Bandit Annihilation and the Black Moon Descends

Was Ryu Kyung-hwan's death—the first casualty—the trigger that ignited the battle? Kang Cheolho's entire gang rushed at me.

"That fucker killed someone with just a glare!!"

"Was there a trait like that in Another World??"

"No way, Kyung-hwan hyung was level 4?!"

I released the gravity without hesitation. Every time, the sensation of my body loosening, surging lightly as if freed from chains, felt so addictive it could hook anyone.

Having maintained it for so long, I only got the buff equivalent to the double gravity portion, which felt a bit lacking, but it was more than enough.

The reason I had no doubts about winning.

I lightly flicked away the three leading the charge toward me.

-Boom!

-Boom!

-Boom!

One slammed into the apartment wall, another into the complex fence, and the last into the ground. Judging by the flowing blood, they died instantly.

I showed no mercy to those approaching me. It was only because I was strong that things turned out this way—if I'd been weak, just imagining what they'd have done made my stomach turn.

Soon, only Kang Cheolho remained after I'd killed them all.

Red steam billowed around Kang Cheolho, enveloping his body. His muscles swelled like roaring beasts, veins bulging as if about to burst.

In that instant, his fist slammed straight into my face. The storm-like blow kicked up dust, cracking the concrete floor. Kang Cheolho let out a beastly laugh.

But I slowly straightened my head, spat blood from my mouth—

-Plop

—and grinned at him.

His expression twisted subtly. Realizing he'd underestimated me sparked his rage like a flame, unleashing a mad barrage.

I decided there was no need to drag it out. As I clenched my fist, pressure exploded from my fingertips with a crunch.

My punch moved slowly, but to his eyes, it must have looked like a tearing flash. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠My strike met his head-on.

-Crack!

Kang Cheolho's hand bones shattered, his arm twisting grotesquely. With terrified eyes, he stared blankly at his ruined body, unable to comprehend.

I walked over slowly and punched him square in the face.

-Boom!

His massive frame flew back, crashing into the fence. The concrete wall dented, debris raining down.

I closed in instantly, grabbing his throat. His huge bulk dangled from one hand, thrashing. His face turned red, eyes rolled back, foam-mixed saliva drooling from his mouth.

As my grip tightened further—

-Crunch!

The sound of his neck bones pulverizing tore through the air. His body went limp like a deflating balloon. His eyes finally closed, his final gaze trembling toward the void before sinking into darkness.

*

On the bloodstained asphalt, dozens of eyes turned to me at once. Not just Kang Cheolho's gang, but the residents too—all with faces drained of color. The horrific sight of Ryu Kyung-hwan being crushed was likely still etched in their minds.

Then, an ajumma stepped forward, her wrinkles buried under thick makeup. A luxury scarf around her neck, glittering bracelets on her wrists—the epitome of someone more obsessed with vanity than survival.

"We paid protection money to stay here, so how can you just kill him?!"

Her voice wasn't trembling in fear; it brimmed with stubborn indignation. The same woman who'd cowered before Kang Cheolho now yelled boldly, backed by the crowd.

"Give me my protection money back, or you protect us!"

I stared at her blankly for a moment, then a chuckle escaped me. In this hellish world, it was astonishing someone could spout such nonsense.

As my gaze chilled, my brows furrowed naturally.

In that instant—

The people advancing behind the ajumma let out "Eek!" and scattered like roaches fleeing light—behind trees, into apartments, under car wrecks.

I tilted my head, eyed the crowd again, and put strength into my glare. Another "Eek!" and they flinched.

This is kinda fun. I should've shown Yoon Seoyeon—when I did it around people from her view, it must've seemed lacking.

Yoon Seoyeon shook her head and blocked my path. She approached the demanding ajumma and whispered in her ear. I couldn't hear from afar, but the ajumma's face twisted. Dark shadows fell over her eyes, turning her pale as her lips quivered.

Like someone just handed a death sentence.

Yoon Seoyeon returned casually to my side as if nothing happened.

"What'd you say?"

She averted her eyes and replied curtly.

"Nothing much."

But the ajumma's face said it all. Her eyes shook with terror, sweat beading like pearls.

The apartment standoff ended with my glare attack and Yoon Seoyeon's subtle threat. The incident wrapped up, but the scattered silence and tension lingered.

*

Yoon Seoyeon looked around. Blood, guts, and corpses littered everywhere. The blood stained Kim Geon's hands too, and they trembled faintly.

His words echoed in her ears: 'I wasn't ready to kill.'

He was pushing himself. She could feel his burden in those shaking fingertips.

She wanted to lighten his load, share it. She didn't want to be the helpless one sitting idly again.

First, gotta deal with that dog-like ajumma.

*

Before heading back to the studio, I scanned the apartment residents. Most were level 1 with no traits. This game wasn't just about having traits—it was how well you used what you had.

I'd cleared to the ending without traits, so I had grounds to say that. No need for me to lift a finger.

Anyway, tomorrow night, when the moon darkened, they'd all die.

*

Yoon Seoyeon's cramped studio. Four of us sat crammed in the tight space: me, Yoon Seoyeon, Lee Seoyul, and Kim Miyeon.

The mother-daughter duo fidgeted, watching me nervously. Afraid of being kicked out, their anxiety plain on their faces.

In this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠world, supporting others was illogical, so their fear was natural.

Yoon Seoyeon eyed my expression, waiting for me to speak first.

"Ahem."

"Even for me, taking care of two more is a big burden."

As I finished, Lee Seoyul, head bowed, lifted it cautiously first.

"Then... like you said before... at least Mom..."

Kim Miyeon's eyes flashed wide.

"What're you saying?! If anyone's leaving, it's me—how can you push your daughter into the fire?!"

"Mom's clumsy! She'd last ten minutes out there!"

Lee Seoyul fired back. As the mother-daughter argued heatedly, I raised a hand to calm them.

"Enough."

As all eyes turned to me, I stated firmly.

"Fulfill one condition, and you're in."

Their eyes wavered in unison.

"What's that?"

"What condition?"

I answered shortly and clearly.

"Become part of my forces. I'm no saint or volunteer. Anything goes—even non-combat. As long as it benefits or helps me."

I looked straight at Lee Seoyul.

"What was our deal?"

"...Bring info."

"Right. Like that. I'll give you each a month—figure it out. That's my best offer."

Silence fell.

Yoon Seoyeon broke it.

"Then, self-intros."

She pinched my cheek with a grin.

"Yoon Seoyeon, 23. Living with this guy."

I followed calmly.

"Kim Geon, 28."

Lee Seoyul flinched slightly, then spoke deliberately.

"...Lee Seoyul, 20..."

Kim Miyeon hesitated shyly.

"...Kim Miyeon, ......40.."

My eyes widened.

"Wait... why'd you call me 'hyung'?"

I scanned Lee Seoyul up and down, puzzled.

"And... you sure you're 20?"

She bristled, yelling it was true, then briefly explained her male disguise.

Seeing that, Kim Miyeon chuckled softly with a motherly smile at us.

I paused, glancing at Kim Miyeon—her face flushed girlishly as she covered one side, looking delicately youthful.

I leveled up my Zone trait, expanding it to the adjacent lake. Lee Seoyul and Kim Miyeon would stay there.

*

Now just two remained in the studio. The room, packed with four, felt oddly spacious after they left.

In the quiet, Yoon Seoyeon stared straight at me and cut to the chase.

"You... sleep with Lee Seoyul or Miyeon unnie?"

Her tone was like a wife grilling her late-night husband.

I blurted out politely without thinking.

"Uh... no?"

Honestly, 'unnie' felt off with the age gap, but Kim Miyeon's youthful looks could pass for same-age.

Before the thought finished, Yoon Seoyeon pressed.

"Then... you will?"

"If the chance comes?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

She tsked, shoving me. I sat on the bed's edge; she climbed onto my lap right away.

"Felt it clearly going to the apartments today. Without you... I'd have died in that convenience store. Or been enduring rape somewhere."

I listened quietly to her serious voice.

"But watching you, I wondered if I could be your strength. And... you'll ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠get dragged into tons more incidents. You'll bring back more women each time."

"Who says I'm some womanizer—"

My words cut off. Yoon Seoyeon suddenly devoured my lips. Our breaths mingled deeply.

She paused the kiss, whispering.

"No complaints about women in this world. But..."

Another kiss, stickier and deeper. Even after, a translucent thread stretched between our lips.

"One thing's clear: I'm your first woman... and always will be."

With that, she pushed my upper body down onto the bed. That night was exceptionally long and scorching.

I'd learn later the studio building had crap soundproofing.

*

Not as sweet as last time's rewards. I knew this was already overly generous, yet my head tilted anyway.

Having tasted the high once(?), this didn't satisfy. Why?

Recalling the situation before last reward, 'high risk, high return' flashed in my mind.

Related?

As I pondered, a notification rang.