Stagnant Water of Apocalypse

I walked around the shopping district with Dingo, looking for a zombie that was on the verge of evolution.

“Dingo, smell it.” When I said so, Dingo sniffed through the air and started to walk forward while avoiding normal zombies. It was only possible for Dingo to smell them since a ghoul had a distinct smell that was different from normal zombies.

Woof-!! Woof-!!

“Oh, you found it?” I asked as I smashed the head of a zombie who walked towards me with the ebony stick. Dingo went ahead and soon, he found a ghoul crouching in the corner of a dark parking lot of a dilapidated motel.

"…it's on the verge of evolution." It was not everyday you could see a zombie crouching down. Moreover, transparent membranes spewed out of its limbs and covered its entire body. By this point, It was already difficult to discern its normal human form. This is more of a metamorphosis than evolution. After a little while, the ghoul will tear the membranes out.

“Zombies are worth 2 points while ghouls are worth 10 points…but it’s better to deal with them now.” Without any hesitation, I smashed the crouching zombie's head. It was quite hard unlike other zombie’s heads and only after being hit a few times, the skull finally broke apart. As I hunted the zombies around in this way, the scope of my activities gradually expanded. Apparently, there weren't that many zombies that had begun to evolve.

As I was moving on a rope to avoid the goblins, I could see the courthouse in the distance. “That’s the place where JongSaMu resides.”

They only know me as a new survivor in the area since I completely hid my identity in the first kill event. I could have contacted them and exchanged some information, but considering the leader's disposition, there was no need to do so. After all, the fact that he confined a man with a bio-friendly unique skill was evident of what he would do to skilful people.

“It’s dangerous when an insignificant person comes to power.”

If I touch them now, well… someone will end up dying.

I hunted moderately and tried to return to the hideout. But, a man and a woman suddenly came out of the alley and blocked me. Looking at their uniform, it’s apparent that they were members of JongSaMu which I didn’t want to meet yet.

I turned around and tried to leave, but they appeared before me once again.

Blink, huh?

The woman crossed her arms and said, “Is this our first time meeting each other? My name is Jang Hee-Won, from JongSaMu. This is Kim Jong-soo.”

“My name is Kang Seong-ho. Is there anything you want from me?"

“The past few days… I saw Seong-ho walking around in the area. And you're playing with the kids.”

Did it look like we were playing? Well, if she has developed such a misconception, there's nothing I can do about it. Just let her continue to misunderstand like that.

“So?” As I spoke bluntly, the man's eyes twitched slightly. However, Hee-won only smiled and softened her voice even more.

“I don’t know why you are on guard like that. I didn’t come here to fight."

“But knowing that you observed my movements, I don’t feel very good.”

“Please understand. When you are in an organization, isn’t reconnaissance a big part of it? We have to bring some evidence for the leader to judge… Something like that.”

“So, what did this leader of you think about me?”

“He judged that it would be good to accept you as a member of the JongSaMu.”

Unfortunately for them, I had no intention of joining.

“I’ll pass.”

“Ah, is that so? Will you be okay? Without our help, you won’t be able to live well here in this area.”

“I’ve been living well so far, so I don’t need your help.”

“It will be more dangerous in the future. Ghoul will soon appear. And once orcs and werewolves appear, you need organizational strength to fight them. Seong-ho doesn’t have that.”

“I am preparing myself.”

“I saw it. You look for zombies that would evolve into ghouls and smash their heads. But that's not the best way.”

“What do you mean by ‘not the best way’?”

She raised two fingers.

“Zombies are worth 2 points while ghoul gives you 10 points. Wouldn't it be better to kill a ghoul rather than a zombie?"

“But the government said that the ghouls are much more powerful?”

The corner of the woman's lips rose slightly. “That’s something people who don’t know anything have to worry about. Our leader knew the timing in the evolution process that if you get it right, 2 points will turn into 10 points. Are you interested?”

A timing, huh… one that even I don’t know about?

"No. There’s no such timing. And even if there’s a timing, I’m not sure people will be able to recognize it.”

“Even though it’s a little bit too much to say something like this, but our leader is a stagnant water. Someone who has played for over 3,000 hours.”

I’m sorry miss, my playtime is 5,500 hours. And from what I checked, the play time of Whining Series No. 5, Come to See Spring was only 350 hours. How can someone with only that much playtime know something that someone with more than 10 times his playtime doesn’t know about?

“If his playtime is around that much, he should know the other stagnant water, right? I’m talking about Rabbit Princess or Gimbap.”

Her expression changed subtly. “…He knew them. He said he knew them.”

"Is that so? Then, do they know him?”

“Why don’t you come with us and check it out for yourself?”

It seems like she said that because she realized that I couldn’t be persuaded any other way.

“Thanks for the suggestion, but I don’t have any intention to do that.” I shook my head.

“If so, it will be uncomfortable for you in the future.”

“Like I said, I’ve been living well on my own.”

“You didn’t do that alone, did you? They did it for you.” With bored looks, she gestured at the long rope on one side of the building with her chin.

“Sometimes you need help.”

She said hurriedly as she saw me about to turn around.

“If the ropes were cut, wouldn’t Seongho-ssi be in trouble?”

“Are you threatening me?”

“This is not a threat. Rope is something that can be cut in battle.”

“A parachute line that can withstand up to 250 kg will break? It doesn't cut easily. And I have absolutely no intention of joining that group of yours, so let's stop."

“You must be in trouble… Actually, our leader is suspicious of Seong-ho. I don't know if you know that something is happening at the Orc First Kill event."

I purposely opened my eyes wide. “Isn’t that the event which happened nearby?”

“Someone stole it from our leader. So, he’s angry now. If the preparator gets caught, it won’t end well.”

“Well, good luck finding him. I didn’t even participate in that event.”

“That’s for us to decide…”

At that moment, a portal opened in front of the building on the other side, and an orc walked out from it. The orc was bewildered for a moment, then when it looked at us, its nose twitched.

The complexion of the two ambushers changed rapidly.

“Orc… this is too fast.”

“We should return to headquarters.”

“You are right. I'm sorry, but we can't save Seongho-ssi."

I shrugged at her words, and then she chuckled.

“You look confident. Then work hard to survive.” After those words, the man placed his hand on the woman's shoulder and both of them disappeared.

“You talk a lot.”

The orc glared at me and revealed its yellowish and jagged teeth.

Oh sorry, I wasn't talking to you.

I immediately grabbed the rope and climbed up. The orc ran towards me and jumped, but unfortunately for it, I had already gone up to the third floor.

It shook the rope a few times, then gave up after seeing hordes of goblins passing by in the distance.

Kuooohh-!!

At the orc’s roar, the goblins were startled and quickly ran away.

“Even an orc appeared…” With the weapon I currently had, it would be difficult to counter them. But, if I receive the crop buff and activate all skills, I would have an edge in close combat against it, but I didn't feel the need to do that.

“Because a fight against a mob should be easily won.” I need to finish the ballista quickly. I got on the rope and returned to my hideout. When I entered the cave, the scarabs were waiting for me with the ballista parts ready.

Great.

.

.

.

I assembled the ballista with the help of scarabs. Since it was not as easy as assembling a toy, I had to gather all my focus and strength to do it.

“It’s sturdy!” The completed ballista was quite large and heavy; the bow alone was over 1m tall. Meanwhile, a scarab brought a bolt as thick as a finger towards me.

“Everything will die in one shot if they are hit with this arrow.”

Even medium-sized monsters wouldn’t escape without fatal injury if being shot by an arrow this thick.

“It’s great. But, what about the loading process?” At my question, captain scarab grabbed the back of my hand and taught me how to load it. And it was quite easy. It was only turning the lever which would activate the pulley. It could also be loaded by pulling the handle on the back.

Isn’t this what Dingo would bite and pull?

“Dingo, bite this.” When I gave him the handle, the guy instinctively pulled back. The bowstring was pulled back as the pulleys and crawls turned with a clicking sound. The bow bent like it was about to explode, at that moment, I put the bolts on the rails.

“If you remove the fixing nail and move it like this…” The ballista turned in place. With this, we could deal with monsters wherever they appear.

What about the power, though?

I quickly aim at the tree in the distance and flip the switch. A dull sound echoed for a moment and then the bolt flew. When I went to check it, the bolt had dug half way through the tree.

“This power is no joke.” If I shoot well, it seems like it would also be able to damage large-monsters.

“Good job, you really did a good job.” I stroked the scarabs with sincerity. But… this one isn't enough. After all, I envisioned two outposts. I wanted to be able to launch a ballista no matter where I was hiding.

“Would it be difficult to make another one?” When I asked that, the scarabs quickly gathered for a meeting. While they were doing so, I brought a box of jelly and told them, “Will this much be enough?”

The guys looked at the box of jelly and lifted their claws. The contract was established. While the scarabs devoured the jelly, I made a mark around the ballista stand. Now, what’s left was to build a post by stacking bricks.

After carrying the necessary materials, I opened the store just in case. The tier 2 shop had finally opened. Though, the nerf patch—which I hated with all my beings—was also applied.

“Look at these damn bastards!” The Elderwood Longbow had 3,000 points attached to the price tag. And the special arrow for Elderwood Bow was worth 30 points each.

“They raised the price by 1.5 times.” I'd like to protest that this is too much, but there’s no place to pour it towards. Those developers were still nowhere to be seen. With a raging heart, I bought an elderwood longbow and 20 arrows. That instance, the many points I gathered shrunk to 220, and a bow and arrowhead appeared at the bottom of the cave.

“What a wonderful weapon.” When I looked at the weapon adorned with old-fashioned decorations which could only be seen in fantasy movies, my rage subsided. When I pulled the bowstring and released it, the sound was similar to the sound produced by a racket when being swung. It's really cool, but it was a pity that I couldn't use it in front of others. I wouldn’t be able to explain where I earned 3,000 points if they ever asked me without exposing my identity.

“Let’s say I only bought the arrows.”

And since I have my slot, switching weapons shouldn't be a problem. When I entered the auction house, it was also covered with swear words. The sorrow of those without points was exploding, so let's not interfere.

“I need to collect some points.” I put up a set of ignition stone powder and black charcoal powder in the auction house. Previously, the auction price of those 2 items soared to nearly 3,000 points, but that was due to the special circumstances of the event. However, now that the event was over, it wouldn't be as high as before. But, I would still earn at least 1,500 points.

Watching the auction, the commenters were divided into a fierce battle of words.

-Is there anyone who is willing to pay more than a thousand points for this?

-Exceeded 1100 guns!

-It would be a waste of time to catch an orc with this.

-You have to think about skills and items the orc will give, you idiot.

-Even taking that into account, it's expensive, you idiot. I'm at a high level, so now I couldn’t get anything even if I killed an orc.

-Then, what is a guy like you doing sneaking around here? Are you stupid?

-LOL

-They give skills to people up to level 16, So, are you saying that you are level 17?

-Is there anyone who has already reached level 17 out there?

-Because it requires a lot of experience, there should only be very few people who are now level 17.

-Is there anyone who has already killed an Orc here?

-Our guild is preparing for a raid right now.

-The stagnant water must be killing them by themselves, right? I'm envious…

-Exceeded 1300 guns!

The powder set broke through 1,500 points and stopped at 1,800. When I added one more set to the auction, it was sold for 1,700 points. Which means, I received 3,150 points excluding the fees. It's very easy to earn points.

I properly packed my backpack and wore my armor. When I got out of the hideout, the members of JongSaMu were already spread out on the street.

Are those people looking for the orc too?

After kicking the rushing goblins with soccer kicks and entering the alleyway, I saw Yeo-wool who came down from the stairs.

“Hyung, the orc is here, did you see it?”

“I saw it. When you see it, you have to run away right away.”

“How about you?”

“I’m also going to run away.”

Jun-ho and Do-young had faces which told me that they were curious about what people were doing, but they agreed to return to their hideout. When Yeo-wool took the two of them, I walked away. If only Yoo-hyeon was here, I would be able to scout with his paper airplane. But since I don't have it, I have to figure it out myself.

I was looking around on the roof when I saw an orc making a fuss. Considering that a group of goblins were besieging it, it seems that they were fighting each other.

“The paralytic poison doesn’t work on orcs.”

The orc smashed the goblins without regard to paralysis poison. The hobgoblins resisted a bit but it still died in the end. At that moment, the goblins became obedient. They had accepted the orc as their new captain. Then, the attitude of the goblins changed. It seems like they were gaining confidence because their new captain was better than everyone else.

Isn't your attitude changing too quickly?

The members of JongSaMu, who had been after the orcs, finally found the group.

“The orc is together with the goblins!”

“What, why aren’t they fighting?”

“Call Hyung-nim! hurry!"

In an instant, five people surrounded the monsters. Orcs and goblins roared ferociously and threatened them by showing their fangs towards them. I would have to get out of there quickly.

Staying here any longer would only summon zombie raids.

As I rode the rope hanging to another road, I found a woman named Hee-won with Whining Series No. 5 on her side. Hee-won whispered to Whining Series No. 5.

“Kang Seongho-ssi. I heard you turned down my offer.” Whining Series No.5 said so after listening to Hee-won’s whisper.

“I heard people say there's an orc over there. Will it be okay for you to not go there quickly?”

“I have to go, but before that… hear this, I am very suspicious of you. Have you ever intervened in the Orc First Kill Event?”

“I didn’t even know such an event existed.” No one should know that I have intervened because I didn’t show myself throughout the event. However, Whining Series No. 5 still suspects me until the end.

“Isn't it strange? The only person who has been suspicious these days is Kang Seongho-ssi. Then, when the Orc First Kill Event was stolen from me… It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think of you as the culprit, isn’t it?”

“Then, in case I was really the one who did it, what will you do?” When I asked, Whining Series No. 5 grinned.

“Ah, don’t be nervous. If you're one of my men, there should be no problem. My family got it, what can I say? But if that's not the case…”

“What if not?”

“I have to kill you. I just can't let it pass. My family members will criticize me for being an incompetent leader otherwise. Words are still coming out among them even right now.”

“Let me say it once more. I’m not the one who did it.”

“I’m not sure about that…” As he said it, he bent his head left and right and popped the bone on his hand. (Di kretek kretek, kayak orang mau berantem.)

However, when I was about to move my hand to the bow on my back, a man appeared beside Whining Series No.5 and whispered to him.

“Is that bastard here?” His voice was too loud. I think he's asking me to listen…

“You have to find it. Hee-Won and Jong-Soo, go catch that bastard. I will catch the orcs.”

After the two left with the Blink, Whining Series No. 5 smiled at me. “Do you know who that bastard is?”

“I heard that was what the auction house called I Love Gimbap.”

“Haha, indeed he’s that bastard. A greedy man who had a lot of information but didn’t even disclose it. But the guy I asked to catch is different. He was once a part of my group.”

Ah, I think he might be talking about that guy with a bio-friendly trait.

"I treated him really well… I even think of him as my real little brother. But then, he stabbed me in the back.”

“Did that guy think the same too?”

“Well, seeing what had happened, it seems like he didn’t think the same even though I treated him really well.”

As I was about to leave, Whining Series No. 5 raised his voice. “Do you know why I told you all that?”

“I don’t know.”

“I am extremely obsessive. I'll definitely catch that bastard, and Kang Seong-ho. You're on my radar too, so it would be best for you to not think about doing anything useless. You are really suspicious.”

“People are free to think whatever they want. But if you touch me, it won’t go over nicely.”

When I warned him, he crossed his arms and shuddered dramatically. “Aigoo… I’m scared… Spare me…”

Let’s not get aggroed. I'm going to go to look for Rapwi soon, so I don't have time to play with them. I turned around and left the place with the dingo. As I entered the alleyway, I heard a loud noise around me.

“Jong-soo! Did you find Jiman?” (T/N Sorry guys, I misread Jiman as Jimin…)

“Yes! He’s cornered now!”

“By the way, how did you find him?”

“When we were doing daily looting, a lot of toilet paper suddenly rolled over and we saw him. It seems like he’s surprised because he saw us.”

“Just like his ID ‘Poor Man’. He’s really pitiful. Let's go. Orcs are not the problem now.”

"Yep."

My mind went blank and my feet froze as soon as I heard their conversation.

Who did you say you had found?