together. Need to see what's up."
"Yeah!"
She grabbed my hand casually.
Yoo Hyun got a finger-wag for trying, but scenery blurred away fast.
This was Blink.
First-floor stairs to the academy.
I stood fine; Mi-kyung gawked.
"Uncle, head not spinning?"
"All good. Normal for Blink?"
"Yeah. Gym owner and Yoo Hyun say it's like a rollercoaster."
Side effect, huh.
Then shouting from above.
I headed up; Mi-kyung stuck close.
Entering the academy, three pairs of eyes locked on me.
"Hey. Told you to stay out."
Kyung-hoon snapped, but I ignored him and went to hyung-jun.
"Everything alright?"
"...More or less. Thanks for coming."
His face beet-red, wiping sweat.
Probably fuming from Kyung-hoon and Bora's tag-team.
Kyung-hoon raised his voice behind.
"Sung-ho, I told you before... this is our hideout. Leave."
"I invited him. Problem?"
Hyung-jun said. Kyung-hoon looked dumbfounded.
"A leader ignoring members to invite outsiders? Can't you tell we're uncomfortable?"
"Yoo Hyun and Mi-kyung are fine. Why you complaining?"
"They're outsiders. Weird to trust 'em?"
Hyung-jun started to retort but held back.
Then lowly,
"Outsiders, but not total strangers. Helped us before. Still does. No idea why you're so hostile, Kyung-hoon."
"You're always on about Sung-ho. Should I just sit quiet? 'Don't do that, Sung-ho wouldn't,' 'Sung-ho said no.' Can't trust members, but trust outsiders?"
My help grated on him.
My influence growing in the gym crew irked him.
Farming vs. hunting blew up amid that.
"Not that. Sung-ho's advice panned out, so I trust it. Yours never has."
His face flushed crimson.
Acted knowledgeable, but zero results.
Decision time.
I said calmly,
"Opinions clash this bad, hard to live together, right? Suggestion: pack your shares and go."
"Ha. Hilarious. Combat drops if we leave?"
"Not really. Soo-yeon and I join instead."
"What?"
Kyung-hoon's face twisted.
End of Outsider - 3