“I am Erail Tozen from Nasereth. I have come to serve Lord Joonbum.”
“I am Hott Besek from Bitra. I am here to serve Lord Joonbum.”
“I am Adra from Ardo. I came to help with city management.”
“I am Zoltra from the Beniel Family of Hoast. I’m here to work for city management.”
“I am Eric from Bigshorn. I am a carpenter looking for work.”
“I am Edgar the Blacksmith from the Neils. I make weapons, but my specialty lies in jewelry. I heard you value jewelry makers here.”
“I know how to work with Durans and horses. This here is my son, and he knows his way around the monsters.”
“I know how to make ships…”
More people came to the city to apply for jobs. A lot of professionals from different professions were also recruited as they were treated with more value. These people were highly sought after before the war and the crisis, but as the food became scarce and it was hard for the people to survive, their support was cut off and they were left to survive on their own. This forced skilled craftsmen to leave their hometowns to more safer, stable places to live.
‘It’s only the beginning.’
Jackson smiled.
“Why do you look so happy?”
“Huh? No-no. I’m just…”
Jackson was startled by Jinpok’s sudden question. Jinpok nodded.
“It’s okay. Do you have more of these?”
Jinpok pointed to the cigarettes and beer.
“Yes, we have a lot. But Ainos beer tastes better so…”
“No.” Joonbum answered instead, but Jinpok shook his head firmly.
“No, I like the canned beer better. Ainos beer is good, but it doesn’t have that taste. Not like that one. It’s all good, but… It’s not like that.”
Joonbum realized what Jinpok was implying. It was only a few years ago for Joonbum, but it was a very long time ago for Jinpok.
‘He cried so loudly at mom’s kimchi.’
He remembered Jinpok’s eyes filling up with tears as Joonbum’s mother prepared traditional Korean food in front of him.
‘It was a long time.’
It was hard to imagine living here without all the goods that Joonbum brought for such a long time.
‘But this is too fast. Is Jackson trying to start a kingdom?”
Unlike Jinpok who gave up hope on going back, Joonbum always had in mind that he was going to only live here for ten years. He always thought about going back to Earth if things didn’t turn out right.
‘Maybe I should give up on that option.’
Joonbum shook his thoughts away as he thought of his mother.
‘I have twin brothers now…’
It was then that Jinpok stood up from his seat with a cigarette and canned beer in his hands.
“I’ll go. Don’t call me up for a while, okay?”
Jackson frowned. Jinpok was valuable personnel. It didn’t bode well for Jackson to let him just live his life without doing any work.
“You can’t…”
“Sure. You should take care of your problems first. That old man was a pain in the ass.”
“Yeah, I know. I shouldn’t hit him on the head, right?”
“If you’re not going to have a funeral, no.”
“Dammit.”
Jinpok shrugged.
“But he couldn’t say anything to my wife. Including those damn brothers! Haha. But it doesn’t feel good to see them like that, you know. Anyways, I’ll see you later.”
Jinpok left the room. Jackson turned to Joonbum.
“It was quite a powerful family back in the day. I think there was some kind of foul play that caused their downfall.”
“Really?”
Joonbum turned to Jackson. Jackson shook his head.
“The investment wasn’t that big and other families that had the same investment did not fall like them. It’s also weird that the merchant was attacked quickly got back on their feet by receiving help from a lot of families. Isn’t that weird?”
“Hence, the foul play?”
“Yes, sir. Someone wanted their downfall.”
“Then that someone is probably…”
“It probably has to do with his wife.”
“Does the old man know of this?”
Jackson narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“I think he knows.”
“You think so?”
“He’s lived long enough to know, I believe.”
“Hmm.”
“I don’t think he’s as cold as Jinpok thinks. He probably loved his daughter a lot.”
Joonbum nodded. He then turned to the windows. It was already nighttime.
*
“Joonbum!”
“Give us a chance!”
“How can you meet with just one person! You should give us a chance!”
“Huh? What, no…”
“We have been waiting for you for so long! It’s not fair!”
“I know you like her that much, but you should give us a chance!”
“I don’t need to be a first wife! I will accept being second… or third…”
“Please!’
Several women gathered around Joonbum when he and Jackson came out of the building. Joonbum quickly reached out for help, but Jackson was already walking away in distance.
‘Dammit! He did this on purpose!’
“Joonbum! Am I that ugly? Do you hate me that much?”
“I missed you so much! Please! Visit me tonight!”
Joonbum blushed as women closed in on him from all sides. Then a sudden sound scared all of them.
“GUARDIANS!”
“AHH!”
Women began backing away in fear as huge wolves began appearing. About twenty-eight wolves appeared. The women quickly ran away in fear. The people of the city knew that the wolves did not attack humans, but it was still scary and no one dared to go close to them.
‘Whew, they saved me.’
“Galfus! You are like a pack leader now.”
Jackson gasped at the sight of Galfus, leading her pack of Guardians.
-They eat too well.-
-Huh?-
-The Guardians have grown really big. They would’ve been smaller and skinnier in the mountains, but life here made them grow big. They might have a hard time adjusting to the forest later.-
Doral seemed to be concerned about the cubs.
“Galfus, aren’t they eating too much? They will become slow!”
Galfus poked her head at Joonbum and let out a small growl. Joonbum felt the sudden urge to fall asleep as he leaned toward Galfus and sat down. Pretty soon, Joonbum fell asleep next to Galfus and all the wolves moved out to block the entryways to the garden.