Apocalypse Landlord: My Tenants Are All Beautiful Heroines.-Chapter 16: Trader Joe

Everything is going according to plan.

The old man thought, pushing back the urge to laugh. From the moment food and water were found in James’s backpack, the plan had been enacted.

The guards had informed the chief about the food, who in turn, told Trader Joe, the old man, about it.

They knew it was James’s first time in the camp, hence, rather than bartering goods, he would go the exchange route as any sane person would.

The plan was simple. Joe would try to take advantage of James, only for a guard to stop him. The chief would just happen to be nearby and step in to deliver justice.

They hoped to create a soft spot in James for the chief through the act. Once that happened, they could learn where in heaven’s name did he found so much mood and sealed water bottles.

Once we have the location, we can raid the place for ourselves. No need to establish a trade with a stranger. Hah! He is panicking already.

It wasn’t just Joe, the guard, and the chief who were in on the plan. Every single person in front of Trader Joe’s stall was acting their part.

When they realized it was for food and mineral water, even the guards from the entry point joined in, wanting to enjoy the taste of meat, even if it was frozen and processed.

They changed out of their uniforms and joined the crowd through a shortcut, while James took the longer route.

Joe signaled one such guard to fetch the chief. It was time to end the performance. After all, he was old. How long did they plan for him to keep standing?

However, before the chef could make the grand appearance, James’s entire demeanor changed.

Suddenly, he began clapping and laughing like a madman. Everyone around him took a step back. The first were the guards who had seen the bloodied knife outside.

The knife and James’s potential connection to the Butcher Gang was why they didn’t just beat the information out of him. As long as they played their part, James wouldn’t have acted out.

After all, even as a decently big survivor camp, they couldn’t afford to offend a gang like theirs.

Unfortunately, it seemed their cards had backfired.

Did he figure us out already?

Joe’s wrinkly eyes widened for a moment. He couldn’t believe they got figured out so quickly.

James didn’t seem bright enough to deduce that on the fly, yet he couldn’t deny the possibility. Why else would a guy surrounded by enemies suddenly lose his mind?

While the old man was stunned, James took out the bloodied knife and grabbed the nearest disguised guard. Seeing one of their own in danger, the others quickly brought out their weapons and were about to jump James, but the old man stopped them.

"Stand down! Can’t you fools see?" Trader Joe yelled, slamming his cane on the ground.

While everyone was panicking, Old Joe’s eyes noticed something no one did.

James had taken the guard hostage, but even so, he was holding the knife’s blunt edge over the man’s throat. The man had no intention of harming the guard. He took the guard hostage to ensure his safety, nothing else.

What Joe thought to be a thought-out action was nothing but a mistake.

***

A few minutes ago...

"This fool! He can’t even hold the knife properly!" Aiden cursed and smacked his head in frustration.

Unlike James, Aiden didn’t care all that much about the trade. He just wanted people to join him. Ironically, James’s safety mattered to him more.

"He’s the only pawn I can move around. Losing him would send me back to the beginning!"

Alisha was too timid and beautiful to last long in the apocalypse. If not the monsters, the humans would get her for her desirable body.

How could Aiden let such a body go to waste? Hence, James was the only one under him who could move about.

According to the plan, James was to take someone hostage and run out of there. The stuff he brought to the camp didn’t matter. Unfortunately, the fool couldn’t even hold the knife properly.

"Boss! You care so much about me!" James whispered after hearing the plan.

[Tenant: James Irwin’s trust has increased to 65%]

Aiden had informed James that he didn’t need to speak out loud, just whispering would do the job, as he was technically standing right by his side.

[They have you surrounded, leaving the camp would be tricky. Just step back slowly for now.]

"Wait, boss. I have seen that guy before!"

[Not the time for reunions, James.]

"No, no, boss! He’s one of the guards from the entry point."

Aiden was taken by surprise. Even in the apocalypse, he had seen the camp guards wearing uniforms. Then what was this guy doing out of uniform?

Did his shift get over, and he wanted to shop? Seems unlikely.

He thought it over and sent another message to James.

[Look around. Does anyone else seem familiar?]

"Yes. The next in front and the one on the left, even the guy I’m holding right now is also one of them."

After hearing his words, the worry on Aiden’s face disappeared, replaced by a smirk. For so many guards to leave their posts simultaneously. It was suspicious, to say the least.

"Let’s see if my hunch is on point," Aiden mumbled, sending another message to James.

[From this point on, repeat what I say.]

***

Back to the present...

"What a great act you bastards have put up," James laughed, holding the guard by the neck. "I almost fell for it, almost."

"Sir, I don’t know what you mean," Joe said, awkwardly rubbing his hands together. "But please, look around before you make a hasty decision."

The meaning was clear. James was surrounded. If he harmed the guard, he wouldn’t walk out of the camp alive. Seeing that James was responsive, Old Joe stepped forward.

"I admit I let my greed get the best of me," he said, his hands raised in surrender. "However, I believe we can resolve the matter without resorting to violence. After all, you were here for trade, and I don’t think your gang will be happy if you leave empty-handed."

James hesitated for a second as if waiting for someone’s instruction. Then he let the man go, but he still held the knife firmly in his hand, this time in a reverse grip, something only those talented with blades would dare.

At that moment, Old Joe let out a sigh in relief, knowing he had made the right choice. Just as things were about to calm down, a loud voice boomed over the crowd.

"Who dares cause trouble on my turf?"

Aiden turned back to see a muscular woman wearing a fur coat standing there with over a dozen armed guards by her side. Her red eyes and hair looked just as fiery as the anger in her eyes.