After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World

”You talk as if we can’t force it out of you,” Shiro said, turning to his men. ”Tap him.”

Immediately, several guards surrounded Matthew and patted him down, looking for the token. It was humiliating and, by the end, he was practically half-naked.

”It’s not here,” Fos, one of the Shiro’s right-hand men, said. He was tall and had afro hair, ponytailed at the back of his head.

Shiro frowned, narrowing his eyes at Matthew. ”Where is it?”

Matthew frowned, and he did not speak. Logically, he knew he was just delaying the inevitable, but how could he bear just say it so directly?

How could he not be reluctant?

Besides, he couldn’t help but hold on to the hope that a miracle would happen. Perhaps, even if they weren’t rescued, time would pass by without them knowing. By then, the token would’ve reintegrated into someone.

Shiro gritted his teeth, growing impatient. He also knew time was running out and he waved his spear again, about to slash on the nearest slave.

”My house,” Matthew spat out. ”It’s in my house.”

”You better not be fooling us,” he said, ”Otherwise we will destroy everything on the way there. What do you say?”

This naturally irked the people around. It wasn’t like they got crushed! They only got beat because they managed to get the majority inside!

It just so happened that these bastards barged in so desperately like maniacs!

They could still kill these people, including the lord! What would happen then? Would the war be reversed?

The enemy lord seemed to have sensed the vindictiveness around him and smirked. ”Look behind me,” he said, and the several people did so.

Their eyes widened as they saw that the gate was open and more and more people were entering their territory.

Other than the attackers, hundreds more people came in. They were unsightly but not as bad as the refugees they had seen. There were all shapes and sizes now, with women and old people.

At this, Matthew understood.

These people were refugees looking for a new home.

The capable fighters finished the war, and then pulled out the rest of their population from their array. Judging by the large crowd that looked to be in the thousands, it made Matthew think.

Are they planning on migrating here?

”I… we can take you as normal citizens,” Matthew immediately said. ”I can waive the registration fee for all your people—”

”You think we’re going to trust anyone over our heads?” Shiro asked and Matthew’s lips formed a thin line. He knew the answer: No one would.

Shiro looked around. ”Anyone who submits to us will be left alive and treated like a normal citizen!” he said. ”That is my promise.”

Just like this, most people quieted down. Matthew sighed in defeat, and soon he dragged his feet towards his home, stomach heavy in reluctance.

Fos grabbed Matthew’s arm and pulled him to his house. At the side, some people looked down, not wanting to see what was next, while others were stopped from interfering.

One of these people was Yao, who sobbed and yelled. He was patted by the aborigine Koli, who Chris saved back then. ”Stop it,” he said. ”This is the best way for you to survive.”

He said this with goodwill. After all, he had seen many wars, all of which were harsher than this.

The small group arrived outside his home and Matthew took the token hidden underneath a floorboard. Before handing it over, he closed his eyes, sending a message to everyone before handing it over.

[This is your lord, Matthew White. Today, I would like to thank those who did their best to protect our home.] He said so sincerely.

He also wanted to curse those who caused chaos, looted, and even killed during the wars. So many of his own citizens did this. They didn’t even have to cooperate with the enemy to cause trouble.

[Today will be my final day in this position. I hope you all live well.]

He then handed the token over, and another powdery text appeared on his screen. It was asking if he wanted to give ownership, and with a broken heart, he chose ’Yes’.

[You have relinquished your ownership of the Lord Token]

Shiro nodded and looked at the token in his hand with bright eyes. He turned around, ready to leave him be. However, Cain stepped forward in his path, looking at him with bright eyes. ”Can I have him?”

”Suit yourself,” was all Shiro said before striding out the door and to his new land.

…

Inside the house, there were only two people left.

Cain’s eyes sharpened as he looked and Matthew immediately stepped back, holding up his weapon guardedly.

”Are you really siding with aborigines?!”

”I only ever sided with myself,” he said, ”But you really annoyed me when you kicked me out.”

He touched his scar. ”How many times I almost died, I couldn’t count,” he said. His voice was calm, but his tone was venomous. ”How many times I had to drag myself with only willpower to get through this world—heh.”

Cain’s eyes turned red in anger, and he immediately lunged to attack without warning.

Clack!

Slash!

Cain’s attacks were relentless and venting and he did not care how many items he hit in the process.

Matthew took his attacks, sending some of his own. Using his earth ability, he took some soil he stocked in his space, throwing them at the other man.

Cain’s eyes stung and he yelled, he screamed when Matthew’s sword managed to slice part of his arm, staying embedded there. Cain gritted his teeth and held onto Matthew’s weapon—a Class D weapon Matthew bought from Alterra.

Matthew gritted his teeth and tried to pull it out, but his eyes widened as the weapon slowly turned red, originating from where Cain held on to it.

Rust.

Unexpectedly, Cain had awakened!

He didn’t show it before!

This moment of distraction was enough for Cain, who immediately moved his weapon towards his enemy.

Matthew gasped as he looked down, seeing the blade had stabbed him through the heart.

One didn’t feel pain like this immediately as it happened. At this time, the body was still in shock.

He started to feel it when his legs gave way and he found himself on the ground, swimming in his own blood.

Matthew gasped as he felt life pass through him, and the sight of his pale face made Cain’s eyes dilute in pleasure.

”Goodbye,” he said, raising his weapon to finally finish him off.

And that was the end of Vismont Village.