Chapter 32: Zombie Apocalypse Ruins [R-18]

“What are you smiling at? You’re just dead weight.”

“Dead weight?”

“You’re a perpetual D-rank. You couldn’t find anyone to go into a dungeon with, so you got sold off to this class, didn’t you? How pathetic.”

What? How could she misunderstand like that?!

“Didn’t you just see how popular I was?”

“Hitting on your sister’s friends. Pathetic.”

“Aren’t you the one who has no one to go with except your brother?”

My words set Stella off.

“I do solo matching because I’m skilled! Anyone else would just hold me back.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“So don’t get in my way.”

She was so on edge. It seemed she wasn’t pleased that a person like me was invading her territory—her class.

My relationship with Stella was still precariously balanced on the knife’s edge of hatred.

Even though we had brought the dark, festering wound out into the light, the wound itself hadn’t disappeared.

Stella still didn’t trust me.

At best, I’d just managed to avoid getting kicked out of the house…

‘Alright, maybe today I’ll show her what a real big brother is like!’

If I were Stella, I would have hated my brother, too. It’s not like he’d ever done anything cool.

“Stella, Kim Sang-hyeok duo, you may depart.”

“Yes.”

[Insight[Red] Activated]

I grabbed Stella’s wrist as she headed for A-9.

“What are you doing?”

“Let’s go that way. I found a B-rank dungeon.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

[C(B)-Rank Dungeon]

[#10098. Zombie Apocalypse Ruins][Rarity C+][Rewards C+][Anomaly B+]

[A Demon Merchant appears in this dungeon.]

[This dungeon possesses an anomaly level above the standard threshold. Its rank will increase upon meeting certain conditions.]

[Reward Multiplier +1]

[Maximum Party Size – 3 members (Squad)]

‘Will it be dangerous with just the two of us?’

I rushed over here thinking a higher-rank dungeon would be a jackpot, but now that I think about it, I’m way weaker than Stella.

That means I don’t have the strength to take responsibility for this dungeon.

The Golden Orc Fortress, when its anomaly triggered, was so tough that it nearly nullified the attacks of Hena, a C-rank.

In other words, if we actually run into danger, there’s a high chance I’ll be useless.

Even if I want to act like a proper older brother…

‘Intentionally putting my little sister in danger isn’t something a brother should do.’

Pushing her off a cliff, hoping things will work out like they did with Seridwen so I can play the savior?

That’s something only an animal would do. The moment it becomes “a trap I intentionally set,” I’d be disqualified as a human.

Then I’d really become Villain A, just like Chairman Wilhelm said—someone who needs to be quarantined.

“The academy dungeons are C-rank at best. Most are just D-rank. What do you think you know?”

“Shh.”

I pulled Stella close and whispered.

“We have to keep this between us and sneak in.”

“…”

Stella looked at me with suspicion.

“Let me ask one thing first. If it seems too dangerous, I’m not going to do it. Can you clear a B-rank dungeon with me tagging along?”

“You do know I’m an A-rank, right?”

“Just wanted to confirm…”

I felt like an idiot for asking.

A-rank meant she was stronger than Yuuna. It was amazing she reached that level at such a young age.

“An A-rank, that’s incredible. It’s rare even in our year.”

“It’s relatively common for first-years. This year’s freshmen are all amazing. Including me.”

So this is the confidence of an A-rank?

Stella snorted, “Hmph,” and lifted her chin.

‘The Essol first-years are something else…’

The strength of Seridwen, an SS-rank, was so immense I couldn’t even fathom it. In my world, the strongest person I knew was Yuuna…

Just how powerful is Stella?

“So, it’s okay if we enter this dungeon, right?”

“I’m still skeptical about it being B-rank. Are you sure you can tell?”

“It does say that certain conditions need to be met.”

“…So you saw the anomaly details?”

Let’s just say I glanced at it.

I’m afraid Insight[Red] will be branded as a dangerous skill.

Ultimately, the choice was Stella’s. If she didn’t want to go, we’d have to find another dungeon.

“If you’re not comfortable, should we go somewhere else?”

“Let’s do it. It’d be a waste to let someone else have it.”

“Alright, I’ll go grab some supplies. What about you, Stella?”

“I don’t need anything. No supplies.”

It seemed Stella planned on going empty-handed.

She’s an A-rank, so I guess she’ll be fine.

I went to the locker room, equipped my Glock, and wrapped a bandolier around my waist.

‘Check the 9mm magazines.’

Today, I’ll stick right by Stella’s side and be a good porter.

I went to Academy Workshop B to buy the necessary supplies.

I’d only been there once, but a third-year senior named Chen remembered my face and spoke to me first.

“Hey, D-rank junior. You’re back?”

“Hello. I’m here to buy some miscellaneous goods today.”

“Go on in. It’s good to see you working hard.”

I wasn’t sure if they’d let me in without Yuuna, but thankfully, I got through.

It was time to fill my locker, which contained nothing but Student Council President merch, with items actually useful for clearing dungeons.

[Essol Academy Student ID]

[Kim Sang-hyeok]

[112,360 Coins]

“I’ll take this crossbody bag.”

“That’s 50 Coins.”

First, I bought a black crossbody bag and started filling it with various items.

I also bought a durable field watch that wouldn’t break…

After grabbing all sorts of things and stuffing them into the bag, I’d spent 300 Coins, but I still had plenty left.

“Looks like you earned some good money with Yuuna last time, huh?”

“I got lucky.”

“I’ll give you a 50 Coin discount. Good luck.”

The third-year seniors are all so kind.

I guess seeing a D-rank struggling so hard makes them feel sorry for me.

“Thank you.”

Remaining Coins: 112,110.

Still plenty left.

Selling onaholes is an incredibly profitable business, after all.

“What took you so long? I thought you ran away!”

“I was busy grabbing a few things.”

[Entering Dungeon]

[Participants – Stella, Kim Sang-hyeok]

I followed after Stella, who had already gone ahead, and dived into the Gravity Wave.

「Zombie Apocalypse Ruins」

This was the third dungeon I would attempt to clear.

A cool breeze washed over me.

We’d gone from indoors to outdoors, so the first thing I noticed was the change in the air.

“Ugh…”

Stella swayed slightly.

“Hm? Do you get dive sickness?”

“Don’t touch me.”

“Alright.”

Better be careful not to get on our dealer’s bad side.

“I’ll be your porter, Stella.”

“Of course you’ll be the porter. It’s not like you’ll be any help otherwise.”

“Let’s have some fun!”

“You’re so cheerful. I’m getting dizzy just thinking about having to spend the next few hours with you.”

I stopped dead in my tracks.

I stopped walking.

“…You?”

“…”

I stared at Stella, my gaze making it clear that was the one thing I wouldn’t tolerate.

“That you have to be with your… brother.”

“Hmph.”

Okay. I’ll let it slide.

I almost slammed my stunner into the asphalt, you know?

No matter how much stronger she is, I don’t want to do something so violent to a heroine.

‘But still, where are we?’

I’d entered based on the dungeon’s name, “Zombie Apocalypse Ruins,” but I never expected to be thrown into a real ruined cityscape, so this was pretty baffling.

On top of that, it was pitch-black night, so we had no idea what might jump out at us.

I was a little scared.

But our A-rank dealer, Stella, strode forward majestically.

My blonde-haired, red-eyed little sister, with a lively side-ponytail that suited her well.

Seeing someone who looked like she could easily be the main heroine of a light novel strolling through an apocalyptic landscape felt strangely surreal.

‘Ah. Perimeter watch.’

I pulled out my Glock and carefully scanned the area around Stella.

“You don’t have to do that.”

Crackle.

A red spark shot out from Stella’s forehead, and a moment later, a bolt of lightning struck a nearby pile of rubble.

In an instant, the zombies were charcoal-grilled.

‘What was that? Auto-hunting?’

Stella didn’t even give the zombies a chance to crawl out.

“Just stay thirty paces back so you don’t get on my nerves.”

“…Yessir.”

As expected of an A-rank.

It’s legendary that she almost used that lightning skill in the house when we fought.

If I hadn’t canceled it with a giant swing, the entire second floor might have burned down…

The result of our 30-minute stroll.

Without me having to do a thing, Stella had turned 70 zombies into charcoal in just about 30 minutes.

‘Her hunting speed is insane…’

“Why are you so surprised? Did you think your contribution would even reach 1%?”

I felt a surge of anger.

This girl, disrespecting her brother with every other word.

“I’ll take 100% of the contribution, and all the Coins are mine. There’s nothing to share with a freeloader.”

“Isn’t that a little harsh to say to your brother?”

“It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

First Dihrit, and now her. Why are all A-rank mages so arrogant by default?

It’s starting to give me a bad impression…

“Just watch from the back. I’ll show you the clear difference in our levels… Kyaa!”

A sudden, girlish scream.

“Stella?”

Stella had fallen and couldn’t get up, so I rushed over immediately.

…This is bad.

The thing that had tripped up an A-rank mage who was unfazed by hordes of zombies was a broken piece of rebar sticking out of a concrete pile.

She’d been walking carelessly and it had caught her ankle.

“Ugh, this is nothing…”

“Don’t move!”

‘The ligaments seem fine, but she’s bleeding quite a bit.’

If she walks on it, the wound will open up. I quickly helped Stella up and guided her into a nearby building.

This place was also crumbling, with debris jutting out at odd angles.

I took a flashlight out of my crossbody bag, checked the inside of the building, and carefully helped Stella lie down.

“This is nothing!”

“What was that about a difference in levels? You should have watched where you were going!”

“…”

Stella pouted, her lips sticking out as she glared up at me.

Still, it seemed she had no comeback.

“When was your last tetanus shot?”

“Probably… two years ago? Nngh…”

It was bleeding a lot. Luckily, I had a first-aid kit, so I was able to apply some medicine and wrap it in a bandage.

‘I ended up needing this already.’

“…”

Stella stared intently at me.

---

Translated By: Meher (RaidenTL)

Please do consider subscribing to my Patreon for requests or to get early access to chapters