Chapter 109 The Pressure from the Entire Neighborhood
Amid the harrowing reality of their predicament, the survivors found themselves reminiscing about Steven's virtues. In the throes of chaos, nostalgia could be easily kindled, especially as hunger gnawed at their bellies at this moment, making the memory of Steven’s food offering endeavors even more vivid.
[Come to think of it, were we too demanding of Steven?]
[He braved those brutal snowstorms solo to find food for all of us. It wasn't easy.] another added.
[Yeah, he just didn't find any today. It's not like we're going to starve to death. We can endure it!]
[The people who were killed simply brought it upon themselves.]
[Exactly, why did they covet his snowmobile? They deserved it!]
[Speaking of which, that Nathaniel was a real piece of work. He didn't leash his dog before, and it almost bit me!]
[Serves him right then. And now we’re in this mess because of him.]
[But all that aside, we need Steven to get us food again, no two ways about it.]
[Right, it's the only way we can survive right now.]
[That makes sense. Their house is like a fortress; we can't break in. We have to beg for his mercy!]
Steven’s assessment of his neighbors proved astute: show them decency, and they’d get devious ideas; treat them like animals, and they’d crawl to flatter you.
No sooner had Steven returned home than his phone buzzed with messages in the Building 25 owners' group chat, all profusely apologizing.
[Steven, today's incident was our fault. We sincerely apologize.]
[For the sake of our years living together, don’t hold a grudge.]
[Steven, it was all that bastard Nathaniel's doing! None of us had such thoughts. Please understand!]
[We will definitely listen to you from now on.]
[And please, go out and find some food tomorrow. We're really starving.]
Steven’s lips twisted into a cold smile, fingers swiping away the messages. Let them stew in their wretchedness. He mused, ‘Should I put them to their final use in a desperate mission?’ Stroking his chin, he thought, ‘Throw them a couple of moldy bread crusts, and they'd probably claw each other apart.’
At that moment, a series of notifications pinged. Steven had most group chats muted; why was this one coming through? He checked his phone and realized Caitlin, the Building 9 manager, had added him to a new group.
Scrutinizing the list of members, Steven recognized the significance—30 individuals, each a manager of one of the residential buildings. Names like Chase from Building 18, Owen from 26, Samuel from 21, and Luke Bennett from 15 filled the roster.
A sharp glint flickered in Steven’s eyes. 'It seems they want a parley,' he muttered, anticipating this moment. Supplies had dwindled elsewhere; desperation had taken hold.
Caitlin’s message broke the vestibule of silence, [Steven’s here. Let’s discuss the matter.]
Steven observed in silence, waiting to gauge their approach. Predictably, Samuel, the bellicose leader of the Crazy Wolf Gang from Building 21 and Steven’s foe, spoke first, his tone loaded with venom.
[Steven, I heard you guys in Building 25 have been living well these days! You have food every day. You're living comfortably without considering us poor neighbors!"
Steven sneered, unwilling to retort. He knew it would be an ordeal to counter 29 dissenting voices, especially behind the veil of the digital ether.
[If you added me just to listen to your crap, I'll leave now,] Steven declared directly.
Owen interjected hastily, [Steven, don't rush. If you leave now, we can't guarantee what will happen later!]
A cold laugh escaped Steven's lips. [Are you threatening me? Considering the number of your Rapids gang members I've already taken out, you're really in no position to make threats.]
[Believe it or not, I'll come over tomorrow and kill you all!] Steven added.
Owen, behind his phone, felt a chill down his spine and hurriedly sent a voice message, "Don't try to scare me! The building managers from the other 29 buildings have formed a united front. Attack any one of us, and it's like attacking all of us!"
Then he continued, "No matter how strong you are, can you fight so many of us?"
Steven’s eyes flickered with a hint of amusement. They had joined forces, indeed.
Peacemaker Chase stepped in, [Alright, everyone, calm down. We created this group to negotiate and cooperate, not to kill each other.]
Samuel let out a lazy snort. [Mr. Gray, you're quite the diplomat. Tell him what we discussed.]
Chase nodded, taking the floor. [Alright, Steven, let me break down the situation for you.]
Chase's eloquence was evident as he explained the agreement among the 29 buildings.
First, they had united to pressure Building 25, where Steven resided. Should Steven attack any building, the others would come to its defense.
Second, they demanded that Steven provide essential supplies to ensure their basic survival. In return, they would refrain from attacking Building 25.
Third, to ensure compliance, they insisted that the snowmobile be shared, no longer monopolized by one person.
Fourth, Steven needed to disclose all known resource points. With the city buried under snow, even those with transportation needed guidance to find supplies.
After detailing the terms, Chase typed, [Steven, that's the gist of it. Do you understand?]
A contemptuous smile played on Steven's lips. These people had the audacity to dream big—they wanted his snowmobile and free intel to ensure the entire community's survival. And in return, they offered not to attack his building?
They were utterly delusional.
Steven didn't let his anger show. Despite the laughable and absurd nature of their demands, he understood their perspective. Negotiations often start with ambitious demands to leave room for compromise. But he could still mock them, knowing they severely underestimated his combat capabilities.
They assumed that by uniting, they could overpower Building 25. But they were blissfully ignorant of Steven’s substantial stockpile of weapons and ammunition.
More numbers didn’t guarantee victory—experience and firepower did.
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