Chapter 10 – The Unwavering Dandelion

Tatapatapata—

My hands were moving faster than ever.

But a smartphone is still a smartphone.

It couldn’t beat the speed of comments typed on a PC keyboard.

[Nickname? Why the nickname?]

[Wait, now that I look at the author’s nickname… isn’t that him?]

[Oh, I remember. Don’t peel the seed! LMAO]

My name is Seong Siwoo. Taking the first two letters, S and S, they made the nickname “Seed” (Ssi), and mocking me—the perennial second-place pro gamer—by telling me “don’t peel the seed” (a pun on “Ssi”) had become a bit of a culture.

As my identity was revealed, everyone immediately began spamming.

[Don’t peel the seed! Don’t peel the seed! Don’t peel the seed! Don’t peel the seed! Don’t peel the…]

[Siwoo! You’re alive! I missed you! Siwoo! You’re alive! I missed you! Siwoo! You’re alive! I mis…]

[So when are you winning? So when are you winning? So…]

“Sigh, here we go again.”

I let out a sigh. While it wasn’t as intense as the peak of my pro gamer career, the firepower of the comments was considerable.

Of course, it wasn’t that I was controversial or hated; it was more like they were glad to see a celebrity after a long time. But as is the nature of internet community comments, they weren’t exactly friendly.

“Seeing this is almost nostalgic.”

However, in my previous life, I had seen every kind of hardship imaginable. Malicious comments of this level didn’t even scratch my heart; they were practically cute.

Come to think of it, if I hadn’t used SSWOO and had used any other nickname, there was a high possibility I wouldn’t have met Dandelion.

“Does this mean… I should be grateful to the website owner?”

I felt like I had just gotten lucky, but I had certainly benefited from that guy’s philosophy.

Even if it meant dealing with annoying comments.

“Well, it worked out, so it’s fine.”

Of course, it wasn’t without problems.

The people enthusiastic about my appearance were diligently typing comments even while the world was ending in real-time. At this rate, even if I replied, there was a high chance my response would be buried under other people’s comments.

Meanwhile, I wasn’t the only one who recognized her.

[But… guys, is it true you can’t recognize someone more important than SSWOO who’s here?]

[Who?]

[Huh? That nick… no way?]

[Dandelion? Isn’t this… that person?]

[Who is this random nobody?]

[Sigh, there’s someone who doesn’t know her. Here (Link).]

Curious, I clicked the link. The link led directly to a MeTube video, and the content was as follows.

* * *

In the video, I was a pro gamer in my prime, competing in a match. And as always, the commentators were shouting passionately.

[Yes! Now, player Seong Siwoo has decided on a secret expansion!]

[If this gets caught, it could be a huge disaster! But looking at the opponent’s tech tree, it’s as if he’s declaring, ‘Ah, you dare go for macro management? In front of me, Seong Siwoo? Then I’ll go for macro too!’]

[Macro management is player Seong Siwoo’s specialty! His macro is the best in the Republic of Korea—no, truly world-class! If he keeps this up—uh, uh?]

The commentators, who had been explaining passionately, suddenly stopped.

This was because a woman appeared on the screen.

[Uh… wow.]

[Wow…]

[…Uh, huh… yes.]

And then, a brief silence.

[Uh, ahem.]

[Wow, she’s incredibly beautiful!]

Only after a moment had passed did the commentators, sensing their broadcasting accident, try to cover it up.

Only then did the woman realize her face was caught on screen, and perhaps out of shyness, she hid her face beneath her scarf.

But her beauty was not something that could be hidden, and her face had already spread across the country via the live broadcast.

[Hey, who was that person just now?]

[Is she a model? A celebrity? Model? Celebrity? Model? Celeb…]

[I don’t care about the match anymore, please show her face again.]

[Stop the match! Stop the match! Stop the match! Stop the mat…]

[She’s seriously gorgeous even hiding behind the scarf.]

[I want to be that scarf! I want to be that scarf…]

After that, she earned the nickname “Scarf Woman,” and whenever she stood in the spectator seats, she drew all the attention…

People soon noticed another pattern.

She only ever came to the spectator seats for my matches.

Like a dandelion, with a single-hearted devotion.

Dandelion was her nickname.

* * *

[Scarf Woman! Scarf Woman! Scarf Woman! Scarf Woman! Scarf Wo…]

[Don’t peel the seed! Don’t peel the seed! Don’t peel the seed! Don’t peel the seed! Don’t peel the…]

[Take the curse of 2nd place! Take the curse of 2nd place! The curse of 2nd…]

Meanwhile, the comment section was burning even more fiercely due to her appearance. And in a situation that had grown this large, I couldn’t possibly add more fuel to the fire.

‘I have no choice but to send a private message.’

I clicked next to her nickname and requested a private message. As if she had been waiting, she accepted immediately.

[Hello?]

[Are you really SSWOO?]

[Yes. Are you really Dandelion?]

[Yes! Wow, I’m so glad you’re safe!]

Her joy was exactly as I remembered.

I asked her:

[Then, by any chance, do you remember that place from last time?]

[Omg… if you mean that place, do you mean there? There’s no way I’d forget! Shall we go at 3 o’clock, like back then?]

‘She really is her.’

That time and place. To others, it would have sounded incredibly vague, but if it were really her, she couldn’t not know.

When I was frustrated by repeated second-place finishes, she, unable to watch me suffer, had secretly told me at a fan signing event that she really wanted to meet me privately once. In the end, we met just that one time.

And the pure support I received from her during that private meeting had given me so much strength. It was just a simple cup of coffee, but it was a day that left a deep impression on both of us.

Furthermore, this website was created using the ability of my Past Life Comrade. Impersonation was virtually impossible from the start.

I decided to set up an appointment immediately.

[It might be a bit dangerous… but could I see you in a week, at that same place as last time?]

[Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! I’ll definitely be there!]

“Good.”

I smiled brightly.

The reason I wanted to meet her…

Wasn’t simply because of her looks or because we had a connection.

While she was a truly grateful person who always cheered for me during my pro gamer days, we hadn’t had a relationship beyond that.

However, before the regression, just before humanity faced extinction, I had met her once more. We had both come to think this after learning about each other’s abilities:

‘If only we had met a little sooner… could humanity have survived?’

But by then, it was far too late.

Of course, this time, things are going to be different.

* * *

Thorn Spiders are different from Rake Wolves.

No matter how large and sharp a Rake Wolf’s claws are, those are melee weapons that can only be used upon approach.

In contrast, humanity had long-range weapons—guns—capable of projecting overwhelming firepower.

Thus, with the Rake Wolf’s meager defense, they often ended up collapsed and drenched in blood before they could even approach police officers or soldiers. As long as one was careful, they were no match.

But Thorn Spiders are capable of long-range attacks.

Moreover, when you add the ability to climb walls using those sturdy eight legs, a vicious ambush weapon is born.

This was especially true in Korea, where there are many high-rise buildings like apartments. You might think you’ve taken cover well, only for a thorn to fly from the wall of a high-rise building on the opposite side and impale you.

If you started looking up to keep an eye on the high-rises, your attention was inevitably split, and on days when a gap appeared in your vigilance, you were bound to suffer terrible damage from a Rake Wolf that had crept up unnoticed.

In other words, unlike with the Rake Wolves, the appearance of Thorn Spiders was the turning point where monsters began to become a truly practical threat to humanity.

Society seemed to feel this as well; the atmosphere became much more unsettled and intimidated than before.

Sua and Deokchan felt it too.

“Sua. Come closer this way.”

“Yes, Father.”

The two, who had gone to the next neighborhood today to receive rations, subtly turned to the opposite street upon seeing suspicious people in the distance.

It was a wise decision.

It had only been 10 days, but people were starting to run out of food. Although the military was providing rations, the population of the Seoul Metropolitan Area alone exceeded 26 million.

In the current chaotic situation, it was nearly impossible to feed all these people to their fill.

And though it’s often hidden in a prosperous modern society, surprisingly many people will do anything when they are hungry.

In other words, the first Looters were beginning to emerge.

“It’s turned out exactly as Mr. Siwoo predicted.”

“I know. It’s almost uncanny.”

The two whispered as they lowered their posture and entered the Redevelopment Zone.

When they first started going for rations, it was enough to just be careful of Rake Wolves, but now they had to worry about Looters and even Thorn Spiders.

Meanwhile, food was also an issue.

For the first few days, the ration amount was sufficient, but today was different. If the two had been even slightly later, the rations would have run out, and they would have returned empty-handed.

The two had barely received the last of the rations and sighed in relief, saying:

‘Sua, from now on, we have to go a bit earlier.’

‘I agree, Father.’

Having done so, they had almost reached their dwelling. It was the moment they felt a bit relieved and let their guard down.

Whish— Thwack!

With a loud sound of piercing air, something shot out.

“W-what was that sound?”

“Sua, over there! Watch out!”

Deokchan pointed to the roof of a neighbor’s house. A Thorn Spider had settled there unnoticed, aiming its rear toward the two.

And the moment she looked at her feet.

Sua finally realized what the projectile was. The object that had dug deep into the concrete floor was a Thorn Spider’s thorn.

‘I-I have to run!’

Sua thought. Although the first shot had luckily missed, the next aim would surely be more accurate.

However… there was a problem.

If she led the Thorn Spider back to their house, the person protecting them might be caught off guard.

Beep beep— Ring—

She quickly called Siwoo and shouted.

“Father! We have to run the opposite way!”

“Oh, right! You’re right!”

Though he looked surprised at first, Deokchan quickly understood Sua’s intention. No matter how much they might be in danger, they couldn’t put the young man who helped them at risk.

Tatapata—

Leaving the rationed food on the ground, the two began to run.

And behind them, several Rake Wolves and Thorn Spiders were following.

* * *

The shopping mall is my main base.

At first, since I hadn’t completely taken over the shopping mall, I used to pile all resources on the Sixth Floor, but now it was different.

The number of Worker Bugs now exceeded 60, and the shops in the vicinity worth looting had mostly been cleared.

Consequently, there were starting to be idle workers, and to keep them from being lazy, I was assigning them various chores.

For example, yesterday I told them to clean not only the cafe but all the shops and hallways inside the Sixth Floor. Today, they were organizing the interior of the 5th Floor and beginning to move resources down there.

This was also because my faction had grown stronger.

For instance, one Observation Probe was monitoring the entire exterior of the shopping mall, while two others were patrolling the interior of the building, allowing me to grasp information perfectly.

Additionally, two of the newly produced Magitech Armor units were inside the shopping mall, while another two were constantly patrolling the immediate exterior.

Thanks to this, I didn’t have to worry about moving important resources like mana stones or food to the 5th Floor, which was out of my direct line of sight.

‘This way is cleaner, too.’

The Sixth Floor had now almost completely turned into my home.

From sofas and beds to a dining table and a makeshift kitchen created by slightly modifying the cafe, everything I needed was there.

Of course, it wasn’t perfect.

Since I was in an abandoned building, I had to live without water and electricity much earlier than others.

However, having suffered in my previous life, I was accustomed to a lacking lifestyle. Also, knowing that once a foundation is established, everything can be resolved quickly.

My mind was at peace.

It was while I was putting all my effort into organizing the shopping mall.

[Observation Probe (Unit 4): Requesting confirmation.]

Simultaneously with the Observation Probe’s notification ringing in my mind.

Bzzz—

My cellphone rang.

“Hmm?”

Checking the name on the screen, it was Sua.

“Yes, Ms. Sua?”

“Huff, huff! M-Mr. Siwoo!”

“Yes?”

“We’re being attacked! Spiders! By spiders! Near the house!”

“I understand. Don’t hang up; only speak when necessary.”

Further conversation was unnecessary.

“Yes, yes!”

It seemed to be a very urgent situation, as only the sound of her panting could be heard over the phone.

* * *

Observation Probe Unit 4 was the one currently assigned to follow Sua’s family. I immediately borrowed its eyes.

“Huff, huff!”

“Haa, haak!”

Sua and Deokchan were running at full speed.

Thwack! Bam!

Every time they turned a corner, the Thorn Spider’s thorns flew like ammunition and embedded themselves where they had just been.

‘But why are they running this way…?’

The two were heading in the exact opposite direction of the dwelling I had prepared for them. Even though they had several opportunities to turn toward the dwelling, they were avoiding it.

“Ms. Sua, it seems you’re getting further away from your house?”

“Huff, haak! I-in case Mr. Siwoo gets into danger!”

Sua barely managed to answer.

‘What, that’s impressive?’

I was a bit surprised. There are many people who put others’ lives second when their own life is at risk.

From a normal person’s perspective, this might be seen as unpleasant, but speaking as someone who had experienced a living hell, this was definitely normal.

It is only natural that one’s own life is the most important.

But in our case, the situation was slightly different. I was the only one who could help them right now, and they knew it.

If I were to be taken down, they would lose the person protecting them. Therefore, they were in a situation where they had to ensure my safety first to ensure their own.

A rational judgment.

It might seem obvious, but this was harder than it looked.

When one’s own life is immediately at risk, there are many cases where rational judgment is cast aside in favor of finding any immediate escape route.

‘The so-called “nuisance” characters in zombie movies.’

Compared to them, the two were making an excellent judgment.

‘Well… or it could just be pure goodwill.’

Of course, it could have been goodwill without any calculation.

But what did it matter?

Either way, their actions were well above my [Passing Grade].

‘Maybe it’s time to let them come to the shopping mall.’

I felt I could trust these two a bit more.

* * *

Meanwhile, the Magitech Armor that had been escorting the two seemed to have entered combat immediately.

Clang— Clang— Clang—

Seeing my armor, Sua shouted, sounding a bit surprised.

“Huff! Mr. Siwoo! How are you already here?!”

Of course, my armor had no speaking function.

It had simply thrown itself into the fray to protect the two according to my orders.

“Huff, huff, M-Mr. Siwoo? Why aren’t you answering?”

Sua asked me while running at full speed.

Her voice was audible even over the phone.

Whish—

Thwack thwack!

The moment they turned another corner to avoid the thorns, they couldn’t help but be horrified. As if it had been waiting, a spider was aiming its rear at them.

“Sua, watch out!”

Deokchan threw himself to protect his daughter with his body.

But my armor, which was escorting the two, did the same.

Clang— Clang— Whish— Thwack!

Bang—! Bang—! Bang—!

Loud impact sounds were heard over the phone.

Looking through the Observation Probe, the armor was taking the Thorn Spider’s attacks at point-blank range, slowly becoming battered.

“H-huuup!”

Sua covered her mouth to stifle a scream as she looked at the armor. She seemed quite shocked.

“Ms. Sua. Don’t worry. That’s just an empty can. And it’s pretty sturdy, so it’ll hold up well.”

These weren’t just empty words; it was the truth. An attack from a Thorn Spider wouldn’t be enough to break the armor’s sturdy Mana Barrier Shield.

‘Of course… there is mana consumption.’

Machines that are a certain distance away from me cannot receive mana supplies from me. In other words, once they use up their stored mana, they become lumps of scrap metal until I refill them.

Of course, there were many ways to do that—filling them with Mana Stones, receiving supplies from Worker Bugs, or me refilling them directly.

I checked the remaining mana of the unit.

‘With this much, will it hold out for about a minute?’

Of course… one minute was plenty. Because four units of Magitech Armor equipped with New Weapons were currently rushing toward that location at full speed.

‘I wanted to test the New Weapons anyway. This worked out well.’

I grinned.

It was the perfect timing.