Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

The people froze at Justin's words. The joy that had filled their eyes quickly turned back into fear. Justin waited in silence for that fear to grow, knowing that sometimes silence could be more effective than a hundred words.

"I know you've suffered until now, but it'd be troublesome if you started seeing me as your savior."

The civilians here had a deep-rooted fear of pioneers, but that fear was instilled by Chad and his gang. If Justin assured them that he and his group were different, their fear would diminish. They would begin testing boundaries, seeing how far they could go.

In the worst case, they might treat Justin as "the kind of pioneer who doesn't mind a little disrespect," like people who cower before criminals but shout at those who save them.

"Not a chance. I didn't take over this territory to see that."

Civilians needed to fear pioneers. Not excessively like now, but at least enough to always show respect. That fear and respect were the first steps in building the society Justin intended to create.

"I heard about what you did to Rachel," Justin began again once the tension in the air had built up appropriately. "She called you trash, unworthy even for recycling."

"...!"

"You said you'd stay safe while the pioneers hunted and handed over magic stones? And threatened them, saying they'd be helpless without your help?"

"T-that's not what—!"

"Shut up."

Justin shot a cold glare at the man who tried to explain. "I'm not saying this to hear your excuses. Don't interrupt—stay silent."

"I-it's not true! It's just—"

"Black Missile."

Boom!

"Kyah!"

The Black Missile narrowly missed the man, smashing part of a building behind him. The loud noise and scattering debris sent people into a panic, screaming in fear. Though he didn't show it, Justin himself was slightly surprised—he hadn't destroyed a building before, and now he realized that even within a safe zone, such destruction was possible.

"Oh, oh..."

The man stared at the destroyed building, his face pale. Seeing the power of the attack, he seemed to understand that if it had hit him directly, he would have died instantly.

Justin lowered his voice as much as possible. "You couldn't even lift your head in front of Chad, yet why are you acting like this in front of me, who killed him? Do you think I'm a joke?"

"I'm s-sorry! I'm really sorry!"

"Shut up and get out of my sight. Interrupt me one more time, and I'll really kill you."

At those words, the man hurriedly disappeared from Justin's sight. Silence fell over the village once more, and Justin spoke calmly.

"Let me make this clear. I'm not your savior, nor your liberator. I am your new ruler. Is there anything you wish to ask of your ruler?"

No one answered, but it wasn't as if Justin expected a response.

"You think you deserve compensation for what you've endured? Want me to buy you something so you can eat well? Want me to fix your dirty house? Want me to guard you so you can become pioneers?"

Justin paused and stomped his foot, raising his voice. "Don't make me laugh! Why would I care about that nonsense?!"

"...!"

"I'm not a police officer, a firefighter, or a welfare worker! I'm a ruler! I'm not someone who takes requests—I'm someone who gives orders!"

His cold gaze swept over the people, and they quickly averted their eyes. But they couldn't hide the trembling expressions of despair that briefly crossed their faces.

Justin delivered the final blow. "Whatever you expected, nothing's going to change. Stop having useless hopes and just follow orders. I'll collect taxes again once I officially become the leader, so you better start preparing."

"Hic!"

A sob escaped from someone. They must have thought they had escaped from hell, only to realize that the warden had merely changed. The people quickly covered the mouth of the woman who was about to cry, fearful of angering Justin.

He looked at the woman, who was trying to stifle her sobs, then shouted, "That's all I have to say. Now get back to your homes! Don't gather around and chatter!"

As he turned away, he heard the hurried sounds of people dispersing behind him. No one dared breathe too loudly, fearing they might provoke him.

Good, the first step went well.

Justin smiled in satisfaction at the better-than-expected outcome.

After the speech, Justin and his group gathered at Chad's house. It was to make it clear to the civilians that the leader had changed. However, since Justin wasn't officially the leader yet, the house was left unclaimed. It would be strange if anyone other than Justin took it.

"Wasn't that a bit too much?" Nathan asked cautiously as Justin, Rachel, and the rest of their group sat down for a meeting.

"I get that you're trying to establish a hierarchy and suppress rebellion in advance, but the people looked really hopeless after hearing you," Nathan said.

"It's better if they feel hopeless. That way, they won't have unnecessary expectations," Justin replied.

"I understand, but it just seemed a bit pitiful. They've been through hell already," Nathan added.

"Exactly. And that's why we can't give them hope."

Nathan blinked, confused by Justin's words.

"What do you mean?" Nathan asked.

Justin began to explain. "Do you know what most people say to a police officer who saves them from being murdered by a criminal after losing their family?"

"Uh... I don't know. 'Thank you'? Or maybe they just cry?" Nathan guessed.

"Most of the time, they ask why the police didn't come sooner. They say that if they'd arrived a little earlier, no one would have died."

Nathan's face hardened—it wasn't the answer he had expected.

Seeing Nathan's reaction, Justin continued. "Of course, part of it is because it's the police's duty to protect citizens. But people often look to vent their frustration rather than express gratitude."

"But we're not like Chad's gang. We haven't done anything wrong, have we? Why would they be angry with us?" Nathan asked.

"Because we're pioneers," Justin replied.

"Just because of that?" Nathan asked, incredulous.

"Do you think they won't?" Justin responded, a bitter smile forming on his lips. He, too, hadn't understood this mindset when he was younger.

"Strangely enough, people lump others together just based on their job. What's more interesting is that even though they treat them as the same group, they differentiate when it comes to venting their anger."

"What do you mean?" Nathan asked.

"They choose who to take it out on, depending on the person."

Justin recalled when he used to work part-time at a convenience store. There was someone who had been a victim due to a lazy police investigation. That person treated every police officer like trash, cursing at them whenever they saw one.