Chapter 5

Hiding the Logistics Center in the Apocalypse - Chapter 5 (5/240)

Hiding the Logistics Center in the Apocalypse - Episode 5

(The Geese of the Logistics Park (2))

"Our spirit stones?"

Yongsu asked in return.

"Would that be difficult?"

"No, if you can clear the way, spirit stones are no big deal. Everyone will agree."

The foundation of a deal is trust.

Verifying whether the other party has the ability to pay.

Perhaps because he had seen me hunt a wyvern right in front of him, Yongsu firmly believed I had the capability.

Actually, it was a bit challenging.

While I could fire weapons from the subspace every 30 seconds, it didn't seem like I could handle seven or so wyverns with just that.

But...

'If I have spirit stones, I can enhance the Dispatch skill.'

I could throw weapons faster and more frequently.

If I could just reduce the 30-second limit, I was confident I could slice the wyverns as soon as they charged.

***

On the way to Building E of the logistics park.

Yongsu had accepted easily, but he would have to persuade the others, including the center manager.

However, when we arrived at Building E, there was a more urgent matter.

A writhing green shape at the entrance.

Yongsu shouted,

"Orcs!"

Kwaaah!

Five orcs were charging towards Building E.

"Just when we need to..."

Yongsu bit his lip.

Even one orc was a tough opponent.

If several orcs charged at once, they would surely break through.

As they got closer,

'Dispatch.'

Whirr!

I quickly fired an axe.

Quack!

The spinning axe blade embedded itself in an orc's neck.

The creature, clutching its throat, soon rolled its eyes and fell to the ground.

'One down first.'

Upon arriving at Building E, I summoned another axe.

The axe flew quickly, but...

Thud!

Unfortunately, it grazed the orc's side.

Kwee!

An enraged orc retaliated.

However,

Whizz!

I opened a portal right in front of the orc.

Crackle!

The orc's attack was blocked by the transparent wall.

It turned out that the subspace portal could also be used as a shield.

This time, I pulled out an axe attached to my vest and

Swish!

plunged it directly into the orc's neck.

The creature collapsed.

I darted in and out of the subspace, disrupting the orcs,

Kwak!

Keeek!

Snap!

The remaining three orcs met a similar fate.

Thud!

As I dropped the blood-soaked axe on the ground, I saw the people inside Building E staring at me in shock.

Fortunately, no one seemed to be injured.

.

.

.

The center manager ran out from inside the corridor.

"..."

He opened his mouth wide but couldn't say a word.

After all, if I had been a bit late, they would have surely died.

After catching his breath, the center manager stammered,

"This time, we owe you our lives. How can we express our gratitude..."

"It's fine. More importantly..."

I signaled to Yongsu, who spoke on my behalf.

"Manager, it seems we can safely get out of here."

"Wait, what do you mean? Did the wyverns disappear...?"

The center manager brightened with hope, but Yongsu shook his head.

He then explained the deal I had proposed.

"According to Mr. Jeonggyeom..."

I could kill the wyverns, but I needed a large amount of spirit stones.

Perhaps because of the demonstration of my power,

The center manager readily agreed.

"I agree. We have a few Awakened here, but none as efficient as Mr. Jeonggyeom. Our most urgent need is to get out of here as soon as possible, isn't it?"

The center manager asked the others for their opinions.

"We have six spirit stones collected so far. We plan to give them all to Mr. Jeonggyeom. Does anyone have any objections?"

"No."

"I agree."

The desire to see their families as soon as possible.

Everyone was in agreement.

One person added,

"Today, I realized that staying here isn't safe either. Whether it's spirit stones or anything else, we'll help if you can clear the way."

This was also a strong positive response.

"Alright."

I wasn't just motivated by the desire to obtain spirit stones.

The goal of gathering supplies and returning to my family.

These people were geese dads who had risked their lives to reach the logistics center for the same goal.

I hoped they would each drive their trucks home.

I shared the same goal.

'Well... it's not like I'm losing anything.'

After all, I also had to pass through the western tunnel to leave.

Once the discussion was concluded, the center manager handed over the six spirit stones.

The five orcs we had just defeated also yielded spirit stones.

Clatter.

Combined with the three I already had, I now had fourteen spirit stones.

The center manager asked,

"When should we depart?"

"Let's leave around noon tomorrow. It's too late today."

It was already getting dark.

It would be difficult to fight the wyverns in the dark.

While time was of the essence, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.

The center manager agreed.

"I'll prepare for departure tonight."

"Sure, let's talk again once everything is ready."

After finishing the conversation, I opened a portal to the subspace.

I had my own tasks to attend to.

***

Entering the familiar fulfillment center, I asked Pax,

"What are the options for enhancing the Dispatch skill?"

Ding!

The window Pax displayed showed the following:

—-[Enhancement Options]—-

◈ Dispatch Time [30 seconds] [+]

◈ Dispatch Range [10 meters] [+]

◈ Dispatch Speed [Max 75 km/h] [+]

————————-

"Fewer options than I thought. Are there any more?"

Ding!

—-[Unlockable Options]—-

◈ Simultaneous Dispatch

- Allows the simultaneous dispatch of up to two items.

◈ Precision Delivery

- Automatically corrects the dispatch location when a target is specified.

◈ Automatic Dispatch

- Automatically dispatches designated items. Customizable time intervals.

————————-

"Good thing I asked... "

While enhancement seemed to boost the skill's stats, 'unlocking' seemed to grant more advanced abilities.

The cost was also ten times higher than simple stat enhancement.

Ten spirit stones per option.

But the effects were clear.

"Simultaneous dispatch? That sounds amazing."

Two axes, two daggers.

The <Simultaneous Dispatch> ability would double my combat power.

<Precision Delivery> was also impressive.

"Automatic location correction..."

Target designation and location correction.

The terms reminded me of a guided missile.

I recalled the wyverns I had faced a few hours ago.

"Indeed... they were hard to hit."

They were flying all over the place.

Thinking about having to launch blades at them tomorrow made my head hurt.

<Simultaneous Dispatch> was tempting, but I felt <Precision Delivery> was more urgent.

I told Pax,

"<Precision Delivery>. Unlock this first."

"Sure."

I immediately handed over ten spirit stones.

It was a significant cost, but the effect would be worth it.

The ten spirit stones in my hand disappeared.

I felt a bit disappointed, but I still had four left.

Next, I focused on the 'enhancement' of the Dispatch skill.

◈ Dispatch Time [30 seconds] [+]

◈ Dispatch Range [10 meters] [+]

◈ Dispatch Speed [Max 75 km/h] [+]

I had already decided which stat to enhance.

I handed over three spirit stones.

"Three. Use them to reduce the dispatch time."

Pax asked,

As a high-performance AI, he seemed to have observed my fight with the flying wyverns.

Indeed, if the range was insufficient, the attack might not hit.

But...

"I have a plan for that, so use them to reduce the dispatch time first."

The spirit stones disappeared again.

The dispatch time...

...

dropped to 15 seconds.

Five seconds per spirit stone.

This was quite efficient.

I considered reducing it to 0 seconds, but...

I was immediately rejected.

"Well, nothing in life is that easy..."

I invested the last spirit stone in maintaining the power of the fulfillment center.

The spirit stone disappeared,

and the facility's operational period was extended.

Now, I had zero spirit stones.

I had done everything I could.

Finally, I asked Pax,

"The Fresh Center is on the third floor, right?"

"It's almost evening."

Arriving on the third floor, I ordered various items from the Fresh Center's dedicated picking station.

I could use the Dispatch skill outside, but with so many types, waiting 15 seconds each time would be too much.

***

"Here, take them."

Choi Byungcheol, who was on evening duty, distributed chocolate bars to the people.

Unlike the fulfillment center where Jeonggyeom was, this Daehyun Logistics Center was a typical logistics center that sorted and sent arriving goods.

The boxes scattered around were truly random.

While there were many, finding useful items inside was rare.

Of course, vacuum-packed instant hangover soups occasionally appeared, but the smell could attract monsters, so they often ate snacks, instant noodles, and Jangsacheon sausages.

While distributing the chocolate bars, Yongsu asked,

"Speaking of which... where's Mr. Jeonggyeom?"

"I haven't seen him since earlier. Is he still in that subspace?"

"I saw him come out earlier... give me a chocolate bar. I'll take it to him."

"Sure, take three."

Yongsu, holding the chocolate bars, walked around the warehouse.

"Mr. Jeonggyeom! Are you here?"

"I'm here. Can you help me for a moment?"

Jeonggyeom was not far away.

But Yongsu was stunned.

He had taken out dozens of items from the subspace.

Yongsu's mouth dropped open.

"What... is all this?"

From Shine Muscat to strawberries, watermelons, and melons.

Various dessert breads, smoked eggs, and finally, carbonated drinks in an ice basket.

Freshly packaged, powerful foods were neatly lined up.

Foods that couldn't be found in the E building of the logistics center.

Jeonggyeom answered the speechless Yongsu,

"I tried to choose items that don't smell much. I haven't had a proper meal in a few days. Consider this a pre-celebration... I thought we could all enjoy it together."

We were planning to leave as soon as it got light.

It would be the last night for the geese of the logistics park.

The unexpected fresh food brought a smile to the faces of the logistics center people.

Some took turns guarding the outer corridor, and in the meantime, they all peeled fruits, chewed bread, and drank cold cola, which they hadn't had in a long time.

"Ah-!"

As everyone patted their full bellies, when Yongsu laid out twenty 900,000 won goose down sleeping bags in the break room,

"Mr. Jeonggyeom...!"

It was a scene of pure, overwhelming gratitude.