The Thief Strikes from Behind (4)

The story Jung Yun began through her tears was well worth hearing.

Han Daegeon's party had set out boldly and pushed into Yongsan District with far less resistance than expected. They reached the Ministry of National Defense building where the former president had once resided, and there they beheld the complete collapse of the government.

After that, Han Daegeon's group managed to locate the source of the dark energy brooding over Gangbuk. Or rather — anyone standing atop a moderately tall building could have seen it clearly enough. From the place once called Seoul Station, a sinister aura poured out without the slightest restraint.

"Let's charge in and eliminate the source!"

Han Daegeon had set a clear objective, but opinions among the group immediately split. Surprisingly, even Jung Yun — who had been extremely close to him — held a different view.

"Daegeon. Wouldn't it be better if we just turned back? No matter how I look at it, that place feels wrong. Jiyeon said — maybe it's because she's a Cleric, but... the aura coming from Seoul Station feels like a darkness so strong that even if we all combined our strength, we still couldn't win. Looking at it myself, I'm scared too..."

Under ordinary circumstances, a comparison like that would have been laughed off as nonsense. But given the current state of the world — zombies, monsters, and survivors wielding fantasy-like game-based systems — it was no laughing matter.

Reactions split cleanly in two...

"I agree with him."

"J-Ju-hui?"

Yeon Ju-hui's unexpected support for Han Daegeon tipped the scales completely. For Jung Yun, the shock was considerable — Yeon Ju-hui, who had always fretted and criticized everything Han Daegeon did, had suddenly reversed her stance.

But even the shock she felt in that moment was child's play compared to what unfolded at Seoul Station.

The party set out for Seoul Station in high spirits. Firearms. Hundreds of survivors. Han Daegeon firmly believed that numbers equaled power. No matter how high a monster's level, he figured that with this many people — armed with modern weapons, no less — there would be no problem.

Of course, fantasy is called fantasy precisely because it surpasses reality.

"Aaaargh...!"

"Kyaaaaah! Help me, help meeeee!"

"No, honey... honeeey...!!"

"R-Run! That thing, that thing is— ghhrrrk!??"

When a dozen or so bats swooped down over their heads, the party thought little of it. But the moment those bats transformed into human form and launched a surprise attack, no one could dismiss them any longer.

Level 70. A dozen monsters of staggering rank plunged into the human throng in an instant and began a slaughter.

Those with firearms tried to respond, but at such close range they couldn't even bring their weapons to bear before their lives ended — or they fell helplessly to the vampires' signature attacks and died.

"U-Uwaaah..."

"H-Hiiiiiik!"

"They're drinking— they're drinking blood!"

Against the bloodsucking species' characteristic feeding, humans were utterly defenseless. In moments, hundreds dwindled to mere dozens. All of it happened within five minutes of their charge.

The only ones left were Han Daegeon and the survivors who had served as the party's brains.

"H-How is this possible..."

"Why are there monsters like this...! They're way beyond orcs and goblins!"

"Damn it... we should have fled to Gangnam...!"

For some reason, after subduing them, the vampires stopped — as if the massacre of moments before had been a lie — and inflicted no further harm. They forced the survivors to their knees and held them immobilized, nothing more.

And then that monster appeared.

"So these are the ones."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Jung Yun beheld the source of the sinister aura with her own eyes.

"Ah... aah...!"

It was a monster that defied all common sense. Screaming that this was a bug in the system would not have been unreasonable. Natural, overwhelming pressure clung to every word and gesture — not the raw intimidation of a monster or a zombie, but the kind of presence befitting a ruler.

"So you are the leader of these humans."

"H-Hiiik...!"

Han Daegeon was so thoroughly terrified that his handsome face twisted beyond recognition. Trembling violently, he could not muster even the slightest will to resist as the Vampire Lord approached until he stood right before him.

"D-Daegeon...!"

Jung Yun worried for him — never dreaming that her concern would rebound upon her in the worst possible way.

Suddenly Han Daegeon slammed his forehead to the ground and began to plead, spouting the most bizarre words.

"Spare me, please just spare my life! I'll do anything! If you want me to sell out my companions, I'll sell them! If you want me to lick your feet, I'll lick them! Please, just my life... please spare only my life!"

The absolute pinnacle of groveling. The sight of Han Daegeon begging for his life delivered a fresh shock to Jung Yun. This was a man who had poured his heart and soul into managing his public image.

And yet, astonishingly, the tactic worked.

"Hoh. Those words... can you keep them?"

"Huh? Y-Yes! Of course I can! I'll keep them for the rest of my life. So please, just spare my life... please!"

"D-Daegeon... what are you...?"

Jung Yun could only watch as the Vampire Lord made Han Daegeon's party into slaves of the vampires.

It did not take long after becoming a slave for Jung Yun to grasp the Vampire Lord's true intent in enslaving Han Daegeon and their companions.

"When it comes to managing blood bags, nothing beats using their own kind. The betrayal and despair hit so much harder that way... and besides..."

When the Vampire Lord's gaze settled hungrily upon her, Jung Yun felt as though every drop of blood was draining from her body. In reality, nothing of the sort was happening.

"To offer up a beauty like this of your own accord... accepting an oath of loyalty might not be so bad. You there, human. This woman... is she a virgin?"

W-What kind of outrageous—!

Jung Yun nearly forgot her own predicament and started to protest — but Han Daegeon's servile voice got there first.

"Y-Yes! She's a virgin! Absolutely a virgin! Sh-She's a woman of considerable renown at the university, so... I was protecting her under the pretense of dating her! O-Of course, for the Vampire Lord, she would make an incomparable offering. Hehehe...!"

Ah...?

D-Daegeon... how could you...!

It was a reality so horrific it felt as though her mind and body were splitting apart. The Vampire Lord was satisfied, Han Daegeon had debased himself, and Jung Yun could do nothing but despair.

In the prison, through conversations with the other survivors, Jung Yun finally managed to piece together the justification for Han Daegeon's groveling.

"That bastard Daegeon... he's living it up with just Ju-hui! I saw it with my own two eyes while I was stuck doing grunt work! He sweet-talks and kidnaps other humans to feed to those bat bastards... but he alone gets to live comfortably with that bitch...!"

Yeon Ju-hui. The woman who had actively supported Han Daegeon's decision. A university classmate who had always wanted to stay by Han Daegeon's side, but had been overshadowed by Jung Yun and another woman — Yun Mina — and nursed a bitter grudge because of it.

Daegeon... sold us out to save her? And me...?

Despair and injustice seized Jung Yun's body and curdled into helplessness. She simply lay in the prison cell, waiting for the day the Vampire Lord would summon her, doing nothing at all.

Of course, the other survivors were different. As people who had survived to the very end, the will to live remained in their hearts as a small, stubborn ember.

"Let's escape, Yun unnie! The guards are way more careless than we expected! Those bat-heads seem busy with something else! We've already prepared a way out!"

Someone close to Jung Yun among them urged her, but she showed no enthusiasm. The shock of being betrayed by people she had trusted was simply too great.

"Yun unnie, I know that bastard Daegeon has you feeling like you want to die. But... if you keep acting like this, it's going to be hard on the rest of us too. We need your cooperation if everyone's going to survive! At the very least... you were the one who decided to come here with that bastard, and you have the Lord class...! Don't you have a responsibility to join us in finding a way to live?!"

Her comrade's words, spat out like a cry of rage, managed to rekindle what little will she still had left.

"I'm sorry, Mina... I should have listened to you from the start and realized... that Daegeon... he sold off every single woman among our companions! Just to save Ju-hui alone..."

What a magnificent romantic we've got here.

Only snide commentary flowed through my mind.

That bastard — Daegeon or whatever his name is — I figured he was just a slick operator riding on his looks, and turns out I was right. The second things don't go according to his plan and he hits a crisis, he sells out his companions without a second thought. Look at that.

And from what I heard from Yun Mina, the woman ranked as his first girlfriend is standing right in front of us — Jung Yun. Yet he sold everyone else out to save Yeon Ju-hui, who was maybe second or third... so he's the type whose pride is so massive ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that the moment someone goes against his opinion, he ruthlessly cuts them out?

I thought something felt off when I heard Yun Mina tried to persuade him to the end, got a mouthful of curses, and left. Even a beauty like this gets discarded just because she doesn't suit his fancy. Actually, the fact that he left a beauty like her untouched and kept her a virgin is kind of weird.

No, wait a second... rather, he abandoned her precisely because he wanted her to remain a virgin...? That actually has some credibility.

"Truly a magnificent romantic, that Daegeon. So he'll sell out every other woman who trusted him if it means saving the one he wants — is that it? Looks like he still has that much backbone left, at least. Give me a break."

"I... sniff... never knew he was... sniff... such a terrible person. When he was the one who... sniff... drove us into that death trap...!"

While I was inflating all sorts of wild theories in my head, the conversation between Yun Mina and Jung Yun drifted into my ears and forcibly snapped me back to attention.

"So, unnie... is there anything besides the complaining?"

"H-Huh...?"

Yun Mina's reaction was colder and more indifferent than I could have imagined. It was hard to believe this was how one treated a former comrade.

"Daegeon pulled a reckless stunt, failed spectacularly, lots of people died, and then he sold out unnie and the rest of the party to save his girlfriend. Thanks for the lovely story. But is there anything besides the complaining? Like something you plan to do, or some kind of scheme. I get that the bastard betrayed you. So what? What exactly am I supposed to do about that?"

"W-What? M-Mina...! Even so, talking to your unnie like that...!"

"If you were looking for something like a comrade's pity, you've got the wrong address by a long shot. First of all, I..."

Suddenly, without any hesitation, Yun Mina did something outrageous.

Right in front of Sora, Seeun, and Seyeon — no, right in this moment when countless eyes were watching — she casually linked her arm through mine and locked us together.

"W-What? Th-That bitch...?"

Naturally Han Sora flared up at the sight — but surprisingly, the other two women held her back.

"Shh, Sora. Just let it go for now."

"She's right, unnie. This isn't the time to go full loner-mode and blow a gasket..."

"A-As if I'm going full loner-mode...! If anything, as his girlfriend I—"

"So if you're going to grill her, do it later. Right now, shh!"

"H-How can you two do this to me..."

Whether Sora trembled with betrayal or not, Yun Mina's gaze remained fixed solely on Jung Yun. And she did not hesitate to deliver cold words to her former comrade.

"I've already dedicated my loyalty to Orabeoni, you see. He's kind, he's strong, he built a territory and restored the electricity that had been cut off for so long, he even provides hot water... working under someone like that, I don't particularly feel like fretting over unnie's circumstances. If you wanted that kind of sympathy, maybe you should have shown a little kindness first. Jung Yun unnie?"

At those merciless words, Jung Yun—

"M-Mi-Mi-Mina... arm-in-arm with a man...!? Y-Yun Mina... is...?"

—took a completely different kind of massive shock, her pupils practically quaking.

And she wasn't the only one. Some of the survivors who had arrived by truck, previously quiet in the back, caught sight of us and their eyes went wide as they raised their voices.

"Hey, hey... isn't that Yun Mina? Look at that!"

"I already knew from her voice earlier, but... oh my god? What's gotten into her?"

"Wasn't she a lesbian? I thought Mina broke out in hives all over her body if a man so much as touched her and never made contact...!?"

"Wasn't she a lesbian who hated Han Daegeon's guts for stealing all the girls?"

...Mina, what the hell were you doing before you met us? Your former comrades are giving you reviews like that!?

"Anyway, if you want my sympathy... or if you want some kind of help, you've got the completely wrong address, so wake up from that dream. Jung Yun unnie. All that's left in my heart for you right now is the bare minimum of old university classmate courtesy. If you want to keep telling these tedious stories..."

Yun Mina leaned even more deeply against me, and her expression shifted into something that looked almost enchanted.

"...try telling them to our Orabeoni, Jeong Hoon-nim, the Lord of this Yeouido. Though I have no idea whether he'll listen."

Wow... you little devil! There's a limit to how much you play along, you know!

...But damn, I love it!

"Orabeoni, you'll step in, right?"

Even after coldly dismissing her comrade's grievances, Yun Mina whispered that to me.

Oh, for crying out loud! You think if you come at me like this I'll just go 'very well' and let it slide?!

...But damn, I love it too much!

"I thank you for informing me of the situation in Gangbuk. The intelligence that a formidable enemy awaits there as well. And that you are in considerable need of a helping hand — that much I can see with my own eyes."

"Ah, th-that..."

When I, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, Jung Yun flinched slightly. Clearly she had not expected me to actually step forward.

"However, Yun Mina's words are correct. Whatever circumstances you may find yourselves in... extending a helping hand to you at this very moment is exceedingly difficult. For, in a manner of speaking... you are uninvited guests who have trespassed into my territory of your own accord."

That ice-cold declaration drew protests from the people who had arrived by truck and had been watching the entire time.

"W-What the hell!"

"This guy's got some nerve! Who does he think he is, going on about whether this is his land or not!"

"Wait, calm down. That guy... he just slaughtered three trolls in an instant earlier!"

"He did that alone?"

"We couldn't even hold them off...!"

Of course, having witnessed me go on a rampage against three trolls, none of them managed any truly aggressive pushback. Good. Time to make the declaration even more solemn.

Hey, Lawful Good. You'll stay quiet today too, right? You stayed quiet earlier, so you'll do the same this time, yeah?

"If you wish to receive my aid, I have no choice but to offer two proposals. These are the final kindnesses I can extend to you — illegal trespassers upon my territory, yet fellow human survivors all the same. First proposal: become residents of my territory and swear your loyalty to me. Should you do so, I shall immediately provide you with lodging, food, clothing, and medical treatment. Second: disregard the first proposal, enter the National Assembly Building subway station, and join a woman named Han Miseon. She will be awaiting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠news of Han Daegeon. Delivering the truth to her is your responsibility."

The one-sided, cold options naturally provoked a confused reaction. In particular, the name Han Miseon caused a major stir.

"That's right, Miseon! How are we supposed to tell her? Her oppa betrayed everyone!"

"But... she's the one who firmly believed in her oppa and told us to go! Why should we go out of our way to be nice to her!"

"If we don't, we have to become that guy's subordinates?"

"Huh? Were you guys actually deliberating? He said he'll provide lodging, food, clothes, and treatment. What's there to think about?"

"Hey, but... wait a second!"

Some of the survivors who had come by truck finally seemed to realize something. They recognized the faces of the survivors who had been helping them — and where those people had come from.

"Y-You... weren't you waiting it out at the subway station with Miseon? Why are you... here...?"

"Gotta eat to live. That man... no, Lord Jeong Hoon. I joined up under him. He hands out lodging, clothes, and food. Oh, and the electricity works. You can even take hot showers."

And the survivors who had already become my residents calmly confirmed that the proposal I had delivered was genuine. That was the true turning point. The survivors who had initially been indignant ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠began to lean, hearing firsthand accounts of the treatment their fellow survivors from the same origin were receiving.

Good. Now's the moment.

I shot a look at Kim Seyeon. She nodded. She immediately stepped forward, smiling brightly as she spoke.

"Everyone, if you are inclined to become residents of our Lord's territory, please speak with me! I am Kim Seyeon, serving as Interior Administrator under Lord Jeong Hoon! Those who wish to become residents, please express your intent to me and fill out a brief pledge form!"

Direct movement stirred among the truck-borne survivors who had been hesitating. Some stood up and shuffled toward Kim Seyeon.

"That woman... she's the one who treated us earlier..."

"Yeah, she seemed incredibly capable... and she's beautiful..."

"...Might as well hear out the terms, at least."

These guys have good eyes. Just don't get any ideas — she's mine.

I left that part entirely to Kim Seyeon and spun on my heel as if I had nothing more to say. I needed to return to the office — there was something I had to ask of the butler.

Ah, before I go... I should snap that dazed woman back to reality.

"As for the rest, speak with Kim Seyeon, the Interior Administrator of our territory. She will explain everything kindly."

"Uh, I-I..."

With that much wavering, it's only a matter of time before she comes over.

"Seeun, I leave Kim Seyeon-seonsaeng in your care. Sora and Mina, come with me."

"Yes, leave it to me, Hoonie oppa!"

"Ah, okay, oppa..."

"You're not going to scold me for earlier, are you, Orabeoni?"

You little pest... I almost want to actually give you a real scolding.

Well, the truth was I had no such thing on my mind. Because from the shocking news I had just heard, a truly revolutionary idea had occurred to me.

"Jeong Hoon oppa, did you... come up with something after hearing about the Vampire Lord?"

The moment we returned to our castle — the former National Assembly Building — after leaving resident recruitment to Kim Seyeon and Park Seeun, Han Sora fired off that question.

As expected of a fellow gaming otaku. Sharp as ever.

"Oh my, is that true, Orabeoni? But... that Vampire Lord is Level 100, isn't he? And I heard the vampires themselves have quite high levels too. Is there a scheme that could take them down in a short period of time? Orabeoni is strong, but... it's not like we have ten of you, right?"

Sound logic, Mina. When I first heard about the Vampire Lord, I thought the exact same thing — 'Why the hell is a bastard like that spawning this early, this is a bug! Get me the admin!'

But in that moment, another privilege provided by Dragon Gate RPG surfaced in my mind.

Yes — a privilege I had completely forgotten about while pouring everything into growing the Warrior class's Territory System.

The Rogue class's special system. The one optimized for rapid leveling and reward acquisition.

"Butler, are you there?"

"You called, Your Excellency."

At my summons, the butler carefully emerged from within the castle. Having a lifeform based ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on a virtual system rather than an actual human was incredibly useful at times like this.

"The castle basement — is the space vacant? Or is it being utilized for the territory's development?"

I meant the basement of the National Assembly Building where I had discovered maps and various classified documents. The butler shook his head.

"It can be used as an underground dungeon or storage, but currently it is left unused. Do you have plans to utilize the basement, Your Excellency?"

"I trust the cleaning has been kept up?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"Good."

I carefully opened the system window.

The moment to put this to full use has finally arrived.