Episode 7 – Warehouse (2)

"Warehouse?"

Everyone seemed confused. It was my fault since I didn't elaborate on what I was trying to say. But it was bothersome to explain so I turned to Angelica.

"The college warehouse. Don't you remember?"

"Oh, right. There was such a place."

Angelica's eyes lit up as she remembered. Lee Jongho opened his mouth and asked.

"What is he talking about?"

Angelica began to explain, "There is a warehouse used by Seoul National University as a shelter for food and other necessities provided by the government."

"I see. I think I understand."

"That's right." I opened my mouth. "It is the perfect place to hide from the monsters. I think the rest of the survivors must have gone there. If possible..."

I did not speak further. There was no need to speak further. Everyone already understood what I was trying to say.

Since the shelter was a secure place, most survivors must have already gone there. So there was a possibility that their families and relatives was already there. But it was just a possibility. It wasn't certain that they will be there.

However, there was also the possibility that they were not in the warehouse. There was also the possibility that they were... Let's stop thinking negatively.

I spoke once again, "Considering the circumstances, heading to the warehouse seems like the right choice. Any objections?"

Everyone shook their head. Since there was no objections, we can proceed with my next plan.

Finally, the journey to Gwanak-gu began.

Once we exited the ruined safety zone area, a sub scenario flew in.

[A sub scenario has been generated.]

[Sub Scenario # – Meeting]

Category: Sub

Difficulty: E

Clear Conditions: Meet up with the other survivors at the Warehouse at Gwanak-gu.

Time Limit: None

Compensation: 500 coins

Failure: ???

Once I saw the message, I knew it was finally starting. Finding a main base of defence was important for the next scenario. Jung Yunhee asked.

"Gwanak-gu? How far is it?"

"I think it's around 14 km. We can cover that distance if we use a car."

"Are you saying we should find a car?"

"No. I don't think we would be able to find a car even if we searched."

I looked around and saw the countless ruined cars scattered all over the street. Indeed, it will be hard to find a functioning car in this world.

Ku ku ku ku!

It was not only ruined cars that was scattered all over the street. Demonic people were also lingering around. From what I could see, they were at least around 50.

Jung Yunhee frowned slightly.

"Aren't there more zombies than last time?"

Honestly, there was no reason to be afraid of the grade 9 demonic people. Everyone has gotten considerably stronger than before.

This time, I was the first to step forward with the Iron-severing sword. It was a different position than last time.

"I'll take the vanguard."

It was understandable. My overall stats was now 90 so it was okay for me to be confident. At this moment, I really felt like the protagonist.

"I will take the rear."

Lee Jongho's stats were lower than mine but it didn't mean he was not useful. He was able to giant body transformation. That alone was more than enough.

"I will also join."

"I will join as well."

Jung Yunhee raised her longsword (resembles a Katana) and Angelica pulled out her swiss saber. They were using the new items they bought from the shop. Perhaps they did not want to be left behind.

The last demonic person fell and I wiped the blood off the blade. The battle was over before it even started. An overwhelming victory.

I turned around and saw the others were slightly exhausted. Perhaps it was wrong to take the spotlight. But it will be hard for those three to handle 50 zombies on their own.

Speaking of which, there was something that caught my attention.

"Ugh... Zombie blood got on my shirt. Disgusting!"

Angelica grumbled as she tried to wipe away the blood on her clothes. I have been watching her for a while now and noticed something strange.

Despite using the sword for the first time, wasn't her swordsmanship too refined? At first, I didn't think much of it. But I realised she was behaving strange even since we left the hospital.

She knew how to dissect a monster, she didn't hesitate when killing monsters. Even back at the safe zone, she killed the mainframe group members without hesitation.

Was it because of a skill? There were multiple skills that allowed the user to think calmly in any situation. Did she possess such a skill? Wait, which support constellation did she even pick at that time?

It was then I realised I didn't know anything about Angelica. I could always try talking to her but I doubt she will tell me anything.

I looked at Angelica and quietly activated a skill.

[The exclusive skill 'Songs of Nightmare' has activated.]

[The 'Character List' is opening.]

But things didn't go smoothly as planned. In the next moment, I received a message that shocked me.

[The exclusive skill has failed.]

[This character information can't be viewed.]

What?

It was surprising. The skill that worked everytime I used it failed to activate for unknown reasons. Was it a skill counter?

Let's try again. I tried opening the character list but the same message appeared.

[The exclusive skill 'Character List' has failed.]

[This character information can't be viewed.]

[This person is not registered in the character list.]

Although I did not know the identity of Angelica's sponsor, I doubt she would possess a mental barrier skill. Meaning, there was a possibility that my skill failed not because of Angelica's ability.

Once I studied the message floating infront of me, I immediately realised something.

Angelica was a character that did not exist in the Ways of Survival. She was someone that would have originally died if I did not save her. It was natural that I won't be able to view her information with Character List.

I walked up to Angelica when no one was looking and spoke with a low voice.

"Angell, who is your support constellation?"

"Um, that..."

Angelica looked reluctant to answer. I sighed. She must have signed some kind of contract that made her unable to reveal the name of her support constellation.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry, I understand the situation."

Angelica bowed her head and I awkwardly scratched the back of my head. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

We continued to move at a steady pace and time slowly ticked by. A few hours had passed.

During that time, we either to fight the monsters that blocked our way or hide from grade 7 disasters that randomly passed by. There was no other way apart from moving on road.

Using the subway was also an option but it was not safe. It was only the streets that were filled with monsters. According to my memory, the railway tunnel to the Gwanakgu station was blocked so moving on road was the right choice.

After a while, we finally encounteted an empty Gas Station. There was also a conference store that still seemed intact.

"Huh? There's nobody here. Wait, what's that?"

Everybody's expression stiffened.

The Gas station was filled with the torn bodies that was scattered around. Based on their injuries, it seems they were torn by something sharp like a sword. Were they killed by other humans?

Perhaps this unfortunate group were came here looking for supplies and got blocked and killed by a bandit group. Or maybe it was something else that killed them.

In any case, if these people were truly killed by raiders then it was safe to say that any useful items in the conference store would have already been collected.

"Let's go. There's nothing here."

The party continued to advance. We have already crossed more than half of the distance so the warehouse was only a few stops away.

Once we arrived at the main streets of Gwanakgu, we came across an aggressive group of man-eating rats. We were feasting on the dead bodies of the people that tried to cross here.

Thankfully, their numbers were few so they were dealt with quickly. However, fighting while a distance of almost 15km was not easy. The group quickly ran out of energy.

"I'm so exhausted. I can't fight anymore."

"Let's find a place to rest."

"Will that place do?"

We quickly found an empty building and entered. Certainly, it was dangerous to rest in the open and monsters were not the only enemy to worry about.

Once the coast was clear, everyone took a moment to catch their breath and regain their energy.

I was a little tired but I still had energy. My physique stats didn't only increase my body defense, it also increased my stamina too.

Lee Jongho rested for a while and then approached me.

"It seems the people that were previously staying here moved quickly. Some basic necessities might be left behind."

"Ah! I will come."

After hearing Lee Jongho's words, Angelica offered to join the search. Meanwhile Jung Yunhee was lazily laying on the floor and showed no intentions of moving from that spot.

"You guys can go on ahead. I'll stay here for a while."

Jung Yunhee's word were not unexpected. Out of the group, she was one with the lowest stamina. I didn't know if it was right to say that since Angelica's stats were not known.

Lee Jongho looked at me.

"What will you do?"

"I'll head outside. There's something I need to do."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"Jakga."

Lee Jongho and Angelica had worried expression. They were rather caring people, weren't they?

I smiled faintly and opened my mouth.

"Don't worry. I won't take long."

* * *

After a while, I exited the building and stood at the empty streets. I looked into the air and called out.

"Aurora."

[Do you need something?]

Aurora appeared infront of me in the air and flapped her wings. She omitted the 'boss' but I really didn't care at the moment.

"Has anyone come to trade the Plague Spider's Core?"

In response, Aurora only shook her little head.

[No. I haven't received any word from the person you are waiting for.]

A frown emerged. That person hasn't taken notice of the Grade 7 core till now. Should I have put it on sale instead?

A heavy sigh escaped my lips.

Because I knew everything, it doesn't mean that everything will go according to plan. Thankfully, I anticipated something like this would happen and created a back up plan.

"Open the exclusive shop. I want to buy something."

[Okay. But purchase what you want quickly.]

Click!

Aurora snapped her fingers and a system interface appeared before me. Countless items were displayed on the screen.

I quickly searched and selected a few items I wanted to purchase.

[105,000 coins has been consumed.]

[Crimson Powder has been purchased.]

[Akasha Crystals has been purchased.]

[Enhancement Pills has been purchased.]

[Skill Upgrade Scrolls has been purchased.]

[Elven Forest Essences has been purchased.]

The items that I bought appeared infront of me. A reddish powder, 50 blue crystals, 20 white pills, 100 skill scrolls and 50 green orbs.

Aurora tilted her head and looked at me as if she did not understand.

[Seriously now, I really can't understand you. Don't you know all those items are completely useless?]

"Not all of them are completely useless."

[What about those other two. No matter how you look at it, it's useless. Don't you think?]

Aurora was right. The crimson power and the akasha crystals have no practical use. One could say they were completely useless. However, that was not true.

"They have their uses."

If they were truly useless items, I would have bought them and wasted money. 105,000 coins was alot of money even for Constellations.

[The constellation 'Chaos Architect' smiles at your preparation.]

[500 coins has been sponsored.]

The Chaos Architect. Did he know about my plan?

[Hmph, I don't care anymore. I'm going now.]

Aurora disappeared just as she came. I was missing her already. Maybe I should call her again.

I placed all the purchased items into the dimensional storage ring and entered the building once again.