An invisible hierarchy was forming.
Even beasts that were incapable of speech would create a class-based system among themselves. It would be stranger if, in a situation like this one, there were no subtle differences in ranks.
As long as it was a place people inhabited, it was a natural outcome.
"First of all."
At the very top of the pyramid was Kim Hyunsung, the man who had built this place.
I didn't know what had occurred whilst finding this shelter, but the people here certainly placed a lot of trust in Kim Hyunsung.
I would have had a similar reaction.
Of course, it was a natural reaction for someone who had suddenly fallen into an unknown land crawling with monsters.
The fact that there was a guy willing to pick up a sword and stand up against those monsters was very reassuring, especially since that guy was foolishly kind.
It was no wonder then, that people admired him.
Next up was Lee Jihye. A woman who had an unexpected windfall from being with Kim Hyunsung.
Unlike Kim Hyunsung, who frequently roamed outside, she spent most of her time in the shelter, managing food distribution, guarding the shelter, and other essential tasks.
There were also some people who could be considered part of 'Lee Jihye's Unit' that held significant authority.
Of course, while Kim Hyunsung was here, they couldn't abuse or openly take advantage of their power, but it was inevitable whilst he was gone.
"Then where are we, Hyung-nim?"
"You could say that we're right under Kim Hyunsung, because we have the strength to fight and retrieve food."
"Umm..."
"It's probable that they're dissatisfied with us right now."
"But at first..."
"Of course, they were sweet to us at first. But I'm sure they didn't like what happened yesterday. It was like implying that we want to be independent. To put it bluntly: 'It's not our job to feed you.' That was likely the last nail in the coffin."
"But part of the food they took was ours. Isn't it natural to say, thanks, instead?"
"Of course, there are people like that too, but... It's human nature to try to keep new powers in check. Even if it's just within a small group of people."
"Does that mean that Kim Hyunsung is keeping us in check?"
"No, Kim Hyunsung doesn't think of this place as his own in the first place."
"Then who the hell is so wary of us...?"
"People who think this place belongs to them."
It wasn't Kim Hyunsung who was pretending to rule. It was Lee Jihye, the one who was profiting off of him.
"I think I know what you mean."
"Kim Hyunsung is the figurehead of this group, but she's the one controlling it. In the first place, Kim Hyunsung doesn't have time to manage this place since he spends most of his time outside. Where might is required, the one with strength is king, and where food and shelter are a priority, the one grasping them is king. Kim Hyunsung has power, but it's that woman who has food and shelter."
"You mean Lee Jihye?"
I nodded slightly.
"That's right."
