"Huh? Are you saying Ahjussi saved Soo Jinyoung?"
"Yes, that's right. The story is like this..."
I took the role of a storyteller and told the child a story. It was a fake story that did not happen. To begin with, I was saying this story to pass the time before the others came back.
In the story, I protrayed myself as the overpowered protagonist that saved the 'damsel in distress' from a group of monsters. Of course, the 'damsel in distress' in question was Yoo Jinyoung.
If she heard this story, I was sure she will stabb me a few times before burning my corpse.
Upon hearing the story, the boy looked at me with a strange expression as if he did not believe me.
"Did you really save Soo Jinyoung?"
"Of course, why would I lie?"
Of course, a normal person wouldn't lie to a child. But I haven't been a normal person for these past few days. For that matter, I'm even questioning if I have always been like this.
The boy looked at me up and down as if scanning me. He was probably thinking of something rude.
"You don't look strong."
A vein appeared on my forehead. Wasn't everyone being rude these days?
"Appearances can be deceiving. Don't you know?"
"That..."
"Or do you think Soo Jinyoung is too strong to be saved?"
"Of course, she is. You were not here so you wouldn't know. Soo Jinyoung is a hero that saved all these people."
The boy began to explain the situation in Gwanak-gu before we arrived. It was difficult to listen. The boy overexaggerated the story of Soo Jinyoung's heroism.
"Ahjussi, are you even listening?"
"Of course, I am. Three days ago, Soo Jinyoung arrived in Gwanak-gu and saved some of you people. It's a simple story."
The boy refused at how his story was called 'simple'.
"Uh, it's not that simple."
In the end, he was simply fascinated by Soo Jinyoung. No, he was fascinated by her strength. It was the same for all the people here.
A person suddenly appeared and rescued them with overwhelming strength. It would be strange if they didn't follow such a person.
But all these people did not know. They were not saved because of Soo Jinyoung's humanity, they survived because they were lucky enough to be around Soo Jinyoung.
Okay, no more horsing around. Let's get down to business.
"Do you mind if I ask you some few things? There are some things I need to know."
"I don't mind. Go ahead."
"How is the food supply here?"
"The food in the warehouse finished a long time ago. The hunting squad brings back food and asks Lee Suhye to cook."
"What about Yoo Jinyoung?"
"She prefers to move on her own but cooperates if needed. Umm... don't tell anyone I told this but Yoo Jinyoung's cooking is terrible."
The boy whispered with a low voice and looked left and right as if afraid he will be caught.
It was laughable. Soo Jinyoung was the only Walker that had a skill with a negative sign. I don't even know how that was possible.
"What about food distribution?"
"Food distribution is usually managed by Lee Suhye. But when she's not around, it's managed by Gwanakgu group."
"... Gwanakgu group?"
"The hunting squad are divided into two groups, the New Wave group and the Gwanakgu group."
"Are you saying the hunting squads are not united?"
"Yes. Basically, only the New wave group is under Lee Suhye's control while the Gwanakgu group acts independently"
Gwanakgu group. It was a familiar name in the 'Song of Nightmares'. Things were finally getting interesting.
"What kind of people are they?"
"Umm, that's a very difficult question."
To be honest, there was no need to ask since I already know. A minor villain was currently occuping the warehouse.
"Basically, they are tax collectors."
Indeed, that was the right term to describe them.
"They constantly collected coins and harassed the survivors. Even Lee Suhye can't completely repel them without starting a fight between two groups."
"Then why hasn't Soo Jinyoung taken action? I'm sure she will easily be able to reserve the situation if she intervened."
"T-That... We have already tried talking to her about it. But..."
A dark expression formed on the boy's face. He was silent for a while before he opened his mouth again.
"She said we should take care of it on our own."
I nodded my head.
That sounded like what Soo Jinyoung would say. She never told them to follow her yet they still followed her because they were fascinated by her overwhelming power. Thus, they must take responsibility and solve this problem on their own.
Suddenly, somebody called out and carelessly approached.
"Jakga-ssi, you're here."
"... Jongho-ssi."
It was Lee Jongho. Angelica and Jung Yunhee also appeared behind him. They were gone for a long time.
"How did the meeting go?"
"Thankfully, we managed to reach a common ground."
"Well, that's certainly good news."
"So where did you guys go? I have been waiting for a while."
"Oh, that? I used this time to take a look around and learn about the situation in the warehouse."
I saw a checklist in Lee Jongho's hand. He was really a soldier.
"What about you, Angelica? Did you find your father?"
"That..."
Her expression noticeably became darker and she bit her lips. Maybe I shouldn't have opened my mouth.
"He's not here."
"Don't worry, your father is a strong man. I'm sure he will be alive."
"Thank you. But please, don't give me false hope."
Despite her words, Angelica's expression has softened considerably. It was good not to lose hope.
"What about Jung Yunhee?"
"It's a secret."
"... A secret?"
"Does Ahjussi want to know?"
"Don't call me Ahjussi. I'm not an old man."
I thought about it for a while before I finally realised.
Jung Yunhee didn't have any relatives which meant there was only one thing she could do in this place. Indeed, human physiology did not stop in this world.
"U-Uwaaaack!"
A scream emerged followed by the sound of something crashing onto the floor.
The small child heard the sound and sighed. His reaction suggested that this kind of thing happened regularly.
"It's starting again."
"What's starting?"
"Someone failed to pay their tax."
"...Tax?"
"I think it's better for you to see the situation directly. C'mon, Mister, I will show you our story."
The boy lead us to where the other survivors had gathered. The crowd were watching a gourp of men beating up a boy without interrupting.
"P-Please... have mercy."
"Look at this guy. Looks like the beating is not enough."
"Let's beat him up some more. Next time, he will pay his tax."
It was a sad sight to see. It was Lee Jongho who opened his mouth this time.
"What's going on? Why are they beating that guy?"
The boy watched the scene with an indifferent expression and began to explain calmly.
"They are the tax collectors. Once in a while, the Gwanakgu group will collect tax from the survivors. This is what happens to those who cannot pay."
I felt a little uncomfortable. The boy explained it too calmly as if it was no big deal. That was not an expression a child should have.
I opened my mouth and asked, "How often does this happen?"
"They collect tax once everyday."
"I see. Does Lee Suhye knows about this?"
"Yes, sometimes she does manages to stop them without starting a fight. But that doesn't solve anything in general."
The situation wasn't too far from what I imagined. It was similar to the situation in Hongdae.
Lee Jongho eagerly moved his feet. Indeed, he cannot tolerate injustice but I have to stop him this time.
"Jongho-ssi, don't do anything."
"This is not right. We have to stop them."
"I told this to Angelica once. The situation will not change even if you intervened. Instead, you will make the situation more difficult."
"That..."
"I'm not saying you shouldn't do anything. But now is not the right time. There will be a time to act."
"I... understand."
I released my hand once Lee Jongho calmed down. Indeed, this was a difficult situation. If we don't move, this will also affect us too.
At that moment...
"Huh?"
My eyes noticed something. I moved closer and carefully looked at the boy being overwhelmed by the Gwanakgu group.
He was a teenager roughly around Jung Yunhee's age. The boy had a slim figure and his hair was messy. He was currently rolled up into a ball to block the gangster's relentless assault.
Since I could not see his face properly, I decided to activate a skill.
+
[ « Soul Status » ]
Name: Kim Hyunwoo
Age: 19
Guardian Constellation: None (A few constellations are interested in this player.)
Primary Attributes: Evolutionary (Common), Junk Collector (Common)
Skills: Inventive Mind Lv. 2, Sprinting Lv. 1, Small Eater Lv. 6, Patience Lv. 3, High Tolerance Lv. 5
Overall Stats: Constitution Lv. 5, Strength Lv. 9, Agility Lv. 11, Magic Power Lv. 15,
Overall Evaluation: A person with great potential. He has the 'Evolutionary' attritude but his potential is yet to be realised. If his talent is awakened, he might become the best builder in the milky way.
+
I remembered such a character was also in the warehouse. It was surprising that Soo Jinyoung haven't found this person yet. Maybe this is my change to snatch him away under her nose.
Pow! Pow! Pow!
"Take this and that! Maybe you will learn your lesson to pay your taxes this time."
The man continued the sadistic beating while the boy was helplessly mumbling an apology.
These bastards... They were going crazy. I'm sure they must be enjoying themselves while everyone was suffering. It will be difficult if this continued any further so I decided to step in.
"Hey!"
I stepped forward and called out but my call was ignored. Perhaps the gangsters did not hear me but I highly doubt that. They simply did not care.
There was a big man in the middle of the gangsters. He was the one throwing his fist without care. His body was well balanced and there was a scar on his neck.
It was evident he was the big man of this group. He was a character I knew. If it was my old self, I would have been afraid and try my best to avoid this man. In fact, the people here will think I'm crazy or suicidal for stepping up.
As he was able to throw another fist, I caught his hand and gripped it with strength.
"Hey!"
The man stared at me, dumbfounded. He stood motionless for a moment, as if trying to process what had just happened, before his expression hardened into a cold frown.
"Hey, what do you thinking you are doing?"
It was the cold, rough voice befitting the leader of a gangster group.
In response, I only squeezed his hand tighter and then, there was a satisfacting cracking sound of bones breaking.