Surviving Every Worldview

Chapter 19: Adapting to a routine (1)

A busy city center centered around the terminal.

Unlike the chaotic daytime, the situation calmed down somewhat after dark.

The guns brought by the police were effective enough, as attacks from the public were not entirely futile.

Afterward, the police directed the stranded citizens to temporary shelters.

Despite everything that had happened, not many people were outside.

“You shouldn’t be here. It’s dangerous.”

Most of them were police officers managing security.

There was one lone Awakened who hadn’t yet let go of his regrets.

“No, I’m not.”

The countdown ended, and the first man to dive for the hidden piece, Lee Jung-min, panicked, then quickly extended his hand to show his ‘story’.

A small ember leapt from his palm, but it was enough to convey his intentions to the police.

“Ah… thank you for your efforts, but please refrain from such things… around the shelter.”

“Yes…….”

As the officer turned away, Lee Jung-min sighed and went back to his thoughts.

They’ve been hunting the undead all day, and they’ve gotten nothing.

Not even the usual leveling up notifications, let alone the hidden piece he was hoping for.

Many of the people he invited to join him had left because they didn’t see any results.

He got some thanks, and honestly, it felt good, but…….

Does that feed you?

Lee Jung-min had been worrying about the dullness of being called ‘Awakened One’ until the afternoon, thinking, ‘I don’t think the title is cool, so what will I be called in the future?’

Now, all of his happy thoughts from a few hours ago seemed silly.

‘… No. I told you not to expect everything to be resolved in a few hours.’

The good news is that he was able to pick up as much information as he could from the various people there.

Many people, including police officers, said it’s hard to know when life will return to normal.

It’s often said that in a realistic zombie apocalypse, the military would be able to handle it quickly.

But now, for some reason, the undead are coming out of everywhere and they can’t be stopped.

Even guns only work after a few shots.

Although it has been revealed that there are no infection problems, there is no way to go further.

That said, it’s probably for the best.

It’s all they can do to keep the neighborhood safe.

For a moment, Lee Jung-min felt a twinge of anxiety… but quickly denied it.

[Find the ‘development’ that will end the episode while dealing with the undead’s infestation.]

The status window told him there was a way out, when the slot machine appeared, because it said it was a low difficulty episode.

Guns don’t work on monsters is just another cliché, so someone’s gotta do it, whether it would be him or not.

That was the only thing Lee Jung-min cared about.

-Boo-boo-boo-boo

At that moment, his brightened ears caught a distant sound.

It was the sound of several cars moving, a sound he usually heard too often, but today it was especially hard to hear.

Was it another police car, or an armored vehicle?

No. Trouble is breaking out all over the country, they can’t afford it, and it’s too late in the day.

…So, it’s just a normal vehicle coming here?

Through roads overrun with the undead?

“No way.”

Lee Jung-min ran in the direction of the sound.

As it got closer, the other cops and Awakeners looked in the same direction.

Several buses wrapped in steel plates were approaching, pushing the undead like heavy machinery.

“Buses… how?”

“What are you doing, help! People are here!”

Someone shouted, and a few Awakened took care of the undead that had been drawn to the sound.

Meanwhile, a dozen or so vehicles pulled into the terminal.

The lead bus had three people on the roof, and Lee Jung-min made eye contact with one of them.

‘That’s …….’

A vaguely familiar man with a red, electrified baton.

Lee Jung-min remembered the moment he saw him.

“…….”

He didn’t know what he looked like at that moment.

[※ Story completion level: 1 → 2]

* * *

[You have written one page of your story.]

[You can check your progress at any time.]

When we arrived in the city, I hid my gun in the inventory.

Most of the things I’ve done on the way here I can get away with given the circumstances, but not the gun.

This one will get me caught.

“Did we make it……?”

“I’m alive! Look, there are other people!”

“Students, get off the bus in order, like you always do!”

One by one, the people on the bus got off and were overcome with excitement.

Unlike on campus, the area is completely secured.

Going home would be a different story, but for now, everyone was excited.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

It was a police officer who interrupted the mood.

I could tell he was trying to be as gentle as possible with his words and facial expressions, but it didn’t work on the students.

After all, they’re cops.

Even if you’re not doing anything wrong, it’s still scary, especially in a situation like this, which is reminiscent of a zombie movie.

I’m sure they’re thinking of dangerous cops from the movies.

“Yeah.”

I climbed down from the roof of the bus and stood in front of the police.

I’m scared, but I’m the one who brought them here, after all.

The older cop scanned me up and down with a steely gaze before opening his mouth.

“Can I assume that you have come as a representative?”

“Yes…….”

“Then follow me for a moment. I’d like to speak with you.”

The officer gestured to a teepee set up nearby.

What is this?

Why does he want me to come?

I was in a good mood, but the cop’s weight on my shoulders made me feel unnecessarily scared.

“Okay.”

But I couldn’t run away if I was scared, so I decided to follow them.

Is everything okay?

* * *

…Everything was fine.

I was back outside in 10 minutes.

Is this called interrogation?

They asked me my name, who brought me, and how I got here.

I told them the whole truth, and the interrogation ended quickly.

There was no coercion to cooperate, as is often the case in cartoons, just a thank you for your time and they let me go.

Although my words were still being recorded throughout the process…….I didn’t talk about the gun, so I guess it’s okay.

When I got outside, hundreds of people had gotten off the bus and were being directed to shelters.

Meanwhile, the members of the club had been waiting for me and came running up to me in a crowd.

“Seon-woo, what were you talking about? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, they just wanted to know where we came from and why we’re here.”

Lee Min-seo cut in with a pale face.

“…I honestly thought you were being taken away.”

“Then you would have been taken away as an accomplice.”

‘Don’t make it sound like you had nothing to do with it.’

This is some kind of disaster, so we can’t be arrested for what we did.

I’m sure the next episode will be like that too, and the one after that.

As time passes, the atmosphere of the world itself will change according to the unwritten rules.

A “modern fantasy” atmosphere where there are suspiciously more exceptions to laws and enforcement.

“So, what are you all going to do now? I think it’s okay to stay here for a while.”

With everyone gathered around, I asked the entire team what their plans were going forward.

We’ll resolve the episode as soon as possible, but if something happens in the meantime, we’ll have to help.

Seorin was the first to answer, rubbing her eyes.

“I’m sleepy. I’ll go home later…….”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I can’t even take a shower if I stay here.”

It turns out that the undead didn’t destroy facilities, so we have internet and running water for a while, but showers are hard to come by here.

If you’re like sister, it’s best to stay home if you can afford it.

“I have to stay here anyway. I commute to school and I live two hours away.”

“I used to live in the dorms.”

“I… It’s a short drive home by car, but I think it’s better to stay here.”

But few could.

Everyone seemed to want to stay here, where the police and Awakened would keep them safe.

I like it.

I don’t have to wander around.

“Seon-woo, what are you going to do about it?”

Senior Kang Hyunseok opened his mouth and everyone looked at me.

I don’t think I’ve ever experienced this before, even before I left the club.

“The same as sister, I should go back.”

“Yeah. You don’t even have to be here…….”

That wasn’t the only reason, but I decided not to correct them.

I have more important things to do, and this was a warm-up.

I didn’t want to worry him by telling him this.

“Then we’ll go in. If you need anything, call me.”

“Okay, thanks.”

We smiled coolly at each other and went our separate ways.

They went into the shelter of the terminal, while I and Seorin stayed behind to watch them.

“Thanks!”

“See you later!”

I could hear them echoing their thanks a little too late.

Soon everyone was inside, and I stopped waving.

It was just the two of us again.

As we made our way out of the crowd, I suddenly felt like I was drained.

“Good job, sis.”

“Everyone worked hard. I didn’t do much.”

“…Can I talk to you for a second?”

“Huh? Sure.”

Having done what we had to do, we plopped down on a bench.

It’s usually like this when you come near the terminal at dawn. Buildings with glowing signs, traffic-free roads, and silence.

Seeing how quiet it was, I realized that the trouble was over.

From now on, I can focus on what’s important.

“…Do you see what happened now?”

“Yeah, it’s dangerous.”

“I’ll fix it in a few days, preferably before anyone else does.”

Sister Seorin, who had been looking straight ahead, turned her head towards me.

“Why? There must be a lot of other people.”

It was a question almost identical to the one I got on campus but my answer was the same as before.

“I don’t know, I’m just doing it because I want to. Isn’t it better to stay put? I saved the school.”

“Hey, there’s no particular reason. You were really quiet last time.”

Despite her words, she still didn’t like my answer.

However, she soon returned with the same fond look.

“Do you want me to help you?”

“Huh?”

“Yesterday you said you needed help.”

I wonder if this changed her mind.

It’s good for me, and I’m the one who brought it up in the first place, but… I’m worried.

“You’re being very weird.”

“Me? Suddenly?”

“Honestly. I thought you’d turn me down after experiencing it firsthand.”

“Is that so…? Shouldn’t I be helping you to keep the people around us from being in danger?”

I nodded silently.

This is probably the same attitude you see in movie heroes.

If you stand by and let people get hurt, you’ll feel guilty, so you have to help.

“Thank you. I really do.”

“Oh, in exchange for my help, I’ll reinstate you in the club! How about this? Here’s the deal.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly?

What should I say?

I didn’t leave because I was in trouble, so I can’t do it…Well, maybe not…….

While the arrogant thoughts flashed through my mind, Seorin suddenly started laughing.

“I’m just kidding, I just said it to see your reaction.”

“…….”

“Wow- you really don’t want to come back. Look at your face.”

I knew it wasn’t like that.

This is why I have a hard time dealing with her.

“Forget it, I’m going home.”

“Seon-woo, are you pouting?”

“I’m going to bed. I have work tomorrow.”

“Oh, really? Tell me sooner. I’ve been holding on for too long.”

Seorin pushed herself off the fence and started walking toward the alleyway.

She said her house wasn’t too far from here.

* * *

Just before entering the alley, she turned around with an exaggerated gesture and looked back at Seon-woo.

Seon-woo stumbled away without looking back.

“Ha- It’s over-”

She sighed heavily.

Today, she had been trying to figure out what Seon-woo was thinking.

She hadn’t seen him in a long time, and he had known about this beforehand, always looking off into the distance as if he were being chased by something.

He was so familiar, yet somehow unfamiliar.

If it was a game, it wouldn’t be strange if there was a description that said, ‘He seems to have changed.’

But in the end, she couldn’t figure out what he was thinking and what he was hiding.

“I’m ……done.”

Still, she put her worries aside.

Seon-woo just knew a little more, for whatever reason but she could be certain that he hadn’t changed.

[※ Story completion level: 1 → 2]