CHAPTER 24

Construction (2)

"Construction?"

The moment I uttered that word.

Ziiiiing—

I felt the familiar sensation of my territory expanding, and the entire apartment complex came into view.

'Tsk. Again?'

I instinctively braced myself for the pain to come.

'…?'

But instead of pain, a new system window appeared.

[Facilities Available for Construction]

Solar Power Generator (₩1,330,000,000)

Convenience Store (₩2,199,000,000)

Gym (₩3,000,000,000)

[Grant: ₩10,000,000,000]

The prices were so high that I couldn't help but click my tongue in disbelief.

Even the cheapest option, the solar power generator, cost a whopping ₩1.3 billion.

'Solar power generator.'

When I selected it, a translucent image of a solar power facility appeared on the apartment rooftop.

It looked just like the ones I had seen installed on house rooftops.

A brief explanation popped up along with it, stating that the facility would generate electricity daily and that any surplus energy would be converted into money and deposited into the Absolute One's wallet.

It even provided the estimated financial return of the solar generator.

'Only ₩30 million per year?'

I had to spend ₩1.3 billion to build it, yet it would only generate about ₩30 million per year?

That meant I wouldn't even break even for at least five years.

[Would you like to proceed with construction?]

[Yes / No]

'No.'

It felt like a waste of money.

'There are way too many other expenses right now.'

With the city's population growing to several hundred, electricity consumption had increased. But it wasn't at the level where I needed a solar power generator just yet.

'I'd rather use this money to level up Ha Dong-geon one more time.'

Just as my interest in construction was fading, my eyes landed on the "Grant" section at the bottom of the construction menu.

₩10 billion.

A massive sum I had earned by conquering the entire apartment complex.

But something felt off.

'Wait… could this be?'

※ Grant: This amount can only be used for facility construction.

'Ah…!'

That changed everything.

It was ₩10 billion, sure, but it wasn't actually my money. It was completely separate from the cash in my own wallet.

If I didn't use it for construction, it was as good as useless.

'In that case, I might as well spend it all.'

Using the grant would allow me to save my actual cash, so there was no reason to hesitate.

[Would you like to proceed with construction?]

[Yes / No]

'Yes.'

[Time remaining until Solar Power Generator construction is complete]

23 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds

The numbers in my grant balance instantly changed.

[Grant: ₩8,670,000,000]

'Tsk. Still, that hurts.'

Even though this money could only be used for construction—making it no different from game points—it was still painful to see over ₩1 billion vanish in an instant.

I had never spent such a huge amount of money before.

'Can I build another one?'

The system stated that any surplus electricity would be converted into cash for my wallet.

If I increased power production, the money going into my wallet would also increase.

But things weren't that simple.

[A maximum of one Solar Power Generator can be installed per apartment complex.]

'Tch.'

If I wanted more solar power generators, I would have to level up my territory proclamation skill and conquer more surrounding apartments.

'What's this convenience store about?'

It cost over ₩2 billion, but that didn't matter.

I had already decided to use up the entire ₩10 billion grant.

'Hmm?'

The convenience store had an interesting system.

It was linked to my Absolute One's shop skill, allowing me to sell items I personally registered.

The unique part was that no cashier was required.

Customers simply paid in front of a translucent item display, and the system would instantly produce the product for them.

'Not bad.'

Previously, I had to personally distribute relief supplies, which was a hassle.

But with a convenience store, the citizens could buy what they needed themselves.

The best part was that I wouldn't have to micromanage anything.

'I can even set the prices myself.'

Currently, my shop items were available to me at a 20% discount.

If I stocked them in the convenience store at full price, I'd make a 20% profit margin.

On top of that, since citizens needed a steady income to shop, I would have to distribute a portion of the settlement funds among them.

That meant I could finally put my tax collection skill to good use.

'In that case, I can afford to increase the percentage of settlement funds distributed to the citizens.'

Now that I had a way to get money back, giving them more didn't seem like a big deal.

If necessary, I could always take it back.

It was a slightly ruthless method, but if I raised the prices of essentials like water and rice, recovering funds would be easy.

'Not that I'd take it that far… most of the time.'

The convenience store had more advantages.

'Build it immediately.'

Ding!

[Please select a location to install the store.]

Unlike the solar panels being installed on the rooftop, setting up the store required completely overhauling an entire unit. Fortunately, there was a suitable location.

"Unit 101."

The first- and second-floor units had been completely trashed by goblins.

Since they hadn't even been cleaned yet, installing the store would effectively wipe the slate clean.

Shattered windows and goblin filth would be cleared away in an instant.

[Time remaining until store construction is complete:]

47 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds

"And the last one… a gym?"

When I first saw it, I wondered why such a useless facility was even included.

The apartment complex had a gym as part of its community facilities, but I had never once used it.

I had no particular interest in working out.

However, the gym built through the construction system had a slightly different meaning.

"Gym"

A basic training facility for citizens.

Increases strength and stamina. Training here boosts workout efficiency by 200%. Citizens at level 15 or below receive an additional 300% efficiency bonus.

"…Whoa."

I already knew that it was possible to level up through exercise, even without quest rewards.

On average, people who worked out diligently tended to have higher levels.

For example, former bodybuilder Kim Min-ho was level 15.

According to the gym's description, that meant people could reach Kim Min-ho's level nearly five times faster.

On top of that, the increased workout efficiency buff meant that combining it with quest rewards would be incredibly effective.

Ding!

[Please select a location to install the gym.]

Unlike the store, the gym required a larger space.

So, I converted the entire second floor into a gym.

[Time remaining until gym construction is complete:]

71 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds

After setting up the gym, I had about 3.5 billion won left in support funds.

"Spent it well."

Since I hadn't used any of my own money thanks to the funds, I even felt a bit refreshed.

"Now then…"

This sudden construction function—

It was just the appetizer.

"Considering I got 1 billion won in funding, it was quite a delicious appetizer, though."

But the main course was yet to come.

After deactivating construction mode and returning my senses to normal, I opened the skill window.

[Available skill points: 3]

Reaching level 10 had granted me three skill points.

Additionally, aside from Invisible Hand (obtained at level 8) and Home Repair (obtained at level 9), all my other skills had a [+] button active next to them.

There was no need to hesitate.

I had already decided which skills to level up.

"Absolute Store, Absolute Dignity Maintenance, and Absolute Eye."

First, I leveled up Absolute Store.

[Homeowner Absolute's Store skill has reached Lv. 5.]

[The number of items that can be registered has increased to 500.]

[Item Categorization feature has been added.]

"…What?"

At level 4, I could only register 80 items.

Now, at level 5, the limit had suddenly increased to 500.

And there was a newly added function:

〔Item Categorization〕

Registered products can now be purchased in different quantities, and items with similar concepts can also be bought.

The store was already an amazing ability, but it did have its inconveniences.

For example, only fixed-sized packages of items could be purchased.

Water had to be bought in packs of twelve 2L bottles, and tangerines had to be purchased in 3kg boxes.

Now, it seemed like I could buy as much or as little as I needed.

"I get the first part, but what does 'similar concept items' mean?"

Curious, I opened the store.

"Huh?"

The level 5 store looked a little different than before.

Water

When selecting a slot labeled simply as "water" instead of Jeju Samdasoo, a variety of products appeared.

"Wow."

Starting with the standard 2L Samdasoo, there were also smaller sizes like 500ml, as well as other brands like Isis and Sparkle.

'Not everything is here, though.'

Even so, the selection was much wider than before.

'What about the other items?'

I quickly checked the ramen section.

As more survivors joined, various types of ramen, such as Jjapagetti and Shin Ramyun, had been registered alongside Jin Ramyun Mild. Now, all of them were grouped into a single slot.

Ramen

Inside the slot, a variety of ramen types, including Buldak Bokkeum Myeon and Neoguri, were available.

'There are way more types than with water.'

Just the item categorization function alone had significantly enriched the store's inventory.

'Perfect timing.'

With the construction of the store, the increased variety of products was a welcome change.

'Might as well level up the rest.'

The skill Dignity of the Absolute One and Eyes of the Absolute One.

After leveling up my skills, I couldn't help but smirk at the newly unlocked features.

'This is going to be really useful.'

…

"Haaah!"

Kang Deok-su, clad in silver armor, swung his halberd at an orc.

The orc thrust its glaive at him in return, but the attack merely bounced off the silver armor, unable to penetrate it.

Clang!

Kang Deok-su's attack, however, was different.

Slash!

"Grruaaaagh!"

The orc's shoulder was severed in a single strike.

Thanks to his daily quests, Kang Deok-su had grown significantly stronger, and his attacks carried impressive force.

"Phew."

At that moment, Ha Dong-geon called out to him.

"Deok-su."

"Hm?"

"Just curious—what happens if you throw that thing?"

Kang Deok-su looked at the halberd Ha Dong-geon was pointing at and asked,

"This? Why are you asking all of a sudden?"

"Just let me borrow it for a sec. I want to try something."

"What? Hey, wait—"

Even though Kang Deok-su had been training hard, Ha Dong-geon was already level 33.

Their physical abilities were on completely different levels.

With no choice but to let his weapon be taken, Kang Deok-su could only watch as Ha Dong-geon swung the halberd at another orc.

Slash! Thud!

"Graaagh!"

"…Hah. Crazy bastard."

He could only stare blankly as Ha Dong-geon effortlessly decapitated the orcs with overwhelming strength.

Then—

Swish!

His halberd went flying through the air.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing throwing that?!"

Ha Dong-geon remained calm.

As the halberd struck an orc and crushed its body, he turned to Kang Deok-su.

"Phew. Now, try dismissing it and summoning it again."

"Huh?"

Finally understanding Ha Dong-geon's intent, Kang Deok-su nodded.

"Wait a sec!"

Bzzzt—

The halberd that had flown off into the distance vanished, only to reappear right in Kang Deok-su's hand.

"It… it worked! Dong-geon, you're a genius!"

"Quit making a fuss."

Just then—

"We need to retreat! I'm almost out of arrows!"

Kim Ga-young, one of the party's key damage dealers alongside Ha Dong-geon, shouted.

If she ran out of arrows, they'd have to return to the apartment no matter how much time was left.

But then—

Bzzzt—

"Huh?"

Arrows were materializing in front of her in real time.