Apocalypse Landlord: My Tenants Are All Beautiful Heroines.-Chapter 21: Wolves

"That’s a brilliant idea!" Old Joe jumped in excitement. "Not only will it improve trade efficiency, but it will also strengthen the bond between the two factions."

Karina crossed her arms and nodded like that was the actual reason she wanted to stay back. Things like electricity, privacy, showers, and Alisha’s cooking had nothing to do with it.

Her nod only confirmed Old Joe’s thoughts. His cunning niece was going to conquer the place from the inside out.

Aiden had strange powers, which he told them about. However, Old Joe was having a difficult time believing that to be the case. Not to mention, he wasn’t affiliated with the Butchers, which also raised the question: where did he get all the things from?

He thought Karina insisted on staying behind to investigate it. Moreover, compared to that homely woman, his niece looked like a model.

If she can capture his heart, we can have all those resources for ourselves!

However, that wasn’t the only reason he was so quick to get rid of Karina. With her presence, although people bowed to him, Old Joe couldn’t establish firm control over the camp.

Partners who would have joined him to exploit others in the camp didn’t do so because they were afraid of Karina. With her gone, he would become the new leader.

"Are you sure? I mean, you’re the leader," Aiden said, ignoring the overly enthusiastic old man. "They might feel like you abandoned them."

"Nah, they’d be fine!" Karina replied. "Uncle would take good care of them. Besides, it’s not like I stay there all the time. The wolves often have to move to get rid of hordes and stuff. Even without me, they’d protect the camp just fine."

"The wolves?" Aiden asked.

"The squad of soldiers I roll with," Karina said, looking smug. "They are the best of the best. We can deal with goblin hordes and small Orc groups with ease."

Aiden nodded along. He could use a group like that at his disposal. Not only because the numbers would upgrade his class, but also to help him clear the goblin nest in the apartment’s basement levels.

Then again, it would be a shame to give up without trying.

"I might be stepping out of line here," Aiden said. "But I would like to have that squad here, for a little while at least."

Old Joe once again shot up from his seat. This time, even the chair couldn’t care less and fell over.

"Impossible! That group is the backbone of our camp!" he yelled, pointing a finger at Aiden. "I’m already offering you the leader, and you want to take even more from us—?"

"I’ll give you thirty percent discount on all goods if you agree to the proposal, so shut it," Aiden grumbled, his patience wearing thin. "Besides, I’m dealing with the leader here, or am I mistaken to think you’re the one?"

Old Joe’s sudden outburst ensured everyone realized something was off with him. He was excited to have Karina stay, but the second it came to the wolves, Old Joe acted like Aiden was demanding his balls.

For a moment, Aiden thought about kicking the old fart out, but then it could have a negative impact on his relationship with Karina. He didn’t want her to back down before signing the tenancy contract.

Everyone ignored Old Joe’s constipated expression and carried on like he wasn’t there.

"As James might have told you, there’s a monster nest in the basement floors of this building," Aiden continued. "I was planning on building a force to deal with them, but if you could lend the wolves, it would make my life a lot easier."

"Aren’t you afraid of leading wolves into your house?" Karina chuckled. "We could take over the building and take you hostage—"

She had barely said those words when the groans of her companions from several floors below reached her ears. Without wasting a second, she lunged towards the balcony, and the strong stench of gasoline hit her.

From the terrace, James had dumped the entire canister of fuel on the soldiers stationed below. It was the same canister Aiden had given him earlier to bathe with.

Had he planned this all along?

The canister he gave her looked the same as the one he gave to James. Karina was having trouble believing Aiden had been prepared to that extent. She didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened if the negotiations had fallen through.

While Karina was lost in her thoughts, Old Joe hurried to her side, his eyes widened in disbelief once he realized what had happened.

"Y-You! What’s the meaning of this!?" he yelled, pointing at the soldiers and then back at Aiden.

However, Aiden once again ignored him. Meanwhile, Alisha connected the dishes like nothing was happening.

"Don’t worry, it’s a demonstration," Aiden smiled, signaling James to step back. "I’m more than capable of defending my home. It’s just that those goblins are hiding out of my reach that I require your help."

After saying so, he leaned on the railing, watching the panicking soldiers, "Still think you can take me hostage?"

Karina didn’t reply with words. Suddenly, a gauntlet with sharp claws appeared on her arms, which she swiped towards Aiden.

"Seriously?"

Aiden rolled his eyes and kicked Karina’s knees. The sudden force made her buckle. Her fast claws changed direction and were about to hit Old Joe when someone blocked her arm.

"So this is the so-called Evo-Gear," Aiden said, examining the gauntlet. "Seems sturdy enough, but it’s flashier than I expected."

Neither Joe nor Karina could believe it. Although she hadn’t transformed into her beast form, her raw strength, along with the gauntlet, could rip through sheets of steel with ease, yet Aiden blocked her attack with two fingers?

"How are you so strong!?" Old Joe yelped, pointing a trembling finger at him.

"Did you really think I would let you in if I wasn’t confident in my strength?" Aiden replied, still smiling as he offered his hand to Karina. "Now that you have seen my strength, do you mind lending yourself to me?"

Crash!

The sound of shattering porcelain snapped everyone’s attention toward the kitchen. A plate had ’slipped’ from Alisha’s hands.