External Patient (1)
“Oh... I get this one.”
There were five vending machines on the second floor. What stood out was that they were larger than the ones downstairs, with bigger baskets beneath them. The baskets were filled with water. And just like the other production facilities, there were storage baskets next to the machines, also brimming with water.
I dipped a finger into the water in one basket and tasted it.
“Salty.”
“Master, is it seawater?”
“Yeah, looks like shellfish from the image. Shall we give it a try?”
Splash.
“Huh?”
When I pressed the button, a net full of clams dropped into the basket. I reached in, pulled out the net packed with them.
“Pretty heavy. Gotta be at least 5kg? These are short-neck clams, right?”
“Yes, Your Excellency! Short-neck clams!”
“They'll elevate the silky tofu stew you enjoy to even deeper flavors!”
This was a first. A living creature emerging from one of the territory's production buildings. Even I, clueless about shellfish, could tell these short-neck clams were fresh and alive.
“Amazing... Everyone, check the rest.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
They dispensed one pack each from the remaining four machines. The second-floor lineup went: short-neck clams, scallops, pen shells, abalone, mussels.
The scallops, pen shells, and abalone had smaller quantities. To let all residents taste them, we'd need to stockpile for quite a while. Especially the abalone—just eight in the net.
Overhearing the executives and chefs chatting, it seemed the abalone was earmarked as my personal tonic food. Fortunately, the short-neck clams and mussels came in huge amounts.
“For now, dispense everything from the first and second floors into the baskets. And pull ten of each shellfish type from the second floor. Tomorrow, we'll all have a shellfish hot pot party for the residents.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
They'd recharge one pack every 48 hours anyway, so no waste. Seeing seafood after so long made me eager to dig in. Good things are meant to be shared.
“Y-Your Excellency! Your Excellency!”
“Hm?”
Han Seol urgently called me from a corner, so I went over. There was a small basket there.
“Your Excellency...! Could this be...!”
“Whoa... Now that's service.”
The small basket was packed with tube wasabi, chojang sauce, and sashimi soy sauce. It refilled too, though no info on the timer, so I emptied it and relocated everything.
“His Excellency has created a new miracle with seafood, but wishes to share it first with the people. Tonight's dinner is shellfish hot pot. Assist the chefs and ensure preparations proceed smoothly.”
At Han Seol's words, the residents dropped to their knees, sobbing.
“Yes!”
“Your Excellency...! Seafood...!”
“To share such a precious gift first with lowly folk like us...!”
“Your Excellency! I pledge my life!”
“Is big bro really a god?”
I'd announced the shellfish hot pot party during morning rations, and the residents wailed in response. Han Byeol poked my side, grinning mischievously.
“Master, I told you. You'll end up a real god at this rate.”
“...”
This wasn't actually our first taste with them. Last night, the executives and I devoured Colonel Choi Jang-min's fresh tuna sashimi. I'd planned it for later, but Im Jui's comment about never having real tuna beyond cans stuck with me, so I bumped it up.
Im Jui marveled with every bite. The sashimi's flavor was beyond words—pure perfection after so long. The white fish was great too. Proving the joke “flounder’s just chojang spoon?” true, I drowned mine in sauce. Wasabi-soy was killer.
I'd intended a simple “shellfish hot pot tasting,” but pulling out more stuff turned it into a full banquet. I told Han Seol to fetch booze, smokes, meat, veggies. When you throw a feast, do it right.
I gave residents free rein on booze and smokes tonight. Spent the day reading and lounging; by evening, preparations were ready. Stepping out, I saw a far more impressive venue than last time.
The carpenter had prefab banquet structures ready for quick assembly.
“Please tell me that's not my seat.”
Pillars held up a tent, lanterns glowed—great ambiance. The issue? Residents' tables and chairs, then a tiered platform ahead. Not carpenter-made: a luxury table from trade. One chair only.
“No way that's mine? The platform's fine, but it screams throne...”
“Master, accept it. That's me convincing residents to keep it as humble as possible.”
“Sigh...”
As I entered, the chattering residents fell silent, eyes on me. A dozen pots bubbled furiously. No one had eaten, waiting.
“Your Excellency!”
Han Seol took a bowl from Im Jun-gu, placed it on the table.
“Oh...”
Shellfish and fish chunks in broth. Mine had four whole abalone; the rest finely chopped into the pots.
I sipped the broth.
“Mm.”
Expected mild from the huge batch, but the chefs nailed it. Touches of Korean, Japanese, Western—spicy from peppers, fresh from seafood. Mouthwatering.
“Delicious.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency!”
“Enjoy the feast, everyone... Don't overdo the drinking.”
“Your Exceelleeency!”
“Your Excellency! Thank you!”
“Your Excellency! Thanks for today's daily bread!”
“Your Excellency! Hooray!”
“Hooray! Hip hip hooray!”
“Yeah...”
I grabbed my bowl and headed back to the residence. No confidence sitting that throne-like stage under 250+ awed gazes. The raucous cheers outside made fine background music as I read comics through a joyful evening.
The 253 new residents from Ham Seong-hoon arrived. Population topped 500, but no level-up. 1,000 must be the threshold.
Surprisingly, tech experts across fields. Kim Dae-geon relayed: Reconstruction Government lost prestige, all hands on food production—no room for techies anymore.
All but one had loyalty over 50%. One older tech guy's was 24%.
“Ha...”
“Your Excellency?”
Voluntarily leaving home for here, yet 20s loyalty? Absurd; I let out a hollow laugh. Pointing at him, I asked Han Seol,
“Who's that guy?”
“Ah, Your Excellency. Worked as urban reconstruction tech for Reconstruction Government. Former university prof, high up... Must be desperate to defect.”
“Yeah? Bring him to me.”
“Yes!”
The white-haired man was summoned.
“Ah... Your Excellency...”
Grimacing at his fallen status, he replied sullenly. I ordered executives to house the rest and explain rules, leaving just us three.
“Hey.”
“Yes? Your Excellency?”
He looked flustered.
I usually accept most, but no troublemakers. Especially this type—can't forget past privilege despite losing everything, breeding resentment. Left alone, complaints grow; they'll crave power, cause incidents.
“What are you?”
“Pardon? I don't understand...”
“What are you?”
“...”
Click. As he stayed silent, Han Seol gripped her sword hilt.
“His Excellency questions you. Answer.”
“My name is...”
I cut him off irritably.
“Not your name... Sigh. Straight talk: Unhappy starting over here? Feeling fucked over? Answer.”
“Your Excellency, I came with family for a fresh start. No complaints.”
“Fine. Ten seconds to fix that mindset. Think of your wife and kids—act wisely.”
“Your Excellency, what do you...”
I silently counted ten, checked again.
Up, but barely 31%. I know I'm too soft and sympathetic for this brutal world. But not naive enough for unstable elements.
“Han Seol.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
“Remove him and his family from my land.”
“Yes, Your Excellency! As ordered!”
“Your Excellency?! Why? I swore loyalty! Your Excellency!”
He knelt, pleading upward.
“Y-Your Excellency! I-I'm sorry!”
“Nah, you don't even know what you did wrong. Back to Reconstruction or figure it out.”
“Your Excellency! Please! I'm sorry! So sorry!”
As he grabbed my pant leg while I turned, Han Seol drew her sword to his throat.
Shing.
“Hands off His Excellency's person. Final warning.”
I walked to the residence, ignoring his wails. Confirmed them outside the barrier, revoked citizenship.
Han Seol returned later.
“Do-hyun, expelled them all.”
“Yeah, good work. Too harsh?”
“No. New residents were glad to see it.”
“Glad?”
Apparently, en route he'd acted like leader, bossing folks. Fearing his knowledge meant favors here, they obeyed. Smart send-off. “Wash and feed the new ones. Health checks start tomorrow—hospital director'll be swamped. No external patients for now.”
“Yes! On it!”
New residents' loyalty hit 70%+ in a week. Probably old-timers spreading the “Your Excellency myth.”
Lee Kyung-min and doctors hustled.
“Your Excellency! How have you been?”
“Fine. Association okay?”
“Yes, Your Excellency! Thanks for asking! Chairman sends regrets for not visiting personally.”
“Got it.”
“Your Excellency... A private word.”
Kim Dae-geon mentioned an external patient: Republic of Korea government bigwig seeking treatment incognito. Na Jong-hoon, Chief Secretary, production-type Special Awakener. Ham Seong-hoon vouched anonymity, sent him via Kim.
Keeps health secret, wants discreet care.
“High official—Awakener?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. Special Awakener for production. Na Jong-hoon, Chief Secretary.”
“He wants anonymity, but okay to name?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. We follow you, not the government.”
Kim Dae-geon's loyal.
“Hm... Externals pay top dollar.”
Inner cheers, face neutral. How much to squeeze? Gangnam's Republic is Seoul's richest, most organized—still tops warlords despite decline. Aim: 1,000 premium liquor bottles lump sum for treatment/board.
Chief Secretary should swing it personally.
“Your Excellency, they offered 2,000 liquor bottles and 300 unopened cigarette cartons upfront.”
“...”
I'm small-time. Never dreamed such sums.
Grinning at Kim Dae-geon: “Bring him. Booze and smokes prepaid—bring with.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
Whatever the illness, recovery Awakeners failed, hence here. Treat, succeed, then gouge extra for “high med costs.”