Chapter Text
[ T-Then I'll let everyone take care of it! Yihihihit !!]
Dokkaebi said these words and disappeared.
Jung Heewon confirmed that biscuit in her pocket had disappeared and asked in a soft voice.
“Dokja-ssi, did you perhaps know something like this would happen-”
"I did expect it. I thought about what the dokkaebi would do first to harass humans."
"...Aren't you really good at making predictions?"
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[Cale : Fraudster
Kim Dokja : Ahem ]
+
Kim Dokja called Lee Hyunsung and the others. A situation is created and now is the time to move.
"Give us back our food!"
"How, how did this happen?"
People from marginalized groups cry. Cheon Inho and the mainstream group were also devastated by the sudden food shortage. Kim Dokja's eyes met those of Cheon Inho, who was biting his lip.
+
[Cale : Hm... look at his face, it's refreshing to see his like that
Kim Dokja : If I could read his mind, maybe he would say... 'did you realize that? No, that's impossible'.
Cale: Pffft]
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[You have accurately read the thoughts of the character 'Cheon Inho.']
[Your understanding of the character 'Cheon Inho' has increased.]
+
[Cale: Hm?
Kim Dokja : Ah.. Understanding rises from this kind of thing?
Cale : Isn't that your skill?
Kim Dokja : I can't open my status window, so I don't even know my skill or skill description
Cale : Oh
Kim Dokja : Don't be indifferent hey!
Cale : Right, I remember you using something like Bookmark on the bridge?
Kim Dokja : You saw that too...?
Cale : No, you're just using Bookmark
Kim Dokja : Hmm... I can use character strength if my understanding is high enough
Cale: Because you're a reader?
Kim Dokja: Sort of?
Cale: Cheater, you're strong on your own right? So head to the rat's nest yourself.
Kim Dokja : ...I can only use temporary and limited skills.. didn't you say you'd help me?
Cale: When you've had enough of their presence?
Kim Dokja : Come on Cale!
Cale : Tsk ]
+
Kim Dokja looked away from the frustrated Cheon Inho, and Cale who had a face like he had been separated from his girlfriend. He stared at the expressions of the others and tried to guess what they were thinking. But the previous messages didn't appear.
Meanwhile, Cheon Inho quickly gathered people to organize the chaos.
“Everyone, gather together. I will give you an emergency notification.”
The content of the notice was simple: Situation had become so bad that more 'scouts' from marginalized groups were needed. They must hurry. Now there is no food underground.
"We will not distribute food to people who are not participating as scouts."
Despite hardline declarations, there was no backlash from citizens. No, they can't. It was an inevitable outcome in this situation. People noticed him and volunteered to be scouts one by one.
Even though the food was gone, hope remained on Cheon Inho's face. As the situation gets worse, more control is given to mainstream groups.
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[Cale: As I thought, I should have looted him dry
Kim Dokja : Then he will be even wilder
Cale : Let me kill him after looting him
Kim Dokja : Not the time, wait a little longer. After all, it seemed like Jung Heewon was going to kill him with her own hands.
Cale: Disgusting. ]
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Kim Dokje shrugged his shoulders at Cale's disgusted look at Cheon Inho, then Lee Hyunsung opened his mouth.
"Dokja-ssi, what now?"
"Hm? Oh, of course, we have to go and get some food."
The group members' expressions became tense because of these words. Get food. This can only mean one thing.
"Following those bastards? It's better if I eat monsters than follow them."
Kim Namwoon, who had been quiet all this time, spoke up, followed by the others.
"Right... Should we be scouts? There is still leftover food above the ground. "
“No, we won't be going above ground. If we go there, we will die unconditionally.”
Kim Dokja looked at the gas mask on the floor. This tattered gas mask couldn't stop the poisonous mist.
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[Cale : I can use my wind if necessary, isolating the mist.
Kim Dokja : No need, the rat's nest is in the tunnel
Cale: Hmm]
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Kim Dokja looked at Hyunsung who was confused and still worried.
"But we have to get food above ground..."
“Lee Hyunsung-ssi. World has changed. Then food needs to change.”
Kim Dokja looks at the tunnel to Yaksu Station.
“Wait a minute. Dokja-ssi… don't tell me?”
"That's right."
In this world, humans were no longer the top predators. Even if we are not predators, we don't have to be prey.
"We're going to hunt monsters."
"Good, I want to eat meat"
Kim Namwoon replied cheerfully while running down from the platform.
A few moments later
Several people from marginalized groups, including Kim Dokja, stand in front of the tunnel leading to Yaksu Station.
"I see. You're going to enter the railroad? Well, looking at the long term, a team dedicated to attacking the scenario is necessary. Come back safely."
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[Cale : I thought he was going to force you so he could come along?
Kim Dokja : Well..He probably thinks we are a threat to his own strength, especially you Cale, how many times have you suppressed him?
Cale : It was his fault that he was still daring, a normal person would remain silent for a while right? It seemed that being king in the apocalypse made him feel that others couldn't harm him.
Kim Dokja : Maybe. Let him be satisfied thinking he is the captain, he will soon be finished.]
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[Your understanding of the character 'Cheon Inho' has increased.]
[Your understanding of the character 'Cheon Inho' has reached a certain level.]
[The character 'Cheon Inho' is suspicious of you.]
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[Cale: Hooo
Kim Dokja: It seems there are two main cases of the character's 'understanding' increasing. One of them is when getting the character's liking or trust. The second is when accurately guessing what the character is thinking. Maybe now is the last case. Then after the comprehension value is accumulated, a vague idea about one's emotions can be obtained.
Cale : Oh, then why are you telling me about it? It's your skill.
Kim Dokja : I thought you would ask...
Cale : I just feel like I'm better off not knowing...
Kim Dokja : ... ]
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Sighing at conversation with that brat that made him sigh several times a day. Kim Dokja saw Cheon Inho glance at a person we all knew well.
“Oh, can one of my group members join? I want to get information about the attack.”
"S-should I go with them?"
"Eh, why else are you here, Han hyung? Didn't you want to reconcile with Dokja-ssi last night?"
"T-That..."
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[Cale : Spy?
Kim Dokja : Can be used as bait. But, they underestimated us, didn't they?
Cale : Well, they should send someone more useful than the old man, my old servant is even more useful, can sneak up and kill silently without a sound. Not like this noisy and fearful old man.
Kim Dokja : Servants and killing..?
Cale : You'll have a heart attack if you meet my chef who is also a torture expert
Kim Dokja : ...
Cale : That food is delicious, I don't know what the regressor's food tastes like. But I can make sure you are satisfied with the food from him.
Kim Dokja : He.. where...?
Cale : Well, let's hope you get to meet them one day
Kim Dokja : ....? ]
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that's because they exist in different worlds. Damn.. I miss Beacrox 's cooking ... even morning lemon tea...
"Ahem!"
Cale turned his gaze to Cheon Inho who was a little annoyed because Kim Dokja was silent while they were talking. Inho finally pushed Myungoh a little in front of Kim Dokja.
“D-Dokja-ssi. If you don't mind, I will go…”
"I understand. Let's go together."
Han Myungoh was surprised when Kim Dokja responded quickly. It seemed he thought Kim Dokja would refuse.
Cale saw Lee Hyunsung's worried face. But he didn't know that Kim Dokja planned to use the old man as bait.
In any case, the surviving group of seven people from carriage 3807, except Kim Namwoon were leaving.
At first Kim Namwoon made a fuss that he wanted to come too, but Cale kept him there to monitor the situation as well in case his uncles would come while they were away.
So after Kim Namwoon whispered many threats that made Kim Dokja ask Cale for help but was ignored by him, he finally calmed down even though he still let out a gloomy air.
"Can I come with you too?"
"...Is it alright even if your body doesn't fully recover?"
"This much is fine. The potions from Cale are very potent."
Well Jung Heewon also came along, so a total of seven people returned. Not bad for a small army, at least Cale thought he could protect them if only this much.
[A new scenario has arrived!]
+
[Second Scenario – Food Procurement]
Category: Sub
Difficulty: E
Clear Condition: Directly hunt monsters that can be used as food and cook them.
Time Limit: None
Compensation: 500 coins
Failure: ???
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As soon as they set foot in the tunnel, a sub scenario flew in.
That scenario seems to fit the goals of those looking for meat to grill later.
[Several constellations are anticipating your performance.]
Tunnel was very dark the further they entered, Kim Dokja turned on the flashlight that he seemed to have prepared but the area was still not visible.
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[Kim Dokja : This is because the curtains block the light.
Cale : ? ]
+
Kim Dokja was about to explain but then his eyes widened in surprise. Not only him, but everyone felt dazed looking at the red-haired child.
He stood quietly, with numerous golden lightning crackling and living surrounding their group. The light managed to penetrate the front well. At least they wouldn't stumble and wouldn't be ambushed by monsters lurking in the dark. But they were dazed not because of that. It is because..
..that's beautiful
Like looking at a fantasy painting.
[Many constellations are amazed.]
[You have been sponsored 1,000 coins]
"T-That's pretty"
Gilyoung and Hyunsung looked at Cale in amazement, and women with twinkles.
"What?"
And Cale, who was used to people's stares because of the hero's teasing until he was fed up, just raised his eyebrows and pointed forward with his chin. Only then did all wake up from their daze. But Heewon stopped Kim Dokja who was about to start walking again.
“Dokja-ssi, wait a minute. It's very dangerous from here. Are we really going this way? No matter how I look, it looks like suicide. There's also Gilyoung and Cale.”
Then Hyunsung continued.
“Actually, I was worried from the start. It's not too late, so how about we leave Gilyoung and Cale-nim behind? And if possible, women…”
“Lee Hyunsung-ssi, I'm not as good as you, but I know how to fight. I took some kendo lessons.”
"But..."
Hyunsung and Heewon heated up a bit, Cale just stayed beside Kim Dokja and glanced at the man. Kim Dokja closed his eyes then interrupted.
“Lee Hyunsung-ssi. I told you before. World has changed. Bias that a woman is physically weak. Nowadays, everyone can become stronger by increasing their stats. But Jung Heewon-ssi, there is also a problem with your words. "
"...What's that?"
"Just as a woman is not weak, a child is not weak either. Gilyoung, show them."
Lee Gilyoung stepped forward. He looked around for a moment before sitting on the tunnel floor and holding out his hand. Jung Heewon's eyes widened.
"Oh my God, what is that?"
“D-Damn! Cockroaches!”
Cale chuckled at screams of Myungoh's parents. His excited screams were even equivalent to the screams of a death god as he threw several items in his domain, when he had just arrived in this world.
A cockroach appeared in the distance, connecting to Lee Gilyoung's fingertips with a faint solid line. Cockroach listened to Lee Gilyoung's words like a well-behaved dog and disappeared into the darkness.
"My attribute is Insect Collector."
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[Kim Dokja : Insect Collector… The rare ability to communicate with only insects through the skill 'Diverse Communication'. This is a good skill
Cale : Similar to Tiger Gashan and crow or Elisneh and rat..
Kim Dokja : Who?
Cale: No. ]
+
Cale ignored Kim Dokja who was still confused at hearing a foreign name. Then saw Lee Gilyoung.
“It's nothing in front of us. It's safe for the next 100 steps.”
Other people made stunned expressions. Then Lee Gilyoung spoke to them with a bold expression.
“Thank you for your concern. But I didn't follow all of you to take care of me.”
"Ah yes."
Jung Heewon nodded with a sour expression. Lee Gilyoung came next to Kim Dokja who was stroking his hair, and pulled Cale's hand who was beside Kim Dokja.
Cale then looked at the others while stepping on ground. That ground shook slightly and a small spear emerged from the ground that Cale was holding. Then Cale directed the wind at one of the lightning bolts, which created a large fire, and shot it forward.
There was silence. Then Cale casually said.
"Though my body is weak I am strong enough."
+
[Kim Dokja : That's enough...?
Cale : Using too much strength will make me cough up blood. My body is weak, so I hope you don't rely too much on me.
Kim Dokja : Use coins to increase stats, I'm sure you have lots of coins from constellations right?
Cale : My stats are locked, I can't raise them
Kim Dokja : Is something like that possible?
Cale : Yes, Bihyung said he couldn't fix it. But don't worry, I can still help you.
Kim Dokja : ..that's not it... But don't overdo it, don't push yourself. The others are strong too.
Cale : OK. ]
+
It wasn't long before they walked past the clear barrier and entered complete darkness.
[You have entered a dangerous area.]
“Y-Yoo Sangah-ssi. It's dangerous, hold my hand while walking.”
"...Aren't you more scared than me?"
"N-No!"
Everyone ignored the cowardly Han Myungoh, who was holding Yoo Sangah's hand. They were just silent with tension. Air inside the curtain is sticky due to humidity.
“Cale, reduce the light.”
Cale reduced some of the lightning then sent the lightning bolt high enough to dimly illuminate the surroundings.
“Ouch. Don't look down.”
Jung Heewon felt nauseous when she checked the ground around her. There is a torn body. The corpses of those who tried to move here were arranged at their feet.
Yoo Sangah closed her eyes tightly, Han Myungoh shook and even the brave Lee Hyunsung started sweating.
Lee Gilyoung remained calm while holding Cale, without slightest fear on his face, he instead covered Cale's eyes with his hand. Cale felt like he probably saw how Namwoon and Dokja did that at the beginning of the scenario. But Cale just lowered his hands and shook his head. Gilyoung hesitantly said.
"There's something that's not human. It's..a monster"
As Lee Gilyoung said, it wasn't just a human body on the ground. There was something the size of an adult wolf. The bodies of mole-like creatures were scattered all over the place. Cale thought, maybe Gilyoung thought that Cale was afraid of monsters, but Cale just cried because his emotions were running high after seeing monsters again before (Blame these damn children's bodies). Not that he was afraid. He had seen more brutal than this until he had had enough.
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[Kim Dokja : It's a class 9 underground species, a mole. They are underground piranhas. Ground shrews are avid hunters that burrow through the ground in groups and target their prey.
Cale : We look for their nest?
Kim Dokja : yes ]
+
"... Who did this?"
Jung Heewon sighed, looking at the mess. But Cale and Kim Dokja just glanced at each other and one name came to mind.
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[Kim Dokja: Yoo Joonghyuk
Cale : Protagonist
Kim Dokja : It should be tonight or tomorrow he will arrive at the next station. But why was he in such a hurry? Is he getting impatient? What is the reason?
Cale : It wasn't written in the novel?
Kim Dokja : I forgot, should I look for it?
Cale : No, we'll find out later. Just finish this one. ]
+
Hyunsung's voice was heard watching Kim Dokja crouch in front of the monster's corpse.
"Dokja-ssi, can we use this for food?"
"The scenario says that we have to 'hunt' ourselves so maybe that's not possible."
“...Well, that's a bit inconvenient. How about cooking? Would you like to grill it over a fire?”
The others were looking at Cale, Cale just shrugged his shoulders.
"My fire is related to destruction and purification, it is no ordinary fire."
The others were immediately disappointed, but Cale knew that the fire used for cooking was probably related to the stove that was in the rat nest that Kim Dokja mentioned earlier.
"Heewon-ssi, you said you were good at kendo?"
"Eh, it's a bit of an exaggeration to say I'm fine… but what are you doing now?"
Kim Dokja stabbed the mole's body and started cutting it with a knife.
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[Kim Dokja: It's not the same as in the novel, it's difficult...
Cale : Are you an idiot? Do not follow the scene in the novel carelessly. But want me to help?
Kim Dokja : With your small body?
Cale: You're underestimating me. ]
+
Kim Dokja ignored Cale who was looking at him with a 'stupid, idiot' face and continued with what he was doing. Somehow get rid of the tough skin, Kim Dokja managed to get rid of the spine. It was his first time so it left a lot of scratches, but it was practically fine for a beginner.
"Why did you take that?"
"You need weapons for kendo."
Cale raised his eyebrows, looking at Kim Dokja who was giving off a slightly proud vibe.
After cutting the cartilage leading to the leg and shaping it, the bone actually takes the shape of a blade. Kim Dokja gave it to Jung Heewon.
“Thank you. I suddenly feel like I'm back in the Paleolithic era.”
"You have to grind it a little more to make it useful. There are rocks around that can be used to grind the blade.
"Huhu, got it. Captain."
Jung Heewon started grinding the knife with a slightly excited voice. Kim Dokja looked up and saw Lee Hyunsung watching the scene with slight envy.
"Do you want one?"
"Uh, you'll make me one?"
"You all come closer. It's better if you learn how to do it. Let's make it together."
+
[Kim Dokja : I wouldn't have been able to do it if the details weren't included in How to Survive. Author wrote too much setting, maybe that's why there are few readers.
Cale : And thank the writers who helped you get through this apocalypse
Kim Dokja : Yes yes yes, thanks to them ]
+
Kim Dokja chuckled, while hearing the other's amazed words, everyone sat down and made weapons together. This time it was a spear, not a sword. They didn't have Kendo skills so Kim Dokja decided it was more stable to make a long spear.
Lee Hyunsung's spear was made with backbone of the largest mole, while Yoo Sangah's and Han Myungoh's weapons were made with spine of an average sized mole. Finally, Lee Gilyoung's weapon was made with the head bones of young rats. Kim Dokja asked Cale about weapon that would suit him, but Cale refused because he didn't need to use a weapon. Cale honestly wanted to ask for a dagger, but before he opened his mouth, he felt a sudden chill like when he saw Ron smiling kindly, so he discouraged him.
[You have successfully obtained your own weapon.]
[A small number of constellations are attracted to the primitive nature of humanity.]
[The constellations have sponsored you 100 coins.]
Everyone received this message.
"We accept coins even for this kind of thing."
“I don't want you to die. You have your own coins?”
"Yes, right."
"Whenever possible, save enough coins for survival expenses and invest the rest in your strength, stamina, and agility. Otherwise, you won't survive."
"Ah, I will remember."
The truth was that Cale had several short swords and blades in his spatial bag, but they were all just normal pre-apocalypse items. Cale couldn't give items like that to fight monsters, indeed it would be better to use the bones of the monsters themselves to fight monsters, because they were sturdier.
After the preparations were finished and the people started moving forward again, the 100 steps that Lee Gilyoung mentioned were right ahead now.
[Sub scenario – Food Acquisition has started!]
The ground rats crawled out of the ground.
+
[Kim Dokja: There are 18 of them, this is more than expected.
Cale : You did the math?
Kim Dokja : Just in case]
+
-Grrr...
The mole group drew a line and started threatening us. When we cross the line, the fight will begin.
"No plans. We are beginners. This may sound cruel but honestly, I don't expect you to survive."
"T-That..."
"Still, you're all safe. Please."
Cale watched the others. Except for Han Myungoh who retreated back cowardly, the others were restless but looked determined. Jung Heewon's eyes were so kind, Cale thought that she would be able to become good friends with Hannah.
“Okay, let's give it a try. Everyone, please live!”
Cale looked at Kim Dokja's face. He saw how a hint of hope showed in his expression. He seemed to hope everyone would learn to fight from this experience. So Cale stepped back a bit and planned to watch and protect them if situation was unfavorable, or there was danger. He will act as a wizard in this group. Because unlike those who have gone through great battlefields, they must learn to be brave in order to survive the future.
"Then let's go."
Kim Dokja took one step forward after those words.
+
[Kim Dokja: I have to know who to bring with me among these people.
Cale : They are all good except for that Myungoh.
Kim Dokja : Haha
Cale : I'll protect you from behind, so go berserk as much as possible.
Kim Dokja : That's reassuring ]
+
Kim Dokja smiled in relief and took the lead first. Moles move.
And battle begins.