Chapter 12: Naming the Puppies

[Yohan]

Total Record Check [Open/Close]

Affiliation: Bucheon City Area

[Personal Record] [Open/Close]

2nd Round

Survived

Kills: 24

– Orc: 22  

– Giant Hunter: 1  

– Gray Orc: 1  

[Regional Record] [Open/Close]

Region: Bucheon

2nd Round Results

Total Population: 682,323  

Survivors: 431,233  

Kills: 87,231  

– Giant Hunter: 1  

– Gray Orc: 1  

– Orc: 64,232  

– Hobgoblin: 32  

– Goblin: –  

– Troll: 82  

– Kobold: –  

– Human: 923  

……….

Yohan checked the record window with a grave expression.

Nothing else caught his eye.

Only the number of times people had killed each other stood out.

Unlike the first round, where only two people had killed each other, nearly a thousand people were murdered by other humans in just four hours this time.

Juhui and young Soyul, who were among the family getting ready to return home from the café, would have been counted among that number if not for him.

Should he be relieved that, out of the 200,000 who died this round, only 923 were killed by fellow humans?

Yohan shook his head.

This was only the beginning. He had a feeling the number of murders would only increase.

For now, most people still tried to hold onto their humanity.

But soon enough, more would choose to become monsters instead.

He desperately hoped he wouldn’t be one of them, but… honestly, Yohan wasn’t sure.

All he could do was try.

“Is this supposed to be a monster? Huh, it just looks like a puppy.”

“Big sis, what should we name it?”

“I don’t know. Let me hold it first.”

“Mom, I want the puppy too!”

“It’s dangerous. You have to be careful.”

“Let’s just put some soybean paste on it.”

“Oppa!”

As the girls and Juhui all shouted at Jeonghu in unison, Yohan let out a small chuckle.

Between them sat two puppies (?) who hadn’t even opened their eyes yet, their bellies round and full from nursing.

While he wondered what to do with them, an alarm sounded.

– You have hunted the first Giant Hunter. Title acquired: Defying emission of energy that covers the world.

– You have hunted the first Gray Orc. Title acquired: Diamond Body.

– To check the effects of your titles, please open the status window.

– For your first achievements, you may select two items or abilities from the following list.

Check the status window.

“…”

How should he feel about this? Should he be grateful for the rewards?

They forced him to risk his life in brutal combat, then handed out rewards…

There were probably maniacs out there who would go wild for this and treat it like a real Game.

With a bitter taste in his mouth, Yohan opened the status window.

If he wanted to survive, he had to take whatever he could.

………

[Reward List]

1. Asura Blood God Palm Vol. 1 (Legendary)

– The first five forms of the ten-form fist technique created by the Heavenly Demon during his youth, compiled in the first volume.

2. Heavenly Demon (Rare)

– One of the Heavenly Demon’s eighteen treasured weapons.

3. Ghost Step (Rare)

– One of the many martial arts learned by the Heavenly Demon. It is said a legendary assassin used it.

4. Heavenly Demon Twin Swords (Rare)

– One of the Heavenly Demon’s eighteen treasured weapons.

5. Blood Demon Force (Legendary)

– The martial art of the Heavenly Demon’s rival, Blood Demon, from their youth.

………

He already had the Heavenly Demon Spear, and didn’t know how to use the other weapons. So for the first time, Yohan found himself interested in martial arts skills.

Even though he started with thirty years’ worth of internal energy and was approaching one full cycle, he hadn’t been able to use it properly.

“Let’s leave out the Blood Demon Force…”

He’d used Blood Demon Force in the Game before.

It required killing opponents to build up energy, then using that energy to perform martial arts. If it worked the same way in reality, he had no desire to use it.

Without hesitation, Yohan chose Ghost Step and Asura Blood God Palm Vol. 1.

He’d always favored Ghost Step in the Game, even at high levels. It was perfect for hiding and ambushing.

Asura Blood God Palm was one of the essential martial arts to master before learning the Heavenly Demon’s ultimate technique.

“Good.”

Nodding in satisfaction, Yohan checked his new titles.

……….

[Title List]

Defying emission of energy that covers the world LV. 1  

– You can partially harness the Giant Hunter’s immense strength. The more strength you use, the higher the level grows.

Diamond Body LV. 1  

– You can utilize the powerful body of the Gray Orc. The more hits you take, the higher the level grows.

………..

Super strength…

Did he really need it, considering he already had internal energy?

But Diamond Body was attractive.

Offense was important, but Yohan had many people he needed to protect.

“Dad, what should we name them? We have a few candidates.”

At his children’s question, Yohan got up from his seat.

“What do you have?”

Seoyoung spoke up shyly.

“Love and Friendship…!”

“Woooo!”

“Rejected! Rejected!”

“I can’t handle the embarrassment!”

As the family booed, Seoyoung’s face turned even redder.

This time, Junga shouted out.

“Elizabeth and Marionette!”

“What are they, French dogs?”

“Too complicated!”

Yohan shook his head as well.

“They’re both males.”

“Rejected!”

“All rejected?”

“Ugh! Let’s just put some soybean paste on them! How are we supposed to raise these things? Didn’t you see them shoot lasers? They’re not normal!”

“You savage!”

As the debate continued, Yohan quietly looked at the puppies.

Even in the noisy chaos, the chubby little ones lay on their backs, sleeping peacefully.

After a moment, he clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.

“Their mother entrusted them to me, so I’ll decide!”

With authority, Yohan pointed to the white puppy.

This one was born first. It looked just like its mother.

“This one is Janggun!”

Then he looked at the brown puppy.

‘Maybe the dad was brown?’

“And this one is Meonggun!”

“…Janggun and Meonggun?”

“I’m in favor!”

“Those names sound like mutts!”

“What’s wrong with Janggun and Meonggun? Anyway, I’m the owner, so I decide. All other suggestions are rejected!”

“Ah, Dad!”

“Janggun and Meonggun aren’t it!”

Leaving his increasingly noisy children behind, Yohan looked out the café window.

Even though the Game was over, the neighborhood was quiet and still. Considering half the population was gone, it made sense.

Would their house be intact?

What had the Army been doing?

Were the maniacs still running wild out there?

Pushing aside these thoughts, Yohan spoke.

“Alright, let’s head home.”

……….

-After the second Game, it was revealed that South Korea’s population had dropped from about 50 million to just over 35 million, shocking the entire nation.

-The government and Army mobilized all available forces, deploying troops within local regions in preparation for the second Game. However, with the exponential increase in monsters and the emergence of even stronger species, they failed to respond adequately, resulting in massive casualties…

-Currently, violent crimes continue to surge, leaving the public in a state of fear. The government is searching for ways to address the situation.

=The government has decided to establish emergency shelters, also known as “shelters,” at military bases and various government facilities to protect civilians. Those who wish to receive protection can take shelter there. If the shelters become overcrowded, people can remain at home during normal times and evacuate to shelters when the Game begins. Additional measures are being discussed, and the qualifications for shelter residency and protection are…

……….

Yohan watched the ongoing news, bringing a can of beer to his lips.

Next to him, Jeonghu, also sipping beer, turned to ask.

“Dad, should we register for a shelter too?”

“…Not sure.”

“They say they won’t help anyone outside the shelters anymore. Even if we don’t live there, shouldn’t we evacuate during the Game?”

“It seems like it’d be okay if we just evacuate when it starts…”

Yohan took a long swig of beer and replied.

“A shelter can’t be completely safe.”

“Why not?”

“Think about it. By the second Game, monsters appeared that made Orcs look weak. What do you think the third Game will bring? Even a tank might not be able to take down those giant monsters. Will a shelter really be safe? If anything, all the monsters will be drawn there because there are so many people.”

“That’s true when you put it that way.”

“And you can’t stay in one place forever. This is just the government being foolish.”

“Yeah, there’s that too. Then it’s all pointless… Ugh, I feel sorry for all those people waiting in line.”

As people lining up for shelter registration appeared on TV, Jeonghu clicked his tongue.

“They’re the kind of people who can’t take care of themselves unless the shelter or the Army protects them. Not everyone is strong or has abilities.”

“That’s true. I heard some people’s last Game was a golf Game, so they only got a golf club as a reward.”

“Exactly.”

Those who had never played the Game or had played non-combat Games became easy prey.

For both people and monsters.

“By the way… I wonder how Juhui and her mother are doing.”

“I’m sure they’re fine.”

Juhui and her mother had returned home after the second Game. They couldn’t leave, not knowing when her husband might return.

Whimper, whine…

As these thoughts crossed his mind, he heard the puppies whining in the distance.

“Oh, Janggun and Meonggun are awake.”

“Go feed them.”

“They’re always whining for food.”

Grumbling, Jeonghu got up from his seat.

At first, they’d worried about what to feed them, but it turned out they liked puppy formula. Now, they were fed powdered milk regularly.

Maybe it was because the first thing they saw after opening their eyes was people, but thankfully, they showed no hostility.

While Jeonghu went to feed Janggun and Meonggun, new news was being reported.

……….

-With growing distrust, groups centered around people with strong abilities are forming around the government, drawing attention. These groups call themselves private shelters, or Guilds…

……….

“Guilds, huh…”

Now that Earth itself had become a Game board, Guilds—once only seen in Games—were starting to appear.

“Oh, not bad. Dad, should we start a Guild too?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Why not? Wouldn’t it be better to gather people and prepare together?”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, go to bed.”

“Tch…”

‘Guilds… Not a bad idea.’

But ever since he was a kid, Yohan knew Guilds weren’t always good.

Some were great, with close friendships and fun gatherings. But he’d seen just as many fall apart from politics and internal strife.

If that happened in real life?

Could anyone guarantee there wouldn’t be murder?

Yohan shook his head and took another sip of beer.

“Wait, hold on.”

It might be safer to prepare a few places, like the café they’d stayed at during the last Game, and move between them, rather than stay trapped here, unable to go outside for fear of monsters or people.

“A shelter, huh…”

Yohan stood up and spread out the map.