Yoo Byeong-tae clicked his tongue while looking down from the rooftop of the shelter headquarters.

“Kim Young-sik.”  
“Kim Young-sik.”  
“Kim Young-sik….”

Yoo Byeong-tae's gaze was complex. The ordinary name stirred up all sorts of thoughts in his mind.

“I can’t waver.”

Above all, he felt the greatest unease.

‘Should I let him go like this? Should I catch him? Or….’

Of course, it was true that he had put effort into Young-sik's expulsion. He subtly hinted at it and used his colleagues around him to ostracize him.

Because that arrogant fool kept trying to control everything and teach him a lesson.

‘He acted as if his opinions were the only truth.’

In the initial stages of the crisis, it was true that Young-sik’s composure and resolve helped them adapt quickly. However, his comrades were equally competent, allowing them to survive. In other words, they could have built and maintained the shelter even without him.

Especially considering how ridiculous it was for a completely powerless individual to act as if he were above them.

There was a significant gap between the shelter users, who could build structures and produce food, and a non-awakened person, akin to the difference between a medieval king and a commoner.

And that was only natural. In an apocalypse, it was expected that one's status would change based on their abilities.

Crunch—

Byeong-tae ground his teeth.

Moreover, there was one particular incident that had troubled him greatly.

‘I can’t forgive this….’

That garbage had pushed a certain female tenant to the brink of suicide and expelled her. And she was a woman Byeong-tae had been interested in.

- “This guy is genuinely dangerous. He’s a spy for the Slayers! He’s one of the mind-control officers!”  
- “Wahhh, this is too much. I just want to live, not be involved with the Slayers!”  
- “What are you talking about? Do you really think mind control exists? Isn’t that a bit too delusional?”  
- “That delicate girl belongs to the raiders?”  
- “Can’t we even recognize our fellow Awakened?”  
- “Young-sik! If I did something wrong, I hope we can talk it out….”  
- “It’s not like you to wrongfully accuse someone without any evidence, Young-sik.”  
- “Get a grip, Kim Young-sik!”

She had been a woman who seemed well-suited to Byeong-tae. They had mutual feelings for each other, nurturing their pains and confirming their feelings. Yet he had unilaterally tormented and slandered her, ultimately forcing her to run away.

Byeong-tae could never forget that day.

On top of that, that fool kept interfering with the shelter's operations, making it difficult for him to uphold his image as a leader.

‘Look at you. Acting all self-important, and the girlfriend you cherished ends up losing her mind over me?’

Byeong-tae's mouth curled up at the thought of Seul-ki's figure.

‘It seems that dealing with you decisively will be more comfortable for me.’

Byeong-tae’s eyes hardened as he called for someone.

***

Meanwhile, Kim Young-sik was struggling to contain his disbelief.

[The energy source of the main ship ‘Hyperion’ has increased by 0.0012%.]

Wuuuu—

The precious ‘Blood Stones’ he had obtained, totaling 120 pieces, which sometimes dropped when defeating evolved zombies or normal zombies, had turned into a meal for the ‘Hyperion.’

“Uh…?”

Wasn’t this what Seung-ah had saved up for herself and handed to him?

[You have grown stronger.]

“Excuse me? I haven’t changed at all… What?”

[You have grown stronger.]

“….”

So, because the energy of the Hyperion increased, he had grown stronger too?

“Uh…”

Despite his confusion, the ‘Hyperion,’ which only he could see, also showed signs of change.

Clang— Kiiiii— Clang clang—

[Unnecessary parts are being converted and restructured into energy.]  
[Parts removal for dimensional travel and space flight completed.]

“Dimensional… what?”

Clang— Swoosh— Clang—

Though the Hyperion had been a bit unpredictable, Young-sik was left speechless as the craft transformed from what had only looked like a UFO.

The sleek body, resembling a futuristic sci-fi vehicle, adorned with a metallic sheen and subtle blue lights, overwhelmed him with its grandeur.

Even for someone with no discerning eye, it evoked a sense of ‘romance’ deep within his chest.

He couldn’t help but feel insignificant before such a magnificent being. The bizarre and alien design made Young-sik unknowingly awaken his instincts as a caretaker.

“Uh…”

[‘Hyperion’ Level 0-0: Initial configuration conversion and restructuring complete.]  
[Currently available power: 0.0783%. Commencing upgrade to ‘Hyperion’ Level 0-1 using 0.01% of power.]

[Please select the characteristics for ‘Hyperion’ Level 0-1.]

[1. Attack Type]  
[2. Defense Type]  
[3. Utility Type]  
[4. Living Type]  
[5. Other]

Young-sik’s mouth dropped open.

Upgrade?

With trembling hands, he pointed at the hologram before him.

‘Attack Type’ meant equipping various weapons and upgrading them, while ‘Defense Type’ referred to the enhancement of defensive devices and exterior walls.

‘Utility Type’ could equip various special functions beyond attack and defense, while ‘Living Type’ could expand various amenities such as food and water production.

Lastly, ‘Other’ contained things like passenger capacity, combat simulators for training, and adult facilities—things that made one wonder, ‘Is that really necessary?’

Young-sik was at a loss for words. Among the weapons, there were unimaginable ones like a gravity grenade and anti-gravity bomb. Of course, he couldn’t choose them yet due to lack of energy and low evolution level.

Still, one thing was certain.

‘This is completely a superior version of the shelter!’

While the shelter could also upgrade its defensive towers and living facilities, there were countless things that the Hyperion had that were impossible for the shelter, and it was equipped with technology that was both specific and advanced.

Even the shelter’s final evolution form of the defense tower was a turret, which could probably be likened to modern artillery, right?

“My goodness.”

Given all this, Young-sik couldn’t help but be astonished.

Swallowing hard, he pondered what characteristic he should choose.

‘Since I’ve come out alone from the shelter, securing safety should be my priority.’

Zombies were a threat day and night. Since he couldn’t stand watch alone, securing a safe place was paramount.

Young-sik deliberated between enhancing the defense walls of the defense type and installing an alarm system from the utility type, eventually choosing one.

“Alright, this is the right choice.”

Just having a warning when enemies approached would significantly increase his chances of survival. Young-sik placed his finger on the hologram for the alarm system.

[Will you select the Utility Type - Alarm System? Y/N]

With half excitement and half joy, Young-sik nodded confidently.

“Yeah!”

[Selection denied.]

“Eh?”

[1. Attack Type - Vacuum Compression Automatic Machine Gun selected.]

“Wha—no! I wanted the alarm from utility….”  
[Vacuum Compression Automatic Machine Gun has been selected.]  
“Eh?”  
[Vacuum Compression Automatic Machine Gun has been selected.]  
“Wait, that’s….”  
[Commencing upgrade for ‘Hyperion’ Level 0-1.]  

Zing— Clang— Whir— Clang—

If that were the case, then why did they even ask him?

A complex weapon resembling a Gatling gun was being installed at the bottom of the Hyperion, which was the size of a mid-sized sedan.

Zing— Clang— Clang— Whoosh—

As part of the hull split into cubes to reconfigure, it was a scene that was definitely priceless to behold.

[Upgrade for ‘Hyperion’ Level 0-1 has been completed.]

The lower part of the body of the futuristic sci-fi vehicle, with wings extended at a 45-degree angle, was now equipped with a formidable-looking Gatling gun.

“Uh… But will I be able to board it?”

[… .]  

Was it a response to Young-sik’s timid remark?

Thump— Clang.

With a sound that seemed somewhat displeased, the opening mechanism at the bottom opened on both sides, revealing a space where he could sit. The seat, which resembled a massage chair, could be adjusted to sit or recline.

A smile broke out on Young-sik’s face.

“Isn’t this nice?”

It felt like meeting the gaze of a stray cat that didn’t run away, filling him with gratitude.

Although it hadn’t lowered its altitude enough for him to board easily, Young-sik managed to use the terrain to climb aboard.

“Ugh!”

As soon as he settled in, the opening mechanism activated, and the door closed behind him. After that, it was like entering a new world.

“Wow.”

He thought the enclosed space would be narrow and stuffy, but he could see the surroundings on screens that stretched before, behind, and to the sides.

Moreover, the seat, resembling a massage chair, warmly embraced his body, making him feel as if he was surrounded by clouds.

With just a fleeting thought, he could feel drowsiness washing over him!

“Whoaaa.”

Since boarding, Young-sik couldn’t stop marveling.

At that moment,

 a gender-neutral mechanical voice from the Hyperion rang in his ears.

[Targeting set.]  

“Huh?”

Wuuuu—

As he checked the screen, the gaps in the Hyperion’s exterior began to open, and a blue light seeped out as the hull started to rise.

[Automatic hunting commencing.]