Chapter 23: Awakening (1)
TL: Hanguk
"Woof-woof, dig down to this depth here."
-Awoo!
I drew the shape of a house on the ground with a shovel and instructed Woof-woof to dig.
Animals, especially dogs, are surprisingly good at digging.
But when Woof-woof, who had grown larger than an average bears, decided to dig, it was akin to a powerful excavator.
I planned to build the house not too large, about 36 square meters in size.
Since I intended to use the bathrooms in the safe zone, all I need is a place to sleep and eat.
And I'm thinking of building the house by laying bricks.
Even though it's a brick house, actual construction won't be easy, but there were many innovative products in the building materials section of the store that added convenience.
'The only downside is the cost.'
For example, there is something called a 'Magic block' that, once stacked, becomes a single concrete wall without the need for processes like spreading cement in between.
Moreover, it's said to be as sturdy as if it had rebar in it, and also effective for insulation, so I'm planning to build the floor and build the walls with just magic blocks.
There is also a ceramic panel roofing that completes once it's laid on top, so it seems that I can complete the exterior of the house with just a few hours of work.
-Awoo!
At that moment, Woof-woof signaled that he had finished digging.
He had dug the ground quite neatly to a depth of about 50cm.
Praising Woof-woof's for his work, I tamped the ground, and started filling it with Magic Blocks.
"It really becomes a solid concrete floor?"
And just like that, a flawlessly smooth concrete floor was formed.
It even automatically leveled itself, making the floor perfectly flat.
I then began building the walls, and in about 2 hours, a decent-looking house took shape.
Although it only had the basics – a floor, walls, and a roof – it looked like it wouldn’t be a problem to move in right away.
"It feels like playing a game."
The ease of construction makes it quite fun.
It's somewhat like playing Minecraft, I guess?
"I'll make the center a living room and combined with a kitchen, and partition the ends to divide the space between into separate rooms for me and Willia."
I'd really prefer to have just one king-sized bed in the middle, but that would be too obvious.
Since NPCs have emotions too, so it's better to act naturally.
The reason I didn't put up a wall was that I was planning to install a stove in the middle.
It will get cold soon, and since I can't install floor heating, I had no choice but to rely on a stove.
'If it gets too cold for the stove to handle, I'll have to sleep inside the safety tent which has a temperature control feature.'
Although the safety tent is cozy, but if you've ever been camping, you'd know.
No matter how good the tent is, it can't compare to sleeping in a bed.
“Let's call it a day and install the windows and fence tomorrow.”
-Awoo!
After finishing the initial construction, I gazed into the distant horizon where the sun set over the sea.
The sun soon submerged entirely, and I headed to the safe zone's bathhouse to wash up.
That was the end of today's tasks.
***
Day 7 since the Great Catastrophe, Seoul, South Korea.
[Move quickly! Proceed swiftly!]
-Bang, bang, bang!
[Don’t look at the monsters! Look forward and keep moving!]
In a space surrounded by numerous soldiers, the citizens, who had become destitute in just a week, moved with tense faces.
Having experienced hell within that week, just being able to move under the protection of soldiers felt like a blessing.
"Damn! It's a Wyvern!"
"It's fine! We have anti-aircraft guns in place! Just ignore it and continue the evacuation!"
-Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo!
As a massive number of people gathered and moved, the battle between the soldiers and the swarming monster hordes never ceased.
Still, everyone did their duties determinedly.
They knew that if this plan failed, South Korea would completely collapse.
“Troll incoming from 12 o'clock!”
-Kwaang!
With the appearance of monsters, the entire world was in crisis, groaning in despair.
In that situation, South Korea decided to set up defense lines around its nine major cities, with Seoul currently being the first area of execution for this plan.
The government was dividing Seoul citizens into four locations: Yongsan Park, the National Cemetery, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Seoul Forest.
These areas were selected because they had a low frequency of monster appearances, and they were spacious enough to be used as evacuation areas.
Though the National Cemetery and Gyeongbokgung Palace are places that contain the spirit of our nation, but survival was the priority at the moment, so they were designated for use.
"How many have gathered?"
The commander in charge of Seoul's defense operation asked his deputy about the evacuation situation of the citizens.
"850,000 people."
"What? Not even 1 million? Weren't the refugees from nearby cities in Gyeonggi Province also coming in?"
"The capacity will probably continue to increase, but looking at the current situation, it seems like it will end at around one million people."
And the finally tallied damages to the citizens were more serious than imagined.
Because of this, everyone in the meeting room looked grave.
"Does this mean that over 90% of our citizens died within a week?"
Considering that Seoul's population is about 10 million, the commander's calculation that 90% had died could be seen as flawed, but the deputy had no answer.
There were too many variables, and nothing could be stated with certainty.
Seeing his deputy's silent reaction, the commander changed the topic.
"What about the monster offensive?"
"It has weakened considerably. It seems that the high-level monsters are not directly confronting the assembled troops."
"Weren't they going around destroying facilities two days ago? What are they thinking?"
"The high-level monsters are known to be highly intelligent. Perhaps they judged that it's not a fight they can win?"
"Damn those monsters."
It was fortunate that the situation didn't worsen with the intervention of high-level monsters.
The commander sighed as he gazed at the landscape of Seoul filled with flames and smoke.
It looked like a painting of a post-apocalyptic city.
"What will become of us?"
Although they had successfully gathered the survivors, the future remained uncertain.
The hastily secured food supply would only last about fifteen days.
***
-Kieeek!
"Damn it!"
Wolgwang Island, northern unexplored region.
I gritted my teeth, watching the lizardmen run towards me in the mucky swamp.
I hadn't expected such terrain.
From the drone footage, it looked like a regular forest...
"Woof-woof!"
-Awoo!
At least Woof-woof, who was running on all fours, was more agile in the swamp than I was.
Of course, it was slower than usual, but at least it was better than me.
Woof-woof lunged at one of the lizardmen and dragged it away, reducing the number I had to deal with from three to two.
-Kieeek!
A mouth filled with sharp, protruding teeth.
A body size exceeding that of an orc, and scales like armor covering its entire body, the Lizardman's presence was in a different league from orcs.
'Sword Qi.'
I tried to remain calm as I confronted them.
-Slash!
-Kieeek!
First, I deflected the glaive of the advancing lizardman with my shield gauntlet and severed its neck in one swift move with sword qi.
[You have defeated the Lizardman and earned 200 experience points.]
[The lizardman's defeat reward is being given.]
-You have acquired 40 coins.
-You have acquired 2 lizardman leather.
However, the problem wasn't the one I just defeated, but the other Lizardman that was following it.
While I was dealing with the one, that other lizardman cunningly attacked from the side.
My feet were stuck in the swamp, making it hard to respond quickly, and the Lizardman fiercely stabbed its glaive at me.
-Whoosh!
But, I rather countered his attack by thrusting my head forward.
-Clang!
-Kieee!
The lizardman's glaive, instead of splitting my skull, was knocked back with a thunderous impact.
"Nice try!"
Seizing the moment, I sliced the surprised Lizardman's throat.
It was all thanks to the rare-grade armor, 'Light-Woven Helmet', which was invisible when worn.
[You have defeated the lizardman and earned 200 experience points.]
[The lizardman's defeat reward is being given.]
-You have acquired 39 coins.
-You have acquired 1 lizardman leather.
After dealing with the lizardman that Woof-woof was facing, I searched for solid ground nearby.
Finally, after getting out of the swamp, I took off my sticky shoes and frowned.
"The rewards are almost the same as for a low-rank succubus."
But dealing with a low-rank succubus is easier.
There's no swamp like here, and once you fend off the charm skill, a succubus's combat ability is not that high.
"Besides, someone else got the first-kill reward. Has too much time passed?"
From now on, unless it's a really powerful monster, it'll be hard to get the first-kill bonus.
There are so many people in this world.
Whether they kill it by luck, use their brains, or many cooperate, there are various methods.
Even if they don't cut the neck at once like me, as long as they kill it first, the system gives the reward, which is what the first kill bonus is for.
"Let's go back for now. We'll need to prepare more to explore this swamp."
-Awoo!
I decided not to push it and return to the safe area with Woof-woof.
"It's not easy. Wolgwang Island, northern region."
I couldn't explore the northern region yesterday, so I changed the schedule today.
I'll explore the north during the day, and since Mongma's dungeon doesn't differentiate between day and night, I decided to enter it later.
Thus, I confidently set out to explore the northern region, but decided to return just an hour later.
"Let's stop the northern exploration for today, and let's go to Gauido after cleaning up.’
I was slightly embarrassed at the thought of facing Willia without any results, but I decided to take it easy, as getting hurt would only harm me.
I should do everything at my own pace.
No one here can dictate how I should act.
“Huh? You're back already?”
“Haha, it seemed I needed some preparations.”
In the safe zone, I briefly greeted Willia and headed to the bathhouse.
After paying the fee for the bathhouse and entering, my clothes were automatically cleaned, so I used it as a laundry substitute.
Having washed off the mud from the swamp, I headed to Gauido for my next task.
*
The northern exploration ended earlier than planned.
I didn't waste unnecessary time on trivial matters.
Usually, I would have chatted with Willia and relaxed, but I headed straight for Gauido.
Was it all because I anticipated this situation?
"Huh?"
After using the waypoint to get to Gauido, as soon as the spatial transportation light effect disappeared, my eyes widened.
The reason? The village, engulfed in flames, greeted me.
"What, what's happening?”
Normally, accidents and incidents occur without warning.
But isn't there a limit to everything?
Caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, I was dumbfounded.
But when I saw the greenhouses and houses I had spent a fortune on burning, and the villagers being chased by orcs and screaming, I snapped back to reality.
'There's no orc territory around the village, is there?'
That was the first question that popped into my mind.
But I couldn't stay entranced for long, so I quickly took action.
'Saving the villagers is the priority.'
As I ran with all my might, the surrounding scenery blurred past.
When I used the Leap skill, not for jumping but for lunging forward, my speed increased, and I seemed to hover just above the ground.
"Sa, save peop-..."
Spotting an orc about to swing its axe at an elderly woman, I quickly changed direction and made a swift cut with my blade.
-Kieeek?
[You have defeated an orc and gained 50 experience points.]
[You will receive the orc defeat reward.]
-You have acquired 12 coins.
The orc's dumbfounded voice rang out behind me, and the reward message appeared.
I had dealt with the monster before it could even react.
-Ching! Slash!
"Wha?"
"You, you are..."
After that, I continued to run fiercely, dealing with every orc in sight.
One swing, one kill.
Even while running, my strikes were precise and unhindered.
I myself was amazed at how effectively I fought, constantly running and cutting down foes.
Naturally, the villagers watched my actions intently. Their faces, once filled with terror, slowly transformed into expressions of awe.
'A troll?'
Then, from behind the village hall, a troll about 7-8 meters tall rose, holding Kim Min-hee, the village chief's daughter, who had just begun to learn how to fight.
She looked like she was about to be devoured at any moment.
Kim Min-hee's terrified face was clearly visible.
"Kyaaaaak!"
Although I had seen trolls in Wolgwang Island, I had never confronted one directly.
Its massive size, standing 7-8 meters tall, was intimidating enough to keep me at bay.
But for some reason, I wasn't feeling intimidated now.
-Swish!
I used the Leap skill, soared high into the sky, and swung my sword filled with qi.
A blue crescent moon-shaped mark appeared in the air.
The troll's head flew off without resistance.
[You have defeated a troll and gained 500 experience points.]
[You have defeated a troll for the first time and gained 2,500 experience points.]
.
.
.
The experience was less than expected.
I seemed to have been unnecessarily frightened by its large size.
I quickly pulled Kim Min-hee from the collapsing troll's body and casually threw her into a grassy area.
"Th, thank y-..."
There was still much to do.
There were many people to save.
So without time to hear her thanks, I continued to clear out the remaining monsters attacking the village.
Normally, I wouldn't have taken such risks, but in order to save the people of Gauido, I poured out relentless attacks, showcasing overwhelming power even to my own surprise.
Isn't this the epitome of being "one with the sword" or "in the zone"?
*****
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