10. You Did All This Alone? (2)

Zombies pop up throughout the mart like whack-a-moles.

Their heads swivel toward me.

My heart pounds.

Thoughts vanish.

Vision sharpens.

Come at me.

Gripping my sword with both hands, I shout:

“Obi-Wan Kenobi!”

At this point I don’t even know what I’m yelling.

Just stream of consciousness.

“Kyaaah! Graaaah!”

They charge in a frenzy, knocking over displays.

I smile watching them come.

Here they come…!

Standing firm, raising my sword to shoulder level.

Ready to thrust.

“Kraaaah! Gryaaak!”

CRASH! Another shelf topples.

They’re upon me!

Now!

Acceleration!

“Ah!”

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

‘Ah’?

From behind, somewhere distant. What?

More back there?

Fuck it. Just kill them all!

One by the register, one leaping, one diving with claws, one tripping over corpses.

A dozen frozen mid-air.

Their faces inches away, drifting slowly.

Come get some!

“Hup!”

Thrust with all my might.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

Step back.

“–aa–rk!”

Acceleration.

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

The scene shifts like sliding a screen.

Lunge forward, stabbing.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

One more?!

No. Play it safe!

Quick step back.

Blood droplets hang in air like red dots.

“–kya–rk!”

Acceleration.

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

Got all nearby ones.

Now the rear!

Dodging past beasts, stepping forward.

One tripping, one about to fall!

Crunch! Crunch!

Onto the counter!

“Hup!”

Crunch!

“–ke–rk!”

Acceleration.

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

Over corpses, right – one hitting shelves!

Crunch!

One rising under heavy shelf!

Crunch!

“–rr–rk!”

Acceleration.

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

Gum rack by register.

Two colliding!

Crunch! Crunch!

Done!

Grabbed a zombie’s belt, leaped up.

Acceleration ended.

“–aak!”

Acceleration.

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

Over counter, grabbed my brand of cigarettes.

Split the pack between hands while running.

“–aa–ok!”

Acceleration.

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

“Hyut-cha!”

Sprinted to squid stall, vaulted display.

Landing, heard crashes behind.

Run, fuck!

Ah right.

That sound earlier?

Scanning quickly – one female zombie across the road.

Acceleration!

…Shit?!

Fuck, out of charges!

Can’t kill!

Go!

Cut through mart wall to parking lot, then alleys.

[Level increased by 13.]

Thirteen kills instantly.

At this rate I’ll max level soon!

Wherever that is!

“Hah, haa, hoo!”

Running down alleys when growls sound behind.

They finally exited.

Corpses made it hard for them too.

If I struggled, so do they.

Just fucking run now.

Glanced back while running.

They don’t know where I went.

Good.

Turned a corner – supermarket ahead.

“Hah, hah, hah.”

Three dead thugs on street.

One more ahead.

Fucking rotting stench.

How many left in mart?

Maybe a dozen?

Could clear them by tomorrow.

“Haa, haa.”

Sweating from running.

Got blood on me during the fight.

Shirt’s stained. Fuck.

Ate a chocolate bar from supermarket freezer on way back.

Closing the gate behind me brings peace.

Basecamp secured.

Aaaaah-

Distant scream.

Sounds like an owl at night.

Summer night owls are charming.

Humming, I climb the stairs.

Suhyun’s on my bed playing mobile games.

“Ah, oppa.”

Her smile fades seeing me.

Huh?

Oh right – covered in blood.

I grin.

“Not mine. Gonna wash up.”

Toss clothes in trash, head straight to shower.

Gaining confidence.

Could stab anything now.

Return to find Suhyun still prone.

I lay atop her.

Her ass against my thighs feels nice.

Good.

* * *

Weird.

Checking status:

ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ

The Chosen One

[Specialization – Time Adjuster] [Level – 74]

[Title – Civilian]

Status

[Vitality – 24/30] [Perception – 2/2]

[Strength – 6/13] [Agility – 4/4]

[Spirit – 6/35] [Intelligence – N/A]

[Allocation Points – 13]

Skills

[Active – Acceleration] (Auto-cast active)

ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ

Thirteen kills, thirteen levels.

Why does leveling get easier?

Bizarre.

Acceleration charges are vital.

For attack, scouting, escape.

My lifeline.

Need more.

Almost got caught earlier without them.

Put 10 in Spirit, 3 in Strength.

Spirit 45, Strength 16.

Suhyun doesn’t even try to leave now.

Naked, sleeping soundly beside me.

I embrace her from behind, groping breasts as I sleep.

Next morning.

After breakfast, head out.

The large man exits with an axe.

Backpack like mine – scavenging.

“Ah, teacher. Had breakfast?”

“Yes. Where to?”

“Ah, yes. Checked nearby. Chicken shop’s clean – your work?”

Ah, chicken shop.

Nod.

“Getting chicken. Landlady wants meat and veggies.”

Ah, meat and veggies.

Fucking forgot.

“I’ll return soon, teacher.”

Hmm.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

He turns.

The mart…

How many left?

Maybe under twenty.

Could clear it today.

After thought:

“Mart’s almost cleared. Should be safe by evening… Keep tonight free.”

His face brightens.

“Really? Understood, teacher.”

“Yes. See you then.”

He bows and leaves.

Been outside more lately – brighter mood.

Wife’s recovering too.

Shaved too.

No smell.

As I leave, the new mother exits next door.

Holding trash bags.

“…H-hello.”

Oh.

So that’s what she looks like.

Quite pretty.

Still disheveled from recent trauma.

Early 30s?

“Yes. Feeling better?”

“…Night screams… Baby wakes crying… Hard…”

Hmm…

Now voicing complaints.

Wouldn’t speak before.

I nod.

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen here.”

“…Really…?”

Bitter smile.

Probably lost all contacts too.

Nod again.

“See? Barricades everywhere. Your husband goes out daily – always returns safe. Don’t worry.”

She just nods silently.

Opening the gate:

“Should get diapers today. Eat well.”

“…Th-thank you…”

Hmm.

Good.

Conversation’s progress.

Huge improvement.

Sword in hand, I exit.

Click-thunk.

Gate locks automatically.

Let’s go. To the mart.

Stop by parking office to charge phone.

Forgot last night.

Too busy enjoying Suhyun’s warmth.

Phone can charge here.

Level 74 now.

9 Acceleration charges.

Sixteen kills possible.

Good.

Exit office, enter main doors.

Corpses piled from entrance to displays.

Fucking rot stench.

Ugh…

Carefully step through the mess.

Takes forever to reach registers.

Fucking corpses.

Need to clear these.

Can’t alone.

Thirty-plus bodies. At 50kg each – over 1.5 tons.

Waste of energy.

Save strength for Suhyun, not corpse-moving.

Crunch!

“Ah fuck.”

…Stepped on a hand.

Bones crushed completely.

Past registers, shapes move in distance.

Nearby ones charged first – died first.

Distant ones returned to positions.

Deep breath.

Sssuuuuck!

Then shout:

“Yoshi! Grando Season!”

…Fuck, need better one-liners.