Absolute Dweller

[Episode 02] Survivors (3)

First, I sent Choi Hyeong-jun back home.

Survivors in such dire situations wouldn’t just open their doors, so I planned to prepare relief supplies and send them over.

While the supplies were being prepared, I instructed him to go home, have a meal, and take a shower.

‘Water and oranges should be enough.’

If I hadn’t made proper preparations, water would be essential, and oranges, which could be eaten without cooking, were suitable.

‘Open the shop. Purchase one set of oranges.’

Ziing―

Buying items from the shop with sheer willpower,

Repeating the act of placing items in the warehouse with sheer willpower.

Ziing―

When using the skill in your mind instead of verbally, there was a significant advantage.

‘The confirmation step is skipped.’

When using the skill with a firm will, the process of confirming was omitted.

As a result, the speed of purchasing items from the shop or storing them in the warehouse increased.

‘Open the shop. This time, purchase one set of bottled water.’

Although there was a disadvantage of consuming mental strength, it seemed useful with practice.

‘Open the warehouse. Store the water.’

That’s when it happened.

[The weight limit for storage in the warehouse has been exceeded.]

It was the first time I had seen such a message while using the warehouse.

‘The capacity is roughly around 100kg.’

Despite being level 1, it had quite a large capacity.

‘I wonder what additional features the warehouse will have when it reaches level 2.’

Considering that both the Dignity Maintenance skill and the Shop skill added special features as their levels increased, the warehouse would likely follow suit.

‘Other than an increased capacity, nothing else comes to mind.’

As I pondered this seriously, a familiar message appeared.

[Citizen Choi Hyeong-jun’s trust has increased.]

‘It’s gone up again.’

Not only Choi Hyeong-jun, but also the trust of the family next door had been rapidly rising since earlier.

What I did wasn’t anything special.

I simply supplied water, electricity, and gas.

[Citizen Management]

□ Choi Hyeong-jun (Trust: 40) (Lv. 9)

□ Park Hye-won (Trust: 32) (Lv. 5)

□ Choi Na-yeon (Trust: 51) (Loyalty: 17) (Lv. 3)

□ Choi Seo-yeon (Trust: 63) (Loyalty: 39) (Lv. 2)

Current Population (4/600 people)

Both Choi Na-yeon and Choi Seo-yeon have already surpassed a trust level of 50, revealing their loyalty.

Since they were young children, their guard seemed to lower quite rapidly.

‘Fortunately, raising trust seems easier than I thought.’

Although there wasn’t enough data to be certain, it felt relatively easy to raise trust to the point where loyalty was revealed, at least up to 50.

While waiting for Choi Hyeong-jun, I spent time as usual looking out the living room window.

Perhaps due to doing this every day for a week, I found myself observing outside whenever I had spare time.

‘The burning has stopped.’

The fire that had erupted when I caught the Kellican surprisingly did not spread into a large blaze.

‘It’ll be sunset soon.’

Today had been quite eventful.

The most significant was, of course, the level-up of the Absolute Dweller’s Declaration skill, expanding the territory.

‘Slowly expanding the territory, absorbing people, and eventually growing to the point of sending troops to rescue my family.’

That’s when I noticed.

‘A person.’

It had been a long time since I saw someone.

Someone other than goblins walking along the walking path.

‘What are they doing?’

Moreover, it wasn’t just one person, but six.

They all carried large backpacks.

Two men among them were heading towards where the Kellican’s remaining corpse was.

‘Are they planning to eat that?’

It had been dead for over a week now.

There was no way the flesh, blood, and organs could withstand a week.

Maybe even the smell of rot would be unbearable.

‘They can’t eat that.’

They seemed to have sensed the smell too.

The two men who approached the Kellican’s corpse quickly turned without hesitation.

‘They are insane.’

Thinking about eating a monster.

How hungry must they be to have such thoughts?

At the same time,

‘It’s a relief.’

Leaving aside everything else, the fact that they all came outside together was quite significant.

‘Open the shop. Purchase mild-flavored instant ramen, purchase olive seaweed.’

Ziing—

I immediately threw several oranges towards them.

The loud sound of ramen breaking attracted their attention in one direction.

Raising their heads naturally, I made eye contact with them and waved.

“If you want more, come here.”

They quickly began to pick up the items I threw.

That’s when it happened.

“Keyeak!”

Hearing the noise as the items fell, a group of goblins appeared.

“Uh-oh.”

It was a mistake.

I couldn’t even help them properly.

Throwing a dumbbell to hit them was too far from where the goblins appeared.

“Four of them…”

Even if they were courageous, it wouldn’t be easy for them to kill something.

“I should run away.”

But then, something unexpected happened.

One of the men who had been approaching the Kellican’s corpse swung his hand vigorously towards the goblins.

Immediately after, something shot out from the man’s hand and hit the goblin on the head.

Thud!

One goblin fell with a thud.

“What?”

This was just the beginning.

Ssslaash!

A woman among the four shot an arrow towards the goblins.

Whoosh!

“Kwaaack!”

Thud!

It pierced two goblins’ foreheads in an instant.

“Ueoeoeo!”

While doing that, a large man ran towards the remaining goblin and swung a baseball bat.

“Kwaang!”

The battle ended in the blink of an eye.

“Huh.”

They had just started cleaning up the goblins when they raised their heads as if they had fulfilled some promise.

I also stared at them.

“Please, come up here.”

However, contrary to my wishes, they only collected the items and disappeared inside another building entrance.

That’s when it happened.

♬♪♬♩~

It seemed like Choi Hyeong-jun had finally arrived.

I focused on the entrance while quietly waiting.

‘Open.’

Clank.

‘Alright.’

I still had to chant it strongly in my mind, but with practice, it seemed like I could naturally open the door.

“Come in.”

“Excuse me, huh?”

Although I clearly heard the sound of the door opening, Choi Hyeong-jun was not coming in. He looked bewildered, holding items in both hands.

“Why are you like that?”

“Oh, well… It seems I’m not qualified?”

“Qualified?”

“Yes.”

It seemed that even if they were citizens, they couldn’t enter my house freely. Perhaps certain conditions had to be met.

‘Is it only those who have completed the vassal registration?’

Choi Hyeong-jun handed over the items he had brought, saying, “These are the items you mentioned. I brought everything that could be used as a weapon.”

“Thank you.”

In the box, along with a kitchen knife, there was a large toolbox.

‘Open the warehouse. Take out two sets of water and oranges.’

Seeing water and oranges appearing in real-time next to him, Choi Hyeong-jun took a step back with wide eyes.

I spoke to him.

“For now, these are supplies to be sent to the 29th floor. Even if it seems empty, just leave them there and come back.”

“Yes, please leave it to me!”

Responding energetically, I said to him, “I have one request. Can you move right away?”

“Excuse me?”

Originally, the plan was to start the operation when the sun rose tomorrow.

At night, it was too dark in all directions, and it was dangerous.

Choi Hyeong-jun cautiously responded to my unreasonable words.

“Um, wouldn’t that be too dangerous?”

“No, it’s not. In fact, it’s more dangerous during broad daylight.”

It was my stubbornness, but it made sense to some extent.

I had been observing the surroundings like crazy for the past week to hunt goblins.

Thanks to that, I learned that goblins were mainly active during the day.

The six men and women who were just on a walk on the promenade must have known that and started moving now.

Moreover.

‘I must call them.’

While it was just four goblins, there was hardly anyone who could overwhelm them so decisively.

‘I must make them on my side.’

I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

“Oh, I understand. Going to the 29th floor won’t be that difficult.”

“No, that’s not it. You can arrange the supplies for each floor starting tomorrow. What I want is for you to bring a set of oranges and water to the 1st floor.”

“T-the 1st floor?”

“Just leave the supplies outside the 1st-floor door and come up.”

The destroyed ramen and kimchi might not be enough.

‘If they just leave without acknowledging me, they might think of me as some crazy guy, but I need to change their perception.’

I understand.

Who could imagine that a crazy guy throwing food from the 30th floor had such abilities?

‘First, I have to make sure they know I have plenty of food.’

Once I place oranges and water on the 1st floor, they will surely associate it with me. I threw oranges along with the food just now.

‘Then, they will have no choice but to come find me.’

Even if it aroused curiosity, I had to make them come to me.

“It might be sudden, but I really need your help.”

“Is it just leaving them on the 1st floor?”

“Yes.”

Choi Hyeong-jun nodded resolutely.

“All right. It’s not that difficult.”

Originally, if goblins had settled on the 1st floor, it might have been dangerous. But they were just goblins, and I had chased them away by throwing dumbbells.

If it was just leaving items on the 1st floor and coming back, it would probably be fine.

Even though I had some confidence after observing the outside for a week, I was still a bit worried.

“If by any chance you encounter monsters, abandon everything and run to the 30th floor as fast as possible. It should be safe as long as you enter the corridor.”

“Yes!”

I was sorry and thankful for his sudden request.

I wanted to do something for him.

‘Quest Assignment. Place the box of oranges and water on the 1st floor and come back. Duration: one day. No reward, no penalty.’

《Quest Assignment》

Quest Details: Place the box of oranges and water on the 1st floor (0/1)

Time Limit: 24 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds

Reward: Small amount of experience points

Failure Penalty: None

“Huh? What’s this?”

“If you complete it, you can gain a bit of experience points.”

“Experience points… Is this like a game? Then, does it have levels?”

Perhaps because of his relatively young age, he seemed to have a basic understanding of the game system.

Thanks to that, I didn’t need to explain much.

“Yes, that’s right. Currently, Mr. Choi Hyeong-jun’s level is 9. Rising in level will have positive effects. So, I would really appreciate it if you could do it.”

“…Understood.”

And thus, Choi Hyeong-jun’s first quest began.

***

Choi Hyeong-jun swallowed hard in front of the emergency stairwell entrance.

“Let’s go.”

The lights only reached the corridor. Below that was a space untouched by the mysterious power of the man in the adjacent apartment. The only consolation was the presence of a green emergency light.

“Hoo.”

Even though I had to rely on the faint light of the emergency light to go down the stairs, it was even more nerve-wracking with the quite heavy load in my hands.

‘Monsters probably didn’t come up here.’

With every step cautiously placed, I quickly descended to the 20th floor.

‘Phew. It’s tiring.’

The load was over 15 kilograms, and carrying a golf club just in case made it even more exhausting.

Then it happened.

“Hmm?”

From below the stairs, there seemed to be a sound.

Choi Hyeong-jun carefully watched the dark stairs below.

Gurgle…

“!!!”

This time, it was clearly audible. It sounded like people having a conversation.

Suddenly, the tragedy of that day flashed in Choi Hyeong-jun’s mind. People running away in confusion, and goblins attacking people like they were hunting.

‘I need to go back!’

Choi Hyeong-jun urgently changed direction and headed back up the stairs.

But his body didn’t respond properly. His legs trembled, and his heart thumped.

He was so shocked he didn’t even think about putting down the load and went up the stairs.

In his desperate struggle, the gurgling sound approached faster and faster.

In the end…

“Ugh!”

As his legs gave out, he fell down the stairs.

Kwung! Kwang!

Water splashed, and the sound of the fall echoed throughout the emergency stairs. Oranges from the box rolled all around.

“Ugh!”

He tried to run away, but Choi Hyeong-jun’s legs were already paralyzed by fear.

‘Move! Please!’

Gurgle…

Gurgle gurgle…

The sound was getting closer and faster.

Finally, through the darkness, the shadows of figures were seen flickering in the light of the emergency exit.

Fear reached its peak.

In panic, Choi Hyeong-jun cowered and held his breath.

That was the best he could do now.

And then…

“Excuse me.”

“Hiiyah!”

“Sir, are you okay?”

Figures appeared in his eyes, cautiously emerging through the darkness illuminated by the emergency light.