4. Weapon Acquisition (3)

Stepped inside the hardware store.

A cute little bell hung above the door.

This door… need to be careful.

If touched wrong, that bell will jingle loudly.

The counter by the entrance was empty.

Tools from tweezers to monkey wrenches lined the walls, with shelves packed full of various tapes and batteries, making the cramped store feel even smaller.

Barely enough room for one person to pass through.

Why make it so damn cramped?

Can’t see anything properly.

Moving cautiously between shelves while keeping an eye on the aisles. Didn’t forget to watch outside too.

Need to be careful.

Huh.

There’s another passage beside the counter?

Lights are off there.

Why?

Looking up, the ceiling light was broken.

……Not good……

Took a tentative step forward.

*Grrr- Grrr-*

“…!”

There.

Inside the dark area with broken lights!

Option one: go left along the shelves and wall.

Option two: go right past the counter.

Need to choose.

Can’t gather supplies with those things there.

Might get ambushed from behind while collecting items.

Need to deal with them first.

Which way?

…They didn’t attack when I entered by the counter.

Meaning they can’t see me from that side.

Heart pounding.

Took slow breaths while retracing my steps.

Avoiding touching tools on the walls.

Careful. Careful.

Each step felt like an eternity.

All senses focused on that dark space.

The working lights prevented complete darkness, but the shadows created an eerie atmosphere.

Heart racing.

Could almost hear my own heartbeat.

Step by step forward.

…See them now.

Electrical wires and screws scattered on the floor.

And two people lying face down there.

*Grrr- Grrr-*

At first glance seemed dead.

Not dead.

Just sprawled out.

Some stand, some lie down.

No idea why the difference.

Maybe they sprawl if there’s space.

…Probably.

Random whether they stand or lie. Who understands these things?

Meaning… more inside than visible.

…Fucking hell.

Thinking this, gripped the spear with both hands and raised it.

*Thunk. Clang-*

Fuck!

Spear hit the door!

Bell rang!

“Krrrraaak?!”

Two figures jerked upright in the darkness!

Too close!

Can’t dodge!

Can’t run!

Fuck it, no choice!

Charged at them.

The spotted creatures reached out with screams.

Fuck it, Acceleration!

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

“Kaaa—aa—“

Slowed down! Too dark! Can’t see faces!

But those shapes are definitely heads!

Gripped the spear with both hands and thrust with all strength.

*Crunch*

Horrible sensation of piercing through something hard then soft.

Yanked the spear back, then thrust again at the next head.

*Squelch*

“-aaak!”

*Crash! Thud!*

Both creatures collapsed immediately. One hit the counter loudly.

“Hah, hah, hah!”

Too noisy.

Turned around instantly.

If anything comes, need to escape immediately.

“Haa, haa, haa.”

Breathing too loud.

No other sounds.

Silent.

…Thank god.

“Haa, hoo…”

[Level increased by 2]

One level per kill.

Ha…fuck.

At least leveling is fast.

Stood still, ears straining.

Would hear if more were coming.

Waited, but only heard my own breathing.

…Good.

Looked down at the corpses impaled on my spear.

Neck bent unnaturally from being skewered.

…A woman.

The other’s a man.

Store owners?

…No.

Can’t be a couple.

One got infected and attacked the other here.

Someone guarding the store got bitten.

No idea who was the owner.

Stepped on the woman’s speared head.

Pulled the weapon free.

*Squelch*

Disgusting sound as it came out.

Damn.

Blood and hair completely stuck to it.

Not cleaning this.

Cautiously surveyed the store.

Remembered zombie shows.

Idiots who carelessly loot then get ambushed.

Won’t be that idiot.

Holding the spear, carefully circled the store.

Nothing.

Definitely nothing.

Nowhere to hide either.

Just tools on walls/shelves and two corpses. That’s it.

“Haa…”

Relieved.

Fuck.

Time to loot.

First, machete…

…None.

Fuck, why would this neighborhood store have machetes?

Probably for cutting plants – but we’re downtown.

No plants to cut here.

Any good weapons…

Plenty of wrenches and pliers, but surprisingly few blades.

…!

Fuck!

Found…found them!

Bright areas only had useless crap, but the dark area had them hanging right on the wall!

Axes!

Big axes, small axes – everything!

The big one’s easily over 1 meter!

“Hoo, hwa!”

So happy I could barely breathe.

Fist-pumped silently, then checked surroundings. Still quiet.

Good.

Taking these.

The small axes look like tomahawks.

No idea why a hardware store has these, but better than nothing.

This is why I came!

Ah, so happy.

Packed axes into my bag, hefted the large one.

Heavy.

“Hoo…”

Smiled contentedly.

This weight.

Just swinging with proper angle will let momentum drive the blade deep.

Perfect.

Noticed a weed whacker in the dark corner. Looks like a vacuum with spinning blades.

…Not ideal as a weapon.

Used one before – heavy and loud as hell. Would attract everything.

No good.

Still too weak.

Can’t go around with that noisy thing.

Need caution.

Took: one large axe (~1m), four tomahawks.

These small axes…

Want to hang on my belt.

Possible?

Hmm… no belt…

Looked at my pipe spear.

My belt…

Got axes now, don’t need this awkward spear.

Unscrewed to remove the belt.

While reattaching it, checked outside. No idea how long I’ve been here.

Left at nightfall, so midnight’s still far off.

Belt on, tomahawks sheathed at both hips.

Blades up – hangs well. Problem: fucking uncomfortable.

Digging into my pelvis.

Fuck, looks cool but hurts!

Hah.

Endure the discomfort.

Safety first.

Holding the large axe, tomahawks on belt, decided to explore more.

Ahn Su-hyeon asked for something…

Checked phone.

[At hardware store. Need anything?]

After a moment: *Ding*

Fuck!

Grabbed phone, checked outside.

Waited.

No sounds.

“Haa…”

Fucking hell…

Switched to vibrate.

Read message:

[Welding tools or strong adhesive? Any tools useful. Also large batteries if available.]

…Large batteries?

[Why batteries?]

Reply came later:

[No more news updates. Power plants might still run, but no guarantees. If this continues, electricity will eventually fail.]

……Right……

Electricity……

Wait.

[What about water?]

[Water’s fine now, but no power means no water treatment.]

…Right…

She’s correct.

Electricity and water…

Critical.

[Got it. Bag’s small so can’t carry much.]

[Be careful returning.]

…Hoo…

Phone battery at 14% now.

14%…

No power means no charging.

Can’t contact parents then.

Or my damn sister.

…Stay safe.

Found batteries in dark corner.

Largest one bigger than two fists. Reached for it-almost swore aloud.

Fuck, this is heavy!

Batteries are heavy, but damn!

Groaned while stuffing it into my bag.

Might tear the bag.

After adding tools, tape, wires, the bag weighed noticeably more.

“Haa…”

Fucking heavy…

Over 20kg probably.

Reminds me of military marches with full gear.

Been here a while now.

About an hour.

Time to return.

Hefted the bag onto my back.

“Guh…”

Feels like army days.

Fuck this.

Heavy bag on back, axe in hand, exited the store.

Cautiously walked toward the road, heading for nearby cars.

That salon worries me.

That bitch might be watching again.

…Good.

She’s facing away now.

Reached the cars without incident, heading toward the convenience store route.

“Hurk, haak, huk! Uuuaa…!”

Terrified voice.

What?!

Peeked between cars.

A young man.

No, just a kid.

Middle school at best.

Running wildly.

And behind him.

“Krrrraaak!”

A young woman chasing.

He’s caught. Definitely caught!

“Guk!”

Tripped while looking back.

Legs tangled, fell hard.

Too scared to run properly.

“Hurk! Aaak!”

“Kaaaak!”

Woman pounced instantly.

“Aaaak! Krrrk…!”

Piercing screams.

Neck… bitten.

“Hoo…”

Watched everything.

Knew he’d be caught.

Watched and waited.

*Crunch! Squelch!*

Sounds of flesh being torn.

Walked slowly toward the feeding woman. Silent. Careful.

Her back to me.

Feasting eagerly.

Raised my axe.

Bitch keeps moving her head while biting…!

Stop fucking moving!

Fuck it!

Acceleration!

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

“Krooongaa—“

There.

Swing the axe down with full force.

*Squelch*

Large blade split her skull instantly.

Done.

Levered the axe free with my arm.

*Snap* as it came loose.

“-aak!”

Acceleration ended.

She collapsed face-first.

“Grrrk… krrr…”

The boy.

Neck torn open, bleeding out.

Gagging up blood.

Looking at me.

Eyes begging for help.

…Thing is…

I watched you being chased.

Let you get caught.

Didn’t want to risk myself helping.

Raised the axe.

Boy reached toward me with trembling hands.

Begging.

But you’re bitten.

Just…

Die.

Swing down with full force.

“Hup!”

*Squelch*

Axe split his skull.

Blood sprayed.

Closed my eyes.

“…Hurk…hurk…”

*Grit teeth*

Stood up slowly, walking forward.

Wrenched the axe free.

…Time to return.

To the boarding house.