Riser

39-49

Added 2025-09-20 20:23:30 +0000 UTC

EP. 49. Securing the Apartment (2)

After assigning one of the middle-aged men in Park Sanghyuk’s group to guard the rooftop, we opened the door to the 1,2 line, which had been closed for a while.

Clunk, creeeak...

At that moment, the horrific scene inside was revealed in the sunlight.

Bloodstains and chunks of flesh were scattered throughout the 1,2 line’s rooftop entrance. It looked like some survivors had tried to escape to the roof and were attacked by zombies. Leaving that gruesome sight behind, our group, led by Park Sanghyuk and his son, began descending the stairs slowly.

Tap... tap... tap...

In the deathly quiet corridor, our footsteps echoed rhythmically. As we cleared the 20th and 19th floors, I secretly checked the scanning map.

‘Nothing special up to the 17th floor... Two zombies and a dog in unit 1601.’

“Alright, let’s move out.”

“Yes.”

After confirming that there were no particular threats below, I gave the signal to Park Sanghyuk at the front. A short while later, as our group reorganized and continued down the stairs, Park Suhyeon, turning the corner toward the 18th floor, suddenly stopped in shock.

“What the hell is that, shit...”

“Ugh...”

Normally, I’d think Park Suhyeon was just being dramatic as usual, but even Park Sanghyuk, standing to his left, froze with a face full of shock, fear, and disgust.

He hadn’t even flinched when he saw me and Catherine “enacting justice” on Lee Changseop, so what could be on the 18th floor?

Then, a phrase I’d seen before popped into my mind:

[...For zombie lifeforms, only those you have directly seen or encountered will be detected by scanning. As your scanning level increases, some lifeforms will be registered automatically.]

I instantly realized there was something I’d never encountered before just below us, and I quickly raised my crossbow and turned the corner.

There on the 18th floor-specifically, in the spot where the fire door to the stairs should have been-was something filling the entire space.

“Guuuuuu...”

It was a huge mass, covered in disgusting, dark red slime, growling like a beast. Its grotesque appearance triggered an instinctive aversion, but thanks to “Cool Judgment” and “Fear Immunity,” my rational mind prioritized figuring out what this unknown lifeform was.

So I began to closely examine its shape, dripping sticky mucous everywhere.

Soon, I realized a horrifying fact.

The thing blocking the entrance on the 18th floor was made of what used to be people.

Through the lumpy, semi-transparent membrane, I could see tangled limbs and the occasional glimpse of a face. Some were so badly damaged it was clear nothing inside was still alive.

‘I don’t know how far this thing stretches beyond the door, but just what I can see must be at least 20 bodies...’

As I tried to estimate the number of zombies inside this massive “sack,” Park Sanghyuk, gripping his wooden shield tightly, spoke up.

“Minwoo... I don’t know what that is, but I think we should retreat for now...”

“Yes, I-”

“GUWAAAAAAH!!!”

Just as I was about to agree, since I had no good idea how to deal with the thing, the nearly motionless membrane suddenly writhed and a deafening roar echoed through the stairwell.

Immediately, the zombies that had been lying limp inside the membrane opened their eyes and started flailing their limbs.

Everyone present, myself included, instinctively knew we were in deep trouble.

Tap tap tap tap!

Screeeeech!

As soon as I shouted “Run!” everyone spun around and bolted up the stairs. At the same time, a disgusting tearing sound rang out as the center of the dark red membrane split open vertically.

Through the gap, a dozen zombies tumbled out and sprawled on the floor.

As the slime-covered creatures writhed and began to rise, the membrane shuddered again and spewed out another mass of zombies.

Splat!

More and more zombies poured out of the membrane, and the first ones to stand up all turned their heads in unison.

They stared up the stairs where my group had just fled.

For about five seconds, they cocked their heads and twitched their ears.

Then, all at once, the zombies shrieked and charged up the stairs.

By then, my group and I had nearly reached the rooftop stairs, just past the 20th floor.

“Huff! Huff!”

“Pant! Pant!...”

Fear and tension sent chills down our spines.

Park Sanghyuk, his son, and Kim Chansu were gasping for breath after sprinting up the stairs. Before I could even process their rookie panic, I turned the last corner and saw a truly “bad” sight.

Right then, Park Suhyeon’s voice came from behind, full of nerves.

“Shit! Why’s it closed?! What the hell is Woongseop doing?!”

Normally, I’d think, “What a brat,” but right now I agreed with him 100%.

Because the rooftop exit, which was supposed to be left wide open just in case, was firmly shut.

‘Damn it... I can’t believe this happened the moment we trusted someone with the job.’

We’d left Lee Woongseop behind to keep the exit open and watch the roof for emergencies. We’d told him to always keep the door open and wait nearby...

But the door that should’ve been open was closed, and the handle wouldn’t even turn-it seemed broken.

Creak! Creak!

Bang bang bang bang

“Woongseop! Lee Woongseop! Open the door!”

A moment later,

Kim Chansu, who was at the back and reached the door first, banged on the metal door, but it didn’t budge, nor was there any answer or sign of Woongseop.

This meant:

Woongseop had either betrayed us, or something had happened to him.

Either way, we’d have to open the locked door ourselves.

Next,

I pulled Kim Chansu away from the door and called for Catherine.

She instantly understood and raised her axe overhead.

“Catherine!”

“Yes!”

Clang!! Clatter...

Her heavy axe came down, sending sparks and a sharp metallic sound as the handle hit the floor.

At the same time, Kim Chansu and I kicked the door.

Bang! Bam!

Despite the loud noise, the door only shook a little. It didn’t burst open like in the movies.

Right then,

Park Sanghyuk, who was watching the stairs below, called out urgently.

“Minwoo! They’re coming!”

He skipped the subject, but I understood instantly.

My brain kicked into high gear and reached a conclusion.

With the narrow hallway and high ground advantage, plus the equipment we had, we’d have to face the zombies here.

And since saving resources could be fatal, now was the time to invest in my “stats.”

“Shield wall in front! Get ready to smash their heads from behind!”

After giving quick orders,

I rapidly tapped my phone, opened the “Stats” window, and raised Strength, Stamina, and Reflexes to 40.

[Stats]

Name: Kim Minwoo

Gender: Male

Age: 22

Height/Weight: 191cm / 90kg

Health: Good

Strength: 40+

Agility: 31+

Stamina: 40+

Reflexes: 40+

Penis length (flaccid/erect): 12cm / 21cm

Penis girth (flaccid/erect): 11.2cm / 14.4cm

Skills: Cool Judgment (Passive), Fear Immunity (Passive), Betrayal Detection (Passive), MILF Mind Manipulation (Passive), Weapon Mastery (Lv.2) (Passive), Vitality Recovery (Lv.1) (Passive), Hacking (Lv.1) (Active), MILF Scanner (Lv.1) (Active)

MP: 101

Weapon proficiency: Knife (34), Blunt weapon (28), Pistol (39), Rifle (36), Crossbow (32)

As I felt a fresh change in my body,

A horde of black-eyed zombies appeared around the stairwell corner.

“Screeeech!”

“Keheeeek!”

Spotting us ready for battle,

The zombies shrieked and scrambled up the stairs on all fours, eager for a “meat party.”

When the two leading zombies were just a meter from the shield wall held by Park Sanghyuk and his son,

Two male zombies, each with half a shoulder missing, hurled themselves at the shields.

At that moment,

The bodies of Park Sanghyuk and Park Suhyeon, holding the shields with all their might, shuddered as a crash rang out...