Chapter 52 – You Dare to Kill Me?

People gathered together early in the morning.
A total of ten people gathered here.
Chairman Lee Hyun-geun and Brigadier General Seo Jin-wook of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Minister of National Defense Cho Byeong-tae and Brigadier General Jeong In-beom, Brigadier Lee Sang-ho and Captain Kim Hyeon-joon of the Special Warfare Brigade, Commander Curtis Wilson and Major James Lee of the US Army, and me and Choi Ho-il.
The representative meeting, where the heads of each faction that Choi Ho-il wanted, gathered like this from morning for that purpose.

“Are you the one who called the meeting of representatives?”
“Yes, it is me.”
“… I just can’t get used to it… Okay, what can I say?”
“Oh, wait.”

At Chairman Lee Hyeon-geun’s words, I unfolded the paper I hadn’t read yet and quickly scanned it with my eyes.
Then Choi Ho-il nodded his head as he looked at me with his head turning to the side and a sad face.

(Is that all?)
(Yes, that’s what we want.)
(…)

He even checked again by showing him if he had given the wrong piece of paper, but Choi Ho-il just nodded, saying he was sure.
Did this asshole call everyone here, including me, all morning just to ask for something like this?

“Since it doesn’t seem like we’ve been able to discuss what to say, you and that other person should go out and organize what to say first. In the meantime, we’ll be talking a little bit.”
“You don’t have to. I’m going to tell you now. First of all, we form a citizen coalition made up of civilians as of today.”
“Citizens’ Union?”
“Under… What are you trying to do by making something like that?”
“You are going to tell me right now. So be quiet and listen.”

Wow!!

The sound of grinding teeth came from Defense Minister Cho Byung-tae’s tightly closed mouth.
He hasn’t been through me yet, so the reaction is definitely good.
Anyway, it’s really pathetic.
Over 200 people gathered together to ask for something like this…
First, we want accurate and transparent disclosure of where coins are used.
Second, we want equal recruitment of working manpower including exterior wall construction.
Third, we want the citizens’ union representatives to participate in all future decision-making.
Fourth, the military wants to share all the information it knows.
There are a few other small things besides this, but in the end, it means that I will just live as a hukou.
Uh… I need to look after my hand.
So that I can hit it properly.

“First, disclosure of accurate information on where coins are used.”
“That’s it, whatever… “
“In addition, a certain amount of coins are distributed to the citizen association.”
“What?!”
“That is unacceptable.”
“Mr. Kang Ha-jin, just maintaining the current power is a situation where coins are not enough. In addition, if coins are distributed to the citizens’ coalition, the power will quickly weaken, and the shelter will be destroyed by the invading zombies.”

Following Minister Cho Byung-tae and Chairman Lee Hyeon-geun, brigade commander Lee Sang-ho expressed his disapproval, and Commander Curtis Wilson, who heard my words from James Lee, also shook his head as if he did not agree.

“Now, let’s think about common sense. Each bullet in the rifle costs 50 coins. At most, there is only one zombie that can be killed with one bullet. Well, let’s say you got lucky and the bullets that went through went through like crazy and killed 3 zombies. All you get is 9 coins. Even if you kill real zombies, not human zombies, you have to catch the maximum of 3 to get 30 coins. Is this the right balance? It’s better to raise your stats with that money and kill it yourself. That’s why it’s not enough to bring coins and donate them like that.”
“Who will take responsibility for the victims who lost their lives in the process?”
“That’s right, the one who lags behind is at fault.”
“If you answer so irresponsibly, who will risk their lives to fight the oncoming zombies?”
“If you don’t want to fall behind, you have to fight.”
“I don’t understand.”
“If you don’t like that, there is another way. Give our citizens’ coalition guns too. Isn’t it unreasonable that we are the only ones who earn coins with the bullets we bought?”
“… “
“Well, I’m only expressing my position, and it’s up to them to decide whether or not they accept it. Second, is the external wall construction and the equal selection of working manpower? You know what this is Third, representatives of civil unions will also participate in all future decision-making. Hmm… I don’t know how decisions are made, but from now on it’s a majority vote. Since there are a total of five representatives, there will be no tie. We’re a democracy, aren’t we? Then fourth, all information sharing. There’s no need to talk about this in pain. Tell me everything you know Right Now.”

Not only the four requirements mentioned so far, but also the small ones, the heads of each faction who received all the upgraded requirements through me, laughed as if they were dumbfounded.
No wonder.
All of a sudden, discharged civil defense men come and shout that we will make a unit, provide the same equipment as you, and allocate the same budget.

“We do not accept participation in meetings, equal recruitment, information sharing, and increased supplies. The rest is impossible In particular, it is not possible to issue firearms to civilians, even for safety reasons.”
“No, why are you deciding that on your own?!”
“Minister Jo Byung-tae. No, senior, please stop going in and rest. There’s no point in yelling at the public servants banging on keyboards.”
“What?! This bastard is real!!”
“Then, wouldn’t it be good for the chairman to go in alone?”
“… Lee Sang-ho..!”
“If you are going to fight, go out and fight separately, and make a decision quickly. If you do not accept our terms, we will use our coins on our own in the future.”
“Mr. Kang Ha-jin!!”
“Why? Mr. Lee Sang-ho.”

In a way, it is a kind of declaration of independence.
Independence within the shelter.
From my point of view, where I have to play big, it’s good to get along well with everyone throughout, but this is just a kind of battle for leadership.
It would be unacceptable for them to live without paying anything in the shelter they protect, and they cannot give up the coins that more than 200 people bring every day to kick them out.
I’m going to negotiate one way or another, and in the process I just have to rub my fingers.
Like a very unscrupulous official asking for back money.

“Let me talk. Kang Ha-jin, follow me.”
“Talk over here.”
“Follow me.”
“Baby, you’re terrifying… I’m going out for a while, so I’m playing bingo with those guys. Because those people are old and don’t know about other games.”
“Me too…!”

When I told him to play bingo, Choi Ho-il, who followed me at all costs, turned around and carefully closed the door I had opened and sighed.

“Whew… I thought I was choking to death… But isn’t that just too much? If you tell us to get out of here… “
“I can never do that. To those old people, Choi Ho-il and other people are absolutely necessary. There is no need to be afraid.”
“… All right. But Hajin-san, aren’t you afraid of those people?”
“What are the powerless old people afraid of? The really scary thing is soldiers with guns.”
“Aren’t soldiers afraid?”
“It’s scary when there’s a lot of people around.”
“Right. I will bring more soldiers from now on.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. What are you talking about?”
“Choi Ho-il, could you step aside for a moment?”
“… Yes…”

Choi Ho-il, who came out and was kicked out again, and Kim Hyun-jun, who started talking a little away from the door.

“Is this all a strategy you set up?”
“No, I was just asked? They wanted to find their rights, so they asked for help.”
“… If so, stop. You know that creating a coalition of citizens will only make things worse, right?”

Are negotiation opportunities coming this soon?
Well, the sooner the better.

“I’m not interested in that kind of thing, and if you want to ask for something, don’t you have to follow a tempting offer?”

I openly rubbed my index and middle fingers with my thumb, and Kim Hyun-jun, who saw that, frowned.
For an upright soldier who only wants to protect people, this situation would be really infuriating.

“The ammunition you can buy with the coins you get from people is less than 50 rounds a day. The rest is supplied by the military itself. But are you still going to ask for coins for your own benefit in this situation?!”
“Uh.”
“Kang Ha-jin, you..!!”

Snap!!

“Whoa whoa, calm down. If you fight me here, you will die.”

Despite my words, Kim Hyun-joon stares fiercely at me without letting go of his collar.
Because this bastard is good.

Widely!!

With a level 13 strength, I lightly removed Kim Hyeon-joon’s hand that was gripping my collar, slightly pulling on my crumpled clothes, and said the amount I wanted.

“30 coins per person. Your special brigade is 67, so 2,010 coins. You’re kind of close to me, so I cut you 10 coins, so it’s just 2,000. If I get all the same from the rest, I’ll take responsibility and disband the Citizens’ Union.”
“… “
“You don’t have to give it to me if you don’t like it. Because the choice is yours.”

If I leave this place anyway, the Civic Alliance will disappear.
If I leave, Choi Ho-il will take over as the superficial representative, and Choi Ho-il, who cannot say anything because he is overwhelmed by the atmosphere exuded by the elderly, has a representative, but it will only be a coalition that does not want to.

“Then, since I’ve said everything, I’ll go first. Go in and discuss it, and if you are willing to accept my offer, come visit me. Ah! And this is a secret. Even if you spill it on people for no reason and call me a bastard, just say that you are slandering, and the operation will end, so don’t do useless things.”
“… “

Choi Ho-il, who had been pacing at the entrance toward me, hurriedly ran to me, leaving Kim Hyun-joon, who had become mute after eating honey, behind.

“What are you talking about?”
“They say to disband the Citizens’ Union.”
“Are you Captain Kim?”
“Yes.”
“Whoa… After all, Captain Kim is just a soldier.. I thought he was the only soldier who thought of us…”
“I am not a bad guy. He’s just a soldier, so he’s just following orders from his superiors. Ah, but I think they’ll probably try to slander me.”
“Duke of Yinhae?”
“Yes. I don’t know how, but they’re going to try to separate me and Choi Ho-il and other people. From their point of view, they will think that people have changed since I appeared.”
“Do not worry. We believe in Ha-jin more than soldiers.”

Choi Ho-il’s eyes looking at me are filled with faith and trust.
How can a person show this much faith and trust in something really insignificant… This is why the pseudo religious leaders must live on their own.

“Then let’s go back. Ah! And give me the coins to pay the soldiers.”
“To Ha Jin?”
“For now, I will keep it. Even during the negotiations, Choi Ho-il and his people faithfully paid coins. It was Kang Ha-jin who didn’t convey that. If a deal goes wrong and you tell me to get out of here, say so. It was me who did it without consulting, so I will take responsibility.”
“Miss Hajin… No! It’s a decision we all make, and we’re all responsible! We can’t just leave all the responsibility to Hajin!”

Even if this person turned around, he turned too much.
Why are you so loyal to the guy you put up as the boss of your pants until yesterday?
Just do what you’re told, you stupid bastard!

“No. I am responsible for what I did. And you promised yesterday, right? I will give you some authority. The authority I want is to take responsibility. Please let it happen please.”
“Miss Hajin… “

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve looked down like this.
I used to bow my head like this every day when I met my bosses at work.

“Whoa… I’ll get it right away. Hajin will do as you say. However, I will never make Hajin alone responsible. We will be your strength.”
“Thank you.”

What is this doing?
I’m doing everything I can to get some coins.
Well, seeing the deposited coins makes me proud.

[The transaction has been completed.]
[Acquire 1830 coins.]

But why only this?
I heard that there are 244 civilians besides us.

“Excuse me, but why 1,830 coins? As far as I know, I heard that there are 244 civilians.”
“Oh, 51 people who live in different places than us are paying coins separately. Also, Dr. Yeo Eun-jung and Yeo Min-jeong and their party are paying coins separately.”
“Ah, that’s right. All right.”

It looks like there are 51 people with murder experiences that are being managed separately.
Then, except for me, Minseo, Jooha Kwon, and Joohyeok Kwon, the remaining 10 doctors, including sisters Eunjung Yeo and Sister Minjeong Yeo, as well as doctors and nurses, the coin fits perfectly.
Anyway, even if the negotiations dragged on for 3 days, almost 5,500 coins.
Heh heh heh… It was so good that I came to the shelter.

***

Smart smart! Smart smart smart!!

“… What the fuck, what kind of bastard are you?!”
“Ugh… Who is it, tonight… “
“Ah… “

Not only me, but also Minseo and Kwon Jooha, who were lying naked next to me, woke up.
Because some crazy bastard is knocking on the door non-stop.
No, wait.
This isn’t knocking on the front door, it’s knocking on the door, isn’t it?

Fire!!

Pulling off the thin blanket, I jumped up and stretched out my hands to the sides to cover Minseo and Kwon Juha’s mouths.

“Put on your clothes and pack your weapons.”
“… “
“… “

Min-seo and Kwon Joo-ha nodded slightly despite their surprised faces.
I didn’t need to pack clothes, so I took my weapons first.
If you see him knocking like this, it’s not like he’s here to surprise you, but it’s only natural for someone who’s entered the house with the front door locked at night to be on guard.

“Who is this.”
“Grow.”
“Kim Hyun-joon? Wait a minute.”

Following Min-seo and Kwon Joo-ha, who were putting on clothes that had fallen on the floor, I walked back to the door wearing only shorts and pants and opened the door.
With a mace in hand, of course.
There is no guarantee that Kim Hyun-joon will not attack me.

Click-
Swoop-

Kim Hyeon-joon, who was standing in the dark living room with the door open, approaches me.

“What’s going on this late at night? They open the door and come in without permission.”
“I just came in because the veranda door was open.”
“That or that!”
“I’m running out of time, so I’ll just keep it simple. Get out of the shelter right now.”
“What kind of bullshit is that?”
“The upper management has decided to remove you. The operation will begin in five minutes. If you follow me now, I will help you get out safely.”

I can’t see it well because it’s dark, but Kim Hyun-joon’s eyes staring into my eyes tell me that he’s telling the truth, not lies.
These fucking bastards…!
I thought I was going to stir up alienation by spreading nonsense at best, but do you dare to try to kill me?