The Shadowy Informant
Thanks to the 10x handshake drop rate, I'd snagged the Zombie's Eye trait way faster than expected. With some solid time buffer before the Black Moon, I could finally hammer out a more systematic prep plan.
The morning routine shifted a bit. The essential quest, Comprehensive Exercise Set, was still brutal high-intensity training under 2x gravity. Even with the force crushing down on every inch of me, I could now pull off the moves pretty steadily. Sweat poured like rain, but the burn confirmed my muscles were hardening up solid.
For the daily quest Hunt 100 Zombies, though, I combined it with runs for max efficiency farming. After tangling with that buzzcut crew, I wasn't keen on more hassle, so I started hitting new areas to scout fresh spots. Afternoons were for slow, careful exploration of uncharted zones. Gotta gauge the other survivor groups' vibes.
I hunkered down stealthily on a commercial building rooftop, eyes peeled, eavesdropping on survivors. Not far off, two or three regular folks were murmuring.
"Heard they're gathering people at that apartment complex behind the big mart?"
"Oh, that noise blowing up the community lately?"
"Yeah. Think they've got like 30 players already."
"Whoa, that's a ton. This apocalypse turning out to be a total god game? How are there so many players?"
"You going?"
"But man, you smell that stink from here?"
Survivor B wrinkled his nose.
30 players? Apartment complex... on the opposite side from here. Worth checking tomorrow?
Wrapped up intel gathering and headed back to the studio. Inventory was maxed, so I had the backpack slung extra—heavy straps digging in, but proof of a fat haul. That's when it hit.
A faint rustle behind me. The Zombie's Eye trait kicked in, locking onto something. A short guy—kid, really—was creeping up, hand inching toward my backpack. Perfect stealth, but to my eyes? Crystal clear. Like a translucent ghost, faint outline shimmering.
I snatched his collar and pinned him.
"What the hell are you?"
The guy stammered in panic. "O-op... I mean, hyung, you can see me?"
"Duh, that's why I grabbed you."
He scratched his head sheepishly. "Haha... just let me go this once, please."
Eyes squeezed shut, hands clasped in desperate prayer.
I scanned him with Zombie's Eye.
Hmm... Stealth, huh. Stealth traits were damn useful. Solid intel value too. And bam—flashback to the orphanage kids.
"Sigh... count yourself lucky."
I handed over some food and a few water bottles. Lee Seoyul stared at me wide-eyed. No more warnings—I just bounced back to the studio.
Afternoon rolled in, the studio bathed in soft sunlight. Rays slipped through worn curtain gaps, gilding the dust motes in gold. I was packing my bag for another outing. Yoon Seoyeon lounged half-propped on the bed, staring me down. A flicker of suspicion in those eyes.
"Lately... where do you keep disappearing to every afternoon?"
Casual toss, but laced with quiet distrust and unease. I nodded cool as ice.
"Eh, just here and there."
Truth? Recon runs. No need to spill, didn't wanna worry her needlessly.
Seoyeon wasn't buying it. She hopped up, strode over, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
"If you need me... I could help, y'know?"
Trailing off, she turned her head slight, twirling a lock of long hair. Trying for nonchalance, but it just screamed cute.
I couldn't help a smirk.
"Why're you laughing!!"
Her face flushed crimson. Embarrassment flipped to fury, voice pitching up in protest.
"Nothing. Just came out."
"What's so funny!"
"Heading out for more training."
"After that morning grind?"
Sharp jab. I faltered a sec, then brushed it off.
"Yeah. Still short on quota. Be back."
Hit the apartment complex near yesterday's tip. Snagged a discarded black cap from the street, tugged it low. Beat-up, but hid my face fine. Goal: scope their survival setup.
How'd these newbies throw together a base camp...
Half excited, half wary, I eyed the complex. Outer defenses looked solid. 3-meter wooden plank fence ringing it, scrapped cars piled double-thick out front. Sun-baked rusted sheets glinted; wind brought creaks of metal.
This... takes crafting skills.
I muttered under breath. Plenty tough against regular zombies. I crouched behind a wall, slunk in shadow. Vaulted the fence easy, slipped inside, scanned cautious.
The hub buzzed like a mini society. Zombie world birthed its own rules. Players with traits mixed with normies. Roles assigned—chaos, but ordered chaos.
Hid by a building, ear cocked to chatter.
"Protection fee's 5 coins. We guarantee your safety."
Protection racket. Magic Stones, Runestones—basic game smarts shared. But zero Black Moon talk. Nothing beyond what I knew.
Deeper recon, then—familiar mugs. Buzzcut crew. The ones who'd strong-armed me and Seoyeon. Active here.
I ducked, listened in.
"Boss, haven't seen those bitches since then."
One goon piped up. "Probably bolted right after."
"Fuck... that girl looked tasty as hell."
Buzzcut—Kang Cheolho—clicked his tongue in regret. "Keep hunting 'em down."
Still after us? Gut twisted. Part screamed eliminate the threat now. Other part? Curious how newbies stacked up.
Truth, these clowns barely register as threats...
Then—crack.
Twig snapped underfoot. Kang Cheolho's head whipped like lightning.
"Who's there?"
He pivoted toward the noise, closing in.
Shit, fight here? I clenched a fist.
That's when—the short guy from before popped from the wall they'd eyed.
"Hey, ain't you Miyeon's kid? She made up her mind?"
Kang Cheolho called to Lee Seoyul. Kid played it smooth.
"Uh... nah. Thought I heard someone coming this way, tailed 'em."
Seoyul's gaze flicked to me. Eyes locked.
"It's Cheolho hyung! Sorry for the mix-up!"
Seoyul bowed 90 degrees, grabbed my hand, bolted. But damn—hand tiny for a guy. I stumbled after, dragged clear of the complex.
Safe spot hit, Seoyul panted, eyed me.
"O-op... hyung, you're pretty lucky?"
"Huh?"
I barked a dumb laugh.
"You a resident here too?"
"Nah."
"Then how'd you get in?"
"Over the fence. You live here?"
"With my mom."
Seoyul caught breath, bowed thanks. "Mom says the food you gave yesterday saved our lives. Insisted I pass on her gratitude."
I paused. The bread and water from before—hit his family.
Seoyul hesitated, then ventured soft. "Your place... safe?"
Quick think. "Eh, for now."
Bam—Seoyul dropped to knees.
"Then... please, at least take my mom?"
Voice quaking desperate. I clutched my head, swallowed a curse.
Fuck... always weak for kids like this.
"Get up first. Explain proper."
Seoyul rose, spilled his tale in raw plea.
"We were a family of three—mom, dad, me. Outbreak hit, fleeing, dad got bit."
Voice cracked. "Wandered, met this Kang Cheolho guy. The buzzcut boss."
Kang Cheolho. Buzzcut's name.
"He sweet-talked, said he'd protect us if we joined. Seemed okay at first, but touches got bold. Finally, used me as leverage to half-blackmail mom."
Tears welled. "Can't let mom go to scum like that. I'd die first."
They dodged fees somehow. Seoyul foraged stealth-style.
"If I get mom in, what about you?"
Head up. "Got stealth. Can dodge and scrape by."
Bullshit. Common stealth lasts what, 10 minutes tops? Breaks on attack—out in open, 100% dead.
Sigh. "Can't take her right now."
Face fell. "But let's deal."
Eyes sparked.
"Bring me useful intel, I'll trade food matching the value."
Hesitated, nodded. "...Deal."
Handshake sealed it. Our little info pact kicked off.