Surviving the Apocalypse as an All-Time Best Overpowered Necromancer - Chapter 73

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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 73
73. A New Change (1)
‘If the growth rate is this fast, it would be better to expand the fields more…….’
What if he cleared all the land he’d seen on the way to Jangam Station and installed Vinyl Greenhouses?
And what if he planted Cherry Tomatoes there?
In that moment, as Lee Gang-hyuk’s eyes betrayed his greed and turned toward the direction of Jangam Station, Seo Hwa-rin, who had immediately grasped his intention, let out a small sound and spoke.
“Hmm, wouldn’t it be entirely possible if we prevent Zombies from approaching? For instance, we could construct a fence, or perhaps build a bone wall to block access……. What do you think, Lee Gang-hyuk?”
Certainly, Lee Gang-hyuk had already considered that much.
But there was one fundamental flaw in the premise.
It wasn’t Zombies he needed to keep out—it was people.
“It’s not a bad idea, but……. I’m a bit concerned. If we build a fence, we can keep the Zombies away, but I’m worried it might draw people to us.”
“You’re right. If we risk losing everything we’ve grown, that would be a serious problem.”
As Lee Gang-hyuk explained his hesitation, Seo Hwa-rin voiced her agreement.
That was when Seo A-rin suddenly raised her hand.
“Hey, what if we asked that man?”
“Hmm?”
“That person?”
As both their gazes fixed on her, the startled Seo A-rin hesitated for a moment before nodding and continuing.
“Yes. If we built him a place to stay and asked him to guard the field, wouldn’t that prevent not just Zombies but also other people from approaching?”
Having the Man guard the field.
Honestly, it wasn’t a terrible idea. With his Concealment Ability, he could certainly protect the field.
But…….
The problem was that Lee Gang-hyuk still couldn’t fully trust him.
‘Though I have to say, the way he’s been keeping his promises suggests he’s not completely untrustworthy…….’
The fact that notes describing the movements of Zombie hordes arrived every single day meant at least that he knew how to keep his word.
Of course, the suspicion that gnawed at him couldn’t be helped, since he hadn’t seen any of it with his own eyes.
It seemed possible to impose conditions on the assumption that what the Man said was true, and have him remain in that area.
‘I should keep the Pendant with me for now. Besides, I can’t entrust everything to just one Pendant, so I need to strengthen the restrictions.’
After his deliberation, Lee Gang-hyuk made eye contact with Seo A-rin and spoke.
“Let’s put that part on hold for now. It would certainly be helpful at the moment, but it’s still hard to trust him completely……. However, if that man listens to the proposal and agrees to strengthen the restrictions, then I’ll reconsider at that time.”
“Understood. Should I relay what you’ve said through a note?”
Seo A-rin seemed confident that the Man would accept the proposal, as she nodded and asked.
“Of course. But please make sure to share the details of the conversation with me.”
“Yes!”
At her ready response, Lee Gang-hyuk then turned to Seo Hwa-rin and spoke.
“So, regardless of how the outcome turns out, let’s build a wall and construct Vinyl Greenhouses before the cold season arrives. That way, whenever we need them, we’ll be ready to use them.”
“Yes! I’ll look into the materials.”
The moment greed took hold, it seemed inevitable that someday they would expand to that place. To prepare for that day, it was better to clear the land and set up the Vinyl Greenhouses.
Seo Hwa-rin nodded in agreement, and once the conversation seemed to conclude, Lee Gang-hyuk quickly added more.
“Ah! And one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Hmm? Is there something else?”
At the sight of Lee Gang-hyuk suddenly remembering something, the two exchanged puzzled glances, but he smiled and expressed his gratitude.
“Seo A-rin, you’ve worked so hard. The Cherry Tomatoes I ate today were the most delicious ones I’ve ever had in my life. Thank you. Thank you for managing the field so well.”
“Ah! W-well, you’re too kind! I-I was just doing what was natural!”
Startled by his sudden praise, Seo A-rin found her words stumbling without her realizing it.
She seemed quite flustered by the unexpected compliment.
Though the early harvest was due to his Skill, it was ultimately thanks to her careful management, so Lee Gang-hyuk rolled up his sleeves and spoke.
“As thanks, I’ll make Pasta for you today. Special. Trust me.”
“Really? Yes! I’d love that. I really would!”
At his words, the delighted Seo A-rin began bouncing excitedly, while Seo Hwa-rin quietly approached Lee Gang-hyuk’s side and expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you. For many things.”
“Don’t mention it.”
* * *
After eating Pasta, while resting on the Rooftop and sipping coffee.
Seo A-rin approached Lee Gang-hyuk’s side and reported, as if awaiting his question about whether a reply had come from the Man.
“I sent the note as you said, and he replied that any condition is fine—he just wants to be allowed to stay nearby.”
“Hmm.”
As Lee Gang-hyuk made a thoughtful sound and stroked his chin, Seo A-rin opened her mouth again.
“He also said one more thing: if you stroke your chin, then whatever you’re worried about won’t happen, so you can rest assured.”
“What?”
At her words, Lee Gang-hyuk—who had unconsciously stroked his chin out of habit—let out an exasperated breath, bewildered by what he’d just heard.
“When did he ever……. Understood. Then I’ll leave it to you to decide what conditions to impose. The team’s priority must be absolute. Can I trust you on that?”
“Yes! I’ll think carefully to make sure the conditions don’t harm the team in any way!”
When Lee Gang-hyuk emphasized that the team came first, Seo A-rin nodded in agreement.
‘He agreed far too easily……. But as long as I can maintain control. Besides, if he manages the field, it’ll actually help our survival considerably.’
Trust the situation, if not the man.
Having settled his thoughts about the Man, Lee Gang-hyuk soon turned to look at Seo Hwa-rin.
“Seo Hwa-rin, did you check on the materials?”
“We have enough vinyl. The problem is pipes—we’re running short. But last time I checked, there were quite a lot of abandoned Vinyl Greenhouses in that area. We should be able to source what we need from there.”
“Hmm, and what about materials for the fence?”
“I was thinking of using Timber. We can fell it from the nearby mountains. The problem is whether Zombies can carry it. Plus, if there’s noise during the work, Zombies might swarm us.”
“Timber……. Well, what about Container Boxes instead? If we can just transport them, we shouldn’t need any special construction. Seo Hwa-rin, what do you think? Would it be feasible?”
“Honestly, if possible, I’d prefer that, but without cranes or heavy equipment, transporting them is practically impossible…….”
As she was about to say it was impossible, something seemed to occur to her, and she changed her words.
“But maybe we could try? Before the Awakening, that would have been true, but now we’ve grown strong enough. We might be able to move them.”
Before the Awakening, their physical abilities had been insignificant, but now that they had Awakened, things were different.
Perhaps for that reason.
As Seo Hwa-rin expressed a positive response, Lee Gang-hyuk shrugged and spoke.
“Let’s try it. If it seems impossible, we’ll use Timber instead.”
“Sounds good.”
As the two smiled at their shared understanding, Seo A-rin carefully raised her hand.
“Um……. Last time on the way to Dobongsan Station, I noticed there were a lot of Buses nearby. What if we used those?”
“Buses? Ah! Now that I think about it, there’s a bus depot right near Dobongsan Station. I’d completely overlooked that.”
Dobongsan Station is right in front of the bus depot.
Since it was certainly a good idea, Lee Gang-hyuk clapped his hands, and Seo Hwa-rin added her thoughts.
“Buses aren’t bad either. Easy to move. If we line them up in a row, they’d serve as a wall perfectly.”
As both gave positive responses, Seo A-rin’s expression brightened considerably.
She’d felt somewhat deflated, as if she’d brought Lee Gang-hyuk a concern about the Man, but now that she’d contributed something helpful to the team, her mood had lifted.
Sensing as much from her expression, Lee Gang-hyuk looked between Seo Hwa-rin and Seo A-rin and summarized the situation.
“So, let’s rest today as planned and depart tomorrow morning.”
“Understood. We’ll move after breakfast, right?”
“Of course. Obviously.”
“Then come up right when you wake up. As thanks for the Pasta, I’ll have a delicious breakfast ready for you.”
“Sounds good.”
Lee Gang-hyuk said this while looking at Seo Hwa-rin—a signal to go look after Seo A-rin and help her with the conditions.
And so…….
Seo Hwa-rin, catching the meaning in his eyes, nodded and led Seo A-rin away.
…….
Alone on the Rooftop, Lee Gang-hyuk approached the railing and swiftly scanned the surroundings.
He needed to check whether new Zombies had flowed into the location where they’d move tomorrow.
Fortunately, there were no Zombies visible to his eye immediately. But an inexplicable unease washed over him.
A feeling that something unexpected was about to happen. He didn’t know why.
‘Is it because things have been going too smoothly?’
At the sudden unease that gripped him, Lee Gang-hyuk dismissed it as needless worry and scratched his cheek.
In that instant…….
An alert appeared before Lee Gang-hyuk’s eyes.
[The number of Awakeners has reached the threshold. The abilities of Mutated Beings are strengthening. Exercise caution regarding Infection.]
“What, what?”
At the sudden alert, Lee Gang-hyuk’s eyes shook dramatically.
The abilities of Mutated Beings strengthened? Did that mean Zombies that had eaten people and mutated? Or did it refer to those who had mutated in the first Catastrophe? And now a warning about Infection?
His shock at the unexpected situation was brief.
Seo Hwa-rin and Seo A-rin, who had gone down to the twenty-third floor, hurried back up with alarmed expressions.
“L-Lee Gang-hyuk! D-did you see the alert that just appeared?”
At the panicked question, Lee Gang-hyuk’s brow furrowed involuntarily.
“……So it wasn’t just me.”
Realizing the alert had appeared to everyone, Lee Gang-hyuk looked toward Yangju City Hall with an alarmed expression.
At the point when the Man was trying to lure the Zombie horde toward Gangwon Province, this sudden change was anything but favorable to him.
If the Man died because of this, the horde of Zombies he’d so carefully assembled might come back down.
“Seo A-rin! Contact that man! Tell him not to lure them—just run!”
“Y-yes!”
At Lee Gang-hyuk’s urgent shout, Seo A-rin hastily opened the Community and sent a note to the Man.
If it came from Seo A-rin, he’d listen. The moment that thought crossed his mind, a note from the Man appeared before Lee Gang-hyuk’s eyes.
[I will complete the mission.]
“Insane.”
The Man had surely seen the alert too.
Yet he was still determined to lure the Zombie horde to completion.
Of course, Lee Gang-hyuk wasn’t entirely unable to understand why the Man would make such a choice.
If he simply left the Zombie horde there, it could become a threat someday, so the Man was likely determined to drive them away by any means necessary.
Even if it meant his own death, to protect Seo A-rin.
‘Damn it.’
Telling him again would be pointless—he wouldn’t listen anyway.
So Lee Gang-hyuk sent back a reply telling the Man to be careful, then turned to the two women.
“Tomorrow……. Let’s not go out for now. We should observe the situation.”
“You’re right. That does seem like the better choice.”
Seo Hwa-rin agreed immediately but still asked, her unease evident.
“……Will he be okay?”
“I don’t know. What’s going to happen next.”
Just like the day the first Catastrophe struck.
At the Anomalous Phenomenon that had abruptly returned, Lee Gang-hyuk’s expression hardened as he surveyed his surroundings and released a low sigh.
Simultaneously, the growling sound of Zombies reached the three people’s location.
It was so vivid, so immediate, as if they were right beside them—despite being on the Rooftop, at a height of thirty floors.
At this, Lee Gang-hyuk understood the change in the Mutated Beings that the alert had warned of, and with a hardened expression, he slowly shook his head.
“Really……. Life is always the worst.”

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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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