TRTP 07

Chapter : 7

Zombie City (4)

Slash!

He cut off the zombie’s head in one strike, then immediately cut down the three zombies following behind it.

Without stopping, he ran past Son Pil-ju and cut down the zombies rushing toward them from the wall.

Even while running, Pil-ju was stunned by Dan-yoon’s incredible movements.

“Focus and run!”

Dan-yoon shouted.

Pil-ju bit his lip and ran.

One zombie rushed toward him.

Its movement wasn’t normal.

An infected player.

Just before it reached him, Dan-yoon cut off its arm. Then the blade smoothly curved and pierced straight through the zombie’s eye.

The moment Pil-ju climbed over the wall and Dan-yoon killed the last zombie happened almost at the same time.

“Huff… huff…”

Dan-yoon lightly jumped over the wall and handed him a bottle of water.

“Th-thank you… hyung.”

“I didn’t expect to meet you like this.”

Pil-ju, catching his breath, nodded hard.

“Seriously! What is this? Hyung, you’re really strong!”

“What were you thinking, running in like that? Do you want to die?”

“I didn’t have time. Seriously, hyung… that was amazing.”

“Stop exaggerating.”

Even though his words were cold, there was a small hint of warmth on Dan-yoon’s face.

Pil-ju knew his personality well, so he didn’t mind.

That’s just how he was.

Cold on the outside, but still caring.

Pil-ju opened the system window and checked his rewards.

“What rank did you get?”

“F rank…”

“Barely made it.”

Pil-ju scratched his head awkwardly.

Clearing this stage was pure luck for him.

Honestly, it was surprising he had survived this far.

“Tell me your traits and skills.”

Pil-ju answered honestly.

His exclusive skill was [First Aid].

And like Dan-yoon, he had [Translation], [Appraisal], [Pain Resistance], [Adaptability], and [Physical Enhancement].

But all of them were still Level 1.

He only had one trait and one exclusive skill.

“You… won’t last long.”

“Why would you say that…?”

At least he had a healing-type skill, so he might be useful later.

It wasn’t [Healing], but [First Aid]—probably because he was only a trainee doctor.

“Hyung, why didn’t you contact anyone all this time?!”

“I was just… keeping to myself. What about you?”

“I became unemployed, did part-time jobs… even worked as a gym trainer.”

“You?”

“These days it’s called a medical trainer. Posture correction and stuff.”

“Sounds fake.”

“Ah, hyung…”

“Am I wrong?”

“…Not entirely.”

Then he laughed.

Still the same kind person.

Their reunion didn’t last long.

A system message appeared.

[The next stage will begin.]

“Ah, already?!”

“Why are you surprised? It always starts right after the last one.”

“That’s true… still, this is crazy.”

“Let’s go inside. If you brought food, eat it now.”

“I still have some. Why?”

“Just a feeling.”

Like something from a novel.

Pil-ju tilted his head but followed his advice and quickly ate his canned food.

Dan-yoon took him to the gym.

Along the way, Pil-ju kept talking nonstop.

“Wow… there are a lot of people.”

Inside the gym, more than 300 players had gathered.

More had survived than expected.

Especially near the end, many players managed to break through the zombies on their own.

“It’s quiet.”

“The next stage is about to start.”

“In novels, this is when some idiot starts trouble and dies.”

Dan-yoon smirked.

Despite the crowd, no one acted foolishly.

They had all survived three stages.

They understood the situation.

Then the waiting time ended.

[Stage 4 – Survival]
[Clear Condition: Survive for 30 days.]
[Description: You are trapped in the middle of Zombie City. Survive by any means necessary.]
[Time Remaining: 29 days 23 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds]
[Failure Penalty: Death]

This stage was simple.

Survive.

By any means.

If his guess was correct—

Another rule would appear.

[From now on, you cannot consume any food except combat rations.]
[※Tip! There are locations around the city where combat rations are stored.]

At that moment, all food started rotting.

Canned food corroded.

Snacks and chocolate bars spoiled instantly.

People were shocked.

‘As expected.’

This stage wasn’t just about survival.

Dan-yoon spoke quietly to Pil-ju.

“Did you get a kit?”

“Yes.”

“How many?”

“One.”

“This stage… the real problem won’t be zombies. It’ll be people.”

“Because of food.”

Pil-ju understood immediately.

Dan-yoon had five kits.

Likely:

S rank = 5 kits
A rank = 4
B rank = 3
C rank = 2
D and below = 1

Each kit had two combat rations.

Three meals a day = 4 days.

One per day = 10 days.

Eventually, everyone would starve.

Depending on people, players might start killing each other.

Or they might cooperate.

It was their choice.

“Damn it! I already ate my rations!”

Someone shouted.

They had eaten it too early.

“Hyung, what will you do?”

“Wait and see.”

“Okay… here, use this.”

Pil-ju handed him a mask.

“You really brought everything. Thanks.”

“It was at the starting point. In case blood splashes.”

“Smart.”

Pil-ju smiled proudly.

They wore masks and observed.

They didn’t act yet.

Dan-yoon could survive alone if needed.

The gym was silent.

People watched each other carefully.

‘There’s always someone who steps up in times like this.’

Someone who likes attention.

“Hello, everyone.”

A man from a group of eight stood up.

All eyes turned to him.

“Appraisal.”

Dan-yoon used the skill quietly.

[Skill level too low.]

Still Level 1.

“Stage 3 was very difficult for me. Since we’re all here, why don’t we work together and clear Stage 4?”

He spoke smoothly.

Not too aggressive, not too weak.

“Hyung, what should we do?”

“Let’s go.”

They joined the group.

Nearly 300 people gathered together.

“My name is Park Chang-hoon.”

“Excuse me.”

“Please raise your hand.”

“What exactly do you mean by cooperation?”

“The main issue is food. The rations we got are not enough.”

He showed a small ration pack.

“We share information and gather food together. Then distribute it equally.”

“A temporary socialist system.”

“What about resource management?”

“I can do it, or we can choose someone.”

“How can we trust you?”

“We store everything in the center and guard it together.”

“……”

The questioner fell silent.

“We have 11 kits. I alone have 4.”

Dan-yoon was impressed.

That meant at least A or B rank.

“Please bring all supplies to the center. Including antidote ampoules.”

No.

That was unacceptable.

“I oppose sharing ampoules.”

“Why?”

“You can get supplies again. But not ampoules. They’re like extra lives.”

“Hmm.”

“If you can guarantee my life, I’ll share. Can you?”

“Without sharing, cooperation fails.”

“Then I’ll go alone.”

People started murmuring.

Everyone likely had at least one ampoule.

Going solo seemed safer.

Park Chang-hoon sighed.

“…Fine. Keep your ampoules.”

Then he looked at Dan-yoon.

As if saying—

I’ll remember you.