I Am the Only Non-Returner

9 – Eventually Integrated with High School Girls.

“Let’s try integration for now.”

“…Oh, yes.”

It’s to prepare for the appearance of giants and super giants in the future. Endure it even if it’s uncomfortable.

Though I only thought about it, a message rang in my head.

[Shin Gahee·Naeun Chae] Shelter has requested integration with [Mengmung Shelter]. Will you proceed with the integration? Y/N

Let’s go!

– Thud!

“Mom!”

– Kuaaah!

“Kyaaak!”

“Cough-!”

I almost screamed in surprise, but as the owner of the shelter, I exercised patience to maintain dignity.

It’s refreshing to hear a female voice from the shelter.

Ziiiiing-

The shelter that was located behind the bratty students in the distance moved towards our shelter like a hologram and soon began to emit light from all directions.

– Pop-pop-pop!

– Shelter fusion is complete.

Shelter (Intermediate+)

– Durability 2800/2800

– 205m²

– Structure slots 24/24

– Bathroom slots 1/4

– Toilet slots 0/2

– Bedroom slots 0/7

– Kitchen slots 0/2

– Occupants 0/115

Wow! The durability has increased by 800!

It’s a shame that the structure only increased by 6. But we have special characteristics, so it’s okay!

I am the owner of the fused shelter. Would you like to change the shelter’s name? Y/N

Huh? Why? Is the name really that important?

“No.”

– Occupants 2/115

The occupants of the shelter will obey the owner’s commands without question.

Without question, it’s not the 80s anymore, geez.

Well… it could be dangerous if there’s unrest among the people here, I understand that.

– Acquired 1091P held by the resident population.

Point balance: 782980

Ah, so the absorbed side gives all the points.

What do they believe in…

– Points are lost upon the death of a resident population. (100P per level)

Wait a moment…

I didn’t know there were such demerits.

I glance at the kids for a moment; there seems to be something bothering them as they avoid eye contact.

– Based on contribution level, residents can use points held by the shelter owner. (10P per level, once a day)

Oh, right…

It’s not like the absorbing side is at a disadvantage with this.

– Through a vote, the resident with the lowest contribution level can be expelled.

Hmm, that’s fine.

Come to think of it, they chose me well.

Well, I can use this too, but…

Since Shin Ga-hee acquired it as insurance for an uncertain future, I should work hard if the conditions are met.

Leaving the shelter behind, I slowly take a turn.

Outside, I see a few people looking at us with envy.

Men and women in suits seem to have found new partners, standing with unfamiliar couples, chatting while glancing at me.

Couple Hell! Couple Out!

Suddenly, the combat power surges. Heh.

“Um… Mister, by any chance…”

Oh my, isn’t our special character Mr. Gahee?

His eyes are really charming and cute.

“Uh, what is it?”

“Mr. is currently ranked 1st… right? Cutie…”

Gahee and Eunchae stand side by side, looking up like puppies.

Upon closer inspection, their appearances are indeed outstanding. Are they aspiring idols? Those pigs from earlier must be in heat.

“Yeah, that’s right. Why?”

Upon hearing my answer, the two cover their mouths with their hands, unable to contain their laughter as they bounce around.

“We’ll really work hard!”

“Since we’ll contribute a lot… please don’t discard us.”

They haven’t even started, but already talking about being discarded so much.

It seems this short-haired one might be a bit disheartened, maybe due to her abilities.

Gahee with the special characteristics seems to be encouraging Eunchae, saying we can do it.

It feels strange, as if the upper class is cheering for the commoners.

“Shop List”

– The shop list has been updated.

Oh, indeed, the lists they had are added.

Calculator, post-it notes, tape, gochujang (red pepper paste), towel, 6-outlet power strip, pencil sharpener, beer purchase voucher, kitchen (intermediate), bathroom (lower grade), soap, sketchbook, roasted seaweed, gugu cone (ice cream), tangerine, non-woven shopping bag, bubble umbrella, potato, drum washing machine, Dimension Gap Expansion Voucher.

Sob, it’s only been two days, but why does having a bathroom feel so comforting?

Bathroom purchase.

-20P

– Weeiiiiing!

“Wowww!”

As the bathroom construction began, the kids started squealing.

Kitchen purchase.

-50P

– Zeeiiiiing!

“Kyaaa-!”

Huh, is this what they call flex?

Buying while hearing the screams of high school girls next to me, somehow, does it make me excited because I’m an uncle?

I’m only 29 years old yet…

Why do they call me an uncle? It’s not like I’m that old.

Mr. Hwang always said I have a distinguished look!

Without anything to see, I stared blankly at the kids exploring every nook and cranny of the shelter.

They seem cheerful even in this situation. Or maybe they’re just pretending to be cheerful.

I don’t know what happened during the first round, but it must have been very different from now. They must have had good reasons to come to me despite having such good traits.

“Snicker-“

Huh?

“Ah···!”

Gahee grabs onto my stomach and scrutinizes my reaction.

With their contribution level at 0, they can’t even buy anything.

···

Purchase two ramen

-2P

“Use tap water from the newly installed kitchen sink”

I nestled the ramen bags in a rinsed pot and held it close to my chest.

···

The kids silently lowered their heads and walked towards the kitchen.

Available points: 782,928

＜59:08＞

Well, it seems like there’s plenty of time.

Dimensional Fissure Expansion Permit.

Let’s just check this out and take a break.

Would you like to expand the dimensional fissure? Y/N

It seems like that portal connects to another dimension… Is expanding the fissure a bad thing?

“Nananna~”

Seeing the two of them wiggling their bottoms happily, I feel like asking something.

“What’s this Dimensional Rift Expansion Token?”

“Huh? That’s something that makes more monsters appear!”

“Small ones, not the big ones…”

It’s always Gahee who answers first.

Anyway, I roughly get what it is.

“What’s the difference between Stage 6 and Stage 5?”

In response to my question, they both had slightly puzzled expressions but answered kindly.

In summary,

“The exits where demons appear increase to two, and the quantity of monsters also increases significantly. And there’s a First Spawner?…”

“Yes! The First Spawner is a guy fixed in a sharp circle, and he attacks by rolling his body.”

“That circle is too sharp and strong, so you have to strike it from the side, but it’s too fast…”

Instead, the First Spawner doesn’t attack the shelter.

You might think that staying inside would be enough.

“But as the quantity increases, it’s certain that there will be a situation where the durability can’t hold, and eventually, it would be easier if someone outside aggroed the monsters, but there’s a First Spawner that targets only humans?”

“Yes! But if only the First Spawner remains, it clears!”

“Well, I see. It’s boiling over there.”

Oops!

“Do you have eggs, by any chance?”

“Yes, we do! We really do!”

You guys are egg lovers, while I only add green onions to my food… We don’t match, do we?

Where to eat, he pondered, tossing two study room chairs and chopsticks into the air before activating the dimensional rift expansion permit once again.

Hmm, do I need to go out now to fight? I don’t know how much the durability level 1 has increased…

I do want to earn some points, but how should I go about it?

Perhaps if I clear a stage, my clear points will surely increase significantly. But the initial clear reward might be a bit challenging? Well… I should try it at least once, shouldn’t I?

Would you like to purchase? Y/N (Cost: 100P)

What’s this arrow next to it?

Continuing to raise the arrow next to it, it reached 5.

The cost also increased to 500P.

Does that mean it expands by 5 more…

Should I give it a try?

While slurping on delicious ramen, children were seen enjoying themselves.

Still, let’s ask the returnees.

“What do you think about purchasing by raising the expansion to 5?”

“Gulp – Cough Cough!”

Should have waited until they finished eating to ask.

Hitting Eun-chae’s back, Ga-hee said.

“Are you serious? About that?”

“I’m always serious.”

“…Is it possible?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“In the previous round, even reaching level 3 was incredibly difficult for me… It feels like it’s almost doubled now? Well, anyway, I’ll leave it to Uncle’s judgment.”

“Uncle, you’re the first place! Can’t you do it? Your durability is high. If things get tough, I’ll go out for a bit and try to provoke them!”

Oh? Eunhae seems more proactive than her image suggests, though I’m not sure if it’s genuine.

“In that night battle, if you get attacked… Is it okay?”

I asked because it seems like with low health, one hit might be fatal.

“W-Well, my shield is over 1000, so I should be able to withstand it a few times!”

Shield? Did we have shields too?

“Gahee, how much is your shield?”

“It’s 4158.”

Hmm… I see. It’s the product of health and mana.

Eunhae looks disappointed at Gahee’s answer.

“Let’s try to avoid night battles as much as possible. If there’s a need to go out, it’s probably better for me to go.”

Children look at me with puzzled eyes.

“Why, why? You’re the owner, aren’t you?”

Adding ‘님’ sounds a bit strange…

Eunhae says with a face that clearly doesn’t understand.

“My shield is around 5000, and my strength and stamina are much higher than yours, so it should be easier for me to endure and move around without getting hurt.”

Huh?!

“Really, being the first place is not in vain…”

“…Wow…”

In the gaze of the children looking at me, something resembling respect towards adults began to show.

Hmm, setting an example for growing sprouts. That’s me.

Reciting the lines of a martial arts novel in my mind, I looked outside with a cool expression.

***

A man using the ridiculous ID “멍뭉이” is trailing behind, wandering around with a defeated look, circling the shelter.

Sungahi hadn’t completely lifted her guard against that man yet.

She thought everything would work out well when the good trait of divine anger was upgraded and regressed.

Until she saw the trait description and her mana value.

Requires mana over 200 to use the trait.

As the trait grade increased, the required mana value also drastically increased.

However, the mana started only slightly higher than the first time, with not much of a difference.

She fervently wished for an increase in levels when clearing the stages, but it only went up by +2 consecutively.

After merging with Eunchae and clearing Stage 5, the remaining durability was around 200.

It was impossible with this.

She had to survive until her mana reached 200 by merging with someone.

After Stage 5 ended, humans who were repulsive to them began to approach.

Whether they died once or not, they didn’t hide their desires, barking like horny dogs.

Especially the two piglets and the delinquent girl in a school uniform and the athletic guy were extremely persistent.

They had been annoying before, but when the four of them joined forces, there was no way out.

Even if it’s possible to clear it with them, what’s detestable remains detestable.

Especially Eunchae, who’s timid; I’ll protect this one. She’s a friend I lost in a single momentary mistake during the last round.

When those guys momentarily lost focus, I dashed towards Eunchae, heading for the shelter standing in front of the hoodlums.

Surely, there would be many people gathered there, and showing my abilities might elicit a positive response.

However, upon arrival, there was only a gigantic man standing there, as still as a mountain.

Until now, I hadn’t thought I would truly be alone.

Where did the others go scouting? Considering the current scale, they should be in a fused state up to the current limit.

The approaching man’s physique was tremendous. It wasn’t just about being big; it was about having well-balanced muscles that could captivate attention even in this situation.

First, I shared Eunchae’s characteristics.

And then, I carefully observed the man’s expression.

The man’s expression was a mix of bewilderment, regret, pity? Something along those lines.

Seeing that, a feeling came over me. Ah, this man must be different from those bastards at the very least.

Seeing my abilities, the corners of his mouth lifted.

Right? You find my abilities tempting, so could you please tell me?

At that moment, dirty scoundrels appeared in front of us. Pigs who approached us with their fists, fingers in and out, and hoodlums with flamethrower abilities.

The big man asked if skill usage was possible.

It was absurd. How quickly did I die in the first round?

However, it took less than five minutes for the somewhat underestimated impression to change.

Having learned something like mixed martial arts, in an instant, he subdued three people and gave quite a brutal beating, enough to feel rather merciless.

That’s right! Having someone with those qualities increases the chances of survival.

Of course, it could be a problem even inside the shelter.

Gahee had no desire to die again. She wanted to survive somehow and meet her parents and younger sibling.

Fortunately, entry to the shelter was allowed.

She had crossed the Palbu Ridge.

But the shelter’s name… Mengmung? Where had she seen this before?

A shelter with the same name as the top-ranked one.

A shelter grade that didn’t match the stage.

Overwhelming power.

…This man was ranked 1st?! Unbelievable!

She had to capture him at all costs.

Was there any shame? She felt none at all.

It was clear that her chances of survival had greatly increased until she could utilize her abilities.

So, was it possible to clear with this man?

Looking at the resident population, strangely, this man had cleared everything alone.

How on earth?

But she couldn’t bring herself to ask. It’s not good to meddle for no reason.

She was slightly flustered. Did she intrude into the place where this man lived all alone with her small frame? If she pushed too hard, would he overpower her with that size…

Once you spill the water, let’s bet and act on the side that isn’t that person.

Still, there was a need to show some inside, to some extent.

You’re the 1st place, right? And you pretended to be happy, jumping around.

When men see this kind of behavior, they usually like it. Eunchae was actually pleased.

Pretending not to, but a little smile appears.

This man is simple.

At that moment, a sound came from the basket on his back. His face turned a bit red. He still appreciates the feeling of embarrassment.

The man gently placed ramen and a pot, turning around the shelter.

Sizzle-

Wandering around with a defeated look, like a grandmother in the countryside.

And asking about this and that definitely seemed like someone who died early.

This man…

I thought it might be okay to lower the guard just a little.