Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Taking the Supermarket is a Piece of Cake
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The three Warriors showed no signs of getting up, whether they were dead or just unconscious.
I pulled Jin-woo, who was struggling helplessly in my tentacle's grasp, closer.
"Ugh... mmm...!"
The guy, firmly bound by my tentacle, looked up at me with a face full of terror.
Peering into the fear clouding his eyes, I felt a pleasure that surpassed my imagination.
I had a feeling I might lose control in front of Ha-rin again.
"Ha-rin. Could you go help Eun-ji with Jin-sung's disposal?"
"Yes, Master."
Two gunshots had run out. Most likely, Seong-o Park was dead.
Eun-ji might be trembling by herself. Sending Ha-rin would put my mind at ease, at least.
"Now, it's just the two of us, huh?"
I loosened the tentacle that had been gagging Jin-woo's mouth slightly.
"Y-You son of a bitch... What the hell are you... What is this..."
"Ahem. Your basic vocabulary is a mess. You're asking to die, you little shit."
I put a little more force into my grip.
Crunch.
"Guaaah!!!! Mmm...!"
I gagged Jin-woo again as he screamed. The crazy bastard screamed out of nowhere, startling me.
"Shh. You'll scare the kids."
"I-I'm sorry... I was wrong...! Please, just spare me!"
⚔ STATUS ⚔
🍀 Mana: 8 / 30
Unfortunately, I don't have the mana to turn him into a slave right now. I've spent a total of 22 mana so far, leaving me with 8. I need to rest a bit to recover the 10 mana I've used.
Until then, I'll have to put a suppression gag on this guy.
Jin-sung is already out of it from the Paralysis Venom Fang, so if I just restrain this guy, there's no one left in the supermarket to threaten us.
The Archer guy is a bit of a worry, but I should be able to take him down easily too.
As I was organizing my thoughts, Jin-woo started spouting nonsense, growing anxious because I wasn't saying anything.
"I-I'll release all the women! We were wrong! P-Please...!"
The bastard seems to have mistaken me for some kind of righteous hero who came to avenge the captured women.
Not even close.
"Hey, why would I release the women we went through the trouble of capturing? Are you an idiot?"
"Huh? Oh. Weren't you here for revenge..."
"Don't talk to me about revenge. So, you admit you've committed plenty of sins?"
"Yes! I-I was truly wrong! I'll live a g-good life, so... please... just this once..."
"Confess your sins to King Yama after you're dead. Don't you dare act up in front of me. Your only future is to be a slave until you die. You pathetic loser."
Smack!
I slapped the pleading Jin-woo across the face and put the gag in his mouth.
It felt terrible putting something that looked like an S&M toy into a man's mouth.
I'd be more than happy to be the first to volunteer if it were for a woman, but putting it in a muscular man's mouth just made me annoyed.
'The gag only stops him from using his skills. He knows how to fight, so I need to make sure he can't move.'
I need to keep the tentacles off and stay still for my mana to recover. So, I had to tie him up.
I'd have to tie him up with the internet cables from the electronics section.
"Well then, take a nap."
"W-Wait..! Ugh... Gah...!"
I tightened the tentacle around his throat, and soon Jin-woo was foaming at the mouth and passed out.
"Alright."
I released the tentacles and tied his arms and legs with the power cord. I tied them behind his back, so it would be hard for him to get out even if he woke up.
'Let's make Jin-sung a slave first, then Jin-woo. Are the Warriors all dead?'
Two of the Warriors Ha-rin dealt with had their heads crushed. One had its nose caved in and its face looked sunken, but it was still breathing. At least one of them was salvageable.
After checking on the Warriors, I went to where Eun-ji and Ha-rin were.
"Oh, Oppa. I've got him tied up for now."
Eun-ji had wrapped Jin-sung's arms and legs tightly with blue tape while he was trembling and mumbling something.
As for Park Seong-o... he was already cold and dead. Judging by the bullet wounds in his chest and head, he must have died instantly from the gunshots. What a waste, he was a pretty useful guy.
"What about the woman next to him?"
"Ah, she said she'd help us..."
Next to Eun-ji was a young woman wearing only her underwear. She must have been dragged in by that bastard Jin-sung and used.
Judging by how she was holding the blue tape, it looked like she was helping Eun-ji tie him up, just as Eun-ji said.
Ha-rin was standing guard, holding a hammer and scanning the area. She looked incredibly reliable.
"Ah, hello. My name is Hwang Su-min..."
"Yeah. Hi."
Her appearance was just average. After seeing Eun-ji and Ha-rin, I wasn't really interested. I casually accepted her greeting and spoke to Eun-ji and Ha-rin.
"Let's gather them in one place for now."
"Okay!"
"I'll carry him, Master."
Ha-rin hoisted Jin-sung onto her back. We then went over and sat at the table where they had been playing poker.
By then, the thugs who had come up from the commotion spotted us.
"Shit!!! Intruders!!!"
"Shut up! You son of a bitch!!!"
"Huff...!"
One of them yelled, and I yelled back, causing them to fluster. It looked like they were trying to call for their comrades, but that's not going to work.
Even if they all came, Eun-ji and Ha-rin would tear them to shreds. Besides, the loaded pistol is with me. Though I only have two shots left.
"Y-You sons of bitches..!"
"Intruders! The boss has been captured!"
"W-What...?"
"H-How did they get in..."
"Don't know. Damn it! Seong-o hyung is here!"
"S-Shit! Call Min-jun hyung!"
"He's already coming!"
The thugs who rushed up to the second floor saw Jin-sung shivering from the Paralysis Venom, Jin-woo gagged and face down on the floor, and the other Awakened who were either dead or unconscious. They couldn't approach us easily and just stood far away, muttering. Cowards.
"Everyone, get out of the way!"
Then, Kim Min-jun, the Archer, pushed through the gathered thugs and took a step forward.
"What the hell is this..."
He looked at Jin-sung, who was sitting on the floor trembling, and the dead Park Seong-o with a horrified expression.
"What... are you guys?"
He asked us, his face showing he had no idea what was going on.
I ignored Kim Min-jun's question and shouted at Jin-sung's subordinates who were still muttering.
"Hey! Can you see your boss? This guy got his ass kicked by us! You fuckers! Get it? We're way stronger! Know your place! If you don't want to die!"
My words made the murmuring even louder.
They seemed unable to decide what to do.
Then, my mana reached 10. It filled up faster than I thought. Perfect timing.
"Now, Jin-sung, become my slave..."
Jin-sung had been showing signs of submission since earlier. Thanks to that, all I had to do was press my thumb to his forehead, and this bastard would become my slave.
A level 9 warrior slave. A real gem.
I couldn't pass this up.
I quickly drew blood from my thumb and pressed it to his forehead.
Zzzzt!
"Hey, you bastard!!!"
Thinking something was about to happen to Jin-sung, Kim Min-jun, who was in a standoff, charged at us.
Was this guy some kind of honorable man who lives and dies by his loyalty? What state of mind makes him charge like that? Does he have some kind of ace up his sleeve? He's definitely fast...
"Eun-ji, Ha-rin."
"Yes." "Yes."
The two reacted instantly to my words, grabbing the charging Kim Min-jun, slamming him into the floor, and stomping on him relentlessly.
"Guaaah!!!"
He was nothing special. An archer without a bow is just dog meat. He was nothing more than a guard dog.
In the meantime, I embedded a command into the brain of Jin-sung, who was now my slave.
"Alright, Jin-sung. Listen closely."
"Guh... Yes."
"Never betray me. Do not harm yourself without my order. Do not act against me, Eun-ji, Ha-rin, or the team. This is an order. Answer if you understand."
"I... understand..."
He gritted his teeth in shame but answered that he understood. No matter how much he hates it, a slave has no choice but to obey their master's orders.
"Now, command your subordinates."
"Yes. Hey, you bastards! Everyone, calm down!"
The Paralysis Venom had just worn off, and Jin-sung immediately stood up and shouted at the muttering thugs.
"From today on, we are... what is your name?"
"Jang Jo-jun."
"Ah, yes. Ahem. From today, we are entering under the wing of Jo-jun hyungnim! You saw it? He's incredibly strong! His ladies are also strong! We can survive with these people! Got it?"
Jin-sung's shout silenced the murmuring, and soon, reactions of acceptance came forth.
"Uh... Yes!"
"Yes! Understood!"
"So, is Jo-jun hyungnim our big boss now?"
"That's right! This man is now our supreme leader!"
"Jo-jun hyungnim! We love you!!!"
And so, the chaos was settled by Jin-sung, and I gained twenty-five thug subordinates.
They were thoroughly untrustworthy and evil bastards, but for now, I had to use even these kinds of guys.
"Bring all the women who are imprisoned."
"Yes, understood. Hey! Bring all the women!"
"Yes!"
The men immediately rushed downstairs.
And Kim Min-jun, left alone.
"H-Hyungnim... What is this..."
Kim Min-jun looked up at Jin-sung as if he couldn't believe it. He looked pathetic, like a abandoned dog.
"Jo-jun hyungnim. May I say a word to that guy?"
"Huh? Go ahead. But do it in front of me."
"Yes, understood. Thank you."
It seemed Jin-sung had accepted his situation and decided to treat me with deference. He must have realized immediately that by being polite and staying in my good graces, he and his brother could survive longer. As expected of a thug who led a group. He knew which side his bread was buttered on and was quick to read the situation.
As Jin-sung approached, Eun-ji and Ha-rin moved to the side and came closer to me. Then they stood behind me like gatekeepers as I sat recovering my mana. Both were incredibly reliable.
"You two were amazing."
I gave Eun-ji and Ha-rin's butts a light pat.
"Oppa praised me.. Hehe"
"Ahem. This is nothing, Master."
Both responded with satisfied smiles when I praised them. They're strong, kind, and obedient. I love it.
While we were having such a warm moment...
Jin-sung twisted his face into a scowl and unleashed his anger on Kim Min-jun.
"Min-jun. You son of a bitch."
"H-Hyungnim..."
"If you had watched properly... these people... *grind teeth*... wouldn't have had to come all the way here..."
"H-Hyungnim... That's..."
Kim Min-jun looked up at Jin-sung, his face pale as a sheet.
The sight of a human falling into despair was quite a spectacle.
That expression of despair. How exhilarating!
"Hoo... Enough. If you want to live, know your place. I'm crawling on the ground myself right now. Got it? This is advice from someone who sees you like a younger brother. Don't die by pissing off your pride. Understood?"
"Yes... I understand. I understand."
"Good... If you prove your abilities properly... he won't kill you easily."
"I-I'll do my best."
"Say that to him, not me. I... have no power anymore."
At those words, Kim Min-jun staggered to his feet, came before me, and bowed his head to the floor.
"A-As you command! I-I'll do my best!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
The target has submitted to you.
These guys surrender too easily because they don't know the effect of my skill.
If they knew they would become slaves the moment they surrendered, they would have chosen to die instead.
"Good. Raise your head."
"Yes, yes!"
"For now, go to the roof and continue your watch. You're great at guard duty, I hear."
"Yes! I can do it!"
"Alright, go on."
Once my mana is full, I'll take my time turning him into a slave. He has a bow, so if I give it to him, he'll be flying around.
Kim Min-jun gave an awkward salute and returned to the roof.
By then, the subordinates had brought nine women up from the first floor.
"Hyungnim! We've brought all the women!"
"Yeah, good work. Everyone, go back to the first floor and do what you need to do."
"Yes! Understood!"
The thugs were disciplined. The way Jin-sung treated me with extreme deference made his subordinates visibly fear me.
Well, it's natural for them to be scared. A guy who beat people to death to reach level 9 is acting so submissive. I heard from Park Seong-o that he was like some kind of killing machine.
Anyway, just as I was about to say something to the nine women, the guy who had been knocked out by Ha-rin's hammer woke up with a pained groan.
"Guh..."
"Oh, you're awake?"
"Kuk... Shit... My nose..."
As soon as he woke up, he grabbed his sunken nose and complained of pain. It looked like he needed first aid.
"Jin-sung."
"Yes!"
"Take this guy and give him some first aid."
"Understood!"
"Ah, right. Jin-sung."
"Yes, hyungnim. What are your orders?"
"You know what to do if they resist, right?"
"Yes, I know perfectly. I'll educate them."
"Good. And these women. Make sure they aren't touched from now on. There will be backlash, but tell them to leave if they don't like it. Or tell them they'll die by my hand."
"Yes, understood. I will make sure they know. I'll take my leave now."
"Yeah. Good work. I'm counting on you."
Jin-sung bowed his head and went downstairs with the groaning Awakened.
Now, in front of me are ten women, including Hwang Su-min, Eun-ji and Ha-rin standing behind me, and Jin-woo, who is still unconscious.
It'll take more time to make Jin-woo a slave, so it's time to talk to these ten victims.
"Alright, let's see. Hello?"
I gave the ten women standing before me with terrified faces my kindest possible smile and greeted them.
"Huh? Why won't you greet me back? Hello?"
"Ah, hello... Sob..."
The women burst into tears all at once. Damn it... Did I do something wrong?
"Uh... Why are they like that..."
"Um... O-Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"They still seem terrified... Should we try to create a more relaxed atmosphere?"
"Yeah. Do that. I don't know... I don't know how to handle this. Eun-ji, Ha-rin, can you lighten the mood a bit?"
"Okay!"
"Leave it to me, Master."
The ten women had been tormented by those thugs for days.
It hadn't even been a week since they were captured, but they must have suffered all kinds of humiliation in that short time.
They might have developed a fear and disgust for men. They were treated as playthings. That's why I'm trying to be good to them. We have to coexist no matter what.
So here, I'll have to rely on Eun-ji and Ha-rin to ease the atmosphere as women.
"Um, everyone. Why don't we sit in a circle for now? It's tiring to stand and talk."
"There's no need to be so scared. We have no intention of harming or mistreating you."
Ha-rin, who had casually said we wouldn't mistreat them, glanced at me to check my reaction.
I nodded and gave her a little eye-smile in response to her unspoken request for permission.
"R-Really...?"
"T-Thank goodness..."
"Let's sit down for now. It seems they have something to tell us."
Hwang Su-min also stepped in to reassure the women. For a moment, she was with me, and she tried to help me actively, as if to prove her worth.
With Eun-ji, Ha-rin, and Hwang Su-min taking the lead, the fear in the women's eyes finally eased slightly.
Soon, the women sat down and started whispering, creating a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.
Right, you have to sit them down to calm them down. I learned another thing.
"Alright, everyone. Are you a little calmer now?"
"Yes..."
"I-I'm okay now..."
They don't look okay at all, but I'll just believe them since they say they are.
"Good. First, my name is Jang Jo-jun. As of today, I have become the leader here."
"Yes..."
"So, about that. Everyone saw the announcement today, right?"
"Yes... The zombies are getting smarter..."
"And they're getting stronger..."
"Yes. That's right. So, among you, is there anyone who hasn't killed a zombie yet?"
Eight out of the ten women raised their hands. That means eight of them have the potential to become Awakened. What a stroke of luck. I hope my luck stat of 666 works hard here. I hope at least three of them become Awakened...
"Good. You will all be killing zombies with me tomorrow. We need to be sure whether you are Awakened or not. You get it, right?"
As I said this with a relaxed smile, a woman who looked to be in her early 40s, with messy hair, raised her hand slightly.
Her arm was trembling slightly. Her eyes, looking at me, were also filled with fear. She still seems scared of me.
"Yes... Um... I have a question. May I ask...?"
"Yes. Go ahead."
"Um... What if... I'm not Awakened... Do I have to become a plaything again...?"
If I told them to become playthings here, there would be a huge backlash. And Eun-ji and Ha-rin would be disappointed in me.
I don't intend to make these women playthings again just because they aren't Awakened. If they become playthings, they'll be my playthings, but I won't let those bastards touch them.
"There's no need to become playthings. Just work hard for the community. And you must have a lot of resentment against those thugs. If you want revenge... I'm sorry, but I don't plan on killing them all right now. We need them as fighting power to survive in the future. It's very uncomfortable, annoying, and frustrating, I know. Unfortunately, coexisting with them is the only way to survive right now."
I even bowed my head slightly. It's like telling the victims of rape to overlook their attackers. I had to at least bow my head.
If I didn't, these ten might go crazy and commit group terrorism. We're already struggling just dealing with the zombies.
"Yes..."
"I... understand..."
"Sob..."
It became a sea of tears again.
They must be furious that they have to coexist with the bastards who killed their loved ones, kidnapped, imprisoned, and raped them.
I understand their feelings, but there's nothing I can do about it.
It's too wasteful to give up twenty-five workers right now.
Still, if a large number of better survivors join our side, we won't need to use the thugs anyway.
Truth be told, I don't like those thugs. I have bad memories from my school days and various other reasons.
"But if we get people to replace them, I plan on getting rid of them one by one. So, please hold on a little longer. Spring will come someday. I'm sorry I can't take immediate action."
"It's... okay... Still... thanks to you... the situation has improved a lot... Sob... Thank you..."
"Thank you for saving us..."
"Thank you..."
Fortunately, they seemed grateful just to be out of that hellish situation, even for a moment.
It was thanks to Hwang Su-min, Eun-ji, and Ha-rin taking the lead and guiding the atmosphere.
If they had asked me to kill those bastards or blinded by their desire for revenge made unreasonable requests, it would have been quite a hassle.
And so, I ended the conversation roughly and had the women sleep in the children's play corner on the second floor.
"Haa. Now, it's over once I make this guy a slave. You two should rest too. You really worked hard today. Seriously, Eun-ji and Ha-rin are the best."
"Oppa is the best too. I really like you."
"Master, your decisive actions today were cool."
As the situation settled, Eun-ji and Ha-rin clung to me and kissed my cheeks. Haa. This is why I live.
"You two did all the hard work. Thank you both."
I hugged Eun-ji and Ha-rin and waited for my mana to return.
It was already dawn, and I was sleepy and incredibly tired, but I couldn't sleep easily without making Jin-woo my slave.
'Hoo... Tomorrow, I'll go home, move as many necessary items as possible here, and fortify the supermarket... I'll gather cars and furniture to block any gaps where zombies might get in... I'll check all the food and daily necessities... I'll go back to the hardware store and take everything... I'll loot all the surrounding areas that are worth looting...'
And so, a very busy weekend passed as we fortified the supermarket and looted the surrounding shops.
The 'Monday of Death' had been updated.
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