Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Obtaining the Forest Pass
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I opened my eyes to find myself inside the tent.
It seemed the girls had carried me here after I fell asleep. Turning my head, I saw Ye-won-i and A-reum clinging tightly to my arms, fast asleep.
The other girls were also sleeping in their respective spots. With so many people, we split into two tents at night, and today was the day that I, Ye-won-i, A-reum, and Ha-rin shared one.
"Mm..."
A-reum and Ye-won-i had my arms in a vice grip, so I couldn't move. A-reum had even draped one leg over me. It was satisfying yet uncomfortable.
"Hm...? Oppa, you're awake?"
"Yeah. Good morning, Ha-rin."
"Hmmm..."
Ha-rin stared down at me intently before suddenly kissing me.
"Mwah, slurp..."
I couldn't refuse and kissed her back.
"Haa..."
After sucking on my tongue for a good while, Ha-rin pulled away. She then shook the still-sleeping Ye-won-i and A-reum awake.
"Morning, everyone. Time to get up."
"Yeah... Yawwwn..."
They both woke up without much resistance.
"Oppa... Does it still hurt?"
Ye-won-i rubbed her eyes sleepily and asked.
"I'm fine now."
Yesterday, I'd had a cup of cocoa and fallen asleep feeling Merhere's touch. Until I dozed off, I'd been anxious about my mind being taken over by that tentacle monster again, but waking up, I felt a bit better.
It was like having a bad nightmare.
After that, we stepped out of the tent. The girls from the other tent were already up. They said nothing had happened overnight. It had just been a peaceful night.
"Just in case skeleton soldiers swarm us like last week a few days from now, let's patrol the area today too."
"Yes!"
For now, I planned to send the Ebony Cockroach into the sewers for scouting.
'The problem is the Shadow Moth...'
The Shadow Moth hated light and refused to move during the day. It just clung motionless to the mart's outer wall.
If I forced it with a strong command, it would move, but a warning popped up that its intimacy would drop in real-time and it might be forcibly unsummoned from sunlight damage.
'Useless during the day...'
Not only did it look gross, but it had to sleep during daylight too... Being an abyssal summon, it was sensitive to light, so there was no helping it.
'The Ebony Cockroach is the best after all...'
Coming from a human origin, the Ebony Cockroach was more active during the day. Having been trapped in darkness and now crawling out into the world, it seemed to enjoy the sunlight.
We had a quick breakfast, left the mart to Dullahan, Lee Hoon, and Kang Eun-jeong, and decided to patrol the streets together.
There were hardly any zombies or skeletons on the streets. From the update notes, they now had a habit of gathering together. They were probably massing underground or somewhere suitable, waiting to ambush the unwary.
As I thought that, A-reum tugged at my collar.
"What?"
"Over there... Can we stop by that clothing store?"
"Sure. No owners anyway. Let's loot whatever we want."
After that, we entered empty shops and looted clothes and goods indiscriminately. Occasionally, a shop owner reduced to bones would clatter its teeth in welcome, but we smashed them ruthlessly.
Eventually, we dragged carts from the mart and loaded them with leftovers from the shops. Before we knew it, the day was gone. Was that ominous choker really the cause of all our bad luck at the mart? With it gone, things were eerily peaceful. But this strange peace felt off to me.
It was like a balloon that should pop, swelling bigger and bigger. Was it building up for a massive explosion, or would this update pass uneventfully? I couldn't tell.
As goosebumps rose from the uncanny silence, a telepathic message came from the Ebony Cockroach.
[Sasha-sat...] That voice conveyed nothing was there.
Even after the Ebony Cockroach roamed the sewers thoroughly, it found no traces.
The sewers should have been full of zombie corpses from the time we massacred them at the sports center. How could there not be a single skeleton?
This was blatantly abnormal.
'The calm before the storm...? Or finally a rest period? No way. Rest doesn't suit my life. I didn't even notice the world ending while gaming over Lunar New Year... No rest for me. We're definitely in the eye of the typhoon... Just a brief peace.'
I hadn't realized the zombie apocalypse until three days later than everyone else. That was my life. Things would start going well, then something weird happened; I'd try to relax, and disaster struck.
Thus, this peace was prep time for a massive storm ahead. The longer it lasted, the more anxious I got.
Time passed, and Wednesday morning arrived.
Pewng!
A beam of light shot down to the rooftop, and a man in shabby, worn clothes stepped out.
He was the peddler. I'd been worried since he was due soon. The Missing Persons' Forest event had already started; starting late would be a huge loss.
'I missed Monday and Tuesday... But better than those with no chance at all because the peddler never showed.'
Plenty must want into the Missing Persons' Forest. Finding the shrine somewhere in it let you designate a beneficial sanctuary for survival.
With a sanctuary, the mart would be safer—no ghosts could enter, nearby zombies weakened, and ghost gates prevented.
"Well, if it isn't you again."
"Long time no see."
"Heh heh. Feels like I see you every week. Oh, have you met Zeke?"
"Yes. Quite the hearty fellow... And huge."
"Hahaha! Spot on. The guy's a bit oversized. What rewards did you get from him?"
"This sword, Totsmir's Blunderbuss, and Nagara's Sap."
"Whoa. Must've liked your story. Dragon slayer rewards are generous—I'm jealous."
He greeted me smiling, then asked about Zeke, delighted like it was his own win when I mentioned the generous rewards.
After some chit-chat, I casually brought up the Missing Persons' Forest.
"By the way... Heard any rumors about the Missing Persons' Forest?"
"Heh heh... So you've heard about that dreadful place too."
At the mention, he dramatically glanced around like an actor, confirmed no eyes or ears, and leaned in to whisper.
"Thinking of going in?"
"Yes. Planning to find the shrine there."
"Oof... Not easy. But I have one pass to get in. Allows two companions."
He rummaged in his bag and pulled out a tattered ticket-like thing with unreadable script.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Missing Persons' Forest Pass: A pass allowing entry to the Missing Persons' Forest. [Price: 10000C] [Quantity: 1]
"Sell it to me."
"Heh heh... Deal. Here you go."
I quickly pocketed the pass. 10,000 coins was nothing. For a divine idol, worth it. No regrets.
"The Missing Persons' Forest opens this Sunday night. Around midnight... When it turns Monday, pass holders will be teleported in simultaneously. Hold hands or touch the body part of your companion. Up to two can enter. Note: If three or more touch, it randomly ejects two, so be careful."
"Got it. Thanks."
Everyone teleported in at once on Sunday. Good—no one entered before me.
"Oh, and you'll land at random spots. It's a 7-day dungeon, so watch out."
"Pardon? What does that mean?"
"You must exit within 7 days."
"And if not...?"
"Then survive in the forest until the next event rerun."
"When's the rerun...?"
"No one knows. Only the damn devs... Oops. Skip the meta talk, right?"
"Ah, yes."
"Ahem. Anyway, don't get lost in stories. Merchant's gotta merch. Look around. New essentials in stock. All useful. Hope you buy 'em all."
He swiftly set up his stall with six usual items plus three new ones.
"These are the new ones. Reasonable prices. Bargains for the performance. Orders from above."
Three vials in long glass bottles, five shrine-like talismans, one box of canned drinks.
Goddess's Tear, Ghost Ward Talisman, Dawn Seven.
Goddess's Tear: Not real goddess tears. Imitation. Heals wounds or illnesses. As a replica, can't fix limb loss or chronic conditions. [Price: 1000C] [Quantity: 3]
Ghost Ward Talisman: Talisman imbued with exorcists' prayers. Defends against ghost mental attacks. No spirits approach the owner. Usable for 2 weeks after equipping. [Price: 500C] [Quantity: 5]
Dawn Seven: Reduces fatigue on consumption. Overuse risks sudden death. Don't take for 4+ consecutive days. Sleepiness hits when effect wears off. [Price: 200C] [Quantity: 10]
I bought all the essentials. 7,500 coins spent—pocket change. After burning 10k on the pass, 7k was laughable.
With zombies hunted by my slaves' coins all going to me, this was effortless spending.
I browsed the other stall items too.
Scent Remover: Spritz on crown to eliminate body odor. Disrupts beastly senses. Lasts 5 hours. [Price: 1500C]
Large Magic Bag: Bigger on inside! Holds up to 1 ton. Treated as pocket dimension. [Price: 25000C]
Couple's Shared Necklace: Pair of necklaces. Splits in half; halves seek each other no matter distance. [Price: 3300C]
High-Performance Purifier: Turns tainted water clean. Filters most impurities, not radiation. [Price: 1200C]
Killer Pest Repellent: Spritz to repel dangerous bugs. Keeps murder ticks and pests away. Lasts 8 hours. [Price: 1600C]
Taming Rope: Loop around beast's neck to tame. Obeys you while bound. Even if human... [Price: 8000C]
Looking at his wares, I read his intent.
'All perfect for the Missing Persons' Forest...'
He might've shown me only what I'd need. As I looked up to speak, he winked and nodded.
"Heh. No comments, move on. Too obvious a favor, and I get disciplined."
"Truly grateful. I'll take everything."
I swept the stall clean. He openly supported me this time. I'd repay the favor next time.
"You're a big spender. Always buying out—much appreciated."
"No problem. By the way..."
As he prepared to leave, Botamilli's advice came to mind, so I asked about contraception. Ha-rin's issue had me worried. Maybe he'd have info or bring pills next time.
"Hmm... Contraception. Vital in an apocalypse. Kids born here might curse their parents... You got the black market key last time?"
"Ah, yes."
"Medicine from the pharmacist. That's my advice."
Medicine from the pharmacist. Black market pharmacist meant the two-headed drug dealer.
"Good luck then. Hope we meet alive next time."
"Thanks!"
I waved as the peddler vanished in light.
"Hmm..."
Before Sunday night's Missing Persons' Forest, hit the black market. Ideally, weapons and jewelers too.
'But who to bring...'
I shortlisted two.
Ha-rin, the detection dog.
Hee-sun Noona, the forest keeper.
"Hmm..."
They'd be huge helps in the forest. Considered Ye-won-i or Hwa-young for summons, but Ha-rin's detection was superior, and Hee-sun Noona seemed best for forest navigation.
As I pondered,
"Joon-ah!!"
"Huh? Hee-sun Noona, what's up?"
"O-over there. People are coming."
"What?"
Leaning over the rooftop railing, I spotted a group approaching the mart.
About twenty, including two young kids. They looked ragged, like escapees.
"Hey!! Everyone stop!!"
My shout from the roof startled the lead middle-aged man into halting his group.
I descended to the first floor, fully armed, flanked by waiting A-ram and A-reum.
Already, Eun-ji and Hwa-young aimed weapons, threatening no closer.
Merhere arms-crossed glared; Ye-won-i had all three summons ready.
Ha-rin sniffed the air.
"Sniff sniff... No dangerous smells."
"Oh? You can tell that?"
"Hehe... Basic."
I patted Ha-rin's head and stepped out front, ready for Tentacle Ejection anytime.
"Don't know what brought you here, but all on your knees. Or die!!"
The apparent leader raised hands and stepped forward.
A shadow shuriken thudded at his feet—Eun-ji's masked warning. Next step means death.
We were on edge; they could be Pantheon players. In this ruined world, non-slaves weren't trustworthy.
Human relations started with slavery. Or death.
"C-calm down! We just seek help..."
"Shut it! Knees down, hands behind heads!!"
"Kuh..."
The twenty dropped weapons, knelt slowly, hands behind heads. A kid burst into tears from fear. Sorry, no mercy for kids.
"W-we're kneeling!"
Our fierce reception crushed their will.
I drew my yang-infused sword and approached the leader.
"Submit obediently."
"Wh-what..."
Puk...
"Gaaahhh!!!!"
I lightly stabbed his shoulder. He screamed in agony.
One companion jumped up, swinging a weapon at me.
Merhere beside me slapped his hand, disarming him, then kicked his gut, sending him flying.
"Keurk!!!"
He crashed screaming.
"You bastard!!"
"Kill him!!"
The kneelers grabbed weapons to fight.
"Everyone stay down!!"
The stabbed leader bellowed, stopping them.
"Fight and we're massacred. Kneel again... Wait... Sorry. Accept our apology... Guh..."
They knelt again at his cry.
Submission alerts pinged; I stamped their foreheads one by one.
Now we could talk.
"Why come here?"
"Our camp... Attacked by skeletons last night. Escaped and saw your smoke..."
Refugees from a survivor camp destroyed by sudden skeleton soldiers.
No wonder no skeletons here—they went elsewhere.
"Got it. Jin-seong!"
"Yes! Bro!!"
"New workers. Assign roles... Wash 'em."
"Yes!"
I handed the stinky escapees to Ha Jin-seong.
Hours later.
"Bro!"
"Yeah?"
Midway slurping lunch ramen, Ha Jin-seong rushed over.
"What?"
"One of today's catches had this."
"Huh?"
I took the scrap of paper.
"Uh..."
And spat half my ramen.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Missing Persons' Forest Pass "Whoa..."
One had bought a pass from the peddler.
Now we had four for the Missing Persons' Forest.
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