CHAPTER 8

Survivors (3)

First, Choi Hyung-jun was sent back home.

The survivors, who were likely in an extreme situation, wouldn't just open the door for anyone, so I planned to send them relief supplies.

While the supplies were being prepared, I told him to go home, eat, and wash up.

'Water and tangerines should be enough.'

If they hadn't made proper preparations, water would be essential, and for food, tangerines were ideal since they could be eaten without cooking.

'Store open. Purchase one set of tangerines.'

Ziiiing—

With just my willpower, I purchased items from the store.

'Storage open. Store tangerine box.'

I repeated the action of storing items in the warehouse using only my will.

Ziiiing—

There was one major advantage to using skills mentally rather than speaking out loud.

'The confirmation step is skipped.'

Since using a skill required firm intent from the start, the extra confirmation process was omitted.

That meant purchasing items from the store and storing them in the warehouse became much faster.

'Store open. This time, buy a set of Samdasoo water bottles.'

There was the drawback of consuming mental energy, but with practice, it seemed like it would be useful.

'Storage open. Store water.'

Then it happened.

[You have exceeded the storage weight limit.]

It was the first time I had seen this message since using the warehouse.

'The capacity must be around 100 kg.'

Even at level 1, it was a fairly large capacity.

'What functions will be added when the warehouse reaches level 2?'

Given that the Dignity Maintenance and Store skills had gained special features as they leveled up, the warehouse was likely the same.

'I can't think of anything other than an increased capacity.'

As I seriously pondered the possibilities, a familiar message appeared.

[Citizen Choi Hyung-jun's trust level has increased.]

'It's gone up again.'

And it wasn't just Choi Hyung-jun.

The trust levels of the neighboring family had also been rapidly rising.

Yet, I hadn't done anything particularly special—just supplied them with water, electricity, and gas.

'Citizen management.'

□ Choi Hyung-jun (Trust: 40) (Lv. 9)

□ Park Hye-won (Trust: 32) (Lv. 5)

□ Choi Na-yeon (Trust: 51) (Loyalty: 17) (Lv. 3)

□ Choi Seo-yeon (Trust: 63) (Loyalty: 39) (Lv. 2)

Current population: 4 / 600

Choi Na-yeon and Choi Seo-yeon had already surpassed a trust level of 50, unlocking loyalty.

Since they were children, they seemed to lower their guard much faster.

'It's a relief that raising trust levels is easier than expected.'

I didn't have enough data to be completely certain, but at least reaching the threshold where loyalty was unlocked—trust level 50—seemed fairly smooth.

While waiting for Choi Hyung-jun, I spent my time as usual, looking out through the living room window.

After spending an entire week doing this every day, I had developed the habit of observing the outside world whenever I had free time.

'The fires have stopped burning.'

The fire that had started during the fight with the Kellikan surprisingly hadn't spread into a major blaze.

'The sun will be setting soon.'

A lot had happened today.

The biggest event was the increase in the Territorial Declaration level, which expanded my domain.

'If I keep expanding my territory and absorbing people, one day, I'll be able to send out a force to rescue my family.'

Then, I saw it.

'A person.'

It had been a long time.

For the first time in ages, I saw a human walking along the trail instead of a goblin.

'What are they doing?'

And it wasn't just one person—there were six of them.

Each one carried a large backpack.

Two men in the group headed toward the remains of the Kellikan's corpse.

'Don't tell me they're trying to eat that?'

The carcass had been dead for over a week.

There was no way the flesh, which hadn't even been drained of blood, could have lasted that long.

It was probably reeking with the stench of decay.

'They won't be able to eat it.'

The two men must have smelled the rot as well because they quickly turned away without hesitation.

'They're insane.'

The fact that they even considered eating a monster…

Just how starving did they have to be to entertain such an idea?

At the same time…

'I like them.'

More than anything, the fact that they had ventured outside as a group stood out to me.

At the very least, it meant they had the courage to take risks.

'Store open. Buy mild Jin Ramen and olive-flavored seaweed.'

Ziiiing—

I immediately grabbed those items along with a few tangerines and threw them outside with all my strength.

The loud crash of the ramen breaking echoed through the air, drawing their attention to one spot.

They instinctively looked up, and our eyes met.

I waved at them.

'If you want more food, come find me.'

They quickly scrambled to pick up the supplies.

And then—

"Kiieeek!"

A scream rang out.

As the sound of falling objects echoed, a group of goblins appeared.

'…Damn.'

It was a mistake.

I hadn't expected goblins to show up.

'This makes helping even harder.'

The goblins were too far away for me to hit them with a dumbbell.

'Four of them…'

Even the bravest people would struggle to kill something.

'I hope they manage to escape properly.'

But then, something unexpected happened.

One of the men approaching the corpse of Kellekan suddenly swung his hand toward the goblins.

A moment later, something shot out from his hand and struck a goblin square in the head.

Thwack!

One goblin collapsed instantly.

'What?'

That was only the beginning.

Swish!

A woman from the group of four fired an arrow at the goblins.

Thud!

"Keek!"

Thwack!

In the blink of an eye, two goblins had arrows piercing their foreheads.

"Ughhh!"

Meanwhile, a large man charged at the last remaining goblin and swung a baseball bat.

"Squawk!"

The battle ended in an instant.

'Huh.'

After taking down the goblins so effortlessly, the group turned their heads to look in my direction, almost as if they had planned it.

I met their gaze and silently pleaded.

'Please, come up here.'

But contrary to my wish, they simply gathered supplies and disappeared inside the entrance of another apartment building.

And then—

♬♪♬♩~

It seemed Choi Hyung-jun had arrived.

I focused on the entrance.

'Open.'

Click.

'Good.'

I still had to concentrate hard, but with enough practice, I might eventually be able to open the door more naturally.

"Come in."

"Excuse me. Huh?"

I heard the sound of the door opening, but Choi Hyung-jun didn't enter.

When I stepped out to check, I saw him standing there, his hands full of supplies, looking confused.

"What's wrong?"

"Uh… it says I don't have permission?"

"Permission?"

"Yeah."

Apparently, even a fellow citizen couldn't enter my home at will. There must be some kind of requirement.

'Maybe only registered retainers can enter?'

Choi Hyung-jun handed over a box packed with supplies.

"These are the items you requested. I brought everything that could be used as a weapon."

"Thank you."

Inside the box was a large toolbox along with a kitchen knife.

'Open storage. Take out two sets of water and tangerines.'

When water and tangerines materialized beside me in real time, Choi Hyung-jun's eyes widened, and he took a step back in shock.

I spoke to him.

"These are supplies for the 29th floor. Even if it seems empty, just leave them in front of the door."

"Understood! Leave it to me!"

He responded energetically, so I continued.

"I have a request. Can you move immediately?"

"Huh?"

Originally, the plan was to begin operations when daylight arrived.

It was too dangerous at night with darkness all around.

Choi Hyung-jun hesitated at my unreasonable request.

"Uh, wouldn't that be too risky?"

"No. It's actually more dangerous during the day."

Honestly, it was just my gut feeling, but I had a point.

I had spent the past week carefully observing the outside world, waiting for the right moment to hunt goblins.

And I had learned one important fact: goblins were most active during the day.

The six men and women who had just moved through the walkway probably knew that too, which was why they had chosen to act now.

Besides—

'I need to bring them here.'

Four goblins weren't much, but people who could handle them so overwhelmingly were rare.

'I have to make them my allies.'

I couldn't afford to lose them.

"Ah, got it. Getting to the 29th floor shouldn't be too hard."

"That's not it. You can start distributing supplies on each floor tomorrow. What I want you to do now is take a set of tangerines and a bottle of water down to the first floor."

"T-The first floor?"

"All you need to do is leave the supplies outside the first-floor door and come back up."

Just having broken ramen and kimchi wouldn't be enough.

'They must think I'm some lunatic for just throwing food down, so I need to change that perception first.'

Honestly, I understood their reaction.

Who would ever imagine that a lunatic throwing food from the 30th floor actually had a power like this?

'First, I need to make sure they understand I have plenty of supplies.'

If I leave tangerines and water on the first floor, they'll naturally think of me.

I threw down some tangerines earlier along with the food.

'Then they'll have no choice but to come looking for me.'

I had to pique their curiosity and make them seek me out.

"I know this is sudden, but please, do this for me."

"…All I have to do is leave it on the first floor and come back?"

"Yes."

Choi Hyung-jun nodded resolutely.

"Alright. That's not too difficult."

Normally, goblins would have occupied the first floor, making it dangerous, but I had already scared them away by throwing dumbbells at them.

If it was just leaving some supplies and coming back, it should be fine.

I had observed the outside world for a week and was fairly certain, but I was still a little worried.

"If you encounter any monsters, drop everything and run straight back to the 30th floor as fast as you can. As long as you reach the hallway, you'll be safe."

"…Understood!"

I felt both guilty and grateful that he agreed to my sudden request.

I wanted to do something for him in return.

'Quest assigned: Place a box of tangerines and a bottle of water on the first floor. Time limit: 24 hours. No reward, no penalty.'

"Quest Assigned"

Quest Details:

Place a box of tangerines and a bottle of water on the first floor (0/1)

Time Limit:

24 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds

Reward:

A small amount of experience points.

Failure Penalty:

None.

"Huh? What's this?"

"If you complete it, you'll gain a bit of experience."

"Experience…? Like in a game? Does that mean there's a level system, too?"

Since he was relatively young, he had a basic understanding of game mechanics.

That saved me from having to explain everything in detail.

"That's right. Your current level is 9. If you level up, you'll gain some beneficial effects. So please, I'm counting on you."

"…Alright."

And so, Choi Hyung-jun's first quest began.

….

Choi Hyung-jun swallowed hard in front of the emergency stairwell entrance.

'Let's go.'

The lights only worked up to the hallway.

Below this point, the strange power of the man next door didn't reach.

The only comfort was the dim green glow of the emergency lights.

"Hoo…"

He already had to rely on the faint light from the emergency signs, but carrying such a heavy load made him even more nervous.

'The monsters shouldn't have come up here… right?'

He carefully descended the stairs, taking one step at a time.

Thanks to his steady pace, he reached the 20th floor fairly quickly.

"Hoo… This is tough."

He was carrying more than 15 kilograms of supplies, plus a golf club for protection, so it was only natural to feel exhausted.

Then—

"Huh?"

It sounded like something moving below.

Choi Hyung-jun narrowed his eyes, staring down into the darkness of the stairwell.

Murmuring.

"!!!"

This time, he heard it clearly.

It sounded like people talking in hushed voices.

Suddenly, the horrifying memory of that day resurfaced in his mind.

People fleeing in terror.

The goblins attacking them as if they were prey.

'I-I have to go back!'

He hurriedly turned to run back up.

But his body wouldn't listen.

His legs trembled, and his heart pounded.

He was so overwhelmed that he didn't even think to drop the supplies and run.

Despite his desperate attempt to escape, the murmuring voices grew closer.

Then, finally—

"Ugh…!"

His legs gave out, and he collapsed on the stairs.

Thud! Crash!

The water bottle hit the ground, echoing through the stairwell.

The tangerine box flipped over, sending tangerines rolling in every direction.

"Ugh…"

He tried to get up, but his body was frozen with fear.

'Move… please, move!'

Murmuring.

More murmuring.

The voices were getting closer and faster.

Then, beyond the darkness, he saw their shadows flickering under the emergency light.

His fear reached its peak.

Paralyzed, Choi Hyung-jun curled into himself and held his breath.

That was all he could do now.

And then—

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Eek!"

"Mister, are you alright?"

Through the darkness, he saw the figures of six men and women emerging from below.