Chapter 9

“Ah, come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself yet. My name is Ahn Tae-woo. Hmm… May I ask for your names?”

The man guiding us introduced himself and then asked for our names.

“I’m Lee Yun-seong, and these siblings are Lee Yoo-rim and Lee Yoo-hyun.”

“Ah, I see… So you two are siblings. That’s interesting. It’s my first time seeing siblings or relatives brought here together.”

At least within this camp, it seemed there were no cases of siblings or relatives arriving together.

“We call this place either a camp or a shelter. Feel free to think of it as you like. As you can see, the entrance is blocked with stones and wood, so it’s safe inside the starting building.”

“…How do you supply food and water?”

“There’s some food left inside the building… and usually, Yoo 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… By the way, there are no corpses inside the building. Since it was the starting point, a lot of people must have died here…”

“Many did die. If it weren’t for Yoo Ju, even more would have died. There were some corpses, but people moved them outside. It wasn’t easy since there were quite a few.”

‘So they moved the corpses. If they could manage that, it seems far fewer died here compared to where we woke up.’

“Haha… Isn’t Yoo Ju amazing? She’s beautiful and strong… I was shocked when I first saw her swinging that spear. Thanks to her, we’ve managed to protect this place from monsters by working together.”

This man, Ahn Tae-woo, seemed utterly smitten with the Returner. Well, considering her stunning looks and strength, not to mention how she protects them and even brings back food… it’s only natural.

‘…She didn’t seem that kind-hearted, though. Unexpected.’

Not that she’s bad. From the perspective of someone she’s helped, I can’t say she’s bad, but she didn’t strike me as the type to go around saving everyone out of pure kindness.

‘Does she have some goal? Or… maybe it’s impossible to clear this tutorial with just the Returner’s strength alone.’

I wondered if there were people here fighting monsters. If they managed to fend off the first monster attack together, there must be people who killed monsters and gained jobs. But as I passed by, I checked others’ status windows, and none of them had jobs.

“Are there no others in the camp with jobs besides Yoo Ju?”

“…No, there are. But they’ve gone out to explore. They’ll probably return later. Sometimes they bring back food too.”

…I couldn’t wrap my head around the camp’s food supply system. A few armed individuals go out to get food and share it with the rest?

It might not sound strange, but risking your life to get food and then just sharing it with others?

“…I don’t get it. Do they just willingly share the food?”

As soon as I voiced my doubt, Ahn Tae-woo’s expression shifted to one of discomfort.

“No, they share, but only a small amount. That’s why everyone’s always hungry.”

As expected, there had to be a catch. It’s not normal for the majority to depend on a handful of people.

“Those people… are grateful, but sometimes they act like bullies toward others. It’s unfortunate.”

While talking with Ahn Tae-woo, a middle-aged man approached.

“Tae-woo, who are these people?”

“Ah… They’re newcomers. Yoo Ju brought them here.”

“Hoho… Yoo Ju is really capable. She reminds me of my daughter back on Earth, you know? Kind and all. Right, Tae-woo? Haha!”

As soon as the middle-aged man spoke, Ahn Tae-woo’s expression turned cold.

‘…What’s this guy’s problem?’

“…Please use honorifics when referring to Yoo Ju. She’s not your daughter, Seong-yeol.”

“Haha… Tae-woo, why so serious all of a sudden… I must’ve misspoken…”

“Could you step aside for a moment? I need to guide them. It’s a task Yoo Ju personally requested.”

“Ah, alright then, Tae-woo.”

The middle-aged man quickly left.

“…Anyway, you’ll be safe here. This is where you’ll be staying. It’s much better than where the others are, so even if it seems a bit humble, please understand.”

“Thank you.”

I thanked him out of courtesy. No need to bow, but since he seemed to be the representative among the non-combatants, a polite nod was enough.

Ahn Tae-woo finished guiding us and left.

“Oppa… Are we safe here now?”

“Well… we should be safe… But I don’t know what these people are thinking. In the end, both we and they have to clear this tutorial.”

People often misunderstand. Just because monsters pop up here and lives are at risk, it doesn’t mean this place is the end. It’s not Earth.

Do those who give up fighting and growing here really think things will be better outside the tutorial?

‘Bullsh*t… Most of them will probably die. Or maybe… suffer something worse than death.’

Most people here have likely given up fighting monsters.

The status window doesn’t lie. Me, Yoo-rim, and even Yoo-hyun—our stats have improved through effort, even excluding the stats from our jobs.

But as I checked the status windows of people here, most hadn’t grown at all, stuck at their initial stats.

‘What’s the Returner thinking?’

From the Returner’s perspective…

She saved them and even brought them food. Maybe…





If my guess is correct, she might pick out the people who have even a little will to fight among them.

‘Well… I could be wrong…’

It’s just a guess, after all.

“First of all… you guys should rest too. You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you? It’s okay to take a break. If there’s something to do or a request, someone will probably come, or Yoo Ju will come herself.”

“Got it… You should rest too, oppa. You must have had the hardest time… Thank you. For not abandoning me and fighting for me back then. Honestly… I thought you would abandon me… because there was no hope… I was really moved back then. I mean it.”

“Hyung… I’m thankful too. Thanks to you, both me and my noona survived.”

“Pfft…”

I ruffled their heads with both hands. It was admirable how deep these kids’ thoughts were.

“Enough. Honestly, it was all Yoo Ju. If it weren’t for her, we would have been in big trouble.”

“Still… In the end, it was you who fought for our noona without abandoning her, buying time until Yoo Ju noona arrived.”

“Enough. How much gold are you trying to paint on my face? It’s embarrassing, man.”

While chatting with the kids and resting, about two hours passed when the Returner came to where we were.

“How are you? Are you doing okay?”

I stood up and answered her.

“Yes. Thanks to you, I’ve been resting well.”

“That’s good. Kids, you’re not uncomfortable, are you?”

“No, unnie. It’s been so long since we’ve rested like this… Thank you so much.”

“It’s all thanks to Yoo Ju noona.”

“I’m glad you’re comfortable. Yoon Seong, if there’s anything uncomfortable, please let me know. Don’t feel burdened at all.”

“Not at all. There’s nothing uncomfortable. In fact, it’s so comfortable that it’s hard to adjust.”

“That’s good to hear… But if anyone gives you trouble, you must tell me, not anyone else. Absolutely.”

‘…Is this really necessary…? It feels like an overreaction.’

Anyway, the people here weren’t in a position to give us trouble. They probably knew the difference in military power between us and them.

‘Still, it’s much better to have someone care too much than too little.’

Feeling like I was in the Returner’s embrace, I started to feel mentally stable.

Honestly, I didn’t show it, but I’ve been through a lot. Being dragged from Earth to a place like this, almost killed by monsters, killing people, and almost being killed myself, it’s normal to be tired and worn out.

“Anyway, I originally planned to come earlier, but I had some things to take care of… So I’m a bit late. Sorry.”

“Not at all. You must be busy managing this camp. I completely understand.”

“Thank you for understanding. Anyway, you must be wondering why I came. I have something to say about tomorrow’s schedule.”

“…Can I hear about the schedule?”

Of course, as a Returner, Seo Yoo Ju must have plans for what to do next. Naturally, I wanted to be part of that plan.

“Of course. Today, since it’s late, you should rest, and tomorrow we plan to recruit volunteers for exploration. Of course, Yoon Seong and the kids will come too. Um… Just in case, I wanted to ask, Yoon Seong and the kids…”

“Of course, we plan to join the exploration. In fact, we were going to ask to come along.”

“That’s good. I was worried you might want to stay in the camp.”

‘If the Returner is offering a ride, of course, I should take it. It’s a free chance to grow, why would I refuse?’

“I’m not that smart… but I’m not that stupid either. We have to pass the tutorial.”

She nodded after hearing my words.

“Good. Anyway, tomorrow we plan to recruit volunteers. But the worry is…”

“…You’re worried there might be no volunteers.”

“Yes, that’s right. Um… It’s a bit harsh to say, but in the worst case, there might be no volunteers.”

“The way to get volunteers is simple. Just say we’ll reduce food rations, and increase rations for volunteers.”

“I was thinking the same, but… There might be some backlash. Maybe even severe backlash.”

“…It’s a bit harsh to say, but… I, Yoo Rim, Yoo Hyun, and Yoo Ju are not their parents. If they want food, they have to earn it themselves. We are not their parents. I don’t know what you’ll think of me for saying this, but… bluntly, those who don’t want to do anything themselves don’t deserve anything.”

“…Honestly, I can’t deny that.”

“The people here need to realize that this is just a tutorial. And… I don’t know how to clear the tutorial, but it’s likely that we’ll need some level of people’s strength…”

“Yoon Seong is right. Thanks, I’ve made up my mind. Anyway, we need to go exploring tomorrow, so get some good rest. I’ll take my leave now. Yoo Rim and Yoo Hyun, rest well too.”

“Yes, unnie. You rest well too.”

“Yes, noona.”

The Returner left.

“Anyway, we need to go out tomorrow, so everyone get some good sleep. Don’t stay up for no reason.”

“You too, hyung!”

“Yes. Good night, oppa.”