Chapter 149: Lulu Sets Out to Find the Vaccine!

R̂êàd̃ ̀​ô​ń ́​Ḱà​t́R̃​èäd́ìn̈​g̀C̀äf̈ẽ

The location that we ended up driving to was dominated by a large building.

Strangely, the first floor was a bar that looked like something straight out of a Western movie, while the second floor was structured like an ordinary house.

The downside was that it was located right by the main road, almost dead center on the map, so it seemed like zombies might gather in large numbers.

And there was no yard or space to grow crops.

Still, the parking lot was spacious enough to use as a garage, which was nice.

CEO, you really managed to find a place like this?!

“Huh?! Lulu! Lucretia!”

As I got out of the car while looking around the house, a familiar voice called out. When I turned my head, I saw a nickname floating above a character’s head in the distance.

The moment I saw it, excitement took over, and I dashed forward.

“Erin unnie! So unnie was with the CEO too?”

• Oh, it’s Erin-chan!
• Erin, hi!
• I wondered where she was—turns out she was with the CEO lol.

We happily reunited with Jia unnie and headed inside.

The building had a cozy feel.

As I mentioned earlier, the first floor had a typical bar atmosphere, but it still had everything—a bathroom, a kitchen, and more.

Wow, it’s super comfortable here.

I could see us staying here for a long time.

“There’s an oven in the kitchen over there. If you have any meat or anything, you can cook it there.”

“Whoa…”

• The facilities are nice, damn.
• It’s hard to find a place with an oven.
• This seems like a good long-term base, right?

True, ovens are really rare.

You see microwaves fairly often, but…

The building must be big because the facilities are great.

“Lulu, what’s your main focus for your job and traits?”

“I focused on cooking and daggers.”

“Oh? Perfect timing. None of us have cooking traits.”

“Hehe, then I’ll handle the cooking from now on!”

• Nice.
• She’s so happy to have a job—like a little kid, lol.
• It’s good to have at least one cook.

Just like the chat said.

Of course, cooking in Project Zomboid isn’t as essential as other skills, but it still has its uses.

Especially since, in this game, you have to manage hunger and boredom stats.

Certain recipes can significantly reduce hunger and even lower boredom, which helps prevent stress.

Alright, since we’re on the topic, why not make something?

I haven’t cooked much yet, so my level is low but I still have a basic level, so I’m better off than most.

I had also just found a recipe earlier too!

“Unnie, where are the ingredients?”

“They should all be in the fridge.”

“Ah, here they are.”

I quickly pulled out various items from the fridge—bread, sliced onions, tomatoes, lettuce, meat patties, cheese…

Ah, I also need ketchup and mayo.

I put the meat patty in the oven and waited…

Once it was done, I combined everything and pressed “Cook.”

‘Burger’

Oh, it’s done!

This is my first proper cooked meal.

Hehe, I’ll make a few more to share with everyone.

So, I made five burgers in total and called everyone over.

“Unnie! I made burgers! Come eat together!”

“Burgers? Wow! Lulu, you can even make burgers?”

“Ahem, I learned the recipe.”

• Ahem, lol.
• So cute, lol.
• Look at her puffing up with pride, lol.
• This axolotl is weak to praise.

One by one, everyone gathered in the kitchen and started eating the burgers I’d set on the table.

Of course, I ate one too.

“Ahh, it’s been so long since I had a burger.”

“Right? We’ve been living off canned food…”

“Thanks to our Lulu, we’re feasting today?”

“Ehehe, eat up!”

Since none of them had learned recipes, they’d probably only eaten basic scavenged food until now.

Seeing them so happy over a single burger…

I’m glad I made them.

“Lulu, sorry, but can you make one more?”

“Sure, but… unnie, are you that hungry?”

• ?
• One burger should be enough to fill you up.
• Did Erin-chan spec into obesity?

After finishing the burgers, Jia unnie suddenly asked me to make one more.

It wasn’t hard since we had ingredients, but I was curious.

When I asked, she shook her head.

“Oh, actually, Lilith is upstairs. I thought I’d bring her one.”

“Huh? Lilith unnie?”

• Oh.
• The squad leader?
• Lilith was here too?
• So it’s a full four-person team.

My eyes widened at the unexpected news.

I was happy, but at the same time, confused.

Chae-yoon unnie is here too?

Then why hasn’t she come downstairs?

And why is Jia unnie the one bringing her food?

“Yeah, she’s infected, so she said she won’t eat to save supplies… but since you made it, I thought I’d bring her one.”

“Wha—infected?!”

• Gasp.
• What?
• Lilith’s infected?!
• Squad leader… T_T
• First Yukiko-chan, now the squad leader… if we lose her too…
• (Well, Yukiko-chan kinda had it coming…)

The news hit me like a thunderbolt.

Shocked, I rushed upstairs to the second floor.

There, I saw Chae-yoon unnie pacing the hallway.

“Lilith unnie…!”

“Huh?! Lulu!”

I ran to her in excitement, and she came toward me too.

Her character’s arms and shoulders were tightly wrapped in bandages.

“How did you get here?”

“I met CEO on the way. More importantly, unnie, are you okay? They said you’re infected…”

“Yeah, seems like it. I thought about just dying and respawning, but… it feels unfair to die like this, so I’m holding on.”

• T_T
• The squad leader defying fate…
• Such a fitting line for the leader of the Black Moon Squad.

The chat turned into a sea of tears at Chae-yoon unnie’s words.

I felt heavy-hearted too.

Sure, dying and respawning isn’t a big deal in-game, but…

I don’t want to just let our BlueLUV members die like this.

Even if it’s just the game world, it’s the same!

“Unnie, don’t worry! I’ll go find the vaccine!”

I took my hands off the mouse for a moment, clenched my fists, and declared confidently to Chae-yoon unnie.

I will bring back the vaccine.

It’s not impossible.

Because this server has the Zombie Vaccine Mod installed.

With this mod, a special “vaccine zombie” spawns—a rare zombie in a hazmat suit.

If you kill it, it has a chance to drop a vaccine that cures the infection.

That’s all we need to save unnie.

Of course, it’s a dangerous journey, in this world, zombies are best avoided whenever possible.

Going out to hunt one down is reckless.

“Sigh, it’s fine. I don’t want to make you go through trouble just to save me.”

She must be trying to stop me because she knows the risks but I shook my head firmly.

“No! I will save you! So just wait for me!”

• I just watched an entire anime episode…
• I can’t stop crying…
• Lulu-chan, you’re making me cry T_T

Without another word, I went back downstairs.

I needed to ask CEO Kang for supplies—weapons and gear.

“CEO Kang, can I borrow some weapons and gear?”

“Huh? Sure, but… why? Going out to scavenge? We still have enough supplies.”

“…Yeah, just for a quick trip.”

I avoided telling the truth.

If she knew, she’d definitely stop me.

Jia unnie would too but I have to go.

I will save unnie.

In this hopeless world, I will bring her back.

I took the car keys, gathered weapons and gear, and was about to leave when someone ran after me.

It was Nyangtamon.

“Then I’ll come with you.”

“Huh? You too?”

“You should have someone to watch your back. We’ll be quick, so don’t worry.”

“Okay, be careful.”

Wait, is she coming because she thinks I’m just scavenging?

Ah, this isn’t good.

Just as I was about to say I’d go alone and stop him—

“It’s fine, Lulu. We have to save Lilith.”

“…Huh?!”

In a voice too quiet for anyone else to hear, Nyangtamon spoke.

At that moment, my mind froze.

[‘SansBeam’ threw a snack donation of 1,000 won!]

• Nyangta… did you figure out Lulu-chan’s plan and follow her?
• Wow.
• That’s so cool.
• Nyangtamon is seriously badass.
• This is like a movie, lol.

So that’s how it was.

Nyangtamon must’ve realized when I went upstairs— that I was going out to find the vaccine zombie.

“Nyangtamon, are you sure? It’s really dangerous…”

Once we were in the car, I asked one last time.

She answered casually.

“Eh, if things get too dangerous, I’ll just ditch you and run.”

“D-Ditch me?!”

“You were ready to leave me earlier, so why can’t I do the same?”

“Ah… ehehe, I guess that’s fair.”

Oddly enough, her lighthearted reply put me at ease.

Good. If I’m the only one in danger, that’s fine.

It’s better if Nyangtamon thinks like this.

With that slight relief, we set off together— on a long journey to find the vaccine.