Chapter 38
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Ice Queen's Dilemma
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Lee Geon-woo wanted a 4-channel weapon with an obsession bordering on fixation.
Han Soo-yeon knew exactly why he was acting this way but pretended not to notice and let it slide.
"Yes. I'll pass that along. Separately from that, how do you plan to pay for the 4-channel weapon?"
"Whatever it takes. Points, bloodstones, awakening stones, or even the [Zombie Queen's Essence]."
"...The Zombie Queen's Essence?"
The Zombie Queen's Essence had only been the subject of rampant rumors up until now.
Everyone had assumed that, like variant zombies, the Zombie Queen would drop an awakening stone, but nothing had been confirmed.
"So that really exists?"
When the first Zombie Queen had been defeated, only two people had been present.
One was Kang Moo-hyun, now with the Incheon Union, and the other was Jeong Tae-young, who had since gone into hiding.
"Yes. It does exist. And Kang Moo-hyun took the Zombie Queen's Essence."
"Do you know what its effect was?"
"He said several options appeared, similar to ability specialization."
Han Soo-yeon looked at Lee Geon-woo with eyes full of curiosity about what those options might have been.
Lee Geon-woo wanted to tell her if he could, but since Kang Moo-hyun himself hadn't shared, he didn't know.
"That's all I know. Kang Moo-hyun didn't say anything more."
"Maybe an option came up that he couldn't reveal to others."
"Don't speculate unnecessarily. Nothing's been confirmed yet."
She nodded quietly, agreeing with that.
Considering his business concluded, Lee Geon-woo stood up.
"Once again, I'm asking for the 4-channel weapon. It's essential for taking down the Zombie Queen."
"Yes."
With that, Lee Geon-woo left, and Han Soo-yeon let out a small sigh.
In truth, if the Castaway could repair 4-channel weapons, it would be better to get one from him.
'The Incheon Union has that ability user, after all.'
But what if that ability user got hold of a 4-channel weapon?
Then the Incheon Union could become Korea's overlord.
'And if that happens, they'd target me first.'
The simplest solution here was to lend it out for a limited time.
Just repel the Zombie Queen and reclaim the weapon—wouldn't that be the best outcome?
'Anyway.'
She hadn't gotten a bloodstone, one of her goals, but she'd obtained several awakening stones in its place.
For now, Han Soo-yeon requested a 1:1 chat with the Castaway to hand over these awakening stones.
<Ice Queen*(3ch): ...So it ended up with just the awakening stones.>
I heard from Ice Queen that the Incheon Union leader had given her several awakening stones instead of a bloodstone.
Bloodstones weren't urgent right now, but from my position, where I needed awakening stones by tomorrow at the latest, this was actually better.
<Castaway(2ch): That's fine. I needed awakening stones right now anyway.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Do you have someone to give the awakening stones to?>
<Castaway(2ch): Yes. I'm trading them along with one item.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): If it's okay, could I hear what happened?>
Ice Queen seemed inwardly curious and asked what was going on.
<Castaway(2ch): I traded with a 4-channel person to gift an android to someone from 7-channel I met today.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): An android? Is the 7-channel person giving you something?>
Quick Fix Doctor☆ had said the same, and now Ice Queen was speaking under the assumption that I must receive something in return.
<Castaway(2ch): They said they'd procure something like an elixir.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): What effect does the elixir have?>
<Castaway(2ch): The one I got improves physical abilities and toughens the skin.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): I'm jealous.>
Seeing her say she was jealous, it seemed Ice Queen wanted an elixir too.
I didn't know how many elixirs Yoo Hyun-min from 7-channel would procure, but if it was a lot, sharing wouldn't be a problem.
<Castaway(2ch): I'll share if there's extra.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Is that really okay?>
<Castaway(2ch): Yes. I'm already in your debt as it is.>
The awakening stones I was receiving this time were a prime example.
Of course, I could trade directly with 3-channel people, but it would be a hassle.
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Anyway, the awakening stones you got this time are 3 mid-grade and 6 low-grade.>
3 mid-grade and 6 low-grade?
<Castaway(2ch): That's a ton.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): It's a lot, yeah. Awakening stones are rare enough that you might not get one after killing thousands.>
Ice Queen then mentioned the downside as well.
<Ice Queen*(3ch): But it might be hard to get bloodstones for a while.>
<Castaway(2ch): That's fine. I don't need bloodstones urgently yet.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): If we take down the second Zombie Queen this time, we should get a massive haul of bloodstones.>
A massive haul of bloodstones meant killing that many zombies in turn.
Remembering the gallery post about tens of thousands of zombies on the move, I asked if she was okay.
<Castaway(2ch): Zombie Queen. You okay?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Honestly, I can't guarantee it. But with a bunch of ability users gathered and preparing now, it should be better than last time.>
<Castaway(2ch): Is there anything I can help with?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Help with...>
'Hm?'
Unexpectedly, it seemed there was something I could do, as Ice Queen didn't answer right away.
<Castaway(2ch): Looks like there is something I can do.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Truth is, there's an ability user in the Incheon Union. Combining their ability with a 4-channel weapon creates insane synergy.>
For Ice Queen to put it that way, it had to be a ridiculous ability.
<Castaway(2ch): But it requires a 4-channel weapon?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Yes. It's called 'Infinite Ammo'.>
"..."
Infinite Ammo?
<Castaway(2ch): That really exists?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): It does. Though it's only infinite for a limited time.>
<Castaway(2ch): Limited time?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Proportional to level, from what I heard. Like 10 minutes at level 10.>
Even if that was the case, it was still an absurd ability.
10 minutes was more than enough to massacre zombies with a machine gun firing thousands of rounds per minute.
'Compared to my telekinesis, it's on another level.'
<Ice Queen*(3ch): The tradeoff is they can't use their ability for several hours after.>
In contrast, my telekinesis could be used 24/7.
Still, the drawbacks didn't diminish how overpowered it was.
<Castaway(2ch): I don't see why it needs a 4-channel weapon specifically. Wouldn't modern firearms suffice?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Probably for taking down stage-4 variant zombies.>
Ice Queen then explained about these variant zombies.
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Stage-1 variants have the strength of 10 regular zombies. Stage-2 is 100. Stage-3 is 1,000.>
<Castaway(2ch): Stage-4 is 10,000?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Yes. And at stage-4, they're impervious to bullets, even bombs. Unless you dump over 100 bombs on them.>
That made me reconsider and recognize the need for 4-channel weapons.
The Zombie Queen would bring stage-4 variants too, so they'd be necessary to counter them.
<Ice Queen*(3ch): The problem is they're with the Incheon Union. Infinite Ammo plus 4-channel weapons... in a way, more dangerous than the Zombie Queen.>
<Castaway(2ch): Why?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): It tips the balance. Right now, the Incheon Union can't handle the Zombie Queen alone, so they've pulled in other forces.>
Just as Ice Queen said, including herself, other ability user groups had gathered at the Incheon Union.
<Ice Queen*(3ch): What if the Incheon Union gets a 4-channel weapon and handles the Zombie Queen by themselves?>
<Castaway(2ch): Doesn't Korea get safer?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): The Zombie Queen would probably target other groups to build strength, not the Incheon Union. Those groups would have no choice but to beg for Incheon help.>
If the Incheon Union could handle the Zombie Queen on their own, everyone would want their aid.
<Ice Queen*(3ch): If I were them, I'd demand a lot in return for help. Ultimately, everyone would end up under the Incheon Union.>
She was saying that if one side got too strong, others would have no choice but to submit.
'With a common enemy like the Zombie Queen, do we really need to worry about that?'
Anyway, I got what Ice Queen was driving at.
So I cut straight to it.
<Castaway(2ch): So what do you want, Ice Queen?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Before that, Castaway, can you really repair 4-channel weapons?>
<Castaway(2ch): Yes. I can repair them.>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): The best option would be lending it until the Zombie Queen crisis is over. But...>
I had a feeling I knew what she was going to say.
<Castaway(2ch): You think the Incheon Union won't return it?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Definitely. It's a weapon that saves them from the Zombie Queen—they won't give it back just because we ask. They'll make excuses or ignore us and keep it.>
In the end, Ice Queen was worried about the Incheon Union becoming too powerful.
But with 4-channel weapons, the upcoming battle with the Zombie Queen would be much easier, so she was torn.
'Survival comes first, though, right?'
With so many lives potentially on the line.
<Ice Queen*(3ch): There's still time, so I'll think on it more. For now, take the awakening stones.>
<Castaway(2ch): Don't you need any awakening stones, Ice Queen?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): I'm short on bloodstones, so they won't boost my forces right away.>
Friend 'Ice Queen' has requested a 1:1 trade.
With that, Ice Queen handed over 3 mid-grade awakening stones and 6 low-grade ones before wrapping up the chat.
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Just in case, I'll try to gather about 30 4-channel firearms.>
<Castaway(2ch): 30 guns?>
<Ice Queen*(3ch): Remember how I mentioned ability specialization in 10-level increments? That one can apply Infinite Ammo to about 30 squad members.>
"..."
I briefly imagined 30 people with 4-channel weapons mowing down zombies with infinite ammo.
At that point, zombies wouldn't be an issue at all, and I started to understand Ice Queen's concerns.
'Isn't there a better way?'
I tried to think of a solution Ice Queen would like, but by evening, nothing came to mind.