I Became The Necromancer In The Post-Apocalyptic Zombie World

Chapter 38

—–CROW—– 

Yoon Kang-hyun lay dead, his outer clothes stained with blood. His face was badly damaged. One eye was swollen shut, and his mouth was agape, revealing missing teeth.

“…Beating, then?”

He wasn’t a doctor or a detective, so he couldn’t determine the cause of death with certainty, but it looked like he’d been struck repeatedly with a blunt object.  His teeth had been broken, not cleanly extracted. When he rolled up the sleeves and looked under the hem of his shirt, he found bruises all over his body.

“Did they beat him to death, or was it just torture?”

That was the conclusion he reached. Kang-hyun hadn’t died from a zombie attack, an accident, or starvation.

Of course, this world was insane.  It wasn’t unusual for conflict to arise over food and supplies.  But if he was beaten for the sake of *torture*…  That meant a dangerous person was lurking nearby.

“I have to be careful.”

He stood up and addressed the zombies.

“All of you, patrol the area around that apartment building from now on.  If any survivors approach it, kill them.”

The zombies, who had been surrounding Kang-hyun’s body, immediately moved to carry out his order.  He added the “kill them” condition. It was their instinct, but he wanted to be sure.

“Any normal survivor would avoid that many zombies.”

If Kang-hyun had been tortured to death, then those torturers had a purpose.  If *he* were a sadistic torturer, what information would he want from a survivor?

“The location of other survivors, of course.”

If torture was involved, Kang-hyun might have given away Baek Min-ah’s location. He looked at Kang-hyun’s body.

“I don’t know what kind of person you were…”

Even a person with strong ideals couldn’t endure torture. He had the zombies patrol Min-ah’s apartment building, in case she’d been exposed.

The sheer number of zombies would deter anyone.  Even if someone was brave enough to try, they’d be no match without a weapon.

“I hope I’m just being paranoid.”

He couldn’t help but imagine the worst in this world.  And this was an unknown entity. He had no idea how the torturers would act.

“Anyway… let’s see…”

He decided to complete his objective.  He examined the body and found a ring on the ring finger of his left hand.

“Min-ah had the same one.”

That would do. He removed the ring from Kang-hyun’s finger. Showing her the body would definitively prove his death, but he wasn’t a psychopath. She’d be devastated by the news, so the ring would be enough.

“I should head back.”

He decided to return to the department store. A dangerous presence had been detected, so he had to reinforce security there too.

—

[Side Quest – A Family Without Its Pillar]

He rested at the department store and completed the side quest.

—*Ding.*

[You have completed the Side Quest – A Family Without Its Pillar. Quest rewards will be given.]

[You have gained 50 points.]

[A bonus has been added to ‘Baek Min-ah’s’ favorability.]

[The effects of your semen on ‘Baek Min-ah’ have increased.]

“Favorability bonus and… semen?”

He’d received the expected amount of points, but the bonus confused him. Favorability meant her affection for him had increased.  But the effects of his semen…?

“Is it about Domination and servant stats?”

He’d only know after ejaculating into her. He dismissed the message.

“50 points, huh…”

“Mmm, slurp, huh? Did you say something, Mister?”

“No, just muttering about my abilities.”

“Tsk, please focus on me when you’re with me.”

Ha-yeon rubbed his cock against her cheek, pouting. She often expressed her dissatisfaction when he was too busy with other women.

“Kyaa, that’s amazing!♥”

His cock brushed against her face, and she blushed. Her previous complaints were forgotten as she positioned herself above him.

*Slide, slide.*

“Hehe, I accept this offering♥”

—*Swish.*

She aligned her wet opening with the head of his cock and slid him inside.

*Thrust, thrust.*

“Haa, haa…! Mister, it’s amazing every time…! Ugh, you’re so big…!”

Ha-yeon’s warm, tight pussy clenched around him. She moved her hips, moaning beautifully. He held her thighs, letting his mind wander.

“These points are a bit stingy.”

If he could figure out how side quests appeared, he could get more points.  He wanted to test out the items in the store. He didn’t know how they’d help him survive.

“I’ll have to study side quests later.”

Ah-rin was quite creative in this area, so they’d come up with something good if they worked together.

*Thrust, thrust.*

“Haa, Mister, I love this so much…! Please feel me more…! Please only think of me when you’re with me!♥”

“What are you talking about? I think about you all the time.”

“Hmph…! You’re a liar… every time, it’s all about other women…!”

Ha-yeon, clearly holding onto some resentment, rubbed her breasts against him and kissed him passionately.  He lay still, enjoying her caresses and the contractions of her pussy.

—

After a pleasant time with Ha-yeon, Seo-ho fell asleep. The next day, he went to Min-ah’s apartment.

It was the day of reckoning. He had to tell her about her husband. But his true goal was to make her his.

“I hesitate to knock.”

He had some human feelings left. He’d orchestrated events to win her over, but he had grown attached to Min-ah and Hyun-seo.  He felt a pang of guilt when he thought about how they’d feel about Kang-hyun’s death.

But he had to deliver the news.  And if she lost her husband, he would take his place. With that thought in mind, he knocked on the door.

*Knock, knock.*

“[…Is that Seo-ho-ssi?]”

Min-ah’s voice sounded more cautious than before. She was likely still shaken by the zombie encounter.

“Yes, it’s me. It’s safe. Could you open the door?”

“[Okay! I’ll open it right away!]”

Min-ah sounded relieved.

—*Creak.*

“You must be tired from your trip. Please come in…”

Min-ah greeted him with a shy smile, but her face hardened as she saw his dark expression.

“……”

Her shoulders trembled, her eyes widened. She quickly looked out the door, confirming that he was alone, then grasped his hand.

“S-Seo-ho-ssi…”

“……”

“Please answer me… you… you haven’t found him yet, have you?”

Her anxious gaze pleaded for a negative answer. But his expression made her realize the truth. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“…I didn’t know what to do. I put the body somewhere safe.”

He took her trembling hand and placed Kang-hyun’s ring in it.

“……Ah, ahh.”

Min-ah collapsed to the floor, staring at the ring.

“That’s…”

He couldn’t say anything. He’d planned to say something to comfort her, but he couldn’t. Min-ah sat on the floor, clutching the ring and weeping.  The harsh reality she’d been denying was now before her, and she was finally releasing the tears she’d held back.

“……Mom?”

Hyun-seo, sensing the somber atmosphere, approached cautiously. Even though she was only eight years old, her face was a mask of shock and grief.

“…H-Hyun-seo…”

Min-ah hugged her daughter tightly, weeping. She seemed more like a woman seeking comfort from her daughter than a mother comforting her child. Hyun-seo, who had lost her father, also began to cry, clinging to her only remaining family.

—

“Did Hyun-seo fall asleep?”

“……Yes.”

The two women, who had been grieving together, had stopped crying, but the reality was still heavy. Hyun-seo had fallen asleep, exhausted from crying over her father’s death. Min-ah, her face pale with grief, sat curled up on the sofa.

He sat beside her. Min-ah leaned against him.

“I knew it, in my heart.”

She stared blankly at the floor, her eyes red and swollen.

“Even after ten days, when there was no news… I knew it.”

Min-ah spoke her truth after confirming Kang-hyun’s death. She had always known, but a part of her had refused to accept it.

“So… I feel relieved, now that I’ve cried.”

She smiled faintly, her eyes still swollen. She was clearly heartbroken, but she seemed relieved. She’d probably grieved his death a week ago. Her tears today were a farewell.

“Don’t try to be strong. You can cry more.”

He gently put his arm around her, pulling her close. Min-ah blushed and grasped his hand.

“No, I’ve let go of my regrets. I need to think about the future.”

Her warm hand held his, as if asking him to stay.

“I have Hyun-seo… I need to move on, especially in this world.”

But her hand trembled, betraying the sorrow she was trying to suppress.  She looked at him with a forced smile.

“……”

She was silent, her tearful eyes looking at him. As if she wanted him to say something, but knew she couldn’t ask.

He sensed her silent request. He smiled gently.

“Then, after you’ve rested, shall we think about what to do next? Together?”

“……”

Her eyes widened, then she lowered her head with a faint smile, resting her head against his chest.

“…Really? Really, you’ll do that?”

He stroked her hair and quietly responded.

“Don’t worry. I can take care of you and Hyun-seo.”

Min-ah’s shoulder trembled. She looked up, her face flushed, her eyes filled with emotion.

Their gazes met, a strange tension filling the air. He cupped her cheek and slowly leaned in.

He felt her warm breath as he got closer to her lips. She parted her lips, and her hand on his chest trembled.

“W-Wait…!”

Min-ah’s face flushed. She pulled away, looking flustered. She seemed hesitant about something.

“…I’m s-sorry. It’s not that I dislike you, Seo-ho-ssi… it’s just that… I thought of my husband…”

She was likely thinking about Yoon Kang-hyun. She and he had been close to crossing a line, but the thought of her recently deceased husband held her back.

“I understand.”

Even though she’d grieved for a week and finally let go of her attachment, it was too soon for her to kiss another man. He found her innocence even more alluring.

He cupped her face and turned her to face him. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of longing and hesitation.

“I understand how you feel. Please, don’t apologize.”

“…Seo-ho-ssi.”

She knew his touch was not a rejection.  She smiled, relieved. He lowered his hand from her cheek and took her hand.

Their hands warmed each other. He pulled her closer, letting her feel his warmth. Min-ah’s eyes trembled.

“I just wanted to comfort you, that’s all.”

He stroked her hair. He knew she was attracted to him. But her sense of loyalty to Kang-hyun held her back. She felt guilty about being with another man so soon after his death.

He had to give her an excuse. A reason to move on without guilt.

“I’m sure Yoon Kang-hyun-ssi is also suffering because he left you behind.”

“……My husband?”

“Yes, he must be suffering, leaving his loved ones in such a dangerous place.”

She lowered her head, tears welling up. He stroked her hair.

“So, forget the pain. That’s what Yoon Kang-hyun-ssi would want.”

“R-Really? Do you think… Do you think he’d want me to…?”

“Of course.”

He smiled gently.

“If I had left you behind, I would feel the same way. I know that for sure.”

He pulled her close and whispered in her ear.

“Both Yoon Kang-hyun-ssi and I want you to be happy.”

Min-ah’s hand on his chest clenched his shirt. She no longer resisted. When he pulled back, she looked at him with a mixture of longing and anticipation. Her gaze was no longer hesitant. It was full of excitement.

He smiled and leaned in to kiss her. Her lips, still wet from tears, soon became wet with his saliva.

—–CROW—–