Chapter 38 – Ruins of the Zombie Apocalypse

"What are you laughing at? Acting like you're something special."

"Something special?"

"You're a perpetual D-class, with no one to accompany you to the dungeon, so you ended up here. How embarrassing."

What a misunderstanding!

"Didn't you just see my popularity skyrocket?"

"Trying to impress your sister's friend. Pathetic."

"Actually, aren't you the one with no one to go with unless it's your brother?"

Stella's face flushed with anger as she heard my words.

"I choose solo matches because I have exceptional skills! If I had anyone else, they'd just be holding me back."

"Oh, really?"

"So don't interfere."

She was getting defensive. It seemed she didn't appreciate someone intruding in her territory and class.

My relationship with Stella still teetered precariously on the edge of a blade forged from mutual contempt.

Even though we had brought our festering wounds into the light, they hadn't disappeared.

Stella still didn't trust me.

At the very least, it stopped her from kicking me out of the house…

"Then, shall I show you a more brotherly side of me today?"

If I were Stella, I would hate myself too. After all, I've never shown anything particularly impressive.

"Stella, let's embark as the Kim Sang-hyuk duo."

"Yes."

[「Perception·Red」activated]

I grabbed Stella's wrist as she headed for A-9.

"What are you doing?"

"Let's go this way. I found a B-rank dungeon."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

[C(B)-rank Dungeon]

[#10098. Zombie Apocalypse Ruins][Rarity C+][Reward C+][Anomaly B+]

[A demon merchant will appear in this dungeon]

[This dungeon possesses an anomaly above the standard level, and its rank will increase when certain conditions are met]

[Reward weight +1]

[Maximum number of participants – 3 (squad)]

"Would it be dangerous if the two of us go together?"

I initially ran this way, thinking it would always be better to aim for a higher rank,

but upon reflection, I'm considerably weaker than Stella.

This means I don't have the power to take responsibility for this dungeon.

The Golden Orc Fortress, where the anomaly erupted, was so strong that Henna's C-rank attacks were almost neutralized.

In other words, there is a high possibility that I will be of no help if faced with danger.

Even if I wanted to show my brotherly side…

"It's not right for a brother to intentionally put his sister in danger."

Hoping for a miraculous rescue like in Seridwen, could I really push my back off a cliff and expect everything to work out?

Such actions are fit for beasts, not humans. The moment it becomes a "trap I intended," I forfeit my humanity.

Then, just as Chairman Wilhelm said, I would become Villain A, deserving of isolation.

"Academy dungeons are, at best, C-level. Most of them don't even surpass D-level. What do you know?"

"Shh."

I brought Stella close and whispered to her.

"We have to keep it between us and sneak in."

"…"

Stella looked at me with suspicious eyes.

"Before that, let me ask one thing: I'm not planning on doing it if it seems dangerous, but can we clear a B-level dungeon with me by your side?"

"You're saying this because you know I'm A-level, right?"

"I asked just to confirm…"

I feel foolish for asking.

Being A-rank meant surpassing Yuuna, and yet, Stella had managed to achieve such a level at such a young age.

"It's impressive to be A-rank. It's quite rare for our grade."

"First-year students are more common. All the freshmen this time are exceptional, myself included."

Was this the confidence of an A-rank individual?

Stella scoffed and raised her chin with an air of amusement.

'Ethol freshmen are truly remarkable…'

The strength of Seridwen, said to be SS-rank, was so far beyond comprehension that it was unimaginable.

In Stella's worldview, the strongest person had been Yuuna…

How formidable was Stella in comparison?

"Then, entering this dungeon shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"I'm skeptical about it being B-rank. Can you really be sure?"

"It does say that certain conditions need to be met."

"…So you've observed some irregularity?"

Let's assume we've roughly assessed the situation.

I fear that "Detection: Red" might also be labeled as a dangerous skill.

In the end, the choice lies with Stella. If she doesn't want to go, the only option is to visit another dungeon.

"Should we go elsewhere if it feels uneasy?"

"Yes. It would be a waste to let someone else have it."

"Then I'll gather the necessary supplies. How about you, Stella?"

"I don't need anything like that."

It appears that Stella intends to go empty-handed.

It's Grade A, so it should be fine.

I headed to the locker room, armed myself with a Glock, and fastened an ammunition belt around my waist.

'Check the 9mm magazine.'

Today, my goal is to stay close to Stella and fulfill the role of a porter effectively.

I visit the Academy B workshop to purchase the required items.

I had only been there once, but Chen, a third-year senior, recognized my face and struck up a conversation first.

"Grade D underclassman. You're back again?"

"Hello. I came to buy some miscellaneous items today."

"Go ahead. It's good to see you working diligently."

I wasn't sure if they'd let me in without Yuuna, but fortunately, I was allowed to pass.

Now is the time to fill my locker room, which has nothing but student council merchandise, with items that can aid in conquering the dungeon.

[Essol Academy Student ID]

[Kim Sang-hyuk]

[112,360 coins]

"Could I have this crossbody bag, please?"

"That'll be 50 coins."

First, I purchased a black crossbody bag and filled it with various items.

I also purchased a durable field watch that doesn't break easily. After swiftly stuffing various items into my cross bag, I found myself 300 coins lighter, but I still had plenty to spare.

"Did you manage to earn some money with Yuuna last time?"

"Fortunately, yes."

"I'll give you a 50 coin discount. Keep up the good work!"

All the third-year seniors seemed to have good hearts. The D-class was working diligently, and it appeared to inspire their sympathetic nature.

"Thank you."

I had 112,110 coins left. There was still plenty of breathing room. Onahole sales were not typically a business that generated a surplus.

"Why were you so late? We thought you had run away!"

"I was gathering up various things."

[Participating in the dungeon]

[Participants – Stella, Kim Sang-hyuk]

I followed Stella, who had started first, and dove into the gravitational waves.

"Zombie Apocalypse Ruins"

This was the third dungeon I was set to conquer.

A refreshing breeze blew in. As I transitioned from being indoors to outdoors, the first thing I noticed was the change in the air.

"Ugh…"

Stella wobbled slightly.

"Huh? Are you experiencing dive sickness?"

"Don't touch me."

"Alright."

Let's be careful not to offend our dealer.

"I'll be your porter, Stella."

"Of course, you should be the porter. You wouldn't be much help otherwise."

"Let's enjoy ourselves!"

"You're quite cheerful. I'm getting dizzy just thinking about having to spend the next few hours with you."

I halted in my tracks.

"…You?"

"…"

As if to say he wouldn't tolerate that, he gently looked at Stella.

"Having to be with 'brother'…"

"Hmm."

OK. Let's move on.

I almost stuck a stunner into the asphalt, didn't I?

No matter how strong of an A-class little sister she is, I don't want to resort to such violence with the heroine.

'But where on earth are we?'

I entered the dungeon after seeing the name "Zombie Apocalypse Ruins," but

I really didn't expect to be thrown into the heart of a ruined city. The situation is quite perplexing.

The darkness of the night made it impossible to know what might jump out at any moment.

I'm a little scared.

However, our A-class dealer Stella strides forward with confidence.

With a playful side-up ponytail, Stella, the blonde sister with red eyes, looked as if she could be the main heroine of a light novel. It felt quite strange to see her walking amidst an apocalyptic backdrop.

'Ah, a horoscope warning.'

I pulled out my Glock and diligently scanned Stella's surroundings.

"You don't need to do that."

In a flash, red sparks burst from Stella's forehead, and suddenly, lightning struck a heap of collapsed buildings. The zombies were instantaneously reduced to charcoal.

'What is this? Automatic hunting?'

Stella didn't even allow the zombies to crawl out.

"Just stay 30 steps away so that you won't bother me."

"…Understood."

She's indeed an A-grade fighter. It's legendary that she almost used that lightning skill at home while fighting me. If I hadn't canceled it with a Giant Swing, the second floor might have burned down…

After walking for about 30 minutes, the results were clear. Without any intervention from me, Stella had turned 70 zombies into coal in almost no time.

'Her hunting speed is incredible…'

"Why are you so surprised? Did you think you could contribute even 1%?"

Overwhelmed.

He consistently dismisses me with every word.

"I take 100% of it, and all the coins are mine. There's nothing to distribute to the likes of you."

"Are you being too harsh with your words?"

"Isn't it the truth?"

Why is it that A-rank wizards, like Deherit, have such an arrogant attitude as their default?

It's as if they're trying to create a negative impression….

"Just stand back and watch. The difference in our levels is unmistakable… Aaah!"

A sudden scream from the girl.

"Stella?"

Stella has fallen and can't get up, so I immediately rush to her side.

…This is a big problem.

What knocked down the A-class wizard, who wasn't even fazed by the zombie horde, was the broken rebar jutting out from a pile of concrete.

She carelessly walked into it, catching her ankle.

"Ugh, this is…"

"Don't move!"

'The ligament seems to be okay, but she's bleeding quite a lot.'

If she walks like this, the wound will only worsen. I hurriedly help Stella into a nearby building.

Here, too, the landscape was marred by ruin, with the remains of buildings jutting out at odd angles. I retrieved a flashlight from my crossbody bag and inspected the interior of a crumbling structure before cautiously laying Stella down.

"It's really not a big deal!"

"What about the difference in elevation? You should have been more careful while walking!"

"…"

Stella's eyes widened as her lips parted. It seemed there was no proper retort to offer.

"When did you last have a tetanus shot?"

"Maybe… two years ago? Ugh…"

The wound bled profusely. Luckily, I had a first aid kit on hand to apply medication and wrap the injury in a bandage.

'Already putting it to use.'

"…"

Stella glared at me intently.