A Veteran Player is Needed in the Apocalypse

Chapter 33. The Real Deal Steps In

After receiving permission to venture outside the zone, I met up with Meursault, Taejong, and BangguseokYeoBo, all geared up at the zone’s entrance.

As soon as BangguseokYeoBo saw me, he yelled out, “Call me out more often! Military life is hell!!”

Ugh, this useless guy.

It’s embarrassing in front of Meursault.

But to my surprise, Meursault looked at BangguseokYeoBo with a warm gaze.

“Why are you looking at him more kindly than me?” I asked.

“It’s just that it’s been a while since I’ve seen a child acting his age,” Meursault replied.

“…”

This guy’s twenty years old…

Taejong, acting more maturely, asked, “Is it really okay for us to go outside the zone on our own?”

Meursault nodded. “Today is just to test whether we can actually identify the location of a monster’s gem and to see if the newly developed combat rations are suitable for young soldiers. We won’t be going far from the zone, and we won’t allow anything too dangerous, so don’t worry.”

Nothing too dangerous, huh? Was that meant for me?

Well, that’s quite an improvement. When I first suggested going hunting, Meursault reacted as if I was asking to be sent to my death. He’s become a lot more daring since then.

Meursault lined us up and explained, “This morning, a large monster, a furred crocodile, was spotted injured and wandering nearby. The subjugation season is approaching, so it must have lost a territorial fight with other monsters. It was reported to be bleeding heavily, so it should be collapsed nearby by now.”

Before we gathered, I saw from the watchtower that the furred crocodile had left a trail of blood on the snow, making it easy to track.

“Normally, this would be a task for the watchtower guards, but if Sir Hayden’s method of identifying gem locations proves true, we can find the gem without heavily damaging the furred crocodile. Our goal is to finish before moonrise.”

‘Before moonrise’ is a crucial concept in the Safe Zone world.

It’s the reason why destroying the gem is essential when killing a monster.

A monster in the Safe Zone can only be killed by destroying its gem; otherwise, it can’t die. If the gem remains intact, any wounds on the monster heal under the moonlight.

So, being able to identify the gem’s location by sight is a critical issue.

“Well… I’m more used to dealing with aggressive ones, but I don’t mind a collapsed one,” I said.

Meursault looked at me with a surprised expression. “Are you saying it’s easier to identify the gem on a moving target than a still one?”

“Of course. Most creatures instinctively protect their weaknesses when they have the strength to move.”

“That’s a perspective I’ve never considered…”

“Anyway, finding the gem won’t be difficult. Just convince the officers for me.”

“Are you really planning to exclude the officers from this subjugation?”

Yes. I wasn’t planning to take any officers on this subjugation mission.

The officers from the pro-Daphne faction, who only have experience staying in the rear, and the pro-Hayden faction, who have plenty of real combat experience but are now too old to be of much use.

I intended to go with a small, elite force. When you take officers on their first subjugation, the main event usually turns into rescuing them. This is no longer a game, so there’s no need to create such risky situations.

“I don’t need soldiers who are useless in battle. They’ll just be a hindrance.”

“I’ll handle the persuasion. If you say that outright, you’ll just make enemies. Though I suppose those officers would be relieved if they don’t have to participate in the subjugation…”

Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the officers since meeting Daphne.

The pro-Daphne officers might hold a grudge against me after that day.

The news of the training simulation must have reached their ears… I’m curious how Anton, Plato’s father, reacted.

—

The day after the training simulation.

Anton, the leader of the pro-Daphne faction, visited the academy to have a meal with his son, Plato.

“So… how do you feel about losing to a ten-year-old?” Anton asked.

Plato set down his fork and answered, “I learned that there are levels in this world that are beyond reach.”

Anton clicked his tongue at that response.

“Are you saying you lost because Sir Hayden was too skilled?”

“That’s correct.”

“That’s a grand excuse for losing to a ten-year-old. Didn’t I warn you not to let your guard down?”

“I wasn’t careless. Sir Hayden was simply far superior to me.”

Anton shook his head at his son’s stubborn response.

He had deliberately raised Plato without bias, hoping he wouldn’t become politically inclined. But losing to a ten-year-old without any sign of frustration was not what Anton had hoped for.

When Anton heard that Plato would be training with Hayden, he thought his son might lose. After all, his son was too straightforward compared to the sly Commander’s son.

But he allowed Plato to participate, thinking it might be a chance for him to experience inferiority for the first time. Instead, Plato ended up admiring Hayden.

Daphne had advised him to maintain a friendly relationship with Hayden for now, but…

“And he really knew the neighbor’s dog’s name,” Plato added.

“What do you mean?”

“He knew the name of the dog in the yard across the street—‘Winter.’”

“Winter?”

“Yes, it was named Winter because it was born in winter.”

Anton laughed out loud at that.

“Why are you laughing?” Plato asked.

“You were completely fooled.”

“Excuse me?”

“The dog’s name is Edwin. I’ve known the neighbor and that dog for years.”

“Are you saying Sir Hayden lied? It felt like he knew the name for a long time…”

“He probably figured you wouldn’t remember the dog’s name, so he just threw out any name.”

“Impressive, Sir Hayden. He’s quick on his feet.”

“This fool… I’m leaving.”

Seeing his son constantly praise Hayden was frustrating, so Anton left the table first.

On his way home, he saw his neighbor shoveling snow in front of his house. Anton decided to stop and roll down the car window.

“Hey there.”

“Oh, Lord Anton! It’s been a while! How have you been?”

“All’s well. Didn’t you have a dog? What was its name again?”

“Edwin, Lord Anton.”

“Ah…”

Relieved that the name “Winter” hadn’t come up, Anton smiled.

The neighbor tilted his head curiously at Anton’s reaction.

“Why do you ask?”

“Nothing. Someone mistakenly thought your dog’s name was Winter.”

At this, the neighbor looked surprised.

“How did you know?”

Anton’s heart sank.

“…How did I know what?”

“Edwin had puppies a few days ago. Since the subjugation season is in the spring, we were going to name one April if it was born in spring or Winter if it was born in winter, and the puppies were born recently. We haven’t shown them to anyone yet, so I was surprised you knew the name.”

‘A puppy born a few days ago named Winter…?’

Hayden had mentioned the dog’s name weeks ago at the officers’ meeting.

How could Hayden have known the name of a puppy that hadn’t even been born yet?

‘No, Winter isn’t a particularly unique name. It was probably just a lucky guess.’

Despite trying to rationalize it, Anton felt an inexplicable unease. He couldn’t shake the ominous feeling.

—

We began trudging through the deep snow to find the furred crocodile.

Taejong, being the tallest, led the way with a wide field of view. I walked in the middle with BangguseokYeoBo, and Meursault followed closely behind.

“They really whipped up those combat rations quickly,” BangguseokYeoBo said as he pulled out the star candy and examined it from every angle, completely ignoring the need to keep his eyes on the path ahead.

“Have you found out anything about Luna Moon?”

“…”

This careless idiot.

“What? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Meursault is right behind us.”

“We’re speaking Korean, so how could he understand?”

“Luna Moon is still Luna Moon in English.”

“Oh…”

This guy… His English has improved, but his intelligence is the same as ever.

“And Meursault is smart. He can pick up on the nuances, even if it’s in Korean.”

BangguseokYeoBo made a face that said he understood and then spoke again.

“Did you find out anything about ‘Runa Myoon’?”

“…You look really pathetic when you do that, so stop.”

“This bastard!”

BangguseokYeoBo reached for my collar, but Meursault cleared his throat behind us. BangguseokYeoBo glanced at him and lowered his hand.

I smirked at him and asked, “Did you practice healing in the army?”

“Of course. I think I can heal others as long as I’m in contact with them.”

What?

He’s already developed his abilities that much?

…Maybe he’s more talented than I thought.

Well, with that level of intelligence and personality, he needs at least some talent…

“I can tell just by your face that you’re looking down on me.”

“No, I was actually impressed.”

“Don’t give me that crap!”

“Would you two please stop fighting?”

Meursault, having had enough of our bickering

, intervened from behind.

“I know you get along, but you need to draw a line. It’s fine now because it’s just the three of us, but you can’t act like this in official settings. You’ll end up in the brig.”

BangguseokYeoBo, looking a bit deflated, nodded.

He’s not so stupid that he’d curse at me in front of others when I’m the Commander’s son.

…Or is he?

Just then, Taejong, who had been walking ahead silently, stopped and turned to us.

“There’s something over there.”

I followed Taejong’s gaze and saw something large, with white fur, slumped on the ground.

“Is it unconscious? Should we wake it up?”

“Hey!”

BangguseokYeoBo carelessly threw a snowball at it, but the creature didn’t respond.

“Be more careful,” I warned, and BangguseokYeoBo just shrugged.

As we approached the furred crocodile, I saw that snow had accumulated on its body.

‘It’s been unconscious for quite some time.’

I circled the creature, looking for the wound the watchtower guard had reported.

It wasn’t immediately visible due to the fur, but soon enough, I found blood matted in the fur on its right side.

‘It was defending itself on the right.’

It was lying face down, belly to the ground.

‘Left side, abdomen.’

Without hesitation, I pressed the barrel of my gun against the left side of the crocodile’s back and fired, ensuring the shot went through to its abdomen.

A sound of tearing flesh was followed by a sharp cracking noise.

The creature, already unconscious, didn’t even resist as it died.

Meursault stared at me, stunned.

“…Was that the sound of the gem breaking?”

It’s really not that impressive, but he seems so shocked.

I jerked my chin at Taejong and BangguseokYeoBo.

“Flip it over and show him.”

“Yessir!”

“Why are you bossing me around…”

Though BangguseokYeoBo grumbled, he helped Taejong successfully flip the furred crocodile over.

Meursault watched in disbelief as the shattered remains of the gem spilled out from the left side of its abdomen.

“Are you just going to keep standing there with that dumb expression?”

“N-no, I need to convince the officers when we get back.”

Even as he spoke, Meursault kept touching the spot where the gem had been, as if trying to confirm what he’d just witnessed.

“The meat might not taste good, but the fur should be useful, right? Tell them to come and collect it.”

“Oh… Yes, we need to take it as evidence anyway. I’ll fire the signal.”

Meursault quickly took out a flare gun and fired it, sending a white flash silently into the cloudless sky.

It might seem like it would attract monsters, but that white flare is invisible to their eyes.

“We finished so quickly, we didn’t even get a chance to test the combat rations.”

“Take the star candy back with you. Don’t forget to test its ‘performance’ while you eat it.”

They both knew I meant they should eat it after wounding themselves, and their expressions grew uneasy.

Though they’re both adults, they’re in the bodies of children right now. I don’t want to order them to hurt themselves, but I have no choice.

If they don’t get used to healing, they’ll end up dead before they grow up.

At that moment, a loud engine noise suddenly filled the air.

“…?”

It wasn’t just me who heard it—BangguseokYeoBo and Taejong also turned towards the zone.

“Did they come already? We just fired the signal.”

But it didn’t sound like it was coming from the zone; it was unnervingly close.

It was almost as if…

‘It’s coming from above.’

As I thought that, a chill wind passed over us, casting a dark shadow above.

“What’s this? Bringing Meursault along?”

“…?!”

The four of us jumped up at the voice from above.

We immediately pointed our guns skyward.

A young man in a white lab coat, riding a hoverboard, was calmly looking down at us.

“What… the hell…?”

The sudden appearance from the sky, the hoverboard, and the fact that he knew about Meursault—it was all hard to process.

But despite the absurdity, I recognized this man.

And I wasn’t the only one who knew this face.

BangguseokYeoBo, sounding utterly shocked, muttered, “…Dopamine Addict?”