014 (1)
"Do-hyun, it's morning."
My day in Nakyuan (Paradise Territory) always began with Han Seol or Han Byeol calling me from outside my door. It was 8 a.m.—far too early for a lazybones like me to drag myself out of bed.
Han Seol and Han Byeol rose at 6 a.m. They'd wash up, prepare breakfast, and ready ingredients for distribution to the residents. We'd originally done distributions twice a day, morning and evening, but it was such a hassle that we'd switched to handing out dinner portions with breakfast too.
The other residents—everyone except the kids—got up at 6 a.m. as well. They'd check supplies for trading, clean their homes. They were incredibly diligent.
I'd groan my way awake at 8, splash water on my face, throw on some clothes, and let the sisters guide me out the front door.
"Your Excellency! Did you have a peaceful night?"
"Your Excellency, good morning."
-Your Excellency, did you sleep well?-
"Yeah, glad you all look healthy. No issues?"
As soon as I stepped out, residents lined up to greet me. Then the sisters started distributions while I stood there blankly, staring into space.
There was something to that saying about how a position shapes the person. With everyone treating me like a god, I started feeling like I really was something special.
To keep myself grounded, I'd meditate in my room every day, repeating to myself: Don't get cocky. You've never accomplished a damn thing on your own in life. You're just one lucky bastard.
I wondered why I had to show my face every morning, but the sisters insisted it imprinted on the residents who they owed their daily feasts to.
After distributions, we'd head back for breakfast. Ever since trading with Kim Dae-geon, our meals had evolved daily. Today's was thinly sliced beef doenjang jjigae, bulgogi, and veggies like lettuce and garlic.
Korean food really was the best. Han Seol excelled at everything above average. Han Byeol had her ups and downs—terrible at haircuts, but her cooking was killer.
After their breakfast, I'd have fruit for dessert, then nap back in my room.
I hadn't always been this lazy, but last week Kim Dae-geon brought a massive wall-mounted TV, and my routine changed. Before the apocalypse, I wasn't big on movies. But installing that TV and popping in the classic Blu-rays he'd hooked me up with? I felt like I'd wasted my whole life.
Those "Top 100 Movies to See Before You Die" lists? I'd always thought they were overhyped. I was wrong—they're worth it.
Now I binged till 4 or 5 a.m. every night. I even tried sleeping in the hospital recovery room once, thinking it might refresh me faster. Nope, same as a regular bed. Late nights watching movies didn't count as an illness.
Post-nap, light workout, shower. Lunch was simple. Han Byeol had gotten into baking lately, so buttered bread from her oven.
It started when she tried Park Tae-woo's created bread. Before his visit last week, I'd told his cult to make only 650 loaves for their group, then 50 more in front of me.
First time seeing another Special Awakener create something. He used his ability on a cart—a blue circle opened above it, and loaves rained down: white bread, sliced loaves, baguettes, croissants, flower rolls, bagels.
Anyone starving would've seen him as God's proxy. I asked if he could choose varieties—nope. But the taste? Straight from a bakery.
His personality grated, but the ability was undeniably powerful.
After lunch, the sisters handled paperwork or we'd play board games or console games on quiet days. Residents preserved excess veggies—especially tomatoes into jarred sauces.
Today, as I reached for a board game post-lunch, Han Seol came in.
"Do-hyun, Im Jui's here. She wants to talk."
"Huh? Talk?"
Im Jui had come to see me. Probably a request—she'd never asked for anything since arriving. She was the one resident I could send on recon or against enemies without worry, and she'd always handled the riskiest jobs silently, no complaints.
The sisters stepped out to give us privacy. I had Im Jui sit at the table and brewed two coffees.
-Your Excellency, let me do it.-
"No, sit. You eating the butter and milk I gave you on time?"
-Yes, Your Excellency.-
"Good. Eat the meat right away too. I'll inspect the fridge sometime."
-Yes, Your Excellency.-
After her gas mask broke, I'd worried, but she had four identical spares. Today, she'd come without it—serious business.
I set coffee in front of her and sat across.
"What's up? Write it out slow while you drink."
-Thank you, Your Excellency.-
Im Jui started scribbling. It was about Jeong Su-hwan.
His group: 4 Awakeners including him, 40 civilians. Started smaller, grew from stragglers. Former residents and soldiers under a warlord, defected over constant looting and killing.
Recently merged with a similar 40-person group—now 7 Awakeners, 80+ civilians, over 90 total. I knew this from the sisters' records.
Last visit, I'd told them to load him up with extra cans and veggies since numbers grew.
But now, big problems. Two 20,000-strong factions nearby, bad blood. We'd expected war eventually, but they started in winter—both betting the other slacked on defenses.
Aimed to seize territory in the gap, but mutual thinking escalated it. Now they're raiding small groups for supplies and forces.
Jeong Su-hwan's crew fled in winter, base exposed—grabbed what they could, no casualties, but left most supplies. Starving now.
Im Jui asked last time he visited; he spilled.
"So... you want to help Jeong Su-hwan?"
-Yes, Your Excellency. I'll work harder if you show them mercy.-
Im Jui felt she repaid me just by existing here with her power.
"Food aid runs out fast or gets stolen. Why not make them residents?"
She looked shocked, scribbling furiously.
-Your Excellency, such great mercy... is it okay?-
"Yeah. I want more residents to unlock stuff, but housing's short and I can't advertise. Perfect timing."
Experience showed residents were fastest for new abilities/buildings.
"Issue is 90+ at once—food's fine, but homes. I'll manage, but you'll suffer."
-Your Excellency, I can sleep outside.-
"Call Han Seol and Han Byeol. We'll discuss."
-Thank you, Your Excellency.-
Im Jui stood, knelt, and bowed deeply.
We held an "executive meeting" and agreed to accept them. It was me deciding; the sisters planned execution.
Jeong Su-hwan visited tomorrow—ask then. If not, wait a week. Couldn't track their base.
"That's it for today. Hope he shows tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Yes, Master."
-We'll repay Your Excellency's grace with our all.-
Next morning, Jeong Su-hwan arrived early. I went out but let Han Seol handle talk—half-asleep, I sat in a chair by the barrier, wrapped in Han Byeol's blanket, eyes closed.
"So, would you consider becoming residents here?"
"R-Really?! If you accept us, we'll do anything!"
"Your Excellency?"
"Hm? Wasn't asleep."
"Your Excellency, Jeong Su-hwan wishes to join as residents."
"Yeah."
I stood; he knelt, looking up, tears streaming.
"You have tents, right?"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
"Pack food for the trip, prioritize tents. Housing's short—some'll camp out. Wood stoves are there, no worries."
"Your Excellency! You're truly accepting us?"
"Yeah. Houses done? You'll get 'em."
"Y-Your Excellency!"
Overwhelmed, the burly man sobbed like a child.
Citizen Card Issued
"Pass. Pick it up and come in."
Jeong Su-hwan grabbed the card and entered the barrier. I offered a handshake; he knelt on one knee, grasping my hand with both.
"Order me to die, I die; to live, I live, Your Excellency."
"Good."
I sent him to Im Jui's for a hot wash, packed his bag with meat, milk, fruit, veggies, and sent him off. Show his people, convince them to come.
He said they'd follow anyway—they were desperate—but I insisted.
He'd leave today, arrive tomorrow. Im Jui's spare rooms for newcomers; hospital as temp housing. Everyone bustled.
Regrettable, but restorations shifted from farm to houses.