CHAPTER 37: PROMISE

"Wait, you want us to work with those corpses?" someone asked.

Ace nodded. "Yeah. Carry ’em for me. They’re lighter than they look."

That’s not the real problem, dude.

The real issue was that the bodies belonged to rankers—other humans. Missing limbs or shriveled flesh didn’t change that. Using them for anything without a burial felt cruel. Still, hauling bodies beat fighting Black Umi and risking their own lives. Everyone here had already watched at least one person die or turn into an undead monster.

The men got to work, lifting the corpses one at a time or in pairs. Most of the women just stood back, supervising. A few stepped forward to help without being asked.

What is this, a construction site? Ace thought. Then he called out, "Help, or you get nothing from me. If anyone shares food with slackers, I’ll cut them off next time."

"But we’re women!"

"Don’t you feel shameless ordering us around?"

"You should protect us! It’s scary out here!"

Ace stared at them.

Mercer looked away.

Marko blinked in disbelief.

Alex curled his lip, then moved behind Ace. "Don Capo, now I get what Godmother meant—no appeal in women who can’t guard themselves. Mind if I bail?"

"Stay. Mercer, Marko, follow the others," Ace said.

Alex squinted.

Ace smirked. "Work or walk. In fact, head back to Heaven Village and spread your legs—saves everyone time."

"Haha! Preach, Don Capo!" Alex laughed.

Alex didn’t know it yet, but brothels would soon open for high‑rankers willing to trade gear or potions for a night. Ace saw it coming and hinted at it. The women hated the idea. Before they could protest, three of them stepped up to Rank One and Rank Seven.

"How about a quickie for food and a potion? Bet you’re loaded."

"It won’t be quick with all three of us."

Alex froze. Eighteen, no girlfriend, zero experience. The chance to score just for a few potions set his face on fire.

Ace smiled. "See any you like?"

"You’re okay with this, Don Capo?" Alex whispered.

"Only if you promise to spend no more than three potions a week on women. Cross that line and I’ll be beyond disappointed."

"So you’re in, too?" Alex asked.

"Relax. A guy’s gotta vent. Sex is great, but drown in it and you forget what matters. That’s why I’m putting a cap on you."

Training and fighting spiked a man’s testosterone. Ace hadn’t thought about it until the women offered, but it was better to manage the problem before it blew up.

"Oh, okay!" Alex gulped and fished out three potions. "You three free after the work’s done?"

Big‑butt brunettes. Nice taste, Alex. Ace chuckled. Have fun—I’ll handle the rest.

Problem solved? Not quite. Only three women got a free pass. The rest glared at them, muttering. Ace let the chatter run for a few minutes, yawned, then clapped.

"You done? Work, or head back to Heaven Village."

"He’s so stubborn. Probably asexual!"

"Whatever. Let’s finish up!"

—

Chaewon never led refugees to the Don Capo base. She dropped them in a clearing where monsters never roamed and told them it was safe. Green lights flickered in every direction—her skill’s sign that no threat lurked. Safe didn’t mean comfortable, but they could camp and keep the undead at bay together.

"I’ll grab food. Sit tight!" Chaewon said, then sprinted toward her own base.

A few rankers tailed her, eager to find Rank One’s hideout and sell the location for food and potions. Chaewon wasn’t as gullible as she seemed. She vanished from their sight, re‑appeared behind them, and slammed the flat of her sword against their skulls. They dropped, unconscious. She clenched her fists.

"I know my choices can endanger the gang. If it comes to it, I’ll kill every leech myself," she whispered, eyes cold.

"Even I haven’t killed yet," Ace said.

Chaewon spun and found him smiling faintly.

"You heard me..." she murmured.

Ace nodded. "We’ll both have to pull the trigger someday. You feel it more because I keep draining the evil from you."

"Don’t pin all that on yourself," Chaewon said, glancing at the rankers. "Humans are stupid."

"I made Alex promise something. Now you." Ace stepped closer.

"Yes?"

"Don’t die. I want to see you at your peak. Stay sharp. Promise?"

"Promise."

Chaewon had spotted the tail because her danger zone flashed orange around them—a first for people. That warning proved Ace was more right than she liked.

Now, with his request, her heart tightened at the thought of failing him. Warmth spread through her chest.

Ace nudged one of the knocked‑out rankers with his boot and rolled him onto his back.

"What do we do with ’em?"

Chaewon just smiled. "Leave them."

"You sure?" Ace asked.

"Yep," Chaewon said.

They headed back to base and grabbed their stash of bear meat. Cutting up the Silvervest Bear had been tough, but everyone chipped in and learned a bit of skinning and butchering. Ace led the work even without a proper harvesting skill. Skinning and carving beasts had never been his thing.

When they returned with the meat‑filled bags, the weaker rankers built small bonfires everywhere. They boiled water and slapped thick slices on makeshift grills. The smoky smell pushed everyone to work faster while Don Capo Gang members kept watch.

"I get what Alex meant now," one kid said. "We’re lucky to have Don Capo."

"Yeah... Sean was wrong."

"He had a point, but who cares? We never had it easy or got any love. Don Capo looks out for us, even the weak!"

"Godmother’s the sweetest!"

"Yeah!"

As the sky darkened, the bonfires flickered while people chewed bear meat—some holding back tears, others openly crying. Dangers from the forest crept toward Don Capo Gang. Inside their safe zone that was usually no problem, but tonight there were too many people to guard outside.

"Maybe those undead want the corpses we’re storing," Ace said. "Either way, nobody dies tonight. Can’t waste all the food we just gave out."

Chaewon sighed. "That’s why you’re protecting them? And where’s Alex? Haven’t seen him."

"He’s behind the trees, banging a couple girls," Ace said. "Guy’s gotta blow off steam."

Chaewon’s cheeks went scarlet. "I... see. So, uh, when’s your turn?"

"I downloaded a ton of porn and packed extra power banks."

"Excuse me?!"