Apocalypse Tyrant

Jenga (5)

The short time it takes to clear the barricade blocking the stairs to the 3rd floor and arrive in front of the 3rd floor door.

“By the way, I heard Seolhee-ssi made this offer to you guys first… Why did you reject such a sweet offer? You’re the search team anyway.”
“…Shut up a bit.”

Park Hyoeun chattering to the two minions unable to hold back even for that short time, and the minions restraining him.

“Aw~ Stop being upset since it ended up like this anyway. I’ll take care of you well if I do well. Since it’s come to this—”
“I said shut up a bit, Park Hyoeun.”

Park Hyoeun’s arm that was trying to casually put his arms around the two minions’ shoulders is roughly bounced off.

“…It feels very strangely unfamiliar, guys?”
“Just read the situation yourself and stop showing off, you bastard. You’re really going to get screwed at this rate.”
“…Huh.”

I glanced to the side at the explosive atmosphere flowing from behind.

“Shouldn’t you go stop them?”
“I’m an employer, not a protector. I have no desire to get involved in those men’s childish hierarchy fight either.”
“Ah— So that’s why you’re sticking next to me. I was about to have a pleasant misunderstanding.”
“Think whatever you want. This is a tutorial for me, but also a renegotiation table.”

I smiled lightly at the bold voice that seemed quite greedy and gestured behind with my eyes.

“Stop joking around and start focusing.”
“Yessir, team leader.”

The two minions ending their quite fierce staring contest at my instruction and shaking their table shields tick— as if ready, and Park Hyoeun narrowing his eyes while alternately looking at me and the two minions.

And Ko Janghun carrying a bag full of kitchen knife spears and just-in-case items in the middle of the formation.

Finally, me at the front of the formation and Cha Seolhee taking small breaths next to me.

A total of 6 search personnel arrived in front of the 3rd floor internal stairway door.

The purpose was naturally to search and fully secure the 3rd floor.

“From now on, only carry out the actions I instruct.”

I grasped the doorknob and watched the most floating part of the search team.

Park Hyoeun narrows his eyes more at my blatant gaze.

“If someone hurts teamwork or—”

Gulp—

The sound of swallowing flowing from Park Woojin and Kim Minjun, not Park Hyoeun.

“Trolls…”

This much warning should be enough.

I smiled slightly while deliberately not finishing my words.

The search team’s flashlight beams naturally gathered on me.

I carefully applied strength to my hand while turning my back on those bright light beams.

Screech—!

Unavoidable noise wakes the 3rd floor soaked in silence.

I took one step back from the internal stairway door opening swoosh— and moved the metal pipe I had moved to my left hand back to my right hand.

Then I slowly illuminated ahead with the flashlight I was holding in my left hand.

…

The 3rd floor with no response even to the sound of the door opening.

I gestured with my chin at the space that looked very similar in structure to the 2nd floor.

Tak—! Tak—!

Ko Janghun reacting like a ghost to my chin gesture hurriedly climbed the remaining stairs and threw out coins stuffed in his pocket.

Ting— Tiriririing—!

Coins flying smoothly and dancing under flashlight beams like spotlights.

A sound quite annoying to nearby zombies rang out, but the 3rd floor was still soaked in silence.

“…”

At that sight, my head tilted slightly.

Has there been such a quiet area during searches so far?

Not completely dark like basement floor 1, but also not bright enough to turn off flashlights, truly moderate darkness.

My brows naturally furrowed at the irritating ambiguity where the inside was clearly visible to the naked eye, but couldn’t be said to have secured clear visibility.

“…Keep the flashlights as is.”

It’s good to save resources, but it becomes meaningless the moment there’s loss of life.

So I just handed over the flashlight I was holding to Cha Seolhee and quietly crossed the threshold.

Swoosh—

A strange sound and sensation like my ears were filled with water even though I had just crossed one threshold.

An unpleasant smell kept pricking my nose with senses that had become very sensitive.

Two light beams assisting me as I slowly stepped forward.

One was Ko Janghun who was now familiar with this kind of thing, and one was—

‘Huh.’

I let out a faint laugh while looking at Cha Seolhee shining the flashlight I gave her forward and gestured with my chin.

The search team slowly entering the 3rd floor at my silent instruction.

I carefully scanned the surroundings in the light and shadow where the structure could be grasped quite well even without flashlights.

The 3rd floor Social Sciences and History Reading Room of the Central Library.

It was a space with a structure exactly the same as the 2nd floor, looking more and more alike.

Well, thinking about it, there was no reason or need for the structure to be different from the 2nd floor Humanities Reading Room.

Perhaps the only difference was one thing.

The area like a main entrance that doesn’t exist in the Humanities Reading Room.

The 2nd floor is conveniently connected to the 1st floor by the central staircase, but from the 3rd floor you have to use a different staircase.

A space almost identical to but slightly larger than the 2nd floor where the camp exists.

I carefully examined the bookshelves densely packed like a forest of buildings and started searching.

The search team following very quietly behind me as if forgetting to even exhale.

I led them and searched the right side of the 3rd floor first.

Unlike the 2nd floor that had finished tidying up quite well, the 3rd floor was full of traces from that day.

Fallen bookshelves and books scattered all over.

While quietly watching bloodstains thickly plastered to the point of messiness, in places that felt quite bad—

Ting— Tiriririing—

I always threw coins to check.

A very secretive search where even taking one step forward was careful.

Naturally it was labor that would consume quite a lot of mental energy.

I turned my head to check on the search team after confirming there was no threat ahead.

Those who had been slightly bowing their bodies and applying strength slowly relax and straighten their postures at my gaze.

The two minions and Park Hyoeun in charge of the rear of the formation.

My eyes narrowed as I examined Park Hyoeun among them.

A stupid appearance blankly opening his mouth while shining his flashlight upwards.

Park Woojin among the search team watching Park Hyoeun together at my gaze hurriedly hit his shoulder roughly thud—.

“What are you doing.”
“…Ah.”

Park Hyoeun finally coming to his senses at Park Woojin’s question whispered while hissing fiercely shik— shik—.

“I heard some sound from above—”
“Stop talking nonsense and just shine on the dark parts well.”
“…No, the ceiling is dark too—”

Park Hyoeun trying to continue speaking resentfully at Park Woojin’s gaze as if looking at a pathetic bastard.

A sneer leaked out at the fragments of fear and terror blatantly visible in his pupils.

It was more pitiful than funny that he was already trembling to this degree when the main game hadn’t even started yet.

To the point where the muscles and dan certificates attached to that body seemed wasteful.

“…Everyone has their first time.”
“Didn’t someone say earlier they’re an employer, not a protector?”
“This isn’t protection, but understanding.”
“Aha— But I think I’d do extremely well even on my first time.”
“…You make sexual harassment even at a moment like this.”

A gaze full of contempt as if seeing something she shouldn’t have.

I smiled lightly at Cha Seolhee’s gaze and instructed Ko Janghun.

“Shine upwards occasionally too. Like that bastard said, there could be bastards who were hiding on top of bookshelves and turned into zombies.”
“Yessir.”

An idiot is an idiot, but a blind spot is a blind spot.

It was natural to prepare for unforeseen dangers.

“Keeeeeek—”

A monstrous cry finally tickling ears during the quite peaceful search.

I exhaled a sigh of relief at the monstrous cry quietly flowing from the right corner of the 3rd floor.

Right, I feel more at ease hearing that sound.

The 3rd floor being too quiet unlike basement floor 1 was rather more uncomfortable.

Unless the zombie bastards were gathered in one place receiving psychological counseling or something—

It’s a normal situation for a small number of zombies to be letting out monstrous cries like that sound just now.

“Ko Janghun.”

Ko Janghun quickly sticking slightly next to Cha Seolhee at my call.

I clicked my tongue slightly without them knowing while looking at the kitchen knife spear and flashlight held in his hand, and the small hammer and flashlight held in Cha Seolhee’s hand.

I had to prevent zombies from approaching that side no matter what.

“Shield team.”
“Yessir.”

The two minions who had been responsible for the rear approach me hurriedly while holding table shields.

Thanks to that, I could see Park Hyoeun’s expression rotting as he was left alone in the back, but I didn’t give any other orders deliberately.

It’s questionable whether he’d listen, and this appearance itself isn’t a bad situation for me now.

Anyway, the problem won’t be solved by me killing Park Hyoeun now because he’s in the way.

Cha Seolhee would find a new employee without batting an eye if Park Hyoeun dies.

The real way to solve the problem is for Cha Seolhee herself to desperately realize.

That the problem can’t be solved with people like Park Hyoeun.

Ting—! Tiriririing—!

Ko Janghun’s coin made noise while moving away from the search team that had finished preparations.

And—

“Keeeeeeeek—!”

The sound of running to welcome us while going berserk excessively at the long-awaited presence is heard.

Bang—! Bang—!

A doll popping out while endlessly colliding with bookshelves obstructing its path.

A zombie revealed its appearance at the end of bookshelves stretched out long in the right corner.

‘One.’

A zombie running towards us in its unique posture while opening its mouth wide—.

I watched the zombie’s charge without taking any action.

It was after we had already finished discussing what to do if just one zombie popped out.

Hoo—! Hoo—! Hoo—!

Excited breathing clearly showing signs of tension tickled my ears.

Park Woojin and Kim Minjun who hurriedly blocked in front of me in awkward postures hold out what’s in their hands forward.

Table shields trembling dadadak— in their hands.

“Keeeeeek—!”

The enemy they were facing let out a monstrous cry while going even more berserk at the two prey that suddenly appeared.

Tak—! Tak—! Tak—!

A crazed charge gradually approaching.

Their own appearances fully reflected in those unique broken pupils.

The zombie’s eyes strangely glistening even in the faint darkness and blunt teeth.

“Uuuu—.”

Groans naturally burst out from the minions, but they couldn’t turn their footsteps back.

Because there was a more certain terror watching them behind them than the one in front of them.

There’s a chance of survival if they confront the one in front,

But if they run away like this, they will definitely die.

‘—Again.’

Like Sim Yuhan.

“Uuuuuu—.”

I smiled quietly while watching the minions who were carrying out my orders to the end even while groaning.

Well, I haven’t learned warfare or military science, but—

Isn’t this the context for handling soldiers?

Instill a greater fear than the threat faced, and instruct a simple process that isn’t complicated.

“Block.”
“Keeeeeeeeeek—!”

Boom—!

An impact arriving for the turtles with their bodies awkwardly bent.

The zombie’s leap that had only been faithful to the fact that there was prey was nicely blocked by the table shield.

“Keeeeeek—!”

The two minions’ backs stumbling greatly and the zombie’s roar now echoing from below.

I lightly pushed aside the two minions and struck the head of the zombie that had fallen to the floor from the failed leap.

Splat—!

The zombie’s head caving in even at a light swing without applying much strength.

[Remaining Points: 5]

I turned my head from the motionless zombie to the two minions after confirming the most certain killing blow.

“Well done.”
“…He-hehe.”

Park Woojin and Kim Minjun soaked in sweat as if they had showered during that short time.

“See. You can do it if you try, you can.”

I lightly pushed their shoulders thud— at their appearance barely responding to my smile like robots.

Well, this must be the first time for those bastards since they just sucked honey in the store while I was cleaning up zombies with Ko Janghun in basement floor 1.

Even if those bastards have changed quite faithfully, that’s that and this is this.

I was planning to make them acutely feel fear periodically like this so they wouldn’t even think of trying to climb up.

That way they’ll naturally feel how sweet what they’re enjoying is.

I opened my mouth to the two minions who were somehow bowing even more politely.

“You two are enough at this level, so tell that bastard trembling back there to come closer.”

Park Woojin and Kim Minjun hurriedly nodding their heads and moving to the back at that instruction.

Park Hyoeun who had been looking around in terror from behind belatedly came to his senses at Park Woojin’s whisper.

Park Hyoeun awkwardly clearing his throat kuluk— kuluk— and organizing his expression.

He slowly approached me while holding the monkey wrench.

And Cha Seolhee who would naturally be watching that appearance.

They were opponents I needed to drive in fear more certainly than the two minions today.

“It’s annoying but a promise is a promise, so shall we do this tutorial or whatever now?”
“…”

Park Hyoeun blankly staring at the zombie corpse lying under me even at my voice.

I subtly asked while slightly lowering my head towards him.

“Why? Do you need more time?”
“…What.”

A dry voice from hurriedly opening his mouth.

“What more time do I need. I just—”

Park Hyoeun who moistened his throat with saliva gestured behind.

“Woojin and Minjun suddenly went to the back— that method for catching zombies looked very good so why—”
“Don’t worry.”

I whispered more subtly while interrupting Park Hyoeun’s words.

That face quietly looking up at me full of tension even at my face full of mockery.

“Of course there’s a better method for you.”

Swoosh—!

I lightly pushed the zombie corpse to the corner with a kick and hurried my steps.

“Keeeeeek—!”

And Park Hyoeun’s turn came faster than expected.

After finishing checking the right corner, now it’s time to check the center.

Two zombies blankly standing at bookshelves where books donated by graduates were gathered detected our presence.

Boom—! Bang—!

Moreover, one more belatedly revealing its appearance.

Another competitor that heard the first zombies’ roars up close.

“Keeeeeek—!”
“P-Park Woojin—! Kim Minjun—! Wh-what are you doing, you bastards—!”

Park Hyoeun panicking at the charge of not one but three zombies.

The two minions guarding the rear just nonchalantly watched those zombies despite his urging.

Even if they had been stuck in the store for most of the time, they knew what they needed to know.

That the three zombies charging at them now were nothing.

It was natural considering how many zombies had rushed into the bathroom when Sim Yuhan died just recently.

Tak—!

The sound of lightly kicking off the ground and the sound of wind splitting immediately following.

“Keeeeeek—!”

Three zombies desperately reaching out their hands to grab me gradually approaching.

I swung the metal pipe at the zombie at the very front like usual.

Splat—!

The zombie collapsing right away from the metal lump that suddenly struck it.

However, the second zombie hurriedly spreads both arms without even paying attention to that miserable sight.

I rather approached that zombie as if welcoming the embrace.

A gesture of trying to hug my body with both arms as if not to miss me like that.

Before its two hands could meet across my waist, my shoulder strikes its chest first.

Crunch—!

The zombie rolling on the floor along with a sound like something breaking.

The third zombie falling together after getting caught on that one.

Splat—!

I struck the third zombie’s head among them then took one step back.

“Keeeeeek—!”

The zombie with its chest caved in to a clearly serious degree gets up as if nothing’s wrong.

Splat—! Splat—!

And two swings arriving for such a zombie.

Crunch—!

Two legs severely dented by the metal pipe finally collapse unable to support the center of gravity.

“Keeeeeek—!”

The zombie letting out a roar with its intact mouth as if spewing out pain.

“Keeeeeeeek—!”

But contrary to that roar, the zombie’s body swayed violently like a ship encountering rough waves.

Legs unable to advance forward unlike hands desperately reaching towards me.

I properly confirmed that appearance then turned my head.

…

Silence stickily clinging unlike the roars loudly echoing from the front.

I smiled lightly while looking at Park Hyoeun opening his mouth wide— and Cha Seolhee with her eyes open round.

Not as intense a reaction as I thought.

“What are you doing?”

Park Hyoeun’s shoulders flinching as if coming to his senses at my question.

“Keeeeeek—!”

I gestured with my chin while pointing at the zombie dragging its body to somehow approach me.

“Tutorial.”

The Adam’s apple of the bastard swallowing saliva too noticeably at the short word.

Thud—!

I deliberately bumped shoulders thud— with the bastard standing in place like a statue as if urging him and returned to my spot.

“Keeeeeek—!”

Seeing me gradually moving away, the bastard made the instinctively correct choice.

The zombie dragging its body towards the closest opponent, not me who had become further away.

I whispered while watching the zombie reaching out its hands desperately towards Park Hyoeun while letting out roars.

“It’s the first time…”

Cha Seolhee who would naturally be hearing my muttering.

I smiled faintly while ruminating on the inexperience of the first time she had mentioned.

Ziiik— Ziiiik—

The sound of dragging across the library floor and distance gradually closing like a grub.

Unable to endure that any longer, Park Hyoeun takes hesitant steps backwards.

“What’s important about first or second time? You’re just always crazily delicious meat to zombies.”

Look.

I whispered while watching the scene unfolding before her eyes as if urging.

Cha Seolhee listening to my words while just keeping her mouth shut.

I smiled brightly— while meeting eyes with her clear pupils.

“Even if I make it a happening, there’s no more terrifying end for that bastard than this moment right now.”

A zombie crawling uglily as if a person were doing slapstick if seen from afar.

And Park Hyoeun taking steps backward while utterly terrified at the sight of that zombie approaching.

“You smile and laugh calling tigers cute when watching videos, but your body freezes when a vicious dog on the street growls at you.”

Not just Park Hyoeun, everyone’s like that.

“Thoughts and reality are so different. No, this isn’t just different, it’s wrong. Thoughts and reality are so wrong.”

Here’s a question.

Cha Seolhee quietly looking at me even at the light tone completely unsuited to the situation.

A laugh naturally leaks out at the appearance completely different from always confidently talking back to my words.

“Will the body that froze at the son of a bitch yesterday freeze when seeing a son of a bitch tomorrow, or not?”
“Keeeeeek—!”

The strange chase that has now reached right in front of the search team.

A turtle dragging its body to somehow claim its prey and a rabbit that could run anytime but has forgotten that.

I whispered to Cha Seolhee while glancing at Park Hyoeun’s back.

“And if that son of a bitch becomes a zombie, how will you control that frozen body, student Cha Seolhee?”
“…”
“Why? You should shout that you’ll give more money. If he doesn’t listen even then, you should tempt him with that attractive offer.”

Cha Seolhee keeping her mouth tightly shut to the end and not avoiding my eyes even at my sarcasm.

“As if that idiot would hear that now.”

I had a sneer all over my face while watching Park Hyoeun who was still just taking steps backward even now.

“Here’s the second question. Then what is the appropriate method to control that idiot, student Cha Seolhee?”

I finished speaking like that and walked towards Park Hyoeun.

A similar speed to the zombie chasing him.

Thud—!

Finally the metal pipe I was holding out touches Park Hyoeun’s lower back as he was retreating.

Park Hyoeun turning his head like a flash to check behind at the sudden obstacle.

I slowly approached him and whispered the answer to the question.

Park Hyoeun’s backpedaling finally stopped as soon as my whisper ended.

Thud—!

Park Hyoeun’s body jerked at the metal pipe stabbing his lower back deeper as if urging.

“Uw, uwaaaaah—!”

Then Park Hyoeun ran while shouting as if screaming.

Splat—! Splat—! Splat—!

He struck the zombie that had been dragging its body on the floor incessantly with the monkey wrench.

“What’s the answer, student Cha Seolhee?”
“…You probably said he’d die.”

Cha Seolhee quietly submitting her answer sheet at my urging.

I smiled faintly while looking at that answer sheet.

“Correct answer.”

I muttered while approaching close enough that our noses almost touched.

“I told him he’d die if he didn’t kill that zombie now, in reverse.”

Park Hyoeun right now.

Not because of your money, not because of your body.

“He’s mustering courage he couldn’t even bring out solely because of my threat.”
“Uwaaaaah—!”

A very desperate courage heard from behind us.

I whispered to her while listening to the impact sounds of incessantly striking the zombie’s head.

“Then here’s the third question.”

Right now, this is.

“A threat or not?”