Chapter 93
Chapter 93
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Too Many Crazy People - 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The people in the government shelter were eating in the cafeteria.
With everything so organized, mealtimes were fixed, and the menu was the same for everyone.
That meant even the former president got the exact same food as anyone else.
It was unavoidable, given the shelter's strained food supplies.
Of course, even Dajeong, who had just arrived at the shelter, received the same meal.
She stared blankly down at her plastic tray.
Unleavened bread, soup, and potatoes awaited her.
This is what I ate yesterday too...
She glanced around. Everyone looked starving and was devouring their bread and potatoes.
The sight killed her appetite, and Dajeong set down her fork.
"Haa... What a mess."
When she first arrived, Yi Beom-seok, a close aide to the president, had warned her not to expect much from the food.
She'd assumed a government shelter would be abundant, but this was beyond disappointing—it was dismal.
From what she'd seen of how they planned meals here:
On the 15th, it was vegetable bibimbap, bread with soup and potatoes, and curry rice.
On the 16th, curry rice, vegetable bibimbap, bread with soup, and potatoes.
Just the menu items swapped positions.
This went on for days until enough people complained, and only then did they introduce something new.
There were complicated reasons for it all, but Dajeong didn't think that deeply about it.
"Should've just stuck with them, requests be damned!"
She suddenly yelled, drawing stares from everyone around.
Dajeong chewed her bread angrily to calm down.
It really had no taste at all.
Everything was scarce, so making bread at all was commendable, but she just felt wronged.
If she'd stayed with Sung-ho, she could've enjoyed feasts!
Even without that, she could've gotten food through the auction house, but he hadn't logged in at all.
She'd heard he'd gone to Changwon with Bunny Duo to deal with some natural monument killer, but after that, radio silence.
"Just wait till I see him. I'll drain him dry."
As she cooled off for the second time, a man sat down in front of her.
It was Geom-in.
He plopped down with a clueless grin, oblivious to the mood.
"Today's menu's not bad, right? I asked the kitchen staff to sprinkle some sugar on the potatoes. Should be tasty."
"..."
Dajeong glared at him silently, and Geom-in panicked.
Why's she so down this morning?
The two bowed their heads and ate.
Compared to Dajeong gnawing at her bread and potatoes like she wanted to murder them, Geom-in looked like he was actually enjoying it.
Irritated, Dajeong snapped at him.
"...Is that stuff good?"
"This? Honestly, not really."
"Your face says otherwise."
"Can't be helped. In a shelter with dozens of people, you can't expect gourmet meals. As long as we don't starve, it's a win."
His unexpected response made Dajeong's eyes widen slightly.
Geom-in the wimp has a point?
He waved his plastic fork as he explained.
"Government shelters were designed for 30 people max. Now we've got over 50. People keep coming. Partly thanks to my promotions."
Just when he was on a roll, he had to brag and ruin it. That was his flaw.
Dajeong was annoyed but decided to hear him out.
"So?"
"Exceeding capacity is scary. The food manager has to play it safe with the menu. Better to lower quality than run short."
"Hmm, I see."
She listened attentively, and Geom-in got excited.
Usually, she was so sharp it was hard to even talk to her, but today felt different.
Softer, somehow?
Now's my chance to score points.
He casually dropped a hint.
"You met that Joo Seung-cheol guy, right? He's probably pitched you by now. Promised good food."
"He didn't say that."
She'd only chatted briefly with the chaebol heir.
She'd just learned Daehyeon Group had built this shelter.
Geom-in leaned in, whispering cautiously.
"Guess he doesn't trust you yet. Anyway, watch out. He'll invite you to his shelter."
"Why? Wants me to spread my legs?"
Her bluntness flustered him, but he pressed on.
"To win you over. Rumor is, his place is stocked with food. No one knows where, but that's the talk."
"What? Then he's rich. If a rich guy's offering, why refuse?"
"The rumor..."
Geom-in hesitated, debating whether to spill it.
Dajeong knew from days around him how to push his buttons.
"He's tall, good-looking mask. Rich too—perfect boyfriend material."
That did it. He spilled the secret he'd been hiding.
"You don't know. His company invested in Survival Life's developers."
"...For real?"
"Yeah. Only the president, Beom-seok, and I know. Bottom line: Seung-cheol knew something about this apocalypse. Still just a guess."
Oho.
Unexpected goldmine of info.
Dajeong smirked.
"Now I wanna check out Seung-cheol's shelter even more. Bet it's full of wonders."
"D-Dangerous..."
"Geom-in."
He jumped.
First time she'd called him by name.
Usually just "old man" or "guy."
She even scooted her bench closer.
Their distance shrank a bit.
"Y-Yeah. Anything. Spill it."
"Don't we need to team up?"
He was deeply moved.
"H-Hand? Yeah, we should. Gotta stick together. Who knows what'll happen. Strong monsters coming—we help each other..."
"So back me up."
"Huh?"
What now?
Geom-in snapped out of his sweet daydreams with Dajeong.
She thumped her chest.
"I'll be queen. Support me."
Geom-in gaped in shock.
Is she insane?
Comfort breeds complacency.
Even the Dog Island folks weren't immune.
After Sung-ho left, Hyung-jun and Suyeon led the adults in urging everyone to stay vigilant despite the ease.
No telling when a fight might come, so maintain basic combat readiness.
Everyone nodded at first.
They made nets and spears for werewolves, trained in coordinated takedowns.
With Mi-kyung's help, land hunting was a given.
But over time, fewer joined hunts and drills.
Dog Island was just too plentiful and comfy.
Sung-ho had farmed so well, supplies would last months.
With Jiman around, starvation wasn't an issue.
Veggies sprouted in the garden; on fishing days with his net, the whole group feasted on fish.
Everyone plumped up from the good life.
Hyung-jun nagged as big bro and leader, but the island's peace made him sheepish.
Even the werewolf that showed up avoided the water.
Occasional respawning monsters were no match for the group.
The mainland was monster chaos, but Dog Island stayed serene.
Except for two.
Jiman and Mi-kyung kept hunting diligently.
With her help shifting hunt spots, they loosed arrows nonstop.
They wielded the 60-pound bows Sung-ho left.
Blink was perfect for escapes, so no dangers befell them.
No attack bonuses meant slow leveling, but they endured, sticking to zombies and goblins.
Other monsters were too risky.
An orc spotted them and charged.
"Run! It's on us!"
Mi-kyung tapped Jiman's shoulder and Blinked.
They relocated to a nearby low building, catching their breath.
The furious orc stomped in place, berating goblin minions.
"Phew... Let's rest here."
"Yeah. We overdid it today."
Mi-kyung swept sweat-matted hair behind her ear and gazed at Dog Island through the broken window.
Others are probably digging radishes now...
Some fishing, all busy surviving.
But Mi-kyung had to hunt.
Because...
Jiman stared into space, then beamed.
"Noona, I'm level 8."
"Whoa, huge jump. Almost 10."
"Right? At 10, maybe I can ride dolphins for real."
"Ooh, dolphins!"
They hunted for the same reason.
To show Sung-ho their growth when they met again.
That's what Mi-kyung felt.
He hid things because she was weak.
Protected her by keeping quiet.
Jiman felt the same.
Prep strength for their reunion.
Bio Affinity's extra effects were key, especially for non-combat types.
They craved level 10, 15 unlocks.
Days of hunting paid off: Mi-kyung 13, Jiman 10.
Then Mi-kyung witnessed something amazing.
"Whoa..."
Jiman rode something in Masan Bay.
Dorsal fin—shark.
She Blinked to Dog Island, calling everyone.
Sharks circling drew gasps.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Jiman has Bio Affinity. Safe, right?"
"They look so friendly..."
"Bro's waving us over."
Sharks swarmed Dog Island.
Escorting Jiman like guards.
He petted them like babies, directing to shore.
Sharks farewelled him en masse—a dream scene.
Now sharks patrolled in shifts, defending.
Ready to chomp sea monsters.
Dog Island safer, Jiman stronger.
Even the laid-back felt the level-up itch.
If non-combat Jiman tried so hard...
Hunting contests sparked among members.
Mi-kyung ferried them to land nonstop.
No complaints.
More to show him when they met.
I tracked down the two survivors from my deathmatch with Cheolseong.
They might've overheard, so I couldn't let them go unchecked.
At least confirm.
Seokhyeon and I searched; sure enough, they hid in a shop building.
I infiltrated alone, hiding in a dimension gate.
Noise drew one out, but seeing nothing, he relaxed and returned.
"Shouldn't we tag along...? They killed the boss."
"Would they need us? Lucky if they don't kill us as baggage."
"Didn't seem that ruthless..."
"One's Bunny Duo. The panty-wearing weirdo."
"The big guy?"
"No, the hat guy."
I didn't know them.
No need to kill now.
Bunny Duo was famous anyway...
I gleaned Changwon Clan's base from their talk.
"Heard their hideout's by the plaza E-Mart. Hit it later."
"There? Risky?"
"Boss dead. Rest are mid-tier. First come, first served."
Obvious.
I slipped out via dimension gate while they left.
Relayed to Seokhyeon.
"Loot that. Fits in the gate?"
"This haul yes, next needs expansion."
"Expand before heading up."
"I'll be inside... What about you?"
He flexed his fist.
"Strip and dive with werewolves."
This guy's beyond human.
Points plentiful—no need to stop him.
If he wants to fight.
Raced to Jungang-dong E-Mart with Seokhyeon.
Dense shops, motels, studios.
Sleazy motel: supplies piled high.
No people... Perfect.
I opened a gate on the wall; Seokhyeon poked, puzzled.
"Open? Feels like wall."
"I'll work. You chill."
I shoved my leg in; he slapped his forehead with an "ah."
Time he got used to it.
Soon shelter brimmed with goods.
Hour of nonstop work, no fatigue.
I've grown.
Post-loot, just light back sweat.
Grabbed cold cola from shelter, tossed to Seokhyeon.
"Still cold inside?"
"Seasons reversed."
"Kuh... Refreshing. Life's about this."
Moved to safe spot, planned next.
"Daegu to Bonghwa-gun. Seed Vault there."
"Seed Vault?"
"Seed bank. Power out, but salvageable."
Excuse for Dog Island, but seeds needed.
Asia's largest—tons stored.
Seokhyeon quizzed why, then startled at Poor Man mention.
"Met him too?"
"Dropped him at Masan. Bio Affinity... Means..."
Explained; he smacked knee.
"Jackpot."
"Huge. Fish on every cast. Traps full of flounders."
"Easy with Dingo then."
"...Yeah."
Dingo wary of non-me.
More aloof than hostile.
Seokhyeon no exception—fled pets.
Dingo climbed from first floor, staring.
Seokhyeon pounced, grabbing.
"See? Bites."
He winced.
Good so far—then he bit Dingo's butt.
Yelp!
Dingo thrashed; they rolled.
"You bite, I bite! Grr!"
Humanity gone—now wolf too.
I entered gate, fired up mini forklift.
Expand, then Seed Vault, Seoul.
Long trip ahead.
Too Many Crazy People - 4 End