CHAPTER 6

Survivors (1)

Since there were two remaining skill points, they could be invested in "Maintaining Dignity" or "Storage."

However, the reason for obsessing over the shop skill was simple.

"Because the shop skill is far more useful."

Electricity, water, and gas were already available, so there was no reason to invest in the "Maintaining Dignity" skill.

At best, it would provide effects like discounts on electricity or water bills.

"Hmm. Now that I think about it, my territory has expanded. Do I need to level up to supply electricity to the neighboring house?"

There was also no pressing reason to invest in the storage skill.

To be honest, even if it were upgraded, it would probably just increase storage space, but so far, there had never been a time when storage space was insufficient.

"I might need it later, but for now, there's no reason to level it up."

What was needed at this moment was, without a doubt, the shop skill.

"I have to level it up as quickly as possible in the early stages. If I wait too long, it'll be meaningless."

Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and so on.

Essential daily necessities had to be registered in the shop while they were still intact.

"Since the world has collapsed, no more new products will be manufactured."

Let alone production, the remaining survivors would surely consume supplies at an alarming rate.

Although it hadn't been confirmed yet, convenience stores and supermarkets outside were most likely already looted, and finding intact goods would be rare.

It had already been ten days since the world fell apart.

"I need to secure as many items as possible and register them in the shop."

Survival necessities would be prioritized, and once there was enough stock, luxury items like cola and snacks would be added.

"Things that will disappear quickly once human civilization collapses."

Among them, every item that had ever brought happiness had to be registered.

Delicious, useful, and necessary items—everything.

As quickly as possible.

After finishing my shower, I immediately went out and registered unused shampoo, cleansing foam, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razor blades, and lotion.

Then, I registered toilet paper and wet wipes, quickly filling nine slots.

The slots were packed with items that were both frequently consumed and completely unused.

"What should I use to fill the last slot?"

Most of the necessary items had already been registered.

As I scanned the house for something to add, my eyes landed on the monitor.

"..."

Before the world collapsed, I had always thought it would be nice to have an extra monitor.

I wanted to watch YouTube or movies while gaming.

But for an unemployed person with no income, a monitor costing over 100,000 won was a luxury, so I had settled for watching videos on my phone.

"Would it be okay to register at least one unnecessary item? My goal is to fill all the slots anyway."

Besides, I currently had over 10 million won.

Wasting about 1% of it wouldn't be a big deal.

Just as I was about to grab the monitor, I sighed and spoke to myself.

"…Sigh. Get a grip."

There were far more important things than a monitor.

Towels, blankets, clothes, dishes, pots, vitamins, supplements.

In a world where the internet no longer existed, a monitor had a very low priority.

In the end, I chose a roll of packing tape that was about one-third used.

"With this, I can turn a kitchen knife into a spear. It'll be pretty useful."

Although it was already partially used, it was something I would undoubtedly need often.

"Registering tape."

[Do you want to register this item?]

"Yes."

Bzzzz—

As soon as I filled all available registration slots...

"Bingo."

Absolute Ruler's Home Shop Lv. 2 [+]

Registered items can be purchased at regular price.

[Available Skill Points: 2]

A plus button had appeared next to the shop skill level.

Without hesitation, I upgraded the shop skill.

[The Absolute Ruler's Home Shop skill has reached Lv. 3.]

[The number of registerable items has increased to 40.]

[Item Restoration feature has been added.]

Among the consecutive system notifications, I focused on the last one and spaced out for a moment, thinking about its meaning.

"Huh? They're giving me this ability at this level?"

The ability to restore registered items.

It meant that second-hand items registered in the shop would be restored to their original, brand-new condition.

I had expected such a function ever since I realized that partially used ketchup or orange peels could be registered.

But I never thought it would unlock at just level 3.

"Well, at least pushing the shop skill to level 3 paid off."

It was a lucky break.

"Open shop."

The shop window had doubled in size with the increased slots.

The Item Restoration button appeared next to only three of the twenty registered items.

[Absolute Ruler's Home Shop]

Half-used Ottogi Tomato Ketchup, 500g (3,015 won)▶ Restore

Orange Peels (270 won) ▶ Restore

A Little Remaining Tape (2,700 KRW) ▶ Restore

ᚠ Available Balance: 11,240,720 KRW

▶ Register Item

I wanted to get rid of the tangerine peel item first, but I turned my gaze toward the "Little Remaining Tape."

"Restore 'Little Remaining Tape'."

[To restore 'Little Remaining Tape,' you need 150,000 KRW.]

[Do you want to proceed with the restoration?]

Spending 150,000 KRW felt wasteful, but since it was an item I would continue to use, I judged it to be a worthwhile investment.

Rather than buying multiple rolls of tape with that money, purchasing a fully intact product would be much more efficient.

"Restore it."

[Restoring 'Little Remaining Tape'.]

['Little Remaining Tape' transforms into 'Yellow Box Tape 80m, 10 rolls.']

The result was satisfying.

Yellow Box Tape 80m, 10 rolls (3,500 KRW each).

The price per roll was cut in half, and the quantity tripled, resulting in a total sixfold profit.

Additionally, I restored the other two items as well.

Ottogi Tomato Ketchup, 500g, 2 bottles (5,580 KRW)

Jeju Tangerines, 3kg (16,110 KRW)

"Okay. Done."

Now, all the items registered in the store had been restored to their proper state.

The store could now hold up to 40 items.

I wanted to quickly fill the remaining 20 slots and level up, but I hadn't yet decided exactly what to register.

Each slot was valuable, so I had to choose carefully.

"A weapon is essential for hunting monsters."

The easiest weapon to obtain at home was a kitchen knife, but I had lost mine during a fight with a Kellikan.

"I'll register the one from next door."

It was almost time to meet the new citizens I had accepted.

"But before that, let's take a quick peek."

"Know your enemy, and you will never be in danger." Scouting out the other party before negotiations was a basic principle.

"Absolute Eye."

The moment I uttered the skill's name—

Wooong!

I saw myself lying on the bed.

It was like switching from a first-person to a third-person perspective in a game.

"Good. It worked."

My expanded senses quickly spread throughout my entire territory.

"I can see them."

In the darkened living room, a young couple—Choi Hyung-jun and Park Hye-won—were having a serious conversation.

"Honey, what are we going to do now?"

"We have no choice but to go outside and find water. I'll go get some, so stay here and wait."

"No! It's too dangerous!"

"I know. But we don't have any other options."

"…Do you think there's still water left somewhere?"

"I'm planning to check out a convenience store nearby. It's a big one, so there should be something left."

"…"

At that moment, their children came out from the room and urged them.

"Mom… I'm thirsty…"

"Seoyeon…"

Hearing his thirsty child plead, Choi Hyung-jun made up his mind and said firmly:

"Trust me, okay? I'll get water no matter what, so just wait for me."

"…"

Park Hye-won could only lower her head in despair.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"…Deactivate Absolute Eye."

After turning off the skill, I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"The situation is worse than I thought."

The neighbors' condition was more dire than I had anticipated.

Not only had they run out of food, but even their drinking water was gone.

That was to be expected.

It had already been over a week since the water supply was cut off.

If they had stayed inside all this time, they would have consumed all their resources.

And with four people in the house, they would have run out even faster.

"Open store. Purchase Samdasoo and Jeju Tangerines."

Ziiing—

I transferred them to my storage and opened my skill window.

Then, I upgraded my Dignity Maintenance skill.

[Are you sure you want to upgrade the Dignity Maintenance skill of the Shut-in Overlord?]

"Yes."

I invested my remaining points into the skill so that I could supply electricity and water to my neighbors.

In exchange, I could demand a fair price from them.

[Shut-in Overlord's Dignity Maintenance skill has reached Lv. 2.]

[Vassal Registration is now available.]

"Huh?"

But instead of the upgrade I expected, a completely new feature appeared.

"Vassals? What's this now?"

***

Before stepping outside, Choi Hyung-jun checked himself one last time in the entrance.

A backpack filled with water and food, functional hiking clothes, and even his favorite golf club.

A driver.

Among golf clubs, it was the one that sent the ball the farthest. That meant it was powerful. He figured it would be enough to take down those small monsters in one blow.

"Honey…"

He forced a smile as he looked at his worried wife and children who had come to see him off.

"I'll be back! Take good care of the house!"

At that, Choi Na-yeon asked in a trembling voice.

"Are you really going, Dad?"

"Of course. I'll get some water and food, so listen to your mom while I'm gone…"

"B-But!"

Choi Na-yeon interrupted him.

"There are monsters outside!"

That day.

Choi Hyung-jun's family had been outside.

They had been playing together in the playground within their apartment complex when, suddenly, monsters appeared.

A massacre soon followed.

The children had witnessed goblins butchering people with their own eyes.

"Hwaaah!"

Perhaps the memory resurfaced—Choi Seo-yeon burst into tears.

"Seo-yeon, hush. Be a good girl."

Despite Park Hye-won's attempts to soothe her, the child's crying wouldn't stop.

The atmosphere was at its worst.

'This might be the last time.'

He had a feeling.

He knew he wasn't strong enough on his own.

The images of people being slaughtered by goblins were still vivid in his mind.

And there was no guarantee that any supplies would be left in the nearby convenience store.

'Probably not.'

To be honest, he wasn't confident about going outside even now. He was just struggling to survive.

His two daughters were already showing mild signs of dehydration.

They had drunk all the water in the toilet tank. Now, he had no choice but to go out.

Yet, his feet wouldn't move at the thought that this could be the last time he saw his beloved wife and daughters.

Then—

♬♪♬♩~

A sudden ringtone froze Choi Hyung-jun in place.

'A ringtone?'

Chills ran down his spine.

Electricity had been out for a long time.

Yet, a ringtone?

He looked ahead and saw his wife's terrified face, mirroring his own thoughts.

His daughters, Choi Na-yeon and Choi Seo-yeon, didn't seem to understand the situation, but they had stopped crying—perhaps sensing the tension in the air.

Probably because his expression had turned deadly serious.

Slowly, Choi Hyung-jun turned his head.

The ringtone was still going, and there was a faint noise outside, as if something was moving.

Then—

Knock, knock, knock.

"Huh?!"

"Kyahhh!"

Startled by the knocking, Choi Hyung-jun staggered back, making the three women behind him scream in terror.

"Excuse me. Could you open the door?"

Choi Hyung-jun instinctively knew.

'M-M-Monster…!'

It had to be a monster.

He didn't know how it was imitating human speech, but it had found their hiding place and come for them.

"Hello?"

Knock, knock, knock—

Every time the monster knocked, Choi Hyung-jun and his family trembled in fear.

All they could do was remain silent and hope the creature left.

How long had they waited?

Silence fell outside.

'Did… did it leave?'

A fleeting hope arose—

Click!

"Hah!"

Like a cruel joke, the door unlocked, and the monster entered.

"No!"

"Kyaaa! Honey!"

"Daddyyyyy!"

"Huuuuuhhh!"

Desperately, Choi Hyung-jun shielded his family behind him.

At the last moment, all he wished was for them to live even a second longer than him.

He braced for death—

But the attack never came.

"Excuse me."

A polite voice.

Slowly, Choi Hyung-jun turned around.

A young man stood there.

Unlike them—disheveled, unwashed, and starving—he looked completely different.

Had he just taken a shower? His hair was slightly damp, and a faint scent of shampoo and body wash lingered.

It was an utterly surreal fragrance in this nightmarish situation, adding to his mysterious aura.

His quiet but undeniable presence and charisma made him seem like a giant.

Choi Hyung-jun barely managed to speak.

"W-Who…?"

The young man spoke.

"My name is Kim Jae-hyun. I live next door. May I have a moment of your time?"

Still in shock, unable to respond, Choi Hyung-jun saw the young man lift something beside him.

"It's water and some tangerines. Would you like to eat first before we talk?"

Water. Food.

The very things Choi Hyung-jun's family had desperately longed for.

At this point, the young man's identity no longer mattered.

Choi Hyung-jun hurriedly nodded.

"Please, come in!"