NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13
“…ha.”
After treating the wounds and leaving him in the sleeping bag, there’s still something that keeps bothering me.
It’s that the guy I saved just so happens to have black hair and blue eyes.
And.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve seen someone with something like this.”
“Wasn’t his name Mauser?”
“No, that’s the one with the clip in front for bullets… This one has a magazine. It’s likely a Luger.”
The German-made pistol in front of me.
Mr. Curtis was skillfully inspecting it, polishing it with a handkerchief.
“…You don’t look so good. Is something bothering you?”
Ms. Sara brought me a warm glass of water and sat down.
When I subtly scooted over to give her space, she awkwardly nodded.
“It might be because I saw so much blood today.”
“Umm… That’s very possible.”
With giant spiders and earth bats.
And a mysterious man of unknown origin.
“Still, thanks to that, things are progressing smoothly. How about a shower if you’re in a bad mood?”
“We need to conserve water. With this, we can last at most two weeks.”
Now that we have an injured person who uses a lot of water, finding a water supply is a top priority.
Groundwater or rainwater are the primary sources, but securing a safe area is much better.
And protecting these requires hiring people or acquiring a lot of military tech documents to ‘learn’ and create unmanned turrets.
Which also requires engineers and computer experts… So, the final option is at least Number 1.
Or I become an engineer and computer expert.
“Are there people inside the bunker who brought in these relics of the past?”
“Dunno. Maybe. I might find one of the M1 rifles I used back in the day.”
“Are you talking about the .30 caliber?”
“Yeah. Though, since we’ve got an M2 Browning, why wouldn’t we have that?”
Mr. Curtis, reminiscing about old wars.
Although weapons from the Second World War are not very common in this game, most are German-made.
Because the group based on the conspiracy theory that Adolf Hitler, who led Nazi Germany, never died is called the Zeroth Reich.
“Father, this person won’t be waking up anytime soon, right?”
“He probably won’t. He’s got a lot of injuries.”
In the midst of all these forces, a refugee carrying a hard-to-find German pistol appeared in front of me.
…I couldn’t help but suspect. The fact is that both Ms. Sara and Mr. Curtis, and Mr. James all have black hair and blue eyes, and are Caucasians.
Considering the refugee in front of me is from the Zeroth Reich… Isn’t the most dangerous one me?
“What are you thinking so seriously about?”
As I turned to look at the finger poking my cheek twice.
Apparently, Ms. Sara’s interest in me has increased since we built the shower.
“…We should start our search, considering we need water for the vegetable patch too.”
“Tell me more about it.”
Probably because I somehow fulfill Ms. Sara’s various romantic fantasies.
“Come on.”
“Hmm… How about moving to a different room? It might disturb his recovery.”
Still holding the German pistol, Mr. Curtis was smiling gently.
The problem is… this suits him quite well.
He could pass as an officer from the Zeroth Reich.
Mr. James, too, if he changes his outfit a bit and puts on a cap… Haa.
I’m uneasy.
These people all have an appearance beloved by the Zeroth Reich.
“Come on.”
After a brief moment of deep thought, I was led to a different room by Ms. Sara.
Iron bed frames had been found and rearranged for storage.
All we need now is a mattress, and it would become a nice bedroom.
“Alright, so how are we planning the vegetable patch – Technician?”
I pondered for a moment.
If the Ohmen family is more likely to be swayed by the Zeroth Reich than me?
Of course, after working together through various things since our first meeting, we’ve built up quite a bit of rapport…
But this Ohmen family, classified as ‘superior bloodline,’ would undoubtedly receive top-tier treatment.
Since all three have combat experience, they’d get good rooms, nice beds, and even plenty of food.
They might even live in better conditions than what I can provide now or in the future.
Living with the latest technology while casually using Asians or other Caucasians as slaves…
“Ms. Sara.”
“Yes?”
“In fact, my talk about the vegetable patch was all a lie.”
I needed to get the first move.
At the very least, out of all three, or at least Ms. Sara, who is the Achilles heel of two of them, needs to be on my side.
If Ms. Sara keeps the Zeroth Reich in check, the other two will naturally side with her.
Mr. James has the painful past of divorce.
And Ms. Sara is the only granddaughter to Mr. Curtis.
“…Pretty serious face. It’s because of that person, right?”
“Yes. Have you ever heard of the Third Reich?”
“Sounds familiar, but not sure… The ‘Reich’ part sounds very German.”
“Surely. Didn’t your grandfather mention that he was a war veteran?”
“Yes. Whenever the subject of weapons comes up, he always talks about… the war.”
“Stories about the war. I hear them a lot too.”
I sat across from where Ms. Sara was sitting on the iron frame.
And looked her straight in the eye.
“Alright, what if I told you there are Nazis lurking underground. Would you believe it?”
“…We’ve seen bulletproof spiders and some strange religious fanatics chasing us, and just now, mutant bats. Nazis are pretty tame in comparison.”
Ms. Sara shrugged.
Smiling at me.
“Naich supporters are the most believable.”
“…The Zeroth Reich, they call themselves. But we just label them Nazis and leave it at that.”
“How long have you been down here to know so much?”
Couldn’t say 2000 hours.
“…I’ve had enough time.”
“Hmm.”
“The Zeroth Reich defines people with black hair, blue eyes, and white skin as the superior race.”
“Isn’t it blonde hair and blue eyes?”
“Adolf Hitler was the sole leader of the Third Reich, and Adolf Hitler has…”
“Black hair and blue eyes.”
“That’s right.”
“Then is being one-testicled superior as well?”
…Huh?
“Grandpa seriously says Hitler only had one testicle. Or maybe he was a bastard.”
“That… I’m not sure about. Haven’t heard that part.”
“Well, anyway. A one-testicled dictator is still alive somewhere, and hiding in a secret bunker?”
“Yeah. You know?”
“Grandpa talked about that kind of story too. Should I call him?”
“No, no. Let’s… just hear me out first?”
Ms. Sara gave a small smile.
And with her chin in her hand, she looked at me with an odd glint in her eye.
“You’re serious.”
“I know. Continue, I’m listening.”
It turned into quite a long story.
About those who went underground to meet the still-alive Adolf Hitler and set up their own bunkers.
That they’ve brought along many excavation experts to connect bunkers.
That they were using many supplies and advanced technology in preparation for life underground.
“High-tech Nazis.”
“That’s right.”
“Mad about bunker life.”
“That’s right.”
“Also, someone like me with black hair and blue eyes can treat other races as slaves at will?”
“…That’s right.”
Ms. Sara’s face became subtle.
As if imagining life in the Zeroth Reich, she moved her lips faintly.
“So, why are you telling me all this?”
“…Because I need your assurance.”
“Assurance for what?”
“If this refugee indeed belongs to the Zeroth Reich, that you wouldn’t side with them.”
“Hmm…”
Her reaction was lukewarm.
With a peculiar snort, she crossed her legs.
The gaze that pierced me…
Is it saying she won’t take my side?
Perhaps I should have presented the explanation more aggressively?
“Why me?”
“Huh?”
Not hearing the sudden question clearly, I tilted my head.
Ms. Sara sighed, then tapped beside her a few times with her hand.
An invitation, maybe?
“Don’t just stand awkwardly there. Come on. I’m not going to eat you.”
Even when I was hobbling with injured legs, I still felt I was above the Ohmen family.
But thinking about it now, I might even lose to Ms. Sara in anything other than knowledge and combinations.
A woman who rigorously trained and exercised under her military father to join the U.S. Army.
Me, having taken various nerfs, with my fundamental stats at the lowest and delegating tactical knowledge entirely to the game AI.
If I were killed here…
“The question I asked earlier…”
“Why me?”
“…Why… me?”
“You’ve got a dad and a grandpa too, you know.”
How should I explain it?
If the daughter and granddaughter side with me, the other two would have no choice but to follow?
That’s too… mechanical.
Like creating a daughter-in-law relationship, a sister, and even an in-law sister-in-law.
Turning in-laws into bastards and even making the daughter-in-law bear a successor, it feels like one of the tamer comments from the maddest games.
So…
“Because I saved your life.”
“Certainly.”
“And… I won’t let you cultivate the vegetable patch you want without me…?”
“That’s something the slaves you mentioned can handle quite well… Or it might even be easier with slaves.”
Her eyes are terrifying.
Already looking at me like a yellow monkey, her slightly closed, lethal gaze…
“Do you have any more convincing reasons besides owing a life debt?”
“Uhh… ummm…”
“Come on. Maybe I’ll become a Nazi conspiracy theorist?”
“Well, anything within my power! Anything I can!”
“Ohoh?”
“How about a large vegetable patch, a personal farm, even a personal shower and toilet, or furnishing a room like a hotel suite? We just need to find a mattress for that bed.”
“Certainly… That’s something that might require a promotion to get in the Zeroth Reich. Anything else?”
“A buffet where you can pick anything you like – how about a movie theater? That can be built if we find the necessary items.”
“It’s getting interesting, isn’t it?”
“And also… hmm… well…”
As I hesitated with my fingertips, Ms. Sara eventually burst into laughter.
Hitting her thigh repeatedly.
“Is that how much you want me on your side?”
“…Honestly, yes.”
“Be a bit more honest. Isn’t there a more important reason?”
“The most important reason?”
“Like saving your life, building the shower so you can stay clean, sharing food, cultivating the field together… It’s quite clear to me.”
Elbowing me while laughing, Ms. Sara got progressively closer.
With a physique and muscle mass that didn’t fall behind even compared to me, a man, she gradually pushed me to a corner.
“Tell me. Why do I matter so much. Someone who can make bullets, toilets, and vegetable patches is dangling over a spider bite.”
My mouth trembled.
The weight pressing on my body made it difficult to breathe.
Hence,
“T, that’s because -”
Right when I was about to reveal the real reason.
When I was honestly about to confess that turning the daughter to my side would automatically bring the rest along in one move.
“Mr. Xuan Woo, the refugee woke up – wow.”
Should I say the timing was good or bad?
Mr. James gave a nervous cough, then turned away.
“What were the two of you….”
“Ah, come on, Dad.”
“It’s nothing.”
I stood up shaking off my seat.
Pretending as if nothing happened.
“I’ll be right there. How is his condition?”
“Ah, no, no. That, continue talking with your daughter.”
“I have some questions to ask the refugee, though.”
“Well, if that’s the case…”
Mr. James gave a nod, so Ms. Sara sighed, shaking herself off.
We might have ended up signing a slavery contract, had we succumbed to the coercion.
But the Ohmen family needs to be an undeniable ally.
After Mr. James started moving, I grabbed Ms. Sara’s hand.
“Huh? What is it?”
Short black hair.
A blemish-free white face.
Gleaming blue eyes.
The perfect embodiment of the Zeroth Reich’s ideal, I firmly grabbed her hand.
“Whatever I said, it’s genuine… Please be on my side.”
I had to extract a clear answer from her complex face.
I pulled her hand.
“Please.”
“…Alright.”
Though subtle, it was still an answer.
After sighing once, I gently let go of her hand.
“It’s a promise.”
“Let’s see what the detailed requests are later, whatnot.”
A nudge on my back from her hand sent me into the refugee’s room.
Why then…
“I’m here.”
The relaxed face of Mr. Curtis aiming the German-made pistol was visible.
The refugee freezing in place, seemingly begging to be saved, was also there.
“What are you…”
“I can’t be kind to someone who doesn’t know anything. I know who this guy is.”
“After being attacked by the church too, especially.”
In agreement, Mr. James also slung a submachine gun around his neck.
Holding the scope with both hands, bracing the rifle with his forearm,
“I’ve got some questions.”
“Alright then…,”
I pulled a chair and sat in front of the refugee.
Strangely, his face wasn’t bad at all.
When the wounds heal, he might even be quite handsome. Damn.
If he really ranks among the officers of the Zeroth Reich…
“Name?”
“H, Hans, it is.”
Hans.
“Answer fully when asked for a name. Surname.”
Before I could continue my questioning, Mr. Curtis moved his gun slightly forward and growled,
“H, Hans Anderson. Hans Anderson, it is.”
“Alright, Hans Anderson…”
With allies potentially behind me, I spoke up.
“Call Adolf Hitler a bastard.”
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