Common Sense Hijack System-Chapter 116 - Past

News about the chaos in Unrill City kept flashing on the television. The government seemed overwhelmed, unable to handle the escalating situation. On the screen, a news anchor spoke with a worried tone, her face showing clear exhaustion.

"The shortage of food supplies has triggered long lines at supermarkets and grocery stores. There are reports of minor scuffles between residents fighting over basic necessities," she said.

Karl switched off the TV with a heavy sigh. He glanced at Layla and Jane, who were sitting on the floor wrapped in thick blankets, trying to keep warm.

"Unrill City is really falling apart," Karl muttered, mostly to himself.

Layla nodded slightly. "I never thought it would get this bad. Everyone must be panicking."

Jane, sitting in a corner hugging her knees, looked at Karl with a serious expression. "We’re lucky you have that power, Karl. We can survive without worrying about food."

---

That night, noises from outside grew louder and more frequent. Some of the apartment residents were pacing the hallways, speaking in raised voices. The usual knocks on doors now often came with a small shout—signs that people were starting to lose patience.

Karl peeked through the peephole of his apartment door. In the hallway, two neighbors were arguing over their turn to draw water from the communal tank.

"I was here first! You already took your share yesterday!" a man shouted angrily.

"Do you think I had a choice? My kids need water!" the woman in front of him shot back, her voice cracking.

Karl sighed, stepped away from the peephole, and walked back to the living room. Layla looked at him with concern. "What’s going on?"

"Just a small argument," Karl replied. "They’re fighting over water. Nothing serious." freewёbnoνel.com

Jane scoffed lightly. "A small argument now can become a big problem later. People are running out of patience."

Karl said nothing, but he knew Jane was right. Even though the situation in their apartment building was still relatively safe, the strain of dwindling supplies was starting to show.

He slumped onto the old sofa, closing his eyes for a moment. His mind drifted back to the past, to a time when he prioritized ego over morality. The faces of Evelyn and Julia flashed in his mind—two mature women he had used and discarded. Evelyn, with her short, perfectly styled blonde hair, and Julia, with her warm smile and calming gaze, both unforgettable in their own way.

Karl remembered how he had manipulated and treated them as tools for his pleasure, disregarding their feelings entirely. He bit his lip, trying to suppress the guilt that began to resurface.

"Why am I thinking about them now?" he murmured softly.

Layla, who was fixing the blanket with Jane, glanced at him briefly. "What did you say, Karl?"

"Nothing, it’s nothing," Karl replied quickly, shaking off the thoughts creeping into his mind.

But the images of Evelyn and Julia continued to haunt him. He knew they were likely struggling amidst the chaos as well. Evelyn was a mother of two, while Julia lived with a husband who resembled an ugly brute.

---

Karl stood on the small balcony of his apartment, staring into the dark night sky. The cold wind bit at his skin, but his mind was more focused on the dilemma he faced. He had the power to help them, to right some of the wrongs he had done. But he also knew that reentering their lives would only dredge up old, rotten memories.

He clenched his fists, trying to suppress the urge to seek them out. "If I go back, I’ll only make things worse," he told himself.

Yet a small voice in his heart kept whispering, reminding him of the times Evelyn and Julia had looked at him with hopeful eyes, as if he were their only escape from their burdensome lives. The guilt gnawed at him, making his stomach churn.

---

The next morning, the news of Unrill City’s chaos continued to dominate the TV broadcasts. Images of riots, looted stores, and endless lines for food filled the screen. Jane watched with a serious expression, while Layla sat in the corner holding a cup of warm tea.

"We have to do something, Karl," Jane said suddenly. "We can’t just sit here while the world outside falls apart."

Karl shook his head slowly. "I can’t save everyone. We have to focus on what we can control."

"You right, Karl" Jane said "You have the power, Karl. Don’t let it go to waste for helping people who can be betray you."

Karl stayed silent. He knew Jane was right, but he also knew that every action he took would come with consequences. His thoughts wandered back to Evelyn and Julia. Maybe one day he would help them. But not now.

For now, Karl decided to stay still, waiting for the right moment to act—a time when he could ensure his actions wouldn’t make things worse. Deep down, he made a promise to himself: he wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes. Evelyn and Julia, though just shadows from his past, had become reminders that not everything could be easily fixed.

***

That night, Karl was lying on the sofa, staring at the cracked ceiling as he tried to ignore the distant sounds of shouting outside. The apartment was eerily quiet except for the occasional creak of old wood and the rustling of blankets as Layla and Jane settled in to sleep.

Suddenly, Karl’s phone vibrated on the coffee table, the sharp buzz breaking the silence. He frowned, reaching over to grab it.

A notification popped up: "You’ve been added to Group Chat 406 - Residents of Unrill Heights."

Karl raised an eyebrow. The building had always been a mix of private individuals and reclusive families, and the idea of a group chat seemed almost absurd given how tense things had become. His thumb hovered over the notification before he tapped it, curiosity getting the better of him.

The chat was already active, the messages pouring in faster than Karl could read.

[#105 - Maria]: "We can’t just keep ignoring each other like this. If we work together, we’ll survive longer!"

[#302 - Greg]: "I don’t know... What if someone takes advantage? We barely have enough for ourselves."

[#501 - Clara]: "Maria’s right. This isolation is making things worse. I suggest we start by pooling food. Everyone contributes what they can spare."

[#207 - Unknown]: "And what if some people don’t contribute at all but still take? Who’s going to manage fairness?"

The group chat buzzed with back-and-forth debates. Karl leaned back, scrolling through the messages. Most residents seemed cautious, worried about sharing supplies. But Maria’s proposal was gaining momentum.

Just as Karl was about to close the app, another notification popped up.

[#105 - Maria]: "Tomorrow morning at 8 AM, let’s meet in the lobby. Bring what you can spare. I’ll be there to help organize."

Karl stared at the message, his mind racing. Sharing supplies sounded noble, but in a place like Unrill City, where desperation was growing by the minute, it could just as easily lead to chaos.

"Group chat?" Layla’s sleepy voice startled him. She had woken up and was rubbing her eyes as she looked at the glow of his phone.

"Yeah," Karl replied, showing her the screen. "Some of the residents want to pool food and supplies."

Layla read the messages, her expression skeptical. "Do you think that’s a good idea? What if it turns into a fight?"

Karl shrugged. "It’s a risk, but staying isolated isn’t much better. If people start working together, it could keep things stable for a while."

Jane, who had been silent, stirred from her corner. "You’re really considering this?"

Karl nodded slowly. "We have enough food to last us a while. I don’t think sharing a little would hurt. Besides, it might help us get on their good side."

Jane crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced. "And if someone decides to raid our place because they think we have more? You’re too trusting, Karl."

Karl didn’t argue. Jane had a point, but he also understood the value of community in times like these. If the building fell into complete anarchy, even his powers might not be enough to keep Layla and Jane safe.

"I’ll check it out tomorrow," he said finally, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "We’ll see how it goes."

Layla gave him a hesitant nod, while Jane muttered something under her breath and went back to her corner.

Karl lay back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling again. His mind drifted between the risks and benefits of joining the group effort. A part of him wanted to ignore it, to keep to himself and protect what little they had. But another part knew that this might be the first step toward keeping the building—and its residents—together.

As the night deepened, Karl found it harder to sleep. The whispers of his past mistakes mingled with the uncertainty of tomorrow’s gathering, leaving him restless as the cold wind outside howled like a warning.