Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

Chapter 27: The Price of Effort and the Value of a Team

"The food, the food! The difference between those who prepared in advance and those who didn't is too great!"

Derek pointed in every direction with his fingers and shouted.

"Those who brought food will eat well while others are stuck with steamed potatoes! It's unfair!"

Justin looked at Derek, surprised.

Was this guy actually saying something sensible for once?

What he pointed out was, in fact, a severe problem.

'It's not just about taste. Maintaining morale heavily depends on the quality of food.'

If survival zones existed in places other than their own it wasn't just an issue of preference.

If another survival zone, perhaps even a competing one, had stockpiled preserved foods...

"And if the food is plentiful and tastes good, then what would happen?"

'While some would curse as they gnawed on boiled potatoes, others would be celebrating with a feast, smiling in harmony.'

The emotional difference would directly impact their efficiency in whatever task they undertook.

Hearing the tattooed man's complaint, Algrim tilted his head with a smile.

"Well, I'm not quite sure what you mean. Food that people brought in advance? Is there such a thing?"

"What? Are you messing with me right now?"

"I am not joking. There is no food that was brought in advance. None at all."

"You bastard...!"

The tattooed man gritted his teeth, thinking that Algrim was mocking him. The expressions of the other survivors weren't much better, either. But Justin's eyes widened, realizing the hidden meaning behind Algrim's words.

'No food brought in advance?'

Justin quickly opened his inventory and pulled out his bag. He hadn't brought much, but he did carry some preserved food. He promptly rummaged through the bag, and a bitter chuckle escaped his lips.

"So that's what it is."

"I was just about to ask the same thing."

Justin smiled and shook hands with Ethan, who had come over to him. Honestly, they were quite an ideal combination. With Justin being the firepower and Ethan providing protection and healing, it was hard to find a better pair for a two-person party.

"But the difficulty of this quest is too high for just the two of us. The environment has also changed, and we don't know what might come at us."

"I agree."

It seemed that Ethan had already considered this, as he immediately nodded. No matter how strong a two-person team might be, it was still just two people. If they coordinated well, having more people in the party would be best.

"The question is, would anyone want to team up with us? Honestly, everyone here... doesn't have the easiest personality."

"That's exactly the issue."

The survivors—no, the pioneers—were not the type to bow to anyone. The way they had fiercely responded to the tattooed man's threats proved as much.

In fact, they had survived thus far by dismissing others' opinions and moving swiftly on their own. They would likely be just as calculating, seeking to gain as much as possible for themselves.

'But if we approach them first, it might seem like we're the desperate ones.'

They might also want teammates like Justin and Ethan, but usually, in such situations, whoever bowed first lost. They might have to offer more than what they'd get in return.

As the two were deep in thought, a voice called out to them.

"Um... excuse me..."

"Huh?"

Justin and Ethan turned to the source of the sound. It was the younger son of the four-person family they'd rescued yesterday " Nathan " —the high school student who had called them from the window and started the rescue quest.

The boy approached them with a timid expression and spoke.

"Do... do you need someone to run errands?"

------------------------------------------

Power Stone = extra chapters! ????⚡️

Golden Ticket = extra chapters! ????️????

Comment = 1 extra chapter! ????✨

------------------------------------------