Chapter 17

3 Despite everything Inho Cheon had done, the constellations didn’t request a bounty scenario. In other words, this wasn’t the right time to take care of him. For the next several hours, I focused on figuring out the current situation at Geumho Station. Hyeonseong was my primary source of information. “Currently, there are eighty-six people here. Oh, I guess it’s eighty-seven now, including you.” “That’s fewer than I thought.” “Yes. Only people who were near the station or on the train made it when the scenario started. No one talks about it, but every single person here got through the first scenario…” He didn’t say the rest, but I knew. I could see it in the people’s eyes. They had taken the lives of others to survive. Everyone here was a murderer. “Geumho Station is currently divided into two groups. Well, I suppose it’s more like one group and the rest.” Hyeonseong cast a gloomy look at the people nearby. Men armed with steel pipes. It was obvious who was in the main group. “Trust me! The chairman will spare no expense until we’re rescued.” Manager Myeongoh Han, Hankyeong Corporation’s youngest son. “Mr. Han is right, everyone. Don’t lose hope. We can make it out of here.” And the man behind Myeongoh who held the true power, Inho Cheon. Their faction was the major group. “I’m bored, Mom…Can I play a game on the phone?” “Just wait a little longer. The rescue team will be here soon.” “I’m telling you. The government will do something. Korea couldn’t have fallen that easily.” The rest of the people under the major group’s protection, trying to get by however they could, was the minor group. Looking at their listless faces, it was hard to believe they’d killed other people just a few days ago. Gather a hundred murderers, and they’ll divide themselves into the strong and the weak. Perhaps these people didn’t consider themselves murderers. Maybe they told themselves they had no choice. Hyeonseong continued, watching the major group incite the others. “The major group is in charge of distributing food. They already took everything from the convenience store and restaurants located inside this station…Supplies are running low.” “I see.” “So they’ve been assigning people to go out and look for more. Like Huiwon, who was traveling with us.” “Huiwon? You mean…” “Oh, that’s the name of the one you rescued.” I looked at the woman lying on a bench. Thanks to the monkey’s lung, her face looked better than it had this morning. “Is she the only one who was left behind?” “No. Actually, there were a few more who went aboveground this morning, but no one from the minor group made it back.” “They didn’t come back?” “No.” Hyeonseong looked distressed again. I was starting to get an idea of how things worked around here. I grabbed Hyeonseong’s shoulder. As soon as I touched him, I knew why he was called Steel Blade. His strength stat was probably over ten. “Wh-what’s wrong?” “Hyeonseong, why didn’t you join the major group? I’m sure they tried to get you on their side.” “Oh, that…” Hyeonseong scratched his cheek as if embarrassed. “I’m not sure how to explain it, but I just felt that I shouldn’t. I don’t know much about higher ethics or morals…but I had a feeling that the major group wasn’t in the right.” Not in the right… It was a simple yet honest answer. How very like him. “Never forget the way you feel right now.” That way, I can always count on you. Grumble. I heard a cute sound and noticed that Gilyeong and Sangah were watching me from behind. They so resembled a pair of baby birds waiting for their mother that I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Oh, isn’t it almost dinnertime? You must be hungry. Take one each.” I gave them some food from the convenience store. “Really? You don’t mind?” “It’s free this time, but I’ll start charging you next time.” “Sorry? How much…?” “You all have coins, right? I’ll start charging you ten coins per item.” “I see…” Sangah and Hyeonseong looked taken aback. They clearly hadn’t been expecting me to do that. “Of course you should charge for them. Here, I’ll start paying now. I don’t want a free lunch.” Surprisingly, the voice came from Huiwon Jeong, who had been lying on the bench. She must’ve woken up. “I’m Huiwon Jeong, by the way. Thank you for helping me this morning.” “Don’t mention it.” Based on my first impression of her, I’d thought she was the frail, delicate type, but this was why you don’t judge people by their looks. “Sangah. Hyeonseong. Wake up. Why are you making faces like that? This man risked his life to get this food. You weren’t planning to eat it for free, right?” Huiwon spoke her opinion with a straight face. No hesitation or mincing of words. “Oh…” Sangah’s face turned red. “That was shameless of me. I’m sorry. Of course we should pay…Yeah, I don’t want free food, either. I don’t like having to rely on someone else.” “I agree with Sangah. I’ll start paying now, too.” I was surprised to see them react this way. I suppose I shouldn’t write off everyone in this apocalypse. “If you insist…okay. You know how to trade coins, right?” “Yes, we learned a few days ago. Touch index fingers, and…” “That’s right. Now you just have to think of the amount you want to pay.” Huiwon, Sangah, and Hyeonseong each paid ten coins for a food item. I was glad that my companions were cooperative. What I’m doing might seem a bit heartless now, but they’ll eventually realize that this is the right decision. [A very small number of constellations are relieved you are not a complete chump.] [A very small number of constellations have donated 100 coins.] After all, this is the way to survive in this messed-up world. [Gilyeong Lee has paid you 20 coins.] “Huh? I think you paid ten extra.” “It’s for the chocolate bar I ate earlier.” Gilyeong replied like it was the most natural thing in the world. [A very small number of constellations show interest in incarnation Gilyeong Lee.] Perhaps the ones who adapt the fastest to a new world aren’t adults, but young children. Hyeonseong, who was munching loudly on an energy bar, asked, “Are you going to be with us from here on, Dokja?” “Ah, that…” “Mr. Dokja Kim.” That wasn’t Hyeonseong’s voice. I turned around to see the major group standing behind me, with Inho Cheon in the lead. I see. It was about time. “Can I talk to you for a second?” Cheolsu Bang, who was missing all his teeth, glared at me. When I narrowed my eyes and glared back at him, he looked away and pretended not to notice. A small fry through and through. “Fine. Let’s talk.” Inho nodded, satisfied with my response. “Would the rest of you give us some space? I’d like to talk to Mr. Dokja Kim alone.” “Oh, I see…” “No, no one needs to leave. Let’s all hear what he has to say.” My companions, who had been getting up to leave, froze awkwardly. Inho’s eyebrow twitched. “Hmm, is that what you want? Well…it doesn’t matter.” He was trying to play it cool, like he didn’t care if others listened in. He wiped off a bench and plopped down. Two Cheoldu Gang members stepped forward on either side of him to hand him a cigarette and light it up. Somebody’s watched too many movies. “You don’t seem like the talkative type, so I’ll get straight to the point.” “Go ahead.” “Join our group.” I knew it. “Someone of your caliber…I can offer you an important position. Help me lead the whole group.” “Why me?” “I’m sure you know why.” Inho glanced at the wounded Cheoldu Gang members. “You’re a hero who saved the people from monsters. And every hero needs a position that fits their stature.” What an interesting thought. So that’s how he wants to use me. “And if I refuse?” “Refuse? Interesting. I’d never considered that option.” Inho blew smoke right at me and smiled. “Mr. Dokja Kim, this is not a request. With the power you possess, you have a responsibility. Can’t you see the poor lost flock that needs you?” People with dirty faces glancing at us surreptitiously. A child crying from hunger, and the elderly who looked about ready to collapse. “I’m not asking for much. Work with me, for the sake of everyone’s survival. You have the power to do that, don’t you?” “What exactly do you want from me?” “We need a hit man.” Hit man? “We had a person who performed that role until a few days ago. He supplied food by himself and taught us how to hunt in the tunnel to Yaksu Station. Well, to be exact, we spied on him as he did.” It was obvious who he was talking about. Junghyeok Yu. “But last night, he suddenly left.” “So you need someone to replace him, huh?” “Well, you’ve proven your ability by doing that to Cheolsu.” I saw Hyeonseong’s and Sangah’s eyes widen at Inho’s words. They’d finally realized the truth of my entry into Geumho Station. “You don’t stand to lose anything, Mr. Dokja Kim. You’ll be a hero to the people here, and one of the leaders of our group. You’ll be well liked by everyone and—” “I’m sorry, I’m not suitable for such a responsible position. I won’t be joining your group.” “Hmm. Do you really think so?” “Most importantly, I disagree with how you run your group.” I looked around at the Cheoldu Gang members, who looked like they were doing quite well, then at the people in the minor group, who were visibly malnourished and exhausted. Huiwon was glaring at Inho like he was her mortal enemy. “Is that so? There isn’t much I can do, then. If you change your mind, come see me anytime.” “That won’t happen.” “Ha-ha. We’ll see about that.” It didn’t take very long to see what Inho had meant by that. Once the Cheoldu Gang had gone away, the ones who’d been hanging back came forward. People of the minor group. They immediately started yelling at me. “Hey, we heard the rumors.” “Is it true you’re hogging all the food?” “There’s barely enough to go around! How selfish can you be?!” “I heard everyone worked together to get that food. What gives you the right?” “Let Inho handle the food! Distribute it equally!” I realized what was going on. I saw Inho watching from the back with a smug grin. His lips were moving. “Your choice.” Share the food and become a hero… …or keep it and become a villain. If I chose the former, I’d be playing right into Inho’s hands. Once I shared the food, I’d have to go looking for more with the members of the major group…until the day they inevitably betrayed me. On the other hand, if I decided to keep the food, I’d become a public enemy and ostracized. [A small number of constellations perk up.] [Constellation Secretive Plotter scoffs.] As people got riled up, Inho stepped forward. “Now, now. Calm down, everyone. I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Mr. Dokja Kim isn’t like that.” Oh? He’s working the crowd? “Mr. Dokja Kim has agreed to work with us. We’ll distribute the food equally. And he promised he’ll cooperate—” Inho spoke like he knew I’d end up joining him. I couldn’t take it anymore. “Stop.” I thought about it for a moment. What would Junghyeok do? …Oh, I see. His absence was the answer to that question. But I wasn’t Junghyeok. “Of course I’ll share the food.” I saw the corners of Inho’s mouth curl up. But he was celebrating too soon. “But not for free.” I won’t abandon everyone and leave like Junghyeok, but that doesn’t mean these people are my responsibility. Food would be given, but not for free. Everyone looked puzzled as if they didn’t understand those words. “What do you mean? Not for free…?” “I’ll keep it simple. I don’t plan to monopolize the food. But I don’t want Inho and his people to handle it, either. I’m not doing this for charity, and I don’t trust those people.” I smiled and pointed at Inho Cheon. “I’d like to trade with you. I’ll sell the food to you for a fair price.” “S-sell the food?” “What the…?!” “H-how much…? You want money?” I saw Inho’s face darken. I smiled for him and continued. “No, I only accept coins.” A few moments later, everyone had left except my companions from the minor group. “Um…Dokja. Was that really the right decision?” “Hmph, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, Dokja. Good job. That was so satisfying.” Hyeonseong sounded concerned, while Huiwon seemed pleased. Other people had turned their backs on us after I’d declared that I was selling the food. They were probably disappointed. “I agree with Huiwon. The people here are too used to doing as the major group says.” “That’s right. Those bastards…they have the entire station in the palm of their hand. People here just eat what’s given to them like livestock. Then they’re assigned recon duty and are forced to go out there like lambs to the slaughter. That’s what happened to me this morning.” Huiwon shuddered. The ones who really monopolized the food were the major group, not me. Under the pretense of “fair distribution,” they controlled who did or didn’t receive rations, and used that to groom people to obey them. Humans are weakest when they believe they’re under protection. Once they perceive someone as an authority figure, they grow reliant and obedient without even realizing it. “I agree. That’s why I think your declaration was very meaningful. People need to have the will to solve their own problems. But…” We followed Hyeonseong’s gaze to the bags of food. “…no one’s bought anything. Maybe fifty coins per item is a bit steep? How about charging everyone ten coins like you did us…?” I understood why Hyeonseong thought that way. People glanced expectantly at the major group but showed no signs of coming toward us. They needed more time. I replied calmly, “Let’s wait and see.” Night fell. I could hear the footsteps of the giant monsters aboveground. Some people talked in their sleep like they were having nightmares. Gilyeong and Sangah fell asleep first, and Huiwon was beginning to nod off. “You should get some sleep, Dokja. I’ll keep watch.” “That’s okay. You go to bed first.” “But you must be tired.” “I have things to do.” “What do you mean?” I pointed past Hyeonseong. Surprisingly, there were shadows approaching from the dark. Not just one or two, either. “Um…are you still selling food?” Finally, the people had started to make their move.