The Monster's Path
Regional Quest (2) Dohyun began asking Doogang, who had seen the monster firsthand, various questions to learn more about it.
"What kind of monster was it…?"
"It was an enormous caterpillar-like monster……."
"A caterpillar…."
Dohyun wondered just how large and powerful a caterpillar would have to be to inspire such fear. Thinking back to the Killer Ant he had fought earlier, he realized it made sense. Common sense no longer applied to monsters. This was a world where creatures that once sat at the bottom of the ecosystem could rise to the very top without issue.
"Then, which direction was it moving?"
"Ah, well…… Do you happen to have a map? I could explain in more detail if you do."
"A map……."
In an era where everything could be done on a smartphone, how many households still kept physical maps? Yet it was the most important thing right now……
Feeling regretful, Dohyun checked the Coin Shop.
'Surely they wouldn't sell something like this……?'
—They did.
"Huh……."
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing…. I have a map."
Dohyun immediately purchased the map. It cost a full 1000 Coins. He wanted to curse at how expensive it was, but since it was absolutely necessary, he bought it without complaint.
He spread the newly bought map across the table. Several people, just like Dohyun, were surprised that the Coin Shop even sold such things. Doogang calmly examined the map and explained the monster's movement path.
"This is where we were. The monster is moving straight along this route, regardless of what's in its way."
Fortunately, the direction differed from Dohyun's house. However, Daon, who noticed first, spoke up.
"Wait, if it keeps going this way, isn't it heading there……?"
"Huh…?"
Following Daon's words, Dohyun looked more closely at the map and confirmed that the monster's path led directly to the Mart where Nayoon and Jaehoon were located. The Mart stood right in the monster's way, with no way to avoid it.
"You're right! The Mart is there!"
"Isn't this a huge problem?"
Sohyun and Seorin saw it too. Dohyun fell into thought. Now that he knew, he couldn't just ignore it.
"I need to go to the Mart tomorrow."
"That's probably for the best……. This System really doesn't leave us alone……."
She was right. Honestly, he still wasn't sure. Was the System giving out these Quests just to kill people? One thing was certain, though……
"If we get through this one too, we'll become much stronger!"
Everyone looked at Dohyun. His words were true. Seeing the others agree with Dohyun, Doogang spoke up with concern.
"Are you planning to fight that monster……? I know you're strong, but that thing was honestly…… beyond anything I've seen."
It was something only he could say, having experienced it directly. As they listened, some of Doogang's companions even trembled at the memory of the caterpillar's terror. Still, it was too soon to think about running away.
"Based on your description, we probably can't handle it alone. Don't worry—we have people who can help!"
"People who can help……?"
"That's why I'm asking, sir. Could you come with me somewhere tomorrow? It won't be dangerous."
Doogang was the type of person who felt he absolutely had to repay the favor he had received. He was ready to do anything if asked.
"Of course. If you wish, I won't refuse any request."
"It's nothing that grand, so don't be nervous. We'll just be going and coming back quickly."
"Understood……."
"We'll continue this conversation tomorrow. For now, let's get some rest."
It was late, and everyone was tired. Whatever needed to be done could wait until morning. Dohyun, Seorin, and Daon, who had taken a long nap earlier, were less exhausted than the others, but……
"Hmm……."
The real issue was what to do with Doogang's group. They could manage tonight, but what about tomorrow? He couldn't send them to the Mart that stood directly in the monster's path……. These people had already lost everything and fled here—putting them through that experience again would be cruel.
Dohyun discussed the problem with his parents.
"Dad, what do you think we should do?"
"……."
Taejung pondered Dohyun's words. He spoke again soon after, though his answer wasn't what Dohyun had hoped to hear.
"Dohyun, it's time for you to decide."
"Huh……?"
"Your father is ashamed to admit it, but I haven't adapted well to this changed world…. Even just staying alive has been thanks to all of you……."
It wasn't self-loathing over failing as the head of the family. He was simply glad that his eldest son could now carve out his own path in life. The same went for Sohyun. Yet he couldn't interfere just because he was older or because he was their father. He believed that stepping back was now the role of a parent.
"Honey……."
"If you need help, your mother and I will do our best to assist you. But the choice is yours now!"
"Dad……."
Dohyun found the words burdensome. —It was burdensome. But knowing his parents trusted him like this gave him a confidence he hadn't felt before. He looked at his parents, then at Doogang. The answer came quickly.
***
I took Doogang's group outside. It was impossible to house so many people in our home. So we headed to the empty house next door.
"This place is……?"
"Well……."
It wasn't like he could claim it was a stranger's house……. The man had been a civil servant; he probably wouldn't like this. While I was struggling to explain, Doogang seemed to notice my hesitation and spoke first.
"We're fine with it. The place we've been staying in belonged to someone whose name we don't even know. If we worry about things like that, surviving in this world will be difficult. The least we can do is use it with gratitude toward those who sacrificed it."
"Right……."
He wasn't completely rigid, at least. I used Demolition & Construction to break open the door. Since both the door and its handle were inorganic, I could destroy or create them. The skill wasn't limited to just building structures. More accurately, it was 'destruction and creation'……? Well, that wasn't important right now.
Once inside, Doogang's group discussed among themselves how to arrange sleeping spaces, and I waited until they finished. When Doogang came back over, it seemed they had decided.
"I have something I'd like to say to everyone……."
"Go ahead."
I gathered the group once more. I had been waiting to speak. It felt tense, trying to address complete strangers, but it was something I had to say.
"Ahem, well, I… am stronger than all of you!"
The sudden declaration left everyone staring at me in confusion. Even I thought it was an abrupt thing to say, but I continued.
"……So I'll protect you. In return, please help us with whatever tasks you're capable of."
Everyone in Doogang's group had fought before. I could tell just by looking at those who had never battled a monster. But had all ten of them fought because they wanted to? Of course, even I, Seorin, Daon, and Sohyun fought because we had no choice. Still, what I wanted to say was that some people simply weren't suited for fighting at all. Forcing them into battles they weren't meant for would only be a loss.
Everyone had done some kind of work in society and had their own areas of expertise. So those of us best at fighting would handle the fighting.
"Those who can fight, please help with perimeter security. Those who don't want to fight, please support the fighters in other ways!"
They couldn't immediately do the work they were best at. It would take time. But once everyone found their roles, they could truly be called residents of this changed world.
It was an odd speech coming from someone so young, yet Doogang's group listened attentively. Probably because they had seen me fight the Killer Ant earlier. In a world where strength was law, I had no desire to do whatever I wanted with power alone, but at times like this, it was convenient.
One of the men spoke up in response to my words.
"So you're saying we need to earn our keep?"
"Well, I didn't put it that bluntly, but…… that's right!"
They murmured among themselves.
"We've lived our whole lives that way, haven't we?"
"Exactly. Even if the world changes, that doesn't. If you want to eat, you have to work!"
"And besides, we have someone that strong with us……."
"If I don't have to fight, I'd rather not……. If there's other work, I'd like to do that……."
"You're too soft-hearted……."
Doogang spoke last.
"We have no intention of living as parasites. As you said, some of us are still confused and unsure what to do, but we'll figure it out quickly."
He really was a diligent man. Even though I had phrased things awkwardly, he reached the right conclusion on his own. That must be what experience brings. My parents trusted me, but I was still immature……. I knew that better than anyone.
With the conversation over, I prepared to leave. Before going, I said one important thing to Doogang.
"Ah, right. Tomorrow—I'd like to move as early as possible. Is that okay?"
"I could leave right now if needed."
Well, he had been a firefighter. His stamina must be incredible.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow morning."
***
Early the next morning, Dohyun headed to the Mart with Doogang. Only the two of them went. Since it was just a conversation, there was no need for a large group—two representatives were enough. Besides, he could now safely wander the area alone. Traveling with just the two of them was definitely faster.
Upon arriving at the Mart and seeing the survivors, Doogang voiced his thoughts.
"Whoa… There was a group of survivors like this……!"
Doogang had thought his own group was fairly large, but compared to the Mart, it was nothing. The person guarding the entrance recognized Dohyun immediately and went to fetch Jaehoon. Jaehoon, sensing something was up since Dohyun had come so early, hurried over.
"Hey, why are you here all of a sudden? It doesn't seem like we're out of food yet. And… who's this?"
"Ah."
Doogang swallowed. The man looked every bit like a gangster, and there were clearly many more like him nearby. He watched as Dohyun spoke to them without hesitation. If anything, it seemed the gangsters found it harder to deal with Dohyun.
'What an impressive young man…… Maybe our luck is even better than I thought.'
Doogang thought to himself as Dohyun explained the situation to Jaehoon.
"I have something important to discuss. Can we meet with Nayoon?"
"The boss……? It must be really important! Come inside!"
Dohyun and Doogang followed Jaehoon into the Mart.