Many hours passed since the monster’s subjugation, and it was evening already.r

Having nothing better to do at the moment, I observed the group from earlier. All the members were now awake and well-treated.r

Still, they had a look of despair and shock written all over their faces. Having encountered death so closely for the first time, their nerves were wrecked and they still needed time to pull themselves together.r

The leader, being the strongest of them all, physically and mentally, made for their prize while everyone rested.r

What had caused them to stay instead of run? what was the reason for their expedition in the first place, desire for resources?!r

In this case, it was the Vending Machine that was bound to hold snacks for them to enjoy and take back to the camp.r

Ana, the leader, approached the machine with excitement, drawing near it as she felt relieved.r

Not only would they fulfill their quota, but she also got a new Skill thanks to the monster I defeated. Since she only absorbed the regeneration skill from the Demon Core, the purple stone remained.r

‘She’s going to take the Core to the camp, uh? How predictable.’r

As expected of a goody-two-shoes.r_.

Instead of using up all the power in the Demon Core for herself, she only took what was necessary.r

“Doesn’t she know the basics of survival? Well, seeing as she didn’t run in the face of that monster, I guess not. Welp, it’s none of my business!” I mumbled.r

My concern was elsewhere.r

“W-what…. What is the meaning of this…?!” I suddenly heard her cracking voice.r

A wide smile formed on my face. I had been looking forward to this moment, hoping to get a glimpse of the expression she would make when she reached this juncture.r

‘So she’s finally seen it…’ I thought amusedly.r

“N-no way… this Vending Machine… is empty?!” She sobbed, nearly on the verge of tears.r

‘Bingo!’r

Of course, I wasn’t going to give them a box full of snacks for free. I had already emptied the stash before she arrived there, leaving an empty vending machine for her to claim.r

“Hahahaha, this is hilarious. Just look at her face!” I laughed, gaining pleasure from the disappointed and fearful look on the leader’s face.r

‘Consider this the price for your life and the Demon Core. Besides, in the first place, the machine belongs to me. So… I’m definitely in the right!’ I mused.r

There was no need to feel guilty.r

“N-no… everything we went through… was for nothing?!” She broke down.r

I brought out one of the snacks from my [Subspace] and enjoyed the salty flavored crisps while watching her cry to herself.r

The quality of entertainment wasn’t as good as back in the Sacred Hall, but it was still pretty decent.r

‘Ah, I’ve missed seeing people so much. They’re much more interesting than Demons!’r

“Well then… what will you do now?” I mumbled, crunching down the snack I shoved in my mouth.r

“WHAT?!” The group members all exclaimed as Ana broke the bad news to them.r

The leader had a sad, disappointed look on her face, and the reaction of her teammates didn’t make her feel any better.r

“Y-you mean… there’s nothing there?!”r

“All of that was for nothing?”r

“I knew we should have run!”r

“We’re so screwed. What will everyone at the camp think?”r

“Let’s just go home…”r

They mumbled and grumbled among themselves, causing Ana to contemplate her next plan.r

There was still some time left before nightfall, but if they journeyed back to the Camp, they weren’t going to make it until dark.r

“We’ll have to camp here tonight…” Ana blurted out.r

Her sudden speech caused a dead silence to ensue among everyone present.r

“W-WHAT?!” A deafening sound of disagreement was made by the group.r

After barely surviving the onslaught of a single monster in the area, there was no way any of them would agree to spend the night in such a dangerous place.r

“This is close to the red zone, Ana. Are you out of your mind?” One of the men, wearing glasses, protested.r

Ana remained silent, as though having conflicting thoughts on how to answer.r

“P-please let’s hear her out. I’m sure Ana has a good reason for this…” Lily blurted out nervously, trying to support the mentor she loved and trusted very much.r

Of course, she was scared. Just like everyone present, Lily also experienced despair at the hands of the Demon that attacked them. However, Ana fought for them until the Demon was vanquished.r

Even though she had mentioned a stranger saving them, Lily didn’t know who he was, so all her gratitude went to her senior and big sister.r

“Thank you, Lily. It is as you’ve said. There’s a good reason for me to suggest this. Two, even.” Ana finally spoke.r

Everyone looked at her attentively. Despite all that occurred, she was still their leader, and the strongest of the group.r

Not only was she more experienced in dealing with Demons, but her reasoning was also better than theirs. It was definitely in their best interest to hear her out.r

“Firstly, it’s getting late. We won’t be able to get to the Camp before nightfall. As you know, these Demons are very unpredictable, especially at night. We’ll be at a major disadvantage if we travel now. Plus, your wounds aren’t fully healed, so you’re in no shape to fight right now…” Ana said.r

They all exchanged guilty glances at each other. She was right.r

Not only were they weaker than she was, at the moment they were major liabilities. Yet, they wanted to take an even greater risk than the monster that attacked them.r

“… As for the second reason. I have not lost hope that we can find resources. Hidden in one of these buildings must be food, clothing, and other useful materials we can obtain. So, while we take shelter in one of them, I will personally explore and look for anything we can take back to the Camp!”r

Everyone stared at Ana in awe. Truly, there was no one else qualified to be their leader among them.r

After all, she was absolutely right!r