Landlord (4)

"Thank you! Come again!"

True to their membership in the Landlord Alliance, these guys spent big. They bought every last hair-loss scalp injection, Minoxyl treatment, and anti-hair-loss shampoo I'd pulled out, then beamed like kids on Christmas as they headed back into the Green Zone where the rest of their group was waiting.

"Not a bad start at all."

I watched them go, then turned and shoved my way through the crowd gathered at the corridor entrance, making for my companions.

"…Fortunately you didn't cause any ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trouble this time, Jinwoo-ssi."

"Excuse me? The way you say that, people would think I cause accidents every single day, Dokja-ssi."

"You do cause accidents every single day…"

Kim Dokja's sideways glare and dry remark left me feeling genuinely wronged. Where else would you find someone who lived as diligently (?), as boldly (?), as kindly (?), and as decently (?) as I did!

"Hey, would any of you be interested in a little part-time work?"

"Part-time work? All of a sudden?"

"I just want to set up a simple street stall. If you help out, I'll pay you, of course. How about it?"

My companions tilted their heads at that, then one by one nodded their agreement.

"Alright then. Let's get this shop open."

Leaving them standing there in a daze, I plopped down right beside the Landlord Alliance's Green Zone, bought a pile of goods from the general store, and laid them out in front of me.

"What you need to do is extremely simple. I'll handle the advertising and the sales. All you have to do is hand the merchandise over to the customers who buy it. Easy, right?"

"Uh… is that really all? Isn't there anything else we can help with, Jinwoo-ssi?"

"Honestly? Even that much is going to keep you plenty busy."

I smiled at Lee Hyunsung's awkward offer to do more.

"Cheap! Everything's cheap! Your one-stop peddler is here, selling everything under the sun except the things I don't have! Cola! Cider! Socks! Underwear! Blankets! Pillows! Cigarettes! Alcohol! Magazines! All kinds of goods for sale! Anyone interested, come take a look!!"

I bellowed at the top of my lungs, determined to grab as many eyes as possible.

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

"A peddler…? Out of nowhere?"

"He's selling alcohol? Cigarettes too?"

"Socks and underwear?"

"Ha! Look at him—he's obviously a scam artist. How would anyone get their hands on stuff like that at a time like this… Even if he lucked into those things, they'd be in terrible condition."

People who'd heard my voice murmured among themselves, trading skeptical looks. A few of them called me a con man to my face—until they actually saw the goods laid out in front of me, and their mouths snapped shut.

They kept muttering for a while, glancing at one another. Then, from the middle of the murmuring crowd, a woman stepped forward and approached me.

"Um, e-excuse me… do you happen to sell sanitary pads as well?"

"Of course. What size are you looking for?"

"Th-the medium ones. Just one."

"We don't sell them individually—only by the pack. Is that alright? Also, we only accept payment in coins."

"Y-yes, that's fine! How much for one pack?"

"Twenty coins a pack."

"Here…"

"Thank you! Come again!"

The woman who'd bought the medium sanitary pads clutched the pack tightly and bolted off somewhere in a hurry. The people who'd watched her purchase started murmuring even louder, trading looks.

"Looks like he's a real peddler? Should we buy something too?"

"Underwear, socks, canned food—it'd be smart to stock up on those, right?"

"I could really go for a cola right about now…"

"Wouldn't it be wiser to buy some food instead of cola?"

"You think so? Let's at least go take a look and grab a few things."

Before long, a handful of people drifted over—some just to browse, others ready to buy.

"Hey, do you really sell cigarettes?"

"Of course. What would you like?"

"Got any Marlboro Red?"

"Yes, we do. Shall I get you those? Forty coins."

"Two packs, please."

"That'll be eighty coins."

"Boss, how much for a 500ml bottle of cola?"

"Twenty-five coins."

"Two bottles, please!"

"Yes! Fifty coins!"

Once a few people had bought from me, the crowd that had been standing in front of the Landlord Alliance's Green Zone surged over, peppering me with questions—how much is this, do you have that?

"Hey! You guys!? Aren't you going to help me?! At this rate, you're not getting paid!"

"O-oh…! Coming right now, Jinwoo-ssi!"

"I can't believe I have to work a part-time job even here…"

"I think I made a mistake agreeing to this. Look at all these people…"

Faced with the sudden crush of customers, I shouted at my companions—who were still standing around blankly beside me—demanding to know if they planned to help or not. Only then did they scramble over in a panic and start pitching in.

"Two bottles of Chamisul over here!"

"Yes! Thirty coins a bottle, sixty total! Heewon-ssi! Hand him two bottles of Chamisul!"

"A-alright! Just a second! Ah, seriously! Why did so many people show up?!"

"Five tuna mayo triangle kimbap, please!"

"One hundred coins total! Dokja-ssi! Hand over five tuna mayo triangle kimbap!"

"Y-yes! Five tuna mayo triangle kimbap, right here!"

"You sell portable phone chargers too?"

"Those are a bit pricey!"

"How much?"

"Three hundred coins each! Oh—and they're already fully charged to a hundred percent!"

"I'll take two."

"Yes! Six hundred coins total! Hyunsung-ssi! Hand over the two portable chargers by your feet!"

"Yes, sir! Understood!"

Before I knew it, most of the goods I'd laid out had sold. I was frantically restocking from the general store, selling, and collecting coins when I heard a door click open behind me, followed by Yoo Sangah's and Lee Gilyoung's voices.

"W-what is all this? What's going on all of a sudden? Jinwoo-ssi? What on earth is happening here?!"

"Perfect timing! Sangah-ssi! Gilyoung! Give me a hand for a second!? I'm so swamped I can't think straight!! Just hand the customers whatever product I call out!"

"U-uh? Y-yes!"

"Okay, hyung!"

I forcibly drafted Yoo Sangah and Lee Gilyoung—who'd only just stepped out of My Room—into the sales operation as well, and we kept selling for a full three hours. By the end of it, my companions, who'd worked themselves ragged helping me, were all leaning against the wall and gasping for breath. Clearly everyone was thoroughly exhausted.

"Th-thank you all for your hard work. Thanks to you, I made a fortune in coins. I really appreciate it."

"I am never helping you again…"

"I'd rather fight monsters……"

"I-I'm so tired…"

"Hungry…"

Thanks to their help, I'd raked in a grand total of 9,300 coins. A huge grin spread across my face at the sight of that number.

"Ah, I'm dead. Want a whole fried chicken each? My treat this time."

"Chicken…!"

Their bodies were exhausted, but the combination of earned coins and the word "chicken" had them bolting upright. Watching them, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Completely unaware that a certain crazy bitch was watching from behind my back.

Lee Jihye made her way down to the first basement level in search of her master, Yoo Joonghyuk. Upon arriving, she spotted Yoo Joonghyuk standing in the subway shopping arcade and called out to her.

"Master!"

"What is it, Lee Jihye?"

Yoo Joonghyuk answered without so much as turning her head fully, just a slight tilt in Jihye's direction.

"So, um—there's someone downstairs claiming to be your companion! And… and… there's also a guy who called you a crazy bitch!"

"What? Why did you leave that bastard alive?"

"U-uh…?! Th-that's…"

The moment she heard the words "crazy bitch," Yoo Joonghyuk's expression went ice-cold. She fixed Lee Jihye with a stare that made the girl flinch, then look away, fidgeting under that frigid gaze.

Yoo Joonghyuk watched her disciple squirm and avert her eyes, then let out a quiet sigh and stepped closer.

"Lead the way."

"O-okay! Keep up, Master!"

Lee Jihye brightened at the order and took off toward the second basement level at a brisk pace. Yoo Joonghyuk watched her disciple's reckless energy for a moment, then followed after her.

The two of them reached B2 in no time. Once they arrived, Lee Jihye tilted her head in confusion—unlike usual, there was no crowd of people clustered in front of the Landlord Alliance's Green Zone, begging Gong Pildu to let them stay just one more day.

"Huh? Master! The people who are always packed in front of the Landlord Alliance aren't there?"

"Don't concern yourself with them. Keep guiding."

"W-well… I guess, but… wait? Look over there! Master! There's a crowd gathered over that way!"

Lee Jihye pointed with her index finger. Yoo Joonghyuk sighed softly and turned her head in the direction indicated.

A rising buzz of voices—

"One pack of cigarettes over here!"

"I need underwear and three pairs of socks!"

"Wet wipes and some toilet paper, please!"

"Just one Dongwon tuna set for me!"

Hearing the crowd, Lee Jihye cocked her head and turned to Yoo Joonghyuk.

"Master, if I'm not hearing things, those people are placing orders for something?"

"I hear it too."

Something that never happened in previous regressions is happening again…

Yoo Joonghyuk's face tightened at how strangely different this turn was from the ones she'd lived through before.

"Follow me, Lee Jihye."

"Huh? Okay! Master!"

Wanting to grasp the situation that diverged from her past regressions, Yoo Joonghyuk started toward the gathered crowd. Lee Jihye, oblivious to her master's thoughts, simply beamed and trailed after her—looking for all the world like a duckling waddling after its mother.

"Yes! Six hundred coins total! Hyunsung-ssi! Hand over the two portable chargers by your feet!"

"Yes, sir! Understood!"

Yoo Joonghyuk and Lee Jihye pushed through the people and advanced. Then the two of them saw what was happening right in front of them.

"Huh?! Master, those are the people! That woman over there is the one who claimed to be your companion! And the guy next to her selling stuff is the one who called you a crazy bitch!"

"……………."

"Master?"

How… already? And that man is…

Yoo Joonghyuk stared at Kim Dokja and Park Jinwoo, visibly shaken. Lee Jihye's eyes went wide at her master's reaction.

"…………."

"Master, what should we do? Should I go grab those two?"

"…No. Wait a moment."

"Uh… alright."

Yoo Joonghyuk finished speaking and leaned her back against the wall. Lee Jihye settled down beside her, and the two of them waited quietly for three full hours.

"Looks like they're finished."

"Ugh…! Ha! I didn't think we'd be waiting three hours…"

Once the people who'd thoroughly stocked up on Park Jinwoo's wares had all dispersed, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Park Jinwoo, Kim Dokja, and their companions either leaned against the wall to rest or sprawled out on the floor. Seeing that, Yoo Joonghyuk and Lee Jihye started walking toward them.

"Alright, alright! Great work, everyone! Dinner's on me, so dig in before it gets cold!"

"Waaah! Thanks for the meal, Jinwoo-ssi!"

"I can't even remember the last time I had fried chicken…. Thanks for the meal, Jinwoo-ssi!"

"Thanks for the food, hyung."

"Thank you for the meal, Jinwoo-ssi."

Park Jinwoo pulled fried chicken out of thin air, and his companions let out small cheers of delight before diving in with grateful thanks.

"…………."

"…M-Master? Did you just see that? Fried chicken, out of thin air…!"

Apparently they hadn't noticed the two people who'd been waiting for three hours. Watching them happily tear into the chicken, Yoo Joonghyuk's face twisted slightly. Then she fixed Park Jinwoo with a murderous glare.

Whether Yoo Joonghyuk glared or not, Lee Jihye's eyes seemed to see nothing but the fried chicken—she just stared fixedly at the pieces Park Jinwoo and Kim Dokja's group were eating.

"Come to think of it, Jinwoo-ssi. Why do you call Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi a crazy bitch?"

"Huh? Out of nowhere?"

"Yes. I overheard you saying it to that girl Lee Jihye downstairs earlier, and it made me curious."

Under Jung Heewon's direct stare, Park Jinwoo let out a small sigh and launched into the reason he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠called Yoo Joonghyuk a crazy bitch.

"Because she really is a crazy bitch. I was sleeping just fine on the subway when, all of a sudden—clunk—the train stops, right? I open my eyes wondering what's going on, get up from my seat, and boom: the first main scenario starts. Dokja-ssi, Hyunsung-ssi, Sangah-ssi, and Gilyoung all know—they were on the same train as me."

At Park Jinwoo's words, Kim Dokja, Lee Hyunsung, Yoo Sangah, and Lee Gilyoung all gave small nods.

"I'm just standing there with no idea what's happening when Yoo Joonghyuk—that crazy bitch—suddenly subdues the terrorist next to her, snatches the bomb and the lighter, and just detonates it right then and there."

"Oh my god! Seriously?!"

"W-wait… so that's why there was a fire in the next subway car?!"

"Th-that actually happened…"

Jung Heewon, Yoo Sangah, and Lee Hyunsung all looked thoroughly shocked. Park Jinwoo cleared his throat once and pressed on.

"I happened to catch that scene right before the crazy bomb-happy bitch set it off, so I ran for my life in the opposite direction. But the blast was so strong I ended up rolling across the floor."

"And then? What happened next!"

"I played dead right there on the floor."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah. Because I saw that Yoo Joonghyuk—that crazy bitch—was completely unharmed after setting off a bomb. Looking at her, I thought, 'Ah, if I don't play dead right now, I'm actually going to die this time,' so I squeezed my eyes shut. Luckily, Yoo Joonghyuk just walked right past me. After that she kicked the door. Her kick was so strong the door crumpled instantly."

"What is she, superhuman?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying! That woman is not human! And her strength—she was like a gorilla of a woman!"

Hearing that, Yoo Joonghyuk clenched both fists. Murderous intent flooded her eyes as she glared at Park Jinwoo.

"…………………."

"M-Master…? A-are you mad………?"

Lee Jihye trembled at Yoo Joonghyuk's terrifying aura. But Park Jinwoo and his companions remained completely oblivious to the two of them.

"And while I was playing dead, a message popped up saying the first main scenario had been cleared, and that there were two survivors in Car 3707. Looking at that, I thought, 'Ah, I'm screwed.'"

"Ah, so when you said you got stomped…"

"Your guess is correct. The moment Yoo Joonghyuk confirmed that message, she immediately stomped on me while I was lying on the floor. Whether it was because she was so strong or just that heavy, I don't know—but with her foot planted on my stomach, I got a crystal-clear understanding of what it feels like for a person to be crushed to death or suffocated under sheer weight."

Jung Heewon and Yoo Sangah looked at Park Jinwoo with pity. Under their gazes, a sudden wave of self-pity brought a single tear to his eye as he continued.

"After that, Yoo Joonghyuk somehow decided to spare me. But then a zombie horde showed up out of nowhere, and I played a deadly game of tag with those things. Dokja-ssi here witnessed that part firsthand."

"I remember. All those ground rats right behind you, Jinwoo-ssi."

"Ha… I can still hear that crazy bitch Yoo Joonghyuk laughing at me while I was being chased by ground rats. It was truly heartbreaking. Anyway—now you all understand why I call that woman a crazy bitch, right?"

"……………………."

Park Jinwoo closed his eyes and spoke to his companions in a plaintive voice, as if reminiscing over old memories—but for some reason, no one said a word.

"Huh? Why is nobody saying anything?"

Sensing something off, Park Jinwoo opened his eyes and looked at his companions. Every single one of their faces had gone deathly pale.

"Wh-what? Was my story that scary? Why are you all reacting like that?"

"…J-Jinwoo-ssi. Be-behind………."

"Ha…! Dokja-ssi. You're not seriously telling me Yoo Joonghyuk is standing right behind me, are you? If that were true, I'd already be face-down on the floor, or my head and body would be in two separate pieces!"

Park Jinwoo snorted a laugh at Kim Dokja's ashen face and the finger pointing behind him, dismissing it as a joke, and reached for another piece of chicken.

But then—

"…………Is that the end of your last words?"

"……………………………………."

At the voice from behind him, Park Jinwoo froze with a piece of chicken still raised in his hand. Then, in a trembling voice, he said:

"Ha… so we've got someone here who does voice impressions? Or is it ventriloquism? Either way, I'm not finding this funny! Cut it out!"

Shiiing—!

The sound of a blade being drawn behind him. Cold sweat poured down Park Jinwoo's entire body. A moment later, a powerful hand seized him by the nape of the neck, and panic flooded through him.

Squeeze!!

"Ghk…! Wh-what the hell?!"

"That appears to be the end of your last words. Now die."