Absolute Dweller-Chapter 9: Survivors (4)

[Episode 02] Survivors (4)

It was while I was carefully observing the promenade, hoping that they would appear again.

[Unauthorized access attempt by an unpermitted entity.]

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected alarm, a sudden uneasy thought crossed my mind.

‘No way, were there still goblins around?’

I became worried about whether something had happened to Choi Hyeong-jun.

[The Absolute Dweller’s Eye.]

I immediately used the skill to check the emergency exit.

And there, I could see familiar figures.

“Huh? Can’t we go in here?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Didn’t you see it? A weird message appeared right in front of us.”

“What? Then how did that old man get in?”

“I don’t know.”

Six men and women, each holding various weapons.

‘It’s them!’

I didn’t expect to make contact with them so soon.

‘They seem quite capable.’

Choi Hyeong-jun did a much better job than I anticipated.

To welcome them, I turned off the Absolute Dweller’s Eye, and a new notification window appeared before me.

Along with pictures of the six people I saw through the Absolute Dweller’s Eye.

[Entities that satisfy the conditions to be considered citizens have approached the area.]

[Would you like to offer citizenship?]

This revealed a new fact.

‘The citizenship bestowal has changed from mandatory to an offer.’

Unlike Choi Hyeong-jun’s family, who were within the territory from the beginning, they were outside the territory.

‘While forcibly granting citizenship is possible for those included during the expansion process, in cases like this, it seems to give them a choice.’

Offer.

It literally meant giving them the choice of whether to become citizens or not.

If that was the case.

‘You mean they can refuse.’

How can I erase the option of rejection from their minds?

As I pondered over the methods, then…

????~

The doorbell rang.

The moment I heard that sound, an idea popped into my head.

‘This is it.’

Make the act of accepting citizenship seem like it’s nothing.

If I can make it seem like it’s not a big deal, they will likely accept citizenship without any fuss.

[The citizen Choi Hyeong-jun is already on an ongoing quest.]

[Would you like to reset the quest?]

‘Yes.’

[Please reset the quest.]

The new quest was simple.

Give a meal to the six guests.’

[The quest content has been updated.]

At the same time, I checked the situation outside through the wall pad.

Choi Hyeong-jun, who had been pressing the doorbell, checked the updated quest content and moved towards the emergency exit with a confused expression.

Through the speaker of the wall pad, I could hear their conversation.

(If it’s okay with you, would it be alright for us to treat you to a meal at our place?)

(What? But we’re in a situation where we can’t even get in right now.)

I seized the opportunity and silently commanded.

‘Offer citizenship to all six of them.’

[Offer citizenship to Ha Dong-geon, Kang Deok-su, Kim Ga-yeong, Yoo Hye-rin, Kim Geon, and Moon Byeong-ho.]

I fixed my gaze on the wall pad screen, ready to unveil my trump card.

(Oh! The invisible barrier disappeared!)

With a cheerful voice, a sturdy man entered the territory.

Judging by the baseball bat in his hand, he seemed to be the man who had killed the last of the goblin group.

Following him was another.

(Really? As soon as we acquire citizenship, we can enter?)

All six of them, one after another, accepted citizenship and entered the territory.

At that moment.

[The number of citizens has reached 10.]

[Experience points and settlement funds earned by citizens are increased by 10%.]

A new notification appeared, unfamiliar but enough to bring a smile to my face.

‘Bonus experience and bonus settlement funds, huh.’

It was a nice buff considering the arrival of additional members who would actively participate in monster hunting.

A reason to welcome them with open arms.

‘Citizen Management.’

The profiles of the six newcomers looked satisfying at a glance.

□ Ha Dong-geon (Trust: 19) (Lv. 23)

□ Kang Deok-su (Trust: 28) (Lv. 13)

□ Kim Ga-yeong (Trust: 17) (Lv. 17)

□ Yoo Hye-rin (Trust: 30) (Lv. 10)

□ Kim Geon (Trust: 15) (Lv. 11)

□ Moon Byeong-ho (Trust: 11) (Lv. 10)

…

…

Current Population (10/600)

Indeed, their levels were quite different from a typical goblin-slaying party.

Surprisingly, everyone had a two-digit level, with one person even reaching level 23.

‘Level 23 is on par with the Kellican I defeated a week ago.’

The strangely high levels were understood as soon as I checked his citizen information.

『Name: Ha Dong-geon (Lv. 23)

Trust: 19

Awakened Ability: Baseball Throwing

Experience Distribution Rate: 0%

Settlement Fund Distribution Rate: 0%

★Quest Assignment ??Expulsion』

‘He’s an ability user.’

As I focused on the awakened ability, a brief explanation of his ability came to mind.

Baseball Throwing (Grade D)

Consumes stamina to increase the power of the ball by three times.

The man who had thrown the ball at the goblin horde seemed to be Ha Dong-geon.

‘So that’s why the goblins were insta-killed.’

For those who had touched a baseball before, it was essentially a rock-like object.

If the power increased threefold with the skill, it could be a formidable weapon.

While it was a bit disappointing that most of them had low trust levels, it didn’t matter; I could gradually build it up.

‘For all six of the newly joined members, set the experience distribution rate to 70%.’

[Settings have been completed.]

I didn’t bother adjusting the settlement funds.

There was no place for citizens to spend money, and I didn’t feel the need to distribute it, so I decided not to bother.

‘Alright.’

Now, all I needed to do was assign monster hunting quests to them, and I could sit back and earn experience and money.

It was time for automatic hunting.

Of course, I had no intention of treating them like money-making machines.

I planned to face them at an appropriate time, engage in human interaction, and perhaps they could be the key to saving my family.

‘Before that, let’s take a look at who these people are.’

At the moment when I was about to use the Absolute Eye skill,

[Trust level of citizen Ha Dong-geon has increased.]

Suddenly, an increase in trust level notification appeared.

‘… What’s this?’

I hadn’t even seen their faces or had a conversation with them, so how could the trust level increase?

[Trust level of citizen Kim Ga-yeong has increased.]

[Trust level of citizen Yoo Hye-rin has increased.]

“Huh.”

It seemed like I needed to see for myself what was happening.

***

“Please come in.”

“I apologize for the intrusion.”

The party led by Ha Dong-geon entered Choi Hyeong-jun’s house, responding to the sudden dinner invitation. Park Hye-won, who had come to greet them at the entrance, was surprised and said, “Hey, what’s all this about?”

“I’ll explain later. Can you prepare some food?”

“Food? I have to make something new…”

“I’d appreciate it. It’s his request.”

“It might take a while. I’ll get it ready soon.”

As Choi Hyeong-jun mentioned “his request,” Park Hye-won went to prepare the meal without asking further questions.

Observing her actions, Ha Dong-geon asked, “Who is this person?”

“Well… I don’t know either.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes, other than the fact that he lives next door…”

Hearing his words, Ha Dong-geon looked towards the direction of the front door.

‘Was it the house across the way?’

The reason their party came here was because of the strange man on the top floor who threw ramen and seaweed.

They came hoping to gain something more.

“Anyway, he’s a mysterious person. As I mentioned earlier, the power to bring electricity in is also his doing. He has the ability to create water and tangerines.”

“Hmm.”

Ha Dong-geon observed the entrance light that brightly illuminated him.

‘Is it telekinesis?’

Since the day these abilities appeared in the world, he, too, awakened a new ability.

There was no law that said others couldn’t have similar abilities.

‘Incredible power.’

The reason he threw food at them was probably because he could create more than just water and tangerines.

‘He can also create things like the ramen and seaweed he threw at us.’

Perhaps he had the power to create everything he desired.

‘I should stick with this person.’

Especially in times like this, it was necessary to stick with someone with strong abilities to survive.

The ability to supply electricity and create water and food.

In the current world, it was a miraculous ability.

It had a value that was on a different dimension from his own throwing ability.

While thinking about ways to somehow contact him and appeal their abilities to him, Choi Hyeong-jun spoke.

“It’ll take some time to prepare dinner, so would you like to take a quick shower?”

The strongest reactions came from Kim Ga-yeong and Yoo Hye-rin.

“Shower?!”

“We can take a shower?”

Having electricity was available was one thing, but having running water was another.

‘Well, if he has the ability to create water, it shouldn’t be that difficult.’

Choi Hyeong-jun responded with a friendly smile.

“Yes. Warm water is also available.”

“Warm water?!”

“That’s also thanks to his grace.”

Kim Ga-yeong and Yoo Hye-rin said in turn.

“Step aside! I’m going to shower first!”

“T-Then, I’m next!”

Beside them, Choi Hyeong-jun interjected.

“There are two bathrooms, so both of you can shower at the same time.”

“Awesome!”

“One of you can use this one, and the other can use the bathroom in the bedroom. I’ll show you.”

“T-Thank you.”

Kim Ga-yeong and Yoo Hye-rin were putting on a cheerful facade for a reason. They wanted to lighten the atmosphere a bit. Lately, things had been too heavy.

Once the two women disappeared, only four men remained in the entrance.

Kim Geon mumbled, “Senior, is that guy also someone with superpowers?”

Ha Dong-geon nodded in response. “Probably. He seems to have abilities that are incomparable to mine.”

Hearing this, Kang Deok-su, shoulder to shoulder with Ha Dong-geon, spoke in a loud voice, “Don’t be discouraged, punk! If that guy gets on my nerves, a swing of my club will—”

“Are you crazy? What nonsense are you blabbing when you’re clearly lacking?”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“Please, just shut up and stay quiet. Please.”

“Ahaha. Okay, okay.”

Ha Dong-geon sighed quietly and said, “Anyway, our goal is to gather as much food as possible here. Don’t make mistakes, and try to present yourselves as good as possible. Got it?”

“Okay, okay.”

“…Yes.”

“…”

During that time, a man who had not responded to Ha Dong-geon’s words was there.

Ha Dong-geon put his hand on the man’s shoulder and called his name.

“Byeong-ho.”

Finally, there was a reaction.

“Huh? Oh, yes, hyung. I’m sorry, I didn’t hear.”

“Sorry. It’s my fault.”

Byeong-ho, trying to shake off the dark expression, replied, “No, hyung. What did you do wrong?”

“Ha. I’m sorry. It’s because I called everyone together for a housewarming party…”

“No, hyung. I came because I wanted to.”

The gathering of Ha Dong-geon’s party was due to the housewarming of the newlyweds, Ha Dong-geon and Kim Ga-yeong.

As the party preparations were in full swing, monsters appeared, and the world fell apart.

Naturally, they all ended up stranded at Ha Dong-geon’s house.

“Your grandmother will be fine. Definitely.”

“…yes.”

Although everyone was worried about their families, Byeong-ho was especially concerned.

His only family, his grandmother, had difficulty moving and needed his help.

But now, he couldn’t go back home.

That day, as soon as the monsters appeared, they all promised to go to Byeong-ho’s house first.

However, over the past ten days, despite numerous attempts, they were blocked by goblins every time.

It was all thanks to their experience with goblin hordes that they managed to survive.

“Once we secure food here, let’s all go to your grandmother’s place.”

“Yes, thank you, hyung. But…”

Moon Byeong-ho’s voice was trembling heavily.

He knew it too well.

It was already too late.

Ten days had passed since that day.

Even if they were lucky and didn’t face a monster attack, the likelihood of Moon Byeong-ho’s grandmother being alive was very low.

Sigh.

What angered him was that his house was so close, visible even from Ha Dong-geon’s place.

Yet, every attempt ended in failure.

There were too many surrounding goblin groups, appearing in dozens without warning.

“Since it’s nearby, if we combine our strength, we can reach it easily. Let’s muster a bit more strength.”

“Thank you, hyung. But…”

Let’s stop now.

It’s okay.

He wanted to say that it was a burden for everyone, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it aloud.

It felt like a thorn stuck in his throat, causing pain.

A heavy silence fell for a moment.

No one dared to speak first.

Clang.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“What’s that?”

Everyone tensed as the sound of the front door opening echoed. They gripped their baseball bats.

Ha Dong-geon also took out a baseball from his pocket.

But the moment the door opened and the man’s figure appeared, everyone’s bodies froze.

‘What, what is this presence?’

The man had an ordinary appearance.

He wasn’t extraordinarily tall or large.

On the contrary, he exuded a gentle atmosphere with clean, blemish-free skin that lacked the harshness of the sun.

Nevertheless, an oppressive feeling, as if a giant had opened the front door and entered, permeated the room.

It felt as if the gaping mouth of a giant beast was staring at them.

The sharpened instincts they had developed through numerous close calls screeched a warning.

Ha Dong-geon instinctively realized.

‘This man…’

The lives of him and his comrades were tightly held in this man’s hands.

His gut feeling told him that if the man decided, he could kill them at any moment.

The man spoke.

“I will help.”

With just one sentence, a glimmer of hope sprouted in Moon Byeong-ho’s heart.

Perhaps that man…

If it were this man in front of him, he felt like he could be rescued from the pit of despair.

An unfounded conviction.