Episode 4 – Hunting (1)

"Those mainframe bastards can't be trusted."

"Can't we just kill them all and be done with it?"

After I explained the story from the beginning to end, Lee Jongho's and Jung Yunhee's responses were as such. It was expected.

"... Isn't killing them going too far? Why not leave."

"No. This time, I agree with Yunhee. Those guys are nothing but thugs. They treat people as if they are cattle and will kill anyone that goes against their authority. Just like they tried to do to us."

"Wait, they tried to do something to you guys?"

"Yes. It happened this morning. When we refused to accept their love call, they ambushed us when we were scouting for food."

Lee Jongho's body trembled as he glared at the men carrying the pipes. There was no feeling of fear. Instead, it was his bottled up rage targeted towards the mainframe group.

I see. I finally understand the situation now. Not only did they have full control over the sector's safety zone, they will eliminate heretics that goes against their authority.

I looked between the weak-looking survivors and the healthy people from the mainframe group. From a single glance, it was obvious the mainframe group were monopolizing the food.

There was no way the survivors wouldn't have figured it out by now. It was too obvious yet none of them chose to retort. Why? It was simple. They were weak. They couldn't retort against the hand that was feeding them.

Once humans were caught under some false sense of safety from a main group, a completely one-sided relationship will be formed. It was similar to how certain companies treated their employees like slaves.

"The people are hopeless. They are too tame to the mainframe group. If nothing is done, the situation will only worsen."

Indeed, it would be better to just eliminate the mainframe group in a single sweep. However,

"No, not yet."

It was too early to make a move. The opportunity to act will naturally arrive. We just needed to be patient.

"Let's wait a little."

If my calculations were correct, that person would make an announcement anytime from now.

Time slowly ticked by. A few hours has passed and the rest of the group has fallen asleep. I was keeping watch.

"Everyone, gather around. I have something important to announce."

A voice echoed.

It was Minhyuk. He stood in the middle of the safe zone with his lackeys standing behind. He finally began to move as anticipated.

"... Hm, what's going on?"

Angelica raised her head and rubbed her eyes. She just woke up from sleep so she wasn't awake of the situation.

Jung Yunhee woke up as a result of the commotion. As for Lee Jong-ho, he did not sleep. As expected from an ex-soldier.

"Minhyuk is making an announcement."

"Announcement? About what?"

"Just watch and you will see."

He decided to act later than expected. Let's hear what he wanted to say. In no time, Kim Minhyuk began to speak.

"Due to the lack of food supplies, we will be shortening everybody's rations."

If only the readers could see this. It only took a single sentence to turn everyone's expression into a frown.

"What the hell?!"

"The food was barely manageable level before but now you want to shorten the rations. How are we going to survive if you do that?"

"Don't the scouts get more food? You think we don't know."

Minhyuk started receiving curses left and right. Even so, he didn't stop smiling and remained calm.

"Your words are true. Indeed, the scouts get more food."

"Then..."

"However, it was reasonable. They put their lives at risk while you all just sat here and do nothing. If you want more food then you need to become a food scout. It's a simple story, yes?"

"Are you crazy?"

"Do you want use to die? How are we going to fight against the monsters?"

"That's right. We will definitely die if we go outside."

Kim Minhyuk responded to the grumbling crowd with a harsh voice.

"Hmm, is that so? You don't want to die you say. What about the people that volunteered as scouts? Did you think they wanted to die? No. Yet they still went outside. It was not because they were mad. They did so because they didn't want to starve. And yet here you are, whining like toddlers."

"That..."

The crowd couldn't speak anymore. It was as if someone has sealed their lips. It was Minhyuk's words.

Minhyuk smiled upon seeing their reaction and continued speaking.

"I have already expected something like this to happen. That's why I have come up with a solution. A way you all can get food without becoming scouts."

"What is it?"

"C'mon, say it quickly."

"It's simple. We will give out food in exchange of anything of value. It doesn't matter what It is. Anyone can bring something different. That's fair, right?"

As he finished speaking, the people began looking at each other. This is an interesting way to exploit people of their coins. I can already predict what is going to happen next.

Soon, the people began to move. They gathered around the people from the mainframe group.

"I will exchange with coins. How much?"

"200."

"Excuse me?"

"I said give me 200 coins."

"Wh-What? That's too unreasonable."

"If you don't have money then go away."

200 coins for a piece of food. Indeed, that was too unreasonable. As expected, they started setting unreasonable prices. Why are humans so predictable. It was cringe.

"Look at this wristwatch. I bought it for $100,000."

(T/L: 100,000 US dollars = 15,305,900 yen)

A rich man showed the mainframe group his golden wristwatch. Indeed, it looked very expensive. If the world hadn't changed, there was no way I would be able to afford it. However,

"Hmm, not interested."

"What? Wait...Wait, Let me."

"Move away."

They chased the rich man away without mercy. Although that watch was worth alot, but that was only in the old world. It was completely worthless now.

What was the point of having a elegant-looking wristwatch in a ruined world?

For the next few minutes, the same scene will replay over and over again. The survivors will meet the mainframe group with various items and the mainframe group will determine their value.

If they liked it, they will accept it and give out food rations. But if the item was of no value to them, they will chase the person away.

Of course, some people protested against the mainframe group but they were beaten up shortly. In the end, they had to pay ususual prices for food.

Suddenly, my eyes caught the sight of a familiar mainframe member. It was the big man from before. What was his name again? I have a hard time remembering background characters

"Tck!"

When the man saw me, he made an irritated sound and swung his head to the other side. What a foolish fellow.

"Hyung, how are you so calm?"

"Hmm?"

I turned my head and saw a pair of blue eyes looking at me. Jung Yunhee. I wondered how long she was standing by my side.

"Do I look calm to you?"

"You tell me? Most people will feel nervous or feel a certain way in this situation. But you're different. You're indifferent. Your eyes are very cold, almost lifeless and calculating. It's like staring into the dark depths of a bottomless void."

"I see."

Her words were true. I was handling this situation more calmly than most people. Was it because I was already aware of the situation? No, the answer is much deeper than that.

"Even if you ask me that, I can't tell you the answer. Because I don't know the answer myself."

Shortly afterwards, the mainframe members were dragging some people out of the safe zone. It seems they were the people that couldn't pay rent anymore.

I saw Angelica sprang to her feet. I already knew what she wanted to do. So I stretched my hand and grabbed her shoulder.

"Jakga?"

"What are you doing?"

"Aren't you seeing that? I'm going to stop them. I can't allow this."

"It's a futile effort."

"What are you saying?"

Angelica gave me a look. It was a look that spelled she was annoyed.

"Stopping them from tossing out those people will be meaningless. A similar sight will occur later. If that happens, what will you do then?"

"Isn't that obvious? I will just stop them again and again."

"You foolish girl, that will only make you the target of their resentment."

"Are you saying I should just watch?"

"Yes. Just sit back and watch this time."

"Is watching the only thing I can do? Isn't there an alternative?"

Her body began to shake. It seems she must have gone through a lot during my absence. Not everybody could adapt to this new world.

I sighed.

"Angelica, what I'm trying to say is that you don't need to act. Everything will settle itself out if you just wait."

"How can you be sure?"

"Just watch. Trust me."

The message should be arriving anytime now. Finally,

[The third main scenario is being generated.]

A system window appeared infront of me. It was a scenario message.

+

[Sub Scenario – Hunting]

Category: Main

Difficulty: E ~ D

Clear conditions: Hunt down the monsters and collect 50 cores.

Time Limit: 72 Hours.

Compensation: ???

Failure: ???

+

Vooom—!

Something vibrated and manifested in the grasps of the people. It was an inventory pouch.

This scenario was pretty straightforward.

Hunt down monsters and collect the loot. It's a quest that was commonly featured in a video game.

"We need to hunt down monsters and collect their cores?"

"It's just like a quest in a video game."

"This pouch is for storing the cores, right? Will it fit though?"

The crowd muttered among themselves. Then someone shouted upon noticing the dome was still intact.

"The safe zone is still here!"

"It didn't disappear!"

The people became happy that the safe zone didn't disappear upon the arrival of the new scenario. What a useless bunch.

"Fools."

Maybe the people were either blind or just stupid. The theme of this scenario was not survival but hunting.

You needed to hunt down monsters and collect their cores. That was the only way to survive the scenario. Not by staying in the safe zone.

Angelica softly muttered by my side. "Suwon, did you know..."

"Not really. But I have a hunch something like this was going to happen anytime soon. After all, it was too peaceful and that fairy likes to mess with humans."

"I see. That makes sense."

I ignored Angelica for the time being and looked at Kim Minhyuk. He seems to have noticed as well.

"Everyone, listen to what I have to say."

Minhyuk spoke to attract the attention of the crowd. His expression was more serious now.

"You guys heard it, right? I assume you already know what you need to do."

Everyone nodded their heads. In order to survive, everyone needed to hunt down monsters. Of course, there were still people who were terrified of the fact that they had to fight monsters.

But it can't be helped. If they don't fight, they will die. That was just the truth of the story. They can't depend on others anymore.

This world was not a kind world that would allow such things.