Chapter 130: Desire
Jason Morgan, with a bump on his forehead, felt as if he was incredibly unlucky.
He was originally an employee at a small factory in Revival City, doing statistical work.
He didn’t possess any particular skills nor wield any authority; he merely did his job and collected his salary.
His days were undoubtedly better than those of the outcasts on the city outskirts who struggled to find food, but his life was still far from luxurious.
With a small room in the inner city and his wife’s job, he managed to barely support their three children.
After the war, his wife, for reasons unknown, came to trust the newly appointed Governor’s administration.
Not only did she join the new system herself, but she also spent two days at home trying to persuade him.
“We’re literate, can do arithmetic, and have work experience—this is our chance to get ahead.”
“I heard that Madam Osena was initially promoted just because she could read and write!”
“The sooner we join, the better—if we pledge loyalty early, we might also become someone important one day.”
Mesmerized, he agreed.
After undergoing initial background checks and training, he was assigned to the Immigration Office under the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
At the time, he thought that while the conditions were tough and he had to work outside the city, his initial position had been set at rank E9.
With his wife’s rank also contributing to their family allowance, they could sustain their family.
Along with additional pay, they could even keep up their previous quality of life.
Moreover, before heading off on this “business trip,” their newly promoted bureau chief had encouraged them, saying it would be a valuable experience.
He added that doing well on this assignment would be considered a noteworthy achievement and that he would apply for the Revival Medal for the most outstanding performers, which would be prioritized in future promotions.
This enticing promise completely hooked Morgan.
With his wife’s enthusiastic support, he registered that same night.
The very next day, they were organized into a work group and transported by vehicle to Major Pobov’s army unit.
When they first handled a population center of about a thousand people, they were a bit flustered and faced some obstacles.
However, they eventually got things sorted out and became the first group to complete the migration assignment.
Their success earned them commendation from the chief over telecommunication.
They were thrilled, but before they could rest, they were ordered to Three Pools Town, which had just been taken over.
With a population of over three thousand, the town was supposedly named “Three Pools” due to three large ponds nearby that provided a fish supply.
The town’s residents mainly relied on those fish; they ate some and dried the rest into jerky or canned them for trade.
Additionally, with its favorable location, the town frequently hosted merchant caravans.
They had even established a tavern, which provided lodging and entertainment services for traveling merchants.
According to these claims, Morgan’s work group concluded that the town could be retained as a transit hub for trade.
With the three fish-producing lakes, it could serve as a fish farming area, thus producing food.
They began their work accordingly.
However, upon closer inspection, they soon sensed something was amiss.
There were indeed “three pools,” but they were merely three “ponds.”
They weren’t quite puddles, but at best, they could be called small lakes with limited aquatic production due to poor management.
As for the tavern?
There was indeed one, but it had only about ten rooms, and the ground floor had about twenty tables at most.
Calling it a trade hub seemed far-fetched.
If it had been a village of a few hundred people, the three ponds and the tavern might barely sustain them.
But three thousand people?
They’d have starved long ago if they relied solely on that.
The people of Three Pools Town had lied.
At first, Morgan didn’t understand why they would lie.
However, on the third night after the army left and only his work group remained, he witnessed something unsettling.
He had gone out to relieve himself when he saw crates of weapons being removed from storage.
As townsfolk began arming themselves, he realized something was very wrong.
These people had feigned loyalty and submission when the army was present but began arming their forces as soon as the soldiers departed.
Later, he even saw a large group of raiders entering the town, mingling harmoniously with the residents.
Reflecting on the earlier findings of population and production disparities, he finally understood—they had walked into a den of thieves!
How could those three small ponds and one rundown tavern support three thousand people?
They weren’t sustaining themselves through honest trade.
While they indeed profited from passing merchants, it wasn’t in the way he had originally thought.
They were operating a “black market,” robbing merchants, setting ambushes…
If their survival depended on exploiting passing trade, they managed it through robbery and extortion of nearby communities.
They even served as a base for fencing stolen goods, resupplying bandits, and sheltering fugitives.
In this manner, feeding a population of three thousand wasn’t an issue.
Morgan broke into a cold sweat and quickly returned to the room, sharing his discovery with his six colleagues.
Everyone was terrified.
Even during the fiercest battles in Revival City, they had only heard the gunfire and felt the tremors of orbital bombardment hitting the city’s outskirts.
They had trembled in fear at home, but none of that had presented a clear threat to their lives as it did now.
If they stayed, they were surely doomed.
Whatever the raiders intended to do, it was clear they wouldn’t let them leave.
The seven of them held a quick meeting, deciding to escape before anyone restricted their movements or harmed them.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
They weren’t stealth experts or even soldiers; they hadn’t received any training in these matters, so how could they escape undetected?
In fact, they hadn’t gone far before they were caught.
Morgan was struck twice in the head, leaving him dazed.
When he regained his senses, he found himself tied up in a room with his colleagues.
Now, regret overwhelmed him.
He had let himself be blinded by his boss’s promises and tempted by the extra allowances for this business trip.
He had only seen the benefits, forgetting how dangerous the wastelands were.
Now what?
“There’s no way out—we’re dead.”
One of his companions, rather optimistic, said this.
A true pessimist, on the other hand, muttered, “Is there any way to die quickly and painlessly? Raiders out here really do eat people. Some of the more depraved ones will even cut pieces off while you’re alive to ensure the meat stays fresh…”
Morgan, still recovering from his dizziness, nearly fainted again when he heard this.
Just days ago, he had been sitting at home with his wife, dreaming about a bright future.
And now, they were telling him he might be eaten alive?
Morgan’s mindset shattered.
He didn’t want to die, so he racked his brain, but he couldn’t come up with any plan.
The seven of them were tightly bound, lying on the floor, barely able to squirm like caterpillars, let alone try to untie themselves.
Even if they could free themselves, they were unarmed, and two armed raiders stood guard outside the door.
What could they possibly do?
Try as he might, he could think of no solution.
And then a more desperate situation arose.
Footsteps echoed outside.
It sounded like several people were approaching, starting a conversation with the guards outside before a dispute broke out.
Though muffled through the walls, he heard fragments that made his face go pale.
“…orders…I’m here…are these the ones?…shoot them…bury them outside…let them go…absolutely not…”
These words drained the color from Morgan’s face.
It was over!
They were here to execute them!
Just as he was thinking this, the door opened.
Three armed raiders stepped inside.
Morgan was terrified.
He thought this was the end.
At this moment, all he could do was close his eyes and prepare for death, hoping it would be quick.
But then, he heard one of the newcomers speak.
“Chief Terrell has ordered me to kill you all.”
As he expected…