Chapter 10: Train to Busan(Part 6: Final)

As the train rumbled down the tracks, the survivors, now safely aboard, began to settle into a tentative calm. The sound of the engine and the rhythmic clacking of the tracks were a steady reminder of our escape, and for now, it was enough to bring a sense of relief amidst the chaos.

After hours of relentless travel, the train finally began to slow. We had reached what we hoped was a safe haven, a place of refuge from the nightmare we had left behind.

The train came to a halt before a blocked-off tunnel. We stepped off the train. It was eerily quiet. We entered the tunnel, our footsteps were echoing off the walls. The tunnel seemed to stretch on endlessly, and as we emerged into a larger open area, we were met with an unexpected and alarming sight. Two military personnel stood before us, their weapons trained on our group. The soldiers, clad in standard military gear and helmets, looked battle-hardened and tense. Their rifles were pointed directly at us, their expressions unreadable from a distance.

Seeing them aiming their guns at us, some of the survivors shouted, "Hold it! Don't fire!"

"We are survivors. No one is infected among us!"

"We came for refuge!"

Hearing this, the soldiers looked at each other and lowered their guns. One of them went on the radio to inform their superiors that we were just survivors.

I finally knew that this was the end of the line. Suddenly, the world stopped. I saw everything freeze in time. No one was moving an inch, and then a blue screen poped in front of me, signaling the end of the mission.

[Mission Complete]

Survive the Zombie Apocalypse

Total Survivors Saved: 32

Total Zombies Killed: 25

Mission Rating: S+

Note: Return to the Tower for Evaluation

"Finally," I sighed. "It's finally over."

"And what is this S+ evaluation? I've never heard of it from the official form. I know the highest one has ever achieved is S."

"Well, whatever. I need a long, long rest." I said, rubbing my tired eyes. " I'm too tired for this."

Suddenly, a teleporter appeared in front of me. Looking at the teleporter and the survivors who were alive because of me, I said, "Goodbye. It was nice knowing you all."

I entered the teleporter, bracing myself for the disorienting feeling I was still getting used to. I returned to the white lobby of the Tower of Trials. A blue screen appeared in front of me.

[First Floor Reward]

[Coins: 3000]

[Items Confiscated: Rags, Tactical Knife, Semi-Automatic Pistol]

[Special Item Obtained: 0]

[Total Coins Earned: 3500]

"That's 35 stat points' worth of coins." I said with a smile on my face.

"It will make me quite strong."

From what I know, every above rank provides 500+ coins. That means the highest someone has ever gotten is 3000 coins.

"I'll increase the points tomorrow. I also need to check the shop and see if there's anything I can buy."

"Everything for tomorrow. Let's get out of here." I exited the tower with a pop, feeling a sense of closure and a tired smile on my face.

Meanwhile, in ----Busan----

The soldiers, after inspecting everyone, confirmed there were 32 survivors.

Ma Dong looked at the soldiers. "But there were supposed to be 33 of us. Where is the last one?"

"Where is that man who brought us here safely?" one of the survivors asked.

"I don't know. Just a few moments ago, he was here with us," another survivor said.

"Who are you talking about? From the start, there were only 32 of you here," one of the soldiers escorting them to quarantine said.

Everyone was puzzled. The person who had brought them here was with them in the tunnel when they met the soldiers. Where had he vanished to?

As this was happening, someone above the clouds was observing the world with sharp eyes. Floating there, he looked down and said, "Why didn't it reset again? Another anomaly. The Tower isn't perfect—too many holes. I'll have to fix them myself."

Saying this, the being observed the creatures on the ground as if they were ants. "It's time to destroy this world. And after that, everything here will begen afresh."

The being brought out his hand from his pockets, and a blue screen similar to which the players are used to appeared in front of him.

[Minimal Administrator Access Granted]

Do you want to destroy the world?

"Yes." he said solomony with out any emotins in his voice

Please leave the area before the erasure.

Closing the blue screen, the being looked at the creatures below with indifferent eyes. "Pitiful creatures." With that, he created a portal in front of him and entered it, and the portal closed.

----Busan----

Down where the commotion was happening over one missing person, someone noticed something.

"Hey guys, do you see this?" he said, his voice trembling and his eyes wide as he pointed up.

"What are you talking about?" another person asked.

He pointed towards the sky. A black light was coming towards them, consuming everything as it covered the entire sky. It moved quickly, and in a second or two, the black light engulfed everyone and everything around them. All was left was darkness, with no sign of life remaining.

Then a blue screen materialized.

[Erasure Complete]

[Reconstructing Space]

[Resetting the World]

[Reconstructing Space Complete]

[Resetting of the World Complete]

[No Issue Found]

Meanwhile, on ----Earth----

"Ah! I'm finally back to my favorite place—my soft and fluffy bed!" I said with a huge smile of relief, sinking into the softness with a look of pure contentment.

"I missed you so much." I murmured, hugging the pillow and closing my eyes.

"But why do I have this strong urge to take a bath?" I wondered aloud,a puzzled expression on my face.

"Is it because of the zombies?"

"But nothing from the Tower's world should have come into reality—neither the clothes nor the smell of the zombies."

"Well, whatever. Let's take a shower." I said, shaking my head with a chuckle as I headed for the bathroom.