Apocalypse Landlord: My Tenants Are All Beautiful Heroines.-Chapter 3: First Tenant

[<Small Newbie Welcome Package> has arrived!]

[Please claim it to trigger the day-activation.]

Day activation...? So, the game hadn’t started yet. No wonder the monsters aren’t attacking the building.

From his class and skill descriptions, Aiden realized that only the rooms he owned were protected by the class. The monster could be roaming the rest of the building freely.

It explained why the system refused to let him leave his apartment. It was dangerous outside, and considering he didn’t have any fighting skills, going outside would be akin to committing suicide.

"Hm... so living an idle life isn’t possible," Aiden mumbled, scratching his head.

The reason was straightforward. He needed funds and materials to sustain the barrier. Since he couldn’t carry things himself, he had to find tenants who would do that work for him. If he didn’t, the barrier would collapse and so would he.

"Tsk, to think a demon lord would be worried about such weaklings..."

With nothing else to do, Aiden claimed the reward.

[Energy credits x50 were added to the inventory.]

[Dweller Search Token x3 was added to the inventory.]

"...It can’t be so easy, can it?"

Dweller search token, the name was self-explanatory. Once used, it would detect dwellers or potential tenants.

Considering Aiden was bound to a place and couldn’t move freely, the tokens could be a one-time reward to get him started. Once he had tenants, they could help him find more people.

No wonder the system left me without explaining anything.

Not wasting time, Aiden brought out one black token and crushed it in his palm. As he did that, a massive map appeared in his vision. It was the map of the building he was in.

It turned into a 3D structure, and two red dots appeared on it. One dot was on the same floor as him, while the other was on the ground floor.

"What’s this about?"

Aiden tilted his head and clicked on the dot next to his apartment.

The next second, the map zoomed in, revealing three people inside the room. A couple and a little girl.

Unlike Aiden’s apartment, their place was plunged in darkness. It was to be expected, since his apartment was powered by the system.

Scattered bottles of water and scraps of food were littered all over. From their gaunt faces, it seemed they hadn’t had a meal in days.

"We won’t last long like this..." the bald man said, his face buried in his hands. "There’s nothing to eat or drink on this entire floor..."

Unlike the man who was losing it, the woman kept her cool as she looked out the window.

"The goblins have left," she mumbled as she reached out for her makeshift spear.

Calling it a spear would be a bit much, considering it was a knife taped to a broomstick.

There’s dried blood on it. So she’s the one gathering resources for the family.

Aiden thought as he glanced around the room. Just the sight of the cowering man made him want to kick his butt.

"Take care of Lily," the woman said without glancing at the man. "I’ll be back in a few hours."

With that, she opened the door and left. Simultaneously, the feed was cut, and Aiden found himself back in his apartment.

[Dweller Search complete.]

[1x acceptable dweller(s) found.]

+++

Dweller details:

Name: Alisha Irwin

Status: Drifter

Class: Unawakened

Loyalty: 12%

Affection: 54%

+++

[Offer the dweller a tenancy contract?]

[Yes / No]

[Note: Dwellers with low loyalty can reject the contract.]

"Interesting. I can search for tenants and also offer them contracts," Aiden said, reading the notifications. "But how does that woman already have some loyalty and affection for me? Wait, the original owner of this body..."

Aiden had completely forgotten that his body wasn’t his to begin with. As such, the body had its own history. Perhaps, since they were neighbors, the woman had developed some sort of relationship.

"Either way, it works in my favor," Aiden smirked and selected yes.

[Please draw up a contract.]

Aiden crossed his arms, wondering about it.

Since the acceptance depended on loyalty and not affection, Aiden wanted to give Alisha a contract she simply couldn’t refuse. Given her dire state, it wouldn’t be too difficult.

"Fifty liters of water, twenty packs of military rations, should I throw in some inverter batteries as well?"

***

Meanwhile, Alisha was slowly heading downstairs. Her blue eyes were fixed on the staircase, waiting for someone to show up.

Just a year ago, she had been a housewife taking care of a toddler, and now she was holding a spear, hunting monsters for food.

"I should have divorced him when I had the chance," Alisha sighed as her mind went back to James.

Back when things went to shit, James still acted as the man of the house. He was the one hunting and scavenging. But then one day, the goblin horde wiped out the hunting party.

It was also the day that the lower floors were overrun by goblins. The three-level basement had become their home, while the first five floors acted as a buffer zone between them and the humans.

James didn’t dare to step outside their apartment since then. However, they still needed food and resources. Hence, with no other choice, Alisha had to be the one to hunt.

"If only I had awakened in his place," she shook her head, walking downstairs.

A few people had developed strange abilities once the monsters appeared. It was why James had been confident to join the hunting party. But one wrong hunt was all it took for him to give up.

That was the day Alisha stopped seeing James as the head of her household.

While she understood the trauma he had gone through, she couldn’t understand how he could give up on the family, knowing they would starve to death without his help.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, something strange happened. Floating words appeared in front of her eyes.

"What is this?" Alisha tilted her head as she reached out for the notification screen.

Her hand went right through it, but the words didn’t disappear. She immediately recalled what James had told him once he awakened.

"Is this what he called the system? But why does it say tenancy agreement on top?"

+++

Tenancy Agreement:

The Landlord, hereafter referred to as Party A, has offered the Drifter, hereafter referred to as Party B, a tenancy contract for the property:

Property type: Protected Residential Unit

—x—

>> Provisions Offered by Party A

Upon acceptance of this agreement, Party B shall receive:

• Packaged drinking water × 50 liters.

• Military rations × 20 packs.

• High-capacity inverter along with 2 batteries (2 weeks’ power capacity).

• The property is fully protected from external threats while the agreement is active.

• Priority to basic medical services (when a medicare center is established).

—x—

>> Obligations of Party B:

In exchange for the above provisions, Party B agrees to:

• Abide by the shelter’s rules.

• Completion of assigned tasks.

• Pay daily rent in a small amount of exp.

—x—

[Accept Contract]

[Decline Contract]

+++

"Is this for real?"

Alisha thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. How could someone provide her with not only water and food but even electricity?

Despite all the reservations, she couldn’t deny that the offer was enticing. Who wouldn’t want a safe place with free food, water, and even electricity?

"Even if it’s a lie... there’s no harm in trying."

***

After sending the contract, Aiden couldn’t sit still. If Alisha rejected the contract, it would be a waste of a search token.

"Only a fool would reject such a contract."

As if waiting for his words, a notification appeared before him.

[Drifter: Alisha Irwin has accepted the contract!]

[You can now access their dwelling.]

[Would you like to greet the tenant?]

[Yes / No]

"Wait, I can leave the apartment now? Hell yeah!"