10. You Did All This Alone? (1)

Current Level 61.

9 allocation points.

No need to overthink it.

Put 5 into Spirit for 7 Acceleration charges, the rest into Strength.

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The Chosen One

[Specialization – Time Adjuster] [Level – 61]

[Title – Civilian]

Status

[Vitality – 29/30] [Perception – 2/2]

[Strength – 0/13] [Agility – 4/4]

[Spirit – 5/35] [Intelligence – N/A]

[Allocation Points – 0]

Skills

[Active – Acceleration] (Auto-cast active)

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Hmm…

Need about 10 hours to fully recharge 7 Accelerations.

Current time: 8:34 AM.

…Fuck.

What to do until evening?

……Maybe just go home.

Ah, shit. Let’s do that.

Netflix only lasts an hour or two.

My legs are numb from being cramped in this tiny office watching four movies.

Enough.

Just go home.

Better take a nap and recover.

…Ah damn.

Coming back here later would be a pain.

Fucking hate inconveniences.

Ear against the door – still growling out there.

Probably take them an hour to crawl back inside.

……Fuck it.

One movie on Netflix then.

Plugged in my phone, mindlessly scrolled through mediocre films before giving up.

Can’t fucking focus.

Four movies yesterday ruined my attention span.

Outside’s quiet now.

Must’ve been awhile.

Grabbed my sword and carefully exited.

Silence.

…Good.

Probably went back in.

Let’s go.

Entering the alleyway, distant echoes reached me.

Aaaaah-

…Someone else got got.

* * *

Suhyun greeted me warmly at the gate.

“Huh? Oppa! You’re early!”

“Yeah. Came back early. Heading out again tonight.”

She’d been building something in the yard with salvaged furniture.

A barricade.

Fortifying the house.

“You’re handy with tools.”

Suhyun laughed.

“Nothing better to do. Normally I’d be gaming, but… not feeling it.”

Oh?

Sat on the steps watching her.

She mentioned being a hikikomori.

“What games?”

“WoW.”

“Not fun anymore?”

Heard it went downhill, but I never played.

Not big on MMOs.

Tried Dungeon Fighter long ago, mostly stuck to RTS.

New Age of Empires was decent.

Total War series too.

Not for everyone, but perfect for me.

Suhyun explained:

“With everything happening… raids don’t form anymore.”

…Ah.

Raids.

Her guildmates stopped logging in.

Judging by her face, they were long-time friends.

“Game servers still up?”

“Yeah. But who knows for how long. You don’t game?”

I shook my head.

Already playing a life-or-death leveling game here.

“Nope.”

“Hmm…”

Suhyun stared before resuming hammering.

“Never gamed?”

“Used to be hardcore. Mostly strategy sims. Nowadays… not really.”

She side-eyed me and hummed.

“Good we share hobbies. Makes living together easier.”

……Living together?

That phrasing…

Suhyun…

Pleasantly plump with nice curves… good personality too…

Just right…

I smirked, chin in hand.

“…Easier is good.”

Suhyun glanced but didn’t reply.

Just smiled and kept hammering.

Then Ye-eun and So-eun emerged next door.

“Huh? Seonghun-ssi. You’re early.”

“Yeah. Came back early.”

So-eun whispered something and nodded.

Probably “hello” despite breakfast together.

I smiled and gestured at their house.

“…How is she?”

Ye-eun nodded.

“Getting better. Still scared to come outside though.”

“…The baby?”

Both girls beamed.

“So adorable.”

…Hmm.

Rose and peeked at their house.

They’d been visiting often to see the baby.

New mother seemed comforted by their company.

…Nice.

“Seonghun-ssi. Halmae’s making bibim guksu for lunch. You’ll eat?”

“Love bibim guksu.”

They smiled back.

Watching them leave, I asked Suhyun:

“Windows mostly barricaded now. Need anything else?”

Suhyun paused her hammering.

“…Lots needed. But I’d rather visit the hardware store myself. Might spot things I haven’t thought of.”

…Makes sense.

I nodded.

“After clearing the mart, I’ll sweep the hardware store area. We’ll go when it’s safe.”

Ascending the stairs:

“Resting now. See you at lunch.”

“Bibim guksu!”

Suhyun cheered with her hammer.

Reading comics in bed when someone knocked.

Lunch already?

Opened to find the large man.

“Ah, teacher. Noodles are ready.”

Ah. Food.

Descending, I asked:

“Get supplies?”

He smiled.

“Yes, teacher. Those monsters were all dead – shocking. Brought new clothes and snacks. My wife finally ate some chocolate.”

Hmm.

Don’t care about his wife’s tastes.

Nodded politely.

“Good to hear.”

“Yes, teacher. All thanks to you.”

Halmae welcomed me warmly inside.

The man took two noodle bowls downstairs, bowing repeatedly.

Probably ingredients he scavenged himself.

Bringing his own supplies yet thanking others… Too earnest for this apocalyptic world…

…This world now…

Lunch was lively.

Bibim guksu tasted amazing.

Spicy-sweet-nutty perfection.

…A meal this cheerful during the apocalypse…

Definitely… rare.

Most survivors are probably too terrified to leave their homes.

This house is special.

Not bad though.

8 PM.

Met Suhyun while leaving.

“Huh? Oppa. Where to?”

“You first.”

Her eyes widened.

“Your room. You?”

“…The mart.”

She frowned.

“This late? Dangerous. Go tomorrow.”

But my Accelerations are fully charged.

Waste not, woman.

Gotta level up.

“I’ll be careful. Back soon.”

“Ugh. Don’t go. Okay?”

Hmm…

Just days ago she’d send me on supply runs without hesitation.

Quite the…

Hmm… After today’s vibe…

…Cute.

Pulled her close, groping her chest.

Whispered:

“Wait in the shower. I’ll be quick.”

“Eek!”

She slapped my chest lightly.

Chuckling, I descended.

Her door clicked behind me.

Smiling, I exited the gate.

Another scream echoed through the alley.

Kyaaaaah-

Hearing more screams lately.

Probably people getting caught scavenging.

Every store’s infested now.

Not my problem. Can’t save everyone. None of my business.

Walked leisurely toward the mart.

Suhyun’s lifting belt made me feel like a gunslinger.

Aaaaah-

Another scream.

I smirked at the echo.

Gunslinger… I like that.

At the mart, peered past the squid stall.

Exactly as I left it.

Some limbs crushed from beasts trampling over.

Vaulted the display.

Alright.

Careful now.

Peeked outside – nothing.

They returned to their spots.

But stay alert.

Can’t die like some horror movie idiot.

Drew my sword.

Shhhk-

Step by cautious step.

Entered, scanning packaging area and restrooms.

Mart’s bright.

Floor messy from earlier snacks and goods.

Otherwise unchanged.

…Time for…

…Provocation.

“…Sssuuuuck…!”

Deep breath.

Then shouted:

“UNLIMITED POWAH!”

…Fuck, forgot again.

Need better one-liners.