5. Luring (2)

Breakfast was delicious.

Grandma’s quite the cook, huh?

Chili powder and anchovies, was it?

Got it.

Su-hyeon sitting next to me acted completely normal.

Chattering away about how tasty the side dishes were.

But Ye-eun and So-eun had strange expressions.

…They definitely know what happened last night.

Did some moans leak out?

Ahem.

“Thanks for the meal.”

“Oppa, heading out right away?”

“Have to.”

“Then go check out the kendo dojo.”

I paused mid-step.

“…Kendo dojo?”

…Kendo dojo!

Su-hyeon nodded while chewing. “They might have real swords there, right?”

She’s right!

Why the hell didn’t I think of that?

Been so focused on leveling up and surviving encounters that I didn’t consider proper weapons.

A kendo dojo!

Su-hyeon smiled and handed me a map. “Since you’re gathering weapons, I thought of it before sleeping last night. Here’s directions – fourth floor of the mart building.”

“Ah, thanks.”

Taking the map, I grinned.

Su-hyeon gave me a look. “Don’t smile. I’m getting attached. We need you alive to keep bringing us supplies.”

“Right, right.”

I patted her shoulder, then turned to Ye-eun and So-eun. “I’ll be back.”

“Be careful.”

“Eung. Come back safe.”

Ye-eun replied normally, but So-eun kept sneaking glances at me, face slightly red.

…Definitely heard the noises last night.

Tch.

Let’s go.

* * *

Even in morning, the streets were deserted.

Except for occasional distant screams.

Checked my phone earlier – as Su-hyeon said, news updates had nearly stopped.

Just days into this and most media outlets were gone. Same with broadcasters.

YouTube somehow still worked though.

Only way to get information now.

WHO was finished.

Not destroyed, just rendered useless.

Pharmaceutical companies collapsing, doctors turning infected – no way to research the disease.

Maybe someone’s still trying, but WHO as an organization was done.

World leaders seemed to be surviving in bunkers – the competent nations anyway.

Third world countries? Honduras, Syria, Myanmar? Their governments were already gone.

Many developing nations vanished from the map in days.

Some survivors posted updates on YouTube.

“Going out for food now. Will update later.” Then no more videos.

Thousands of channels like that.

The world was collapsing fast.

But survivors remained.

I’m one of them.

Walking carefully along the street, back to the convenience store.

Damn, morning light makes everything feel safer.

Can’t let my guard down.

The mart was relatively close.

Past a traditional medicine clinic, rice cake shop, and clothing store.

Problem with these places – hard to see inside, meaning they can’t see out either.

The clothing store had racks upon racks.

Couldn’t see inside well, but spotted some decent clothes for me.

Should check later when I have time.

For now, the dojo.

As the mart approached:

*Grrr- Grrr-*

“……”

They’re here.

Lots of them.

Swarming inside.

The other shops were empty, but the mart was different.

Low growls vibrated through the air.

Sounded like hundreds inside.

…No way.

Too dangerous.

Gripping my axe tightly, I carefully entered through a side door.

The entire first floor was the mart.

Even from the side entrance, I could see checkout counters.

About ten beast humans standing or lying around.

Need to be careful.

If spotted, they’ll swarm me instantly.

Careful.

Took the stairs slowly.

Would’ve preferred the elevator, but that meant passing the main entrance.

Too risky.

I’m too weak to fight through that.

Second floor – also the mart.

Metal shutter down, but sale posters showed it was part of the store.

Keep going.

Third floor – offices.

…Mart management?

Pressed my ear to the door:

*Grrr- Grrr-*

…Fuck, more inside.

This whole building’s infested.

Might as well be dungeons now.

Literally.

Reaching the fourth floor left me slightly winded.

Moving carefully took twice the effort of normal climbing.

Damn.

Stood before the metal door, catching my breath.

Behind this – the dojo.

Building’s big enough there might be other things too.

Opened the door slightly.

Silent.

Listened carefully.

…No sounds?

Inside revealed a pilates center and kendo dojo across the hall from each other.

…Pilates…

Maybe female beast humans in there.

…Don’t even think about it.

Male or female, they’re all targets.

Approached the dojo slowly.

How many people would’ve been here?

The outbreak started midday.

Would anyone have been at the dojo then?

Opening the door released a strange odor – medicinal, rubbery.

Common in training spaces.

Nothing unusual visible.

Inside was spacious.

Korean flags, armor, bamboo swords on walls. Certificates displayed.

Just an armored mannequin in the empty space.

Hmm…

Nobody here?

Further in, an office became visible.

*Grrr- Grrr-*

“……”

Something in there.

Gripping my axe, I peeked inside.

Through the glass –

A man face down in kendo uniform.

Just him alone.

……Ah.

The outbreak…

Some must’ve started transforming first.

…This man was one.

No other explanation for him being here alone.

…Alright.

Time to deal with this.

Opened the office door slowly.

*Grrr- Grrr-*

Hadn’t noticed me yet.

Just don’t make noise.

Opened the door painstakingly slowly.

Success.

Hah…

Raised my axe silently.

Aim for the head.

One clean strike.

Deep breath –

“Hup!”

*Crunch*

The blade sank deep into his skull.

The uniformed man twitched, then went still.

No more growling.

Blood pooled beneath him.

[Level increased.]

“Hah…”

Level 11 now.

…Relieved.

…Wait!

Might be more.

Stay alert!

Pulling the axe out might make noise.

Left it embedded, drew a tomahawk instead.

Checked behind desks – nobody else.

Just him alone here.

…Thank god.

Whispered: “Hah. Fuck.”

Sheathed the tomahawk, pulled the axe free.

*Squelch*

Damn.

That disgusting sound every time.

Now…

Where are the real swords?

Checked the office thoroughly.

Found a large cabinet.

Opened drawers one by one.

First – documents.

Ah, membership cards.

Next drawer – stacks of uniforms.

And the next.

So many damn uniforms.

Final drawer:

“…Oh!”

Involuntary exclamation.

Wooden practice swords piled inside.

And among them – two sheathed real swords.

Drew one from its sheath.

Heavy.

*Sshing*

……A real blade.

“…Hah…”

A real sword!

Could this split skulls?

Is it sharp enough?

…Only one way to find out.

Sheathed it at my belt.

…Ugh.

So uncomfortable…!

Wish I had a back sheath.

Two tomahawks, two swords, and the large axe made movement cumbersome.

Fuck, in games I’d just stash these in inventory.

Tried placing the axe in my soulstone storage – nothing happened. Must have different uses.

Anyway, got the swords. Time to leave.

Back on the first floor, tension returned.

To the right – the mart.

Nearly a dozen beast humans gathered there.

Countless more deeper inside.

“……”

The mart…

I’ll have to loot it eventually.

Which means…

Carefully exited through the side door.

Undetected. Good.

Checked the alley.

Left and right – both clear.

…Perfect.

Holding the door, I pursed my lips toward the mart.

And whistled.

*Whiit!*

“Krrraak!”

Every beast human turned toward the sound.