Chapter 52: Innermost Thoughts

Chapter 52: Innermost Thoughts

1.

Riiing

Riiing

Riiing

First, I needed to deal with the incessantly ringing phone.

I wrote a message on the notepad, copied it, and pasted it to everyone who had messaged me.

This is Kim Doha. Im currently busy and will explain the situation later.

Finally, the vibrations stopped.

Master, what happened?

Serena and Ciel, who seemed unable to understand the current situation, were only looking at me.

But I was in just as much need of understanding.

Just a moment

I took a moment to gather my thoughts.

The first thing that came to mind was the phrase from the ranking window:

Defeating Ashimones minions is the will of Goddess Hestia.

I had a rough idea about Ashimone since I had heard about it from Kwon Junyong: She was a goddess of hell and was known by a certain unpleasant term.

Then who was Goddess Hestia?

Judging by the fact that she likely manipulated the ranking window as she pleased, it could be inferred that Hestia was the one supporting this system and status window.

Furthermore, through the phrase in the ranking window, Hestia made her intention clear:

To defeat Ashimones minions.

In other words, Hestia was an enemy of Ashimone.

There was a saying, The enemy of my enemy is my friend, so one could argue that Hestia might be an ally to the surviving survivors, at least for now.

Then why did she suddenly create something called a ranking window?

After thinking this far, the conclusion was obvious.

To defeat more of Ashimones minions and to do it faster.

Since it would be used to tempt the stronger ability users, who wouldnt want to hold a high rank?

She was saying this:

Work harder to defeat the enemies and receive the grace of the goddess.

Show off your abilities to others through the ranking window.

A method to increase performance by creating competition.

I like it.

Hestia was a goddess who knew how to use her head.

At least she was different from the unpleasant term Ashimone, who made people slaves through unfair contracts.

Good.

Once I had sorted things out in my mind, the conclusion became simple.

This suddenly created ranking system was also working in my favor.

Ever since I heard Kwon Junyongs story, I had planned to disclose all information in the community and request the nations ability users to block the rifts.

But now that this ranking window appeared, the persuasiveness of my words would increase.

As a bonus, from now on, the rift strategy I would use was the guidebook for the top ranker.

But the immediate thing to do was

Shall we go catch the chicken first?

Serenas face brightened up as she exclaimed.

Yes, yes, yes!

Ciel looked at Serena and smiled contentedly.

2.

We came to Yangju in the first place to catch chickens to raise as livestock.

Of course, we caught Kwon Junyong as if a cow had backed into a mouse, but

Returning to the poultry farm, we stuffed the chickens into a large net we brought from D-Mart as we caught them.

Cluck-cluck-cluck

Cock-a-doodle-doo

Cluck!

We seemed to have captured dozens of them.

Lets go, Ciel.

Departure!

Heavy, its heavyyyy!

Ciel complained that it was heavy, but somehow, she lifted it.

We soon returned to D-Mart.

From a distance, as the D-Mart looked small, a person who had been on guard on the rooftop spotted us and waved.

He must have alerted the others, as by the time we arrived, people were gathered around the chicken coop like clouds.

Wow, chickens!

How many are there?

Now we can eat eggs too!

I want chicken! Freshly fried chicken

You all worked hard!

Thank you, Mr. Doha!

A few thank yous led to people giving us a round of applause.

Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap

Hahaha You dont have to do that.

Yahoo!

An unbearable, cringeworthy energy filled the meeting room.

Ive said all I have to say, so todays meeting will end here. Please continue to share your thoughts.

I quickly left the meeting room.

Hes running away because hes embarrassed!

He hasnt finished speaking yet!

4.

After leaving the meeting room, I headed alone to Baek Seonas room.

She said earlier that she would write a post to upload to the community, so I planned to wait here and write it together.

I told Serena and Ciel to rest in our room.

In that empty room, I lay on the bed and fell into deep thought.

The people who had just painted my face with praise.

Was it truly a sincere expression of gratitude? Or was it calculated flattery?

The real power in this D-Mart was concentrated in the hands of those with abilities.

Because it was structured to operate by those with abilities.

It would be the same anywhere, not just here, if it were a gathering of survivors who had lived through this zombie apocalypse.

It was different from the past society, where all members did their part and contributed to the community.

In this zombie apocalypse, those with abilities contribute overwhelmingly more to the community, almost incomparable to ordinary people.

In other words, ordinary people without abilities were in an inherently insecure position.

We could be abandoned by those with abilities at any time.

We must look good to those with abilities.

These thoughts might unconsciously take hold.

Once I had these thoughts, it became difficult to accept peoples expressions of gratitude as purely sincere.

Sigh

After worrying about such trivial matters for about 30 minutes, the rooms owner returned.

Ugh

Baek Seona looked at me and came in with a wry smile.

Everyone wanted to express their gratitude, thinking it was a chance. Shouldnt you have accepted it?

Hearing her words, I pondered for a moment.

Should I tell this to Baek Seona or not?

She was one of the few people who knew all my secrets, including my abilities.

Apart from Serena and Ciel, who had become human through my abilities, she was the only one.

There must be no worries I couldnt talk to Baek Seona about.

I honestly shared my inner thoughts.

Baek Seona, who silently listened to my words, suddenly apologized.

Im sorry.

For what?

The words I said as soon as I came in earlier. I didnt know it would be a burden to you

Heh heh. Its okay.

I smiled and patted Baek Seonas head.

Doha oppa. You dont need to act composed in front of me.

Im really okay now.

Then Im glad.

Baek Seona chuckled, then spoke with a serious expression.

But you know, I dont think their expressions of gratitude were hypocritical for their own safety. Everyone is sincerely thankful. To Doha oppa, who saved all of our lives.

I continued to stroke Baek Seonas head without saying a word.

She accepted it as she looked into my eyes and hugged me tightly.

How about trusting me if you cant trust people? I was a useless woman without any abilities. You saved my life. You saved my family, too. I truly thank you with all my heart. Do you doubt my sincerity, too?

Her eyes quietly looked at me.

In them, a pure heart without a hint of hesitation was beating.

No. I dont doubt.

Hee hee hee.

Baek Seona smiled contentedly.

But Oppa.

Huh?

I read something on the internet Do you feel bad right now?

No, I feel good.

You were uneasy just before. Hurry up and say you feel bad.

I answered with my half doubts.

Yeah, I feel bad.

Then Baek Seona took off her shirt and offered her chest wrapped in a white bra, saying:

Then want to touch my chest?

Really, Baek Seona, you

This playful succubus

Since we were sitting on the bed and hugging each other, she immediately noticed my swelling arousal.

Her eyes were wide with excitement as she looked at me.