Chapter 2: Remote Support Mage (2)

A group of survivors chased by a horde of zombies.

The direction was about 200 meters away from where Han-seong was located.

Han-seong hurriedly looked out the window.

However, due to a building under construction blocking the view, he couldn’t confirm with his naked eye.

‘Three survivors. Seven zombies.’

The numbers confirmed through the count of dots.

As much as he wanted to help immediately, he couldn’t. Because Call Lightning, his only attack skill, took 5 seconds to activate.

To hit the zombies with this, the only method was to use it while predicting their movement path.

‘But if I make a mistake…’

There was a possibility of striking the survivors instead of the zombies. In fact, the survivors weren’t fleeing in a straight line, but were detouring to avoid obstacles at the construction site.

‘What should I do?’

Han-seong chewed on his lips.

Just as he was clenching his fists in anxiety, an unexpected event occurred. Suddenly, one blue dot detached from the group and started heading towards the zombies.

And signaling this unexpected action.

The blue dot and the red dots collided.

Boom! Bang!

The sound of collision heard from beyond the window.

Could they be engaging in combat with the zombies? As such speculation swirled, the blue dot that had collided with the red dots returned to the group.

Conversely, the red dots clustered in one place couldn’t move easily, and Han-seong, who had been watching this scene, belatedly realized something and widened his eyes.

“…Could it be!”

Did they tie up the zombies’ feet?

Or perhaps they pushed the zombies into a pit commonly seen at construction sites?

He wasn’t sure what the truth was.

But it was certainly an opportunity. The red dots were now sluggishly wriggling. Han-seong touched the red dots on the map.

[Coordinates have been specified.]

[Please select the skill you want to use.]

▷Call Lightning (Lv.1)

There was only one skill available.

Han-seong didn’t hesitate to approve the activation of Call Lightning. Then, dark clouds quickly gathered outside the window, followed by an ominous sound.

Rumble! Rumble!

A flash of light between the dark clouds.

Exactly 5 seconds later, a dazzling lightning bolt struck the center of the construction site.

Kwaaaaang!

Was it because it fell so close?

An enormous sound struck his eardrums, and Han-seong reflexively covered his ears. Then, a moment later, a short message appeared before his eyes.

[You have defeated Hungry Zombies.]

[Count: 7]

After successfully completing the objective.

Han-seong felt all the strength leave his body as he leaned back against the chair.

“Ha, hahaha…”

Soon, a hollow laugh escaped.

When only the message appeared, it didn’t quite sink in, but seeing the lightning strike before his eyes made him finally realize it.

That the situation he was in was reality.

Han-seong felt his hands trembling involuntarily as he stared for a long time at where the lightning had struck.

Yoo Min-cheol, an Air Force sergeant.

At thirty-one years old, he was on leave and had planned to meet a friend for drinks after a long time.

So he arrived early at the cafe, their meeting place, and was passing time when suddenly a piercing scream echoed through the cafe.

“Kyaaaak!”

Reflexively turning his head, he witnessed an unbelievable sight. A man in a suit was biting into a woman’s nape.

Stunned by the surreal scene, Min-cheol’s thoughts froze momentarily before he hastily pushed back his chair. To stop the attacker. But he couldn’t.

“Wh-what? Aaaagh!”

“Kyaaak! Someone help me!”

Because it wasn’t just one person attacking others.

Moreover, outside the window, even more people were attacking each other. Momentarily frozen, Min-cheol stared blankly at the scene.

‘A movie shoot? Or…’

Could it be some kind of hidden camera prank?

No, there were no cameras to be found. What on earth is happening? As his mind clouded with bewilderment, at that moment.

His instincts whispered danger.

Because suddenly, there were more monsters than people inside the cafe. Min-cheol dashed out of the cafe without even grabbing his belongings.

He had to escape. But where?

‘Somewhere without people!’

In a situation where people were attacking people, it wasn’t wise to be in the same space as others. That’s when he coincidentally spotted a place.

A construction site near the cafe.

It seemed the workers had finished for the day, so there were no laborers around. Min-cheol ignored the warning sign blocking entry and headed into the construction site.

Fortunately, his guess was correct.

‘First, I need to hide.’

The building only had its frame, so it looked dangerous. It would be better near where the heavy equipment was gathered.

That spot would be good for concealing himself while observing the scene outside the construction site. Min-cheol quickly hid and watched the area outside the site.

The street was in utter chaos.

Now there were far more monsters than people, and the few remaining survivors were screaming and fleeing in all directions.

‘What on earth is going on?’

An unidentified virus? Or perhaps some kind of epidemic that’s turned people into this?

As all sorts of speculations ran wild, at that moment.

Someone entered the construction site.

‘Students?’

A boy and girl who looked like high school students.

They looked around and then quickly ran towards where Min-cheol was hiding. Upon discovering Min-cheol who had arrived first, their eyes widened.

“Y-you are…”

“Mister.”

While the girl wore a startled expression, the boy seemed unusually calm. He examined Min-cheol’s body and asked again.

“You weren’t bitten by a zombie, were you?”

“Huh? Ah, no. I wasn’t attacked.”

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

The boy sighed in relief.

Min-cheol asked back with a puzzled expression.

“Um, about those zombies…”

“I’m referring to the monsters attacking people. The way they move, and how being bitten turns you into the same kind of monster, it’s just like zombies, right?”

“W-well, that’s true, but…”

Zombies are imaginary monsters, aren’t they?

Creatures that only appear in movies or novels. How could such monsters suddenly appear? Seeing Min-cheol’s confused expression, the boy spoke again.

“I understand your bewilderment. I’m half in disbelief myself. But what’s certain is that if we don’t keep our wits about us, our lives will be in danger.”

Min-cheol agreed with that statement.

As the saying goes, even if caught by a tiger, you can survive if you keep your wits about you. In this situation, maintaining rationality would increase the chances of survival.

“Let’s start with introductions.”

“Introductions…”

“Kim Tae-min, third year at Jingwang High School.”

“I-I’m Kang Eun-ji, second year at Kangil Girls’ High School.”

“Yoo Min-cheol. I’m thirty-one and work at the Suwon Air Force base.”

“Oh? So you’re a soldier?”

Eun-ji’s face brightened slightly.

Probably because it was a profession she could rely on.

Min-cheol nodded and looked back outside the construction site. And then an unexpected event occurred.

[Congratulations.]

[You have been chosen.]

A message that appeared before his eyes.

Min-cheol tilted his head in confusion.

“Chosen…?”

Then, after seeing an additional message that appeared, he muttered “Status”. Suddenly, a new window appeared.

[Name]: Yoo Min-cheol

[Class]: Assault Warrior

What’s going on now?

Min-cheol wore a bewildered expression. And he wasn’t the only one surprised.

“Wh-what is this…?”

“Job? Level?”

Eun-ji and Tae-min were also staring at the empty space in front of them with surprised expressions. Then a new message appeared.

[Assault Warrior: Basic Skill Unlocked]

[Active Skill: Shockwave]

[Melee: Shockwave (Lv.1)]

-Upon impact, a shockwave is generated.

▷Effective Range: Within 2m

▷HP Consumption: 25

▷Activation Time: Instant

▷Cooldown: 5 minutes

“What is this…”

“It’s like we’ve entered a game.”

“A game?”

“Yes, though in this case, it would be more accurate to say the world has changed to be like a game.”

Tae-min’s eyes sparkled.

“So, what’s your job, mister?”

“I just said I work at the Air Force base…”

“No, I mean the job you were just chosen for.”

“Ah, it says Assault Warrior.”

“I-I’m a Healer.”

Eun-ji answered, raising her hand.

After hearing their answers, Tae-min nodded and revealed his own job.

“I’m a Necromancer.”

“Ne-Necro…?”

“Think of it as a Mage who controls corpses. The skill I got is similar too.”

“Then can you control zombies?”

“No, that seems difficult. I just learned a skill called Raise Dead, but it says it can only revive and control corpses before they turn into zombies.”

Tae-min wore a disappointed expression.

At that moment.

“Huh, huh?”

In the process of survivors fleeing, part of the temporary wall of the construction site collapsed inward.

Following that, construction materials came crashing down, and the zombies momentarily looked towards the construction site. Seeing this, Tae-min’s face hardened.

“…We need to run.”

“Huh? Why suddenly…”

“Zombies have keen hearing.”

Unfortunately, the place where the materials fell was close to where Min-cheol was. Realizing this, the zombies began charging towards them like mad.

“Run!”

At Tae-min’s shout, Min-cheol and Eun-ji started running simultaneously without anyone taking the lead. To escape through the back door of the construction site.

But Eun-ji’s speed was slower than expected, and the zombies were much faster. At this rate, it was clear they would be caught up to soon.

‘We need to create some distance!’

Min-cheol quickly scanned his surroundings.

Then he spotted something.

A large pit on the side of their escape route. If he could make the zombies fall into that, they would definitely be able to escape.

Having made his decision, Min-cheol changed direction.

“Ah, mister? What are you suddenly…”

“Don’t stop, keep running!”

Min-cheol intentionally shouted loudly.

He had been told zombies had keen hearing. So this was a deliberate action to draw their attention.

“Over here! This way!”

“Graaaah!”

Min-cheol’s plan was successful.

The zombies chasing the girl changed course and ran towards Min-cheol. Faced with this, Min-cheol took off the coat he was wearing and wrapped it around his right arm.

‘As long as I don’t get bitten!’

His goal was to push the zombies and make them fall into the pit on the side. Steeling himself, Min-cheol kept his eyes fixed on the zombies.

‘Now!’

Min-cheol kicked off the ground.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed the lead zombie with all his might. The moment their bodies made contact, a strong shockwave occurred along with a new message.

[Strike successful]

[Shockwave activates.]

Accompanied by an explosive sound, the zombies flew off to the side. The ones suspended in the air fell into the pit.

However, Min-cheol didn’t relax.

Seeing the possibility of the zombies climbing back up, he threw nearby cement bags into the pit. Only then did he feel relieved.

‘With this, for a while at least…!’

They won’t be able to chase us.

Thinking this, just as he was about to turn around, suddenly his vision was filled with a bright white light.

Rumble! Kwaaaang!

A fierce roar pounded his eardrums.

What? What just happened? Min-cheol opened his eyes wide and soon grasped the situation.

“Li-lightning…?”

Out of nowhere, lightning had struck from the sky.

And by chance, it had hit the zombies in the pit. The power was considerable. All the zombies had turned pitch black, their forms unrecognizable.

Anyway, thanks to this, there was no need to worry about being chased. Thinking he had been lucky, Min-cheol turned around. Towards the students waiting for him.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Han-seong, who had been in a daze, finally regained his composure. He had accepted that the situation he was in was reality.

Then, after confirming that the survivors at the construction site were safe and breathing a sigh of relief.

[You have acquired (7) Coins.]

A new message appeared.

Coins? What’s this now? As he was filled with curiosity, the number ‘7’ was engraved on Han-seong’s right palm. Then an additional message appeared.

[You have achieved a new achievement.]

[Achievement]: First Coin Acquisition

Soon the number on his palm changed to ‘17’.

Through this, Han-seong realized that the number engraved on his palm represented the number of Coins he possessed.

[The Public Shop is now open.]

[Would you like to view the Shop?]

“Shop?”

There’s even something like that?

Anyway, there was no reason not to take a look.

Han-seong touched the YES button. Then the items for sale in the shop were revealed.

“This is…”

Food, water, clothing, medicine, and more.

The shop was selling various items necessary for survival. The problem was that the prices were quite expensive.

“2 liters of water for 10 Coins?”

Since you can acquire 1 Coin per zombie, this means you’d have to kill ten zombies just to buy one bottle of water.

The situation was the same for food. As for medicine, it started from dozens of Coins at the basic level. While browsing, he discovered an item that caught his attention.

It was a skillbook.

“Don’t tell me skills are also sold in the shop?”

So it wasn’t a system where you automatically learn skills as you level up. Han-seong looked at the skillbooks sold in the shop with a slightly surprised expression.

“It’s incredibly expensive…”

The cheapest skillbook was a whopping 100 Coins.

It was ‘Strength’, a skill that had been in the selection list after becoming a Remote Support Mage.

Other skillbooks that could be called attack magic were priced at hundreds of Coins. After browsing the shop for a while, Han-seong sighed.

“Looks like there’s nothing I can buy right away.”

After all, he only had a few Coins to begin with.

Finishing his window shopping, Han-seong closed the shop window and leaned back in his wheelchair. Suddenly, his head started throbbing and he felt dizzy.

[Current Mana: 50/100]

-When your mana drops, the probability of headaches and dizziness increases.

-Recover mana through meditation.

The cause of the dizziness was revealed.

Ah, come to think of it, I did acquire a skill called meditation, didn’t I? Belatedly realizing this, Han-seong closed his eyes and concentrated. He tried to empty his mind and focus on meditation.

[Meditation begins.]

[5 mana is recovered per minute.]

After concentrating on meditation for about ten minutes.

The dizziness quickly disappeared.

[Your mana is full.]

[Would you like to end meditation?]

I should. There’s no particular reason to continue.

Emerging from meditation, Han-seong adjusted his posture and looked out the window. The sky stained dark red, numerous zombie hordes roaming the streets, and so on.

A scene hard to believe as reality.

But this was undeniably real. He had felt it when he used Call Lightning earlier.

‘So I must decide.’

He couldn’t keep staying cooped up in here like he had been until now. Therefore, Han-seong decided to set a goal. The biggest goal was survival.

Fortunately for Han-seong, survival wasn’t too difficult a goal to achieve. He had become a Mage who could use skills remotely.

‘The goal after survival is…’

To confirm the safety of his family.

Han-seong’s family home was about 3km away from here. On the other hand, the effective range of Open Map was only about 500 meters, half of that distance.

In the end, he had no choice but to move directly, but if he did that, there was no way to survive if he encountered zombies.

So Han-seong decided.

‘I’ll erase all the red dots on the map.’

By using Call Lightning every 2 hours.

Then, after gathering Coins to purchase skillbooks, he would acquire new attack magic.

Once he eliminated all the zombies on the map, then he could go outside.

“Alright. Let’s give it a try.”

Having set his goal, Han-seong clenched his fist. With eyes filled with strong determination.