Chapter 212
Chapter 212
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Southward Escape and Northern Frontier
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The survivors of Humphreys Base were utterly dumbfounded by the battle unfolding between beings that transcended human comprehension.
The clash of the giants felt like a scene straight out of ancient myths.
The ground trembled from the fight between those colossal monsters.
It was no contest humans could possibly insert themselves into.
'How on earth has the world changed...'
Commander Daniel felt as if all his common sense was crumbling away.
He could accept zombies appearing, even somewhat stronger monsters...
But what the hell was that?
A black giant had suddenly appeared.
In an instant, it crushed the giant zombies and chased even the fleeing ones northward until they vanished.
"Wh-what the hell was that just now?"
Commander Daniel asked his adjutant, Walter.
He wasn't really expecting an answer.
He just wanted to voice it aloud in the face of this absurdity.
"I have no idea. Were those beings helping us... or did they have some other agenda? One thing's for sure—we survived because of them."
"Wasn't that thing riding the giant bird a person?"
"I-I think so too... It looked like..."
Walter had glimpsed a humanoid figure on the bird's back, clad in a robe and conical hat.
Something naturally came to mind at the sight.
But he stopped himself from saying it.
Partly because it sounded ridiculous, but mostly because he'd look like a fool if he did.
"Hah..."
Daniel shook off his momentary daze from the bizarre spectacle and surveyed their surroundings.
Fortunately, the black giant and the aerial bombardment from the massive bird had thinned out the zombie hordes considerably, allowing them a moment to breathe.
That didn't mean they could let their guard down—there was no guarantee the zombies wouldn't swarm again like before.
'Now's the time...'
"Walter, this is it. We make our escape—maximum speed."
Daniel issued the order to his adjutant.
"Uh, where to, sir?"
The plan to relocate to the islands was already scrapped.
And that unfathomably powerful entity had headed north.
'At least it didn't seem hostile toward us...'
That was just his hunch.
Nothing to bet on.
For all he knew, they could be caught in the crossfire of those monstrosities fighting over food.
They might even come back.
In that case, the direction was obvious.
"We head south."
I had no desire to stick around and take credit from the survivors I'd helped.
After dealing with the Zombie King, I hopped on Kkaman and headed coolly toward Seoul. Along the way, I spotted the massive tracks left by the giant moving from Seoul onward.
That let me deduce the Zombie King had come down from Seoul to the camp of USFK survivors.
Rather than targeting it from the start, it had probably just caught sight of them while heading south.
Thanks to drawing its aggro, I was able to take it out before it reached the Sejong City settlement.
I scanned downtown Seoul.
As expected of the most populous city, zombies were everywhere—but nothing on the level of the Zombie King.
I'd effectively killed the ruler of Seoul's zombies. Still, plenty remained.
I spotted occasional moving survivors but ignored them.
There was nothing I could do for them anyway.
'Not that I couldn't... it'd just be a hassle.'
After roughly checking Seoul and deeming no major threats to the Sejong settlement, I continued north.
Commander Daniel led the Humphreys survivors steadily south. He planned to push all the way to Busan if possible and secure a ship.
After foraging from marts and warehouses along the way for nearly a week, they discovered a small city.
"Is that Sejong City?"
"Yes, Commander."
Major Smith, who'd scouted ahead, confirmed.
Taylor Smith, Lieutenant Colonel.
He was the strongest Awakener in the Humphreys camp.
Even though Commander Daniel was a non-Awakener civilian, Taylor's unwavering loyalty was a big reason he remained the group's leader amid the chaos.
Not just Taylor—his entire unit formed a solid pillar of support with their high loyalty to Daniel.
"Fewer zombies in the city than expected. Should be safe to enter."
"Good news. Lead the way, then."
"Understood, sir."
With that, the Humphreys survivors entered Sejong City under Taylor's guidance and began a full reconnaissance.
Settling in a city meant not just risks but also scouring for supplies, so thorough scouting was essential.
"Colonel, take a look at this."
Taylor examined the drone footage his subordinate brought.
"Hm... that's a survivor group."
"Yes, sir."
It looked like a settlement barricaded inside an apartment complex.
Taylor knew full well.
In this world, you had to watch out for monsters and people.
He scrutinized the drone images of the survivors. Their clothes and visible conditions suggested a pretty comfortable life.
Kids were playing around happily, their faces bright. No dark shadows on the adults' faces either.
That pointed to a solid survivor group.
Taylor reported the Sejong survivor group to Commander Daniel.
"What do you think, Colonel Smith?"
"They're clean and healthy-looking—definitely living well. Faces are bright; seems like a normal survivor group. We should make contact. I'll handle it."
"You sure?"
"No issues, sir."
Humphreys' top Awakener.
His unit were all seasoned veterans.
Sending him meant they could extract easily no matter what.
"I'm counting on you, Colonel Smith."
"Yes, sir."
Taylor saluted Daniel and moved out to contact the survivors.
A vast white world blanketed in snow, devoid of any sign of civilization.
At its center burned a roaring bonfire.
Beside it huddled a massive crow sleeping curled up, and a burly man sat watching.
A man creating atmosphere with just a bonfire in cold that could kill an ordinary human...
That was me.
Above the fiercely burning flames stretched the night sky.
And auroras danced across it.
I stared blankly at the auroras.
This was Alaska.
The destination I'd reached riding Kkaman due north.
Passing over North Korea, I'd just kept drifting until here. The notable thing on the way: no dimensional rifts in sight.
'Maybe the world's crisis isn't as bad as I thought?'
Seemed doomed, but maybe not.
'34 points a day... I had times like that.'
I gazed at the auroras with hollow eyes.
Earnings had been lackluster ever since.
Leveled up once.
Thanks to the initial windfall and Ignis's efforts, points had accumulated decently.
But I wasn't satisfied.
The Zombie King jackpot from the start.
I still craved that rush of massive points.
Lucky back then.
Maybe too big a start—nothing satisfied since.
Heading north, even mid-tier Corrupted Beings were rare.
Here in Alaska's icy plains, I'd only bagged one mid-tier polar bear.
Bottom line: I was earning way less than Ignis right now.
Though she was grinding dedicated hunting grounds, to be fair.
For leaving ambitiously, the results were pathetic.
Better than nothing...
But a guy earning less than his woman, head hung low.
That lowly guy succeeded at what I'd thought impossible: abstinence.
Suppressing lust is simple.
No-mind state.
Don't think at all.
Luckily, the environment cooperated.
Vast wilderness, occasional monsters popping up.
No women to ogle.
Nothing here to tempt me.
Perfect for abstinence.
My current state was like cola.
Don't shake it, and it won't explode.
But this wasn't the life I wanted. I mulled over my rage at Huan Razka for driving me to it.
'Even if you beg for mercy, no forgiveness. Huan, you're dead.'
I'd planned to kill him anyway...
"Should've gone to China?"
Insanely huge population.
Probably a Zombie King or two lurking there.
But turning back now? Nah.
Since I'm in Alaska anyway, might as well sightsee America.