Chapter 33
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Checking Channel 7
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3 Channel.
Pop—
Ice Queen Han Soo-yeon realized the space had flipped in an instant, bringing her to a new location.
Today, using Lee Jung-woo's spatial movement ability from the Incheon Alliance, they'd loaded people onto the truck and crossed over in one go.
"You can get out now."
Lee Jung-woo hopped off the truck, looking fatigued as he spoke.
Han Soo-yeon's group had grown to 500 people, so even with the truck, it took several trips.
"Thanks for your hard work. Spatial movement really is an impressive ability."
Han Soo-yeon climbed down from the truck and praised Lee Jung-woo's power.
But the recipient of the praise scowled.
"It's not spatial movement—it's 'space warp.'"
Lee Jung-woo hated the term spatial movement.
His close junior always called him "boss" whenever he used space warp.
"Oh, my bad. I'll watch it."
Han Soo-yeon apologized lightly before bringing up a personal matter.
"Anyway, have you thought about my offer?"
In truth, even before meeting Incheon Alliance leader Lee Gun-woo, Han Soo-yeon had made one proposal to Lee Jung-woo.
It was to join her group, but after some hesitation, he'd shaken his head.
"Sorry, but let's pretend you never made that offer."
"I expected as much, but it's a shame."
"You made the same offer to others besides me anyway."
As Lee Jung-woo said, Han Soo-yeon had invited long-range teleporters to join her group.
There were three known long-range movers so far, and she'd proposed to all of them, but the results weren't great.
"If they had accepted, I wouldn't feel this disappointed."
Han Soo-yeon wanted long-range movers to expand the range of her item sales operations.
"Looks like the others turned you down too."
To be precise, two including Lee Jung-woo had refused.
The last one had asked for time to think.
"Anyway, let me show you to your quarters."
"Sure."
Han Soo-yeon gave a curt reply and glanced around.
Incheon Alliance members and crowds from other groups who'd crossed over were whispering while eyeing her.
"That's Han Soo-yeon from Icheon, right?"
"They must have plenty of supplies."
"Seeing her up close, she looks like she's from another world."
"Even the Icheon folks who just arrived look so clean."
The people murmured about Han Soo-yeon, their eyes full of expectation.
At that moment, Jeong Ye-rim beside her caught on quick and asked Lee Jung-woo with conviction.
"Looks like everyone's caught wind. Word about the item purchases has spread, huh?"
"...We tried to keep it under wraps, but the rumors spread anyway."
"Then it's a done deal—people will swarm like it's a flea market."
Jeong Ye-rim snarked in a tone asking what they'd do now.
"Ah~ My sis is gonna be hounded all day. Gotta sell items to people, fight the Zombie Queen too."
"We'll assign people to manage it properly."
"Oh? So if folks still show up despite Incheon Alliance handling it, we can sit out the Zombie Queen fight?"
"That's..."
Of course not.
S-grade Han Soo-yeon was an irreplaceable asset.
Plus, A-grade Jeong Ye-rim was one of the few awakeners specialized in zombie slaughter.
"Noisy."
Then someone muttered lowly as they approached.
A middle-aged man in his late 40s walked up slowly and asked Lee Jung-woo what was going on.
"Something wrong?"
"Ah, Mr. Kang Moo-hyun."
It was Kang Moo-hyun, key figure in the first Zombie Queen subjugation and Incheon Alliance's S-grade awakener.
"..."
Han Soo-yeon eyed Kang Moo-hyun's blank expression and gaze.
First time meeting in person, but he felt like a sword on the verge of shattering.
'He lost his wife and daughter in the first Zombie Queen incident.'
No wonder he seemed so fragile, like he might snap any moment.
Of course, rumors said he killed zombies daily, so he'd probably hold out until the zombie crisis ended.
'But what happens after?'
No, could he even survive that long?
Even so, his status as the strongest in single combat was unchanged.
"Rumors about item purchases spread, so we were discussing that."
Lee Jung-woo answered, and Kang Moo-hyun nodded indifferently.
"Worried about crowds? Can't have that."
"It's fine. I plan to leave that to the Incheon Alliance."
"To us?"
Han Soo-yeon explained her idea.
"Just list the items people need and send them over. I'll set point prices for them. Then one rep can come buy everything at once."
"That eliminates multiple transactions, yeah."
"Yes. I can't sit there 24/7 handing out items one by one."
In fact, they should be grateful just for the ability to buy items.
The items were negotiated by Incheon Alliance leader Lee Gun-woo at 200 points per bloodstone.
"Good idea. Smart, but... personally, why not share the merchant's existence with everyone?"
Kang Moo-hyun pressed Han Soo-yeon subtly.
Meaning, skip the hassle and just reveal the merchant to all.
"Sorry. I don't like the idea of those inhuman bastards getting items too."
"I see."
"Yes."
Kang Moo-hyun was about to speak again, eyeing the unflinching Han Soo-yeon right in front of him.
"Whoa! It's Han Soo-yeon!"
A high-pitched teenage boy's voice rang out from the side.
Han Soo-yeon turned to see someone late teens, early 20s at most.
"She's seriously gorgeous."
Skinny build, plain face—like the one kid in every school class.
'Park Jun-ho.'
Han Soo-yeon easily pegged him as the guy who posted her photos on the gallery whenever he was bored.
"Why are you just standing there? Did Kang Moo-hyun uncle hold you up?"
Park Jun-ho brimmed with youthful bravado as he glared at Kang Moo-hyun.
Kang Moo-hyun shook his head like it was a hassle and turned to leave.
"Haha! See that? If Kang Moo-hyun uncle bugs you again, just tell me."
"..."
Han Soo-yeon stifled a sigh and glanced at Lee Jung-woo.
"Ah. This way."
Lee Jung-woo resumed guiding at her signal, but Park Jun-ho smoothly stuck to Han Soo-yeon.
"Han Soo-yeon, fate brought us together—how about coffee?"
"Is there a cafe here?"
"Mix coffee, obviously. We can chat strategy while we drink."
Han Soo-yeon glanced at Jeong Ye-rim beside her.
She hoped Jeong Ye-rim would peel him off, but she just watched with thrilled curiosity.
"Sis, why?"
For Jeong Ye-rim, one of her few joys was seeing Han Soo-yeon in awkward spots.
She knew exactly what Han Soo-yeon wanted but tilted her head innocently.
"You..."
Undeterred, Park Jun-ho kept yapping.
"You look super clean, by the way. People said the item purchase rumors were fake, but guess not."
"Sorry, but I just want to head in and rest."
"Oh, yeah? You're so formal. Feel free to call me casually."
"I said I'm going to rest. And this is casual for me."
"Hmm."
Jeong Ye-rim watched that far before stepping in herself.
"Hey, sis has a man—back off and scram."
"Huh?"
"Didn't hear? Sis has a man."
Park Jun-ho had no comeback to Jeong Ye-rim's vibe and the "has a man" line.
They left him standing there stunned, soon hearing an irritated mutter.
"Damn, she acts so high-class."
Han Soo-yeon ignored it lightly. Once distance opened up, she asked Jeong Ye-rim.
"You. What's this 'has a man' crap?"
"The merchant, duh. The guy sis worries about and thinks of every day."
"When did I ever worry daily? And..."
Castaway's in another world, she almost said, then clamped her mouth.
Lee Jung-woo was guiding them, so she couldn't blab.
"And what?"
"Nothing."
"Aw, whatever. The merchant might come see sis. You gonna ice him too?"
"That's different from th..."
[Castaway has requested a 1:1 conversation.]
"Hold on."
Han Soo-yeon paused the talk and accepted Castaway's 1:1 request.
Ice Queen. If you have time, could you buy up cheap stuff from 4 Channel?
Stuff from 4 Channel? Why 4 Channel all of a sudden?
If there's anything decent, I wanna fix it up and use it.
Fix it? Was fixing 4 Channel junk even possible?
While Han Soo-yeon pondered, Castaway messaged again.
How about 1,000 points each?
1,000 points?
Han Soo-yeon wondered if he really needed to pay 1,000 points.
Especially with item purchase rumors spreading via Incheon Alliance and Kang Moo-hyun's silent pressure.
No need to pay 1,000 points. I'll gather everything from 4 Channel on bloodstone trade terms so you don't lose out.
So Ice Queen promised to scoop up all 4 Channel items without letting Castaway take a loss.
[1:1 conversation has ended.]
Hearing Ice Queen's confident promise to gather 4 Channel items for me, I thought.
'Sure, getting them without spending points is great for me.'
I'd originally planned to buy from 4 Channel exchange myself.
But those 4 Channel jerks priced them insanely high—I couldn't afford it.
'Even the cheapest weapons were 3-4k points.'
And they weren't normal weapons; every one was busted, I knew that.
Plus, repair costs would've eaten thousands more points. No way I could swing it.
'Guess I gotta trust Ice Queen for now.'
Decision made, I pulled away from the gallery and looked around.
Still the Great Labyrinth's 10th floor wasteland. A few more days of this trek ahead.
'Hero Party's quiet too.'
They just trudged along silently.
If I talked, they'd reply normally, but nothing came to mind.
'Back to the gallery, I guess.'
I turned back to the gallery, and 7 Channel popped into my head.
Having checked 2-5 Channels, only 7 left—so I dove in.
[Haa... Should I just die?]
'Huh?'
But the most recent post's content was off-putting.