Chapter Text
Morning
Jung Heewon stared dumbfoundedly, at the empty shop bags.
"Oh my god, it's sold out?"
"Yes."
“Ha, so funny. Everyone was just watching and now…”
"No, it's not just marginalized groups."
Kim Dokja noticed Cale's happy face after raising the price for first group. He raised price with the excuse of 'almost gone', 'we were forced to sell it only to you' with his little face pretending to cry. Kim Dokja almost choked on mineral water when Cale complained in a sticky voice while half-forcing first group to increase the price. And he almost clapped when he saw their reluctant but obedient faces.
"You guys made the worst choice."
Among them is Cheon Inho. But the funny thing is that he is also the one who pays the most.
"You will regret it."
Jung Heewon gave a thumbs up to Cale which was answered with a fresh, wider smile. But then she thought and got angry.
“Wait a moment. Then mainstream group will monopolize food again?”
"Something like that."
“No, what is this? Aren't you going to weaken power of mainstream groups by promoting transactions between people?”
"That's right. That's the goal. I want people to move voluntarily."
“Then why are you selling food to mainstream groups? Situation won't change!”
“That has changed. We earn coins.”
"Hah?"
That's 4,850 coins. That's a huge income for one night.
“No… what is Dokja-ssi thinking? Sangah-ssi, can we really trust this man?”
+
[Cale : You're like a criminal
Kim Dokja : We have discussed this together
Cale : What do you mean? I'm just a kid, hyung, don't blame me
Kim Dokja : ! ]
+
When Kim Dokja was glaring at Cale, Yoo Sangah flinched at sudden attention but then she smiled brightly.
"I believe him."
There was a whistling sound from Kim Namwoon who was still gently pulling Cale's cheek.
"Dokja-ssi, did you leave enough food for yourself?"
"No, I sold it."
Jung Heewon's mouth dropped open as if she was dumbfounded. Just then, someone poked Kim Dokja's cheek, he turned his head and found a biscuit.
“Huh? You want me to eat it?”
Nodding, that head moved cutely. Kim Dokja smiled, took a biscuit and put it in Lee Gilyoung's mouth.
"I'm fine. You eat it."
+
[Kim Dokja : This is what is called a cute child
Cale : Evil hyung!! Am I not a cute kid!! Cruel!!!
Kim Dokja : ... stop grinning when you send this. At least pretend to be sad...
Cale : No thanks]
+
Shaking his head after seeing Cale roll his eyes exaggeratedly. Kim Dokja looked at the others.
“Ah, I have to tell you something… everyone, do you still have the food you ate yesterday?”
"Yes, I have it."
"I still have some."
"Why? Do you want to buy it back? I'll sell it."
Jung Heewon waved biscuits in a pleasant way.
"No, you have to eat it now."
"Hah?"
"Eat everything before today. You have to."
Kim Dokja stressed his words over and over again.
"Or you will regret it."
“Why… no, wait a moment. Sangah-ssi, what are you doing now? Why are you listening to him?”
"There's a reason why Dokja-ssi said this."
Yoo Sangah smiled sweetly and opened a bag of biscuits. Lee Hyunsung was confused but ate the food. Meanwhile, Lee Gilyoung had been eating it while Kim Dokja was talking. He is a good listener. Kim Namwoon and Cale... forget it, they are both difficult to manage.
"Ah, well... I'll leave one more."
"I won't stop you."
Kim Dokja shrugged at Jung Heewon's words. It's up to her to regret it.
+
[Cale: Why? Is this related to the next scenario?
Kim Dokja : Well...Dokkaebi is an evil creature, he takes away food and increases living expenses later
Cale: oh
Kim Dokja: Right.. I'm curious, how can your waist bag hold so many things?
Cale : It's a spatial bag
Kim Dokja : Wait, how did you get it? In the next scenario or Dokkaebi bags are also difficult to obtain.
Cale : Hooo, want to know, hyung?
Kim Dokja : ...I had a bad feeling.. so no
Cale : Tch
Kim Dokja: But, is it just food? I don't see anything else?
Cale : Not really, there are many kinds. You'll find out later
Kim Dokja : ...okay, but won't the food in the bag be affected? It's a shame if a lot of food is lost, isn't it?
Cale : It won't go away. Believe me]
+
Cale watched Kim Dokja scratch his head in confusion, but Cale just felt that it was true. After all, apart from being made by a dragon, this bag is also from another world. So you could say it's not related to this world.
Afternoon
During lunch, there was a big announcement from the mainstream group. Cheon Inho stood on the platform surrounded by people and said.
"We will be limiting food rations starting today. Allocation is three biscuits per person. And-"
People were getting irritated before speech was over.
Three biscuits? How are we supposed to live on that?”
"That's right! Don't the scouts get more food? Do you think we don't know?"
Despite being cursed, Cheon Inho just laughed calmly.
"Your words are good. Yes. The scouts receive more rations. If you want food, please sign up to be a scout."
“Very few people come back after signing up to be scouts! Cheoldoo Group members are the ones who always come back!”
"Do you want us to die now?"
Cheon Inho acted indifferent despite violent reaction from residents.
“Those people are just unlucky. You know that it's very dangerous outside. Why don't you get your own food if you're not satisfied? "
"T-That..."
People shut their mouths stupidly. If they leave now, they will die. Everyone knows this.
Cheon Inho wasn't done yet.
"Ah, there is a way to get food without being a scout."
"What's that?"
“Deal. We will gladly exchange food for whatever we value. Everyone can provide something different. Right?”
Cheon Inho's cold gaze caused people to tremble. Most of the people were those who came to us yesterday and bought food.
[Character 'Cheon Inho' has activated the skill 'Incite Lv. 2']
"Hmm?"
Cale looked up at the green window then heard the Inho continue his words.
"At first, I wasn't going to do this. But yesterday, Kim Dokja-ssi and Cale told me something good. That's true everyone. Is there anything free in the world? If you want food, you have to prove your worth. That's how it is. Haha, thank you for telling me something nice. Kim Dokja-ssi, Cale.”
Cale and Kim Dokja raised their eyebrows at Cheon Inho's words. It looks like the bait is starting to be eaten.
Kim Namwoon stood up and kicked the box until everyone's attention was focused on the two. It was because of dislike that their gazes were mostly filled with hatred.
"Because that bastard..."
+
[Cale : He wants to bring enmity back to us
Kim Dokja : That's right, Incite skill is good enough to affect opponents even though it's only level 2
Cale : Not as good as my smooth-tongued hyung-nim.
Kim Dokja: Hyung-nim?
Cale : En. Even though I don't have that strange skill, I can also instigate well. Want to?
Kim Dokja : No, leave it alone
Cale : ok ]
+
While Cale and Kim Dokja were communicating in secret, people gathered in front of podium were already trying to bargain.
"I-I'll buy it with coins. How much do you want?"
"200 coins."
“Huh? But I don't have that many coins.”
"Then go.
+
[Cale: Tsk, I should have robbed Cheon Inho more
Kim Dokja : ... ]
+
One of the Cheoldoo Group who was selling food, saw Kim Dokja's appearance and shook. He had bandages around his thighs and seemed to be one of the people he hit yesterday. But then his gaze accidentally swept across Cale who was immediately met with a grin that made that person look down.
"Did I ever say thank you for yesterday?"
Suddenly Kim Dokja turned his head and saw Jung Heewon standing over him.
"Excuse me?"
"I want to thank you."
Kim Dokja was a little confused by what Jung Heewon said, he wanted to ask but Jung Heewon's eyes fell on the injured Cheoldoo members.
"That guy with the injured leg, he was the one who tried to rape me yesterday."
"...I see."
"Don't touch him because I will kill him myself. Understood?"
"..Okay"
“Cale didn't even try to kill him before, when he was helping me. Like he said, I want to finish him myself to put my heart at ease."
Kim Dokja felt a very impressive killing intent, although this was still lighter than the pressure that Cale had released several times.
[Readers view the character information of 'Jung Heewon']
Cale looked at green window as he was still paying attention to commotion on podium. He glanced at Kim Dokja who seemed to be looking at something.
+
[Cale: Jung Heewon's character information?
Kim Dokja : Can you see it?
Cale : I told you that I can see your notifications too, right?
Kim Dokja: But I don't know if this is also...
Cale : Just a notification, what's wrong with him?
Kim Dokja : No, it's just that his killing intent is quite strong, I wonder if he's a character that wasn't listed in the novel
Cale : Can you see the other statuses?
Kim Dokja : No, just a novel character
Cale : me?
Kim Dokja : Nope
Cale : Be glad you couldn't see it, or I might have shut your mouth
Kim Dokja : ...I'm grateful
Cale : So what?
Kim Dokja : "Crouching Figure.", that's a very attractive exclusive attribute. It was one of several 'super evolutionary' attributes in Ways of Destruction. Common attribute, but can reach rare or legendary rank depending on occasion. There is one of 100 strongest people in Ways of Survival, Crazy Butcher evolved from 'Crouching Figure.'
Cale : Rare and legendary is good...?
Kim Dokja : It's great if you have that rank, do you have?
Cale : ...yes. Do not ask.
Kim Dokja : I'm curious, but if you look at me like you want to kill me like that then I'd better not ask. Curiosity can kill.
Cale : Good boy
Kim Dokja : ...by the way, it's better if we can cultivate the 'Demon Slaying' skill. It would be good to make him a strong colleague if he was raised well.
Cale: Continue
Kim Dokja : At least think a little
Cale : I'm sleepy, good night
Kim Dokja : Don't sleep anymore, come with me. ]
+
As Kim Dokja stood up after seeing Cale's movements that looked very lazy, he heard Jung Heewoon's voice.
"By the way, Dokja-ssi is very calm."
Relax ... Maybe he looks like that.
"I'm familiar with situations like this in novels."
"Huh? Does that make sense... Wait a minute. Where are you going?"
Kim Dokja didn't answer and got off the platform. Jung Heewon wanted to come along and Kim Dokja reached out to stop her.
"Does not matter."
Jung Heewon landed lightly under platform.
Kim Dokja put down Cale who was giving off a 'don't bother me, I'm being annoyed' vibe, while watching Kim Namwoon who was squatting, at end of platform. He walked along the railroad tracks and watched the tunnel road to Yaksu Station. It was filled with thick darkness and insides couldn't be seen, but it smelled horrible. It reeked of blood.
"You're not going in are you?"
Jung Heewon asked.
“Everyone who went there is dead. Thugs or whoever. Everyone who goes inside will die unconditionally.”
+
[Kim Dokja : At least one person has already passed this way and moved to the next station.
Cale : Protagonist?
Kim Dokja : Definitely ]
+
They climbed onto platform again. Kim Dokja ignored Cale's gaze that was full of complaints 'why did you bring me down if I have to go up again, damn it'. He was brought up by Kim Namwoon and just stood there. Kim Dokja noticed that line of people to trade food was still long even though quite a long time had passed.
Some people who protested against mainstream groups were beaten and others paid unusual food prices.
Soon enough, Jung Heewon saw several young women from marginalized groups sneaking behind the tarpaulin and she became furious.
"Ah, so annoying. Did you see that?"
"I see it."
Cheon Inho had said it. 'Anything' can be exchanged for food. But girls who just came in didn't bring anything with them.
Jung Heewon jumped to her feet.
"I can't just watch this."
"What would you do?"
“Stop it. I have to tell them not to do it no matter what!”
"Then that women will starve."
"Are you just going to watch?"
"Yeah, I think you should just watch this time."
"What do you mean by that?"
Kim Dokja silently accepted Jung Heewon's disdainful gaze.
"Heewon noona has to think of a solution if you want to go forward and fight. At least also think of backup plans one and two. If you just come and make a fuss without a plan, it will only make the situation worse. Instead of thanks, you should be grateful if you only receive ridicule."
Cale said it calmly, Cale had lived in a shelter that also differentiated people, although not as badly as this. If they want to interfere in other people's affairs, they should at least have a plan. If Heewon breaks in and gets angry without a plan. It only makes the girl embarrassed or even ostracized after that. Who will be responsible? Will Heewon bear the burden when she himself has difficulty surviving at first? Can she guarantee the girls will be grateful? They were more likely to be angry because Heewon was bothering them and starving them. Humans have always been like that, especially now in the apocalypse.
Kim Dokja sighed which made Jung Heewon look back at him.
“That's right Jung Heewon-ssi. Stopping those women won't solve current problem. Even if you stop them now, something similar will happen late at night.”
“…Then I will stop them again. I will stop them and stop them.”
“Then what about their food? Among those who had just entered the tarpaulin, there was a mother with a child. If the child starved to death, would Jung Heewon-ssi be responsible for the child's death?”
Jung Heewon's eyes shook. She lowered her head as if to hide her expression.
“…Then what can I do? Alternative…”
Kim Dokja looked at Jung Heewon. She was a 'Crouching Figure' with 'Demon Slaying.' Depending on how she acts, Jung Heewon might evolve into an indiscriminate killer.
“Jung Heewon-ssi, the key to this problem is food. Right?”
"...That's right."
"Then we need to eliminate the cause of the problem."
"Hah...?"
Kim Dokja looked at his watch instead of answering. It is time.
-Kwajijijik!
Yes, he showed up. The air parted and a familiar figure was revealed. Screams came from everywhere. Humanitarian nightmare that opened this tragedy.
[ H-How are you all? Haven't you been free for a while?]
Dokkaebi.
“A-Aaaagh!”
People panicked at the appearance of dokkaebi. It's never a good thing when this person shows up. Even Jung Heewon, who was full of energy, flinched for a moment.
+
[Cale : Different pillows? This one is black..
Kim Dokja : What pillow?]
+
Kim Dokja looked at Cale who was looking at the Dokkaebi with an eerie twinkle in his eyes in confusion.
[ M-My friend who was originally in charge of this channel is undergoing disciplinary action… S-So , I'm responsible for this scenario.]
+
[Cale : Do you know something?
Kim Dokja : Ehem, I think it's because of me
Cale : ..contract you said before?
Kim Dokja : It has to be a secret, so it's not that. But, maybe time he did a long ad when we discussed
Cale: Troublemaker
Kim Dokja : I don't want to hear it from you ]
+
[ T-Then everyone. D-Don't you look very peaceful? Th-That's Bihyung , he's pretending to be cocky just to set the difficulty of this scenario...]
“W-What are you saying? Tell us what you want!”
[ H-Hic . Don't be angry. Everyone. Anyway, I came for you guys...]
"For us?"
“T-Then give us some food!”
[ F-Food ? Aha... if you want food...]
After his words ended, dokkaebi waved his hand.
[Scenario fines have been added.]
[From now on, food supplies are limited .]
[All existing food supplies have disappeared .]
"U-Uhh! What?"
People with emergency food shouted. Whether it is from mainstream groups or marginalized groups, all the so-called 'food' is floating in the air.
[Hehehe. Then everything. You can't, Y-You should think of a way to break the scenario.]
Canned goods, biscuits, calories, etc. Emergency food gathered by the people was destroyed with a single move from the dokkaebi. People's expressions became gloomy as they saw food disappear.
[ Y-You want to eat? After all, Earth's scum...]
His tone suddenly changed. Kim Dokja seemed to remember his name. According to the original setting, there was one dokkaebi like this. His tone was weak, but he was crueler than any dokkaebi.
In the distance, Cheon Inho was watching them with confused eyes.
[Everyone, let's have fun from now on. Haha...]
It was followed by a system message.
[Scenario fines have been added.]
[The 'survival costs' clause has been added.]
[From now on, 100 coins will be deducted every night for the 'survival fee'. If you can't pay the 'survival fee', you will die.]
[The 'survival cost' penalty will be maintained until the second main scenario is cleared.]
Kim Dokja laughed when he read the message that appeared.
+
[Cale : Is this what you mean?
Kim Dokja : Yes, now it's like a Way of Life.
Cale : What's next?
Kim Dokja : Time to look for treasures and special stoves
Cale : Where?
Kim Dokja : Rat's nest
Cale : Whatever, just show me the way ]
+
Kim Dokja smirked slightly as he looked at Cale who was yawning lazily. If you look at it, his grin looks a bit like when Cale was planning to loot someone else's base...