There Is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

"..What?"

The reason for the Safe Zone had been revealed. But that wasn't the end of it. New notifications popped up one after another.

'Ownership challenge?' My eyes narrowed.

"Crazy bastards."

The curse slipped out before I could stop it. You can't stay anywhere other than a Safe Zone for more than 12 hours. The manager of a Safe Zone is subject to ownership challenges three times a day. The system was forcing humans to fight each other.

"S-Si-woo. That notification just now..."

Lee Seol-ah fumbled at the air, her face deathly pale. Her pupils were trembling violently. Just then, I felt a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠small hand gripping my sleeve. Yu-ah was looking up at me with an anxious expression.

"Oppa, why are you like that? What's going on...? What was that notification that unnie was talking about..."

I placed a hand on my sister's head and spoke.

"A system rule was added. From now on, if you stay in one place for more than 12 hours, a monster wave will attack that location."

"Monsters? You mean those monsters we saw on the way here?"

"Yeah, those ugly things."

Yu-ah tilted her head and continued, "But then... does that mean we can only stay here for 12 hours too? And what about the people hiding? There must be a lot of them in our apartment building..."

"No, we can stay here as long as we want. This is a place where we can just stay put. And..." I leaned down slightly to meet my sister's eyes. "The people hiding have to come out. If they want to live. Because the world has changed like that now."

"...Okay. I understand."

At that moment, Lee Seol-ah, who had been fidgeting beside us,tediously interrupted.

"E-excuse me, Si-woo. Then what are we supposed to do now? You saw the rules! We could be challenged three times a day...!"

— Ssssh.

I slowly turned my head to look at Lee Seol-ah. I brought my index finger to my nose, gesturing for her to be quiet. She flinched and clamped her mouth shut.

'Stop.'

She nodded at my silent command. There was no need to say unnecessary things in front of Yu-ah. I turned my gaze back to my sister.

"Don't worry about anything."

"Oppa..."

"No matter what happens, it doesn't matter. I'm here, so don't worry. You just have to trust me and get some rest."

At my calm voice, Yu-ah's pupils settled down a little. She gave a small smile and let go of my sleeve.

"Okay. I'll trust you, Oppa."

Only then did I look up. The system messages were still floating there.

'Three ownership challenges a day.'

Survivors would be desperately searching for safe zones starting tomorrow. And the moment they found out there was a Safe Zone here, they would try to stick a knife in my back one way or another.

'Come if you dare.'

I lightly stroked the short sword at my waist. The Shadow Fang shimmered with a blue light. If they threatened my family, I would just treat them the same way.

"Anyway..."

I shook off my thoughts and looked down at the floor. The magic circle glowed faintly.

'What the notification said earlier...'

[Ownership and administrative rights of the Safe Zone will be immediately transferred.]

It definitely said administrative rights. There might be more control than just blocking monsters from entering.

I stared into the air and muttered quietly.

'Administrator rights.'

Nothing appeared. 'No? Administrator ability.' Same thing. All I could see in front of me was the wall.

'..Is there nothing? Did I think wrong?'

But I didn't stop. If it existed, not knowing about it would be too much of a loss.

'Administrator management rights.'

'Administrator control.'

'Administrator menu.'

— Ding!

How many times had I said it? A new translucent window popped up with a mechanical notification sound.

'Ha... they could have just said yes to something similar.'

I shook my head. It was all the same thing. The system was so inflexible.

"Oh."

The corners of my mouth curled up slightly. There weren't any world-shattering powers, but it wasn't bad. It meant Yu-ah could rest more comfortably.

"First, the temperature."

Because it was a subway station waiting room, the cold air rose from the floor. I adjusted the environment settings to 24 degrees Celsius and set the humidity to a comfortable level. Then, I activated the power supply button.

— Zzzzzzt... Click!

Following the boundary of the magic circle, the emergency lights and several fluorescent lights that had been off began to glow.

"Oh...?" Lee Seol-ah reacted first. "The... the lights are on."

Yu-ah looked up at the ceiling with wide eyes. At the same time, the air inside began to warm up. The feeling against our skin became cozy.

"Wow, this is crazy... This is really crazy. Did you do this, Si-woo?"

"Yeah, there was a separate manager menu."

I nodded nonchalantly. Lee Seol-ah rubbed her arms as if it were fascinating.

"How is it, Yu-ah? Is it better?"

"Yes, it's much warmer."

My sister's smile made me feel good for no reason. 'But, what about washing up?'

Light and temperature were solved, but the rest was a problem. If we couldn't handle basic physiological needs, we'd have no choice but to leave. I checked the manager window again. And, at the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠very bottom of the menu, I saw it.

"Oh..."

A small additional option caught my eye.

'50 a day?'

It was by no means a small amount. Usually, a monster dropped about 5 coins when killed. I would have to catch at least ten a day. I furrowed my brow for a moment. But the moment my gaze fell on Yu-ah, my hesitation didn't last long.

'Whatever, I'll just go out and earn them.'

I had to get stronger for my sister anyway. Coins would naturally follow in that process. As monsters got stronger, the amount they dropped would increase as well. I pressed the activation button without regret.

I turned my gaze to Yu-ah and spoke.

"Yu-ah, go to the restroom inside and wash up. I've made sure the sink works."

"Oh? Didn't you say the water wasn't coming out anymore?"

"It wasn't, but I saw that I could make it work here. You should be able to use it comfortably."

"Wow... Oppa, you're the best."

My sister's praise made me feel proud. Just then, Lee Seol-ah interrupted in surprise.

"What? Water is coming out!? Wow... this place really is heaven. I'm going to go wash up too...!"

"Where do you think you're going?"

Her excited steps stopped. I looked down at her coldly and gestured with my chin.

"You pay to use it."

"...Eh?" Lee Seol-ah looked back at me with a blank expression. "What? I, I don't have any money...? My trait isn't related to monsters... I've never even seen a coin..."

"Then hand over some items you have. There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

As I drew a firm line, Lee Seol-ah made a crying face.

"N-no! We formed a party earlier! We even signed a contract, isn't it too heartless to be like this over using water once!?"

"Party members are party members, and water bills are water bills."

Lee Seol-ah pouted at my iron wall. No matter how much she did that, it wouldn't work on me. Just as she was about to open her mouth to look at me again—

"Oppa..."

A small hand tugged at my sleeve. Yu-ah called out to me as if scolding me. She glared at Lee Seol-ah. I met my sister's eyes and let out a short sigh.

"Haa..."

There's no older brother who can win against his younger sister. How long had we even known her, and she was already forming an attachment? "Fine. Use it for now, use it. But I'm definitely putting it on your tab. I'll make sure to collect it with interest when you're navigating later, so be prepared."

"Hehe, okay! I'll guide you until my bones break!"

Lee Seol-ah bowed her head and grabbed Yu-ah's hand, heading toward the restroom. She certainly had a thick skin.

Leaving the two of them behind, I took out the three sleeping bags I had bought from the shop and spread them on the floor. Before long, I heard splashing footsteps. Water was dripping from the tips of their bangs and chins. I furrowed my brow at Yu-ah's wet hair.

"Yu-ah, weren't there any towels inside?"

"No. There was just a sink."

"You'll catch a cold if you don't dry off."

I clicked my tongue and immediately opened the shop window.

I bought a towel and tossed it onto Yu-ah's head. "Dry off well. I turned up the heat, but you'll still be cold if you're wet. Don't catch a cold."

"Thanks, Oppa."

Just as Yu-ah was smiling and wiping her face with the towel, a stinging gaze landed on my cheek. When I turned my head, Lee Seol-ah was staring at me with a pitiful expression. Water dripped down her forehead. Anyone would think she had gotten wet on purpose.

'She seems to be getting more shameless by the day.'

I naturally turned my head. Ignoring her was the answer. But then.

"Unnie, use this first. You washed up with really cold water, right?"

Yu-ah handed the towel that had been on her head to her. "Oh my, really? Thanks, Yu-ah! You're the best!"

Lee Seol-ah didn't even pretend to refuse. I let out a short sigh at that absurd sight. 'I'm going crazy.'

When did they even start using informal speech with each other? I didn't have a choice since I couldn't leave Yu-ah wet. I resignedly purchased another towel from the shop.

— Thump.

I picked up the new towel that fell from the air and handed it to Yu-ah. And then, I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠immediately looked at Lee Seol-ah and added, "I'm putting the towel cost on your tab too. I'll make sure to get my money's worth later, so be prepared."

"Hehe, of course! I'll work hard enough to pay for my meals!"

Did I bring her along for nothing? I felt a sense of regret for some reason. I gestured toward my sister, who had roughly wiped off the water.

"Yu-ah, just get some sleep for now. You must not have rested properly while you were home alone, so you'll probably feel refreshed after sleeping for just an hour or two."

"Are you sure? What about you, Oppa?"

"I'm fine. I slept well yesterday. You lie down first, I'll go lie down next to you after I finish what I need to do."

At my words, Yu-ah stared at me quietly. Just as I was about to ask, 'Why?', my sister spread her arms and hugged me tightly.

"Thanks, Oppa."

Then she slipped into the sleeping bag. The warmth remained in the air. 'Yu-ah really is the bes—'

"A-are you sure? ...I can sleep too, right?"

A voice interrupted my thoughts. Lee Seol-ah was already dry. To think she'd interrupt this good moment.

"I told you to sleep..."

I didn't finish the sentence. There was nothing for Lee Seol-ah to do right now anyway. Above all, it might be better for someone to be next to Yu-ah than for her to sleep alone in this large place.

"Do as you like. I have things to do..."

"Yay! Thank you!"

Before I could even finish speaking, Lee Seol-ah headed to her sleeping bag. '..Should I kill her or let her live?'

I was seriously, truly considering it.

"Oppa, don't overdo ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it and make sure you rest too..."

"Okay, go to sleep, Yu-ah."

After roughly replying to Yu-ah's worried nagging, I sat down with my back against a pillar. I thought the waiting room would be quiet soon. But.

"Hey, can I call you Seol-ah Unnie? How old are you?"

"Oh my, of course! I'm twenty-four. How about you, Yu-ah?"

"I'm fourteen! First year of middle school..."

"Oh my, you're just a baby! You should be playing with your friends at school, what is this world coming to."

They seemed to get along better than I thought. The chatter and silly laughter didn't fit the changed world. 'Yeah, if you're happy, Yu-ah... that's enough.'

I should do what I need to do. Turning my back on those peaceful voices, I pulled up the community window in the air. Outside, darkness would be slowly settling in. In just a few hours, someone might come looking for us. I had to check if there was any information I had missed.

****

And 3:00 AM. The Safe Zone was silent. The two of them were in a deep sleep without even a twitch. Lee Seol-ah was even snoring.

'So... comfortable. How did I end up picking up someone like that...'

I was sitting near the boundary of the magic circle. The reason was simple.

— Tap, tap-tap.

Now, it was time for guests to arrive.