Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Cooperate or Clash - 2
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I met up with the people from the gym.
Aside from Da-jeong, everyone was dressed lightly, which caught me off guard before the pleasant surprise hit.
They explained that a farming dungeon had popped up while passing through the Changwon Tunnel, so they had no choice but to dive in.
"We thought about skipping the dungeon and just pushing through, but Da-jeong unnie charged right in."
Mi-kyung clung to me, whining.
It had been ages since I'd heard that voice.
I exchanged greetings with everyone, then fetched Junho, who had been pacing by the lakeside, and introduced him.
"He's one of the students who joined us from Masan."
"I'm Park Junho! My trait is Parkour!"
"Whoa, Parkour's a trait? Anyway, looked like there were more kids with you guys?"
"They're back at base camp right now. Instead of hanging out here, maybe we should head there... What do you think?"
"Sung-ho, you got any spare clothes at your place? I'm freezing my butt off."
Su-yeon poked her head out of the tent, stamping her feet and huffing warm breath into her hands.
"Here, put this on for now."
I shrugged off my windbreaker and handed it to her.
Su-yeon's expression softened instantly as she smiled at me.
"Now I feel bad. You'll be cold too."
The moment I saw her smile, I understood why I'd been so indifferent to Sang-hee before.
Back when we were together all the time, I hadn't thought much of it, but seeing her again after so long... she was stunning.
Junho stared at her, entranced, mumbling "merci" under his breath.
"I've heard that one about ten times already."
Su-yeon muttered bitterly.
Seemed like she'd dealt with plenty of that back in Gimhae.
Da-jeong came over to me.
"Kang Sung-ho. You ditched us to head to Masan alone... score anything good?"
"Ditched? I went ahead to scout a hideout."
"So, results?"
"I'll explain later."
We usually spoke casually, but with people around, this was unavoidable.
I mentioned that dimension gates surrounded our base camp.
When I added that they connected directly to the hideout, the gym group's faces lit up.
Hyung-jun hyung asked me,
"But Sung-ho, it's cool if we crash there? How many of you are there?"
"Four including me, nine if you count Da-jeong."
"Hey, then the zombie raid..."
"Won't happen. It's an island."
"Island? Oh, right, Masan has that one..."
"We're boating back and forth to the mainland right now, but with Mi-kyung's help, it'll be way easier."
"So, you're saying we should merge camps? What do the others think?"
"Sounds good."
"It'll take forever to get out of this tunnel anyway. Let's go to Masan~."
Everyone was on board.
The farming dungeon had unexpectedly served as a teleport hub.
Hyung wrapped it up.
"Nothing more to see here. Shame about the tents, but let's pack up and hike. Sung-ho's base camp is just a short way off. We'll talk there."
"Sounds good."
I slipped over to Yu-hyun, who was breaking down a tent, and whispered,
"No nighttime visits from Her Arrogant Majesty?"
"Uh... unnie's actually kinda pitiful."
"Yeah?"
I figured Yu-hyun had fallen under her spell, but no.
Apparently, all Da-jeong had done was get drunk and ramble.
Plenty horrific on its own, but treating her like a big sis and listening made her surprisingly compliant.
Sober, she'd thanked him by buying weapons with her overflowing points and gifting them.
Who knew wild-child Da-jeong had that side? Intriguing.
Maybe she was just affectionate but doomed to loneliness, surrounded only by zombies.
"Follow Junho! If the wind picks up, flatten yourself! Watch for griffons!"
We cautiously retraced our steps back to base camp.
The three guards jumped in surprise.
"Who are you?"
"The gym folks I mentioned. This is Yu-hyun."
Yeo-ul's gaze locked onto Yu-hyun instantly.
His soft, handsome features melted her expression in real time.
"He's hot, right?"
"N-no idea."
She said that, but darted to a mirror, fixed herself, then approached him demurely with a greeting.
Her smile wouldn't quit.
We did introductions and gathered.
The original Masan crew feared Da-jeong, perched outside the camp.
Can't blame them—sitting zombie-chair style, legs crossed amid her zombies.
Sensing the stares, Da-jeong went "Rawr!" to spook them.
What a rotten personality.
Not that I could talk.
We shared our stories so far and plans ahead.
Fog rolled in before long, and a few approached the camp.
It was someone very familiar.
President Jang Won-taek.
He'd come to us.
How many people were in this dungeon, anyway?
.
.
.
"What a nice vibe here. Maybe I'm just imagining it."
A few met the president separately.
Too crowded otherwise.
He offered pleasantries, then spotted Da-jeong off to the side and smiled faintly.
"This makes three of the four veterans I've met."
"Haven't met Kimbap Lover?"
"No. He's the one I wanted to see most. A bit disappointing."
Da-jeong didn't even glance my way.
"Anyway... care to join us? I'd invite you all."
"Pass."
Da-jeong was blunt, but Jang stayed unfazed.
"And the rest?"
Hyung-jun hyung ventured carefully,
"We're just settling into a new hideout... and Seoul's unfamiliar."
A polite refusal; Jang smiled faintly.
"Government shelter's always open. Contact us anytime. There's a dedicated comment section on the auction house."
"Ah, sure. But our levels are too low..."
Hyung, no need to share that.
"You'll hit it soon. Or Da-jeong could tell you?"
"Hearing that makes me not wanna."
"Oh dear. Not a duck, but a contrary chick, eh?"
Jang teased playfully; Da-jeong stood abruptly and turned, presenting her rear.
"This ain't a duck?"
"No, ahem..."
His fluster was obvious.
Time to lighten the mood.
"Why's the government gathering people?"
Jang replied matter-of-factly,
"To protect our society from monsters, of course."
"Even with zombie raids being dangerous?"
"Shelter's sturdy. Great Awakeners are gathering. Zombie raids are ongoing, but no issues."
Doubt that'll last.
Crowds mean problems.
Unity would be ideal, but they had Survivor1 as a bomb.
He had to know...
Jang took a note from his aides.
"Wasn't here to scout... haha, but talents stir me. Here's some info. Anyone from Busan?"
"No way..."
"We fled the Gijang power plant mess too."
People spoke; Jang nodded.
"Figures. Fresh intel: Foreigners landed in Busan. Likely Japanese."
"Japanese? Why?"
"Food, duh. Came to Busan."
"Crossed the sea? Tough bastards."
"Not confirmed yet, but at least a few. And they all speak Korean."
Even I was shocked.
Japanese from Japan, group-speaking Korean?
Unbelieving faces prompted Jang to rub his hands.
"I double-checked after hearing it. Same report. They speak Japanese among themselves, but Korean to us. Get it?"
Someone made contact.
And they're holding back info.
Join the gov to learn more...
Hyung-jun hyung pressed, stunned,
"So our words sound Japanese to them? Possible?"
"Unclear yet. Observing from afar for now..."
"Foreigners surviving? Wild."
"No system—how?"
Silent Da-jeong recrossed her legs.
The male aides behind Jang snapped their gazes over.
"That auction house post looking for Japanese... real deal, huh."
"Was that a thing? Then the speedrun labyrinth foreigner sighting was legit too. Haha, we're getting intel instead."
That Japanese was Yuzuka...
No Survival Life ID means real name registers.
If multiple Japanese survived, others worldwide too.
I asked what countries got the info; Jang said all necessary ones.
"Some denied the apocalypse. But most confirmed monsters firsthand. Hard to deny."
"So all survivors have the system. Including Busan Japanese."
"Ah... auction access means level 15? Fast."
"Combat trait, focus on levels—not hard. Post-15 is hell."
Da-jeong was right.
I'm struggling at 17.
Full combat focus could level quick, but priorities.
Needed to reach Top Gong soon, but schedule...
Jang glanced at aides, rising.
"Great meeting you. Oh, Da-jeong, busy day meeting folks."
"Who?"
"Zombie Queen rumors everywhere... and you're a beauty. Word'll spread."
"Hmm... hate love scandals. Grab one for fun times with my boy-era boy, hush it?"
"Haha... not recommending. Fun today. See you."
He left with aides; Hyung-jun hyung shook his head.
"President's alive. Just rumors till now."
First time seeing him too.
We all owed him big.
But no gov shelter for me.
Survivor1 nagged.
Wonder what his awakening is... Support type? Not combat, ex-prez.
Da-jeong dangled her heel off her toe.
"Boss, kids calling."
"Kids?"
"Yeah. Go."
After Hyung left, Da-jeong shoved her face in mine.
"Sung-ho, playing dumb? Know how long I rotted in Gimhae for you?"
"You look fine."
"Inside's rotting! All goody-two-shoes—no fun! Fun!"
"Hey, volume."
People's polite fear bored her.
Needed thrills and danger.
She poked my chin.
"Sticking with you now. Got it."
"Gonna advertise I'm Kimbap Lover, huh."
"My slave works. Panties and gag—perfect. Your body's decent."
"Pass, Duck Down Quack. Gotta find Top Gong—no time."
Her eyes gleamed.
"Top Gong? Still? What'd you do in Masan."
"Busy. Fought some people."
"...Sounds serious."
"Yeah. Oh, found Poor Man."
"Poor Man? For real?"
My stream's loyal viewers were known to veterans.
Da-jeong loved his schtick especially.
"Not a gimmick. Legit rough life."
"Him? Catch."
Ji-man was zombie-grabbed instantly.
Her focus zeroed on him.
"Such an innocent face. Name?"
"Hyu, hyung..."
Sorry, man. Humor her.
I slipped away.
.
.
.
The farming dungeon's crowd: over 200.
Ideal if all hunted peacefully, but nah.
Fights already breaking out.
Yu-hyun's paper plane brought news.
"Resource grab turned into a fight—someone died."
"Where?"
"Our lake area."
Close.
Murder case, more likely.
Blood calls blood.
Big crowd means deathmatches = chaos.
Hyung-jun hyung briefed after hearing.
"Dangerous here. Stick close, no wandering. Wind gusts? Flatten. Got it?"
"Yes."
We farmed around: fruits, minor hunts.
Me and Da-jeong split off.
She claimed using me; pity stares.
Real goal: nearby griffon nest raid.
Yu-hyun scouted: one on low rock.
We hid in forest below, observing.
"Nest's low. Means small griffon, right? Matches my footage."
Griffon nests by territory fights.
Strong high, weak low.
This one's owner got booted.
"Near adult size by nest."
"Adult how big? Forgetting."
"Twice bull. Charge in? 'Welcome lunch.'"
"Who charges? Just peek, loot nest."
Even bold Da-jeong hated griffon bites.
Planning when paper plane zipped sharp.
Yu-hyun's warning.
No chit-chat now.
Stood alert; bushes parted, people emerged.
Saw Da-jeong's zombies, drew weapons.
"Zombies!"
"Easy. Think you know who she is."
Leader's eyes flicked to me, settled on Da-jeong.
I was irrelevant amid zombies.
"Duck Down Quack? It's me, Survivor1."
"Hmm?"
Da-jeong's brows slowly furrowed.
End of Cooperate or Clash - 2