Rafdonia is the only citadel in the world that was once just an estate, after the apocalypse turned into the last home of humanity, where the survivors flocked. This stronghold consisted of 14 districts.

The 1st arrondissement of Carnon was the royal capital, where the royal family and the upper class lived. The most characteristic feature of this capital was that no commoner could enter it unless he earned the right to do so.

Districts 2-5 "Commelbi" is a shopping district that is commonly referred to as the Free Market. Here, on the outskirts of the royal capital, experienced artisans and profitable shops were concentrated.

Districts 7-13 "Ravigion" is the largest district of the city, where about 70% of the total population lives. A common feature was that each county had a Dimension Plaza that opened a portal every month.

And, finally, the 14th arrondissement "Bifron". Unlike the Dwarven Tree in the 6th District, which had been designated as Special Districts when the city was designed, this District was very different.

It had originally belonged to Ravigion, but was now relegated to the forbidden districts, where even the Dimension Square had disappeared.

*Creak!*

The gate leading to this place was now opening to let another prisoner in.

"What are you doing?" Get.

—... Is that all?

"Haven't you been instructed yet?" If you don't try to escape, then it doesn't matter what you do.

The knight who brought me here turned his back on me, as if he didn't want to stay here any longer.

*Creak!*

Soon the gates closed. Only then did I turn around to inspect the surroundings.

A concentration camp, right?

As expected, this place was different from other ordinary counties.

If the 7th arrondissement, where I lived, had been abandoned for 100 years, it might have looked something like this.

Here and there stood old and dilapidated buildings, the outer wall was covered in stains of dirt and graffiti. The streets were not much different from each other. Waste was lying around randomly.

God, will I have to spend 20 days here?

I did not linger at the gate and just walked down the street. Everywhere I looked, I felt wary eyes on me. That was how the people of the county looked at me, in shabby clothes that hugged their skinny bodies and exposed their bones. No, would it be better to say prisoners?

*Laughter*

I couldn't help laughing. How would a modern man, Lee Han Su from the 21st century, react? He would have cringed at the mere sight of it. In addition to alienation, there was also greed in their eyes. I was sure that he would have searched for a secluded place to hide without being able to utter a word.

"What are you looking at?"

But at the moment, I was a barbarian of this era, with a muscular body over 2 meters tall, clad in heavy armor. Even if dozens of those fragile bastards attacked me, I was sure I could turn them into watermelon porridge in a matter of seconds.

'Behella

When I released the [Wild Splash] containing this confidence, the villagers who had been watching me from the shadows began to retreat as if they had seen a ghost.

"It's all right!" I won't eat you!

After watching them, I laughed theatrically and continued on my way.

"Why is this man screaming for no reason?"

—... If he's come this way, then he's out of his mind.

"Crazy bastard. It is better to stay away from it.

I've heard such words from everywhere. This was exactly the reaction I was counting on. I didn't want to entangle flies in this mess.

It's like I'm in a beginner's field.

I was very worried because this place was called the lawless zone.

More precisely, it was Mike who was worried.

But now I am convinced. In lawlessness, the one who is stronger has the advantage, and this may be more comfortable than in a society where there are laws.

You can just think of it as a good rest.

The barbarian's body was sensitive to the laws of nature, and I already knew that I would not be uncomfortable here.

***

I was walking and endlessly exploring the surroundings when a little boy of 10 years old boldly jumped out on my way.

"Excuse me, Mr. New!

To confirm, I asked:

"Did you follow me from the gate?"

— No, I don't. I just saw you.

"Then how did you know I was new here?"

"Because this is the first time I've seen you today. When someone like you comes here, word spreads quickly.

This answer was quite convincing if you look at the people around you.

"What do you want?"

Mindful of my surroundings, I spoke in a low voice.

However, the guy did not back down and spoke clearly and loudly, not taking his eyes off me.

"If it's your first day here, you haven't found a place to stay for the night yet, right?" Let me lead you. I am a local who was born and raised here.

Simply put, he wanted to be my guide. Of course, it wouldn't be free. I was sure that he did not have the courage to stand in the way of a great barbarian for the sake of charity.

"Your price?"

"Just give me 100 stones."

Such a small amount makes you wonder if he has forgotten one zero.

"Good. Show the way.

When I calmly agreed, the boy took the initiative, saying that he would take me to the best place in the area. Following him, I questioned him about this and that. I have read several books about Bifron in the library, but it would be presumptuous to think that I can learn everything about this place from them alone. First, out of personal curiosity, I asked:

"Were you born here?"

— Yes.

"Parents?"

"They're dead."

"Not that, your parents were born here, like you?"

The child looked like he didn't want to answer this question, but eventually gave in to the money.

"I'll give you another 100 stones."

— ... Only his mother. I heard that my father was not from here.

"For what crime?"

— ... Storage and distribution of prohibited books. And before you ask, this was a book about whether the taxes paid to the palace are fair or not.

"So he was a thinker.

This was not so surprising. Bifron's nickname - "Concentration Camp" - appeared because those who slandered the royal family were exiled here.

"If you really want to complain, then try to live somewhere inaccessible to divine protection."

That was the essence of the logic of exile, but from the point of view of the royal family, it was a very smart move. It was a way to expel the reactionaries and at the same time prove the legitimacy of the sovereign. In this way it was possible to get much more benefit than from hanging.

"How old are you?"

"I'm 11.

"So, in 3 years you will be able to leave?"

"If I successfully get my license."

I tilted my head.

"A certificate?" I thought I had heard that children could leave as soon as they turned 14?

"You're only half right. The benefit is available only to a small number of people who have qualified in any discipline. I said "in any discipline," but in reality, most people aspire to become researchers. It's much easier this way, and more people are selected there.

— Do you also aspire to become a researcher?

— No, I don't. Scientists.

A scientist, huh? No wonder this guy spoke so coherently. It seems that his education does not stand still even in such conditions.

"You're a researcher, aren't you?" How did you get here?

Soon the boy began to ask me questions. He seemed to think it was unfair that he was the only one responsible.

"If you're willing to earn 100 gems less, I'll tell you."

"It's not even that much money...

"Researchers never lose, even if it's a small amount.

"Oh, so you're a researcher?"

To say that he had done me was too mild. But probably thinking that I could hurt him, the guy quickly continued to speak.

"Good. I agree to earn less. Then tell me why you're here.

"I committed a minor offense in the city. They told me to stay here for 20 days.

— 20 days...

It must have been an infinitely short time for a boy who had lived here all his life.

The boy chewed his lip and was silent for a moment. Then he asked again.

"What was your rank?"

It was personal information that I didn't really want to talk about.

"That's not the question I want to answer. You can keep 100 stones. Just answer my questions well from now on.

I brushed him off like a cowardly adult, and went on to ask questions on topics that are difficult to understand only from books, such as prices in Bifron, social structure, and so on. He answered each of them without much difficulty, like a local, but one piece of information impressed me: the source of their food.

"Does the palace give you a monthly food ration?"

— Yes. But groups of thugs take everything and use it as a source of their power.

The bandits he mentioned did not bother me. Since you were born as a human being, there must have been a hierarchy even among the lowest. My attention was attracted by something else.

"The more I think about it, the more controversial this place becomes.

"What?"

"Nothing.

My interest in Bifron increased. It felt like there was something more hidden in this district, which was ordinary in the game like all the others.

"We're there.

After walking down the street and talking a little more, we came to the inn that the guy had told me about. Such establishments are found everywhere in this city: there was a tavern on the 1st floor, and a tavern on the 2nd floor.

Usually, such establishments are run by a gang of thugs.

You say this is the best place to spend the night?

I grinned and opened the door of the inn, which turned out to be infested with beetles, and stepped inside.

*Scrieeeeep*

Surprisingly, there were quite a lot of people inside: men and women of strong build, dressed in shabby clothes, drinking alcohol.

*Ring*

When the rusty bell made a dull sound, all the eyes inside turned to me. Emotions in them were different: wariness, bewilderment, curiosity, greed. I ignored all this and walked over to the counter.

"Master, how much does a night cost here?"

- 50 jewels.

And again, it seemed that this figure lacked zero.

"What about food?"

- 250 jewels.

250 jewels...

For me, it was a mere trifle, but after experiencing it myself, I realized how different it is from the outside world. Just think, the cost of food was 5 times higher than the cost of housing. Such prices were unthinkable in Rafdonia, where the housing crisis was acute.

"I'm going to sleep here tonight."

"Food?"

"I'll take it right away."

— We take an advance payment.

After paying 300 stones for everything, I sat down.

"I'll go, sir."

"You haven't received your payment yet.

"Oh, yes!

I handed 1000 stones to a child who remembered why he was there.

"I have... there is no change...

"Keep some change." Sit down next to me.

"Excuse me?"

"Just keep me company until the food arrives."

Looking at me with a strange expression, the guy collected his thoughts and sat down next to me. He answered every question I asked.

So time passed.

"And here is the dish you ordered.

The long-awaited food was ready. There was no meat to be seen, only bread and translucent soup.

"Then I'll go..."

I stopped the guy when he tried to get up.

"Sit."

"Excuse me?" But you said until they bring food.

God, did the barbarians look like fools to these people? Adding murderous energy to my voice, I said imperiously:

"Sit down."

Feeling a heavy change in the air, the boy closed his mouth and sat back down. He pretended not to, but even from a distance I could feel him trembling.

I scooped up the soup with a big spoon and...

"Eat."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, eat."

"Thank you, but I'm not hungry...

So, how do you try to brush it off?

"If you eat, I'll give you 10,000 stones."

I made an offer that the guy couldn't refuse. What choice will he make now? The answer was very simple.

— … P-Please spare me.

As a child born and raised in a shitty environment, he was quick-witted.

***

There were two reasons why I was able to figure out his tricks.

"Did you follow me from the gate?" No. I just saw you."

First, the guy calmly responded with a lie to the question I asked as confirmation. He did his best to keep the lie open, but I was quite sure of my memory. When the gate opened, this boy was hanging around.

"Just give me 100 stones."

Secondly, he asked for money too conscientiously. It was very strange. Even in tourist places, people were always ripped off left and right, but this boy and even the innkeeper did not think of inflating the price. Of course, this may just be a coincidence, but...

«… P-Please have mercy on me."

Instead of eating, the guy fell to his knees. I wasn't surprised, because it was quite expected. This is not the first time that the people of this world lack novelty in their cunning.

If you want to stab in the back, then next time do it not so obviously.

I stood up, knocking over the table, along with a soup that I wouldn't eat even if I got paid. At first, I was going to interrogate him to find out about his accomplices, but it didn't seem to be necessary.

"Stand still!" I said to the scoundrels who were hobbling quietly to the door, "for a change I thought of trying to strike up a friendly conversation. Unfortunately, four men and women, including the innkeeper, were busy speeding up their run.

"Damn!

"Let's run!"

Watching their backs, I clicked my tongue bitterly.

Do you really think it will work?

"Ahhh!"

First, I picked up the child with one hand and walked quickly in a series of smooth movements, activating [Gigantization], and then pushed off the ground with [Jump].

*Woooo!*

In an instant, my body traveled tens of meters and landed on the ground. With the effect of [Recoil], the men and women who were trying to escape flew into the air.

'Behellaaa

When I used the [Wild Splash] after that, the four people didn't dare to get up and run anymore.

*Crunch*

To prevent them from escaping, I broke one leg each. It was broad daylight, and in the middle of the street, but what could I do? After all, it was a zone of lawlessness. And the guards won't come running because I've used my abilities.

"Ahhh!"

Only then did they come to their senses. Among the four, the man with the face of a rat shouted, as if in automatic mode:

"We're from the Western Alliance!"

The Western Alliance was one of the four bandit groups that divided Bifron.

Apparently, their leader was an explorer.

"If you let us go, we won't avenge us-...

What did he say?

*Crunch*

I stomped on his other leg to silence him, but apparently this made him even more desperate.

"Our boss is a rank 6 researcher!"

Even screaming in pain, the guy did not stop talking.

I couldn't help but tilt my head in confusion.

"Your boss?" What do you mean?

When I asked the question, this time he tilted his head as if he couldn't understand what the hell I was talking about. I pulled on a friendly smile and leaned over to pat him on the head.

"From now on, I'm your boss.

For once, I'll have my own subordinate.