Satisfaction. Or To Advance - 11
"Thank you! Really... I thought we were all going to die at this rate—"
"It's okay."
"Please speak comfortably!"
"...Alright."
A group of ten survivors had entered my apartment.
"Good work. Really... it was dangerous."
The moment I decided to save them and took a step closer, 'Stay by my side' activated. If I hadn't paused their conditions right then, just moving or breathing could have led to deaths. But that was as far as it went. This apartment's recovery buff was substantial, and I had a capable doctor by my side.
"Alright, that's about it. You've still got a lot of torn organs, so don't do anything—just rest deeply."
"Y-yes..."
"Don't open your mouth unless it's absolutely necessary. Didn't you hear me say your organs are damaged? Is your hearing messed up too?"
Shin Roa was still radiating a chilling aura, but it was clear she was sincerely treating the injured.
"No walking for three days at all, and no strenuous activity for the next two weeks. Even if you think, 'This is manageable now,' you must get my permission before moving."
The terrified injured woman nodded desperately without opening her mouth.
"Nod slowly."
Finishing the treatment with her usual icy tone, Roa turned to me with noticeably softer eyes.
"The dangerous part is over. As long as that woman doesn't do anything stupid, she'll be fine. Even if she does something a bit dumb, she won't be in real danger as long as she's in here."
"That's a relief."
"Ah, but it's not quite done yet. New arrivals—everyone's washed up, right?"
The women lined up nodded.
"We're doing a quick health check. Minor wounds aren't worth the meds, so we'll let them heal naturally—just checking for infectious diseases or parasites."
Her expert authority shone through. I inwardly patted myself on the back for bringing her along. No matter how strong I was, I was useless outside of fighting.
Roa methodically treated the women. I sat watching for a bit until I heard the door open.
"All done, Master!"
"Good work."
Separate from the decision to bring them here, I couldn't ignore safety. Her hospital had suffered massive damage from just one wrong person entering the safe zone. Fortunately, this apartment could restrict newcomers' movement by building. I'd had their homes set up in another building and tasked Sua and Seohee with stocking food there.
"This side's done too. Let's move."
"Already?"
"Unlike the critical cases here, most of these are minor injuries."
My presence was partly to monitor them, too. Not that I could claim I wasn't enjoying it.
"Let's head in and rest."
I led them to the new temporary homes they'd stay in.
"Ah, are we staying here from now on?"
"Sorry, but... that might be tough."
Even for me, unlocking this apartment cost a fortune. A few dozen? Maybe. But hundreds? More? Impossible to house them all here. They'd go to the new base. The first residents of the new base I'd build after liberating this district.
"Not sure how long exactly, but about a week. Until you're recovered and have some direction, you can stay here."
"That's more than enough—we're grateful!"
"And if it's okay... could you keep living around here?"
"...Pardon?"
"Food first. You must be starving."
Sua and Heea prepared the meal. With the sudden crowd, it wasn't as elaborate as before, but still appetizing. The microwave ran nonstop. Frozen rice heated one by one, instant gomguk simmered in a big pot, Vienna sausages sizzled in the frying pan, frozen dumplings crisped in the air fryer.
"Ugh..."
The visitors trembled, unable to hold back. I got it. Even I, who hadn't known real hunger since returning to this world, couldn't help salivating at the smells.
"If you're hungry, eat first—it's fine."
"C-can we?"
"Of course."
I pulled out three warmed rice packs. The moment I set them on the table, the women swarmed.
"Use spoons!"
They were about to bury their faces in the plastic containers, eating plain rice without sides.
"Sausages done?"
"A bit light on the crisp, but not cold!"
"Then bring those too."
I stood, seating another hesitant woman in my spot. Tight for ten, but they huddled together, eating—and even fed their injured friend.
"Eat slowly—you'll choke. Sides might run out later, so don't just hog the sausages."
I quickly ladled gomguk into bowls, setting one before each.
"Th-this is an honor!"
"You're hungry— just eat."
Why was I smiling? Maybe I just liked seeing people happy for no reason. Or preferred them eating heartily over suffering. Like watching a mukbang. Or found them admirable. Or cute, mouths full, eyes locked on me in thanks instead of the food.
"Slowly, or it'll be more work for me."
Roa pouted, reining them in.
"Yeees..."
Sua pulled dumplings from the air fryer. Instant rice piles were done.
"Might need more rice—keep heating."
"Master, eat too!"
"...Yeah."
The table was cramped. We dragged out a low desk from the corner and ate there. Delicious. The women's happy feasting was the best side dish.
Thinking of women as sides feels a bit off...
Anyway, we finished. The visitors eyed more, but overeating was risky.
"I have something to say. Sit up straight and listen."
"...Yes! Anything!"
On the sofa, I scanned them slowly.
"I'm building a base. Not here—a new one on this land."
They tilted heads, like Sua had—unable to grasp this huge apartment wasn't the base.
I smiled and asked, "Could you stay there? Of course, if you have somewhere or someone to go to, leave freely."
They shouted instantly.
"No!"
"No one to meet!"
"Even a day—a week—let us serve you! Please!"
Relief. I'd let them go, but it'd sting.
Sua gazed warmly. "Decided, huh?"
"...Yeah. You all knew?"
My women nodded in unison.
"When you said no boss hunt, we wondered. Knew you wouldn't skip this."
Seohee patted my shoulder.
"Guess so... Sorry for worrying you too long."
Time was short.
"Stay here tonight. I'll fetch from the orphanage—bringing Hari and Yeowon back."
The moment had come. I'd decided: to be satisfied, or advance. Not to change myself—I wouldn't.
Saving these women—nameless, strangers—felt good. Couldn't abandon them. Or future ones. For me.
"Let's liberate this district. Fell the boss."
No demon king here. Maybe somewhere, but not before me. I never lost fights. People troubled me—not guiltless monsters.
"You'll follow, right? Ah, no... will you?"
"Of course!"
My women nodded, beaming.
No hesitation needed. Maybe never had been.
They weren't helpless without me. Not enslaved. They loved me as I loved them. Craved fulfilling my wishes. Devoted, sacrificed for me.
One thing left: topple the boss, liberate the district, build the base.
"...Thanks."
Save more, by my desires. I'd advance toward that satisfaction.