Chapter 29
Fortunately, the first survivor settlement was not far from the forest.
Leading the way, Sylvester stopped and pointed at the tents ahead.
“There are people over there!”
As he said, the survivor settlement area was crowded with people—hundreds, no, thousands of them.
Tents of similar sizes were lined up like strings of sausages.
The scene looked almost like a small marketplace, and the group finally felt a bit of life return to them.
There were people. And quite a lot of them.
Some were working together to carry supplies, others were resting with their backs against trees while treating their wounds.
A few sat around campfires, chatting cheerfully.
Their carefree appearance made it feel like the intense battle from just moments ago had been a lie.
<Survivor Settlement>
In this place, combat is not allowed.
Any form of harm, no matter what kind, was strictly forbidden.
Within these grounds, one did not need to suspect or fear others.
It was safe.
But the relief didn’t last long before new worries filled my mind.
‘How will we meet the main characters of the original story here?’
If things continued like this, we would inevitably encounter them.
The only question was where and how.
If they were like those who helped Liria’s group, that would be welcome.
But if they weren’t… that would be troublesome.
Since this was a survival genre, there were plenty of ruthless and cruel villains.
Honestly, someone like me, Wendy Poseline, would probably count as a cute villain.
‘Though my behavior is still pretty annoying…’
If I did run into villains from the original story, I should avoid them as much as possible.
“Better to avoid filth than to suffer from it,” I thought.
Just as I made up my mind, a small voice came from beside me.
“I heard survivors from other regions would come here too. It looks like that’s true.”
Celestine’s soft, long hair brushed against my left cheek.
Her silky black hair felt pleasant as it touched my skin.
“They all look strong.”
She met my gaze and muttered in a subdued voice.
“If I were stronger, I could have protected the people precious to me…”
Her crimson eyes, like wine, grew moist.
It seemed the wound of being betrayed by Kal’s group had not yet healed.
Although she acted mature for her age, she was still a child.
Being wary and afraid of strangers was only natural.
And she had witnessed things no one should ever see.
Perhaps she just wanted comfort.
Someone to tell her it wasn’t her fault.
“It’s okay.”
I patted her stiff back.
I wasn’t someone who could embrace all her pain, but I still wanted to help in some small way.
Honestly, her reaction was completely normal.
If anything, she was quite mature for her age.
She had seen the world end overnight.
She had watched her family and friends die right before her eyes.
A living hell where you had to kill to survive and run from those who would kill you.
The fact that she hadn’t lost her mind already was a miracle.
“That’s exactly why it’s fine to be upset. It’s your age.”
It was the others—like Sylvester or Eden—who were unusual for not showing any such emotions.
“It’s not your fault.”
It truly wasn’t her fault.
Everything was the responsibility of those people, not us.
But Celestine still looked downcast.
She hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers, then carefully spoke.
“…Is it really okay for me to stay with you?”
Perhaps remembering the moment she was left behind, her voice was timid.
It was likely guilt over being useless.
Or maybe she feared being abandoned like her previous team.
In this place, those who were deemed useless were discarded.
Most children were weak and fragile.
So she probably saw herself as someone unnecessary.
The fact that a child even understood that was tragic.
This is why prematurely matured children suffer.
Not because I was tired—but because their hearts were.
Slowly rotting away without anyone noticing.
‘I wish kids at that age could just play without worrying about blame.’
But adults burdened them with unnecessary guilt.
A child being a child should be normal.
Even if it’s difficult in a ruined world…
“Don’t think like that.”
At least that’s what I believed.
I gently stroked her head, hoping to ease her anxiety.
“What matters is the future.”
Just like I had changed my own life once.
“You can change yourself too.”
“……”
At my words, a small spark of life returned to her eyes.
She fidgeted with her fingers, then spoke shyly.
“Then… does that mean I can be on your team?”
“Of course.”
The answer came without even a second of hesitation.
“Even if you said no, I would’ve begged you to join.”
Half serious, half joking, I said it—and she finally smiled brightly.
“Yes! I’ll do my best!”
“Big sister, what about Liria?”
Liria, watching us warmly, called out to me.
“Me too. Pat my head.”
“…Me too.”
It was Liria first, then Eden.
Both of them leaned their heads toward me at the same time.
I smiled and patted both their heads.
‘Haha, they’re like puppies.’
Just as I was about to pat Eden after Liria—
“…She’s mine.”
Liria smiled brightly and pulled my arm toward herself, muttering softly.
“No more.”
“…Huh?”
Was I hearing things? Did she just look serious?
And she clearly said no more…
‘…Well, I must have misheard.’
Liria was such a kind and gentle child.
“Alright, for now.”
That should be enough.
Watching the much-improved children, I turned my gaze to the comment section.
- Comments are in progress (eirxxx): Surprisingly thoughtful.
ㄴ (youxxx): 22, this feels unfamiliar.
- (kimxxx): She’s grown a lot. Wendy.
- (wetxxx): LiriWendy stock rising, day 1.
ㄴ (dowxxx): ?? Weren’t you into YeriWendy before?
ㄴ (wetxxx): That stock crashed. One of them turned into a tree.
ㄴ (pipxxx): It’s fine, it’ll come back soon.
[You have gained favor from 10 observers.]
[Total favor: 45]
Favor points… nice.
No, wait.
It wasn’t intentional, but I still gained favor!
‘There’s someone here cheering for something weird…’
Feeling oddly proud, I shifted my gaze toward the tented area and checked the quest window.
[Before moving on to the next stage, “Black and White War,” collect supplies at the first survivor settlement.]
- New survivors from other regions are present.
- Supplies are distributed according to team performance.
- If the team has been disbanded, rewards are distributed based on individual performance.
Whatever it was, I needed to get the reward.
“Let’s move.”
We couldn’t reform or disband teams arbitrarily until then.
But there was one concerning point.
If teams were disbanded, rewards would be based on individual performance…
‘For others, fine. But me?’
…I was doomed!
If it was a team, even low contribution would be shared equally.
But individually…
No matter how I looked at it, my performance was basically…
“Come forth, Xenonmon!”
“Hoh hoh hoh! Work, my slaves!”
“Hurry up and heal, you wooden block!”
Wendy’s imagination
‘…I didn’t do anything helpful at all, did I?’
The best I had done was take arrows for teammates or rush ahead to learn skills.
Nothing that truly contributed in a major way.
‘I need to step up.’
The third trial, <Seocheon Flower Field>, would select “chosen ones” who had significantly influenced the world.
There were 44 of them.
I didn’t know why the number 44 felt so ominous, but still…
I had to be among them.
There, there would be S-rank items, treasures, and powerful skills.
Even the “Stone of Peace” from the original story could be obtained there.
In the original, Wendy had been carried by her team and barely made it in as the last of the 44.
But this time would be different.
Just as I made that silent vow—
“Excuse me.”
A gentle voice brushed my ear.
“Oh my, are you here to receive your reward?”
…Huh?
That wasn’t anyone from our team.
