CHAPTER 38

Assembly (2)

I looked at Lee Jun-hyuk, who was bowing his waist, and checked his citizen information window.

**『Name: Lee Jun-hyuk (Lv. 33)

Trust: 48

Awakening Ability: Create Water

Experience Distribution Rate: 0% (+100%)

Settlement Fund Distribution Rate: 0% (+100%)

★ Assign Quest  Expel』**

Create Water (B-Rank)

Consumes mental energy to generate water.

It was curious that a man with such an ability had a relatively high level.

Considering that Seo Ye-jin was Level 31, Lee Jun-hyuk's level was quite high.

'Even though his awakening ability is ranked lower than Seo Ye-jin's.'

Since it was a B-rank ability, he had likely started at around Level 25.

That meant he had leveled up eight times after awakening, which indicated he had hunted a significant number of monsters.

He didn't seem to have any personality flaws.

'I could take him in as a retainer.'

His initial trust level was high enough that he would likely meet the conditions for retainer registration soon.

"How many people did you say came with you?"

"Including me, there are 24 of us in total."

"I see. Then I'll provide three rooms. You can use Room 1802, Jun-hyuk, while the others can use Rooms 1501 and 1302."

Lee Jun-hyuk tilted his head in confusion and asked,

"Huh?"

"I'll also provide electricity, water, and gas, so why don't you all take a shower first?"

"W-Wait a second. You're giving us a place to stay?"

"Yes. Because you're worth it, Lee Jun-hyuk."

[Citizen Lee Jun-hyuk's trust has reached 50.]

[Loyalty has been unlocked.]

As the saying goes, even whales dance when praised—it didn't take long for him to react.

"Thank you! I'll do my best!"

The others, who had been standing awkwardly behind him, also bowed and expressed their gratitude.

"We—we'll do our best too! Everyone here is capable of handling at least a goblin or two, so just give us your orders!"

There was something odd about what the man had just said.

His level was only 9. It was relatively high but still within the average range.

'If he's been hunting monsters, shouldn't his level be much higher?'

I asked him directly,

"You must have hunted a lot of goblins?"

He answered confidently,

"Of course! I've killed at least a three-digit number of goblins with my own hands."

That made things even stranger.

Right now, even regular citizens were reaching Level 10 after taking down just a few goblins following their initial skill acquisition.

If he had hunted that many goblins, he should have at least reached the early Level 10s.

"Is it the same for the others?"

"There are some differences, but most of us—men and women alike—have taken down dozens of them. That guy over there even killed an orc."

Yet, all of them had relatively low levels.

Some had exceeded Level 10, but those people had well-built, muscular physiques.

Considering that physically fit individuals tended to be around Level 10, it meant these people had hunted a large number of goblins without gaining many levels.

'Could it be that only awakened individuals can level up?'

It was a new realization.

Ordinary people couldn't gain experience from hunting monsters.

Until now, there hadn't been many cases of people hunting monsters before obtaining citizenship, so I hadn't noticed.

The only exceptions had been Ha Dong-gun's party and Oh Won-joo.

'So citizenship allows people to grow stronger.'

In essence, obtaining citizenship granted a pseudo-awakened status.

'I didn't realize my ability was this incredible.'

Right now, I could accept up to 19,000 citizens.

That meant I could nurture 19,000 pseudo-awakened individuals.

I turned to Lee Jun-hyuk and asked,

"Is what he said really true?"

"Yes. He exaggerated a little, but it's mostly accurate."

"Hey! When did I ever…!"

I couldn't help but be impressed.

"That's amazing."

Then, I addressed the group.

"I ask that you actively participate in monster hunting. The money you earn from hunting can be used at the store on the first floor. Also, don't forget to register at the gym on the second floor."

Their reactions were all the same.

"Huh?"

They didn't seem to grasp the concept of making money from hunting monsters.

I already knew that people couldn't earn money from hunting monsters before obtaining citizenship.

Thanks to my conversations with Ha Dong-gun's party, I had learned that before becoming citizens, people wouldn't receive any notifications even if they killed monsters.

Explaining all of this to them in detail would take too much time.

I smiled bitterly and said,

"Go to the 21st floor and look for Kim Da-bin. If you tell them I sent you, they will kindly explain everything. And…"

I bought gifts for them at the store.

Ramen, Choco Pies, cola, snacks, and more.

Then, I summoned 10 sets of bows and arrows and 10 spears.

Ziiing—

"This is my humble gift."

Hoping they would live up to expectations.

[Citizen Lee Hyun-chan's trust level has increased.]

[Citizen Cha Jung-hyun's trust level has increased.]

[Citizen Jang Jin-young's trust level has increased.]

[Citizen Kim Ji-tae's trust level has increased.]

…

…

After sending them off, I returned inside the house.

"Siwoo, is it delicious?"

There, Oh Won-joo was watching her son with a happy expression.

"Yes! It's delicious!"

In front of the child, who looked about five years old, was a feast.

Stir-fried sausages and vegetables, grilled spam, a sunny-side-up egg, along with warm, well-cooked rice and seaweed soup.

"Mom, whose birthday is it?"

"Hm? No one's."

"Then why is there seaweed soup?"

"Because my Siwoo likes it."

"Wow! I love it!"

Watching Siwoo happily munch on the meal she had prepared with care, Oh Won-joo smiled warmly.

"Is it really that good?"

"Yes!"

Siwoo, spotting me as I walked into the living room, pointed at me with his spoon and said,

"It's the magician uncle!"

I smiled and waved before sitting down at the table.

"Thank you for your kindness, Jaehyun."

"It's nothing. I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to Siwoo, I get to enjoy such a delicious home-cooked meal."

Resurrected Siwoo could not leave the confines of the house.

Not even the expanded territory I had leveled up—he was completely bound to our home.

That was why Oh Won-joo was here.

"I'm done eating!"

Siwoo emptied his bowl clean and immediately ran to the sofa.

"Beepy, come here!"

–Beep!

Kami let out a small sigh and nestled into Siwoo's arms.

That was because I had ordered Kami to accommodate Siwoo as much as possible.

As he carefully stroked Kami, Siwoo turned to his mother and said,

"Mom! Play Go Go Dino for me!"

"Okay."

Normally, Siwoo's request wouldn't be possible. TV channels had all ceased broadcasting, and without the internet, IPTV replays were unavailable.

But in Oh Won-joo's house, there was a computer with Go Go Dino videos saved on it.

She had brought it here and connected it to the TV for Siwoo to watch.

[The Moving Rock Stegosaurus!]

Since Siwoo had always loved this show, she had downloaded it in advance.

As he watched the TV intently, I cautiously spoke to Oh Won-joo.

"I'm sorry."

"Hm? For what?"

"For not being able to let you leave here. I didn't anticipate this either."

Oh Won-joo smiled gently and replied,

"Just being here together is enough. In fact, it's better this way. It's probably best if no one else finds out about this, for your sake too, Jaehyun."

The anger that had always filled her eyes was nowhere to be seen.

"I'm very satisfied right now. I even feel like dedicating my life to serving you."

[Citizen Oh Won-joo's loyalty has increased.]

[Citizen Oh Won-joo's loyalty has reached 100.]

[Citizen Oh Won-joo is already registered as a retainer.]

[The maximum number of retainers has increased.]

"…"

Even without the system notifications, her expression and demeanor conveyed her sincerity.

Oh Won-joo waited until I finished eating, then did the dishes before approaching her son.

"Siwoo, can Mommy watch with you?"

"Yes!"

She sat right next to her son, kissed him on the head, and quietly stayed by his side for a long time.

Watching them, I suddenly thought of my own mother.

How was my family doing?

'Don't be impatient.'

It had only been one day.

To seize this day, what kind of attitude had Oh Won-joo maintained while carrying out his missions?

For just one day, understanding could be given.

'After all, Seo Ye-jin's rat is heading to the main house.'

Although passing through the area near Busan Station, which had been shattered by the giant's rampage, was troublesome, they had managed to get through safely and were now heading toward Jagalchi.

'Once the rat reaches home, it can deliver the necessary supplies to the family.'

It could provide water or food, or even weapons like guns.

A written message could be passed through the warehouse skill to let them know that he was safe.

Seo Ye-jin was keeping his eyes fixed on the rat, with whom he had shared sensory perception, when—

[An unauthorized individual is attempting to enter.]

'Here they come again.'

It wasn't just Lee Jun-hyuk and his group anymore.

Ever since they had taken down the giant, survivors had been gathering at their apartment complex.

[A group approaching the residence meets the conditions to be accepted as citizens.]

[Would you like to offer them citizenship?]

This time, it was a group of six, seemingly a family.

'Offer them citizenship.'

After Lee Jun-hyuk's case, there was some expectation, but this time, there were no awakened individuals.

'I'll have to send them straight to Kim Da-bin.'

If there were no awakened ones, there was no need to issue a quest that required them to seek him out in order to gain trust or loyalty.

Time passed quickly, and before long, it was already bedtime.

"Oh Won-joo, you can sleep in the master bedroom with Si-woo."

"No, it's fine. We can sleep outside—"

"No. You and Si-woo should sleep comfortably together. That's an order."

"…Thank you for your kindness."

Forcing them into the master bedroom, he lay down on the sofa.

As he rested there, through the slightly open bedroom door, he could hear Oh Won-joo singing a lullaby.

Listening to it, his eyes slowly closed.

That night, he drifted off to sleep like that.

The next day passed without anything special.

He ate the meal Oh Won-joo prepared together with Si-woo, and they watched Si-woo's favorite cartoons.

Si-woo found Kami adorable, while Kami found Si-woo annoying for blocking its sunlight.

Oh Won-joo and Si-woo napped together and played with the toys he had bought from the shop.

Time moved mercilessly, never waiting for a single moment.

It was just one day.

A single day he could gift to Oh Won-joo and Si-woo.

The promised time passed swiftly, and soon, the moment of parting approached.

"Mom."

"Hm?"

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying."

Oh Won-joo held her son in her arms and wept endlessly.

"But you are."

Si-woo, with a genuinely curious expression, lifted his small hand and gently stroked his mother's face.

As he wiped away her tears, he spoke.

"Don't cry, Mom."

"Sniff… Si-woo…"

Was it a trigger?

As if an explosion had been set off, the emotions she had suppressed burst forth.

"Sob… Mom is… scared."

"Of what?"

"A world without my son is too frightening…"

Oh Won-joo, careful not to hurt Si-woo, held him as tightly as she could.

"Mom, I can't breathe."

"Sorry…"

Tears continued to fall from her trembling face.

Her hands, shaking endlessly, carefully let go of Si-woo, and her voice remained broken.

Unable to properly act, fearing she might not control her strength, she simply grieved the fleeting time.

At that moment, Si-woo wrapped his small arms around Oh Won-joo.

"Mom, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

With a warm voice, Si-woo tried to reassure his mother.

"Sniff…"

Oh Won-joo crumbled.

"Mom, I love you."

"I love you too, Si-woo. Mom… Mom also loves you so much…"

Then, the promised time ran out.

Si-woo's body started fading, his voice becoming fainter.

Perhaps he understood what was happening, for he simply smiled at his mother.

"Goodbye, Mom."

And that was the end.

"Si-woo, Si-woo! Si-woo!"

Si-woo was gone.

"Sob… Hic…"

Oh Won-joo wept endlessly, mourning at that spot until even the warmth Si-woo had left behind faded away.

Hope.

Hope is a flower that only blooms in the depths of despair.

That is why those who hold onto hope must always find themselves at the heart of despair.

Cruelly so.

"Don't be too disheartened. This won't be the last time."

Once again, he instilled hope in her.

"Hic… R-really?"

Oh Won-joo, her tear-streaked face looking up at him, asked.

He slowly nodded.

Oh Won-joo listened to the devil's temptation.

"Whenever the opportunity arises."

[Citizen Oh Won-joo's trust level has increased.]

[Citizen Oh Won-joo's trust level has reached 100.]

['Ancient Vitality' has been acquired.]

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