Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Bunny Duo - 1
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< Bunny Duo - 1 >
People gathered up the griffin's flesh and headed back.
I could read the tension in their conversation.
The Swordsman was oddly cautious, and the others weren't watching his mood.
At first, I thought they were comrades picked from the shelter, but no.
They were people gathered from all over the country to hunt the griffin.
"So they won't lose out to Survivor1."
They'd lose to veterans, but they could at least boast their playtime.
Anyone charging at a griffin would be at least level 15.
The Swordsman stared blankly at the half-dismantled griffin carcass, then let out a deep sigh that seemed to cave in the ground.
For some reason, he looked pitiful.
Strictly speaking, he hadn't done much wrong.
"I've been hogging it all, so I feel a bit sorry."
Of course, I had no intention of yielding.
I just didn't see the need to show outright hostility without reason.
Finally, the Swordsman stood up.
"Uwaaaah!"
I flinched.
He let out a loud yell and punched a nearby tree.
Thud. The tree dented in the shape of his fist.
Yet he showed no sign of pain.
Did he have Physical Enhancement too?
From what I knew, Physical Enhancement not only boosted the user's abilities significantly but also reduced strain.
For example, punching a wall.
Even with the same Strength stat, the one with Physical Enhancement feels much less pain.
Hyung-jun hyung had told me, so it was accurate.
"Blink and Physical Enhancement..."
By my guess, he probably had Shelter Reinforcement too.
The government shelter folks wouldn't think it was strange otherwise.
That would make three traits?
"Total cheat."
I wasn't in a position to judge, but it was astonishing nonetheless.
Not long after the Swordsman vanished completely, Dajeong appeared.
She was impatient too.
I stepped out through the dimension gate and explained the situation to her.
"...That's the gist. For now, just keep an eye on him while holding him in check."
"Don't kill him?"
"Nah, putting on a bit of bravado doesn't seem like a death sentence."
"He leered at my body all sleazy-like."
"Okay, that's a bit much. But Dajeong, you're so alluring he couldn't help it."
"No, that's not it! I should be the one leering at guys, not the other way around!"
That was it?
I forgot her sensibilities were anything but ordinary.
She huffed and demanded I take off my shirt.
"Chicken instead of pheasant. I need to ogle your muscled torso."
"Isn't that sexual harassment?"
"Shut up and strip."
I barely calmed her down and explained the plan after entering the government shelter.
"Hmm. Don't kill him, just keep tabs?"
"For starters, pretend to ally with the president and observe. Figuring out his traits would be ideal. So far, I've got Shelter Reinforcement, Blink, and Physical Enhancement."
"Multiple traits are such a scam."
Ours are scammier.
"Anyway, he seems oddly fixated on relationships with people... Maybe he can steal or copy others' traits. Be careful."
"Just no handshakes?"
I shook my head.
"No one knows the conditions. That's why you need to scout it out once you're in the shelter."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You want me to play spy."
"Not spy—more like precautions for our survival."
"...Fine. But you have to bring Topong for sure."
"Obviously. Soon as this is done, I'll go looking."
From Changwon to Jinju, scour every inch.
Since arriving in Gyeongnam, there'd been no word on him.
I worried something had happened.
We discussed what to do with the secured griffin chicks.
They were so huge, the entire base camp could eat their fill and still have leftovers.
Guess we'd smoke some here and take it back.
We returned to camp at staggered intervals.
The journey in the farming dungeon was drawing to a close.
The dimension gate began to flicker, and the gym folks promptly packed up camp.
It was a short trip, but they'd gained quite a bit.
First off, new comrades.
They'd mined glowstones and flint.
And secured a variety of food.
Not a massive amount, but enough for 2-3 weeks comfortably.
Three days' investment for this? Solid.
Dajeong suddenly changed her mind and said her goodbyes to the group.
The gym folks seemed genuinely attached, looking quite reluctant.
"Take care. Even naughty dreams are fine, so dream of me."
Saying that to a woman—classic Dajeong.
As the other women grimaced in disgust, she blew a kiss and vanished with the zombies.
"Welcome. Dajeong-ssi. Or should I say, Your Majesty?"
Jang Won-taek greeted her with a satisfied expression.
Naturally, everyone around him was new to her.
But she showed no intimidation.
"Just a country girl from Daegu out for a Seoul visit. That okay?"
"What are you saying? With you here, our shelter strengthens even more. This way."
Meanwhile, the Swordsman watched her join in a daze.
Why? The question filled his mind.
Hadn't she rejected him just before?
No, he wasn't even looking her way as she stuck to Jang Won-taek—had she chosen that side?
The Swordsman's mind was a mess.
Back at the government shelter, he finally called her out.
"Didn't you say you'd never see me again?"
"What's your deal? Rejecting my offer and all."
"The president's offer appealed more."
The Swordsman's face twisted.
"He's not president anymore."
"Lots of folks still treat him like one, don't they?"
He was at a loss for words.
She was right.
Jang Won-taek wielded massive influence in the government shelter.
Some still called him president.
The Swordsman squirmed under that influence, but he wasn't there yet.
"What did he offer you?"
"You called me out to hear that?"
Dajeong's lips curled up, and the Swordsman realized his mistake.
Who'd spill that?
He changed the subject.
"Once you're in the shelter, going lone wolf won't fly. You sure?"
"That's not your concern."
"I'm a key figure here for now. I defend this shelter, so I'd prefer no foreign elements slipping in."
Normally, this would prompt an angry "Am I the foreign element?"
But Dajeong's response was different.
"Want me to flip the shelter as that foreign element? Open everything up?"
Oh no, her eyes were rolling back.
The Swordsman panicked and tried to smooth it over.
"No, wait—just calm down. That's not what I meant. We're sharing space, so shouldn't we cooperate?"
Dajeong withdrew her fierce glare.
"I'll behave while in the shelter, so don't worry."
"Good to hear. But what sudden wind blew you in here? Really the offer?"
"My whim. Why?"
"Sure, but there must be a trigger."
"God, you're annoying. Why obsess over petty details?"
The Swordsman flinched at her intensity.
How could she be so game-like?
He'd played pandering to other veterans in-game.
Their crazy antics were "concepts," but meeting them proved otherwise.
At least Bunny Duo and Duck Down Quack were clearly unhinged.
Was Kimbap Lover too?
Dajeong crossed her arms.
"Gonna give guns to the Boy Scouts."
"Huh? Do what now?"
"It's what we always talked about. Shooting monsters rat-tat-tat. I really wanna know how many bullets an ogre takes."
"...Can't use them carelessly."
Creating space 500 meters underground wasn't child's play.
Most of that space held not guns, but facilities for humanity's future.
Once Metal Plague subsided, they'd escape the stone age, right?
Guns and ammo weren't as plentiful as thought.
Actually, the real reason he couldn't distribute guns casually was elsewhere.
"Whatever. Gonna arm zombies and blast all monsters. Pew-pew-pew!"
As she spun around, the Swordsman grew urgent.
"W-wait. Can't you rethink it?"
"Why? You bragged about having guns."
"Not that..."
The Swordsman had zero plans to spread guns.
No matter the traits, one shot could leave you fighting for life.
Handing such fearsome weapons to just anyone would shake his control.
Arm a few trusted underlings, use that power to draw people in.
Have them man the facilities to produce ammo.
Succeed in sidelining Jang Won-taek, and he'd be apocalypse overlord.
A shut-in's dream come true.
But Dajeong's intrusion threatened to derail it from the start.
Arming zombies?
Absolutely not.
Using them was fine, but if seized, chaos.
The Swordsman racked his brain to sway her.
He wanted compliant survivors, not ticking bombs.
Dajeong sighed inwardly.
Making people this jittery wasn't her style.
But a promise was a promise.
Having entered, she needed to play along somewhat.
Push-pull creates noise; a full wall makes them preemptively back off.
She stopped, her heels clicking to a halt.
The Swordsman nearly bumped into her but dodged.
'Should've pretended it was an accident...'
He caught a whiff of her strong shampoo scent—instinct regretted it.
Dajeong spoke over her shoulder.
"Talking like this, we don't really know each other's traits, do we?"
"Tr-traits?"
In this world, revealing traits was key to gaining trust.
"Mine's Zombie Domination. Yours?"
"Uh, um..."
The Swordsman hadn't expected her to ask so directly.
He stammered, then clammed up.
Still a secret for now.
"Such a coward," Dajeong said, clacking away in her heels.
The Swordsman stared after her.
This might be an opportunity.
With her in the shelter, they'd cross paths often.
Chances to show off his strength and charm.
Past failures, but if he buckled down...
Show her his abilities, maybe earn trust.
She hadn't called out his blatant ogling.
Maybe she was a little into him?
Wait... is that why she joined the shelter?
Such delusions swirled as she walked away.
The Swordsman resolved and spoke.
"My trait... it's not just one."
She turned back, and he was thrilled.
Felt like her heart turned too.
The gym folks visiting Dog Island for the first time marveled and rejoiced.
"Whoa... a place like this."
"Monsters can't come here?"
"Nope. They don't swim."
"Farming... oh, Mi-kyung can help."
"Hehe, trust me!"
They seemed relieved to have a safe shelter.
As people suddenly swarmed, Dingo—who'd guarded the island for three days—barked in surprise.
Seeing him, eyes widened.
"No way, it's not been long—how'd he grow so big?"
"Not a husky anymore..."
Even I couldn't claim husky now.
Pup grown to Jindo size.
I played it cool and called Hyung-jun hyung, Su-yeon, and Yeo-ul.
"Staying on this island for a while should be fine. Even swimming monsters can't make hundreds of meters."
Hyung grinned and nodded.
"A few show up, we handle 'em."
No issue unless flying types.
And those come much later.
The group planned future farming excitedly.
I told them,
"Gonna have to leave the island for a bit."
"Why?"
Su-yeon placed her hand on my wrist.
Just arrived, now leaving—odd, sure.
But I had to find Topong.
"Nothing major. Heading to the Daegu Seed Vault. Zombies ate all the seeds."
I'd discovered this after arriving on the island.
To make fields and grow crops, needed seeds.
Assumed Masan had nurseries, but they were wrecked.
Monsters devoured everything.
Zombie traces likely.
Ghouls needing mass energy to evolve?
Thus, no seeds for fields.
Some left, but not enough.
They nodded solemnly at my explanation.
But Su-yeon had another angle.
"Nursery seeds degrade after 2-3 generations—germination drops, crops mutate."
Didn't think that far.
I nodded gravely; she stroked my hand, touched.
Ahem. So soft.
"Need originals, got it. Want me along?"
"Uh... I prefer solo. Not 'cause you're inconvenient."
"Understood. You'll come back later?"
"Have to..."
No guarantees.
Seoul trip long, unknowns there.
Months minimum.
"With Ji-man, no starving here."
"I'm useless, making you do all the work."
Hyung truly apologized.
Self-inflicted, no need.
Meeting over, in the hideout, kids our age huddled, discussing futures more than playing.
I slipped in, announced my departure; Mi-kyung's eyes wavered.
"Tomorrow?"
"No, after some rest."
Farmed hard; need recharge.
Told Ji-man ahead; no big reaction.
Events coming; we'll meet.
"Wait."
Mi-kyung pulled me outside.
On the beach, she clasped hands behind back, paced around me.
"Thought about it... Can I call you oppa from now? You call me ajumma."
Huh? Sudden?
Ajumma's fine.
Age gap and all...
"What's wrong with it? I'm good."
"Mm... not saying. Anyway, oppa okay?"
No issue.
I nodded easily; she hugged lightly and fled.
Ahem. So soft.
As Sung-ho flirted on Dog Island, Seok-hyun and Yun-jeong finally reached Changwon.
What a long journey.
Yun-jeong fully grasped Seok-hyun was 100% nuts.
How'd he survive normal times?
Mental issues driving game immersion?
Anyway, time to part.
President's request: escort to Changwon.
Seok-hyun bowed deeply, then headed to ruined apartments.
...Kinda disappointing.
Yun-jeong brushed back her hair.
Traveling alone, he'd opened up from boredom.
Spilled game tales with Kimbap Lover, Duck Down Quack; piqued her curiosity.
What kind to befriend this guy?
All crazy maybe.
Anyway, head back.
This achievement? President would favor her.
Yun-jeong walked north lightly.
Soon, Seok-hyun ran into a group.
Heavily armed, they semicircled him.
"Mmph!"
Damn, they got Yun-jeong.
Seok-hyun tilted his head; leader stepped forward.
"Topong, right? Nice to meet."
"Got your VIP; can I go?"
"No intent to flee."
Man had Topong intel.
Looks crazy, but loyal.
Weeks with Yun-jeong? Wouldn't ditch; spot on.
Seok-hyun loosened fists.
"In a rush; clear the way? Release Yun-jeong too."
"Boss coming; wait till then."
"No time."
He covered forehead.
"Boss'll be hurt. Didn't you game together?"
"Who's boss?"
"Su~per scary."
Leader dramatized; group snickered.
"Heart races near 'em? Try it."
Murderer?
But leading a group? Near impossible.
Three nearby sparks deathmatch...
Seok-hyun reached for pants; leader egged on.
"Strip, let's see."
Pants down, whistles.
Seok-hyun clenched fist; leader's smile vanished.
"Stall till boss; we win."
Bunny Duo shot out like arrows.
< Bunny Duo - 1 > End