CHAPTER 23

Construction (1)

I indifferently watched Baek Seung-yeop's group struggling to move the supplies.

Perhaps because they felt guilty toward me, Baek Seung-yeop and the twins cautiously observed my reactions and obediently followed along.

After finishing the cleanup, Baek Seung-yeop bowed to me once again and spoke.

"Then, we'll be going now!"

"Yes, good work."

Keeping a disciplined posture, Baek Seung-yeop carefully stepped back and left.

[Name: Baek Seung-yeop (Lv. 10)]

Trust Level: 39 Awakening Ability: None EXP Distribution Rate: 0% Settlement Fund Distribution Rate: 0% ★ Assign Quest □ Expel

'His trust level has skyrocketed.'

Other than Baek Seung-min, all members of Baek Seung-yeop's party had single-digit trust levels.

Yet, after our first encounter, those numbers had surged.

'At least they're easy to handle—that's a relief.'

To be honest, I don't particularly like people like Baek Seung-yeop.

Those who are obsessed with showing off, inflating themselves like pufferfish.

The way he harassed Baek Seung-min—who had risked his life leading the goblins—just to assert his authority, or how he acted tough by throwing spears to show off, was not something I found admirable.

Even so, the reason I chose to support them was simple: there was a severe shortage of talent.

'I never expected there to be only three monster-hunting teams.'

Over the past week, survivors had steadily joined, increasing the population of citizens to 197.

Yet, out of them, only three teams were actively hunting monsters.

Kim Min-ho's team Baek Seung-yeop's team Shin Yu-ra's team

Apart from them, no one showed any interest in hunting goblins.

Most people were more focused on rescuing the ten remaining survivors in other buildings rather than taking down monsters.

Many, like Choi Hyung-joon, had a deep aversion to killing living beings.

In fact, even the quest to hunt just ten goblins was a struggle for the average citizen.

Thankfully, Baek Seung-yeop's bait strategy had slowly increased the number of people clearing the quest.

'Shin Yu-ra's team is overly cautious.'

Her team had two more members than Baek Seung-yeop's, yet they had only managed to hunt 80 goblins so far.

That was a stark contrast to Baek Seung-yeop's team, who had taken down 100 goblins with just four people.

'Honestly, they're not much different from ordinary citizens.'

On average, each of Shin Yu-ra's teammates had only killed 12 goblins—barely any more than regular citizens completing the ten-goblin hunting quest.

'Handing out a weekly ten-goblin hunting quest should work. If I set the penalty as restricted access to public facilities, they'll have no choice but to comply.'

I opened the citizen management window.

Current Population: 197 / 900 Bonus EXP: +100% Bonus Settlement Funds: +100%

Unfortunately, the bonus didn't increase beyond 100 people.

Still, at this rate, a citizen could earn around 60,000 won per week by hunting ten goblins.

Shin Yu-ra's team was only slightly better than the average citizen.

So in the end, supporting Baek Seung-yeop's team was the most efficient choice.

Those who expect something from others inevitably become servants, while those who provide hold the position of masters.

I intended to become Baek Seung-yeop's master and train them properly.

'Well, even weeds can be nurtured into something useful.'

Since they had produced results second only to Kim Min-ho's team, they deserved a reward.

'Setting their EXP distribution to 50% should be enough.'

I saw no need to invest too much.

All I expected from them was to contribute to covering the city's public expenses.

After all, the majority of the money came from Ha Dong-geon's party.

'If only Baek Seung-yeop had even one-tenth of Ha Dong-geon's qualities.'

A man who led not through arrogance but through responsibility and sacrifice.

Thinking about Ha Dong-geon brought a satisfied smile to my face.

[Name: Ha Dong-geon (Lv. 33) [+]]

Title: [Sixth Servant] [Knight] [Lancer] Trust Level: 70 Loyalty: 78 Awakening Abilities: Throwing, Thrusting EXP Distribution Rate: 200% ★ Assign Quest

Unlike ordinary followers, Ha Dong-geon started with an Awakening Ability, leading to vastly different results.

His titles weren't limited to just "Sixth Servant", but also included "Knight" and "Lancer".

{Knight}

Increases physical abilities by (Loyalty)%. Triples EXP and settlement funds gained from monster hunting. Can be leveled up using distributed EXP.

Not only did he earn 1.5 times more rewards, but I could also level him up directly.

With Ha Dong-geon's hunts bringing in 600% total income, giving him 200% EXP distribution didn't feel like a waste.

And then, his third title:

{Lancer}

Current Mastery: 11% The higher the spear mastery, the greater the attack power.

This was precisely why I had developed the mass-produced spears that Baek Seung-yeop's party now used.

By investing 3 million won into the shop's item evolution function, I had transformed a makeshift spear (a taped kitchen knife on a stick) into an officially recognized supply weapon.

Ha Dong-geon's dominance on the battlefield proved its effectiveness.

He was also the only follower with two Awakening Abilities:

Throwing (B-Rank)

Consumes Mental Power to throw objects with 5x attack boost.

Thrusting (A-Rank)

Consumes Stamina to unleash a spear strike that momentarily generates sword energy.

An A-Rank skill.

Though the energy only lasted for a split second, it could slice through reinforced concrete with ease.

He had essentially become my strongest combatant.

That's when it happened.

[You have slain an Orc (Lv. 18).]

[You gained EXP.]

[1,721,892 won has been deposited into the Absolute Homeowner's Wallet.]

'An Orc?'

For a level 18 monster, the payout was massive, likely because Ha Dong-geon had taken it down.

I activated Absolute Eye to check the situation.

"Grrhh…!"

Muscular beasts with green skin, massive physiques, and protruding tusks were facing off against Ha Dong-geon.

Classic Orcs.

Taking a step forward, Ha Dong-geon thrust his spear, and a blue aura wrapped around the blade.

A moment later, the orc's heart was pierced open.

"Graaack…!"

Another orc lunged, aiming a glaive at his exposed side.

At that instant—

Swiish—!

A well-placed arrow pierced the attacking orc's forehead.

Taking advantage of the opening, Ha Dong-geon hurled his spear, striking another orc emerging from the subway.

Crash!

The force shattered the orc's torso.

'That thing cost 300,000 won, you know…'

My heart ached watching such an expensive weapon be thrown away.

But seeing Ha Dong-geon's earnings, I felt much better.

[You have slain an Orc (Lv. 18).]

[You gained EXP.]

[1,633,003 won has been deposited.]

'Well, I did make those spears for a reason.'

That's when an alert appeared.

[Unauthorized entity attempting to enter the territory.]

"…Huh?"

A new development had begun.