Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Shelter Conditions
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Up until now, the monsters that have appeared haven't been much of a threat.
You might think that's bullshit, but when you break it down, it's a clear fact.
Zombies, goblins, kobolds... As long as you run away well and hide properly, they weren't a lethal danger.
Because they were monsters that Awakened could handle.
Sure, you needed tactics like hit-and-run because of their numbers, but there was no doubt you could deal with them somehow.
Plus, the enhanced zombies got patched out, so surprisingly many people survived.
Fearsome Keepers or Bone Creepers were like event monsters—you only saw them at night.
Meaning, if you stayed hidden, you hardly ever encountered them.
But starting with orcs and werewolves, the situation changes drastically.
Those bastards have superior combat power compared to humans with traits.
They also have the intelligence to actively hunt humans.
The most famous monster among users is the ogre.
But the most terrifying is the Bone Creeper.
The monsters that represent Survival Life are the orcs and werewolves.
Veterans don't nickname promising newbies "orc" for nothing.
"The vicious part is that they show up almost at the same time."
Since the existing monsters don't disappear, it'll be even tougher.
From now on, guides won't be much use.
A demonic realm unfolds where you just fight to survive, run, and hide.
The true apocalypse begins.
"Time to change houses and get busy."
When orcs and werewolves appear, it's best to switch up your hideout.
Previously, second floors were preferred, but now the higher the better.
Because you have to disperse your supplies across multiple spots.
Existing monsters could often be repelled by concentrating firepower.
"But that won't work on orcs or werewolves."
They have insane toughness, so a few arrows just bounce off.
So the effective hunting method was to scatter supplies and accumulate damage.
From now on, even the firecrackers I've favored won't have much effect.
This is when flashbangs and incendiary cans become essential.
"The problem is I don't have many ignition stones."
Glow stones can be bought from the shop, but ignition stones only come from looting.
I asked the beetles to mine any ignition stones they found.
The odds are low, but those guys might pull through.
"Right now, 10 glow stones and 4 ignition stones..."
Even with the beetles steadily collecting, this is all I have.
That means only 4 solid chances to definitely kill an orc or werewolf.
"Pepper bombs are pretty effective too, but not infinite."
The last ones went to the Kimhae Clan.
I planted seeds, so they'll grow fast, but for now, I have to hunt without them.
Paralysis poison needles weren't dramatic against mid-sized or larger monsters.
"So... I need traps."
Humans have hunted animals with weapons and traps since ancient times.
I can do the same.
"It'll be a bit tough, though."
Thinking about the habits and behaviors of orcs and werewolves, a few usable traps came to mind right away.
I'd have to save ignition stones, so traps for hunting in the meantime.
I left Kimhae and headed for Changwon.
The new area to settle was Masan.
With commercial and residential districts tangled up complexly, it was great for farming.
Being right by the sea seemed good for food supply too.
Of course, for mass seafood, Geoje or Tongyeong would be better, but too far.
"Might go there someday..."
For now, Masan it was.
The spot I eyed was the shopping district around the docks.
A few FRP boats and a couple fishing supply shops.
"Not much land for a garden..."
Good thing we didn't need a huge area for just a few people.
I picked a suitable place and scouted it.
Survivors were pretty visible—guess people think alike.
They eyed me warily, but appropriately.
Unlike the Kimhae Clan who openly snarled.
"No big factions around..."
Might be some in the denser parts of Changwon.
Anyway, I settled on a four-story mini-building.
The structure was shabby, but lots of hiding spots and thus full of furniture and junk.
A bedding store and dishware shop had been there, which appealed to me.
"Just need food, and we can live decently."
Fine for me, but the folks moving in were broke, so location mattered a ton.
No clue when they'd come.
"Decent monsters too... good."
No monsters at all means it's not livable.
Points had become essential somehow.
The shop had tons of variety; with drinking water, you could survive on points alone.
Though it'd be tasteless bread.
"Can't live on just one thing, problem."
So, moderate monsters and supplies.
Plenty of survivors too—I saw over ten.
They paired up in twos or threes, farming carefully and hunting monsters cautiously.
Not super strong fighters, but seemed fine for survival.
Decent neighbors for now.
"Let's live quietly."
As long as they don't pick pointless fights like the Kimhae Clan.
The Changwon Clan that knew Kwon was in Seongsan-gu, so no run-ins for now.
I tossed my backpack into a fourth-floor office.
I started farming at the fishing supply shop.
Luckily, survivors hadn't touched it yet.
Fish traps seemed worth trying, but no time?
Yeah, goblins could steal them all if caught.
Those guys are super interested in human stuff.
Mischievous bastards who have to wreck and steal to feel satisfied.
Avoid them and you're good, but goblins are everywhere.
To prevent, toss at night and retrieve at dawn—but Keepers and Bone Creepers scare 'em off.
"Still some food left too."
About two months since the zombie outbreak.
Busan folks ditched most supplies, but other areas differ.
"Need..."
Nets, fish traps, rods, and all tools.
At the docks, traps; for fishing, take boat out.
Dangling a rod idly would delight the monsters.
Remote beaches easier for fishing, but harder farming.
Pros and cons everywhere.
"Still, cities are best for living now."
Too bustling, too many survivors and monsters; here is perfect.
I stored the goods in the dimension gate and returned to the fourth-floor house.
As I sorted supplies, an arrow suddenly flew through the window.
Parabolic arc—no attack intent.
"No arrowhead..."
Crucially, a note was tied on.
Probably from nearby survivors.
Unfolding it, worried words greeted me.
"Invitation to get along or warning...?"
Ambiguous meaning, but one thing clear.
The sender wasn't thugs like the Kimhae Clan.
Thugs wouldn't send notes.
They'd sneak in, scout, and loot.
"Not a strong faction."
Emphasizing they could chase me off suggested that.
Also reluctance to fight.
Maybe elders or kids?
"Figure that out later."
First, turn this building into a shelter.
I scarfed some food and started on net traps.
Even tough nets struggle to immobilize two monsters.
Orcs are strong, werewolves have claws—nets won't last.
But even seconds of binding is key.
Buys time to spear them.
"Lure, trap, stab..."
Full body weight, hardest thrust.
Otherwise, just pisses them off.
Luring then hiding in dimension gate for net gun—bad idea.
Net gun nets are standardized; repair if broken.
"If desperate, use gun..."
Only 164 bullets left—save if possible.
Would have more if not wasted on that goblin in rage.
I made a trap that drops nets from the ceiling and tested repeatedly.
Fail twice, so capture and kill in one go.
"Pull the rope like this."
Crash!
Ceiling collapses, nets pour down.
Pull right in front—dodge at least one attack.
"Orcs not hard, werewolves the issue."
In tight space, claws could take an arm.
Route rope inside?
Mulling options, evening came.
Nearby survivors vanished from streets; goblins too.
I entered the cave and caught a firebird.
Snap!
Firebirds don't chirp much, but not silent—flapped wildly in resistance.
"Sorry. Been ages since chicken."
Not real chicken, but similar taste.
As per butchering book: snap neck, stab heart—but...
"Where's the heart?"
Not chicken; huge size, hard to find.
Had to decapitate instead.
Hung upside down, blood drained.
Next, scald in hot water, pluck feathers.
"Better than hedgehogs."
Plucked, surprisingly like market chicken.
Except 2-3x bigger.
Trussed legs, gutted, cleaned inside.
Hands filthy quick, ignored.
"Smelly, Dingo?"
Excited, he licked nonstop.
This big, you can eat your fill.
Beetles swarmed to watch.
Too strength-heavy for them.
"You guys just handle the garden."
Beetles nodded.
Thanks to their diligence, my garden was thriving.
I make the garden itself—too hard for them.
But fertilizing, tilling: doable.
Planting to harvest: perfect workers.
Now potatoes plus spinach, lettuce, green onions, onions.
Grow so fast, lettuce harvestable in 4 days.
"Normally 4 weeks even in good weather."
Forest with monsters and smart beetles—not surprised.
I chopped the prepped firebird, boiled in pot.
Dingo lay by fire, enduring patiently.
Knows waiting means food now.
"Smart pup."
I warmed by fire, checked laptop footage.
Speedrun event followed by First Kill event.
First Kill on Survival Life's rep monsters: orcs.
One orc not hard, but it's a tyrant ruling nearby goblins and kobolds.
First Kill requires smashing several nests.
"Sneaking tough..."
Orc nest spawns somewhere urban.
Setting: orcs dominate, so minions don't flee.
They cling fiercely; clear all to reach king.
Game originally tough solo.
"Depends on nest layout."
And competitor numbers.
Unlike speedrun, many participants—fierce competition expected.
Urban not dungeon/maze amps rivalry.
"Not easy."
But no quitting early.
When rivals fight minions, sneak into nest.
Get caught, they'll curse—but feed 'em well.
Event designed for rivalry/fights.
"Coop included, but no need."
Monopolize if possible.
Playing footage, my analysis played.
"Why's he talking to himself?"
No viewers.
Voice droopy—explains.
Super niche game; even I stream ugly, no fixed viewers means nada.
Watched more; I sighed and ended stream.
Streamer's sorrow.
"Good job, past me."
Two hints gained.
First Kill always daytime start; kobolds nearby.
Nests spawn in big areas.
Keep in mind, find nests fast.
Auction house buzzing with talk.
Topic: me again.
Survivor1 still hustling self-promo.
But zero interest.
"Existence this faint..."
Watching him promo pitifully.
Someone hire the guy.
"Whatever, their business."
Folks expected Duck Down Quack for First Kill.
His traits and combat top-tier, but solo limit.
My speedrun win just maze luck, they say.
I checked the map.
No big cities between Daejeon and Gyeongnam, so no Bunny Duo traces.
"Little further south: Jinju... or Changwon."
From chatter, someone's with him—no sneaking off worries.
"Build shelter here, wait."
Firebird needs time to cook.
Dusk fell.
Me and Dingo took traps to docks, tossed them.
No goblins...
Under docks, baby puffers and mackerels nibbling traps then fleeing.
"No people, fish plentiful."
Few months, tons of seafood.
Recalled otherworld has sea too.
Untested, but richer than Masan bay.
Air-dry in sea breeze for long storage.
Back home, into cave: beetles adjusting fire by removing logs.
Firebird stew turned melt-in-mouth tender.
Good boys.
Before eating, posted cryptic auction for Da-jeong.
Free risky—others snag.
She's point-rich, bids high no issue.
Detached two legs, stewing rest; she replied.
Friend, can't overcharge.
Listed 100 points; she snagged instantly.
Stew gone; she commented in awe.
Beetles not tanuki.
She called gym folks.
Crazy acts, warm heart.
Gave Dingo a leg; mine in broth over rice.
Tasty too.
[Shelter Conditions] End