A Survival Guide for a Counselor in the Apocalypse Chapter 8

Episode 8

 

Pressing down on my forehead as the fever began to rise, I let out a long breath.

‘…That one person… is it Sa Jaeheon?’

In the end, curiosity won, and I opened the index.

 

—

[Sa Jaeheon of “Ruined World” (□□□ □□□)]

Importance: 5/5

<Records>

A character whose actions are confirmed in every episode.

You can search episodes below to track his actions in that episode.

—

 

…More useful than expected?

For now, I calmly searched Episode 1.

 

—

[Tracking actions in Episode 1…]

[Episode 1 Records ▼]

At age 20, after his first regression, he wakes up in a convenience store, leaves, and begins traveling with a companion □□□ whom he meets on the way home.

—

 

The excitement faded instantly.

‘That’s way too minimal.’

I roughly knew what kind of person the censored companion was. An extra who panicked and died. But nothing precise came to mind.

And having to dig through episodes one by one to find details was…

‘Maybe it changes when the level goes up?’

But how are you even supposed to level this up? Skills usually improve with repeated use, but simply opening the index over and over probably isn’t the answer.

‘Maybe by recording more characters?’

If that’s the case, then he’d inevitably overlap paths with Sa Jaeheon. All the major characters are tied to him anyway.

What a hassle. An unbelievable hassle.

Why couldn’t he get something that just shows the entire original story?

 

—

[You’re fully prepared to freeload. Protagonists who try to coast always meet the same end.]

—

 

Freeload or not, the ending would be miserable either way.

If the destination is hell, then… regardless, might as well take the easier road.

As I sank into thought, Lee Hoin spoke from beside his head.

“Nam Muyeong, you still not sleeping?”

“Not yet.”

The hum of the refrigerator, faint crackling from the lights, distant mutant cries, someone screaming somewhere, and the sound of strong wind blowing…

Amid those noises, Lee Hoin spoke quietly.

“…Where are you going? I heard earlier they’re all heading home.”

So he’s asking where I’ll go once morning comes?

‘There is one place you should go first in a situation like this.’

A pharmacy. Especially since I was injured.

After that, I planned to wait near the location where the joint event would open.

‘You can get items to remove status effects, but…’

If something can be handled with real-world medicine, it’s better to use that.

Using rare recovery items just to treat a cold isn’t worth it.

That’s why early-game real-world medicine was essential loot.

“Not sure. Maybe a pharmacy?”

Silence followed.

At the end of that silence, Lee Hoin spoke slowly.

“…Hey. Sorry about earlier.”

Still not even looking at him, I gave a half-hearted reply.

“…It’s fine.”

“…Earlier…”

Lee Hoin let out a breath.

“Earlier…”

Just as he was about to say something…

 

—

[A client has appeared.]

[Skill “Shabby Counseling Office” has been activated.]

—

 

“…Huh?”

The ridiculous skill activated on its own, and the surroundings changed instantly.

A shabby office appeared, just as the name suggested.

Light came through the window, illuminating the space. In the center was a desk and two chairs facing each other.

I awkwardly stood and looked around…

“…What is this?”

Right. If a client appeared, I wouldn’t be alone.

Turning my head, I saw Lee Hoin blinking on the floor.

 

—

[Guide the client to a seat and begin counseling.]

—

 

Now? In this situation?

Two arrows floated above the chairs as if urging me to hurry.

‘Cancel skill.’

Damn it. Cancel.

No matter how much I tried, nothing changed.

Eventually, I sighed and sat down in the counselor’s seat.

“…I think it’s my skill. Just sit down.”

“Skill? What skill? Like in a game?”

“…Yeah.”

Seems like he doesn’t even understand skills.

Lee Hoin hesitated but eventually sat down.

 

—

[Lead the counseling session successfully!]

[If successful, the client’s mental state will change.]

[Time Remaining: 15:00]

—

 

Tick, tick.

Watching the timer decrease, I frowned.

‘If I don’t finish successfully before time runs out… it fails?’

Most likely.

After a brief silence, I looked at Lee Hoin.

“What happened?”

“….”

No response.

Just silence.

‘There are clients like this.’

Even people who willingly seek counseling often struggle to speak.

Usually because…

‘They don’t know what to say.’

In cases like this, you shouldn’t force it.

Sometimes, even recalling the event is painful.

“Then don’t talk. We can just sit and rest. It’s warm, right?”

I tried to ease him like that.

‘This is tricky.’

Not voluntary, unclear goal, vague condition for “success.”

As I organized my thoughts…

Lee Hoin spoke.

“…Earlier.”

Then stopped.

After a long silence…

“…I called my parents.”

“Yeah.”

His breathing faltered.

 

—

[Hyperventilation detected!]

[If it continues, counseling quality will drop.]

[100 > 90]

—

 

Lee Hoin gasped.

“Lee Hoin.”

I approached him.

“Hold your breath for a moment. It’ll come back. It’s okay. I’ll count to ten.”

He inhaled sharply.

I counted.

Then the breath released.

 

—

[Hyperventilation has subsided.]

—

 

“Take it slow.”

“…Fuck… seriously…”

I stopped him from covering his face.

“…I have nowhere to go.”

“…They told me not to come back.”

That triggered a sense of déjà vu.

 

—

[“Father… mother…”]

—

 

His fingers trembled.

 

—

[Tracking Episode 139…]

Died to a swarm of mutants.

[Tracking Episode 141…]

Failed conflict with companion □□□. Fell to their death.

—

 

That companion…

‘…Lee Ho-in.’

 

—

[Lee Hoin of “Ruined World” (□□ □□□)]

Importance: 2/5

—

 

‘Damn it.’

I was right.