Chapter 24
They are regaining a peaceful daily life.
All the residents of Gyeongju would feel this way.
In fact, there were no longer any incidents where ordinary people within the city were bitten by zombies and turned into new zombies.
“Hey, Mr. Kim! Bring the washed dishes!”
“Yes, mother.”
Kim Taehyun, who worked in the Balhut Cult’s cafeteria, could feel this the most.
After the liberation of Gyeongju, Kim Taehyun put his skills from the Department of Culinary Arts to use and got a job in the cafeteria.
Of course, there were many chefs and self-employed individuals with more experience and better cooking skills than Kim Taehyun, so he worked as the youngest member in the kitchen, assisting with chores.
Although the work as a kitchen assistant was tough and exhausting, Kim Taehyun had no complaints.
In fact, one could say that he was satisfied with his current job.
“You’re still in good shape today.”
“You look tired?”
“Well, I’ve been washing dishes all day.”
One thing he liked very much was that his safety was guaranteed.
The Balhut Cult’s cafeteria was located in the safest part of the facility, guarded by the Awakened members of the cult who risked their lives to protect it.
For the cult members who had memories of fighting to the death over a single meal during the apocalypse, the fact that they were now protected by the Awakened brought them a sense of trust.
Moreover, the fact that they could eat to their heart’s content made some members so moved that they cried when they joined the cult.
“Was there any news today?”
“Oh, let me tell you. There’s talk that Captain Dong-gun is forming a proper expedition team and planning to venture out far.”
“There are still a lot of zombies out there.”
“I heard they’re developing a new weapon to fight against the zombies.”
While distributing meals to the cult members, Kim Taehyun could chat with the Awakened and learn about the internal and external affairs of the cult.
This made him even more certain that his decision had saved his family.
Moreover, even as a kitchen assistant, he received wages and meals, which were enough to support his family.
Kim Taehyun’s life had become so stable that he couldn’t imagine going back to the days of living in constant fear of zombies.
“Oh, you’re at work today, too, Mr. Taehyun.”
“Ah, Miss Yuna! You look beautiful today as well.”
“Haha, thank you.”
And on lucky days, he could see his benefactor, Choi Yuna, while distributing food.
As the leader of the Balhut Cult, Yuna could have lived differently from others, but she insisted that everyone was a follower of Bahamut and refused to accept special privileges as the leader, choosing instead to dine with the cult members in the cafeteria.
Of course, some members felt burdened or reverent towards Yuna’s presence, so she only came to the cafeteria about two or three times a week.
Luckily, Yuna happened to appear on a day when Kim Taehyun was serving food.
‘Today’s my lucky day.’
It truly was a lucky day.
Kim Taehyun served Yuna with the best-looking food he could find and was pleased that he now had something to brag about to his colleagues and acquaintances.
“Oh, and by the way, the cult is planning to start a school. Does Mr. Kim Taehyun have any young students in his family?”
“Oh, I have a younger sister. I’m planning to enroll her, of course.”
“We’ve also invited teachers to educate the children. It’s not comparable to the past, though.”
“That’s more than enough.”
It truly was enough.
His family had begun working again, and his young sister would soon start attending the school operated by the Balhut Cult.
Compared to the past, many things might have been lacking, but it was enough to engrain one fact into Kim Taehyun’s mind.
‘We’re really rebuilding.’
Even now, labourers and Awakened members were working side by side on the reconstruction sites, and scouts were bravely exploring the streets that had yet to be searched, while official expeditions ventured to villages and towns outside the city.
When an expedition returned successfully, the streets would be filled with the supplies they brought back, but bands of raiders jealous of the cult’s success would also appear.
To counter these raiders, the cult’s police force, the security forces, gradually emerged, and with their efforts, the streets of Gyeongju began to regain stability.
Hearing the news that crimes by rogue Awakened had sharply decreased recently, Kim Taehyun silently criticized and condemned the criminals, thinking they had the nerve to commit crimes in the territory of the Balhut Cult.
“Starting today, there will be no more supply distributions.”
“Huh?”
Then, a month into the reconstruction of Gyeongju, the cult suddenly announced the end of supply distributions.
For Kim Taehyun, this news was abrupt and alarming.
“Instead, we will provide coins that you can exchange for supplies at our authorized shops. We have detailed the use of these coins on the Balhut Cult’s community site, so please check it in advance.”
“Coins?”
Of course, the reward for labour had not disappeared.
In place of the discontinued supply distribution, the Balhut Cult now offered coins as daily wages.
The clerk referred to these as coins with pride, but Kim Taehyun knew exactly what they were.
“This is money, isn’t it?”
Yes, this was money.
It was currency that could be used to purchase items.
In other words, it was essentially the same as the cash that was commonly used before the disaster.
“Everyone else is receiving it, too.”
And it wasn’t just him—others were also receiving their wages in coins.
At first, he was very surprised by the end of supply distributions, but Kim Taehyun soon realized that he would now receive his wages in cash.
Of course, what the Balhut Cult handed over was no longer the now worthless South Korean won, but rather the newly minted coins of the Balhut Cult.
“How impressive.”
He had no idea where they had found a factory to produce these, but the coins were crafted so meticulously that they would be worth collecting as a keepsake.
And the clerk’s instructions were not over yet.
“This month, we will pay you daily wages, but starting next month, we plan to pay monthly salaries. Please keep this in mind and manage your savings and household budget accordingly.”
This month, daily wages.
Next month, a monthly salary.
Now, news that sounded like something from before the apocalypse was being delivered by the clerks, in a world where supply distribution had become the norm.
“This feels like working for a company, doesn’t it?”
Yes, things are normalizing.
The world is gradually returning to its original state.
“At the same time, starting next month, we will be collecting taxes for electricity and water. And if the currency is well established, keep in mind that an income tax will be added.”
Before the apocalypse, the thought of electricity and water bills would make mothers or fathers scratch their heads in frustration.
These were loathed by citizens who felt they drained their wallets, but this time, there was only a sense of welcome.
Though the idea of paying taxes might seem blasphemous to those with empty wallets, he couldn’t help but hope that the day when he’d pay taxes would come soon.
“…We’re returning to normal life.”
They were returning to ordinary life.
This city, this was the new world he had hoped for.
Choi Yuna’s prediction, as conveyed by Kim Taehyun, was coming true.
As if in a daze, Kim Taehyun trudged home, clutching the information pamphlet and his daily wages handed out by the cult.
“You’re back, Taehyun!”
“Yes, mother.”
Kim Taehyun’s home wasn’t the apartment he used to live in.
It was a renovated communal villa provided for free by the Balhut Cult’s reconstruction team.
It seemed his parents had already returned home, and his mother was fiddling with the coins received as today’s wages, lost in thought.
“…Taehyun, your father and I have decided to try something.”
“Try something? What do you mean, father?”
With a look of determination, they told Taehyun that they wanted to try something new.
“Yes, we want to open a small business.”
“Your father and I want to make money as self-employed business owners.”
Their challenge was starting their own business.
However, Taehyun scratched his head and opened his mouth, feeling a bit anxious about their plan.
“But… money.”
Even starting a simple small business required a lot of money.
From the rent for the store, to construction costs, to the many tools needed for the business.
If it was a retail business, they would need connections to acquire goods at wholesale prices and routes to sell those goods.
Thinking this far, Taehyun felt that their family, without any connections, had little chance of succeeding in the harsh world of self-employment.
“Well, real estate prices don’t mean much anymore. The Balhut Cult declared that previous real estate values are now worthless.”
“Ah.”
This was the apocalypse.
All previously existing values had been wiped away by the zombie apocalypse.
For Kim Taehyun, working as a kitchen assistant in a safe place, it was hard to realize this, but even now, there were zombie hordes moving towards Gyeongju, and raider groups that did not acknowledge the Balhut Cult.
On the other hand, it also meant that the assets of South Korea had essentially been reset, and under these circumstances, starting a small business wouldn’t require as much capital.
“The cult has announced that they will not recognize the previous real estate values or ownership rights. Well, it makes sense, considering that this land was overrun by zombies, and most ways to prove ownership have vanished. Indeed.”
Additionally, the Balhut Cult declared that they wouldn’t provide any guarantees regarding the real estate values or ownership from the days of South Korea.
In other words, all the buildings in Gyeongju were repossessed by the Balhut Cult, with ownership determined through their distribution, and it seemed likely that future land ownership would follow a similar process, where the cult would reclaim and sell it.
Effectively, the policy of seizing buildings and distributing them for free, while reclaiming and selling land, was harsh for those who once owned houses or land, but it appeared as a golden opportunity for families like Kim Taehyun’s, who had lived with nothing but a rented apartment.
“So, what kind of business are you planning to run?”
“We want to run a restaurant.”
It was a tough challenge.
The restaurant business was among the hardest of all small businesses.
“Won’t it be difficult?”
“Of course it will be difficult.”
“But right now, everyone is poor. If we work hard, we could earn a lot of money, don’t you think?”
However, now everyone was poor and struggling.
With determination, they could become business owners who could pass on a store to their son.
Taehyun understood his parents’ resolve, but he couldn’t help but worry about whether they could really run a business with the coins he had received.
“Will it really be possible to run a business with these coins? The coins have just been distributed, and their creditworthiness is still in question.”
It was a valid concern, as the coins were his wages for the day, and he didn’t know anything about their value or credit.
Even if he earned a lot of money, what if it all turned out to be worthless? How hollow and disappointing would that be?
“Oh, you don’t know yet. Look at the explanation about the coins on the cult’s website. These coins… Bahamut himself has guaranteed their value and creditworthiness.”
“B-Bahamut himself!?”
Bahamut.
That name was special even to Kim Taehyun.
The god of the Balhut Cult, the mighty and compassionate Great Dragon.
He was the one who exterminated all the zombies in Gyeongju and brought peace to the city.
Even now, Bahamut protected Gyeongju from external threats, and he had personally guaranteed the value of the coins in front of Taehyun.
“Then, I’ll look into it.”
With that, he could believe in it.
Kim Taehyun, dragging his tired body, headed straight for the authorized shop.
If his parents were going to run a small business, he, as their son, would have to help them.
When Taehyun arrived at the cult-run authorized shop, what he saw was…
“Sele! Sele! Brand new items for sale!”
“Clearance! Clearance! Everything must go! We no longer accept canned tuna or ramen! Only coins are accepted!”
The area around the authorized shop was already bustling with hawkers who seemed to trust the value of the coins.
It looked like they had brought out all the useless things from their homes and displayed them on mats, with countless items laid out.
There were things that seemed useless and others that appeared valuable.
Feeling like he had arrived at a flea market, Kim Taehyun realized that running a business might indeed be possible.
“We can exchange your ramen or canned tuna for coins. Of course, the exchange rate is slightly lower than the price we sell them for.”
“Are other items acceptable too?”
“Yes, electronics are accepted, as well as jewellery and gold. Our appraiser will assist with valuations.”
At the cult’s authorized shop, a wide range of items was being sold, and the cult was also buying large quantities of supplies and valuables brought by the cult members.
It was a scene that showed the Balhut Cult’s intent to stimulate a market economy.
“Mother. Father.”
After looking around the authorized shop and the goods displayed at the market stalls, Kim Taehyun found items that might help with their business.
“Let’s make our first business known with a food cart. I even checked out the business registration process with the cult.”
The first business for Kim Taehyun’s family was a street food cart.
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