Chapter 258 – A Barbarian Appears in Prime!
I walked into the opening prime gate.
[I will welcome you, Manager.]
Two stalker robots stood behind me.
“No need.”
Beyond the crack in the open door, luxury is already overflowing.
Among them, the first thing that caught my eye was the neat streetlights and CCTV installed everywhere.
“It’s in the palm of Artemis’s hand, so what’s the danger? From the beginning, only cooperative and verified people will come in.”
In a different sense, I pointed to the slave traders who were sweating profusely.
“I’ll go in alone, so you can take those guys away.”
[Artemis will be angry without an escort.]
“I’ll scold you. “After listening, my hands and feet are shaking because I want to get scolded.”
Whether you’re getting your back smashed by Artemis’ pretty hands or your butt kicked by her noble feet, you’re welcome.
[Haona…]
The robot tried to say something more, but fell silent when I raised my hand.
[I take orders. We will arrest top criminals.]
The slave dealer boss seems to know what it means to be a top criminal in the police.
His face became even more horrifying than the men who were wailing at Kangwon Land, which I visited a long time ago.
“Kooooot!”
The stalkers took out cable ties and tied the slavers’ hands behind their backs. It is not a skill that has been done once or twice. Whether you did it yourself or had data shared with you.
“Kyaaaaah!”
They all let out strange moans because they were being squeezed so mercilessly.
A gunshot was heard from afar. Based on the sound, I predict it is 5.56 mm. It appears that the drone accompanying the strike force opened fire. It was probably a threatening shot.
“Oh, and there will be two vans that I dropped off on the other side of the street. “There are enslaved women trapped there, so rescue them.”
[Order received. We will send a rescue team.]
“No, go save him right now. I’m worried about what kind of harm I’ll face if I delay. You! You! Commit!”
[Roger!]
The two robots I nominated turned into dots and disappeared in a sprint.
“Then, thank you for your hard work.”
After giving the remaining two robots a sharp salute with his thumb and index finger raised, he turned around.
“Please just take a look!”
Gleefully ignoring the pleas coming from behind.
“Hmm, was it structured like this?”
Inside the Prime Gate, there was a security checkpoint to screen visitors.
Body scanning equipment and sentry guns can be seen on the ceiling, and a storage room for collected weapons can be seen next to it. Various weapons were already inside.
This is probably to ensure perfect security as it is a place where high-ranking people walk.
[Welcome, Administrator.]
Normally, I would have to go through a complicated process, but of course I got a free pass.
I stepped into the luxurious street that spread out before my eyes.
Basically, all areas of the polis have neatly maintained roads and roads.
The area close to Prime Gate is a neighborhood where quite a few wealthy people live. It boasts a neat road paved with sidewalk blocks.
The path to the prime area, where only the chosen ones are accepted, goes a step further here.
“Ah, kick.”
All floors here were finished with artificial stone. It has a beautiful luster and shine like marble, but is highly durable and easy to repair.
Because it requires complex construction methods, it is probably a material that can only be produced in shelters in today’s world.
The feel of walking barefoot wasn’t bad, but my feet were cold. If I had known this would happen, I would have taken the shoes from the slave traders.
“Oh my!”
“What is it? What happened?”
Electronic billboards that used to transmit advertisements or information about the outside world are now displaying only ’emergency standby’.
In front of him, people muttered with puzzled faces.
Most of the men are dressed in suits, and the women are wearing sophisticated clothes like those seen in fashion magazines.
Under! Speaking of suits, it feels like it’s been a long time since the world went to ruin.
Prime felt close to a kind of mini-shelter or a residential-commercial complex.
It is a separate area within the city called polis, and its ceiling is a dome that can be opened and closed. It is wide open today, perhaps because the weather is nice.
Moving walkways and elevators are operating everywhere, and various commercial and cultural facilities are in full operation.
At an outdoor café, a waiter wearing a neat dress shirt and tie carries a tray towards the customers.
It’s completely different from the shabby cafés I saw outside.
The round table, which appears to have been carved by a craftsman, is covered with white cloth with embroidery. On top of it are plates and tableware with a unified design.
“You’ve waited a long time.”
The waiter puts the drinks down at the guests’ seats.
It was tea, coffee, and juice with lemon slices cut in half.
Croissants, small pieces of butter and jam were placed on each person’s plate.
“Thank you.”
“It smells good.”
The guests at the table were two Western men and one Asian man. You can easily see foreigners everywhere here.
“Have a good time.”
The waiter raised his lowered head with a charming smile. At the same time, my eyes met, and he froze.
The customers who were savoring their drinks also looked at me, wondering why, and looked the same.
“What am I? Ah…”
Now I’m wearing old, dirty work clothes and bare feet. The clothes were torn here and there, exposing bare skin and chest.
He was as haggard as a mummy who had just been resurrected by magic, and his hair was a mess from the power of laundry soap. Since there was no suit, body hair production resumed, and a beard like an old man grew crookedly.
There was a beggar who did not fit in at all with this elegant and luxurious place.
I shrugged and walked away. The men didn’t take their eyes off me as they put croissants and drinks to their lips.
Growling.
Watching that made me hungry. But I have no money.
I should have taken some money from the slave traders earlier, but I regret it.
Artemis is definitely watching me as I am right now.
Yikes!
In fact, whenever I pass by, I see CCTVs placed everywhere moving along with me.
You can project yourself on LCDs placed everywhere, and you can also talk through speakers.
Nevertheless, the reason for not showing up right away is obvious.
I guess it’s because I want to greet me with her warm body.
Whether he runs up to me and hits me, or on the other hand, hugs me tightly and shares my body heat.
She is in a situation where her man, whom she thought was dead for a long time, suddenly returns.
Ladies always need time to prepare. I decided to enjoy it in my own way and wait.
“Hmph~ Hmph~!”
I looked around as she hummed.
Unlike the past, where only residents were prisoners or former prison guards, this place was fun to look around.
Famous pre-war brands and franchise stores are lined up for business here and there.
The main store has been out of business for a long time, so there’s no need to worry about copyright lawsuits, right?
“Honey, how about this?”
Two young couples are window shopping in front of a clothing store.
“It’s not bad. But I think it’s too expensive.”
“Ah, then this is… Wow!”
A girl wearing a pure white dress and high heels was surprised when she saw me. She stepped forward, the young man with his arms around her protectively.
Rather than being offended by the reaction as if I was being treated as a would-be criminal, I decided to enjoy it.
“Haha! Are you surprised? “I am the barbarian who haunts the city!”
Wow! He raised both hands like a red panda.
The man dragged the woman to the side with a crazy look in his eyes.
As I was walking around looking, I entered a nearby shoe store. It was a brand whose symbol was Nike, the goddess of victory.
“Welcome…”
The waitress who had greeted me kindly froze.
It’s slowly getting fun. I think I understand why late-career sergeants play around wearing private clothes and hats when new recruits arrive.
“Hey, what is that guy?”
“I don’t know. Just go ahead and give directions.”
“No. “You go.”
The waitresses were whispering and passing information on to each other. It was closer to being scared rather than disgusted by the ugliness.
It feels like seeing a vagabond who shouldn’t have come in due to some error.
The same goes for a teenage girl and a woman in her 30s who were looking at sneakers together. It appears to be a mother-daughter relationship, and her mother hugged the girl as if she were protecting her.
It’s a touching sight.
“Excuse me. What are you looking for?”
An employee with a cracked business smile greeted me.
“Sandals. “It’s a bit difficult to wear sneakers because I don’t have socks.”
I took a quick look at my feet and saw that they were black from all the barefoot walking.
Damn it! And a bigger crack appears in the employee’s smile.
“Please give me anything in size 275.”
“… Yes.”
She led me to the sandal section, and she recommended a few things.
“Where did you get all these? Does it loot?”
All the products on display in the store were new and there were a lot of them.
“No. We do not deal with used items. These are 100% factory fresh.”
The employee said with a proud face.
It must have been printed at the shelter factory after scanning and reverse engineering items captured from outside.
I chose one that suited me and wore it on the spot.
Of course, I don’t have any money.
“Hey, the calculation is…”
“Trauma.”
-Gooung!!!
Acceleration has been activated.
The waitress smiling awkwardly in front of me, the waitress covering her mouth at the counter, and the female customers whispering were all captured in still time.
I go through it alone.
Due to my physical condition, I couldn’t maintain acceleration for a few seconds, but it was enough to get out of the store.
Grumble!
I went into a nearby restaurant while stroking my stomach that was constantly crying out for food.
However, unlike a shoe store, this place is not easy.
“This! This! This! This! This! “Please give me everything.”
As I sat down nearby and vigorously selected the dishes on the menu, I received a cold answer.
“Excuse me, can you pay?”
A young male waiter with sports hair looked down with suspicious eyes.
Looking at the other customers, it was clearly a deferred payment restaurant where you pay when you leave, but I guess I couldn’t trust them because of my appearance.
Looking back, I haven’t paid anything since the infection broke out, and I started living with Artemis.
Food, clothing, shelter, leisure, and luxury were all always free.
I didn’t expect the number of cases like this because the concept of paying money had evaporated.
After eating my fill here too, I was thinking of speeding up the process with one word in mind, ‘I’m so shocked!’.
I felt eyes from all directions along with the murmur.
A middle-aged man with a stylish mustache, an old couple with white hair, celebrities I saw on TV, and a young couple with their children were all looking at me.
Far from being embarrassed or unpleasant, I was enjoying this situation. When will you experience something like this again?
‘The manager is in trouble!’
‘You must realize the importance of your identity!’
‘I’m going crazy because I’m embarrassed!’
Artemis’ angry voice and palms flying towards her back are pleasing to the eye.
So the only chance to enjoy it is now!
“Guest?”
Unlike the waitresses at the shoe store, the male waiter wasn’t scared of me at all.
A muscular black waiter who looked to be about 190 cm tall also joined in and surrounded me.
And that moment.
Ding! Dong! Dang!
The restaurant speakers that were playing classical music beeped simultaneously.
[An emergency situation occurred in Prime.]
“Huh?”
A familiar voice was heard throughout the entire broadcast.
[An emergency situation occurred in Prime.]
It’s the voice of kids.
Everyone in the restaurant stopped what they were doing and looked up at the speaker.
[Unrest broke out at Prime Gate. Within your residence
Number. U.S. Han.
You may be discovered.]
People gulped and the waiter’s gaze turned from the speaker to me.
[If citizens
Number. U.S. Han.
When you find someone…]
Kids emphasized the word ‘suspicious’ unnecessarily.
The black waiter quietly placed his hand on my shoulder, and the sports-haired waiter held a bottle of liquor from a nearby table.
[Please be courteous and courteous. If you are asked for a credit, please give it as much as you can for free. If you ask for directions, kindly guide you to your destination.]
“Anyway, this kid is.”
I held her face as if I was dumbfounded. This prankster must have wanted to play pranks even during this time.
The pupils of the two waiters shook as if there had been an earthquake.
“Uh, um.”
The black waiter smiled awkwardly and let go of his hand. Likewise, Sports Head secretly hid a bottle of liquor behind his back.
“I will take care of this person, so you can go.”
“Yes.”
Before I knew it, a well-dressed man in his 40s was approaching me. The name tag on the chest says “Manager.”
“The food will be served soon.”
“Wait!”
I called the two waiters who turned around and stopped them.
“Yes?”
“Meat is cooked well, and soups are boiled thoroughly. As you can see, I’ve been starving for a long time, so I hope it’s easy to digest. Peel the shrimp and give them to you.”
“… I understand.”
With those words, the two waiters disappeared like the wind.
* * *
I am full.
Soup boiled with chicken and spices, veal loin grilled with herbs, buttered bread, salmon salad, peeled and sauced prawns, bacon panini, and cheese tart all went into my stomach.
People looked at me like they were some strange animal the whole time I was like a beggar and slurping down three servings of food.
Lastly, I took a swig of Coke Zero. Although he looks like a child, he misses soda so much after going through Tanis’ bloody battle.
“Go on.”
As I lie down and rub my stomach, I feel like the whole world is mine.
Well, actually, everything here is mine.
“Is there anything else you need?”
The manager asked me as I wiped my mouth with a napkin. He stood by and served the entire meal.
I’m sure they don’t know my identity, but I guess they realized my valuable status just from Life Manager Kids’ broadcast. After all, they didn’t appoint a store manager for nothing.
“Doesn’t exist. The food tastes good. I had a good time.”
“Please come visit us again anytime.”
The store manager greeted me more politely at a 90-degree angle as I held my hands together.
With my stomach full, I left the restaurant and headed to the outside terrace.
Standing at a high place where you can overlook the entire cityscape, a fairly chilly wind blows. I leaned on the railing and looked down at all parts of the city.
“It’s later than I thought.”
Even considering that this place was separate from the shelter, it took too long.
But there is nothing strange.
3 years. That’s enough time to think I’m dead.
So what does her warm body filled with her blood and flesh mean to her?
I just carry out purification work with the vaccine I brought at the risk of my life to continue my maintenance.
It wouldn’t be surprising if she was living in cyberspace with her body hibernating under a cold preservation liquid.
Then, it is natural that it takes this long to pick you up.
Meanwhile, there seems to be an uproar on the outskirts of the police station. Helicopters and drones flew noisily and shouts were heard continuously.
It seems like they are hunting down and arresting all those involved in my kidnapping.
I waited and waited until even the noise quieted down.
With my improved hearing, I can hear noises coming from far behind me.
The sound of footsteps running across the quiet terrace floor.
This sound is light, but feels like overwhelming emotions are exploding with each step.
The faint sound of running gets louder and fills this space alone.
“Seo Jin-su!”
And a beautiful voice rang out.
This is my name I hear for the first time after returning to Earth on Tanis’ journey.
The one who dares to call my name in the current destroyed world, especially in the territory of Shelter.
There is only one person.
The sweet voice I wanted to hear so much made me turn around.
There stood my own goddess whom I had longed to see again and again.
“I’ve been there. The gift is…”
There is nothing in my hands.
“I sent it first.”
Her golden eyes looking at me with a grinning smile.
“Fool.”
Tears quickly well up and scatter clear light.
But there was such a brilliant smile on her lips.
