Viscount
"Don't you want anything? More fruit, maybe? Or some other food you're craving? We even have sashimi. Haven't you ever wanted to try raw fish?"
"No, honestly, even this feels too much already... I keep wondering if I really deserve it."
It had been three days since Na Hye-won used her ability to strengthen mine, right before the 24-hour mark each day. Fortunately, after she used it on me, I'd sleep for about nine hours and wake up feeling healthy again. Plus, lying in the single-person recovery room all day was visibly improving my condition.
From the very first day I received the enhancement, I'd been concerned about Na Hye-won's health. The recovery room handled physical recovery, but mental health was another matter. She'd been separated from her father, and from now on, she'd have to live here. As long as the Korean Reconstruction Government didn't collapse, rumors would spread, so she'd have to avoid exposure as much as possible and stay indoors.
The moment she tasted using her enhancement ability, Na Hye-won had become one of Nakyuan's most vital human resources. Cola production had doubled, making my life blissfully happy these days. No more counting every last can in despair—I could pull them out and drink as much as I wanted.
Na Hye-won seemed thrilled just to be healthy herself and showed no complaints about being confined to the hospital.
"I'm serious—if you need anything, tell me or Director Lee Kyung-min anytime."
"Yes, thank you so much for caring."
"Alright, see you tomorrow."
Our conversations might sound like daily sick visits, but in reality, I was coming every day for enhancements.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
As I turned to leave the recovery room, Na Hye-won spoke up.
"Director Lee mentioned there's a bathhouse here..."
"You want to check it out? But as the only daughter of the presidential secretary, I figured you'd enjoyed something like that before the government fell?"
"Yes, but he said it's exactly like the bathhouses that existed before the world ended."
"Got it. Let's go tonight."
"Your Excellency, thank you!"
Na Hye-won beamed innocently. Truth be told, I was the one who felt more grateful. She had no idea that by halving her production time, she'd doubled our territory's already abundant food output.
"Your Excellency, tuna belly."
"Thanks."
"..."
I felt uneasy leaving Na Hye-won alone in the women's bath, so I sent Han Seol and Han Byeol along with her, plus her personal doctor Lee Kyung-min and guard Jeong Su-hwan.
After the bath, we'd called in a chef for dinner. Na Hye-won stared silently at the tuna belly, its marbling perfection.
"Your Excellency, is this really tuna?"
"Yeah. You didn't bat an eye when I asked if you wanted sashimi earlier, but now you're surprised?"
"Oh, no, I didn't think you were lying. It's just... raw fish sashimi in Seoul these days? I figured it was some dish they were calling 'sashimi'..."
I'd explained my abilities to Na Hye-won to some extent, including the seafood facilities. Her shock seemed odd.
"You've had hospital food like clam miso soup and grilled fish."
"Yes, but I never dreamed actual sashimi existed..."
"Dig in, then."
Thanks to her, sashimi production had doubled too. Essentially, she was eating the tuna sashimi her own ability had boosted.
Over twenty trucks rolled into the territory.
"Your Excellency, I hope you've been well!"
"Yeah, I didn't expect the chairman to go this far."
Ham Seong-hoon had sent 523 new residents. Issuing citizenship would push our population past 1,000.
Surprisingly, 9 of the 523 were Awakeners. Kim Dae-geon explained that changing the request to "about 500 desperate people with clean records and good reputations" had moved them. Hearing we'd feed, clothe, and shelter even non-skilled folks or kids without conditions, they'd pledged loyalty if it was real.
All nine were Common Awakeners from a vigilante group protecting the weak. Their leader was Han Eun-ji, a 28-year-old woman.
I asked Kim Dae-geon to thank Ham Seong-hoon, sending 2,000 cans, 100 cartons of cigarettes, 500 bottles of liquor, plus some meat, veggies, and milk as thanks. He insisted the merchants expected no reward, but I forced it on him. Those trucks guzzled fuel; we weren't taking handouts.
Last time, he'd slipped away before I could give gifts. Over half our residents were handpicked by Ham Seong-hoon—the Union leader deserved this much.
After Kim Dae-geon left, Han Seol and Han Byeol briefed the newcomers on rules and precautions at the barrier, warning not to panic if lights shone from homes.
They looked ragged and starved, yet hadn't turned to crime. Trustworthy.
"Issue citizenship."
523 citizenship cards dropped at the new residents' feet. As expected from the hungry bunch, the lowest loyalty was 48%—a young-looking guy who'd easily hit 50% after cleaning up and eating. All passed.
"Lord Marshal! Thank you! Thank you!"
"Your Excellency! Thank you!"
"Enough kneeling—stand up."
The newcomers rose, bowing. Anticipating them, chefs had set out cookware to boil nutrient-packed soup for 500—seafood, meat, veggies galore.
My heart raced. It was time.
"It's here!"
1,000 was the key. Marquis probably needed 10,000—dizzying to think about.
Whoooong—the observer tower glowed white. Familiar now, the light felt welcoming.
The 1st Guard Unit encircled me.
"Everyone! Stay calm and close your eyes!"
Han Seol and Han Byeol ordered the newcomers. Seconds later, the light flashed like a bomb.
When I came to, Jeong Su-hwan and Im Jui were supporting me.
"Your Excellency! Your Excellency!"
"Huh? Guess I blacked out..."
Newcomers murmured.
"Th-this..."
"Is this possible?"
"Rumors were true... no, this is beyond rumors."
A flood of info poured into my head. The territory expanded to 7x7—49 cells from 25. Surprisingly, nearby ruins like tall shops inside the barrier crumbled to rubble.
Han Seol and Han Byeol nodded silently— they'd handle newcomers; I should check the tower.
Leaving officials in charge, I headed to the tower, grinning uncontrollably from the info overload.
The tower gained two floors, now five stories total.
"Finally feels like a proper tower."
Viscount rewards outshone other unlocks.
Skipping the entrance, I hit the elevator room. Buttons now: [R·5·4·3·2·1·B1·B2]. Floors 4 and 5 added.
First, B2.
"Hm..."
B2 unchanged—cool, ventilated massive warehouse. No tingle of change.
Up to B1.
"There it is."
The awaited tingle enveloped me. Hallway flanked by four warehouses each side—eight total. Open: plain left-first and right-first 'Food Storage 1'.
I turned the right-second knob.
Creeeak—door opened, info flooded.
Daily Necessities Storage 1
"Oh..."
Like Food Storage 1—shelves galore, but stocked with daily goods.
"No way?"
Tingle lingered, so left-second knob—also opened. Tingle gone; two rooms unlocked on B1.
Daily Necessities Storage 2
Identical stockpiles. No leaks—jackpot.
"We couldn't produce these, but now we're set."
Shelves brimmed: soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, towels, toilet paper, wet wipes, masks, cotton swabs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cleanser, detergent, softener, bleach—everything.
Normally restocked biweekly, but with Na Hye-won's enhancement, weekly. Our people lived hygienically compared to outsiders, but soap shortages persisted. Bathhouse had minimal disposables; these tube toothpaste crates (three per room) meant abundance.
Self-sufficient on sundries—peace of mind. Skipped boring 1F, up to 2F.
Passed drone room, preservation, command—fourth door knob.
Click
"Ah... ruined the vibe. Why lock this?"
Whatever's inside must be epic—or needs separate unlock.
3F hydroponics same—third reinforcement unchanged, fourth locked. Mild regret, but 4F/5F awaited.
4F: no zones—half occupied by massive complex machine, input bin nearby. SF cryo-pods lined beside.
Workshop
"Whoa..."
Info confirmed: 'Workshop'—craft gear from monster corpses, not junk. We'd saved Moon Dancer bones/scales. Dying to test, but waiting for Han sisters.
"Last floor first..."
I stood awestruck for over ten minutes.
5F: two rooms.
"Ah."
Grabbed knob—felt it. 'Office' and 'Secretary's Office'.
"Workshop's huge; expecting more would be greedy..."
Swallowed disappointment, opened office.
"Overkill."
Luxury furniture everywhere—purpose-built for work. Black desk with three monitors, printer. All office essentials; side room with shower, bed. Center: round table, black leather sofas for guests. Premium teas, coffees stocked.
"Fridge too."
Motel-style mini-fridge in corner.
Creeeak—opened to shock: packed with bottled beers, varieties galore. 7 per floor—14 total. Black opener beside. Ice-cold.
Mouth watered; sudden thirst. Even my pre-apocalypse favorite import (four cans for 10,000 won).
"Whew..."
Grabbed one, secured opener, flicked wrist.
Pop, clink—cap flew, cold mist rose.
Cola was great, but fizzy cold bottled beer? Did I deserve this bliss?
Grateful, cradled the cold bottle and chugged. Sharp carbonation, hops, barley scorched my throat. Faint alcohol wafted. So fresh, cold—throat freezing. Two years later, heavenly.
"Ha!"
Meant a sip; downed half. Savored bitter aftertaste, finished it.
Biweekly refill normally; now weekly. Emptied one, instinctively grabbed another, headed to secretary's office.
"More moved than the workshop..."
Similar luxury—multiple desks/chairs for staff. No fridge, sadly. Emptied another while browsing.
Never realized my beer love. Downed two; grabbed third, descended to 1F, gazed out.
Senior residents tending newcomers—washing, feeding. Abundance.
"Do-hyun, resident meals starting..."
"Huh?"
I stared blankly at Han Seol; she tilted her head.
"Do-hyun... your face is really red. You okay?"