Possessed a Healing Game, but It’s a Zombie Apocalypse - Chapter 9

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

Episode 9

“Ishanka. What kind of food do you usually like?”

Though she was asking in her usual tone, her eyes and expression were that of a lion targeting its prey.

It was natural. Right now, in Nana’s eyes, Ishanka would look like an experience point totem.

Unaware that he had become an experience point totem, Ishanka was momentarily flustered by the sudden question but soon regained his composure.

“I eat anything well. The North… where I live is such a barren place that you have to put anything in your mouth to survive. But if I had to choose… lately I’ve taken a liking to potatoes.”

Though Ishanka finished answering the question, no new message window appeared. Was this too ordinary a question? This time she decided to try a different question.

“Then how old are you, Ishanka?”

“I’m 21.”

“Really?!”

Nana asked back in confusion at the unexpected number. His face didn’t particularly look old, but because of the unique calm atmosphere he carried, he absolutely didn’t look 21.

My goodness, he’s even younger than me? My age in the game is 24.

“But why are you suddenly asking about these things?”

When he looked at her with suspicious eyes, Nana smiled innocently and glossed over it appropriately.

“Just, we’ve been working together for quite a while now but we don’t know anything about each other. I only learned your name just now. Ah! Come to think of it, you don’t know my name either, do you?”

“What occasion would a worker have to call their employer’s name? Rather, why didn’t the employer ask for my name?”

“Because I had no occasion to call your name either.”

When Nana spoke to Ishanka, it was mostly to give him work. Excuse me, please do this. Excuse me, let’s go eat now. As time passed in this state, she became accustomed to the address “excuse me” and forgot to ask for his name altogether.

“Anyway, though it’s late, as the farm owner and as your employer, it would be right to introduce myself. I’m Adrienne Rogueton. Though it’s late, please take care of me, Ishanka.”

“Just call me Isha. An employer shouldn’t use honorifics with a worker.”

“But this is more comfortable for me.”

When Song Nana lived as herself, the company she worked for had a basic rule of using respectful language with each other regardless of rank. Though there were sometimes people who ignored that rule. Like Manager Kim… or Assistant Manager Shin…

Anyway, Nana was accustomed to using honorifics with superiors, newcomers, and juniors alike. And above all, to Nana’s eyes, he absolutely didn’t look like someone younger than herself.

‘What was I like when I was twenty-one? I think I was just carefree without any thoughts.’

“I’m also more comfortable with Isha. Just call me that.”

Having no idea what thoughts Nana was having, Ishanka spoke firmly once again. Just as difficulty was about to cloud Nana’s face, a message window that hadn’t appeared earlier popped up.

【You have discovered the nickname and age of hidden character: Ishanka. Experience points are given as a reward.】

【Passive skill: ‘Blessed Hands’ has leveled up to Lv.2. Plants that pass through the farm owner’s hands grow 15% faster than their original growth rate and additionally regain vitality.】

Meanwhile, there was another figure watching this scene from the side.

‘What’s gotten into that brother? Isn’t he someone who hates even calling names unless they’re family?’

It was Tan-bbang, snuggled in Nana’s arms, who was Ateruna.

‘And he’s even allowing a nickname? If the women who admired brother knew, there’d be quite an uproar, wouldn’t there?’

That would include the Vilona Chieftain’s Daughter too, right? Wow, just imagining it would be fun!

They say other people’s romance is best enjoyed from the sidelines. Moreover, not just anyone, but a man who had coldly rejected confessions and seductions from countless minority ethnic women was showing interest in one woman?

It was far more exciting than the love triangle story of neighbor Rosha grandmother who supposedly had her moment back in the day.

Though Ishanka brother didn’t notice it himself, she could see that his heart was gradually leaning toward the housekeeper.

On the other hand, the housekeeper… seemed to have no particular thoughts, but that would change gradually. He’s my brother, but objectively speaking, he is indeed a fine man.

Tan-bbang rubbed her head in Nana’s arms and purred contentedly. She hoped the first nephew would be a girl.

* * *

“Anyway, you’re planning to go to the village, right? Wait a moment. I’ll get ready and come out.”

Without even hearing Nana’s answer, he went outside the livestock barn.

‘I’m glad he’s going with me, but… is it okay to accept this easily?’

Though he was supposedly a great expert capable of coming here alone, Nana was anxious. After the game world changed in an instant due to an error, memories of the past sometimes tormented Nana.

She still remembered it vividly. A peaceful afternoon. It was a day when she felt slightly good from the cool breeze. But that day became the worst day in an instant.

The zombies that suddenly appeared didn’t discriminate between men, women, old, or young. The old woman sweeping the front yard, the man taking a walk, the little child herding goats in the mountains – all became victims of the zombies.

The entire village turned into chaos in an instant, and the screams of the villagers echoed horribly from all directions.

“H-honey! It’s me. Your husband! Come to your senses… Aaaaah!”

“G-get away, you monster!”

“Mom! I’m scared, Mommmm!”

The tragic sight of wives biting children, husbands biting wives, neighbors biting neighbors, and the terrible smell of blood that was so strong it stung the nose would never be forgotten for a lifetime.

Was it because she recalled those memories? As strength unconsciously entered her arms, Tan-bbang, who was nestled in Nana’s embrace, struggled with an “eeeeng” sound. Only then did Nana, who had been trapped in terrible memories, snap back to reality.

‘Ah, this isn’t the time for this. I need to prepare to go out too.’

She quickly returned home, changed out of the dress that had become dusty from the meteor gacha, and came out to the living room. Ishanka was already waiting for her.

“Let’s go now.”

“In… that outfit?”

Ishanka’s attire after saying he would get ready wasn’t much different from before. The only differences were that he wore the robe he had on when he first came here, and the sword he had been holding earlier was now at his waist.

“This is sufficient. Heavy armor would only be a hindrance when dealing with them. Ah, before we go, I’ll give you this.”

Inside the slightly lifted robe, small daggers were inserted by type. Ishanka held out the smallest and most simply designed dagger to Nana.

“Keep it for self-defense. Of course, I won’t take my eyes off you, but you never know what might suddenly happen.”

Nana looked at the dagger she received for a moment, then turned her gaze to look at Ishanka silently. Then, as if realizing something, she spoke up.

“Don’t tell me…”

‘Did he notice my identity?’

Just in case, he gave her the most unremarkable dagger. Kingdom People didn’t like minority ethnic groups. No, they despised them.

The minority ethnic groups, who were called ‘barbarians’ and ignored by Kingdom People for living trapped in the barren northern continent, had somehow come down south, quickly devoured small kingdoms, expanded their influence, and established a country.

There was no way they would look favorably upon those they once despised becoming powerful enough to threaten the Kingdom.

Ishanka anticipated the next words that would come from Nana’s mouth. They wouldn’t be pleasant to hear. She might even report him to the authorities, so the wisest method would be to kill her before that to silence her forever.

But for some reason, he didn’t feel like it. Had he grown attached during his stay here? To that black mage? That couldn’t be.

Chuckling at his own thoughts, he was slowly reaching for another dagger inside his robe when:

“Are you a butcher?”

“Yes. So… what?”

“So that’s why you have so many knives in your chest? Because you need to use various types of swords for butchering.”

“Ah, no, this is…”

I just carry many because they’re hard to retrieve when thrown at enemies.

“It’s okay! You were worried I might think strangely of you, right? I absolutely don’t consider butchering a lowly profession. It requires very delicate skills, doesn’t it? Separating bones and meat cleanly – not just anyone can do that.”

“No, that’s not it. Actually, this is…”

“Wow, so that’s why you weren’t scared when fighting zombies either. You could just handle them like butchering. They’re just chunks of meat anyway, right?”

“…”

Ishanka opened his mouth then closed it again.

Should he explain or not? But explaining might make him seem more suspicious. It might be better to go along with it.

He’d have to admit to being a butcher.

A butcher…

“…Yes. That’s right.”

The incarnation of the God of War, the King of the North.

At this very moment, he had changed jobs to a fully-equipped bone separation technician.

Meanwhile, Nana was thinking…

‘This face got a butcher setting? Even if novelty is trendy, this is too much… I remember. That parachute general manager… the human nuclear waste who made the entire design team flee by shouting only about novelty without any standards to boost his own performance.’

She was completely mistaken.

Though Ishanka covered his face with one hand out of despair, Nana interpreted it as shyness. She clenched her fists and encouraged him.

“Don’t be discouraged. Butchers are so good with knives that even thugs can’t touch them. What a cool and dangerous profession. You don’t need to be embarrassed. I’m really relieved right now, you know?”

“Yes… thank you. So please stop…”

Nana did her best to comfort him, hitting the same spot again.

Though unintended, Nana became the first Kingdom Person to deal a mental critical hit to Ishanka, the King of the North and God of War.

After comforting Ishanka for a while, Nana suddenly noticed Tan-bbang trembling in a corner.

‘Since Isha is a butcher, I guess Tan-bbang is scared too. But why does it look like he’s holding back laughter?’

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