The Thief Strikes from Behind (1)

In a district once known as YS-gu of Seoul Special City, there stood a train station that had been called Seoul Station.

The main building of that enormous structure had half-collapsed, yet it retained enough of its form to project a presence that could not be ignored.

More precisely, it projected a presence that was viciously, lethally ominous — to humans, at least. Its interior had been completely seized by monsters.

The more tragic truth was that the beings who held that interior were not orcs or goblins, or even ogres. They were high-tier humanoid monsters.

Creatures that drank the blood of others, transformed into bats, and were weak to sunlight, silver, stakes, and garlic — yet at night became monsters of terrifying power.

Vampires had taken Seoul Station.

And at the heart of Seoul Station, filling the vast empty terminal, they stood in ranks on either side and gazed upward at someone.

Upon a chair woven from wood like a throne, someone sat.

Flanked by half-naked human thralls, legs crossed as if he were a true monarch, he reigned over the vampires below.

Pale skin. A black cloak. Pointed ears, crimson eyes, and protruding fangs.

A perfect vampire. The No Life King.

Among the bloodsucking race, he was called the foremost — the Vampire Lord.

"Report."

"Yes!"

At his feet, a bat appeared. With a soft pop and a puff of smoke, it transformed into human form.

A vampire similar to the Vampire Lord, though smaller in stature and dressed more plainly.

"The number of monsters crossing from the far side of the river is decreasing, my Lord! It seems we have already summoned every monster capable of coming up this way!"

The Vampire Lord listened in silence, then regarded the one delivering the report with an indifferent gaze.

It was as if he were wordlessly urging the next part. Sensing this, the vampire nodded and spoke again.

"However, it also appears to be the influence of 'that man' who appeared on the far side of the river. Some of the monsters that were crossing the great bridge toward us… were slaughtered by his hand. This has already continued for more than four days. He is… stronger than we anticipated!"

At that report, the other vampires who had been silent began to murmur among themselves.

"Impossible!"

"He massacred that many monsters?"

"To accomplish such a thing alone — how could a human manage it!?"

"Could he have… crossed over from our world?"

"Surely not…!"

Like the other monsters, these vampires too had crossed into Earth from another world.

The homeland they had left behind had been a dystopia from a vampire's perspective. A world where vampires and humans coexisted — and humans cultivated "Vampire Hunters" who slaughtered vampires indiscriminately with whips, silver daggers, silver spears, and maces.

Even under that horrific persecution, the vampires had endured, yet they could never solve their chronic problem of reproduction. They died off one by one until they were driven to the brink.

And to the vampires teetering on the edge of extinction, a strange being had come and proposed a deal. There was a world where zombies would run rampant — would they like to try living there? They could reveal themselves freely without any consequence.

The world they crossed into was indeed filled with frail humans. That was precisely why the information the reporting vampire recited was so hard to believe.

Could it be… a Vampire Hunter who had followed them into this world!?

Fear began to settle over the murmuring vampires. The tenacity and persistence of Vampire Hunters were a nightmare to their kind. The hunters' willingness to freely employ every object that was a vampire's natural enemy made them especially terrifying.

Naturally, the Vampire Lord found his kin's atmosphere thoroughly displeasing.

"Silence."

He muttered the single word low and forcefully.

The effect was tremendous. The vampires who had been raising their voices fell quiet in an instant.

Once the noise of the assembly subsided, the Vampire Lord focused once more on the one before him delivering the report.

"What kinds of monsters did that man kill?"

"Ah, yes! O-orcs… goblins, skeletons, and zombies. Nothing else has been confirmed!"

"Good."

The Vampire Lord tore his gaze from the reporter and slowly swept his eyes across his kin from left to right. Then he raised his voice.

"Judging that man's threat based solely on the fact that he cleared out mere small fry is premature. We need only wait until we see him fight a strong monster before rendering judgment."

Most of the vampires nodded at what seemed a reasonable statement.

In truth, it was less about reason and more about psychological pressure. The Vampire Lord's charisma was mighty enough to inspire fear even in vampires — the monsters of the night.

With that same might, he was drawing the monsters from the far side of the river toward them. That said everything.

"Send trolls across the river. Three should suffice. We must confirm whether that man can handle monsters that do not die easily. If he simply dies, so much the better."

A bit of a waste of blood, though.

The Vampire Lord noted those in the assembly who were smacking their lips in disappointment and muttered as much to himself.

He himself drank only the blood of inexperienced human maidens, but among vampires there existed those with the peculiar taste of craving the blood of sturdy men.

Thud-da-da-dak!

Just as the meeting of sorts was about to conclude, something flew into what had once been called the Seoul Station terminal — now the vampires' assembly hall.

It was a bat. And as if on cue, it transformed into a vampire. A vampire whose pale skin had gone even paler.

"M-my Lord! My Lord! Emergency — emergennnncy!!!!"

At the sudden intrusion and cry, every vampire's gaze locked onto him. Even under that concentrated scrutiny, the vampire did not stop shouting desperately.

"Th-the prisoners have escaped! The human prisoners we locked up for blood supply… they fled in one of this world's carriages! Their destination… is presumed to be the far side of the river!"

In that instant, shock and bewilderment settled over the vampires.

But before they could begin murmuring again…

Heh…!

The Vampire Lord wore a cold smile as he opened his mouth.

"Then we can offer the trolls yet another amusement. Release the trolls at once! Order them to crush those prisoners to pulp, and to ravage the human civilization on the far side of the river to their hearts' content!"

April 27th.

This night became a monumental day for Jeong Hoon's territory — that is, for my territory.

"Purchase complete!"

Kim Seyeon reported to me, beads of sweat rolling down her face from the tension.

Behind the National Assembly Building.

In the middle of the open lot that had originally served as a parking area, a machine of considerable size appeared with a sudden pop, without any warning.

"O-ooh…"

"That's… small?"

"When you think about how a real power plant needs to be that size to produce massive amounts of electricity, it does make sense…!"

There were quite a few spectators.

Myself, Han Sora, Park Seeun, Kim Seyeon, and Yun Mina along with Seo Minji — nearly several dozen members in total — watched this monumental moment.

Naturally, they were the survivors who had entered our territory as residents over the past few days.

And they were witnessing the fulfillment of one of the critical reasons they had come to this territory. The moment we brought in a generator and began supplying energy to our lands.

Through the 25th, the 26th, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and today the 27th, the five of us had slaughtered enough monsters to successfully gather 50,000 gold. We had also discovered that "Residents" could only obtain gold by participating in a party.

Hundreds of zombies, orcs, goblins, and skeletons had been butchered. Over the course of three days, of course.

We didn't involve the non-combat "Residents" in battle at all. We were already pressed just to gather money ourselves, and most of them were so emaciated from malnutrition that putting them in combat was out of the question anyway. Back at Haengbok Villa, we had only started training after getting the survivors' health somewhat under control — we would do something similar this time.

During those three days of hunting, we noticed that the number of monsters heading toward Gangbuk was steadily decreasing. After sweeping the main roads clean, we were only managing the dismal(???) result of killing fewer than a hundred.

In the end, we had to catch and annihilate even the monsters that had climbed onto the bridge one by one before we could finally gather the 50,000 gold.

At any rate, after scraping together experience and gold with such desperation—

…In other words, only after I hit Warrior Level 10 and Rogue Level 12 did we finally achieve the initial results we had been hoping for.

I handed every last bit of the gold we had gathered to Kim Seyeon, and she purchased a "Small Generator" from the shop for 50,000 gold.

"Butler, can you manage it?"

"Leave it to me, Your Excellency."

I asked the butler in a somewhat stiff voice, but he answered without the slightest hesitation and placed his hand upon the generator.

In an instant, every eye present focused on the virtual life-form that had appeared to tend my territory.

…

Wiiiiiiing!

The generator began to hum and glow. It was the sound of whatever motor or mechanism was spinning inside (I wasn't an engineering major, so I didn't know the details).

"Complete. Please wait a moment. I shall try lighting the surrounding electric lights… starting with the streetlamps. Five… four… three… two…"

One…!

Fwaaah!

Truly — light flooded into the surrounding streetlamps. Before we could even finish being astonished by that, bright light poured in from behind us as well.

"W-woooooow!"

"E-electricity! The electricity is back!"

"I-it's bright! Everything around us is really bright!"

"Hahahahaha!"

People erupted in cheers.

I too could not help but marvel at the light pouring from the streetlamps and the main building of the National Assembly. Truly. It had been four weeks since I last saw light made by electricity.

We had reclaimed a product of civilization in less than a month.

Of course, it was only possible within the bounds of my territory.

"How far can the electricity supply reach?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. Regarding that, I have good news."

"Hm? Good news?"

"Yes. This Small Generator can produce output exceeding the figures I had estimated. It should be possible to supply electricity to this entire territory called 'Yeouido.' Of course, that is under the assumption that Your Excellency claims the whole of Yeouido as your territory."

"That is certainly good news."

In other words, if I grew just a little more, I could restore the functions of every building across all of Yeouido!

"How much longer until my territory reaches Rank D, Butler?"

"The current number of residents within the territory is twenty-eight in total. If you gather just twenty-two more, you will meet the conditions for growth to Rank D and will be automatically promoted."

"Twenty-two, is it…"

Even if everyone remaining at the subway station came in, it still wouldn't be enough.

Without thinking, I turned my gaze toward National Assembly Station.

I pictured Han Miseon right about now, nursing her hatred for us and straining to ignore the persuasion of her acquaintances.

The people who had remained at the subway station, including those killed by monsters, had totaled forty-one. Of those, twelve had lost their lives to the monsters' hands, and twenty-two had entered as residents of our territory. Only Han Miseon and six of her colleagues and acquaintances were still refusing to join to the very end.

"Everyone who stayed behind is trying to persuade Miseon. Those six were especially close with her. They'll probably drag her here by force soon enough. Seeing this will eat them up inside, after all."

A man named Kim Youngjun explained the situation.

He was one of the survivors I had seen when those monsters attacked. A Blacksmith by class, and a rather admirable fellow who had volunteered to help reinforce the walls after becoming a resident.

Wow, a day when I'm complimenting a man… I wonder if I'm going to break out in hives.

"Very well. Return to your lodgings. Enjoy a warm shower for the first time in a long while."

The lodgings — the building formerly called the National Assembly Members' Hall — had a truly impressive array of amenities installed. Shower rooms, bathhouses, and private shower stalls, of course. There was even a gym attached, which said it all.

The survivors who had spent so long huddled in the subway station holding their breath had first cursed and then marveled at the Members' Hall's magnificent exterior, then gaped at the comfort of its interior facilities (even before the electricity had come on).

But now electricity was flowing and every facility was usable to some degree? And the water coming out was warm?

There was no escaping this temptation.

"Oh my, thank you! Here — today's wall reinforcement report, my Lord!"

Kim Youngjun's expression brightened instantly as he set a stack of documents on my office desk, bowed deeply, and left.

I heard the door close, and I let out a sigh.

Naturally, it was because of the considerable pile of documents now sitting on the desk in front of me.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Ugh, I knew becoming a lord meant taking on this kind of work, but… physical labor by day and mental labor by night. Am I going to work myself to death at this rate?

"I'll help as well, so please don't wear such a worried expression. Hehehe…"

Kim Seyeon pressed herself close against my side and comforted me. Literally pressed herself close.

Since that night of passion a few days ago, the distance between Kim Seyeon and me had shrunk to nearly zero. No — we were openly making contact, and things had gotten completely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out of hand.

When there were many eyes watching, I restrained myself as much as possible and kept Han Sora by my side… but when it was just the two of us like this, patience went straight out the window.

"I entrust it to thee, Kim Seyeon… Interior Minister."

I spoke the aide title I had granted Kim Seyeon for nearly the first time.

As promised, I had distributed aide and knight positions among my companions. Kim Seyeon received Interior Minister (+8 to Intelligence), Park Seeun received Military Minister (+6 to Strength and Agility), and Han Sora received Knight (+2 to Strength and Agility).

Originally I had wanted to give Han Sora the remaining seat of Chief Diplomat, but…

"O-oppa… that position… doesn't suit me at all. I-I'd much rather… raise the territory's rank and become a higher knight. That fits me way better."

"Hm. Then what about switching with Seeun and taking the Military Minister seat?"

"I-I don't have Seeun's assertiveness… and I don't want to do anything that would hurt her feelings…"

"Hey, unnie. I'm not particularly attached to the Military Minister seat either. Work that uses your brain is seriously exhausting… haaah…"

And so Han Sora insisted on the Knight position. Park Seeun wasn't keen on it, but under Kim Seyeon's persuasion that leaving two aide seats vacant would look bad, she simply took the Military Minister position.

"Later, if a position that only a mage can hold opens up, give it to me. Ah, even if I stay as a Resident, you won't leave me out of the meetings, right?"

Lastly, Yun Mina was content to remain a Resident, just as she had said from the beginning.

"Oh my. When you call me that… it makes me want to perform my duties as Interior Minister, you know?"

Kim Seyeon's gaze pointed quite blatantly at the area of my pants.

U-ugh… using her official title as a pretext to satisfy her sexual appetite!

I can't hold back against this!

Carefully, just as Kim Seyeon's hand reached to grab the zipper of my pants—

Bang!

"Hoonie oppa, Hoonie oppa! Big trouble— what are you two doing?"

"Ahem ahem…!"

"O-oh my, Seeun. What's the matter?"

G-god, that scared me!

Park Seeun, who had become our territory's Military Minister, threw open the office door without any warning and walked in.

Wow, I thought my heart was going to drop out…!

"…What were you two just doing?"

"Seeun? Never mind that — didn't you have something to report? Hm? That's why you came rushing in."

Park Seeun shot us a suspicious look, but Kim Seyeon refused to take the bait and pressed her to focus on the main point.

At that, Park Seeun's face shifted to an expression of sudden realization, and she urgently opened her mouth.

"Ah, crap crap…! Hoonie oppa! Big trouble! Right now at the bridge, at the bridge…!"

At the bridge what? More monsters crossing over?

Park Seeun threw me news that made the imagination in my head look pitiful by comparison.

"From Gangbuk, crossing the bridge… three trucks are coming down!"

Vroooooom!

The streets of Gangbuk in Seoul Special City, steeped in darkness and dread.

Along those roads where death and monsters roamed, three trucks raced with their lights on. Ignoring traffic signs and half-charging through obstacles ahead to smash them aside, the three trucks tore madly down the roadway.

"Th-there… there it is! The bridge!"

"Floor it!"

People urged the driver, and the driver slammed the gear and floored the accelerator with a desperate face.

Vwaaaaaaaang!

With another great roar, the lead truck picked up speed.

The two trucks following behind accelerated as well.

And among them, in the middle truck…

"…Daegeon."

A black-haired woman wearing a headband sat in the passenger seat, murmuring a person's name. She hugged her knees with both arms, her head bowed low.

"Daegeon, why…"

"Yuni unnie! Put your legs down! I'm speeding up!"

The woman driving beside her snapped that out, then without hesitation stomped on the accelerator.

Vroooooom!

At maximum speed, the three trucks entered the bridge.

"St-op-ri-ght-the-re!"

"Human, tasty! Catch them!"

And those three trucks were being pursued by three enormous monsters — matching them in number.

Moving at considerable speed, utterly mismatched ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to their massive frames.