Player of a Ruined World - Chapter 131

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Player of the Ruined World – Episode 131
At No Way Home, we struggled to obtain the Zombie King’s blood within the allotted 24 hours.
I had assumed things would proceed more smoothly now that Kim Hanna was with us, but an unforeseen variable emerged.
They were not NPCs.
They were not programs moving according to inputted code—they were humans capable of feeling fear and dread.
For 13 hours, I continuously observed the expressions on Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok’s faces.
Expressions devoid of certainty.
Expressions lacking confidence.
Expressions trembling with fear.
Once designated as senior researchers, they could not return to the Shelter, meaning they could not abandon the Brain Research Institute where Zombies swarmed.
Hesitation was taking root in that regard.
Once the two made a decision, this endless circular consultation would finally end—but it wasn’t happening.
The reason the Shelter’s Survivors refused to send Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok was simple.
The Shelter’s Survivors had survived thus far because of Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok.
These two were the spiritual pillars of the Shelter.
Designating them as senior researchers was no different from sending them to their deaths.
Conversely, the Hunting Dog Federation and Hong Ryeon’s position differed.
Were we not people specialized in combat rather than research and study?
Combat was familiar to us, but conducting deep research in unfamiliar fields was not.
Rather than recklessly stepping into an unknown domain and increasing the likelihood of vaccine development failure, we hoped that Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok—those experienced in vaccine development—would take the lead.
Because both perspectives held merit, the decision became all the more difficult.
If we proceeded forcefully, this meeting would have ended long ago.
But neither I, nor Park Sangil, nor Hong Yeonhui did so.
If we forced a decision through coercion, we would lose their trust when unforeseen variables arose later.
If people were compelled to make unwilling choices from the start, they might make irrational judgments when subsequent variables emerged.
Even the kindest person, once plagued by the thought “How much longer must I sacrifice?”, becomes capable of making utterly reckless decisions proportional to what they’ve endured.
If Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok failed to develop the vaccine and circumstances deteriorated, they might abandon everything.
Was I being overly cautious?
Not at all.
I had done exactly that myself.
When I quarreled with Gaia, I threatened her by wagering the lives of Kim Hanna and my companions.
I said if she kept imposing restrictions, I would abandon the game, the clear, everything.
Had Gaia not backed down then, I would have made an irreversible choice and lived with regret.
Threatening and negotiating with Gaia by wagering my companions’ lives would remain an indelible guilt for the rest of my life.
So there were limits to what force could accomplish.
The priority was to let them decide for themselves, to strengthen their resolve, to encourage and embolden them.
As I silently regarded Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok, Bae Hyeonseok’s voice soon reached my ears.
“If I’m designated as a senior researcher… can you truly protect me?”
“…”
“Can you protect me from a Zombie Wave spanning the entire Korean Peninsula?”
“I can’t be certain. We don’t know what Mutants will appear or how many Zombies will swarm us.”
“Then perhaps I should withdraw from this decision….”
“But if Bae Hyeonseok takes on the role of senior researcher, the odds improve significantly.”
As I cut him off and spoke, Bae Hyeonseok raised the corners of his eyes and asked.
“What odds are you talking about?”
“The odds of clearing this game.”
“That’s exactly what I don’t understand. Vaccine development isn’t that simple, and I’m not sure I can overcome the pressure.”
“Why do you think you’re alone?”
“It’s not that I think I’m alone….”
Bae Hyeonseok exhaled deeply, letting his words trail off.
I don’t know the answer either, and I have no certainty about this decision.
“Bae Hyeonseok.”
“Yes.”
“There’s one thing… I can promise you with certainty.”
“What are you saying?”
“If we fail to clear this episode, I’ll be the first to fall.”
“What do you mean by that….”
Bae Hyeonseok started to speak, then closed his mouth with a short exclamation of understanding.
The people gathered in the living room also took a moment to comprehend my words.
But one person, Park Sanghun, who didn’t understand, scratched his head and asked.
“What do you mean? If we fail, we all fail together—what do you mean by being first?”
“I mean I’ll die first.”
“…What?”
“I won’t leave the Brain Research Institute until the vaccine is successfully developed.”
“Ah.”
“We die together or we live together.”
“….”
“If we fail anyway, we’re annihilated. The Research Institute will be destroyed, and the chances of survivors in other regions clearing this game afterward are nearly zero.”
I spoke with a wry smile, and Park Sanghun furrowed his brow with a sullen expression.
Soon, Park Sanghun answered, smacking his lips.
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“If we’re wiped out… clearing No Way Home in Korea is essentially a failure anyway.”
“….”
“So this time, we stake everything—either we all survive together or we all die together.”
Park Sanghun crossed his arms and pondered briefly, then soon let out a soft laugh and spoke.
“Simple. I get it.”
This isn’t a matter of who loses and who loses less.
In truth, there is no choice.
It’s a matter of annihilation or clearing.
Once I delved into the most fundamental problem of this episode, the stalled meeting finally broke through its impasse.
“If you say so, Baek Doyun, then… very well. I’ll entrust my life to you.”
“I’m entrusting my life to Bae Hyeonseok as well.”
“….”
“Please, make sure the vaccine development succeeds.”
Song Junhyeok then raised his hand and spoke up.
“Me too! If that’s the case, I’ll work as a senior researcher. Two people will be faster than one, right?”
“Thank you.”
The current time was 5 AM.
Less than eleven hours remained.
Elder Chulmin checked the clock and spoke.
“What a shame. I was planning to have a drink and get some rest tonight.”
Elder Chulmin picked up the whiskey bottle on the table.
“We’ll save this as a celebratory drink once this situation is over.”
“Agreed.”
“It’s getting late. Everyone, get some rest. Tomorrow onwards will be hectic.”
Everyone rose from their seats without protest.
With the final battle drawing near, had everyone’s minds grown heavy with thought?
No one cracked jokes, and no one tried to lighten the mood.
Park Sangil went into the next room to check on Kim Heejoo and Park Kyeongeo, while Park Sangha sat quietly on the living room sofa with Hong Yeonhui, making soft conversation.
Park Sanghun and Elder Chulmin quietly grabbed a bottle of soju and headed toward the emergency exit, while I climbed to the rooftop and gazed out at the darkened world.
The darkest hour before dawn.
I watched the sleeping world and let the clutter in my mind settle.
Two years it had taken to clear No Way Home in the game.
I thought it would take far longer in reality, yet here I was, less than half a year later, standing at the final episode.
When thoughts of what the world would become after clearing the game, where I should go, and what I should do crept in, I closed my eyes.
I wouldn’t think about the distant future.
I would focus on the problems before me now, solving them one by one, step by step.

* * *
After a late lunch, our group gathered on the 1st Floor of the Shelter.
From the Shelter, Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok stepped forward, and from the Hunting Dog Federation, the three Park brothers, Elder Chulmin, myself, Do Sohee, Kim Suhan, Kang Haneul, and Han Hye-ri joined the expedition.
Finally, from Hong Ryeon, Hong Yeonhui and Jang Wooheok came along.
“Will the Shelter be alright with just the people remaining here?”
I asked out of concern, and Lee Kwanghyun boasted confidently, as if telling me to trust only him.
“This is both a Shelter and a Safe House. Don’t worry about us—just focus on developing the vaccine.”
“If anything happens, please contact us.”
“Ha ha! And if you need support from the Brain Research Institute, call anytime.”
I swept my gaze lightly across the faces of those remaining at the Safe House.
Their expressions were somewhat more at ease than usual.
Perhaps it was because we’d finally reached the end of a tunnel that seemed endless?
Or perhaps… because everyone knew this would be our final sortie.
“Uncle Doyun!”
Kyeongeo came running to my side with a patter of footsteps and handed me a chocolate cream pie with a beaming smile.
“Please come back safely!”
Several months had passed, and her pronunciation had improved considerably.
I smiled warmly and stroked Kyeongeo’s head, and Kim Heejoo, standing behind her, handed me a plastic bag.
“I packed some fruit. Apples and various other things.”
“We’ve already stocked enough provisions in our inventory. This is for you all….”
“Take it. Eat it little by little as you go.”
As I hesitated, Park Sangil approached and took the bag, speaking.
“Don’t go outside until we return.”
“Okay.”
“Take good care of Kyeongeo.”
“Be careful out there.”
Everyone boarded the vehicles, and we exchanged no other farewells.
If we said goodbye now… it felt like it would become a final parting, so everyone simply left words of caution to return safely.
We headed toward the Brain Research Institute, leading three modified vehicles past Ansim Station.
We blocked the main gate of the Brain Research Institute with the first vehicle and the rear entrance with the second.
The modified vehicles were sturdier barricades than any ordinary barrier, so we used two of them as walls, excluding the third vehicle.
The third vehicle was positioned on the 1st Floor as a contingency, and Park Sangha and Kang Haneul began reinforcement work on the Brain Research Institute.
Starting from the 1st Floor, we installed barricades, and the walls stacked in multiple layers transformed the interior into a labyrinth.
Of course, we didn’t forget to completely seal all windows and entrances.
Park Sangil, Elder Chulmin, Kim Suhan, Han Hye-ri, and Hong Yeonhui each designated their guard positions and planned routes for how to move when danger arose or support was needed.
Meanwhile, Kim Hanna, myself, and Song Junhyeok followed Bae Hyeonseok deep into the building.
Soon, the research lab came into view at the end of the corridor.
“This is the Lab Room. Then… Kim Hanna.”
As Bae Hyeonseok called out to Kim Hanna, she stepped forward eagerly to examine the research facility.
When Song Junhyeok handed over a syringe, Bae Hyeonseok checked Kim Hanna’s arm and exhaled a long breath.
“Then… I’ll begin.”
Snap—
I tried to draw blood, but the needle shattered.
“This shouldn’t be possible…”
“Even blades can’t pierce this skin.”
“No. No matter how sharp the blade, it should be sharper than a needle…”
“It broke.”
“…”
Bae Hyeonseok wore a troubled expression, then handed me a transparent glass plate and spoke.
“Could you drop just one drop of blood onto this slide glass?”
“One moment.”
Kim Hanna brought her left index finger to her right arm.
Slash—
I dragged my sharpened fingernails across my skin.
A drop of blood fell onto the slide glass, and Bae Hyeonseok covered it with a prepared cover glass.
“Should I extract some extra?”
“That would be appreciated.”
“What should I use to collect it?”
“One moment…”
As Bae Hyeonseok fumbled about with the microscope in front of him, Song Junhyeok prepared various types of test tubes and syringes.
“I think we can draw blood now. Could you tear it open a bit more?”
“One moment.”
I dragged my fingernails across my arm again, and Song Junhyeok seized the moment, inserting the needle.
The blood draw proceeded rapidly, lest Kim Hanna’s blood become contaminated by the air.
Kim Hanna’s blood was transferred into test tubes, vacuum blood collection tubes, and centrifuge tubes.
“This should be enough. We’ve extracted the surplus as well—are you alright? Any dizziness or nausea?”
“I’m fine. Let me know if you need more.”
Ding—!
[The Hunting Dog Federation, Hong Ryeon, and Baek Do Baragi have obtained the Zombie King’s blood!]
[Please designate a senior researcher from this point forward.]
A System Message appeared in turn.
Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok looked at each other, then answered with a deep breath.
“I’ll do it.”
“Me too.”
[Will you designate Players Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok as senior researchers?]
“Yes.”
[Senior researcher designation is complete.]
[The information of previous researchers will be transferred to the designated senior researchers’ minds.]
With the message of transfer, Bae Hyeonseok and Song Junhyeok stood motionless, their eyes wide open.
“Cough!”
“Gasp!”
As all the memories transferred, the two of us exhaled the breath we’d been holding and gasped for oxygen.
“Are you alright?”
Checking on our condition, Bae Hyeonseok waved his hand dismissively and swallowed hard.
“I’m fine. Just… startled, that’s all.”
“Dopamine and adrenaline. Dopamine and adrenaline. Dopamine and adrenaline.”
Unlike Bae Hyeonseok, Song Junhyeok repeated the same words over and over as he began rummaging through the lab room.
Among the stacked documents, Song Junhyeok searched for the connection between dopamine and adrenaline.
Bae Hyeonseok wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth and spoke.
“My hypothesis was correct.”
“What?”
“This catastrophe… it started from mosquito research.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————