Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Veteran vs. Newbie - 1
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While I was focusing on the forest shelter,
Seok-hyun had headed out with Dingo, the silver wolf pup he'd grown close to, to hunt werewolves.
The fact that they fought whenever they had a chance was a sign they'd bonded, in their own way.
Thanks to the two of them taking off, I could concentrate on the shelter.
I put off cleaning the cave for later, expanded the shelter, and so on.
The expansion took several days of running the mini excavator at full blast, making a racket the whole time, before it was finally done.
Now we had some extra space in the shelter.
"Next time, I really need to go all out on expanding it..."
The truth was, we had so much stockpiled already.
Most of the 200 pyeong was being used as storage.
Other survivors were abandoning their stockpiles just to relocate their bases, but I was chilling like it was peacetime.
"All thanks to the beetles pitching in on shelter defense while I was away..."
The little guys had come up with their own defenses in my absence.
Small ballistae and explosives, that sort of thing.
Most monsters couldn't even get close, and the occasional orc that showed up would taste the ballista and hightail it.
On the flip side, monster nests had started popping up around the shelter.
The beetles weren't fighters, so it was up to me to handle them, but I just hadn't found the time.
"I need to tidy things up a bit."
Maybe do a patrol sweep next time.
I cleaned the cave, shaking off the dust.
Once it was all done and I'd taken a long-overdue bath, I felt pretty good.
But... Ghoul Queen Choi Da-jeong, who was calling me from the auction house, seemed to be in a different situation.
She'd posted her auction item and spammed the comments section.
Not even in code—why write it like that?
I summoned her through another auction item.
Like anyone's gonna know who that is...
Anyway, I needed something to shut Da-jeong up tight.
Anyway, Da-jeong gave me two hours to make the spicy chicken.
In exchange, she shared info she'd picked up in the shelter.
Hmm... Oh, I see.
Joo Seung-chul seems suspicious?
Definitely worth checking out.
Just a big show-off, maybe...
Compared to us, Geom-in's side might actually be normal.
Anyway, Da-jeong said Geom-in was shocked when she declared she'd be queen.
Probably threw off whatever plans they had—must feel like the Ghoul Queen wrecked everything.
Gotta whip up the chicken fast and handle other stuff.
Checking the firebird coop, I was in for a shock.
"When'd you guys multiply like this?"
Even after eating some, there were more than before.
Over ten now, easy.
Inside, the beetles were laying eggs.
Tapping them to check fertilized vs. unfertilized, from the looks of it.
Working so hard.
They said finding imperial honey makes them bigger and stronger—gotta check that out next time.
I caught one firebird, dressed it, and heated the oil.
"Spicy recipe..."
Didn't have all the ingredients, so it'd be basic flavor, but Da-jeong wouldn't complain.
Eating spicy fried chicken in the apocalypse was luxury enough.
Double-fried the firebird and tossed it in the sauce—looked decent.
Problem was the size.
Normal chicken's about a kilo; this was pushing three.
"...She'll figure it out."
I layered some disposable containers and listed it at the auction house.
Took a lot of effort, so 200 points.
The spicy chicken sold, points rolling in.
Da-jeong freaked out over the size.
What nonsense is that.
As I was handling other tasks, Seok-hyun and Dingo returned.
Both looked exactly as wild as the day they were born.
Dingo doesn't wear clothes, of course.
"...You win?"
"Yeah."
He must've taken down a real werewolf barehanded.
His body was covered in wounds for it.
He'd used potions, probably—time to give him a firebird egg.
Seok-hyun sat in a chair, rubbing an egg on his swollen eyelids.
Dingo, sitting next to him, had black rings around his eyes too.
"You two look like brothers."
Seok-hyun grinned, and Dingo suddenly chomped his toe.
How far has Digger fallen, exactly.
Seok-hyun, Dingo, and I left Changwon.
First stop: Milyang.
Passing through the tunnel, following the national highway, the devastated fields came into view.
Seok-hyun peered into the distance and tilted his head.
"Haven't seen one of those in a while."
"Yeah..."
What we spotted was a tree—or some kind of plant.
Multiple vine-like stems twisted together like a braid, shooting skyward.
A bizarre plant impossible to find on old Earth.
Up close, it was about 20 meters tall—pretty impressive.
The surroundings had changed beyond recognition, no longer resembling Korea's ecosystem.
This was erosion.
Monsters crossing from the other world brought seeds that grew here.
"Gotta be careful... Could be man-eating plants next."
"Smash 'em and boil—they're tasty."
There were various man-eaters, some edible.
Of course, poisonous ones could kill you if you messed up.
Seok-hyun could eat anything, though.
Back on the highway, an outdoor outlet caught my eye.
Winter's coming—better grab some gear.
I rummaged through the dusty store, picking out what we needed.
Seok-hyun just stood there blankly—he didn't need clothes.
"Briefs are enough for me."
"Even in winter?"
"Body runs hot."
"For my sake, please."
He's wearing jeans and a jacket right now, even.
Seok-hyun finally relented and grabbed a few that fit.
No women's stuff needed yet... but just in case.
I assembled sandwich panels on the spot into a warehouse and packed the clothes tight.
Seok-hyun yawned, watching.
"You could sell this stuff."
"Planning to. These clothes become treasures later."
Three months into the apocalypse.
Excluding food, cities were overflowing with goods.
Risk it, and you could stay warm indefinitely.
But time changes that.
The things we took for granted would vanish.
A few years from now, scouring a whole city for one outfit might be normal.
We had to stock up before then.
Especially facilities.
The government shelter probably had what I needed hidden away.
Not stealing—just prepping to secure them when the chance came.
Shelter infighting... Common in apocalypse stories, right?
Third party slipping in during the chaos? Classic ploy.
That's why I sent Da-jeong, and she was doing better than expected.
Worried she'd cause a ruckus right away, but good.
Then I heard a commotion.
Seok-hyun had wandered to the freezer section, beating zombies.
"Hey, Seok-hyun!"
"Hurry and farm points!"
With two werewolf skills under his belt, he was way stronger now.
Look at him pummeling that evolved brute like a punching bag.
Even leaving fatal blows for me.
What a guy.
I pulled my weapons and hunted zombies.
Points shot up.
Ten hours later, we reached Milyang.
Following the intact bridge, we spotted Sammun-dong—administratively anyway.
Maps showed an island smack in the city center.
And a tall apartment on it.
Amazing it hadn't collapsed, but something else was weirder.
"That apartment's turned into a dungeon."
Seok-hyun squinted at me.
"You see that?"
"Got Griffon's Eye skill."
"Keeping all the good stuff, huh."
"Gotta to survive. Anyway, it's a dungeon. Swarming with monsters inside."
Dungeons in Survival Life were mostly underground.
But surface ones popped up sometimes.
Completely overtaken by otherworld ecosystems inside and out—super alien vibe.
Familiar turf for monsters, though.
Instinct drew them in hordes, strongest claiming the top.
Orcs right now, probably.
Those boss monsters grew huge and stronger weirdly.
The dungeon itself fostered loyalty among them.
Like a clan.
I scanned the vine dungeon thoroughly with Griffon's Eye.
That big? Boss had to be tough.
High level, good skills, loot stacked...
Before I could suggest it, Seok-hyun cracked his knuckles.
"Let's go in. I'll carry you."
"Easier together. Path... that way."
Bridge to Sammun-dong was out, but the low-water ford looked good.
We geared up to cross.
Then arrows flew from a guard post on their side.
"What the—want a fight?"
Warning to stay away, probably...
Unfolded the note on the arrow: Yep, don't come.
Seok-hyun snorted.
"Your turf? Ours now."
"Hold up. Let's talk first."
Seemed like a group controlled all of Sammun-dong.
No need to clash if we didn't have to.
We wanted monsters and loot, not people.
Though I could accommodate if they wanted.
Waiting, three guys appeared on the other bank.
Could shout, but it'd attract monsters.
They shot a note-tied arrow back.
Seok-hyun crumpled it, reaching for his pants.
I barely stopped him.
"Wait, no fight needed. Got a way."
"What?"
"Bridge is gone, but I have a raft. Sneak across."
"Wanna beat 'em."
"That'd be a headache. Twenty guys? Beat 'em all?"
He nodded.
This is how Seok-hyun and I differed on obstacles.
He loved frontal assaults; I preferred sneaking other routes.
Though if nothing worked, we'd wreck it all same.
I convinced him no need to fight here.
"Their gear's nothing special—low levels. Can't dream of tackling the vine dungeon. So..."
"Sneak in, clear it, sneak out?"
"Yeah. Unless they're suicidal, they won't approach."
"True, monsters inside are vicious..."
"Rubber raft it is. What can they do from across the river?"
Whatever their numbers, couldn't watch the whole island.
We backed off slow.
Saw the three pump fists—mission accomplished.
That guy looks familiar...
Hurrying at Dingo and Seok-hyun's urging.
Kyung-hoon rushed back to base with his crew.
Elation at repelling intruders.
But nagging feeling he'd seen them before.
'That build isn't common...'
Who was it.
Back at base, memory hit: the snack shop uncle.
Last name? Sung-ho, I think.
Guy who should be in Busan, now in Milyang.
Dunno the other, but crappy gear—not a big deal.
Kyung-hoon reported to Sammun-dong clan leader Ma Young-seok.
The real boss stroked his rough beard.
"Just two nobodies?"
"Big guy's got knowledge. Helped me out on Bore too."
"Guides have most stuff."
"Knew fine details, like goblin paralyze dart count."
"...Huh."
Young-seok perked up.
That bulk plus deep knowledge? Useful.
Might even know the vine apartment's deal.
He grilled Kyung-hoon.
"No gaming, just videos—but fought better than me. Way better."
"Not better than me, right?"
"Nah, can't touch you, boss."
Ma Young-seok shrugged, orc-thick arms flexing.
"You make contact. Bring the other if you can."
"Can I name-drop you? Mention auction access—they'll bite."
"Go for it."
Milyang was small; top players capped low.
Only three at level 15, Young-seok included.
They balanced rivalry and alliance to hold power.
Then vines wrapped the apartment; stubborn solo pushes cost lives.
Teamed up, but no progress.
Survivors said inside was a horror cave.
'Zombie Queen could've cleared it...'
Her whereabouts unknown.
If in Milyang, she'd rule—not listen to others.
Kyung-hoon left; Young-seok checked auction for intel.
Hot topic: Digger.
Something went down in Changwon, but trail vanished.
'Where'd he go...'
Distinct look—panties, cape, boots—not hard to spot.
Reading vine apartment report, urgent knock.
"What?"
"B-Boss, two guys crossing the river now."
"Who?"
"Dunno. Two men, rubber raft at Milju Bridge."
"Headache."
Definitely Kyung-hoon's duo.
Ignored the warning...
Young-seok rolled shoulders, stood.
Time for show of force.
Hoped it'd be friendly, but knees first it was.
Bonus: snag the raft.
"Call Hee-won and Cheol-jung."
The reporter paled.
The three, including leader Young-seok, were Sammun-dong's top power.
Whoever they were, no chance.
Young-seok flung open the door, strode out.
Spotted raft and two men through window.
"Well, well. Even brought the dog?"
He chuckled wryly, heading down.
Veteran vs. Newbie - 1
End