Hana's Raid

"Everyone gathered?"

"Yes!"

I kept the announcement brief.

"We'll distribute sixty percent of the supplies we acquired on this expedition. For anything involving supply distribution, talk to Kim Hyunseor standing right here."

"Please take good care of me. My name is Kim Hyunseor."

Hyunseor gave a polite bow. That brought our first-tier residents to four. The solar panel installation technician, the electrician, the water piping and pump specialist. Now Kim Hyunseor joined them. Of course, the raid team members ranked above all of them. First-tier residents didn't have to do anything outside their assigned roles. They received food rations as a matter of course.

"Nice to meet you, Hyunseor!"

"Please take good care of us!"

"She's incredibly beautiful."

"Yeah, and so tall too."

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

The raid members cheered enthusiastically. Beauty really did earn a warm welcome.

"From now on, all food will be stored here."

I pulled the Frost Gate out of my inventory.

"This is a sub-space. Put food inside and it won't spoil—as if time itself has stopped. You can turn the refrigerator off now."

Not being able to use the fridge would create the hassle of constant trips back and forth. In exchange—

"Instead of running the fridge, I'll allow air conditioner use during the heatwave periods."

"Perfect!"

"Thank you!"

Everyone had clearly been dreading the blistering heat.

"Raid Leader, I have a question."

Team 1's leader raised his hand.

"Yeah, go ahead."

"Does this mean we won't be able to drink cold beverages like soda anymore?"

"Don't worry about that. If you want something frozen or chilled, just tell Kim Hyunseor. We have refrigerant."

"I have a question too."

"Go for it."

Next, Team 5's leader raised his hand.

"Will the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠space be enough if we store all our food in it?"

"There's more than enough room."

"How much exactly?"

I couldn't reveal that information.

"Just know that it's sufficient. And since Kim Hyunseor will keep detailed records of every item going in and out, you don't have to worry about theft."

"Understood!"

"The Frost Gate will be placed in room 101. Hyunseor will stay on standby there as well."

This had been Hyunseor's idea. Keeping the gate on the first floor would make it convenient for the raid members to come and go. She would personally deliver any ingredients Noona needed. Noona had tried to refuse, but Hyunseor persuaded her without much difficulty.

"I don't have the courage to fight zombies. Please, give me work to do."

Noona had no choice but to accept.

I also made an announcement about cooking. The raid members were essentially rich by apocalypse standards now. There was no longer any need to provide free meals. From now on, when serving a cooked dish, we would deduct an equivalent amount of ingredients from the Frost Gate. Of course, anyone who preferred to prepare their own food could do so. But not a single person chose that option. There weren't any complaints, either.

If anyone had bitched about it, I was ready to make sure they never tasted Noona's cooking again for the rest of their lives.

Even giving it away for free already felt too generous. If they weren't raid members, I never would have distributed it at all.

Next came assigning tasks to the second-tier residents.

"Build a swimming pool at the construction site," I told the foreman who had asked everyone to call him Laborer Kim.

"A swimming pool, sir?"

"That's right."

The weather was growing hotter by the day. Running the air conditioners nonstop would drain too much power. A swimming pool would make enduring the heat much easier. Besides, there wasn't much entertainment in the apocalypse. Since the Well of Purification gave us complete freedom with water, we might as well use it.

All I needed to do was add the swimming pool to the existing routine. It wouldn't be difficult.

"How long do you think it'll take?"

"It'll probably take two weeks or more."

"That's too long."

We didn't have that kind of time.

"You don't need to worry about drainage. The Well of Purification will handle it. Just focus on building it quickly."

"Ah! In that case, one week should be enough."

That was acceptable. Even if other tasks came up, they could work on it bit by bit.

"Good. Tell the raid members what materials and equipment you need. They'll escort you and the residents to retrieve them."

"Yes! Leave it to us."

It was partly for the raid members, but my own desires were definitely involved.

I get to see everyone in swimsuits.

I told Hyunseor to distribute supplies to the residents participating in the construction as well.

Today I gave the raid members a rest day. Some relaxed while others helped train the newcomers. Those heading out to procure construction equipment received extra supplies.

But not everyone could afford to spend the day idly. We never knew when another crisis might strike. Preparation was essential.

Team leaders participating in the mutant hunt, gather up. First come, first served—ten spots only.

The moment I sent the remote announcement, people came running from every direction.

"Am I first?!"

Team 1's leader was the fastest.

"Second!"

"Third!"

They were far more eager than I'd expected. I thought at least some of them would be nervous.

Once the ten spots filled, the late arrivals turned back with disappointed faces.

"Were you all waiting for a mutant hunt?"

"Of course."

"I've been looking forward to today all week."

Why had they become so motivated?

"Why?"

"Because we can get inventories!"

"We'll get new skills too, right?"

"And if the Raid Leader helps us, there's basically no danger!"

I was going to help, of course, but I checked on them because they seemed to be relying on me a little too much. Still, they hadn't let their guard down completely. Their gear was properly prepared. Had they come straight from training?

"I'll help too, but today has one main purpose."

"Ooh!"

"Please take good care of us, Hana!"

"Me? Wasn't Suhyuk supposed to do it?"

Hana had reached level 10 now, so she could handle it. She'd been capable for a while, but I'd postponed it because her safety mattered more.

"Don't worry. Just do what you've been doing so far. Leave the finishing blows to the team leaders."

"Okay. I'll do my best."

She nodded with a determined expression.

"Let's move out."

"Yes!!"

Whether from anxiety or something else, Chaei's grip on my arm tightened. It's not your turn yet anyway, so relax.

Nothing happened on the way there. In fact, it was almost too quiet.

She doesn't even cling to me anymore.

It was a little disappointing. Before, she hadn't just clung—she'd climbed on top of me and rubbed herself all over.

"Strange. Chaei's being awfully well-behaved today."

At my words, Chaei flinched hard. Then she hugged my arm tighter, sneaking glances at me. Her face was turning redder by the second.

Heh heh heh. Isn't this a bit much? After all that, she's still pretending she doesn't remember.

Thud.

Seeing my grin, Hana shot me a sharp look. I quickly straightened my expression.

You like it that much?

What did I do?

I did like it. It was fun. The soft pressure of her breasts and the way she fidgeted were both excellent.

Flinch!

When I rested my hand on my leg and accidentally brushed Chaei's thigh, she froze solid.

If it's really uncomfortable, you can stop.

Why did she keep doing it? Did she actually enjoy it? No, that couldn't be it.

We arrived near the area where the mutant and zombie cluster had gathered. We got out and began the briefing.

"Listen carefully. I'm going to teach you the proper way to hunt a mutant zombie and its cluster."

First, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠circle the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠zombie cluster and chip away at their numbers as much as possible. Then the evasion tanker provokes the mutant and pulls it away. While the tanker builds aggro, everyone else handles the zombies. Once enough aggro is stacked, burst the mutant down.

"Understood?"

"Yes."

"Hana will be the evasion tanker. Hana, if it gets dangerous I'll step in, so don't worry. Take it slow."

"Okay. I'll try."

If things went wrong, I'd snipe immediately. I'd already summoned the tower in advance.

"You need to hold aggro for at least fifteen seconds."

"Got it."

"After that, everyone attacks the mutant together."

"Yes."

I wasn't going to let Chaei watch this fight. She'd only just regained her senses—she didn't need anything else scaring her. Since I'd be raising her strength myself, it was better for her to build experience gradually.

"Start by slowly whittling down the cluster."

"Yes, I'll begin."

Team 1's leader stepped forward to lead. Only the team leaders would kill the zombies. They all carried weapons from the forge, so it shouldn't be difficult. Of course, Hana and the tower would assist in an emergency.

"I'll be back."

"Okay. Be careful."

I waved to Hana, then returned to the car with Chaei.

I switched my viewpoint to the tower and watched the team leaders fight.

Team 1's leader threw a rock to pull a single zombie's aggro. Classic method. As soon as one zombie charged him, the others heard the footsteps and started running after it.

"Graaagh!"

"Krrraaagh!"

"Guuurgh!"

It started with one or two, but the numbers quickly swelled.

The team leaders calmly entered the alley and blocked the entrance.

Zombies aren't even a threat to them anymore.

When the mace swung, a zombie's head exploded. Their proficiency was impressive—they'd faced hordes of the things. There were never any exceptions.

They can handle the zombies on their own.

I switched viewpoints for a moment.

"Chaei, aren't you hungry?"

It was about time for a snack. I pulled out a stick cookie and offered it to her.

I wonder how much she actually remembers?

Chaei stared at it blankly. When I placed one end in her mouth, she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠simply chewed like before. It was hard to tell whether she was hesitating to eat or if she remembered the pocky game.

"Here, like this, right?"

When I bit the other end, her eyes darted around in confusion.

Tap.

After a moment's hesitation, her face flushed as she began taking tiny bites.

Tap. Tap.

Tap tap tap.

Eventually she stopped right in the middle.

Chaei's face looked ready to burst. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Thud.

I broke the cookie first.

"Ah, I lost."

Only then did Chaei swallow with an expression of pure relief.

"Chaei, aren't you thirsty?"

She probably needed water after that. Her throat must be dry.

The moment I took a sip and held it in my mouth—

"U-um!"

"Hm?"

"Um... where is this place?"

"Pffft!"

I barely managed to swallow before spitting it out.

Chaei acted completely clumsy, as if she'd only just regained her senses.

"Ah, sorry. Are you awake now?"

"Ah, y-yes, yes."

I waited for her to say something, but Chaei stayed silent.

"Aren't you curious who I am?"

"Eek, who are you?"

It was ridiculous. Who are you?

"I'm Kim Suhyuk."

I played along while holding back laughter.

"Yeees...."

More silence.

"Aren't you curious about what happened?"

"Eek! What happened to me?"

She still sounded awkward and stuttered.

Her flushed cheeks were so adorable I wanted to pinch them.

"Hmm. To put it simply, you were bitten by a zombie and turned into one. Then I fed you a zombie cure and turned you back into a human."

"Aaaah, so you saved me. Thank you."

No, wasn't this acting way too sloppy? Why did she accept it so easily? How could she just gloss over zombies and zombie cures like that?

"Heh heh heh."

"Um... why are you laughing?"

"It's nothing."

It seemed Chaei planned to keep pretending until the end.

"But I still haven't heard your introduction."

"Ah, I'm Han Chaei. I'm sorry. I completely forgot...."

As expected, her lively expressions made her even prettier and cuter. It was a completely different charm from the Chaei before she'd regained her mind.

For now, I'd pretend I didn't know either. Whatever she remembered, what mattered was what came next.

"It's fine. Make yourself comfortable."

"Yes."

I tried to return to watching the battle, but I felt her gaze. Chaei was staring at me intently.

Holding back the laughter threatening to spill out, I switched viewpoints again.

They had already circled the cluster from four directions and chipped away at the horde. It was finally the mutant's turn. Even the team leaders and Hana looked slightly tense.

"Hoo."

Hana exhaled, then threw her javelin.

Whoosh— It missed, but it still pulled the mutant's aggro.

"Graaaawr!"

The mutant charged at terrifying speed.

Swish— But there was no way a mere mutant could keep up with Hana's movements.

Tap, tap— Hana deliberately gave it attack range, yet it never touched her. She danced around the mutant like she was toying with it, stabbing and retreating. She deliberately avoided vital points, tapping it lightly like a practice dummy before pulling back.

Her movements were practically divine. The team leaders handling the zombies gaped in astonishment.

"Watch carefully and memorize the timing of its attacks," I instructed through the radio.

"Raid Leader, how are we supposed to copy that?!"

"Who told you to copy her movements? Just memorize the evasion timing."

"Ah, understood!"

If they learned the evasion timing, they should be able to dodge too. They wouldn't move as fluidly as Hana, but they had their own movement skills. Eventually they'd have to carry their team members. They needed to learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible.

After fifteen seconds passed—

"That's enough. Attack the mutant."

"Yes!"

The team leaders who'd made it this far were no longer pushovers. They'd grown strong enough to be respected anywhere. Their levels were even higher than most veterans. On top of that, they were armed with proper cold weapons instead of tools. Their damage was more than sufficient.

As if to prove it, they activated their skills.

Thwack! Splat.

The mace shattered the creature's knee.

"Now!"

At Team 1's shout, the others crushed the remaining limbs.

"Graargh!"

The mutant twitched, trying to resist, but—

Crunch!

Its skull caved in under the mace.

"Good work."

"Thank you!"

"Eek! Suhyuk, an item dropped!"

"Nice job. The team leaders are lucky. Getting an item drop on the very first raid you led."

Smiling brightly with Hana, we ran back to the car together with the team leaders. Hana's first raid as leader had been flawless.