The Sunglasses Man

Even in a situation that had my breath right up to my chin, I didn't yield. Under four times normal gravity crushing down on my entire body, I held the push-up position perfectly.

'Huuuuh...!'

Every muscle screamed like it was on fire. The muscle fibers in my shoulders and arms trembled under the extreme load, but now I could perform the motion with some stability. Sweat dripped from my forehead, soaking the floor and forming a small puddle. But it was clear. I could feel my muscles hardening even further.

"Hoo..." I let out a satisfied breath as I caught my ragged breathing. Ever since starting training under four times gravity, I'd felt the stat growth frequency pick up, even if just slightly. This was solid proof I was getting stronger.

Breakfast was the usual affair with the four of us. Steam rose invitingly from the kimchi jjigae that Kim Miyeon unnie had prepared with such care. The rich red broth mingled with perfectly fermented kimchi, creating a scent that was so delicious it nearly brought tears to my eyes—even in this hopeless apocalypse.

Will I ever taste something like this again...?

Something felt off, though.

"Unnie, you catch a cold or something? Your face is all flushed."

I asked casually, and Kim Miyeon unnie startled, waving her hands in a panic.

"Oh, no! Just got hot from cooking!"

There was a strange tremor in her voice. Her excuse sounded flustered, and her cheeks stayed apple-red. It didn't seem like just the cooking...

I made a mental note. Someday I need to find a doctor or healer Awakened. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Getting sick in a situation like this could be deadly.

As we finished eating and got ready to head out, Yoon Seoyeon approached hesitantly.

"Kim Geon, for the time being... I'll stick with Seoyul."

"Huh?" I blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Her shoulders trembled slightly. It was clearly her mustering some courage despite her small frame. She bit her lip and continued slowly.

"When I'm with you... my level goes up fine, but I can't build combat experience. You always handle everything."

Ah. I stared at Yoon Seoyeon, lost in thought. She's right. I can't take responsibility for everything forever.

It was actually a good thing. With her stats built up, as long as there weren't any big surprises, a normal zombie horde shouldn't be an issue.

"Got it." I nodded and opened my inventory, pulling out two Stigma Repellent Potions and tossing one to each. "Just in case, hold onto these."

Then Lee Seoyul spoke up cautiously.

"O... oppa, there are people looking for you."

"What?"

"More precisely... people looking for the one who killed 'Kang Cheolho'."

I narrowed my eyes. It definitely wasn't for anything good. Revenge? Or some other motive? If I run into them... I resolved inwardly. No hesitation.

Once the three of them left, only Kim Miyeon remained in the studio apartment, her cheeks still flushed. Her gaze lingered on the closed door, a mix of complex emotions flickering in her eyes.

Leaving the studio in Amsa, I continued scouting toward the Gangdong area. Every step revealed scenes that laid bare how fragile human decency could be.

In the first alley.

"Hey! I saw that first!"

"Bullshit, I grabbed it first!"

A desperate fight over a single bag of potato chips. Two flushed-faced men snarled, grabbing each other's collars. Then—

Pop! The bag burst under their grip, scattering crispy chips across the filthy ground.

"Fuck! Now it's all ruined!"

"If you hadn't let go—!"

They came to blows. And the end? Both dead.

In the second alley, an even more shocking sight awaited.

Despite the broad daylight, a woman in skimpy, whore-like clothes moaned lewdly in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠front of a man.

"Creampie's 10 coins... what'll it be?"

Lust and greed flashed in the man's eyes. Just kill her after and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠keep the coins, right? That vile thought crossed his gaze. He finished prematurely, like a quick-shot.

"Ngh...!"

As expected, he tried to stiff her and kill her—

Thud! Thud thud!

Four burly men appeared from the surroundings. They beat him mercilessly, stole his coins, then finished him off. A perfect trap.

Our eyes met.

"Oh~ handsome oppa! Wanna take a shot? Outside's just 5 coins~"

White fluid—clearly the previous guy's—dripped down between her legs.

Revulsion churned in my gut. I turned away without a word.

"Scaredy-cat~ So cute~"

I ignored the mocking voice behind me completely.

I climbed to the fourth floor of an abandoned building streaked with bloodstains. Fortunately, it was empty. I perched by a window, gazing out at the city. No signs of life anywhere. Could this once-bustling world ever return to normal?

No.

I shook my head, banishing the useless thoughts. Survival came first.

I checked the community window, which I'd neglected amid Black Moon prep.

Among them, 'Sunglasses Man? Seen him?' caught my eye. With a bad feeling, I clicked.

I checked the next post too.

A hollow laugh escaped me. The next post had a familiar name.

'Kills with his eyes...' Who knew my ability would be interpreted like that. But the clear fact was, my existence was starting to spread among people.

From now on, I need to cover my face when I move.