By then Ji-hoon had seen the gates, and the sun had set low over the sky, staining it in gold and orange. Dusty's hooves pounded on dirt as they mounted the final hill. Across it stretched a weathered wooden stockade, high and worn, enclosing a cluster of wagons, shacks, and tents.
A tattered sign creaked above the gate:
[TRADER'S CAMP – SAFE ZONE – NO WEAPONS DRAWN]
Two guards were standing at the gate—NPCs, Ji-hoon presumed. Leather vests, rifles across their backs. Approaching, one raised a hand.
"Stop. Identify yourself."
Ji-hoon pulled open his system screen.
[Status]
Name: Klein Arkwood
Reputation: 0
Threat Level: Low
Faction: Neutral
He showed his hands. "Just a traveler."
The guard looked him over for an instant, nodded. "No funny business within. You steal, you die. Clear?"
"Crystal," Ji-hoon grumbled.
The gates creaked open with a rusty squeak, and he rode through.
There was more life inside the camp than he had anticipated. NPCs moved from stall to stall, carrying crates, honing tools, bargaining with merchants. Campfires smoldered continually. A cook stirred a stewing pot as children ran around in the ground.
Something was wrong, though.
They didn't act like scripted NPCs. Their dialogue wasn't repetitive. They had real expressions—tired, bored, intent.
Ji-hoon's stomach churned. "They're too real…"
He got down and led Dusty to a hitching post. A young boy rushed over.
"Need your horse fed, mister?"
Ji-hoon nodded dully. "Uh… yeah. That'd be great."
"Two silver," the boy said brightly.
Ji-hoon looked at his currency.
[Money: 0]
"…Can I owe you?" he said.
The boy squinted. "You new around here?"
"Something like that."
The boy shrugged. "Talk to Miss Ada. She's in charge of the trader board.
Ji-hoon left Dusty behind and headed towards the central tent—a big canvas arrangement with ropes knotted tight to nearby posts. Within, a woman in her mid-forties sat at a messy table, counting bullets as if they were money. She had on a duster coat and a wide-brimmed hat, her face stern but intent.
"You're the stranger that rode in?" she said without glancing up.
"Yeah. Name's Klein. I mean—Ji-hoon."
Her eyes flicked upwards. "Unusual name. You here to trade, or just come to eat and gripe?"
Ji-hoon smiled awkwardly. "A little of both?"
Ada snorted. "You don't cut much of a figure as a fighter. What've you got to say for yourself?"
"I… I lost my way. No weapons. No cash. I'm just trying to make it."
She leaned back in her chair, eyeing him.
"You're fortunate it's rest day. Otherwise we'd throw you back out with the deaders."
Ji-hoon appeared lost. "Rest day?"
She nodded. "Even the monsters are slower at new moons. Don't question why. We just take it."
Ji-hoon moved to survey the room. In the corner hung a bounty board filled with pieces of paper. Some paid people to bring in herbs, ammunition, or meat. Others showed missing persons, wanted gang lords, or scarce infected varieties.
"Any employment for a fella with… nothing?" he inquired.
Ada indicated on a sheet.
[Task: Deliver supplies to Northern Watchtower – Reward: 10 silver, reputation +1]
"Straight route. No infected on that route—most times. If you can listen, you'll survive."
Ji-hoon accepted the paper. "I'll do it."
"Good. Pay your dues."
As he turned to exit, she spoke again.
"You traveled from the south woods?"
He paused. "Yeah."
Her eyes narrowed. "You didn't pass by the corrupted barn, did you?"
His blood ran cold.
"What do you mean corrupted?
Ada stood and walked toward him, speaking in a lower tone.
"That place has been destroyed for years. Everyone who's gone to find it either comes back dead or. altered. Some return and don't even remember who they are."
Ji-hoon remained silent. His fingers tensed, nervously inching toward his system menu.
"You notice anything unusual?" she asked.
"No," he lied.
Ada glared at him for an eternity, then nodded.
"Good. Don't go near that place again."
Ji-hoon emerged from the tent, still racing with his heart. He referred to the task sheet and the map of the route. The delivery was close—less than a day's journey.
But all he could think of was the tainted barn… and the file in his inventory.
The game world was larger than he had recalled.
And a lot, lot more dangerous.