014 Viscount (2)
“Master, preparations are complete.”
“Got it, I'll head out.”
I'd woken up early this morning and washed up. With new prospective residents arriving, I didn't want to greet them in my usual disheveled state from sleeping in. They'd already arrived thirty minutes ago, and the current residents had prepared to receive them.
As I stepped out through the front door, Jeong Su-hwan spotted me from afar and dropped to his knees, his group following suit. At first, I had no idea what the preparations were about, but then I saw the simple tent and wooden chairs set up just before the barrier.
I entered the tent and took a seat in one of the chairs. Im Jui's group knelt as well. It felt just like courtiers kneeling before a king entering the palace.
Jeong Su-hwan's group looked up at me with eyes full of expectation and fear. Sure enough, they were filthy, just like Han Seol and her sister or Im Jui's group had been on their first arrival—probably hadn't washed properly.
I'd read the report Han Byeol had prepared for me that morning. There were 92 prospective residents in total: 13 children, 27 adult women, and 52 adult men. Among them, 7 were Awakeners—5 men and 2 women. Unfortunately, no Special Awakeners; all 7 were ordinary ones with enhanced physical abilities.
“Your Excellency! I, Jeong Su-hwan, have been chosen as the representative for these new residents! On behalf of this group, I pledge our loyalty to you once more!”
“Your Excellency...”
“Your Excellency!”
Jeong Su-hwan's group followed his lead, bowing their heads and calling out to me.
Once their loyalty oaths were finished, Han Seol stepped forward and explained the rules they'd have to follow going forward.
First things first, these people needed a proper wash with hot water. There were bathrooms at the hospital too, so I planned to use those. I floated the idea of using my house as well, but it had been decided that my home would serve as a sort of off-limits palace from now on—no one could enter freely. It was to establish a clear hierarchy.
If anyone had something to say to me, they'd have to go through Han Seol and her sister or Governor Im Jui. That was now law. Lee Kyung-min, the hospital director at Hospital No. 1 (though not a governor), was granted an exception to report directly to me.
I also proclaimed harsh punishment for any disloyal words or actions, or for entering production areas like the livestock pens without permission.
Jeong Su-hwan swore he'd stake his life on preventing such incidents, and though Han Seol looked like she had more to say, the people seemed too starved and sickly, so she decided to let them inside the barrier first and talk later.
Citizen IDs Issued
Citizen IDs materialized before the 91 people excluding Jeong Su-hwan, who already had one. Since I couldn't fully trust the rest yet, I issued IDs without access rights to my house or the livestock area. Only Han Seol, her sister, and Im Jui's group could enter my house's sector.
“Hm...”
I checked their loyalties first, and they were all over the place. Ranging from 50% to 80%. Well, these were people who'd lived through hell, so it made sense. Still, I was satisfied that none were below 50%. Probably thanks to all the talk Jeong Su-hwan had done about me.
Im Jui was on high alert—I could sense it. If these newbies caused any trouble, she'd be the first to bring up Jeong Su-hwan, so she was thrilled about their arrival but watching them like a hawk to ensure no funny business.
Promotion: Viscount (子)
The message I'd been desperately waiting for appeared before my eyes.
“Oh!”
“Your Excellency?!”
Just then, like when we'd taken in Im Jui's group, my house began to glow brightly.
“Everyone, stay calm and hold your positions!”
Han Seol and her sister calmed the panicking new residents as they stared at the glowing house. After a flash like an explosion, something opened, and I felt the barrier expand.
This time, knowing what to expect, the massive influx of information into my head made me dizzy but didn't knock me out like before. I wobbled in my chair, and Han Byeol steadied me.
Now I finally understood that message. I'd puzzled over the first kanji 男 (Baron), but 子 (Viscount) made it clear. Promotion meant my title had risen. Taking in 10 residents had granted me baron rank; crossing 100 had promoted me to viscount.
My guess? Next, 伯 (Earl) at 1,000 residents, 侯 (Marquis) at 10,000, and 公 (Duke) at 100,000. Pure speculation, of course.
“Your Excellency! Look at this!”
Lee Kyung-min cried out, gazing around. The barrier had expanded. Previously a 3x3 grid, now it was 5x5 centered on my house—25 sectors total.
More land was nice since we weren't short on empty plots, but it didn't thrill me much. The green drone functions unlocked last promotion were so good; I was excited for what room might open this time.
I wanted to rush home right away, but I couldn't leave yet, so I ordered Lee Kyung-min to move patients to the hospital and make sure everyone else washed up and ate.
Im Jui's group had pulled an all-nighter before their arrival, building makeshift showers inside the barrier. It was to avoid the delay of taking turns. They'd also brewed massive pots of soup for feeding everyone at once—vegetables and beef in huge cauldrons.
Han Seol and her sister noticed my impatience and said,
“Your Excellency, we'll handle the rest, so please return to the palace first.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
I told Im Jui that if anything unsavory happened, she could arrest or summarily execute residents at her discretion without repercussions.
As I rose from the chair and headed home, voices called from behind—the voices of my new residents.
“Your Excellency! Thank you!”
“Your Excellency!”
I hoped their average loyalty would be higher by tomorrow morning.
I hurried straight home and up the stairs. The floors hadn't increased. That left one answer.
I went down to the second floor and turned the handle on the third door.
Creeeak.
“Whoa...”
This was it. What I'd been hoping for had finally opened. The moment I turned the handle, the info flooding my mind made me grin uncontrollably.
Command and Control Room
I opened the door, and lights flickered on in the dark room. Eight monitors lined the front wall, a black panel affixed to the desk. The left wall held a palm-sized black spherical object mounted on it and an armory. The right wall had two armories.
I grabbed the black sphere first. A walkie-talkie. Holding it enabled wireless communication between them regardless of distance. There were ten in total.
In a world where outside warlords used walkie-talkies full of limitations, I'd gotten ones with no range issues.
The armory next to it held two rifles. Not ordinary guns, but pulse rifles straight out of a sci-fi flick. Max 100 shots, auto-recharging 20 per hour. Biometric-locked—only registered users could fire. Unregistered hands? Just a heavy lump of metal.
I'd register Han Seol and her sister first when they got back. No idea on exact performance, but definitely stronger than modern weapons. Best part? Even someone like me without combat skills could use them.
The two right armories were locked—probably needed some condition met.
Finally, time to test the room's main feature: the command table.
I approached the front-wall table, sat in the black leather chair, and placed my palm on the black panel desk. It scanned my hand with a glow, and all monitors lit up.
And... a hologram appeared, showing my domain and surroundings like viewing from the air. I could touch the desk hologram to interact, zoom in and out. Switch to side view for full 3D terrain heights.
Residents showed as green dots. I long-pressed Im Jui's crowded sector for two seconds, and one monitor displayed real-time footage like a sky-mounted CCTV. Han Seol and her sister explaining something; people nodding.
“Wow.”
Curious how far outside it showed, I maxed the zoom. My 5x5 domain outlined in red, with a good chunk beyond. Not sure the exact kilometers.
Even hordes of enemies invading? I'd spot their hides like I had map hacks. If they scattered knowing about drones, no need to hunt—I could pinpoint from here, strike with drones, or radio positions to Im Jui for handling.
“Finally, some peace of mind.”
I'd register Han Seol and her sister for the command table too. Han Byeol, with her intel officer background, might handle it better than me.
I left the command room, checked the drone room—no new unlocks—then headed to the basement. The odd sensation hadn't faded despite the command room opening.
The basement had eight warehouses, four per side along the corridor. The left first one was open from the start, used for misc storage.
I grabbed the handle of the right first warehouse and turned.
Creeeak.
“Yes!”
I burst out laughing and clapping like a madman the moment I opened it. The thrill of the basement unlocking, and my desired warehouse right there.
No. 1 Food Storage Warehouse
Inside: twelve 6-tier shelves, six per wall. Packed with canned goods—from meat to peach fruit cans, all varieties. Pristine, like fresh from the factory.
20 cans per tier, 6 tiers per shelf = 120 per shelf. 12 shelves = 1,440 cans total.
But the real function? Empty spots refill with cans every two weeks. Sweep them all, get 2,880 monthly.
Six more locked warehouses left. Tasting these promotion perks made me itch to onboard 900 randos for the next unlock.
“Calm down...”
With veggies/fruits/flour/rice piled in the preservation room, hydroponics, livestock meat/butter/milk, and 2,880 cans monthly—even if the army fully besieged the barrier for a siege, we could hold out long-term.
Up to the first floor for coffee, then into the command room. I set all eight monitors to CCTV and checked on residents.
Cleaned-up people lined at the hospital—Lee Kyung-min starting health checks. Jeong Su-hwan clutching Im Jui's hand, tears streaming. The crying woman beside him was probably his wife.
Im Jui's group ladling beef soup from huge pots, serving with rice. Residents shedding joyful tears, devouring bowls frantically.
Seeing starved kids smile while eating filled me with calm.