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ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Thick rainclouds poured down heavy drops.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Patter— Patter-patter-patter~!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Through the broken window, a desolate cityscape stretched out.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Cracked asphalt roads here and there.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Street stalls burned pitch-black.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Cars half-destroyed after crashing into streetlamps.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
It was as if ruined Noryangjin had been perfectly recreated.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
But what drew the eye most were the things filling the streets.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[Urrrrrgh…]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[O…!]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[Urgh… Urk…]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Zombies packed every inch of Noryangjin.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Huge parasitic barnacles clung all over their bodies.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Flutter—
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<Parasitic Barnacle Zombie>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
– Threat Level: B
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
– Discovered in: Maslow’s Tower, Pathological Safety Needs Section
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Creatures infected by the “Parasitic Barnacles” that live on Deathclaw Coast.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
They usually lie motionless on tidal flats or shores, but rise to attack the moment a living being approaches.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
They turn the target into another parasitic barnacle zombie, and in environments rich with moisture or salt, all their stats—strength, speed, stamina—skyrocket.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Parasitic barnacle zombies.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The same ones I’d seen to death in the underground passage at Haeundae Station.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Then a scream rang out.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“U-UWAAAAAGH~!”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
An unfamiliar man was sprinting down the road while screaming.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
A face I had never seen before.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Judging by the Hunter Association armor, he was definitely one of the hunters deployed for the operation.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“S-SOMEBODY HELP MEEEEE—!”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
His face twisted in panic as he fled.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
He barely shook off the barnacle zombies and turned into an alley.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
At that instant.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
FWOOSH~!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Something shot out from inside the alley and wrapped around the man’s legs.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
It was a tentacle made of bright red flesh.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Fwoosh— Fwooooosh—
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Multiple fleshy tentacles coiled around his arms, waist, and neck.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“U-UWAAAAAAAAAGH~!”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The man let out a final scream and was dragged into the alley.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Immediately after, a spine-chilling sound echoed.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
CRUNCH CRACK! SNAP CRUNCH-CRUNCH-CRUNCH-CRUNCH-CRUNCH—!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Flesh tearing, bones breaking.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Red blood flowed out from the alley, mixing with the rainwater.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I watched the scene while holding my breath.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
…There’s even a mutant?
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
But something felt off.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The hunters sent into Maslow’s Tower were all A-rank or higher on average.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Most were veterans with plenty of real combat experience.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
They had no reason to run from mere B-rank barnacle zombies unless it was a mutant.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
And in that crisis just now, why hadn’t he resisted at all?
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
He could’ve used skills, artifacts—there were countless options.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Whatever the reason, walking around is a bad idea.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
If even a single barnacle scratches me, I’ll end up looking exactly like them.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I slipped the Blood Martial Ring onto my finger.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
At that moment.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Ding-dong!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<ERROR!>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<ERROR!>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<ERROR!>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<ERROR!>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<ERROR!>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Warning windows popped up like bamboo shoots after rain.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Ding-dong!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<In the Pathological Safety Needs section, items and skills cannot be used.>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<In the current section, all beings’ stats are forcibly downgraded.>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“What the hell is this now?”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Not just items—skills too?
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I opened my skill window.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Ding-dong!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[Skills]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
▶ Open – <Rank: ?>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
▶ Close – <Rank: ?>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
▶『Seven Demons First Strike Secret Art: Gluttony Slash, Beelzebub』 – <Rank: S>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
▶『Cordyceps』 – <Rank: A+>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
『Inherited Skin Oil』 – <Rank: A>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
『Embers』 – <Rank: A>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
・「Super Strength」 – <Rank: A>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Every skill name had a cancel line drawn through it.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
And that wasn’t all.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<Stats>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
– Strength: 2 ←99%↓
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
– Stamina: 2 ←99%↓
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
– Agility: 2 ←99%↓
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
– Intelligence: 2 ←99%↓
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
– Mental Power: 3.7 ←99%↓
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Every single stat had plummeted by 99%.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
…This is ridiculous.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
An absurd handicap.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
A situation I could hardly believe.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I tried taking an artifact out of my inventory.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Ding-dong!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<Would you like to withdraw the 『Poison Fang Spear of the Insect King Legion Great Warrior』 from inventory?>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The moment I gripped the A+ rank weapon I’d earned from the giant centipede.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Stagger—
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“…!?”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
My center of gravity lurched forward.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
It was heavy.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Like holding an elephant with one hand.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Ding-dong!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<Would you like to store the 『Poison Fang Spear of the Insect King Legion Great Warrior』 back in inventory? … (Y/N)>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
In the end, I had no choice but to put the artifact back.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Ding-dong!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<In the Pathological Safety Needs section, items and skills cannot be used.>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<In the current section, all beings’ stats are forcibly downgraded.>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Items, skills, and even stats completely sealed.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
That meant even Awakened were no different from ordinary people here.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Now I understood why that hunter earlier had been so helpless.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I had never heard of magic that could completely block an Awakened’s abilities at the source.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Which meant the boss of this place, Maslow, possessed power that was anything but ordinary.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Enough that every top-tier hunter in Korea would have to gang up on him.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
At that moment.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[Grooooo…oooh…]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The hunter who had been dragged into the alley slowly walked back out.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
His pupils completely dilated, barnacles bursting out of his face.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
…He too had become a barnacle zombie.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
All Awakened powers sealed.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
On top of that, parasitic barnacles that turn you into a zombie with a single scratch.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“This floor is gonna be rough.”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I started rummaging through the goshiwon room.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Under the desk rolled a half-used roll of blue duct tape.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“First, let’s at least prepare against the barnacles.”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I strapped civil service exam prep books to both arms and legs, securing them with blue tape.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Rip— Rip!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
It should at least slightly protect me from being scratched by barnacles or bitten by zombies.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I approached the door and pressed my ear against it.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Silence.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
No sound came from the hallway.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Creaaaak—
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I opened the door a crack and peered into the corridor.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Some doors were open or broken, and black mold stained the marble tiles.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Doesn’t seem to be anything unusual.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I stepped into the hallway and picked up the fire extinguisher mounted on the wall.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The powder inside had hardened into a rock-like mass—it felt like lifting a boulder.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Might actually be better as a weapon this way.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Then.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
THUD!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
A sound came from the end of the hallway.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
THUD! THUD-THUD!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Heavy thumps echoing one after another.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The noise was coming from near the goshiwon entrance.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
THUD—!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[Management Office]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
A room with a “Management Office” nameplate.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Beside the firmly shut door was a small sliding window, completely covered with layers of newspaper so nothing inside could be seen.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Holding the fire extinguisher, I slowly opened the door.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
And there.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
A half-naked woman with pale skin turned around.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[You are unharmed, Master.]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
It was Jeanne.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Why does she look…
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Jeanne had reverted to her Death Knight appearance.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
At that moment, the notification from earlier flashed in my mind.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Ding-dong!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<In the Pathological Safety Needs section, items and skills cannot be used.>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
<In the current section, all beings’ stats are forcibly downgraded.>
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
All skills were restricted in this section.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The “Gidovnik” skill that had made her look human was also disabled.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Jeanne finished removing the bone armor wrapped around her calves and tossed it aside.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
THUD!
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
So that heavy noise earlier was her discarding the bone armor.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Jeanne clenched and unclenched her fists as she spoke.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[I could not bear to keep wearing it. It appears to be some kind of weakening curse.]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
She reached toward Gan Jiang and Moye leaning against the wall.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
But.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[…Kuh!]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The sword didn’t budge an inch.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
The Spine Sword of the Dead she had received from Hybaren was the same—she couldn’t lift it.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
In the end, all of Jeanne’s artifacts went back into inventory.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I handed her a baseball jacket and cap hanging in the management office.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Thanks to the oversized jacket, it covered her upper body and part of her lower half.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“Put these on at least.”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[Thank you, Master.]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“More importantly, let’s look for anything useful.”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
To survive this situation, we needed supplies first.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Jeanne and I thoroughly searched the entire goshiwon.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
A few packs of expired instant ramen, some bottled water, multivitamins, and so on.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Almost nothing useful.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“Hm. Is that everything?”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
At that moment, Jeanne emerged from the storage room holding something.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
[Master, I found something that can serve as a weapon.]
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
It was an aluminum baseball bat with the handle wrapped in blue tape.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Whoosh— Whoosh—
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Jeanne swung the bat a few times.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Thanks to the baseball jacket and cap, her batting stance actually looked pretty decent.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“Well, we’ve got weapons sorted, at least.”
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I picked up a mop handle I’d found in the bathroom.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
At the end, I had securely taped a sharp kitchen knife with blue tape.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Way better than swinging around that heavy fire extinguisher.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
A spear had longer reach, making it easier to deal with emergencies, and it was simple to put body weight behind it for lethal blows.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
Finally, we stood before the goshiwon’s main entrance.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
A mop-handle spear and a baseball bat.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
We had to survive a zombie apocalypse with these crude weapons.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
I gripped the handle of the iron door.
ComplexStringWithÄÖÜandotherUnicodeCharacters
“Alright, let’s go.”
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