Hypocrisy is Also a Virtue (2)
Sometimes I wondered.
Why do so many post-apocalyptic stories always feature such obvious villains?
Isn't it just laziness on the part of the authors to assume that even in those circumstances, crimes like rape or theft would still happen indiscriminately?
Maybe, if true "destruction" were to happen, humans would act more rationally than expected.
"Looks like he's not coming out. Hey, go kill him!"
And now, the answer was right in front of me.
Men creeping closer cautiously, and a man behind them watching the scene like he was enjoying it.
[The Constellation 'Demonic Judge of Injustice' expects a righteous judgment.]
It hit me again.
Human imagination is cliché — and real humans are even more predictable than those clichés.
Whoosh!
A metal pipe slashed awkwardly through the air. It wasn't a blow carrying real intent to kill. Honestly, even if it hit, it probably wouldn't have hurt much.
"If you don't run away, you're seriously gonna die. Get lost!"
Four men surrounded me in a loose circle. Some were trembling, but they all looked much more confident than before. Probably because of their numbers.
"What are you idiots waiting for?!"
With a shout, one of the men charged. His form was so sloppy it was almost pitiful. I moved the thorn.
Stab!
"Aaaagh! My leg! My leg!"
"You bastard!"
"Get him all at once!"
The men, now agitated, charged one after another, but I wasn't afraid.
Their strength levels barely hovered around 5. I stood there, letting their attacks hit me while I methodically stabbed at them with my thorn.
Bang! Clang!
Stab! Stab!
One by one, the men fell to their knees, screaming as their thighs were pierced.
But I didn't kill them. After all, the scenario's clear condition was "neutralization," nothing more.
[Constellations of the 'Absolute Good' system nod approvingly at your decision.]
[A few Constellations mock your humanity.]
[The Constellations have sponsored you with 100 Coins.]
Becoming a bloodthirsty killer might catch the Constellations' attention briefly, but only briefly. Raising the threshold for their stimulation too quickly wouldn't be good in the long run.
[3 minutes left until the end of the sub-scenario.]
That was two minutes so far.
Timing is everything in a time attack.
"W-what the hell is this guy? Why won't he die?"
At that point, the leader who had been observing from the back finally stepped in.
"Turns out you're tougher than you look. Everyone fall back. I'll handle this."
"Brother Cheolsu! That guy might be backed by someone!"
"Even better. He looks like he's loaded with Coins."
A gleaming black set of knuckles. Not just ordinary iron knuckles either.
Was he backed by a Constellation?
Crack.
The sound of joints popping came from the man's knuckle-wielding hand.
[Character 'Bang Cheolsu' uses 'Intimidation.']
[The gap in your overall stats is too wide — Intimidation has no effect.]
"Hoh, you've got guts, huh? You're not scared at all."
Even before he finished talking, the man threw a punch aimed squarely at my chin. I quickly stepped back a couple of paces. He smirked.
"Not bad. You must've trained a little."
Honestly, if your Agility is over Level 10, anyone can move like this even without fancy step skills. Since I'd spent most of my leftover Coins on my stats, my combined Strength, Endurance, and Agility levels now totaled 33.
Let's see how strong this guy really is.
[Activating the exclusive skill: 'Character List'!]
Name: Bang Cheolsu
Age: 34
Backing Star: Lord of Thugs
Exclusive Trait: Squad Leader (Common)
Exclusive Skills: [Dogfight Lv.2], [Bluff Lv.2]
Stigmata: [Intimidation Lv.1]
Overall Stats: [Endurance Lv.6], [Strength Lv.7], [Agility Lv.6], [Magic Power Lv.2]
Overall Evaluation: A common thug who luckily secured a Constellation's backing. Tends to overestimate his own abilities compared to his real combat power.
Ah... right. Now I remember.
"Bang Cheolsu of the Iron Head gang."
"What, you know me?"
"Maybe."
He was a character who showed up early in the story and disappeared just as quickly. A real dimwit among the 'Group' stationed at Kumho Station.
If I recall correctly, these guys were originally supposed to be beaten to death by Yoo Joonghyuk. How is this guy still alive?
"Oh, are you one of those types too? You've killed some people, right? I can tell. You've got the same vibe."
[Character 'Bang Cheolsu' uses 'Bluff.']
Bluff — a skill every half-decent thug has. It's a great debuff to intimidate mentally weak opponents — but not in my case.
[The 'Fourth Wall' blocks 'Bang Cheolsu's Bluff.']
[Bang Cheolsu's confidence drops sharply.]
"You mocking me? You wanna die for real?"
Cheolsu struck a Greco-Roman wrestling pose, looking like he'd lunge at me any second. But it was all for show.
Because he didn't have a [Wrestling] skill.
"Stop yapping and come at me."
"You little bastard!"
His key skill was [Dogfight] at Level 2.
As long as I didn't let it turn into a chaotic melee, his combat power was nothing.
"Die!"
His attacks barely even grazed me, the agility gap too large.
I looked at him with a hint of pity.
Not all Constellations desire to raise their Incarnations into proper 'protagonists' for the scenario.
For example, this guy's Constellation, 'Lord of Thugs,' was infamous for not cherishing his Incarnations.
He'd just pick some idiot for fun and then gleefully watch as they got wrecked by stronger opponents.
A total sadist.
[The Constellation 'Lord of Thugs' is having a great time.]
[The Constellation 'Lord of Thugs' sponsors you with 100 Coins.]
He was even cheering for me, the guy about to wreck his own Incarnation.
Originally, I would've knocked him out in one hit for the sake of the time attack, but now... the situation changed.
[2 minutes left until the end of the sub-scenario.]
Might as well make the most of the remaining time.
"You little rat!"
Even the insults were in the style of the 'Lord of Thugs.' How pitiful.
Thwack!
"Ha ha! I hit him!"
By pure luck, one of his punches landed — but unsurprisingly, it did almost no damage. Just a faint stinging sensation.
"How...?"
How? Easy. My Endurance is Level 12, and his Strength is just Level 7. In overall stats, even a small difference in the leading digits creates a huge power gap.
"My turn now."
I lightly tapped Cheolsu's cheeks, and then slammed a full-powered punch into his face.
Two of his teeth flew out instantly, and he crumpled to the ground, screaming.
Without hesitation, I raised my thorn and pierced it straight through his arm.
"Aaaargh!"
I pinned one of the guy's arms to the wall with a spike and began a relentless beating. His lower back, thighs, hips, and sides—only the places that would cause maximum pain without knocking him out at once.
[The Constellation, 'Lord of Small Fry,' is delighted.]
[The Constellation, 'Lord of Small Fry,' has requested a time extension for the sub-scenario.]
[The sub-scenario is extended by 1 minute.]
I also took note of the places where the woman had been injured.
"Keuhk! Kuhk! Kuheuk!"
Blood splattered, and chunks of flesh flew. Broken teeth rolled across the floor, and fractured bones twisted grotesquely. But even so, I didn't stop kicking him.
"S-Stop! Please! Let the boss go!"
The men nearby, now panicked, shouted at me. I glanced at them one by one. Then I looked at the woman collapsed on the ground, her clothes half torn off.
Humans are weak.
How could such weak creatures commit acts this cruel? Just because the world had ended? Killing others, raping women, stealing what isn't theirs—
Was it instinct?
Looking into Bang Chulsoo's eyes, now filled with fear in the face of greater violence, I suddenly wondered.
"Why did you do it?"
A question without context.
I wasn't expecting an answer. But just as I was about to kick him again, Bang Chulsoo glared up at me with wide eyes.
"You fucker... Just kill me, you son of a bitch."
The moment I saw his eyes, I realized—he had answered me in his own way. Eyes devoid of any attachment to life. So, it wasn't instinct after all.
In a weakening voice, Bang Chulsoo muttered,
"A fucked up, dogshit world..."
He was the type who had been despairing long before the world fell apart. Someone like me.
[10 seconds remain until the end of the sub-scenario.]
Without hesitation, I delivered a powerful kick to his neck.
Bang Chulsoo gagged and finally passed out.
[The conditions to clear the sub-scenario have been met.]
[You have obtained 300 coins.]
That should be enough to satisfy him.
[The Constellation, 'Lord of Small Fry,' is satisfied and sponsors an additional 100 coins.]
One by one, the men started crawling toward me.
"How... how could anyone be this brutal..."
They checked on the crumpled Bang Chulsoo, then looked up at me, speechless. Like dogs at a slaughterhouse, waiting for their fate.
I picked up the fallen woman and grabbed the convenience store bag.
The world had ended. And I had to survive this new daily life.
"Take me to your group's base."
Originally, Kumho Station was supposed to be organized and established as a regional stronghold by Yoo Joonghyuk.
In the first round of regression, Yoo Joonghyuk had conquered the second main scenario with the Kumho Station group, and many of its members secured important roles in the new era because of it.
But that was the first round. Yoo Joonghyuk of the third regression is different.
The Yoo Joonghyuk of the third round was born a monster who monopolized everything.
"Still... he used to at least clean up a bit before moving on."
"Sorry, what?"
The man leading me asked in surprise.
"Talking to myself. It's a habit."
[The Constellation, 'Secret Schemer,' likes your muttering.]
"Uh... okay. Anyway, this way."
The battered members of the Ironclad Gang supported each other and stopped at the lower level of the station. Surprisingly, there were still places where electricity worked.
As soon as we descended the stairwell, murmurs filled the air.
"The Ironclads are back! Someone's hurt!"
People rushed over to help the wounded. Despite everything, they moved with surprising coordination.
Among them, familiar faces came running toward me.
"My god. Dokja! Kim Dokja!"
They seemed okay, thankfully.
"Yoo Sangah."
"I'm so glad... really, so glad!"
Yoo Sangah stood before me, overwhelmed. I awkwardly extended my hand for a handshake.
Her hands were covered in small scrapes, a sign she had endured hardship over the past few days.
At that moment, something clung tightly to my leg.
"You're alive."
Lee Gilyoung. I patted the boy's head.
"You holding up alright?"
He nodded, his cheeks hollowed from hunger. I pulled a chocolate bar from the bag and handed it to him.
"You're alive after all, Dokja. Thank goodness..."
Finally, it was Lee Hyunsung who found me. He seemed to have grown stronger, his upper body more muscular. Likely, he had protected the others during my absence.
"I'm really sorry... for leaving you behind."
"It couldn't be helped."
"Phew... I'm glad Yoo Joonghyuk was right."
...Yoo Joonghyuk? Why bring up his name now?
After hesitating, Lee Hyunsung spoke.
"Um, Yoo Joonghyuk said you were probably alive..."
"Where is Yoo Joonghyuk now?"
"Well, he's not here anymore."
Not here?
"Yoo Joonghyuk left the station yesterday. So..."
Before Lee Hyunsung could finish, I understood.
I see.
Of course it turned out that way.
The guy's always in a rush.
"And now that I think about it, there's someone else missing too."
"Oh, about the section chief—"
Yoo Sangah's words were cut off by a group of men approaching.
But it didn't matter. I already knew what was happening.
"Everyone clear the way!"
Even without hearing an explanation, it was obvious.
Several men armed with hammers and pipes began surrounding me.
At the center of them—an all-too-familiar face.
"You—you're...!"
Han Myungoh, who had abandoned me back on the even-numbered footbridge, now looked like he'd seen a ghost.
Seems he attached himself to this group.
"Get rid of him! That guy's dangerous! He doesn't belong here!"
A guilty conscience makes for a loud voice—he must have thought I was here for revenge. Han Myungoh flailed wildly.
But the others simply glanced around nervously without moving.
Something was off.
Han Myungoh stood at the center, yet no one listened to him?
"Haha, Han-hyung, let's all get along. No need to fight."
"B-but..."
"You must be the newcomer."
The men parted, making way.
A slender man appeared from within the group.
The moment I saw his eyes, I could tell.
A true schemer.
"Nice to meet you. May I ask your name?"
"Kim Dokja."
"Kim Dokja. I see. I'm Chun Inho."
Chun Inho? That name feels familiar.
I tightened my grip on the spike in my hand.
Looks like the Ironclad Gang is under this guy's thumb.
I half-expected him to start trouble since I beat up his men.
"I've heard from your companions. You fought monsters and saved our group members."
...What?
"Everyone, gather around! We have a brave new member here!"
At Chun Inho's words, the survivors began gathering, casting hopeful glances my way.
Of course. There's no way someone like Han Myungoh could lead this group.
The true leader was this man.
"Wow! It's food!"
Hungry eyes fixated on the convenience store bag. Chun Inho seized the moment.
"He personally risked his life to bring it to us. A rare benefactor indeed."
Eyes full of desperation stared at me—mothers holding children, elderly with injured legs.
Chun Inho... now I remember.
Yes, Kumho Station had a man like him.
[The Constellation, 'Secret Schemer,' is excited.]
In a ruined world, the real dangers aren't men like Bang Chulsoo.
Not the ones who lash out in despair.
The real threats are those who turn the despair of others into fertilizer for their own power—like this man.
"Welcome to Kumho Station, Kim Dokja."
Chun Inho's smiling eyes met mine as he extended a handshake.
I grasped it and smiled inwardly.
Chun Inho had no idea.
At this very moment, his fate was already sealed.