Savior (4)
Hadonggeon looked under the elevated railway and spoke.
"We're moving down."
It was about the height of a three-story building, but for them—averaging in the mid-30s level-wise—it wasn't a difficult jump.
So, the fact that the bridge was destroyed wasn't the real issue.
'The question is, who did this?'
How many beings could possibly destroy a concrete bridge?
'There aren't any large footprints nearby, so it wasn't a Cyclops.'
Besides, compared to the areas that Cyclops had rampaged through, the surrounding buildings here were relatively intact.
That meant this was the work of something else.
In any case, something capable of breaking a concrete bridge was lurking nearby.
[Everyone, stay alert.]
Hadonggeon's party landed near Dongnae Station.
To reach their goal in Jangjeon-dong, they had to pass through multiple subway stations—Myeongnyun, Oncheonjang, Busan National University, and Jangjeon.
That left about 4 kilometers to go.
As they descended from the elevated railway, the number of monsters swarming them increased, but the party skillfully cut them down and advanced.
Kang Deoksoo's steel golems were especially effective, taking the brunt of the attacks.
'At this rate, we'll make it without trouble.'
Given their abilities, there shouldn't be any problems.
'They said they lived in the same apartment complex, right?'
From past experience, apartment complexes had the highest survival rates.
Not only were they difficult for goblins—the most common monsters—to invade, but the high population density made it easier for people to band together.
'I hope they're safe.'
Then—
'Huh?'
A doorbell rang.
He immediately extended the vision of his Absolute Eye to check the hallway.
Six middle-aged men and women were standing there.
'What's this about?'
Things like this had happened before.
People sought him out for various reasons—begging, questioning, complaining, or even proposing trades.
'Ever since I left things to Kim Dabin, this hasn't happened much.'
He figured it was about time for something like this to happen again and casually made his way to the entrance.
Clack.
With an invisible hand, he unlocked the door.
The people's eyes widened when they saw him.
[Citizen Jang Sungjun's trust level has increased.]
[Citizen Hong Kyungtaek's trust level has increased.]
[Citizen Im Kyunghoon's trust level has increased.]
—
For trust levels to spike just by meeting him, there was only one possible explanation.
'They're seeing me for the first time.'
That meant they were recent arrivals.
'Well, thousands of people have been coming in. Makes sense.'
Originally, he had planned to send them straight to Kim Dabin.
But his thoughts changed when one of them spoke.
"Please lend us guns."
At Jang Sungjun's words, Hadonggeon became curious.
"Guns?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, but I can't just hand out firearms to anyone."
Even in a world overrun by monsters, guns were regulated for one reason.
'Because within my territory, guns aren't necessary.'
His declared sanctuary provided perfect protection from monsters.
Only citizens and authorized animals lived inside.
No insect could survive without his approval, and any monster harboring hostility toward him would perish the moment the sanctuary expanded.
A completely safe zone.
So why would anyone need guns here?
Jang Sungjun spoke again.
"We have to leave the territory."
People who had a reason to venture into a monster-infested world.
For them, firearms were a necessity.
'Having more people capable of hunting monsters is always a good thing.'
Lately, as the monsters' levels rose, there had been a shortage of capable hunters.
"So you're planning to hunt monsters."
It was likely they intended to use the safety of the sanctuary to aid their hunts.
If they were that brave, they were worth supporting.
However, Jang Sungjun shook his head.
"No."
"…What?"
"We're not going to hunt monsters. We're going to rescue our families."
"!!"
Hadonggeon wasn't the only one who had been separated from his loved ones by the appearance of monsters.
Everyone who had lived their own lives in their own spaces had lost connection with their families.
And just as there were countless people within his territory, there were just as many different choices to make.
People focusing on survival while praying for their families' safety.
People falling into despair, assuming their families are already dead.
And those who, like now, risk their lives to reunite with their loved ones.
There was no single correct answer.
After all, not a small number of people who recklessly ventured outside with courage ended up dead.
[Citizen Seo Jung-ah has died.]
Even at this very moment, citizens were losing their lives.
As the population of survivors grew, so did the messages announcing their deaths.
But not all of them met their end helplessly inside their rooms.
Some died bravely, venturing outside to see their families, only to be slain by monsters.
'They are just like me.'
Tossing and turning at night, worried for their families.
Constantly agonizing over what they could do.
And in the end, deciding to take action, even at the cost of their lives.
They must have come this far, driven by desperation.
'I can't save everyone.'
However, he could at least place weapons in the hands of those who had made it here with such urgency.
"Are the six of you heading out together?"
"Yes, we are."
Ziiing—
He immediately handed out six pistols and live ammunition.
And then, he prepared to give them an even greater weapon.
"Would you all consider making a contract with me?"
Though he had yet to establish a contract with the hunting team, he wanted to give these people the first opportunity.
"Thank you! Anything—I'll do anything! As long as I can go save my family!"
The Subjugation Contract had somewhat strict conditions.
He turned to the first person who had accepted the offer—Jang Sung-joon.
"Kneel."
Jang Sung-joon hesitated for a moment but complied.
"I-I knelt down."
His mother had possessed the legendary ability to form Subjugation Contracts, yet she never filled her limit of 100 subordinates.
He approached and placed his hand on Jang Sung-joon's head.
Swallowing his embarrassment, he declared—
***
"From now on, you will obey me."
…
"I understand."
The moment he heard the oath of submission—
Flash!
A brilliant light erupted from his body, flowing into Jang Sung-joon and vanishing.
And then—
「Name: Jang Sung-joon (Lv. 30)
Trust Level: 48
Awakening Ability: Psychokinesis
Experience Distribution Rate: 0% (+100%)
Settlement Money Distribution Rate: 0% (+100%)
★ Quest Assignment / Expulsion
Psychokinesis (Grade A)
Allows the exertion of physical force by consuming mental energy.」
An A-rank skill!
An unexpected jackpot had been hit.
"What was that light just now?"
"What the hell just happened?"
"Sung-joon, are you okay?"
Seeing Jang Sung-joon kneeling with a bewildered expression, he realized he needed to explain what had happened.
'Open shop. Purchase one tangerine.'
Ziiing—
Holding a tangerine in one hand, he assigned a quest to Jang Sung-joon.
"Quest Assigned"
Quest Objective: Use Psychokinesis to lift the tangerine.
Time Limit: 10 minutes 00 seconds
Reward: Mental Strength Enhancement
Failure Penalty: None
"Huh?"
Startled by the sudden quest window, Jang Sung-joon stared at the tangerine he was handed.
Jang Sung-jun, who had been alternating his gaze between the quest window and the tangerine, hesitated for a moment before glaring at the tangerine with a frown.
Then—
"Huh?"
"What the? The tangerine is floating?"
"Are you the one doing this, Sung-jun?"
As the tangerine, which had risen from my palm into the air, reached its peak—
Pop!
Whether he had used too much force or not, the tangerine suddenly burst apart.
Seeing this, Jang Sung-jun panicked and apologized.
"Ack! I-I'm sorry!"
"It's fine."
Before the tangerine juice could touch my face, it was blocked by an invisible barrier near the entrance and dripped down.
[Citizen Jang Sung-jun's trust level has reached 50.]
[Loyalty has been unlocked.]
[Citizen Jang Sung-jun's loyalty has surpassed 30.]
[Citizen Jang Sung-jun has met the requirements for vassal registration.]
'Vassal registration, Jang Sung-jun.'
It was a huge catch.
The other five had only awakened abilities ranging from D to C rank, but just securing Jang Sung-jun alone was more than satisfactory.
Now that vassal registration was complete, I could also provide him with small-scale support.
"You said it was ○○ Apartment in Yeonji-dong?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Good luck."
"Thank you."
After Jang Sung-jun and his group left, Hadong-geon's party arrived near Myeongnyun Station, the next stop.
"Graaaaargh!"
A monster, presumed to be the culprit behind the destruction of the ground-level railway between Dongnae Station and Myeongnyun Station, blocked their path.
[Twin-Headed Ogre (Lv. 45)]
A massive creature, the size of a house, its entire body bulging with explosive muscles.
Its defining feature was its two heads.
The monster swung its fist toward Hadong-geon's party.
Boom!
The sheer power of the punch shook the ground.
At that moment—
Shrieeeek!
A gigantic crow swooped in, attacking the ogre's left head.
"Grugh!"
As the beast turned its gaze toward the crow—
Bang!
A sharp gunshot rang out from the ogre's right shoulder.
It was Moon Byung-ho, who had teleported while invisible and fired his pistol straight into the ogre's ear.
"Kraaaaah!"
The ogre shrieked, clutching its right ear.
The head that remained intact glared at its own shoulder—but there was nothing there.
"Attack!"
Before the monster could recover, ten armored knights clung to its feet, swinging their halberds.
Slash! Thud!
The sharp axe blades dug mercilessly into the ogre's feet.
"Graaaah!"
Annoyed, the ogre kicked the knights away, but at that moment—
Flash!
An arrow of light shot toward the ogre's left face and exploded on impact.
Boom! Crackle!
The light arrow split into dozens of fragments, covering the ogre's face.
In the process, the left head completely lost its vision.
"Kraaaaah!"
The ogre clutched its face with both hands.
"Now!"
Seizing the opportunity, Oh Won-joo, now in beast form, moved in.
Vwoom!
Empowered by Kim Da-jeong's blessing, Oh Won-joo swung his claws—shattering one of the ogre's ankles.
"Graaaaargh!!!"
The ogre roared in rage.
Its furious bellow, infused with Fear, made Hadong-geon's party hesitate momentarily, giving the ogre a chance to unleash a flurry of punches.
Boom! Boom!
The ground trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
However, by that point, nothing remained near the ogre.
Oh Won-joo had already withdrawn, and Kang Deok-soo's knight squad had vanished after being unsummoned.
"Graaaah!"
The only thing the ogre managed to destroy was the ground beneath its feet.
And then—
Whoosh!
Another light arrow flew straight toward the bloodied ogre's face.
Thwack!
This time, it completely robbed the ogre of its remaining eye.
"Arrrgh!"
Now, the ogre had lost all four of its eyes.
By that point, the two heads were no longer roaring—they were screaming in anguish.
A desperate, enraged cry—the same cries of all those who had perished at the ogre's hands.
"Huff…"
In front of the now-blind ogre, Hadong-geon stood, gripping a spear.
Vwoom!
A dark aura began to emanate from the spearhead.
Then, he threw it with all his might.
"Hup!"
Whooosh!
The black aura spread across the entire spear as it flew, intensifying with each passing moment.
Fwoosh!
It was as if black flames had completely engulfed the spear.
And when it finally reached the ogre's chest—
BOOM!
A massive explosion tore through the air, obliterating the ogre's upper body.
[You have slain Twin-Headed Ogre (Lv. 45).]
[You have gained a large amount of experience points.]
[7,223,743,090 won has been deposited into the Absolute Ruler's account.]
And then—
[Skill level has increased.]
With the expected pain, domain expansion had begun.
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