Surviving the Apocalypse as an All-Time Best Overpowered Necromancer - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 51
51. A Moment of Silence for the Zombie (1)
“Ignite!”
The moment Lee Gang-hyuk nodded, Seo Hwa-rin unleashed the sealed skill.
Crackle-crackle-crackle.
Whoosh.
Flames erupted across Seo Hwa-rin’s body.
He’d witnessed this much before and thought nothing of it, but when the flames suspended in midair were suddenly absorbed into her, Lee Gang-hyuk’s expression hardened.
The memory of Im Jae-beom’s final desperate thrash flickered through his mind.
Concern seized Lee Gang-hyuk and he glanced at Seo Hwa-rin, but her expression seemed bright.
Of course…….
Bright only in comparison to before—she was straining just the same.
As Seo Hwa-rin continued drawing in the flames, the mother Zombie trapped in the wall laughed.
“Hehehe-hehehehe.”
“!!”
The realization hit Lee Gang-hyuk like a slap, and he rushed to reshape the wall.
The Zombie was clearly trying to flee now that she sensed a mortal threat from Ignite…….
‘If I pin the arm before it swings, the damage output will drop.’
Anticipating that restraining the arm beforehand would reduce the attack’s force, Lee Gang-hyuk immediately warped the wall.
“Kyeeek!”
Bang!
Crash!
The mother Zombie then curled inward, her fists thrashing as brilliant white light poured from the walls that now surrounded her.
Realizing she was attacking her child again, she’d tried to break through the wall, but when that failed, she pulled the infant close and crouched protectively.
Each time this happened, his brow furrowed of its own accord, but Lee Gang-hyuk chose to ignore the rising emotion and continued warping the walls.
Soon hook-shaped spines sprouted and coiled around both of the mother Zombie’s arms.
“Gack.”
The spines took shape as intended, but the Mana consumption was higher than expected.
It was manageable, though.
By pinning down the mother Zombie so she couldn’t escape, he’d fulfilled his role—or so he thought.
Seo A-rin, whose eyes met Seo Hwa-rin’s, gave a nod and activated her skill.
“Aqua Field!”
As the skill triggered, the floor became saturated with water.
But the volume was less than usual.
‘She means to amplify the firepower.’
By evaporating the Aqua Field, the resulting steam would boost the flames’ intensity.
‘Please…….’
Sensing her iron resolve to kill them no matter what, Lee Gang-hyuk held his breath and waited, silently hoping.
That moment…….
“Fire Wall!”
With the preparation complete, Seo Hwa-rin cried out with all her strength, and a wall of flames erupted beneath the mother Zombie’s feet, engulfing them both.
Whoooosh.
“Kyeeeeeek!”
“Kyeek!”
Both their screams rang out at once.
All three of them instinctively furrowed their brows, but Seo Hwa-rin didn’t stop the skill—she opened her Core to channel more power.
Perhaps because of that?
The deep red flames gradually shifted toward orange, then turned yellow.
Boom-boom-boom-boom!!
“Grrk.”
The heat was immense. Lee Gang-hyuk involuntarily stepped back from the scorching air—even standing nearby was difficult.
‘That’s incredible.’
Even with an awakened body, it’s hard to withstand…….
Just as he thought of fire being known as the most destructive attribute among all—
“…….”
Thump.
Seo Hwa-rin collapsed as if losing consciousness. Having activated Ignite and then opened her Core, she’d exhausted herself.
“Is my sister okay!?”
Fortunately, the moment Fire Wall activated, Seo A-rin had already moved to Seo Hwa-rin’s side, catching her and reporting her condition.
Relieved to hear she was unharmed, Lee Gang-hyuk saw the Fire Wall’s intensity weaken as she blacked out, and he reached out his hand.
“Im Jae-beom.”
“Gurlk!”
Splash-!
At the call of his name, Im Jae-beom summoned a slender water serpent to attack.
Through Command Broadcast, Lee Gang-hyuk’s will was transmitted—rather than attack them directly, the serpent’s purpose was to boost the Fire Wall’s intensity as it weakened.
Sizzle-!
Whoooosh!!
As the water serpents touching the wall of flames evaporated, the Fire Wall’s momentum intensified further.
“Kyeeeeeek!!”
As the weakened Fire Wall surged back to full strength, the mother Zombie screamed again.
The child Zombie’s screams were no longer heard.
At that moment, Experience Points rose slightly.
‘It’s dead.’
The instant he realized why, a flood of Experience Points poured in.
It was over.
Both were dead.
“…….”
Looking at the dead Mutated Zombies and the exhausted Seo Hwa-rin, Lee Gang-hyuk’s feelings were complicated.
“Hah…….”
But the thought that they’d survived again made a sigh of relief slip out naturally.
It was true that the situation of someone he didn’t know was unfortunate, but their own survival took greater priority—that’s simply how it was.
As conflicting emotions of discomfort and relief washed over him, Lee Gang-hyuk sighed once more and turned to Seo A-rin, who was cradling the unconscious Seo Hwa-rin, pointing toward the door.
“Stay here for now. I’ll take care of the Zombies inside and be back. Electric, protect these two.”
“Yes! Understood. Please be careful.”
“Grrrrk.”
At her words, Seo A-rin summoned a water serpent and sent it to the Loading Dock while nodding, and Electric positioned itself to block the corridor connecting to the Loading Dock, rumbling in agreement.
Smiling at Electric’s reassuring presence, Lee Gang-hyuk felt at ease as he led the other Zombies away to deal with the rest.
* * *
“Mm…….”
It wasn’t until the sun had nearly set that Seo Hwa-rin regained consciousness, having remained unaware even after Lee Gang-hyuk returned from the Corridor after killing all the inner Zombies.
“Are you with us now?”
Having heard her groan and confirmed she’d opened her eyes, Lee Gang-hyuk asked. Seo Hwa-rin nodded and inquired about the Zombies.
“……Yes. What about the Zombies?”
“They’re dead. Thanks to your efforts, we were able to deal with them. You did excellent work. How’s your condition?”
“My Core is empty, but otherwise I’m fine.”
“Thank goodness. I’m sorry for putting you under such pressure.”
Lee Gang-hyuk apologized suddenly, believing her collapse was his fault.
Seo Hwa-rin hastily waved her hand.
“No! I chose to do this. That’s what matters—that everyone made it through safely. And if I’d been stronger…….”
While the team hadn’t formally assigned roles, judging by ability and position, she was the dealer.
A dealer must kill enemies through sheer force, yet before using Ignite, her offensive power was pathetically weak.
Blaming herself for this, Seo Hwa-rin wore a dejected expression before suddenly looking panicked as she realized Seo A-rin was nowhere to be seen, glancing around.
“Ah, where’s A-rin?”
“Right now she’s going around inside installing Solar Lamps at each window.”
The Solar Lamp was equipment Lee Gang-hyuk had been carrying—essential for setting up this place as a decoy safehouse.
If lights were on when viewed from outside, people would think someone was home…….
Understanding the situation as he mentioned installing the lights brought from the safehouse, Seo Hwa-rin exhaled in relief.
“So you cleared all the inner Zombies too.”
“Yes.”
“Then I should go to the Loading Dock and block the entrance…….”
“Let’s save that for tomorrow morning.”
At his follow-up, Lee Gang-hyuk pointed outside the window, and Seo Hwa-rin immediately noticed the sun was setting, promptly agreeing.
“Ah……. Got it. Are we staying here tonight?”
“Yes. Since it’s already dark and we need to create signs that someone’s been living here, it’ll be more convincing as a safehouse that way.”
“……I see.”
He’d changed his plans while Seo Hwa-rin was unconscious.
Yet she seemed to understand immediately, nodding along before glancing out the window as if remembering something, then shaking her head and closing her mouth.
He thought he knew what she was thinking.
“Is it because of the person on the thirtieth floor?”
“Yes. I’m a bit…….”
Despite having left plenty of food before completely sealing the door, she seemed concerned about staying outside for the night.
The moment that thought crossed Lee Gang-hyuk’s mind, Seo Hwa-rin continued.
“If they leave while we’re gone, they could steal everything we have. We need to prevent them from doing anything reckless, but……. I’m just worried.”
Ah…….
So she wasn’t worried about the person—she was worried about the safehouse being ransacked?
At her words, Lee Gang-hyuk’s cheek twitched in disbelief before he shook his head.
“It can’t be helped. We’re not in good enough condition to make the trip back to the safehouse anyway, so we’ll just have to hope they stay put.”
“It’s because of me…….”
The time had been lost because she’d blacked out after using Ignite.
By now, they should’ve already returned to the safehouse and been eating dinner…….
Seeing Seo Hwa-rin continue to blame herself since regaining consciousness, Lee Gang-hyuk gave a thumbs up and smiled faintly.
“Not at all. Isn’t that what a team is for? Besides, the main equipment is kept where I stay, so even if they tried to escape, they won’t easily get their hands on it. Before we left, I positioned guard Zombies throughout the house. More than anything, without you, I’d have been done for by that big one. The small one died first, you see.”
“Ah…….”
He’d told her not to blame herself, but hearing his words, the maternal instinct of the mother Zombie crossed her mind, and she let out a quiet sigh while gazing out the window.
Just as Lee Gang-hyuk had, her parents must have come to mind. Realizing the source of her fixation on her younger sister, Lee Gang-hyuk watched her silently.
That moment…….
“Unnie!”
Seo A-rin, returning after installing the Solar Lamps, spotted the now-conscious Seo Hwa-rin and came rushing over, throwing herself into her embrace.
Though she’d volunteered to install the lights instead of Lee Gang-hyuk, who’d dealt with the inner Zombies, deep down she’d been worried about her sister.
As if understanding her heart entirely,
Seo Hwa-rin gently stroked her younger sister’s head and spoke softly.
“I’m fine. You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
“Nope!”
At her counter-question, Seo A-rin broke into a broad smile.
Their mutual care was a sight to behold. But even so, there was work to be done, so——
“Ahem. Sorry to ruin the mood, but did you install them well at the places I marked?”
Lee Gang-hyuk cleared his throat apologetically and asked about the progress. Seo A-rin’s face lit with confidence as she raised her thumb.
“Of course! Absolutely! I installed them all without missing a single marked spot!”
“Good.”
While dealing with the inner Zombies, he’d marked the window locations where the Solar Lamps should be installed, so Lee Gang-hyuk naturally assumed she’d done well and gathered kindling.
Seo A-rin, catching on, joined him in gathering kindling——
“Ah.”
The moment she spotted the bodies of the mother Zombie and the child Zombie, she let out a soft sound, and that drew Lee Gang-hyuk and Seo Hwa-rin’s gaze toward them as well.
“…….”
A brief silence fell…….
Lee Gang-hyuk then turned to face the two of them with resolve.
“I wanted to tell you both first—I intend to use them as materials for ornaments.”
“Ah…….”
“…….”
It was an abrupt statement, but both of them seemed to grasp the meaning, letting out small sounds.
Soon, however, they realized it was a statement, not a request, and both nodded.
“It must have been a hard decision. Since you’ve made it for our sake, we’ll follow.”
“Honestly, my heart’s uneasy about it, but I know it’s necessary if we’re to survive. Thank you for telling us first.”
At their responses, Lee Gang-hyuk simply nodded silently and approached the bodies of the mother Zombie and child Zombie.
He’d already decided which ornaments to craft.
Perhaps because of that?
Standing before the two Zombie corpses, Lee Gang-hyuk activated his skill without hesitation.
“Bone Ornament Crafting!”
[Sufficient materials for crafting.]
[Craftable items list.]
Bone Ring Pair × 1
Even though he’d designated the mother Zombie and child Zombie as materials, the only item available for crafting was a pair of rings.
As if the two were one, unlike the other Zombies.
“…….”
Watching the notification before him, Lee Gang-hyuk unconsciously sighed.
[Crafting the Bone Ring Pair.]
[Your Craftsmanship Skill influences the crafting.]
[Your Craftsmanship is too low. Some power inherent to the materials is damaged.]
[Power is adjusted to match your Craftsmanship level.]
[Someone’s resolve aids the crafting. Some power inherent to the materials is restored.]
[Crafting critical success!]
[You have crafted the Bone Ring of Protection.]
[Bone Ring of Protection]
– A pair of rings forged from the Core of a Mutated Zombie.
– Either one person may wear both rings, or two people may each wear one.
– A resolve to protect someone has granted an increase to Defense (+2).
– The effect activates only when the wearer takes direct physical damage (cooldown: 10 seconds).
– (Large Ring) If the wearer of the Small Ring takes a hit, all physical stats temporarily rise slightly, and a small amount of health is restored.
– (Small Ring) When hit, Defense increases. A portion of damage taken is transferred to the wearer of the Large Ring.
– (Both Rings) When hit, grants a 50% chance to enhance all physical stats for 5 seconds and reduces damage taken by 30%.

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