Mall's Community

As we followed the two men inside the mall, we walked first inside the ground floor.

"The boss' conference room is on the 2nd floor so we'll have to use the stairs. We turned off most things that were powered with electricity to conserve, including the elevator and escalators."

"Did the main electricity get cut off already?"

"I heard that it wasn't completely shut down yet but it didn't reach us so I assume a powerline connecting to this mall was broken or something."

"I see."

Adam talked and I replied while Denis was cautiously eyeing us. Well, no one called him out for it.

Still, the boss that he was referring to must be a big shot before. I just hope that we won't get into an argument. I'm not as confident in that regard right now, even though we have Aunt with us.

From what Adam explained, the mall was divided based on their floors. The ground floor wasn't used much aside from the stationed men who were guarding the entrances.

The 1st floor was being used for lodging while the 2nd floor had the room of that boss Adam referred to, as well as for his family and the rest of the people who sat at that table. From that floor, up to the 3rd floor were also used to store their supplies.

Their numbers were far more than I expected. They're practically a functioning community already.

When we reached the 2nd floor, Adam stopped walking and turned to us, specifically to me, prompting us to stop as well.

"You must have already realized but what we have here is more like a community already."

"Yeah, although, you guys could use more weapons."

"Haha, I know. Unfortunately, there have been some problems lately. Anyway, I just want you to know a few rules we have here."

"Rules?"

When I asked that, Adam explained.

There was a set of general rules that everyone must follow. One is to avoid making noise. Two is against hurting other people. Three is against stealing resources from the storage. And four is against overstepping the boundaries of your role.

The punishment for all of that was straight-up exile. Although it may seem light, it's practically a death sentence in our current situation, especially if it's someone who worked with a role.

The reason for that is simple. In a community like this, everyone naturally had a role. Whether they are simply workers who cook food or clean places or guards who watch the doors and the people.

In the same way, a businessman wouldn't necessarily have the skills to survive in a jungle, and a worker who cooked food wouldn't be able to fight the undead on their own. Although there are a few instances that oppose that logic, it's not the majority.

After all, when someone focuses on their work, it becomes something they specialize in. Even if someone who cooked food can fight as well, they would be categorized as part of the few instances.

The rest that could do the same would only be able to do either the former or the latter proficiently, and the remaining skill would be subpar.

When the three of us agreed with his words, he smiled before nodding and continued walking until we reached a door that should lead to the conference room.

I'm still wondering how a mall had something like that though. Perhaps they simply created a makeshift one.

Adam raised his finger at us as if to say 'One second.' before knocking at the door. We could also hear a few voices inside but they're muffled, must be sound-proofed walls.

As if he did that, the door opened inwards and Adam waved at us to enter. As we did so, not just me but Claire was also a bit surprised.

After all, there were a few figures that we knew of who were present there.

Eden Laurent, Angelica Michel, and Elisa Maven. Those three were part of our Outdoors Activities Club back in school.

When the three saw us, they also had a surprised expression. No, I guess, Angelica's face was different. She looked like she had seen a ghost. Did she hate me that much?

However, as if she realized what was off, she inhaled and exhaled before changing to a more relaxed expression. I also acted like I didn't notice it.

Before any of us could speak, one of the men who saw us clenched his hand on a machete that was hanging by his waist, before speaking.

"T- they have guns...! Adam, why did you let them in!"

"Wait! It's alright, they're not bad people."

"What!? How can you know that!?"

Although the guy looked fascinated with the two women who were with me, he still put up a guard while glaring at me instead. It's kind of ridiculous.

However, I wasn't letting my guard down either as I lightly gripped my pistol. Adam must have noticed that as he raised his hand forward, blocking the other guy. The other men who were like guards have also tensed.

Fortunately, someone spoke up to calm the situation.

"Stop! We know them."

Eden spoke in a light voice, it wasn't loud but it radiated authority. Come to think of it, I used to admire her voice since it was the most beautiful out of the rest. Though, I never said that directly and only asked if she had experience in singing.

When the men heard her, they reluctantly lowered their guard down, with the guy who was glaring at me doing it last.

Afterward, one of the men who sat in front of the table clapped his hands.

"Alright, that would be for today's meeting. You people are dismissed, I would like to talk to our guests."

He was a pretty handsome middle-aged man who also had auburn hair. He must be Eden's father.

The people who heard him reluctantly stood up from their chairs and exited the room. The man also motioned the guards to leave and they could only follow him.

Then, he turned to us and smiled wryly.

"Please, take a seat. You girls too."

When he said that, he also told Eden and the other two to sit. Before I knew it, Adam and Denis were nowhere to be found. They seemed to have left with the others as well.

The man kept his smile, no, he even seemed like he was rather happy. He straightened his back before speaking.

"It's nice to meet you three. Mrs. Amelie may already know me but my name is Daniel. Daniel Laurent to be precise. I am Eden's father and also the one who's in charge of this small place."

"It's also an honor to meet the renowned inventor, it appears that age hasn't quite caught up to you yet, Mr. Daniel."

"I could say the same to you, Mrs. Amelie. Ah, come to think of it, I heard what happened to your husband. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend his funeral and also failed to give my personal sentiment since I was so busy. You have my condolence."

"Ara, thank you. Don't worry about it."

The man, Eden's father, who's called Daniel spoke cheerfully to Aunt. Are they close? As I thought of that, Claire leaned into my shoulder and whispered.

"From what I've heard, he is mother's cousin who grew up with her since their family is close. Don't worry too much though, they're just close friends."

"What would I worry about?"

When I said that, Claire didn't answer and simply smirked. This girl can really be annoying sometimes. The three women who were seated in front of us were looking at Claire and me, but I didn't pay as much attention because I thought I heard something concerning from Aunt and Daniel's conversation.

Daniel pondered over something for a bit before asking Aunt.

"By the way, Mrs. Amelie, I assume you are the one leading the three of you? You seem like an organized group already. Although I could not expect less as most of you have a military background."

"Indeed, however, I am not one in command. Leon, over there, is the one we are following."

"Leon... Hmm?"

"Leon Rauthier. You must know who he is."

"Rauthier? Wait, that Rauthier!?"

Unexpectedly, Daniel's reaction was of excitement.

"It's nice to meet you really..."

"Daniel has always been interested in the military. It just so happens that he knew of your father and became one of his biggest fans."

"That is right. Although my abilities allowed me to excel more as a businessman so I gave up on pursuing it."

A fan of my father? I almost laughed sarcastically when I heard of that. Although he did have amazing achievements in the military, thinking of him as my father was something hard for me to do.

I've always hated him after all. And that probably wouldn't change anytime soon. When I thought of that, I also started speaking this time.

"While I would be happy to hear about my father as well, I would like us to talk about the present matter first, Mr. Daniel."

"The present matter?"

"Yes. To put it simply, we are currently guests in your community. However, we also planned to join before coming here in the case that a community really did exist. That's why I want to hear your word."

"I see, if it's you, people, then you are more than welcome here. Not only is Mrs. Amelie here, but you are also my daughter's friend, correct?"

"You aren't wrong, however, that's not exactly what I wanted to point out. From what I've seen, coming here, your people don't have much other than basic and makeshift weapons while the three of us carry guns. Although not as likely, this could possibly create a disparity, and a few problems can arise. After all, you've also seen that guy's reaction earlier."

When Daniel heard that, he became silent as if pondering over my words. He tried to open his mouth but closed it again, seems like my words were too true. In the end, he could only reply flatly.

"That does make sense. Although from your words, it seems that you've already thought of something?"

"Yeah. It's simple, you can give us a role that can instantly shut any of those people and prevent more from coming in."

"A role?

"You can place on a leading role of going out to scavenge supplies. Although it's still dangerous, we could probably manage as long we don't go that far."

"...What a monster, you've already planned this, didn't you?"

"I'm not quite sure what you're talking about."

Although he used those kinds of words, he still talked rather playfully and I played as well. Adam said that everyone here has some kind of role and someone can't just receive free rations.

So by doing this, I could eliminate any future disagreements about our equipment while also providing us with a decent status.

Daniel was silent for a bit before nodding his head in agreement.

"Alright, I understand, I will do exactly as you say."

"Thank you very much."

Now that the matter of us entering this community is done, the rest would be up to how we will do things going forward. Are we going to fully integrate our group into this community? Or are we going to keep them at arm's length?

While I was thinking of that, Daniel stood up and continued speaking.

"Well then, I would like to leave you kids here to talk for a bit. Mrs. Amelie, do you wish to talk to my wife?"

"Elizabeth? Fufu, alright, it's been a while since we met. Leon, I'll be leaving for a bit."

Aunt also stood up and told me that. I gave her a worried look but she simply smiled at it.

"Don't worry too much, I can take care of myself."

"...Haah, if you say so."

With that, the two middle-aged adults left, leaving the five of us, who were also members of the same club, alone.

An air of awkwardness flowed for some reason.