Chapter 110 The Worst Decision Is to Compete with Me in Endurance
Steven maintained his silence, relishing in the grave misjudgment of his adversaries as he contemplated their stupidity. He could almost envision their shock and terror when they witnessed the extent of his true power.
'Should I just take them all out now? And then clean up Building 25 while I'm at it?' Steven stroked his chin and muttered to himself.
With ample firepower and a strategic approach to flush out those hiding within the building, it wouldn't be too challenging to annihilate everyone in the neighborhood. Furthermore, if his damn neighbors in Building 25 outlived their usefulness, he could dispatch them just as easily.
'No, that would still leave security gaps. Even if I decide to kill them, I have to do it building by building. Their sheer numbers could swamp me if they manage to rally together—even these cowards might pose a threat,’ he reasoned. ‘The probability isn’t high, but it’s not zero. My life is worth infinitely more than theirs. I can't be careless. I need a more secure plan.’
As Steven pondered, impatience grew among the building managers in the chat group. Convinced they had the upper hand, they assumed Steven would have no choice but to bow to their demands.
Samuel taunted, [Are you mute? Speak up! You have to agree, whether you want to or not! Otherwise, we won't show any mercy!]
Caitlin attempted a more diplomatic approach. [Steven, no one wants to die; we're all just trying to survive. It might seem unfair, but sometimes you have to bow and accept defeat. After all, those who understand the times become heroes!]
Chase added, [Mr. Rogers, you should seriously consider our proposal. We don't want to resolve this through conflict; we also want to live. If you agree to cooperate with us, the whole neighborhood's supply issues can be resolved. We might even return to the state of civilized society.]
Other managers voiced their opinions, ranging from conciliatory to staunchly adamant. Yet, the core message was clear: comply with our demands, or face certain death.
Steven read through the messages, letting his eyes drift over each name slowly. A new thought unfurled in his mind—target the ringleaders first.
If he could eliminate the building managers, the rest would descend into chaos, likely turning on one another. He might not even need to lift a finger; the ensuing turmoil could do the job for him.
[I need time to think this over,] Steven finally replied. [You've all been deliberating for so long, but I haven't had a chance to process it. Also, I hope we can sit down and talk properly. This chat is too noisy for a serious conversation. How about we meet in person in a few days? Just the building managers, to discuss cooperation. What do you think?]
Samuel sneered immediately, [What, you want to round us up in one place and kill us all? Nice try. If there's to be a meeting, you’ll come to our territory. Let’s say, Building 21!]
Steven smiled slightly, understanding that winning their compliance wouldn't be simple—survivors nowadays must been shrewd. Maintaining his air of unshakable authority, he responded calmly, [You can send representatives if you prefer. But the meeting must occur in Building 25.]
His firm tone brooked no argument, resonating with an unyielding confidence.
Samuel laughed heartily. [Why should you get to decide? Do you think we're idiots?]
Owen added, [Steven, quit playing games, we're not fools.]
Steven's response was dripping with scorn. [If you're too scared to send even a few representatives, what's the point of talking?]
Owen, unable to contain his frustration, shot back, [You want to fight? Fine! Forget the talks. Let’s just settle this with violence!]
Both sides stood resolute, neither willing to relinquish their ground in this battle of wills.
Momentum in negotiation was paramount; conceding could mean subjugation to the other’s terms. At this point, peacemaker Chase attempted to restore calm. [Everyone, let’s not get carried away. We can still negotiate.]
He asked Steven, [Steven, how do you plan to talk with us?]
Steven replied, [Have a few representatives from your 29 buildings come to Building 25, and we’ll work out how to cooperate. I'm not being unreasonable. You’re all eyeing my supplies and my snowmobiles. Naturally, I wouldn’t venture out to negotiate with you.]
[My terms are clear,] he continued. [Accept them or don't. You’ve probably investigated me. I won’t mince words—I prepared for this cold wave well in advance. So my house is a fortress. If it comes to it, we’ll see who holds out the longest!]
With this resolute declaration, Steven watched the chat group intently. It was a litmus test to gauge if anyone from the neighborhood had the guts or the capability to force entry into his stronghold.
Although the probability was very low, with a battle imminent and Steven possibly facing thousands of attackers, he had to consider every possibility.
As fate would have it, mathematics proved infallible. The highly improbable event never materialized, leaving the group crestfallen. They were well aware that Andrew had fallen victim to Steven, and when Owen rallied the others to demolish Steven's house, it remained unscathed.
They were just ordinary people and couldn't get a large amount of explosives to blow up a building. So if Steven chose to seal himself in, they had no way to deal with him.
After a while, a building manager said, [You can protect yourself, but can you protect everyone in your building?]
Steven rolled his eyes. Did they honestly think he was some paragon of altruism? They must have been utterly desperate, resorting to such feeble moral coercion.
So Steven replied, [At this point, of course, it's self-preservation all the way. Spare me the moral high ground; it's pointless.]
Caitlin, visibly agitated, interjected. [Steven, no matter how strong your house is, the food inside will eventually run out. Can you guarantee you'll never come out? Hiding away to dodge reality is ultimately meaningless.]
She concluded with a note of urgency. Steven couldn't suppress a grin. [Then let's see who can hold out longer.]
To challenge him in a game of endurance? Steven had a single, unassailable belief, 'I never care about how much others have, because they never have more than I do.'
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
