Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Busan is Dangerous - 2
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It's really something.
Somehow, the survivors knew and were heading west.
I've already spotted over twenty just weaving through the city center in the last thirty minutes.
Zombies and goblins lurked everywhere as threats.
But they slipped away like eels, as if life in the apocalypse had become second nature.
Drawing attention away was basic for them.
They even used terrain features that zombies and goblins couldn't climb.
And amid it all, they didn't forget to hunt using their traits.
They'd gotten some decent experience under their belts.
I shook off the zombies chasing me and kept running hard.
Across the street, three people who looked like a team were sprinting along.
Busan's shitty road conditions gradually brought us closer together.
If someone fell, the zombies' pursuit would pause temporarily.
They must have thought of that too, because they glanced my way.
Best not to entertain useless thoughts.
We were gazelles racing across the savanna, and the zombies were cheetahs.
The slowest or weakest one would get devoured.
Fortunately, I wasn't on the slow side.
After losing so much weight over the summer, my stab-proof suit felt baggy.
My stamina was way higher than most people's.
I picked up speed, and I could see the people running beside me falling behind.
No need to drag them into my test here.
I led the zombies into an alley with Dingo.
I climbed to the roof of a nearby building and took a moment to catch my breath.
Kraaah!
Finally, zombies reached the rooftop and charged at me.
Their movements were much more agile than before.
Once they evolved into ghouls, they'd feel slow in comparison.
I had to grow diligently and rack up skills before that happened.
"Dingo, jump across."
He leaped, then barked back at me.
I dodged the zombies and vaulted to the building opposite.
My body felt noticeably lighter.
The zombies flailed at the railing and fell one by one below.
Splat—went the sound of skulls cracking.
"Stuff like this doesn't even count as my kill."
To earn points, there needed to be a clear intent combined with the action's result.
Take Mi-kyung, who went into the goblin den with me as an example.
She had the intent to earn points, and she finished off the goblins I'd half-killed.
That's why she got the points.
Looking down from the roof, I saw the people who'd been running beside me turning into the alley.
But there were goblins in that alley, apparently.
The lead guy collapsed mid-stride with a choked gasp.
The two behind panicked and ducked into a random house—but that was the end for them.
Zombies swarmed in, and screams of being torn apart echoed out.
"Tough luck."
One moment of bad judgment, and your life was gone.
If they'd had traits, they might have survived.
I saw people running with their ears plugged tight to block out the screams.
Wonder where they heard the news from.
Did Level 15 spread it from the auction house, or was it Yoo Hyun?
If Mi-kyung blinked around shouting about radiation, they'd get it.
I came down to the road and glanced sideways while running.
Their first destination was probably across the Nakdong River.
After that, Gimhae, Changwon, or maybe they'd settle somewhere.
"Entering the city now is dangerous."
Wherever they went, survivors had already staked their claims.
They wouldn't welcome rolling stones.
Some had come to our neighborhood too, but that was because the gym folks were soft.
The office team I'd pretty much dismantled probably didn't like them much.
"They're competitors in the end."
Just like two tigers can't live on the same mountain.
In this case, more like foxes.
After running hard, I finally reached the riverbank.
A few people stared blankly at the collapsed bridge.
The gym team had Mi-kyung, so they could hop across bit by bit with blinks.
Without that, they'd have to swim.
"Current's one thing, but the river's width is no joke."
Even good swimmers could tire out and drown.
"Let's head upstream! Too far here!"
"There might be boats at the marina!"
Most boats were probably sunk, but they seemed to think there was an FRP boat.
Someone shouted, and everyone followed like they'd been hypnotized.
Don't you think you're bunching up too much?
When one yelled to spread out, they started eyeing each other suspiciously.
Meanwhile, zombies drawn by the organics swarmed in relentlessly.
They'd face a mass slaughter if they didn't cross the river now.
I hid in the riverside reeds, pulled out an inflatable boat, launched it, and rowed.
Dingo hopped on just as it started drifting away.
"That guy's taking the boat alone!"
"Give us a ride, please!"
Not alone—Dingo's here too.
People spotted me late and yelled.
If I turned back, they'd die.
They'd try to take the boat, and a fight would break out.
I rowed hard, ignoring their curses.
The current wasn't too strong, but the boat's propulsion was weak, so we kept drifting downstream.
Finally, we reached land.
"Nobody around."
The apartment complex had collapsed entirely, leaving the area a barren wasteland.
Zombies wandering in search of organics spotted us and approached.
"Rested up? Run!"
Dingo had napped while I rowed and was full of energy.
We finally escaped the danger zone.
The meeting spot in the studio apartment village was quiet.
I climbed a nearby building and scanned the area with plastic binoculars.
All rice fields and farmland.
Fine for a short stay, but for farming, we'd need to head to Gimhae or Changwon.
The low population meant fewer zombies, which was a relief.
"But plenty of goblins instead."
I saw them dragging rice sacks out of a warehouse, delighted.
Some had made nests on the first floor of a building with all its windows shattered and lit bonfires.
No zombies around, so they thought it was their world.
I scouted carefully without letting them spot me.
"Convenience stores all looted..."
The few local supermarkets were empty too.
The gym folks would be disappointed.
"First, find a decent spot."
I needed to dump the looted goods from the neighborhood.
I entered a suitable studio building and opened a dimension gate in the top-floor owner's unit.
I stacked the supplies I'd tossed in neatly, and a paper airplane flew through.
The gym team was already here.
I caught the paper airplane and said,
"Yoo Hyun, everything okay?"
Nod nod.
"Send Hyung-jun hyung and Mi-kyung over for a sec? Got something good here."
Moments later, Hyung-jun hyung and Mi-kyung arrived via blink.
Their sullen faces lit up at the sight of my piled supplies.
"Whoa! What's this jackpot?"
"Uncle found this, right?"
"Figured I'd check the owner's unit just in case, and boom. Lucky break."
The gym team hadn't been here long, so no time to scout.
Hyung inspected the goods and said,
"We didn't bring much. Was wondering what to do—perfect timing. This'll hold four of us."
Four?
Wasn't it five with the captain?
Turns out Captain Kim went to Gimhae Battalion to find his comrades.
Might score a Type 1 warehouse.
"That warehouse might be full of food,"
Mi-kyung said excitedly.
Best not to think it's ours.
Captain Kim might share, but the soldiers? Doubtful.
I packed a moderate amount into my backpack.
Hyung eyed it and casually suggested,
"Sung-ho, why not join our party while you're at it?"
"See, hyung? Me going solo nets stuff like this."
"Oh, right?"
"Who knows. Team up, and my luck might tank."
"That'd be a problem. Anyway, thanks. You saved our asses."
"Uncle, really grateful. But... you'll stick around a bit, right?"
Mi-kyung approached, eyes sparkling.
Probably wanted to play with Dingo, who was sprawled out.
"Yeah, sure. Play with Dingo. I'll take him later."
"Our Dingo~"
She hugged Dingo.
The guy didn't look thrilled.
I went to the roof to check the golf course.
Hyung followed with a worried tone.
"Heard there are people over there, but bad quality."
"Soo-yeon probably knows."
"Yeah. Edenville's on the opposite side too? Need to swing by and move our stuff."
Soo-yeon had joined the gym crew but hadn't moved everything.
Most supplies were left behind.
Hyung pointed at a few people filtering into the studio village.
"Mi-kyung really suffered. Ran around with Yoo Hyun spreading the word. I said just do it lightly and go."
"Good deed."
"Sure is good... but... sigh... got dangerous midway. Some crazies shot arrows at Mi-kyung."
"Should've let those die."
"Can't pick 'em all out. Told her to handle it herself."
Among those helped, there'd be competitors and raiders.
I chose to ignore and bypass them, but the gym folks—especially Mi-kyung—were different.
"Mi-kyung's got a big heart."
"Hope she doesn't get disillusioned... If supplies run low, come grab some. Eat together."
"Yep."
Hyung scratched his head and went down.
Through the binoculars, I saw people bustling on the golf course.
Plastic carts loaded with gear.
"What're they moving so much stuff for."
They finally opened the time shelter?
Inside a danger zone, so hard to check.
Whatever.
This time, I'd finish them off.
Kwon and his goons were stockpiling for me.
I'll strip 'em bare—wait up.
I settled into a decent two-room unit.
As evening fell, glowstone lights flickered in windows here and there.
They'd fled in such a rush, no blackout curtains or anything.
"Goblins are gonna love that."
The gym members had heard from me and blocked their windows thoroughly.
Through the dimension gate, Big Dung Beetle chief handed over a completed hook and iron-powder-coated gloves.
"Oh, thanks."
Hook for travel, gloves perfect for processing Emeras.
Blade versions would sell great at auction.
I grinned and slipped on the gloves.
While survivors endured a harsh summer with the goblins' arrival...
Duck Down Quack Choi Da-jeong lived comfortably, protected by her minions.
Her minions? Zombies.
Not ordinary ones, but near-ghoul levels of evolution.
They massacred surrounding zombies and goblins, offering her massive points.
They handled food procurement and even archery.
They'd taken bows from clumsy survivors who attacked.
Killing them would make her a murderer, so she just beat them senseless and let go.
With so many victims, she got called zombie bitch, dog bitch, etc.
She didn't care.
"They'll all be dead in a year anyway."
Lately, she talked to herself more.
Zombies obeyed faithfully but weren't chatty companions.
Suwon-gu survivors shunned her, leaving her alone.
Tired of browsing auction house nonsense.
Too many faking as Bunny Duo.
His unique loose speech gave him away, but lately no sign on auction.
"Sigh... bored."
Wish Kimbap Lover was around.
According to Bunny Duo, his trait was quirky, so he stayed hidden.
How'd you know? Smoked fish gift.
Da-jeong couldn't even imagine Kimbap Lover's trait.
Creation type?
"Sold me ice for 5 packs and played dumb..."
Not about points—pretending not to know pissed her off.
And don't be surprised later.
"Unbelievable."
She knew where Kimbap Lover was and what he was doing.
Busan snack bar.
But Busan wasn't some village; searching with zombies would take forever.
As she pondered, urgent news hit.
Busan and Ulsan designated danger zones.
"Radiation spreads, everything's screwed?"
Auction house was chaos over it.
Scoffing at others, then "where you at?" harassment... total lawless zone.
Good info for Da-jeong though.
Only two ways out of Busan?
"Changwon or Gimhae."
Yangshan too, but close to danger zone.
So he's somewhere here...
She scanned the map and tapped with a finger.
"Thinking's pointless—time to move. Kids, prep for outing."
Zombies stripped clothes off corpses.
Outing outfit: a red dress fit for an evening party.
Shoes: high heels.
She wouldn't touch ground anyway, so comfort irrelevant.
Da-jeong crossed her legs in a plush chair; four burly zombies lifted it.
Not a flower palanquin, but ride was comfy.
"March."
Zombies moved at her command.
Thirty strong—no goblins dared attack.
Regular zombies sensed something off and charged.
But hers weren't average.
Graaah!
Kweh!
Dozens of zombies massacred by hers.
She just read a book as points piled up real-time.
Then an arrow flew at her.
"Hm?"
Guard zombie blocked with arm.
Da-jeong frowned, examined the arrow.
Sniper in the chaos, huh.
Where... there.
She smirked, stomped footrest, stood.
"Time for the boy era! Sugar Sung-hoon!"
A sleek zombie leaped out at her gesture.
"Choi Kang Ji-oh!"
Muscular zombie stepped forward.
"Shine Ye-seong! Victory Chan-jong! Passion Jay!"
Five zombies struck idol-like poses on command.
Survivors watching from a third-floor building laughed in disbelief.
"Total psycho bitch."
"Zombie handler, what'd ya expect."
"Shoot more and bail."
But they couldn't laugh anymore.
The five charged the building at terrifying speed.
The group freaked, collapsing in shock.
At the base, two zombies boosted another up.
Three zombies scaled to the third floor in seconds with insane jumps and grips.
"Aaaah!"
Survivors fled, but zombies were faster.
The poor two got dragged out and down to zombies.
Da-jeong stomped their groins with high heels.
"For your."
"Argh!"
"Crime."
"Guh!"
"You pay."
Her footwork brought them agony near blackout.
Da-jeong yanked one up by the collar with surprising strength.
Slipped off a heel and slapped his face.
His face ballooned instantly.
"Joking? Huh? What about this arrow? Gouge your eye?"
"P-please spare me..."
"You tried killing me? Gotta pay up, right?"
"Sorry! Never again!"
The downed guy yelled; she pressed harder with the heel.
"Gaaah!"
"Never what? Hate mumbling—speak clear."
"Never again, aaah!"
"...Spared."
She tossed the collared guy atop the other.
Snapped fingers; surrounding zombies undid belts.
Both men's eyes bulged.
"N-no way..."
Da-jeong crossed arms and declared,
"Do it again. I'll let 'em have fun with you. You on the receiving end. Got it?"
They nodded desperately.
Never prayed so hard in their lives.
"Scram. Hate looking at you."
"Yes! Ugh!"
The two clutched groins, crawling away hunched.
Da-jeong sighed.
"All pathetic losers."
Hope Kimbap Lover's decent.
She sat back, crossed legs.
"March."
The queen's palanquin moved on.
End of Busan is Dangerous - 2