22 You're all hungry, right?

"Hello, everyone, how are you all doing?" asked Kael, sporting an awkward smile.

Rita and Sita were taken aback by Kael's words. "Can't you see their condition? Why do you even have to ask? This is so embarrassing," these thoughts slowly ran through both of their minds.

They glanced at him and continued talking to each other or searching for food in the garbage they scavenged. The girl saved by Kael felt very angry witnessing their unresponsive behavior.

Just as she was about to burst with anger, she felt a hand on her head. She raised her head to look at Kael, who returned her gaze with a gentle smile and shook his head. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded.

Then, taking a glance at everyone, he pulled out barbecue equipment, meat, rice, and other cooking utensils from his inventory.

They weren't surprised by the cooking utensils appearing, but they were astonished to see fresh meat and other food items materializing out of thin air.

"You're all hungry, right? Let's eat something first," said Kael.

The dazed girl snapped back to her senses upon hearing Kael's words and nodded with a bright smile on her face. "Hmm."

The smell of barbecue wafted to every corner of the building, and one by one, all the kids walked towards Kael with drool sliding down from the corners of their mouths.

"Everyone, I'm sure you're all wary of my presence. I know you've all gone through many inexplicable traumas since this is an apocalyptic world, and we don't have any laws to protect you kids. That's why I'm here. Don't you think just one bread pack is enough to make you all come with me? But why am I cooking a huge meal with meat? Because I'm an orphan just like you. I feel like we are one family when I see you all," Kael paused, looking at the faces of all the kids surrounding him, and continued, "You all can't survive in this apocalyptic world all by yourselves. You'll surely die in two ways: one, due to hunger, and two, killed or tortured to death by those rich people for fun. If you come with me and become my subordinates, I'll provide three meals a day, meat once a week, and I'll also teach you how to fight zombies. I'll protect your lives. All you have to do is listen to my orders. You know when there's a huge crowd, there has to be order to keep them disciplined. If there's no order, it will become a mess beyond control. So, I will become an order here. I won't force you guys. Anyone who wants to become my subordinates can join us in this meal. If you don't want to, then you can forget what I said, and of course, you'll still get a bread pack as a parting gift, but we will never see each other again."

The moment Kael finished speaking, a teenager stepped forward. "Everyone, don't believe his words. There is no good that exists in this apocalyptic world. I'm sure he has ulterior motives for asking us to be his subordinates and giving us a luxury meal like this, which is only available to royal families out there," said the teenager, pointing his finger at Kael.

Kael simply shook his head and didn't retort. Instead, he sat on the ground and started munching on the rice and barbecue he had just finished cooking.

The girl saved by Kael moved closer to him and extended her hand. Kael nodded and placed the plate and bowl in front of her.

"Siri, you…" The teenager glared angrily at the girl, but she didn't bother to respond to him. She extended her hand, took the bowl of rice, put a few pieces of barbecue meat on it, and started eating without holding back.

Seeing how one of them was enjoying the meal, the last defense of hesitation broke down, and all of them moved towards Kael.

"Where are you all going? Stop! Don't believe his words. He's a liar! He's deceiving you all!" shouted the teenager anxiously.

"Faraaz, move aside. So what if he deceives me? I don't care. Till now, we've lived our lives eating rats, cockroaches, worms, and leftovers. If my little brother can eat a meal like this every day, no, even once a week is enough, I will do anything for him, even if he asks for my worthless life in exchange for my little brother's happiness and health," said another teenager with a stern gaze on his face.

Faraaz felt speechless; he just didn't have any words to retort. After hesitating for a moment, he reluctantly stepped aside.

The teenager moved closer to Kael and kneeled in front of him. "Sir, as long as you provide these meals to my little brother, I will do anything for you, even if you want my life. I will give it to you," said the teenager in a stern tone, and the little boy also followed his brother and kneeled in front of Kael.

"There's no need to kneel in front of me. I only asked you to be my subordinate, not my servant. As I promised, not just for your brother, but for everyone, I will provide rice and curry in every meal, and meat once a week," said Kael while lifting the two siblings. Sita and Rita hurriedly brought bowls and plates and placed them in front of the siblings.

Their eyes lit up brightly when they saw the meat and rice. They immediately reached out their hands and started munching on the food without holding back, blissful tears sliding down their cheeks.

Kael looked at the kids who were moving towards him. "If you think you can go away after eating this meal, then you are making a huge mistake. Don't think of deceiving me if you don't want to face severe consequences," said Kael with an intimidating aura around him.

Most of the kids shook violently and kneeled on the ground due to the pressure they felt from Kael. After hesitating for a moment, they stood on their feet and moved close to him, kneeling in front of him again. "Sir, please accept us as your subordinates."

Kael nodded his head and gently stamped on the ground. Air pressure released from his stomp pushed them up to their feet.