Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Busan is Dangerous - 1
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Survival Life begins after zombies overrun the world and everything falls apart.
Even if a user enters the tutorial, all they can see is tall buildings collapsed, zombies swarming everywhere, and total darkness. That's it.
Of course, after just five minutes, they realize the game is brutally difficult.
The game is incredibly unforgiving—no explanations, no help menus, nothing.
It's like, "Figure it out yourself by charging headfirst into it."
So, no one knows what's happened to dangerous facilities like nuclear plants or factories.
There are no related events, and users are too busy surviving to care.
It's a setting no one pays attention to.
But in reality, ignoring it means I'll get hit with radiation.
For now, it's best to assume Captain Kim Hyun-woo's words are true.
I'll verify it later.
I pointed at the map with my finger.
"Assuming the nuclear plant is dangerous, let's head here."
My finger pointed to a quiet one-room village in Gangseo-gu, near Gimhae.
Hyung-jun hyung furrowed his brow.
"Isn't that too far? Looks like over ten kilometers."
"It's the best spot to set up west of Gimhae Airport. Lots of rice mills around, all industrial areas, so fewer zombies. Goblins are unavoidable, though."
"...And drink Nakdong River water?"
"Purify it, and it'll be drinkable enough."
"We have to drink that shit water?"
In truth, we don't need to drink river water.
There's Yongjeong CC nearby.
The bunker owner, Mr. Kwon, will resist fiercely, but we can smash through.
The three bunkers there have way more stockpiles than what the gym members have hoarded.
I planned to stay behind after they left to watch for any thieves.
But if the nuclear plant's really dangerous, I can't stay long...
Captain Hyun-woo nodded in agreement, pointing toward Gimhae.
"There's Gimhae Battalion up there—a military base. I told the soldiers to take it, but who knows. They might have a Type 1 warehouse too."
"You have subordinates?"
Su-yeon asked, and he waved his hand.
"Not subordinates anymore—comrades now. One's a private first class, the other's a top corporal. Zombie outbreak hit right before discharge."
"Oh my god."
"Jesus."
Hyung-jun hyung and I both clutched our foreheads.
What rotten luck.
Maybe he doesn't even have subordinates, but it sounded too smooth to be a lie.
Around now, it'd be nice if something came up in the auction house.
Like, "Steam rising from Kori NPP lololol what now?"
Su-yeon, who'd been quiet, suddenly spoke up.
"Thinking about it, this could contaminate half the Korean Peninsula."
"Why's that?"
"China. They have nuclear plants along the coast. No way they shut them down like us. Japan, wind direction aside..."
"Ah... it spreads like that?"
Hyung-jun hyung scratched his head.
China's a problem.
We couldn't even cool our cores properly, let alone them.
Depending on wind direction, but no way there's zero damage.
If I'd warned them early...
No.
No sane government shuts down plants without solid proof.
Even ours only acted after confirming goblins and zombies.
Revealing the truth wouldn't have changed anything.
Cores emit residual heat for at least a year or two.
"...Anyway, here's my take. If Captain Hyun-woo's right, we need to flee at least west of Gimhae Airport. Better pack now."
"And leave all these supplies... behind?"
Su-yeon looked bitterly at the stockpiles.
Anyone would feel their heart break at abandoning what they'd gathered.
But no need to worry.
I'll store it safely in my dimension gate and share after finding a farming spot there.
Using other survivors' stuff means no risk of getting caught.
The issue is whether Captain Hyun-woo's telling the truth.
I'll check after the members leave.
Hyung-jun hyung asked me.
"Sung-ho, what level did Yu-hyun get from the plane?"
"Mi-kyung's level. Two more, and her trait gets an extra effect."
"Yeah?"
"Probably Blink-related. Long-range would be great."
"Mi-kyung shuttling goods midway?"
"Exactly. Like a delivery driver."
"Where to get those two levels now..."
"I just cleared a goblin den on the way back. Found another one, so I'll take Mi-kyung and level her up."
"You're leveling her up?"
"Goblin den?"
Everyone looked puzzled.
I explained briefly.
Of course, skipping Kyung-hoon and the office guys.
"Goblins and hobgoblins inside. Straight shot, prepped ahead, wasn't too hard."
"Sung-ho, your balls are insane..."
"Usually cautious, but once found, why not? Narrow cave, easy to block paralysis darts."
"...Not my call. Yu-hyun, you listening? Ask Mi-kyung."
Moments later, the paper airplane fluttered up and down.
Approval.
Captain Hyun-woo gaped at the new sight.
Mi-kyung approved too, so time to push hard.
I spoke quickly.
"Lots to do. Hyung, Su-yeon—prep backpacks for carrying. Yu-hyun, inform Captain Hyun-woo and nearby survivors. That work?"
Captain Hyun-woo nodded readily.
Heard from Su-yeon about the paper airplane relay.
Better than risking direct runs.
Even paired to prevent funny business, he stayed meek.
Seems legit.
I picked up the plane.
"Mi-kyung and I hit the goblin den for hunting. If short, smash some zombies."
Su-yeon asked cautiously.
"Sung-ho, your stuff at home? How?"
"I'll handle it. Assemble everyone and go. I'll catch up. Rendezvous here."
Everyone noted the spot.
Hyung-jun hyung looked suspicious but nodded.
"Can't think of a better plan. Follow Sung-ho for now, regroup if issues. Move once Mi-kyung gets the effect?"
"Yes. Move at night zombie-free, daytime Mi-kyung shuttles."
"Poor kid."
The paper airplane bobbed like "it's fine."
Truthfully, no must-have reason for the extra effect.
Just wanted to give them security with supplies.
Hoping for a good one.
I called them over.
And successfully leveled Mi-kyung up two via the pre-scouted goblin den hunt.
Worried she'd chicken out, but she stepped up bravely.
Lucky no hobgoblins this time.
Even among friends of four, some are close, some distant.
To Bunny Duo, Survivor1 was that distant one.
Group hangs were fun, bantering nonsense.
But alone? Ghostly awkward.
Shelter lockdown too long?
Anyway, Duck Down Quack was for dumb fun together.
Kimbap Lover braked him, sometimes rode wild.
Survivor1... bland buddy.
"Not that close."
"Ah... I see."
Beom-seok never expected Bunny Duo to say it outright.
Heading to meet Survivor1—why not play nice?
Shoulder pat, "let's grab food sometime."
Social life's full of that...
Beom-seok chuckled midway.
Society's gone—what's it matter.
Bunny Duo had revival trait—could act freely.
Others adjusted to him.
That's why Jang Won-taek and Survivor1 itched to meet.
'Weird he's tagging along.'
Bunny Duo surely knew of brainwash trait.
Touch disables—taboo among awakeners unless trusted.
Does he know? Confident?
Beom-seok walked beside, asked quietly.
"Know about brainwash awakeners?"
"Heard warnings, met one."
"What happened?"
"Gone now."
"You killed...?"
Bunny Duo stopped, grinned yellow teeth.
Beom-seok ignored, guided to spot.
Someone waited.
Beom-seok whispered.
"Blink user. Brought Seok-hyun and me to shelter."
To hide location.
Too far to walk anyway.
"Let's go."
Bunny Duo blinked to stark concrete room.
Beom-seok blinked in, led to small room.
Worn desk, chairs, map—and two awaited Seok-hyun.
One president, one...
Cheerful man stood.
"Bunny Duo? Nice to meet. Survivor1, Geom-in."
Geom-in, huh. Unique.
Seok-hyun stared piercingly.
"...We weren't that close."
He smiled softly.
"Again with that. We four had fun."
"Only in fours."
"Ah, not why we met."
Seok-hyun felt odd dissonance.
Why distant from Survivor1?
His personality felt fabricated.
Others consistent in playstyle.
Survivor1 shifted drastically by situation.
Duck Down Quack, Kimbap Lover adjusted.
Seok-hyun sensed wrongness.
Like talking to a mask, not person.
Awkward entry, Jang Won-taek mediated.
"Haha, reunion's awkward. May I ask your name?"
"Hwang Seok-hyun. Trait: Infinite Revival."
"Revival... incredible."
Jang Won-taek clicked tongue.
Traits linked somewhat to playtime.
Veterans get better ones.
Not perfect, but generally true.
Famous top four vets presumed mega traits.
"Seok-hyun's revival, Geom-in shelter-related, others amazing too... How about grouping up?"
Seok-hyun sank into chair at proposal.
"Me gather them?"
"Haha, no. We'll provide escorts. Travel easy."
"Why go that far?"
"Survival. You know—the world ahead harsher. Zombies, goblins manageable, but werewolves? Problem."
Seok-hyun shook head.
"Peanuts once you know."
"...To you, sure. Others can't dismiss. We protect many. Need your help desperately."
"Gather to let you two play kings?"
Rude, but Jang laughed it off.
"King in apocalypse? Worthless. Old man lived enough. Last wish: carry Korea's torch."
"Hm."
Seok-hyun crossed arms, pondered.
This man stuck president till D-Day.
Didn't seem manipulative liar.
But Geom-in beside dimmed him.
Constant grin irked Seok-hyun.
Something off.
"I'm out."
Rising, Geom-in asked.
"Heading south—mind sharing where?"
"Don't know myself."
"Hope not Busan or Ulsan. Rumors dangerous."
"How so?"
"Come in, I'll tell."
"..."
Seok-hyun shut mouth, stood.
Couldn't take nagging displeasure.
Needed Duck Down Quack trash talk or Kimbap Lover healing.
Gotta bail.
Jang said softly.
"Pity. But not last day... Promise kept. Escort one. Split when ready. Oh, Busan/Ulsan—avoid."
"Sure."
Beom-seok led Seok-hyun out.
Sigh escaped small space.
"Doesn't trust, huh."
"...Guess not close."
"Dunno why so wary. Fine with Duck or Kimbap."
"Next chance."
Jang rose to office.
Real headache elsewhere.
Cores in emergency cooldown causing issues.
Especially Kori NPP—steam sighted.
Explosion soon?
Staff compiled auction intel, regional reports.
Scattered info—high-ups decide.
Won-taek grabbed summary.
How to read this...
China's plants? Doubt clean shutdown.
Cores still scorching now.
"Hoo..."
Won-taek sighed deeply.
Worrying distant plants useless.
Now: evacuate Busan survivors.
To Beom-seok:
"Post to auction."
"Exposes us... okay?"
"That's our job, man."
True.
Seoul shelter built for masses.
But Beom-seok thought selective intake.
Not voicing before revered president.
Bowed, opened auction.
I waited at the academy for someone.
Survivors left neighborhood; streets zombie-goblin packed.
Time to loot.
But hours passed—no thieves.
"Not a lie, then."
Captain Hyun-woo true soldier, plant real danger.
No need wait more.
Packed gym stockpiles into dimension gate.
Watched auction reactions too.
"Huh? What's this."
Same auction item flooded.
Ridiculous prices screamed "don't buy."
Comments held info.
So many crazies.
Not their problem, so funny.
Can't blame 'em.
Apocalypse: every survives alone.
I shoved supplies in roughly.
D-Day same, now too.
Dimension gate owner's fate?
Circled survivors' hideouts, packed, exited with Dingo.
Morning zombies greeted.
"Not happy to see you. Scram."
We dodged horde, ran.
Busan is Dangerous - 1 End