After everything settled, I returned to my room.

The corridor was quiet, and the night had fully deepened. The house had fallen into silence, and no one remained outside.

I closed the door behind me and walked further inside.

There was nothing left to do for the night.

Everything that needed to be decided had already been decided.

Tomorrow—

Everything would begin.

I removed my outer robe and placed it aside before walking toward the bed. My body felt tired, yet my thoughts refused to settle.

Fu Teng.

Fu Tong.

One day.

Only one day remained.

I sat down slowly and let out a quiet breath.

Some people might think I was doing all this for the reward.

But that was not the reason.

That was only an addition.

If I failed—

Then what would happen to them?

That question alone was enough.

As for Fu Teng—

I paused briefly.

His situation was not simple.

His feelings were not something that could be ignored.

But even so, this marriage might still protect him Or at the very least, give him time.

Whether it would change anything that could be dealt with later.

For no

Survival came first.

I lay down slowly and pulled the blanket over myself.

My body began to relax as my eyes started to close

But just then,

A familiar screen appeared in front of me. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

[Kiwi: Host, you seem to have forgotten something.]

I opened my eyes again, my brows drawing together slightly.

"What is it now?" I asked.

[Kiwi: You have not claimed your daily check-in rewards.]

I stared at the screen for a moment.

"I forgot," I said plainly.

[Kiwi: You currently have five accumulated check-ins.]

I pushed myself up slightly.

"Five?" I repeated.

[Kiwi: Yes. Would you like to claim them now?]

I exhaled softly.

"Claim them," I said.

The screen flickered.

Then—

One by one—

The rewards appeared.

[Day 1: Twelve steel swords]

[Day 2: Twelve long-range arrows with reinforced tips]

[Day 3: Twelve short blades for close combat]

[Day 4: Two rifles with full ammunition]

[Day 5: One handgun with spare rounds]

I stared at the list.

Then my expression changed.

"...What is this?" I asked.

[Kiwi: These are your rewards.]

I sat up fully now.

"We are in the barren lands, not a battlefield," I said. "Why are you giving me weapons in such quantity?"

[Kiwi: The environment is unstable. Weapons increase survival probability.]

I let out a short breath.

"Survival does not mean I need an entire arsenal," I replied. "What am I supposed to do with twelve swords?"

[Kiwi: You may distribute them.]

I paused.

Then I looked at the screen again.

"And the guns?" I asked.

[Kiwi: They are highly effective.]

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"They are also highly noticeable," I said. "Do you expect me to start firing in the middle of Unit 50?"

There was a brief pause.

Then—

[Kiwi: Use with discretion.]

I let out a quiet scoff.

"That is your solution?"

[Kiwi: Host requested useful rewards.]

I went still for a moment.

Then I spoke slowly,

"I asked for useful, not excessive."

[Kiwi: Host survival has been prioritized.]

I looked at the list again.

Swords.

Arrows.

Guns.

...

I exhaled.

"...Fine," I said at last.

Because no matter how excessive it looked—

It was still useful.

Very useful.

[Kiwi: All rewards have been stored in your space.]

I lay back down slowly.

"Good," I said.

There was a brief pause.

Then—

[Kiwi: Mission reminder. Time remaining: one day.]

I closed my eyes.

"I know," I replied.

There was no need to repeat it.

The pressure was already there.

I stared at the empty space where the screen had just disappeared.

For a brief moment, the room remained completely silent.

Then—

I reached for the pillow beside me.

Without hesitation, I threw it straight forward.

It cut through the air cleanly—

And hit nothing.

Because the screen had already vanished.

The pillow landed softly on the floor.

I sat there, unmoving.

Then I let out a slow breath.

"...Of course," I said quietly.

I leaned back slightly, resting against the headboard as I looked at the spot where the screen had been moments ago.

"You always leave at the right time," I muttered.

There was a faint irritation in my tone.

I stared for a few seconds longer before lowering my gaze.

Then I reached down, picked up the pillow, and placed it back on the bed.

I exhaled slowly.

"If you are going to give me things like this," I murmured, "then at least give me a proper situation to use them."

I remained seated on the bed, my thoughts gradually settling into something clearer.

The idea had come suddenly, but the more I considered it, the more it made sense.

Those men An Li had spoken about.

The ones who moved from one unit to another, robbing and terrorizing people without restraint.

If they ever came here, then Unit 50 would not remain peaceful for long.

My gaze lowered slightly.

If I dealt with them, if I protected this place before things grew worse, then everything would begin to change.

I would gain some control over run it 50.

Before I could continue thinking, the familiar screen appeared again.

[Kiwi: Host’s thoughts have been analyzed.]

I did not react this time. I simply looked at it.

"So you have decided to come back," I said.

[Kiwi: Host has identified a viable development path.]

I crossed my arms slightly.

"So now you listen to my thoughts?" I said.

[Kiwi: The system monitors relevant intent.]

I let out a quiet breath.

"That does not make it any less intrusive."

The screen flickered slightly before new words appeared.

[Kiwi: Unit 50 currently has no established leader.]

My expression shifted slightly.

"...Continue," I said.

[Kiwi: Administrative intervention is expected. A magistrate will arrive soon.]

I remained silent, listening.

[Kiwi: Notices will be posted. A leadership selection process will be conducted.]

I frowned slightly.

"A selection process?" I asked.

[Kiwi: Equivalent to an organized election.]

I understood immediately.

"They are going to choose someone to take control of the unit," I said.

[Kiwi: Correct.]

I leaned back slightly.

"And you expect me to participate," I added.

[Kiwi: Host participation is recommended.]

I let out a faint, humorless laugh.

"Recommended," I repeated. "You are not suggesting. You are pushing."

[Kiwi: This is a special task.]

The screen shifted again.

[Kiwi: If the host becomes the leader of Unit 50, a high-tier reward will be granted.]

I looked at the words for a moment before speaking.

"There is always a reward," I said.

[Kiwi: This path aligns with the host’s current strategy.]

I did not respond immediately.

Because it was true.

If I became the leader, then everything would change.

I would have control over resources.

I would have authority over decisions.

And most importantly, I would have the power to protect this place.

Not just for myself.

But for everyone under this roof.

Still, I did not agree so easily.

"You make it sound simple," I said. "As if becoming a leader is just another task."

[Kiwi: Difficulty level is high.]

I gave a slight nod.

"At least you are honest about that."

[Kiwi: However, host success probability is above average.]

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"Based on what?"

[Kiwi: Host possesses resources, strategic planning ability, and influence potential.]

I remained quiet for a moment.

Then I spoke.

"And opposition," I said. "You are not mentioning that part."

[Kiwi: Conflict probability is expected.]

I exhaled slowly.

"So I will have to fight for it," I said.

[Kiwi: Not necessarily through direct combat.]

I glanced at the screen.

"Not necessarily," I repeated. "But most likely."

There was a brief pause before I asked,

"And if I refuse?"

The screen remained still for a moment.

[Kiwi: Host may ignore the task.]

I waited.

[Kiwi: However, opportunity loss will occur.]

A faint smile appeared on my lips.

"There it is," I said quietly.

The real answer.

I leaned back slightly, my gaze steady.

"If I do nothing, someone else becomes the leader," I said.

[Kiwi: Correct.]

"And I remain under their control."

[Kiwi: Correct.]

I closed my eyes briefly.

That alone was enough.

When I opened them again, my expression had settled completely.

"Then I will participate," I said.

There was no hesitation in my voice.

"If there is a position to take, then I will take it."

The screen flickered once.

[Kiwi: Special task accepted.]

I exhaled slowly, but I did not relax completely.

"Do not expect me to follow blindly," I added.

[Kiwi: Host autonomy remains unchanged.]

I nodded once.

"Good."

Because I would not rely on the system alone.

This was something I would win by my own hands.

The screen began to fade.

[Kiwi: Additional information will be provided when notices are released.]

Then it disappeared completely.

The room fell silent once more.

I lay back down slowly and pulled the blanket over myself.

This time, my thoughts were no longer scattered.

They were clear.

Tomorrow, I would secure the marriages.

And after that—

I would prepare.

Because if this unit was going to have a leader—

Then it would be me.