8. Long-Term Battle (1)

Returned to the attic and immediately showered to wash off the blood-soaked clothes.

Seeing blood dripping from my hair made my blood boil.

Fucking pissed off for real.

Not only wasted two Accelerations but also ruined the clothes Suhyeon gave me.

Borrowing the landlord’s clothes once or twice is fine, but I’ve already soaked several sets in blood.

…Fuck.

Need to get more clothes.

Seriously.

Something light to wear.

Just t-shirts and shorts would do.

Wear and discard, wear and discard.

Heard clattering sounds from below – Suhyeon probably working on barricades.

Most second-floor windows already blocked.

Another week of this and it’ll be properly fortified.

Need to bring more hardware supplies for Suhyeon, but those gangster fucks made me waste two Accelerations.

Should go back and stab their heads again.

Fucking hell.

Full recharge would take three hours.

Sigh…

At least with 2.3 Vitality recovery per hour, the drain isn’t too bad.

Still too slow.

Damn.

Around 11 AM.

Rested then headed out.

Vitality 21, 3 Accelerations.

Fully recovered.

Time to get clothes!

On my way down, ran into So-eun hanging laundry on the second-floor balcony.

She flinched seeing me.

Ugh…

Still covered in blood.

Not gonna explain.

“Be back soon.”

“…Uh, wait.”

She called as I descended.

Looked up.

So-eun gripping the railing, staring at me.

“…Be careful.”

…Huh.

My anger’s fading.

I smiled.

“Yeah. Finish hanging those and get inside. It’s dangerous.”

Waved and left.

Clothes, need clothes.

Remembered a clothing store on the way to the supermarket.

Hand on sword, took the convenience store route toward the mart.

Green sign – oriental medicine clinic.

…How many inside?

Hmm…

Need to pass it and the rice cake shop to reach the clothing store.

Couldn’t see inside the clinic.

Pressed ear to door – low growling.

…Three or more.

…Open it?

Nah.

Might make eye contact and waste another Acceleration.

Clothing store’s the target.

Moved to rice cake shop.

Also opaque.

“Sesame oil, chili powder sold here” sign.

Hmm…

Listened at door.

…No sounds.

Anyone inside?

Rice cake shop…

Nothing useful there.

Pass.

Male scream in distance.

Don’t care anymore.

Approached clothing store cautiously. Large building ahead – the supermarket.

…Wish I could raid a real megamart.

Guaranteed hundreds of zombies there.

Someday…

Smiling, peeked inside clothing store.

Hard to see past hanging clothes.

But they’re there.

Limbs visible between garments.

…Three.

That’s what I see.

Need better recon.

Crouched to check floor level.

…One lying down.

Got it.

Drew sword and approached door.

Deep breath.

Kicked it open!

*Crash!*

“Grah?!”

Heads turned!

Acceleration!

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

“Graa—aa—-“

Faces distorting in slow motion.

Woman by panty display.

Stabbed hard!

*Crunch*

Pulled sword from temple!

Next!

Young woman lifting head – spear through skull!

With the older woman?

Twisted, facing black-clad employee!

“–argh!”

Arms rising!

Acceleration!

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

Their charge slowed.

Thrust sword through eye!

Out the back of skull!

Blood droplets floating lazily.

Cashier auntie!

Leaped, driving sword between eyebrows!

“-Glerk!”

*Thud*

Acceleration ended.

Bodies collapsed.

Blood sprayed on clothes.

…Damn.

Ruined the merchandise.

[Level increased by 4]

“…Haah.”

Nice. 4 levels!

Small stores = perfect leveling spots.

Checked corners – clear.

Time to loot.

Used panties to wipe blood off sword/face.

Stuffed clean shirts, shorts, underwear into bulging backpack.

…Panties.

Stood in lingerie section admiring.

“…Hmm…”

Nice view.

…What to get Suhyeon…

…No idea about bra sizes.

She’s… C cup? D?

…Fuck if I know.

Dumped armfuls into paper bags.

Good enough.

Let them sort it out.

Too lazy.

Can always get more.

Returned to boarding house with bags.

Knocked on Suhyeon’s door.

“Come to the landlord’s place.”

Went upstairs.

Girls’ eyes widened at the bags.

“Got dirty so I grabbed clothes. Didn’t know sizes – pick what fits.”

“Th…thanks.”

Ye-eun and So-eun looked pleasantly surprised.

Halmae came out smiling too.

Left them chattering and returned to attic.

Ditched the blood-soaked clothes.

Unloaded new outfits – enough for ten days.

Showered again and collapsed on bedding.

…Hmm…

That was quick.

Not even noon yet.

Can make another run tonight.

4 points…

Where to go?

…Wait.

Pharmacy had three.

Chicken shop next to it.

Chicken shop… how many?

At least two visible.

…Target for tonight.

Allocated 2 to Strength, 2 to Spirit.

Level 30 now.

Strength 7, Spirit 17.

* * *

By 9 PM, mostly recharged.

Another two hours for full recovery, but 3 Accelerations should suffice.

Headed out toward pharmacy.

*Swoosh*

Drew longsword.

Deep breath, kicked door in!

“Graah?!”

White coat behind counter.

Man by drinks.

Woman at supplements.

Acceleration!

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

“Graa—aa—-“

Everything slowed.

“Hup!”

*Crunch*

Skewered man’s skull.

Leaped counter – stab!

*Crunch*

Cashier down.

Acceleration!

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

Woman clawing air where I’d been.

Side stab through temple!

*Crunch*

Blood droplets floating.

…Huu.”

Slow motion carnage.

Bodies falling like jelly.

Acceleration ended.

*Crash!*

[Level increased by 3]

Wiped sword on pharmacist’s coat.

…Getting efficient.

Scanned for loot.

Maybe grab some Bacchus energy drinks.

Halmae’s been limping – could use pain patches.