Episode 3 – Mainframe Group (2)

As I ignored the system notifications, I slowly entered the safe zone. Even then, the eyes of the spectators never left me.

"Did you guys see that?"

"The heads of those monsters just exploded."

"Did anyone see what he did?"

The people muttered among themselves. It seems no one saw what I did. To them, the heads of the Man-eating rats just exploded. But the reality was that I killed them so fast, the eyes of the people couldn't keep up.

It was the effect of the skill 'Eagle Eye'. It was a dangerous skill indeed.

Even so, if their agility stats was high enough, they would have been able to see my movement. In other words, the people here were utterly weak.

Well, what was I expecting. Most of these people didn't have a support constellation and didn't know how to use the system. It was natural that they would be weak.

"Jakga—?"

I turned my head and noticed a few silhouettes approaching me. It seems they made it here safely after all.

"Angelica?"

"Oh god, I'm really glad you survived."

"Well, I'm not that easy to kill."

Angelic was standing infront of me with a happy expression. It was an awkward situation so I just scratched my cheek.

"I knew you will survive, Jakga."

Next, it was the ex-soldier, Lee Jong-ho that greeted me. His muscles seems to have become more solid. Has he gotten stronger during my absence?

"I'm really sorry, for that time..."

"Don't worry, it was an unavoidable situation."

"Even so, I'm ashamed. Please forgive me."

Jong-ho bowed his head slightly. He was a rather simple person.

Then I suddenly felt a presence and turned my head.

At my side, Jung Yunhee was standing there silently and staring at me. It seems she have changed out from her hospital gown and wore a black leather jacket along with casual clothes.

When did she get there? It didn't even feel like someone was standing there. Was this the effect of her assassin attribute? How creepy. She reminded me of those mid-night stalkers

The girl nodded her head as if to exchange greetings. I already knew she was the quiet type so I just nodded my head back.

It seems like everyone managed to make to the safe zone safely just like planned.

"Hmm?"

Then I noticed something was wrong and looked around. The group was not complete. Someone was messing and I knew who.

"Where is the doctor?"

"Ah! That..."

Angelica and Jong-ho had a sad expression while Yunhee was neutral. Wait, was it possible?

"Was he caught by the monsters?"

"Hah.. No."

"Was he killed by someone?"

"No, it's not that."

"Then..."

"He's alive but..."

Before Jong-ho could finish, he was abruptly interrupted. It was because several group of men approached us.

"Is that the newcomer?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

My eyes narrowed. They were around ten in numbers and they were armed with metal pipes and baseball bats. Among them, I saw a familiar face.

"Kwangsun?"

"... Jakga?"

Needless to say, Kwangsun looked surprised to see me. Seeing him among this group, I think I understand the situation now.

A big man with an intimidating figure stood out from the middle and opened his mouth. It looks like he was the leader of this group.

"You... Do you know him?"

"Ah! Yes. He's an acquaintance of mine."

"Is that so? But he still has to follow the rules."

Rules?

Then the big man looked away from Kwangsun at the side and then gave me a look.

"The rules are simple. If you want to stay here then you have to pay rent."

"Rent?"

"Didn't you know? You have to pay 500 coins to stay in the safe zone."

"...."

It was natural that I tilted my head in confusion.

It was because the man said some pretty interesting things. In order to stay in the safe zone, you have to pay rent. What kind of bullshit was that? Did they think it was some kind of property?

I see. It seems the strong among the survivors have started to appear and monopolize the safe zone.

I looked above and saw the numbers of survivors in the safe zone displayed above.

[Safe Zone: 187/1000]

Indeed, my suspicions were correct. Events were progressing just as it is written in the novel.

Amidst the tragedy, the strong will emerge and use the destruction to their advantage. I was already expecting this but to think things will move this quickly.

"Why should I pay you? The safe zone is a public area."

"Well, that was true in the past. But not anymore."

"If I pay 500 coins, you will let me stay in the safe zone."

"Yes. For a day that is."

"...."

The vein on my head bulged. Look at these thieves? Did these bastards think that 500 coins was 500 yen?

"Isn't that too much?"

"Are you saying you can't pay?"

Thud—

The big man swung the metal pipe threatening and struck the ground with force. He must really be strong.

"If you can't pay then leave. We don't need parasites that take advantage of our kindness."

[The Skill 'Threathen' has been used.]

[The Skill failed due to the high level difference.]

"Oh, aren't you rather strong? Hmm, what's that?"

The men looked at what I was holding. They were looking at the plastic bags and licking their lips. I knew what they were thinking. Their thoughts were disgustingly obvious.

"Also, leave that here as well."

The big man smiled as he pointed to the plastic bags in my hands.

[The constellation 'Goddess of War and Wisdom' is annoyed by these people.]

[The constellation 'Witch of the Golden Dawn' snorts.]

In every story, there was always this one person that will try to block the way of the protagonist. It was something the author used to move the plot and I found it cringe. But human beings were even more cringe.

"What are you guys looking at? Get him!"

The man made an order and the rest of the group except Kwangsun started to move towards me. Most of them looked anxious but they composed themselves due to the number advantage.

Well, that wasn't going to help them. I raised my hand and pulled the trigger of the handgun.

Bang— Puok—!

The thigh of one of the goons exploded as it got pierced.

"Aaaaack! My leg! My leg!"

"Shit! The bastard had a gun!"

"The hell! That's not a normal gun."

The men slowly backed away when they saw the gun. It was not only them that were frightened, the rest of the survivors were also frightened.

Firearms were utterly useless against monsters because of their tough skin so it was rare for anyone to be in possession of a gun except the military.

"H-Hey now... T-There is no need to go that far. I don't have to pay to stay in the safe zone. So why don't you put the gun away, okay?"

The man who appeared to be the leader spoke as if he didn't just order his subordinates to attack me. What a shameless fellow.

Let me check out his information.

[Omniscient Bookmark has activated! Character List has been opened.]

[Character Information]

Name: Baek Sang-won.

Age: 34 years old.

Support Constellation: None

Attributes: Alleyway Thug (Common)

Skills: Hand-to-hand Lv. 2, Threaten Lv. 2.

Overall Stats: Physique Lv. 6, Strength Lv. 8, Agility Lv. 6, Magic Power Lv. 2.

Character Description: A unlucky thug that couldn't even get the aid of a support constellation. A background character that tends to overestimate his abilities.

Ah, I finally remember now.

"You're Baek Sangwon from the mainframe group, right?"

"Huh? You know me?"

Baek Sangwon looked surprised that I knew him but I ignored him. Although he looked like the main boss of this group, he was just a lackey that followed orders.

The main villain, the leader of the mainframe group, should be sitting around here and watching the scene quietly.

Where are you? I looked here and there but I couldn't find anyone with the description in my head.... I wondered where he was hiding.

I turned back to Baek Sangwon and opened my mouth.

"Where is your boss?"

"What? I'm the leader of this group."

"Don't play dumb with me. I know you are not the leader."

"I don't know what you're talking abo..."

Baek Sangwon stopped talking when I pointed the gun at him.

Of course, this was only to threaten him. I could not kill him. However, this guy doesn't know that.

"Now let me repeat myself. Where is your boss? And please answer honestly, I don't like it when people lie."

With the gun in my hands, an intimidating atmosphere was created.

The goons began to shake and that guy who got shot from earlier was still squirming on the grouy. It was only a matter of time before they cracked.

"Hey, there is no need to go that far."

A sudden voice.

Someone stood out from the crowd that have gathered. It seems that person finally decided to reveal himself.

The figure came closer and closer to the scene. As he got closer, I couldn't help but open my eyes wide in shock. I wasn't expecting this development. Was this a plot twist?

"I'm the person you are looking for."

Instead of the main leader of the mainframe group in the novel, a familiar face appeared. A familiar face that I could never forget and never wanted to see again.

Kim Minhyuk.

He was the main reason why my life in highschool was nothing but a living hell.