Chapter 77
Chapter 77
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Prisoners of Yongsan Station
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Those living in Samira say they've regained their peace.
It's not quite like before, but they're enjoying a daily life free from the threat of death.
"We need to prepare for war."
But I'm still circling the gates, and the external activity team is fighting monsters that have poured in from somewhere.
So Samira's peace is like a candle flickering in the wind.
"How many gates do you think there are in this world? And out of those, how many have humans actually cleared?"
Humanity has already lost vast swaths of land to monsters.
Seoul is faring relatively better due to its high population density.
One awakener living in the countryside hit level 29 and still chose suicide.
Level 29 is an incredibly fast level-up pace, and at this point, they'd have hardly any equals in strength.
But there's no hope in sight.
It's not just Korea—overseas situations are much the same.
"We can't predict how things will change once the gates start collapsing."
We speculated that there are more gates collapsing than ones humanity is clearing.
That means the monster population will grow even larger than it is now.
Not just in numbers, but powerful monsters will emerge too.
Humanity's foothold is already precarious, and things are only getting worse.
"Since we've cleared the influence zone, should we redirect the external activity awakeners to manpower-short spots?"
"Well..."
"Who decided the influence zone anyway? Wasn't it just us?"
Kim Soo-jung lowered her head.
The Spirit Stone's safety wave offers protection, but it's not absolute.
"It's not just monsters we have to worry about. Everything outside Samira is an enemy."
The group already knew that.
They'd understand what I meant without me spelling it out.
But that wasn't enough.
I deliberately spoke harshly to drive the warning home.
"As I looked around Samira's territory, I noticed some people already growing complacent. Like fat pigs."
At the very least, my core group needed to align with my thinking.
If they slack off, all of Samira will follow.
"You all need to keep everyone in line."
"Yes..."
"Samira must keep advancing. The moment we settle for the status quo, we'll face death."
I locked eyes with each of them one by one.
I could feel their emotions.
My group sometimes shows softness, but they're no fools.
No need to say more.
"I'm sorry. I was being too complacent."
Kim Soo-jung was the first to show remorse.
The others followed suit.
'It's because they trust me.'
To them, I'm practically an object of faith now.
They believe that no matter the hardship, I'll handle it.
I knew that and issued the warning anyway.
Simply overcoming crises is different from thriving.
"I know you're all working hard. I just wanted to say it won't be enough if only you push yourselves."
"Got it. We'll keep that in mind."
Samira isn't protecting the people.
The members need to devote themselves to Samira.
That's how I can live well.
That's my goal.
After the group took a moment for some self-reflection...
"Um... Yi Hyun."
"Yes."
"Do you have any specific plans in mind?"
Kim Soo-jung asked with a sharper glint in her eyes than before.
"Yes. We'll raise more awakeners."
I realized I'd made one mistake.
Excluding awakened people from combat if their skills seemed useless.
"They're awakeners all the same. They can grow stronger by leveling up."
"True."
"We'll expand Samira's activity radius. We'll make as many awakeners fight monsters and level up as possible."
There are awakeners who only work inside Samira's territory.
Due to their skills or personal inclinations.
I'd concluded we need to force them into external activities up to a certain level.
"That'll make us even shorter on manpower for other tasks."
"Exactly. That's why we need to grow our forces."
"Or have the civilians work harder than they do now."
I'm not planning to overhaul the system overnight.
There are physical limits.
"We'll do it in stages. Set a benchmark level—10 or 20, whatever—and promote those who reach it to full members."
"Yes."
"Create clear incentives for those who want to level up on their own."
Material rewards or psychological ones.
There are plenty of ways to differentiate treatment.
"And even just awakening should make life way better than a civilian's."
"Uh... even level 1?"
"Yes. We already have pay differences, but make them starker."
"Should we separate living quarters or add restrictions for civilians?"
"Do whatever."
Some people awaken after killing just one goblin, while others need ten or more.
I see it as talent for mana.
People have different aptitudes, so even civilians now might awaken a Fundamental Skill later.
By favoring awakeners overall, we'll motivate people to awaken.
"Bro. But ultimately, we need more people to pull off more options..."
"Right. Convenience of living aside... we're short-staffed."
The group had finally reached the same conclusion as me.
That's why I'd said from the start we need to expand our forces.
No matter how hard we squeeze the current people, there's a limit.
"I originally planned to scout and absorb nearby groups."
By force or alliance.
The method isn't the issue.
There are no groups nearby to absorb.
"Clear the remaining emergency gates and head to Namsan?"
I shook my head at Jang Ho-seop's question.
I shared the plan I'd been mulling over alone.
"Remember when Ho-seop uploaded the wrong photo and we got raided?"
"Uh, no, bro. Why bring that up...?"
"Let's use that method."
"Huh?"
If we can't track people down, we make them come to Samira.
"I hesitated because it's risky, but I think it's doable. Ah, this isn't set in stone."
To draw people in, we need bait and to expose our location.
That could invite enemies right to our door.
Like when I attacked President Park's market.
"Bro. I analyzed Samira's... military strength? While looking at the plaza."
"Yeah."
"Samira's strong. Lots of awakeners, well-armed. And crucially, you've got you."
Truth be told, my proposal relies on confidence in my own level.
"The problem is you won't always stay in Samira..."
"Right."
"And if we're ambushed, we could lose even to weaker groups."
Jang Ho-seop voiced my exact concerns.
"You told me to think of ways to expand last time. I've got an idea that might patch that weakness if combined."
"What's that?"
His idea was still about finding other groups.
But not wandering aimlessly—he'd put thought into it.
"Can you give me a bit of time? Personnel issues on our end too. I'll consult Mom and get back ASAP."
"Sure. Let's do that."
I nodded at Jang Ho-seop's idea.
But we'd have to wait a little.
Can't rush into execution just because there's a plan.
"Then finally..."
The meeting had stretched longer than expected.
"We've brought the prisoners from Yongsan Station."
"Prisoners? Oh, the ones in the lobby?"
"Yeah. Auntie, get them cleaned up, fed, and give them clothes."
I began explaining the prisoners I'd lured from Kang Hye-seon.
I explained to the group how to handle the prisoners.
I had no intention of punishing them the same as Samira's own criminals.
We'll treat them differently.
"Should we just show them around Samira today?"
"Yes. That way they'll hold onto hope."
The Yongsan Station prisoners will get the dirty, grueling, dangerous jobs.
That's why I brought them.
Like cleaning waste or lab experiments.
There are jobs everyone avoids.
"They're our first test subjects. Also for figuring out how to integrate new people into Samira."
In exchange, the prisoners have hope for tomorrow.
If they do well, we'll wipe their past clean and accept them as members.
The path will be brutal, though.
"Of course, normal recruits will get better treatment. They'll start as interns, while the prisoners are... well..."
"Slaves."
"Slaves?"
"Yeah. What you described is straight-up slavery. No freedom, slaving away like machines every day... oh, but they have hope."
Jang Ho-seop was impressed by my plan.
Going forward, Samira's members will see the prisoners and realize there's a harder, harsher life than theirs.
And that they could fall into it if they screw up.
Conversely, as Samira grows, current members will enjoy even more comfort and luxury.
Because others will handle the jobs they hate.
So the prisoners are both the whip and the carrot.
"Not slaves—let's call them job applicants."
"Even then, everyone'll think slaves..."
"Ah, since they're applicants, we'll number them. Applicant No. 1, No. 2, and so on."
"No, numbering them too makes it totally..."
I stared at Jang Ho-seop.
The kid averted his eyes after cracking wise.
"You've been to the army, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
"How'd you survive basic? They called you by number there too."
"Well, you have to, and it ends eventually... ah."
"Same for the prisoners. We need them to see their situation not as despair, but as hope to become Samira members."
Jang Ho-seop shut his mouth, stunned.
"Here's the prisoner profiles Kang Hye-seon wrote up, crimes included."
"Got it. I'll reference them."
"And any unhappy with our offer, bring to me. We don't need dissenters."
We wrapped up with the prisoners.
"Hyun-ah. Lunch plans? Eating at home?"
"Yeah. Just checking the Spirit Stone."
"Okay! Sis'll head home and prep!"
Everyone left, and I checked the Spirit Stone alone.
The Spirit Stone had finished leveling up.
It had nearly doubled in size.
At least a meter tall now.
'The rest is similar...'
Mana usage efficiency improved, safety wave range expanded, and so on.
The existing effects had been enhanced again with this level-up.
And there was a new function.
It tells the locations of gates around where the Spirit Stone is installed.
Range up to the safety wave's reach.
No more trudging around hunting gates myself.
Less worry about hidden gates in hard-to-see spots or new ones popping up.
Curious how it shows locations, I tried Gate Detection right away.
'Holy shit.'
I jumped.
Mana drain was insane.
But that wasn't the problem.
The Gate Detection had a feature even crazier than locating gates.
Guess I'll have to call the group back.
That evening.
Kim Soo-jung brought the Yongsan Station prisoners to the main building.
"They can't do it?"
"Sigh... yes."
"All of them?"
"Yes, sorry."
Auntie bowed her head in embarrassment.
In the lobby stood 10 prisoners with chins held high.
We'd brought 21 from Yongsan Station total.
Half had refused the offer.
I couldn't believe it.