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

It only did so once, and it was not repeated anymore.

Looking out the translucent window (what material was this anyway), Perrot and the others realized that time had passed and night had already descended.

And with the night, came the mobs.

Their hearts clenched, still traumatized by the horrors of the previous night.

Further, it was unlikely that the bell sounded just to tell people of the time. After all, the noise could attract more beasts than intended, so it could only be an alert of enemies.

”Will things be alright? Does that bell indicate that there’re… mobs?” Perrot asked the shopkeeper, feeling tentative.

He saw that he was already preparing more and more food. Obviously, he was expecting a lot more customers soon.

”It’s indeed an alert that there’re mobs in sight,” he said, leisurely adding menus on the tables next to them. ”Don’t worry though, since it was only one bell, it means it’s not that urgent.”

Their eyes twitched. Why did they feel that was an understatement?

Then, when people started pouring into the shop, they’d realize that it really wasn’t.

”Old man! Give me your best rice crisps!” one said. ”I want to snack on it while I shoot down monsters…”

”Can I have those crispy fries please—sour cream flavor.”

”I want lemonade with extra sugar please!” another said. ”In the hanging cup with a straw please so I can move my weapons while I drink.”

”Gouji fruit juice—50% sugar, I’m on a diet…”

And so on.

There was a queue now, and they could see it extended all the way outside.

Perrot and the others could only gape, taken aback by the sudden explosion of activities. They knew they lost track of time while they were eating—who wouldn’t—but this difference was too fast.

At some point, the queue paved the way to a handsome strongman in uniform.

”Boss Ryo!” the people called and the man nodded politely at them. His eyes softened when he looked at the old shopkeeper though.

”Grandpa,” he said, handing him a piece of paper bag (did they take that from Terran?). ”Your vitamins. You forgot to take it.”

”Ah, yes, thank you,” the old man said, and the guard went out, ready to start the start of working hours.

Perrot and the others soon gathered themselves and stood up, also to give space to the next shop patrons.

When they went out, they saw that the empty streets during the day were now filled with people, a lot of whom were queuing in different shops, while others were heading towards the gates with their weapons out.

The energy was palpable, and the fighting spirit was through the roof.

They would even hear bets around, guessing who’d kill more monsters or who’d kill them faster.

There were even challenges. For example, how long one could stay outside the walls and how far they could be from sentries.

The most baffling part was that people actually

accepted

the challenge!

”Why is it so… different?” they asked themselves and each other, though no one had the answer to it.

They perused the place along the sidewalk, observing their surroundings in awe.

They knew it’d take a while for them to adjust, but they were certainly not expecting to see some acquaintances!

”Miss Faye! Cree!” They yelled, gasping as they ran to approach them.

Miss Faye and the others were moving as a group, heading in one direction.

It was notable that they were clean and decently dressed. They also had good weapons made of beast bones on hand, which were definitely superior to the wooden weapons they had before.

It had only been a few days since they had seen each other!

The other party was surprised to see them there as well, though Perrot and the others felt self-conscious when they approached. Not long ago, they had the same appearances, but now...

Now that they saw more people, they realized… just how unsightly they probably looked.

Their bodies slumped a bit, suddenly conscious of themselves.

”Perrot! You guys are here…” Foxii said with a smile, looking at them in relief. She was a bit disappointed there were only a few dozen, but she was glad to see old fellowmen regardless.

Perrot knew about their former princess’ personality, so he explained what happened to them. He told them how they followed the source of the stream, and how it was actually blocked by others.

Faye and the others’ eyes turned red, but they calmed themselves down. It was in the past, and they had a task to do at this time.

”What about the others?”

”Many of them swam downstream the river as soon as we got there, I’m sure there are still many alive somewhere…”

”I hope so…” Faye said, sighing. ”Well, we have to go now. You should go find a dormitory and rest for now. We’ll catch up later; I’ll treat you.”

”You…” Perrot voiced out, looking at her team as well as their weapons. He had an idea what it was about, but he couldn’t help but want to hear it from them directly. ”Where are you going, if you don’t mind me asking.”

”We’re fighting outside.”

”...why?”

Perrot’s eyebrows furrowed, and the others on his side were also puzzled. Why would they fight for a territory they just entered? They didn’t become slaves somehow, right?

How could Faye not see what they were thinking? ”No, we’re fighting for a better life here.

”You’ll see,” she said, smiling lightly. ”I haven’t been here long, but I could already tell that it’s worth it.”

After short farewells between the two parties, Faye’s group went past and continued on their way, while Perrot and the others could only stare at their backs in thought.

They would soon realize that, in these people’s minds, the mobs here were nothing to fear.

They were just a resource: a source of money and contribution points. Those who wanted to earn would go out to fight without the territory forcing them to.

Unlike what they had seen too many times in the past few months, the people here were in control of their own situations, and no one was helpless.

It felt… refreshing and... hopeful.

They would go to the dormitory to get a proper rest, mulling over what they had seen so far.

And the very next day, this team—along with many others—would join the fights with similar gusto as the others.

They would fight not only to earn a living..., but also because they wanted—with all their hearts—to be a part of this.