240 Hours (End)

Seo Hyejin's class is Lord. She has the stats, but there was nothing she could actually do with them, so she went through hell over it.

Lord.

Among the six classes in Brave Saga Online, it was the only one that could found a guild.

According to Han Sora, it was also the only class capable of constructing a territory, designating building attributes, and appointing retainers. Once the level climbed high enough, you could raise walls and develop all kinds of territory-specific traits to bolster defenses.

Translating that from game to reality... a high-level Lord who managed their territory with real discipline stood a strong chance of creating something approaching a Clean Zone. No — Sora had said that well-run guilds could grow to nearly the scale of a nation. In other words, raise a Lord properly and you could forge a power capable of guaranteeing people's safety.

The problem was that the stats were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠correspondingly pathetic. Even at higher levels, a Lord was too weak to hunt monsters of the same level alone. Aside from being able to wield a sword and spear, they had no offensive skills and no defensive measures whatsoever.

Among the survivors from the old Daengdaeng Elementary School, there had apparently been quite a few Lords. But with their numbers whittled down to around twenty, the only Lord left was Seo Hyejin.

Most of the rest were Blacksmiths or Mages — and even those Mages specialized in alchemy or illusion rather than combat. It was a structure that inevitably put Kim Seyeon, the Cleric, and Park Seeun, the sole Warrior, in the spotlight.

Even so, Seo Hyejin had thrown herself into everything for the survivors' sake. She and a friend named Min Jeong had ventured outside trying to scavenge daily necessities. She'd nearly been captured and tormented in an orc den. And when the skeletons stormed the elementary school, she'd stood by Park Seeun to the end, rallying her and fighting to protect the remaining survivors.

Which meant... if Kim Seyeon and I ever left this place, there was no one better suited to lead than her.

It also meant Seo Hyejin absolutely had to become strong enough to found a guild.

"Um, Jeong Hoon...?"

"Ah, forgive me."

I'd been lost in thought too long.

"What were you worrying about, sitting out here alone with a drink looking so lonely?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Seo Hyejin settled into the seat beside me.

For the rooftop party, we'd hauled some decent finds from a nearby furniture store and clothing shop. Thanks to that, Seo Hyejin and I were enjoying the comfort of a leather sofa liberated from the furniture store.

But just like yesterday... this woman was making no secret of trying to appeal to me.

Naturally, I saw that attitude as nothing but an advantage.

"I was pondering how this happiness might be made to last," I said.

"My goodness... is that so?"

"Indeed. Look at their faces. At this humble little gathering... see how relief and joy overflow across every expression? The only thing that troubles me is that nine days from now, whether a gathering like this can even be held remains uncertain."

I laid out the concerns I'd been carrying, making sure Seo Hyejin would keep her attention fixed on my earnest demeanor.

Just as expected, she stayed right beside me, nodding along enthusiastically to everything I said.

"Grrrk... that bitch is seriously...!"

"Sora? You need to restrain yourself. Jeong Hoon is doing all of this for our sake, you know."

"I know that, unnie... but... grrk...!"

From across the way, the sound of Han Sora grinding her teeth drifted to my ears, but I ignored it.

Sora, keep your voice down. What if Seo Hyejin hears you? Are you trying to demolish the tower I've been carefully building?

"Grandma Yeon Boksoon said something," I continued. "That simply being able to look at the night sky again filled her with joy. Hearing that made my heart grow heavier still. I found myself wondering whether it was truly all right to let this happiness end here."

"Oh my, to care about us that much... Jeong Hoon, you're truly so kind."

This Seo Hyejin... is she actually pretending not to hear Sora's voice carrying straight over to us?

She pressed her shoulder flush against my arm, and every chance she got she rested her hand on my knee or my arm, leaning her face in close.

I'd never been to a club or a mixer, but I was certain of one thing: the Seo Hyejin sitting next to me right now felt like a pro. She either had plenty of dating experience or was exceptionally skilled at seducing men. The only other explanation was that she was the reincarnation of a thousand-year-old gumiho.

"I am no immortal," I said. "A single moment's mistake could see me die an untimely death. But if I were to perish suddenly as I am now... who would protect these people's smiles? That is what I fear most of all."

"Die...? Please don't say such things. Just hearing it makes me sad, Jeong Hoon..."

Now she was leaning against me outright.

Your chest is pressing right up against me, Seo Hyejin!

Just how good are you at reeling men in?! I shouldn't say this, but a guy who talks in this stiff formal register and radiates serious, no-nonsense energy doesn't seem like the type ordinary women would be drawn to. You're nothing like the pure, innocent image you had when I first met you! I'm grateful, but still!

Seo Hyejin's seductive firepower was impressive, but I didn't react much. Was it the influence of Lawful Good? No. I could say that with certainty.

My brain and eyes had spent the past several days getting thoroughly accustomed to her — Kim Seyeon, the black-haired beauty in glasses who radiated sensuality without even trying.

"What is certain," I said, "is that we must not allow this peace to end after a mere ten days. And to ensure that, considerable effort will be required. Above all else... the Administrator who so thoroughly irritated our ears gave us a hint himself. We have no choice but to make full use of it."

"I see... wait. A hint?"

Seo Hyejin clearly hadn't given the Administrator's words any thought.

Well, unless you were someone like me who had the leisure to silently rain curses on that bastard, or someone sharp like Kim Seyeon, most people wouldn't carefully parse that irritating speech of his.

In a moment like this, I felt that giving the answer straight was the right call. No — according to Kim Seyeon, it was the right call.

"I mean you, Seo Hyejin. Your class is Lord, is it not?"

"...What?"

Her expression locked up as if she'd never seen it coming.

"H-how did you...?"

And right on cue, as if she'd been waiting for my words, Kim Seyeon's voice rang out.

"Ahem! Attention, everyone enjoying the party! Eyes on me, please! Attention!"

As if she'd done this a hundred times, Kim Seyeon held up a microphone — a wireless karaoke mic we'd found at the mart — and drew everyone's focus with a bright, polished voice.

As expected of a former teacher. Having someone this capable — this succu— this competent — at my side was nothing short of an enormous stroke of fortune.

"The person who planned and hosted today's party has something he absolutely must say to all of you. I'd like to take a moment to introduce him. The man who brought us ten days of comfort — our hero, Jeong Hoon!"

"Wooo!"

"Oppa!"

Clap clap clap clap...

People poured out cheers and applause without anyone needing to prompt them.

Ahem. I don't want to get carried away by cheers, but getting a round of applause from the women and kids while preparing to give a speech does make the shoulders swell a bit, doesn't it? Of course, Lawful Good has the gravitas locked down so tight that not a shred of frivolity would show on me.

I rose from my seat and walked over to Kim Seyeon. Behind me, I heard Seo Hyejin murmur, "W-wait... Jeong Hoon?" I didn't respond for now.

Instead, under the gaze of dozens of people, I took the microphone — batteries included — from Kim Seyeon. I cleared my throat ever so slightly, then began to speak in a calm, measured tone.

"Good evening, everyone. My name is Jeong Hoon. Until this incident began, I was an ordinary man who spent each day searching for work, wondering how I would get by."

After offering a self-introduction so candid I could barely believe it myself, I went straight to the point.

"It brings me immense joy to see all of you enjoying this moment. Humble as this party may be, every time I look upon these happy faces, my chest swells with pride. If the opportunity arises, I would like to host gatherings like this again — no, gatherings far finer than this one — and bring happiness to you all."

"Humble? This is the best, Jeong Hoon!"

"Jeong Hoon oppa, you're ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠amazing!"

"J-Jeong Hoon oppa... the best!"

I heard Kim Seyeon, Han Sora, and Park Seeun working the crowd. Others joined in with fresh applause. Clap clap clap... Good. This was really good.

"However, we all know the truth. We feel it in our bones — that the time we have to savor this happiness is desperately short. The Clean Zone the Administrator promised us lasts ten days. After today, eight remain. Beyond that, we must once again survive each day under the constant dread that crisis could strike at any hour. Perhaps a monster even more terrible than the Skeleton King that tormented us these past few days will threaten our survival."

I drew a slow breath. Somewhere among the audience, I heard someone swallow hard.

This was the speaking technique Kim Seyeon had taught me. When delivering a long speech that carried weight, pausing briefly in the middle helped sharpen the audience's focus.

"You do not wish to lose this. Is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that not so?"

And tossing an unexpected question at the crowd like this, she'd whispered, also helped stoke concentration and interest.

"This moment, this happiness... this comfort. Do you not feel that you cannot bear to let it go? At the very least, that is how I feel. Kim Seyeon, Park Seeun, Han Sora, and I poured every ounce of our strength into barely defeating that dreadful Skeleton King. As a reward for slaying the monster, we received a temporary peace, and we rejoiced. At the same time, we thought: if we could receive such a reward again in the future... then we must become people capable of earning it. No — more precisely, we realized that the number of people strong enough to earn such a reward must grow."

I saw someone in the crowd catch their breath. It was the very person I'd been speaking with moments ago. Seo Hyejin's expression shifted as if she'd already anticipated what I would say next.

Yes. Sharp as ever.

"...Through this gathering, I wish to say this to all of you. I want to help you survive. But it is help of an entirely different kind from what I have offered until now. I want to help you grow stronger. Using this strange system — the system granted to us survivors based on the game Brave Saga Online — to its absolute limit, I want to help you become strong enough that even after these eight days end, you can still savor moments like this one."

In that instant, I saw it.

The eyes of some among them, filled with a complex swirl of emotion. From those eyes alone, I could guess what they wanted to say.

It wasn't Why should we have to go through all that trouble? It was closer to Why would you go so far for us...! Wow. Lawful Good really was broken in this department.

Goodness demonstrated through action always carried persuasive power, as the saying went.

The goodwill I had shown the survivors through my deeds was transforming into trust and faith. Unshakable trust and faith that made them want to follow whatever I said.

"I know full well that this will be a painful path. No matter how meticulously we plan, I cannot guarantee there will be no missteps. So I make you this promise here and now. Should you choose not to join this plan, you will suffer no disadvantage whatsoever. I understand completely. After enduring such grueling days and finally finding peace, if you feel no need to walk a hard road once more — I understand that feeling all too well."

"..."

The partygoers fell silent.

Whether it was because they'd been treated so well only to feel blindsided, or because they agreed with what I'd said, I couldn't yet tell. The light was too dim to make out their faces properly.

But if those moved eyes I'd seen earlier hadn't been wrong...

In that moment, someone raised a hand. A woman of some years among our group. A former housewife, as I recalled.

"W-when... when would we start...? Jeong Hoon... ssi? Jeong Hoon... nim?"

"...Jeong Hoon is fine. Please, address me comfortably."

The courage she showed spread to the others in an instant.

People raised their hands one after another, questions flooding in — how was the leveling course planned, when would it start and end, there were no monsters in the Clean Zone so did that mean going outside it, and so on.

How was I supposed to handle this many questions alone? Obviously I couldn't!

But you already know who's at my side.

"Everyone! Please direct the detailed questions to me as well! I'll answer as thoroughly as I can."

Kim Seyeon stepped up beside me with Park Seeun and Han Sora in tow. With support this solid, there was no room for me to waver.

"Um, Jeong Hoon! No — Jeong Hoon oppa! Are you planning to run that leveling program through the subway stations in XX-gu?"

"I have it under consideration. You have a keen eye."

"I'll elaborate! As much as possible, we plan to conduct the leveling program during the day through drive hunts in open outdoor areas! However, to build the ability to handle certain situations, we do intend to make use of enclosed subway stations in the later stages. Additionally..."

I answered people's questions as kindly and concisely as I could, with Kim Seyeon jumping in to add detailed explanations. The survivors listened to our plans with drinks and snacks in hand, excitement written all over them.

And a little apart from that crowd, I saw one person. Seo Hyejin.

She stood there looking at me with an expression that had gone slightly rigid, tinged with sadness.

But that face was by no means the face of someone who wanted to opt out.

"I have a question... Jeong Hoon."

And Seo Hyejin spoke. The moment I had been waiting for — the moment my three women (not quite yet) had been waiting for.

"If someone with the Lord class reaches a certain level... do you also plan to install that person as a territorial lord and turn this area into a domain?"

The question I'd been waiting for arrived as well.

"Of course."

I answered without the slightest hesitation.

Haengbok Villa was not a particularly large building. Eight residential units across five floors, plus a rooftop and a parking-lot-slash-entrance — a fairly small villa overall.

And "not a large building" meant that from any taller structure nearby, keeping watch on this place was easy if you put your mind to it.

Especially on a night like tonight, when lanterns and lamps had been lit on the rooftop for a party, the light visible from far away.

"...I can see them. I can see them!"

In other words, from the eight-story university dormitory built on the hill, the lights on Haengbok Villa's rooftop were plain as day. Even from a third-floor balcony.

Situated about a kilometer from Haengbok Villa, this dormitory had housed students of ◆◆ University, a national university in the area (there wasn't one in XX-gu). A men's dormitory, at that.

After the apocalypse hit, it had luckily served as a shelter, and now it housed not only college students but a whole assortment of people who'd entrusted their lives to the place. The fact that they were all men was the one blemish on an otherwise decent setup.

When a catastrophe like a zombie apocalypse hits and government functions become meaningless, people band together to survive. In those situations, groups generally fall into three types.

First: groups like Jeong Hoon's current party, where a leader exists but people get along smoothly without rigid hierarchy.

Second: groups where rank is strictly determined by strength, and the leader wields power with an iron grip.

And last: groups led by someone who cultivates a religious atmosphere and behaves like a cult leader.

"Yeongsu, who can you see?"

The leader of the group occupying ◆◆ University's dormitory, Kim Suhyeok, was clearly the second type just from looking at him.

Kim Suhyeok approached the man watching Haengbok Villa. As an athlete, Kim Suhyeok was fairly tall and solidly built, but he didn't have eyesight anywhere near the man currently on watch.

The reason was simple. Kim Suhyeok was a Warrior. The man on watch was an Archer.

"Yeah... Suhyeok. Just the women I can clearly make out... about eighteen. Three or four kids, too. There's even a grandma."

"Hmm..."

Kim Suhyeok stroked his chin. It was clean-shaven. Every razor blade scavenged from the dormitory had gone to him — he liked his shaves.

Until yesterday morning, no one in this dormitory had paid Haengbok Villa any attention. Taking advantage of the elevated position, they'd been fully occupied driving zombies away from the dormitory perimeter and holing up.

Even after someone took down a Field Boss and the entirety of XX-gu became a Clean Zone, nothing changed. The dormitory residents had been too busy going outside to scavenge supplies.

Then this morning, while ransacking a nearby convenience store, Han Yeongsu — the one with the Archer class — spotted a very familiar face in the distance.

The moment he saw her, his eyes went wide and he scrambled back to the dormitory in a panic.

Kim Suhyeok, who'd been killing time working out alone, nearly jumped out of his skin the second he heard Yeongsu's report.

"Sora's alive! Sora's alive!"

"...Wait. Sora? You mean Han Sora?"

"Yeah! She was carrying a bunch of stuff in her arms and went into some building I'd never seen before! Where was it... I definitely checked the name... Ah! Haengbok Villa! The building was called Haengbok Villa!"

Interest in Haengbok Villa — which until that moment had been practically atomic in scale — began to swell from that instant on.

Kim Suhyeok asked a simple question.

"Can you see that bitch?"

Yeongsu answered just as simply.

"Yeah. Crystal clear."

"Ha, fuck...!"

The curse he spat the moment he heard the answer was laced with pure elation.

Kim Suhyeok — the man who had already inflicted one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trauma on Han Sora — felt desire flare to life in his eyes the instant those words reached him.