Chapter 19

The Dignity of the Strongest Sword (3)

Room Rental (rental room).
The act of renting out a room in exchange for payment.

The term itself wasn't particularly unusual or dangerous.

The problem was the world in which it was being used.

A world with dragons and quests, where most people walked around armed with weapons.

For Yeongwoo, who held the title of First Sword, it was merely puzzling. For everyone else, it was terrifying.

"Room rental...?"

"What happens at night that they're introducing something like that?"

"Do we have to pay just to sleep?"

As the people from Hanolchae huddled together and exchanged anxious whispers, Yeongwoo hurriedly finished his meal as though time was precious.

Across from him, Yechan lowered his voice and carefully asked while chewing a piece of bread.

"Sir."

"Hm?"

"What do you think about this room-rental thing?"

From the Exchange Station to the appearance of the Demon and even the killing of the Mutant—

Everything Yeongwoo had accomplished since the Reset had been nothing short of miraculous.

Yechan had no choice but to trust his judgment.

"Hard to say. I don't know whether they'll keep offering room rentals from now on or if it's just a convenience for the first night."

"Right."

"But whether you're the First Sword or anyone else, you're completely defenseless while sleeping, aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"So maybe they're providing a way for people to sleep alone and safely somehow."

Of course, it probably wouldn't be free.

That was how Yeongwoo concluded his thoughts.

Yet Yechan still looked unconvinced.

"Then where?"

"Huh?"

"A room rental means renting a room, right? But this supermarket is basically one giant room too."

He had a point.

Even Yeongwoo couldn't imagine what form the world's "room rental" system would take.

At this point, even a motel suddenly dropping into the middle of the city wouldn't seem strange.

"We'll find out in an hour. One thing is certain, though."

Yeongwoo paused to dump a can of tuna into his mouth.

"If you have enough money, most problems can be solved."

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

The darkness outside the supermarket had deepened considerably.

Nearly an hour must have passed.

During that time, Yeongwoo and Yechan had done little besides eating and loading supplies onto their bicycles.

Several visitors had arrived seeking food.

Most of them saw Yeongwoo's title, politely thanked him, gathered food, and left.

Thanks to the commemorative coin, he had effectively become a public figure in Gumi.

Not everyone was friendly, however.

Those who appeared to possess above-average combat experience generally viewed him with suspicion or jealousy.

Some discreetly tried to gauge his strength as well.

Feeling countless eyes upon him, Yeongwoo checked the regional status.

Current Region: Gumi
First Sword of the Region: Jeong Myungwoo07
Generation 1, Defense Count: 6

Perhaps because of the incident at the supermarket entrance, the defense count had somehow risen to six.

"Still fewer than I expected."

If even he thought so, what would others think?

Surely there were people somewhere who believed the First Sword title was overrated.

Especially if they had never seen a Mutant.

"Sir, I'm finished."

Yechan reported after packing his belongings.

Yeongwoo inspected the sacks and ropes attached to his bicycle one last time.

At that moment, a middle-aged man who had been lingering nearby approached slowly.

"Um... First Sword."

Correcting people's title usage every time had become exhausting, so Yeongwoo simply responded.

"Yes? What is it?"

"Would you happen to need a watch?"

"A watch?"

Yeongwoo glanced at the supermarket wall clock, which was still petrified.

The man removed something from his wrist and held it out.

A digital wristwatch.

A real one—not petrified.

[20:48]

8:48 PM.

Seeing an actual display of time for the first time in a while, Yeongwoo's eyes widened.

"But why are you selling this? You already spent money to undo the petrification."

"I need money right now. Room rentals are about to start, and I think I'll need some."

"Did you spend all your commemorative coins?"

The man looked embarrassed.

"Actually... they were stolen."

"By whom?"

"Some younger people."

Even as a robbery victim, he spoke remarkably politely.

Yeongwoo figured he was probably a genuinely good person.

Thinking of the police officer from the Exchange Station—a memory that already felt distant—he softened his expression.

"So how much do you need?"

"I'll take half of what it cost to restore it. Two thousand Karma."

Meaning he'd originally paid four thousand Karma to restore the watch.

"Sounds good."

Yeongwoo's backpack was already full of crimson coins.

To him, it was practically buying the watch with spare change.

Clink.

As Yeongwoo rummaged through his bag for the money, the man's eyes sparkled.

"I've been lucky. To think the watch I sell will be used by the First Sword."

"You're giving me too much credit."

Yeongwoo placed the coins into the man's hand, and the man handed over the watch.

It was, in essence, a trust-based barter transaction.

A belief that the other person wouldn't suddenly pull out a blade instead of paying.

"Time to go. Looks like room rentals start at nine."

After completing the trade, Yeongwoo rested a hand on his bicycle.

Yechan glanced toward the Hanolchae group.

"What about them?"

"They'll have to go their own way. I don't intend to babysit them."

The Hanolchae group still seemed overwhelmed with packing.

Naturally so—they had many people to take care of.

Yeongwoo's group, meanwhile, might soon have to face challengers, mutants, and perhaps even First Swords from other regions.

The two groups couldn't stay together forever.

"...Right. Then let's get moving."

Yechan seemed to understand and finally turned away from the Hanolchae group.

Although Yeongwoo and Yechan had spent only about an hour inside the supermarket, the atmosphere outside had changed completely.

The place had become a marketplace.

"Please move!"

"We're leaving! Let us through!"

People entering and leaving the supermarket were tangled together in complete chaos.

And on top of that—

"Please, just one coin! I was robbed!"

"Can anyone spare a little food? I haven't eaten all day!"

"Looking for work! Porter, companion, night watchman—I'll do anything!"

Beggars and desperate job seekers filled the crowd.

"What in the world... How did things become like this in only an hour?"

"Because it's a supermarket."

To Yeongwoo, it was perfectly natural.

The time was now 8:56 PM.

People who hadn't eaten all day were reaching their limits from hunger.

The President's hologram announcement had already informed most people about Karma's functions.

Everyone now knew that Karma could restore petrified food.

And I even handed out money to everyone.

Naturally, hungry people who suddenly received money would rush to buy food.

Of course, some had apparently been robbed on the way.

Still, once people with money gathered at the supermarket, those seeking money were bound to gather there as well.

"For a while, supermarkets, restaurants, and convenience stores will become gathering points."

From the looks of it, hiring and job hunting would take place there too.

A new economic center had been born.

"W-Wait, First Sword?"

"It's First Sword!"

"Mr. Myungwoo!"

"Jeong Yeongwoo!"

As Yeongwoo and Yechan emerged from the supermarket, the already noisy crowd became even louder.

But unlike before, when everyone had simply been fighting for space, the atmosphere had changed.

People who had never even met him stepped aside, made way for him, or began following behind.

"Mr. Myungwoo! Where are you going?"

"First Sword! Can I come with you?"

"Thank you so much for the coins!"

It was all because of the commemorative coins.

His face and name engraved on them created a sense of familiarity among Gumi's citizens.

And everyone knew he had given up claiming all three million Karma for himself.

"...You're insanely popular."

Yechan struggled through the crowd as people kept bumping into him.

"We'll get trapped if we stay here. Let's move."

Yeongwoo signaled to Yechan, quickly mounted his bicycle, and began pedaling.

"Huh?"

"W-Wait for us!"

"Mr. Myungwoo!"

Some people tried running after them, but the difference in abilities was too great.

The gap widened almost immediately.

"That's honestly scary."

Yechan looked back at the few who were still trying to chase them.

Yeongwoo replied quietly.

"It's because everyone's suffering."

"You mean they're that happy to see you because things are so bad?"

"Yeah. There aren't many things left that people can be happy about anymore."

Yeongwoo stopped there.

Instead, he remembered the words spoken by the elderly man from Hanolchae.

"Since all this Reset nonsense started, this is the first genuinely good thing that's happened. What you did for us, Mr. Yeongwoo."

What Yeongwoo had done.

He kept replaying that sentence in his mind.

It made him feel surprisingly good.

Even while pedaling through this miserable world.

Creak. Creak.

About a minute later—

Beep.

The wristwatch displayed exactly 9:00 PM.

At that same moment—

Flash!

System messages appeared before Yeongwoo and Yechan.

[The Room Rental Service has begun.]

[From this moment onward, all buildings classified as "residences" will become protected under the Room Rental System.]

"All buildings classified as residences?"

It probably referred to structures originally used for housing.

Apartments, villas, motels, and similar buildings.

[Anyone may spend Karma to occupy a desired residence for a set period of time.]

[During the rental period, entry to the occupied space may be restricted, and lodging fees may be charged.]

In simple terms, anyone could now act like the owner of a lodging business.

Or, depending on perspective, multiple people could split the rental cost together.

But did people really have to pay just to sleep?

Yechan seemed to be wondering the same thing.

"Uh... couldn't we just skip renting and hide somewhere to sleep?"

"If you're okay with the possibility of getting stabbed while sleeping, sure."

But there seemed to be another reason.

Just when they thought the explanation was over, one final notice appeared.

[For reference, tonight's weather is Red Fog.]

[Beware of respiratory damage.]