Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Camp (1)
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“Oh, and come to think of it, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is An Tae-woo. Um... would it be alright if I asked for your names?”
The man introduced himself while guiding us from the front, then asked for our group's names.
“I'm Lee Yun-seong, and these siblings here are Lee Yu-rim and Lee Yu-hyeon.”
“Ah... so you two are siblings. That's interesting. This is the first case I've seen of brothers or sisters being brought here together.”
At least within this camp, it seemed there were no cases of siblings or brothers arriving together.
“We call this place the camp or the shelter. Think of it however you like. As you can see, it's the starting point building with the entrance blocked by rocks and wood, so it's safe.”
“... How do you procure food and water?”
“From the food left inside the building... and usually Seo Yu-ju goes out to get more. She doesn't bring back a lot, but for us, it's like rain in a drought.”
“I see... More importantly, there are no bodies inside the building. Since it was the starting point, a lot of people must have died...”
“A lot did die, actually. If it weren't for Yu-ju, many more would have. There were some bodies, but people dragged them outside. It wasn't a small number, so it was pretty tough.”
They cleared the bodies. Still, if they could manage that, fewer must have died here compared to our starting point where we woke up.
“Haha... Isn't Yu-ju really amazing? She's so beautiful and strong too... I was shocked when I first saw her swinging that spear. Thanks to her, we all banded together and defended this place from the monsters.”
This guy named An Tae-woo seemed pretty smitten with the regressor. Well, as he said, she was incredibly beautiful and strong... and she even protected them to some extent and gathered food. It was only natural.
... She didn't seem like the type with that kind of saintly personality, though. Unexpected.
It wasn't that she had a bad personality. From the position of someone she'd helped, I couldn't say she was bad, but she didn't seem the type to go around saving everyone.
Does she have some goal? Or... maybe even a regressor can't clear this tutorial alone.
I wondered if there was anyone here fighting monsters. If they'd banded together to survive the initial monster attack, surely some had killed monsters and gained jobs. I'd checked others' status windows on the way, but they all lacked jobs.
“Besides Yu-ju, has no one else in the camp gotten a job?”
“... No. There are. But those people went out scouting separately. They'll probably come back later. They sometimes bring back food too.”
... I just couldn't wrap my head around how this camp sourced food. A few strong people gather food and share it with the others?
It might sound fine, but risking their lives to fetch food and then sharing it with these people just sitting around?
“... I don't get it. Do those people just hand over the food willingly?”
The moment he heard my question, An Tae-woo's expression soured, like something had displeased him.
“No. They do share, but only a small amount. That's why everyone's always starving.”
As expected, something had to be off. A structure where the majority depend on a tiny few wasn't normal.
“Those people... we're grateful for them, but... sometimes they bully others. It's unfortunate.”
While talking with An Tae-woo, a middle-aged man approached.
“Tae-woo, who are these folks?”
“Ah... new arrivals. Yu-ju brought them.”
“Heh heh... Yu-ju's really capable. She reminds me of my daughter back on Earth, you know? So kind too. Right, Tae-woo? Haha!”
The moment the middle-aged man spoke, the expression vanished from An Tae-woo's face.
... What's this guy's deal?
“... Use honorifics when addressing Yu-ju. She's not your daughter's namesake or anything.”
“Haha... Tae-woo, wh-what's with the sudden attitude... Did I say something wrong...”
“Could you step away for a bit? I need to guide these people. It's something Yu-ju personally asked me to do.”
“A-alright, get to it then, Tae-woo.”
The middle-aged man left.
“... Anyway, you'll be safe here. This is where you'll be staying. It's much better than where others are, so please bear with it if it feels a bit cramped.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
I thanked him politely. No need to grovel, but he seemed like the representative among the non-combatants, so a courteous nod was enough.
An Tae-woo finished guiding us and left.
“Oppa... are we safe here now?”
“Who knows... It should be safe... but I don't know what these people are thinking. In the end, whether it's us or them, we all have to clear this tutorial.”
People have a misconception. Unlike Earth, with monsters popping out and lives constantly threatened, it might seem thinking clearly is hard, but this isn't the end.
Would those who gave up fighting and growing here fare better outside the tutorial?
Bullshit... Nine times out of ten, they'll all die. Hell, maybe something worse than death.
Most people here had probably given up fighting monsters.
The status window doesn't lie. Even excluding job bonuses, Yu-rim, I, and even Yu-hyeon had raised our stats through hardship.
I'd checked these people's status windows on the way, and most hadn't grown a single point from their initials.
What is the regressor thinking?
Let's think from her perspective.
She saved them and even brought food. If my guess is right, she's probably selecting those with even a shred of will to fight.
Of course, I could be wrong...
Just speculation.
“For now... you guys rest too. We've been through a lot. It's fine to take a break here. If something comes up or they need something, someone will come or it'll be Yu-ju herself.”
“Got it... You rest too, oppa. You've had it the worst... Thank you. For not abandoning me back then and fighting. Honestly... I thought you'd leave me... I had no hope... I was really touched. I mean it.”
“Hyung... thanks. Thanks to you, sis and I survived.”
“Pfft...”
I ruffled their hair with both hands. Impressive how these kids thought so deeply.
“Enough. Yu-ju did most of it. We'd be in big trouble without her.”
“Still... you bought time by not abandoning sis until Yu-ju noona arrived.”
“Cut it out. How much more gold are you gonna paint on my face? It's embarrassing, dude.”
While chatting and resting with the kids, about two hours passed subjectively when the regressor came to our spot.
“How's it going? Settling in okay?”
I stood and replied to her.
“Yes. Thanks to you, we've been resting well.”
“Glad to hear it. Kids, you good? Nothing uncomfortable?”
“Yes, unnie. It's been forever since we rested like this... Thank you so much.”
“All thanks to Yu-ju noona.”
“Good to know you're comfortable. Yun-seong, if anything bothers you, tell me directly, not anyone else. No need to hold back.”
“No issues at all. It's so comfortable I'm having trouble adjusting.”
“That's a relief, but... if anyone gives you trouble or bullies you, come straight to me. Promise?”
... Is all this necessary? She seems overly sensitive.
These people weren't in a position to bully us anyway. They knew the power gap themselves.
Still, better she cares a lot than not at all.
Feeling under her wing brought mental stability.
I hadn't shown it, but we'd been through hell. Dragged from Earth, nearly monster food, killed fellow humans, almost died ourselves—exhaustion was normal.
“Anyway, I meant to come sooner, but I had things to handle... Sorry for being late.”
“No problem. Managing this camp must keep you busy. I understand.”
“Thanks for understanding. You must be wondering why I'm here—it's about tomorrow's plans.”
“... Could I hear about the schedule?”
Naturally, as a regressor, Seo Yu-ju had plans. I wanted in.
“Of course. Rest up tonight since it's late. Tomorrow, we'll recruit volunteers for scouting. You and the kids included. Um... just to confirm, you and the kids...”
“We're definitely going. We'd even ask to join.”
“Phew, good. I was worried you'd want to stay in camp.”
She's offering a free ride—why pass up free growth?
“I'm not the smartest... but not dumb enough to miss that. We have to clear the tutorial.”
She nodded at my words.
“Perfect. Anyway, recruiting volunteers tomorrow. My worry is...”
“... No one volunteering.”
“Yes, exactly. Harsh to say, but worst case, zero takers.”
“Simple fix: announce reduced rations for non-volunteers, more for volunteers.”
“I thought of that, but... expect backlash. Maybe strong.”
“... Harsh again, but we're not their parents—neither you, me, Yu-rim, nor Yu-hyeon. If they want food, get it themselves. Bluntly, those who do nothing deserve nothing.”
“... Can't argue with that.”
“They need to realize this is just the tutorial. And whatever the clear condition, we'll likely need numbers...”
“You're right. Helps me decide. Anyway, scout tomorrow, so sleep well. I'll head out. You too, Yu-rim, Yu-hyeon.”
“Yes, unnie. Goodnight.”
“Yeah, noona.”
The regressor left.
“Anyway, seems like scouting tomorrow, so everyone sleep tight. No tossing and turning.”
“You too, hyung!”
“Yes. Goodnight, oppa.”