Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World

"I'm sure you're aware that the Bangnang Safe Zone operates in small groups. Wherever there's unity, there's also exclusion. We were pushed out by certain teams and ended up here. Strange phenomena started appearing around the place we were originally stationed, but those cowardly teams didn't want to send anyone to investigate. So, the outcasts like us were tasked with it," Yoon Jongju explained.

"Who would have thought that upon arriving here, we'd encounter an ice storm? We had no choice but to settle down here temporarily. After the storm, many of our supplies were gone. While scavenging for resources, we stumbled upon your people that was buried in the snow and dug them all out."

"It's true we only saved them because we wanted their supplies. But in the end, we still rescued everyone. When we brought them back to our base, we even treated the more severe frostbite cases. Considering that, don't you think you're being too harsh on us?"

As soon as Yoon Jongju finished, Yoon Soeon muttered, "Yeah, exactly."

Shin Woncheon glanced at Yoon Soeon. "You're a water-type ability user? Well, even though I don't think I've been too harsh on you, since a lady has said so, we men should show some gentlemanly manners."

"Here's the deal: pour water over yourself from head to toe, go outside, and run a lap around the building. Then I'll ask my teammates if they're willing to forgive you. How about that?"

"You!" The people from the Bangnang Safe Zone slammed the table and stood up. "What kind of nonsense is that? Do you want to kill her? It's freezing outside. Running a lap soaking wet would turn her into an icicle. If her luck is bad, she might freeze to death!"

Shin Woncheon chuckled. "Exactly. If luck's bad, she'd freeze to death. So if we had arrived any later, would your so-called 'unlucky' teammates have met the same fate?"

The Bangnang Safe Zone members fell silent.

The truth was undeniable: Yoon Soeon's earlier act of pouring water over Jo Sungmo and his group couldn't be ignored.

"I'll do it," Song Hayoon stood up.

The others panicked immediately. "Boss, this could easily cost you your life!"

Yoon Soeon was on the verge of tears, panicking. "I'm sorry, Boss. It was my recklessness." Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire

Kang Hose, who had been silent since being brought back, looked utterly dejected. In his mind, if he had been more cautious and avoided getting caught by Kim Haru , their leader wouldn't have been forced into such a passive situation.

But Song Hayoon comforted them instead. "We were in the wrong. This punishment is fair."

Song Hayoon thought treating slaves poorly wasn't an issue. But now, these slaves had risen, gaining allies who could back them up. Against such overwhelming force, the Bangnang Safe Zone had no choice but to comply.

If they couldn't meet this demand, who knew what harsher ones might follow? If they wanted to trade supplies, survive better, and achieve their goal of leaving, they had to complete this punishment task.

As for Kang Hose, Song Hayoon never blamed him. Who could've predicted those mutts would be this clever?

Shin Woncheon didn't truly want anyone to die—at least not in front of Mr. Kim. "I don't care who runs the lap, but the amount of water you poured on my teammates must be the same amount you pour on yourselves. Don't think about cutting corners. We also have Water-type ability users on our side who can easily spot any trickery."

Yoon Soeon glared fiercely at Shin Woncheon.

When it was confirmed that their leader, Song Hayoon, was genuinely willing to go through with the punishment, Yoon Soeon gritted her teeth and said, "Since this was my mistake, I can't let the boss bear it alone. I'll go with you."

The same amount of water, right? Split it between two people—it's better than dumping it all on one.

Yoon Jongju, Kang Hose, and others from the Bangnang Safe Zone also stepped forward. "Boss, we'l will going with you too."

"And me. I'll take a share of the water."

"I didn't stop Yoon Soeon either, so I'm at fault too. Count me in."

With the large bucket divided among so many people, it reduced the danger of someone freezing to death. However, in this frigid weather, a bucket of water still left everyone shivering violently.

Once they decided to accept the punishment, none of them hesitated. They opened the door and, one by one, went out to run.

The residential building wasn't large, and everyone who are running with Song Hayoon was an ability user. Running one lap took less than a minute. Yet, even in that brief time, by the time they returned to the room, their bodies were encased in ice.

Droplets of water in their hair had hardened into crystals, and their wet clothes became stiff and frozen, capable of making a sound when struck. The water touching their skin had turned to ice, numbing them so thoroughly they couldn't feel their flesh anymore. Their lips turned purple, teeth chattering uncontrollably. Some were so cold they felt oddly hot and began to think about taking off their clothes.

On Shin Woncheon's signal, Gang Yuwon brought a small fireball to each of them, finally warming them up enough to recover.

Shin Woncheon glanced at Jo Sungmo and the others. "How about now? Do you feel avenged?"

By the time the people from the Bangnang Safe Zone were running laps outside, Jo Sungmo's group had joined the room to reunite with Shin Woncheon. At first, they were perplexed by the sight of people running in such weather, thinking their brains must have frozen. But after learning it was to avenge them, they felt thoroughly satisfied.

Seeing Kim Haru and his team's miserable state, the search team waved their hands with a laugh. "Alright, we're satisfied."

After all, these people had saved their lives earlier; repayment had been made, and it wouldn't do to push them too far.