Chapter 48 - Chapter 50

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 50

Chapter Title: Second Rest Area

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Sensation faded away, then rushed back in a flash. When I opened my eyes, the familiar motel scenery came into view.

"..."

It looked exactly like the first rest area.

From the position of the door to the indoor decorations—every little detail was perfectly identical.

The only difference was that the bedcovers were rumpled, as if someone had used it.

...Well, that was only natural.

The lodging was a personal subspace assigned to each player, and it wouldn't reset until the player died.

In other words, that rumpled bed was my doing from the first rest area. The biscuit wrappers in the trash bin next to it were the same.

Of course, tidying up and cleaning could be handled with a single button.

'But it costs money.'

With prices like that, no one used the feature early on. Only a few out-of-touch types would ignore it and blow their points freely.

Anyway, once I confirmed I was back in the rest area and dropped my gear on the floor, notifications popped up one after another.

Double the reward from the tutorial.

The initial support funds had doubled as well.

'Others would faint if they saw this.'

Coming back to the rest area as a resident really made a difference. It was a moment that let me feel just how privileged that status was.

I stared blankly into empty space.

'No surprises in the survivor count.'

The leading digits—2 billion—were the same as before, even if the trailing ones might have shifted a bit.

Since we were latecomers, even if all remaining players survived and crossed over, it wouldn't make a dramatic change.

Half of humanity was gone, and the survivors faced the next trial.

'The future's still dark and unchanged.'

But one thing had changed.

Me.

It was subtle now, but the changes starting from me would snowball, shaking the entire selection process.

Unlike the first round, many more would survive, and we'd breeze through the final trial.

'I'll make sure of it.'

Of course, there was one nagging concern.

-I don't like it. It bothers me that a resident is participating in the selection process.

Shaking up the game might draw the administrator's intervention again.

The reassuring part was that even a goddess couldn't meddle freely in the trials, but it was still a variable.

'What to do.'

I pondered.

It seemed certain she'd intervene if things got big.

'Hmm.'

After a brief moment of thought, I shook it off.

"It's on my mind, but let's not dwell on it now."

The trials weren't easy enough to worry about uncertainties. Half-assed adjustments could backfire.

'Stick to the original plan: roll the snowball thoroughly and grow.'

Then break through the final trial with my people.

Yeah, that was my best shot.

I took a deep breath, solidifying my resolve. My slightly uneasy mind settled into calm.

'Alright, time to wash up.'

As I started undressing to head out—

"?"

A notification I'd never seen before popped up, demanding attention.

'Lodging upgrade?'

In the selection process, lodging was a crucial system.

It was given equally to everyone—a truly personal domain no one could invade.

A perfect sanctuary guaranteeing safety, where even a trial-zone serial killer was fully protected.

'The downside? It's only about 260 square feet.'

Everything was great except the cramped space.

Why was that a problem?

'Humans instinctively want a nice home to show off, especially after starting a family.'

But even after conquering trials, growing strong, and succeeding wildly, your personal lodging stayed around 260 square feet.

'By then, it's too small.'

It stops feeling like a house and becomes just a room.

You earn hundreds of times more, yet live in a tiny place—it grates.

And even without personal desires, parties often evolve into guilds as they grow.

'Unity is key for guilds.'

But 260 square feet is too tight for that.

For all sorts of reasons—showing off, family needs, or organizational growth—people seek new homes outside lodging.

It was inevitable, and eventually, I'd get swept up too...

I stared blankly at the blinking notification.

"I can upgrade the house?"

Something no one else could do was now possible for me. But my reaction was lukewarm.

'Meh, what would I even use an upgraded house for? Pass.'

260 square feet was plenty for me alone.

Later, if I needed space for group unity, better to save up and buy a building outside.

The base size would be totally different.

As I thought that, another chime sounded.

"..."

...Was it reading my mind?

Blink blink.

A bit suspicious... no, very suspicious, but I wasn't haughty enough to turn down free. I hit confirm.

A bunch of options popped up.

[Interior Expansion]

[Exterior Expansion]

[Theme Change]

[Add Interior Decor Items]

First upgrades were all free. I tapped the top one.

Rumble rumble rumble.

"Wha—what?"

The motel room suddenly shook violently. Walls pushed back, space stretching out.

The finished lodging kept the same interior and overall look—no real change there—but the space had grown massively.

Almost double the size.

The bathroom had tripled, big enough for two bathtubs.

"Huh, well... bigger is nice...?"

I tried the next one.

[Exterior Expansion] added a doorway by the window, creating a balcony. [Theme Change] transformed the interior and exterior drastically.

The outside view became a vast lake with snow-capped mountains beyond. The inside shifted from dim motel vibes to bright resort hotel colors.

'Can't go out on the balcony, huh.'

It felt blocked by an invisible barrier—no crossing to the lakeside. But the cool breeze and scent carried perfectly.

'Better than buying a building in the rest area.'

Not just the healing view and breeze, but instant creation was unimaginable.

Normally, after buying, you'd manually wallpaper, tile, etc.

Specialists made a living off that.

'Now for the last one: [Add Interior Decor Items].'

A list scrolled out.

Some items sparkled like recommendations. One caught my eye.

[Fresh Core: Cleans all gear like new.]

'Laundry?'

No more hand-washing?

My hand moved on its own.

No reason to pick anything else.

After a trial, sweat was manageable. Monster fluids? A nightmare to clean.

Especially hand-polishing leather, armor, weapons—tedious.

'It does it all like new automatically?'

I selected it. A huge wardrobe-like machine appeared in the corner. I loaded my equipped gear, activated it—red light to green in under 3 seconds.

"Whoa, for real?"

Pulled them out gleaming like new. Even underwear.

'Not bad. Let's upgrade some other recommended items.'

Full of expectations, I checked—

"..."

Nothing to say.

Cheapest recommended item at 1,000 points? With first-trial rewards at 200, insane.

And that was 50% off for resident privilege—normally 2,000.

'Now that's spending.'

I shook my head and stood. Gear maintenance done—time to wash and head out before late.

Appointment time was approaching fast.

Stepping into the street, the sun was already dipping toward the western mountains.

'4:49. About 10 minutes left.'

Not fully set yet—the red glow lingered.

Twilight hadn't fallen, so it was still bright as day. Clear view of the streets.

I scanned around and nodded.

'Finally feels legit.'

Streets wider, more buildings, more people.

Makes sense. Before, it was one district of Seoul; now, one ward.

Participants gradually gather in fewer spots to tackle trials together.

'Atmosphere's definitely different from the first rest area.'

Roads filthy, vibe menacing.

Previously clean; now spit everywhere, some blood or semen.

Swipe.

A long blood trail on the road led to the alley by my lodging. Owner dumped crudely at the entrance.

'Dead about two days.'

Sword wounds everywhere—fight gone wrong. Heart area hollow.

Agh.

'Hm?'

Faint groan drew me deeper into the alley. Corpses littered it.

Gutted torsos. Limbless. Headless...

Finally spotted the source amid the variety.

Thwack thwack thwack thwack.

A man gripped a woman's hips, thrusting wildly.

"Agh. Ugh. Ah, cum inside, just spare my life..."

No way she went willingly into that hell. Ambushed on the street, dragged in.

"Pl-please! Someone help... Aaagh!"

Cries leaked to the main road, but no one stepped up.

"Keep walking."

"Yeah, don't get involved."

Distrustful eyes. Suspecting traps, they skirted the alley.

Tension etched on faces. Pedestrians kept distance from each other.

Constant vigilance against attacks. Women moved in groups of three or more.

'Suspicion's second nature.'

Gripping weapons—peak selection process players.

Maybe that's why trust was scarce: everyone held instant-kill tools.

'Security's a mess.'

Would last a while.

Human hunters rampant.

Distrust peaks, hindering trials.

Necessity for alliances arises.

Then mega-guilds emerge, self-appointing as 'rest area police.'

'Until then, everyone watch their backs.'

"Gurk."

The overexcited man, caught off-guard mid-rape, clutched his throat and staggered back. Blood poured. Woman dropped her dagger, hands shaking.

Fluids dripped from both—stabbed at climax.

She trembled, then grabbed her dagger and looted the fallen man before fleeing.

'That's why later they cut hands or fuck corpses.'

Body still warm post-mortem, twitching reflexively for a while.

Same either way.

Thud.

Man's breath stopped. Humanity's morals wearing thin today too.

'Time's up. Head back.'

As I returned to my lodging, soaking in the bleak street vibe while waiting for the group—

"Hey, you there! You look like you have a lot on your mind!"

"?"

Awkward Korean accent. I turned to see a bespectacled white woman in her twenties addressing me.

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