Chapter 48
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Proof
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Channel 3.
"Everyone's gathered. Given the situation, I'll explain quickly."
Lee Geon-woo, the head of the Incheon Union, addressed the representative Awakeners from each group who had assembled at his call.
The number of Awakeners gathered here alone slightly exceeded 60, and the total personnel came to around 4 to 5 thousand.
"You probably already know, but the Zombie Queen is on the move. Not only that—she's even produced 5th-stage variant zombies."
At the mention of 5th-stage variant zombies, several Awakeners let out groans.
Even 4th-stage variant zombies wielded tremendous power; 5th-stage ones were simply beyond comprehension.
Of course, not everyone reacted that way.
"A 5th-stage variant zombie—what kind of Awakening Stone will it drop? Superior's next, so Ultimate grade?"
It was Park Jun-ho, the youngest among the representative Awakeners here.
Park Jun-ho, who had slain countless zombies with his A-rank ability up to now, saw nothing special in a 5th-stage variant zombie.
"Oh my, it looks like our Park Jun-ho isn't scared of variant zombies at all?"
At that moment, a woman radiating healthy allure and sensuality from a spot slightly apart flashed a playful smile at Park Jun-ho.
"Of course. I've caught so many variant zombies I can't even count them."
"Then when the 5th-stage variant shows up, Park Jun-ho can take point."
"Haha! Easy enough."
At yet another absurd exchange, Ice Queen Han Soo-yeon let out a small sigh and stepped in.
"Ha Chae-yun. That's enough."
"Huh? What'd I do?"
The woman called Ha Chae-yun replied with an innocent look.
In response, S-rank Awakener Kang Mu-hyeon, seated on the other side, joined in.
"I don't like it either. No different from shoving him to his death."
After Han Soo-yeon, now Kang Mu-hyeon too.
Faced with remonstrance from the two S-rank Awakeners, Ha Chae-yun had no choice but to back off.
"Fine. It was just a joke. But someone has to pin down that 5th-stage var zombie's legs."
"We can take it down without pinning its legs."
Kang Mu-hyeon stated calmly that they could handle it.
And everyone knew it wasn't bravado.
"But Mr. Kang Mu-hyeon, it'll be dangerous alone."
On the contrary, Lee Geon-woo tried to dissuade him.
"You know that starting from 2nd-stage variant zombies, their physical abilities become overwhelmingly superior."
In truth, even Awakeners with powerful abilities often fell to that physical gap.
Thus, Lee Geon-woo sought to stop Kang Mu-hyeon from tackling the 5th-stage variant zombie alone, but Kang Mu-hyeon waved it off.
"Spare me. Whoever does it, that 5th-stage zombie needs killing."
"......"
In the end, Lee Geon-woo tabled the matter and cut to the chase.
"The Zombie Queen is projected to reach Ansan City in 2 to 3 days. Prepare to deploy by tomorrow morning."
"No special operations plan?"
Someone else chimed in, asking about strategy.
"For now, we'll cede defensive lines sequentially to thin out their numbers as much as possible. Then at the final line, detonate all our stockpiled bombs to wipe them."
"What about the Zombie Queen?"
"The first one showed intelligence. We'll form recon teams to hunt her down, but it won't be easy."
Obviously, the Zombie Queen wouldn't just present herself.
She'd hole up tight somewhere, slimming the odds of locating her.
"So we cut their numbers max. Only then do we stand a chance of finding her."
Plus, killing the Queen wouldn't erase the existing zombies.
On the contrary, the rank-and-file would rampage on pure instinct—they had to eliminate both.
"Ah. Ms. Han Soo-yeon. Can you lease 4-channel weapons via the merchant?"
At the anticipated question, Han Soo-yeon gave her prepared response.
"Doubtful without collateral. He's not running a charity."
"On credit, maybe?"
"Won't fly. He still hasn't gotten full payment for the weapons Kim Seo fixed."
Ha Chae-yun snarked in reply.
"That merchant's going too far. National crisis, isn't it? Lose here, and everyone's zombie chow."
All the other seated Awakeners turned accusatory glares on Han Soo-yeon.
Sensing the mood flip to blame her in an instant, Han Soo-yeon hit back directly.
"The merchant's got zero stake in this war. Naturally. He's from 2-channel."
2-channel.
Another world, plain and simple.
"2-channel?"
"Different channels can't even talk, right?"
"Ah. He translated our Korean?"
Even "It's Korean after all!" slipped out amid the chatter.
"Hold up? Then how's the purchase list work?"
"No clue. But he said other-channel comms and purchases are possible."
Lee Geon-woo eyed Han Soo-yeon, who'd bulldozed the crowd-pressure ploy.
Sure, he risked nothing here, and she'd spilled the secret—their gain.
'But we got zilch out of it.'
As Lee Geon-woo mulled that.
Castaway has requested a 1:1 conversation with you.
"It's really come through."
Kang Mu-hyeon shared his gallery window, then enlarged it for all to see.
Are you the one they call the merchant?
Yes.
Amazing—real communication. But at my age, typing's a chore. Mind switching to video call?
As soon as Kang Mu-hyeon spoke, Han Soo-yeon objected at once.
"Mr. Kang Mu-hyeon. Video call's a no."
"Why not?"
"Dozens of us here. Might feel like an interrogation."
I don't see the need for video.
Fortunately, Castaway showed no interest in video either.
Unlike the prior 4-channel Golden King, nothing to regret this time.
No helping it. We'll chat like this.
Kang Mu-hyeon conceded to text chat, given their reactions.
Watching this, one person regretted it keenly: Lee Geon-woo.
'To read the merchant's personality right, seeing his face is best.'
Huge gap between face-to-face and mere text.
Maybe Han Soo-yeon clocked that and blocked it—but nothing for it.
Anyway, prove you're the merchant.
Pay up, and I'll send whatever you want.
Enough with my 100 Bloodstones?
Sufficient.
Kang Mu-hyeon nodded and addressed the group.
"Everyone, name your desire."
"Uh...... fresh tuna sashimi possible?"
Tuna sashimi possible?
Castaway responded not with words but by initiating a 1:1 trade, delivering a trimmed tuna sashimi set.
Kang Mu-hyeon handed the assortment set materializing before him to the requester.
"Looks like it works."
"Whoa, really? Then flounder sashimi for me!"
"Wine for me. Chardonnay."
"Wine out of nowhere?"
"Saving it for home."
From there, the assembled began rattling off all manner of requests.
Relaying every one, Castaway proved his merchant status by supplying them in turn.
More items than expected.
Including all the rest.
So those 100 Bloodstones weren't free.
No loss though. Bloodstones go for 300-400 points each now.
30K to 40K points, in effect.
No loss, then. This proof enough?
Direct demo—no room for doubt. Mind if I ask how comms work?
Dunno myself.
Looks like items cost points. Gallery-related?
Not sure on related, but yeah—item purchase button left side of my gallery.
Lee Geon-woo, observing, spoke up at once to Kang Mu-hyeon.
"Mr. Kang Mu-hyeon. Ask if he can repair or rent 4-channel weapons."
Repair or rent 4-channel weapons possible?
Dunno. Still owed on current payments.
Short version: no deals till paid in full.
I see. Why deal only with one person?
Might not have bandwidth for multiples soon.
If partners multiplied, no time for individual deliveries.
No bandwidth...... Got it. Last: Castaway nickname—special meaning?
Lost my way in an unexpected disaster.
Lost your path?
Something like that.
Castaway ended the 1:1 chat with Kang Mu-hyeon there.