Chapter 149 – Trade Routes
Aliens, or should we say it is a union of aliens?
I received information I could never have imagined at the brain and nerve research institute where I went to get technology.
I ended up getting a glimpse of the most deadly secret the world was hiding.
But even if we know, there is nothing we can do.
The Earth has already been destroyed, and even the aliens, who would have formed a civilization far superior to humanity, appear to have been defeated.
There is no way to know the meaning of the words ‘Hope is alive’ left behind by the only survivor, an alien codenamed Senior.
It feels like someone hit my head with a sledgehammer and disappeared. It’s tingling, but there’s nothing to do except stay still.
Meanwhile, communications developed from the south.
[Are you all enjoying safe hunting? We are doing business at the best!]
Some of those who crossed the Noise Tree zone and set out to explore north set up an outpost.
[According to Jeju Island sources, the weather will improve for two days starting tomorrow. Don’t walk around dangerously and take a rest at our rest area.]
Until now, even if they were forced to march all night, it was common to return to their camp and rest.
However, as the distance between activities gradually increases, it is inevitable that an intermediate base will be required.
If you get injured while exploring, you can get treatment right away at a nearby place, and you can endure it all the way to the camp.
These two make a huge difference. If you are unlucky, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to cut somewhere.
[What good is it if you waste gas and bullets looking for a business partner? What if you get slapped by someone you barely found? Just feel free to visit us. We deal conscientiously. I’m not going to pay it off after 1 or 2 years.]
Money became firewood and a return to the era of barter.
It’s still rare for people to kill each other, but we don’t know what will happen if the situation gets worse.
It is no wonder that they are summoned and killed as part of a deal.
This will make these formal trading venues even more important.
[Vehicle maintenance is also available. There are two former mechanics. If you have useful skills and need a job, please stop by. Even if you fail the interview, we will provide you with at least one meal.]
From what we observed, there was not a single place where rations were plentiful.
In most cases, rations are provided just enough to maintain the line, and even that continues on and off repeatedly. Obese people did not disappear for no reason.
In this situation, not only to save your life, but to eat and drink like a human being, you must apply to an external search team.
[It’s cool to risk your life to search through ruins, but isn’t it also nice to make a living using your dexterity in a comfortable place?]
These days, people who used to be doctors are walking around stores holding metal pipes.
Among those who are wasting their skills, there will be quite a few people who will be tempted.
[People far away in the north are also listening, right? I don’t know where they are and what they do, but if you get a chance, please stop by! I, Director Kim, will serve you with all my heart! You may have more supplies than me, but there is something only I can give you, hehe.]
This businessman, who introduced himself as Chief Kim, suddenly found us.
[Wow, I see that they are very big brothers from Yeosu. I want to become friends with them!]
Would it be better to call this businessman, or rather, a broker? Very friendly.
[Want to go?]
Artemis asked.
“What are you doing when you have everything they can provide in upward compatibility?”
[Don’t you think it would be quite fun just to look around?]
She seems to be interested in the black market that has emerged in a world on the brink of extinction.
“It’s a new place, so if you go there, you’ll be disappointed, right? The actual trading volume will also be small. I’ve stayed in countries that were in civil war a few times, and the black market that emerged in the early stages was nothing special.”
[Hmm, I guess so.]
Artemis clearly looked disappointed.
“I guess they are trying to secure a good position at the risk of not making a profit right now.”
[What are you doing first? There are a lot of seats anyway. I don’t even have to get government permission like before, I just plant a flag and it’s my land! That’s enough.]
“He won’t be the only one trying to run an exchange. As other search teams go deeper into the north, additional supply locations will be needed.”
A map of the southern region was displayed on the PDA.
The lowest survivor camps are indicated by green circles, the route advancing north is indicated by blue lines, and the threatening infection colonies are indicated by red circles.
“As you can see, we are still acting with safety as a priority, right?”
Most of the blue lines stop before reaching the red circle.
[Because there are plenty of places to rob even if you don’t have to take risks.]
“But how long will that last? In a situation where there is only looting without production, supplies run out faster than expected.”
I pointed out the side roads between the red spots with my finger. A very small number of blue lines are trying to squeeze in nearby.
“It’s a small number now, but soon the number of people trying to capture this niche will increase. There are many reasons. Greed, pleasure, challenging spirit, establishing charisma to control subordinates, and wife and children.”
I pointed out several points between the red circles.
These are places that have good accessibility, are advantageous for escape routes and visibility, and are away from the threat of infectious disease colonies.
“If you use this route, you can quickly loot and run away without any problem. “If you become good at it, you will be able to avoid it and go into quite deep places.”
The safe zone closest to the infiltration route is Chief Kim’s rest area, where he is touting customers.
“In the end, the places to open a store are limited. “It is the owner who takes the good place first.”
Afterward, the rest area’s broadcasts to solicit customers continued.
Occasionally, when a communication came in asking about a product or exchanging information, I greeted it kindly without making a fuss.
We remained silent while listening to them.
The official government on Jeju Island virtually disappeared.
Worries about requisition by the government have disappeared, but the actions of armed groups that are no longer rough will become more threatening.
Of course, there are many obstacles between us and them right now, and even if we fight, we are not an easy opponent.
But there will be a lot of blood. There will be a lot of tears flowing. Facing that is sometimes more painful than pain.
Humanitarian support for situations so harsh that survival is difficult, and friendly relations with the troops stationed there who maintain legitimacy and a spirit of support for the people.
It was worth the risk of exposing ourselves, but now we have to be more careful.
The troops garrisoned in Yeosu were able to breathe considerably thanks to the supplies we provided and the operation to secure supplies launched in preparation for the winter. No additional support will be provided.
[If we have the opportunity, should we set out as a trade base? It will truly be the last remaining jewel city on the Korean Peninsula.]
Artemis, on the other hand, seems to have been thinking the exact opposite.
“Look, girl, instead of the peddlers coming and going peacefully, the army might come in.”
[If you’re going to come, come and see us!]
She doesn’t seem to think she’ll lose against her army.
[I know the risks, and I’m not saying I’m really going to do it. It’s just an assumption based on interest. Imagine. A department store and trading city built in the wasteland of a destroyed world! Isn’t it cool? There are so many products we can sell!]
In fact, it is a dream city in that it can mass produce high-quality oil, ammunition, medicine, preserved food, and clothing.
“A product is a product, but it seems like it would be a big hit if it was in the lodging business. A staycation or something? “I don’t know how many good hotels are left on Jeju Island, but I’m sure they are nothing compared to our city.”
In fact, there are many luxurious buildings in the VIP residential area built with a resort hotel concept.
[… Guests, all types of lodging businesses are suspended indefinitely in our city.]
Artemis seems to be in a bad mood when she imagines bringing in an outsider to her superiors.
[Anyway! It’s great to beautify a closed-circulation city, but it’s also great for the products we develop and create to spread to the outside world and gain fame. And it will be fun to see the reaction.]
As I felt when supplying to Yeosu, Artemis has a kind of voyeuristic desire that she pursues when interacting with humans.
In most cases, this is met in the form of reporting research results or enjoying mass media together.
However, the reactions from various organizations and people in the outside world will also be very interesting.
[Have you never wanted to start a business at least once?]
“I am an employee by nature. I liked just doing my job for my employer, so I never even thought about going into business. Besides…”
The location is not very good for it to become a trading city.
“I don’t know if there are people who will come up here alive.”
Come to think of it, I think it would be possible to reach here if we stick to the West Sea coast and travel back like the previous Goheung expedition team.
It may require thorough preparation and some luck.
[Numerous materials and manpower come and go, and the roads and grounds are managed. They chase away monsters and predators, mediate disputes, and adjust the values of goods and products that change in real time. Leave maximum profit.]
I could feel the heat in Artemis’ voice.
[Wouldn’t it be really fun?]
Her identity is a lunar base manager for resource development.
It seemed to give interest to the act of trade, exchanging goods.
“Then are you going to bring people from outside into the shelter? It would be annoying in many ways.”
Security, hygiene, and other problems may arise.
[There is no need for that. Just build an exchange outside. There is enough heavy equipment and construction materials, so what’s the problem?]
A barren field contrasting with the blue sea, and a rocky mountain that is barely visible except for the top of the tree.
A huge marketplace located in the middle of it and armed people trading there.
Robots are selling things, selling bodies, selling technology, and watching it all with cold eyes.
I think a fin-de-siècle sensibility would be awesome.
[Well, it might be fun to try, but I’m not seriously thinking about it. Because now there are more than one mountain to overcome.]
For your information, there has been no incidents of people targeting people so far.
This is partly because the situation is not that desperate, and partly because there is a military unit across the bridge that acts as a deterrent.
In the south beyond the Noise Tree, garrison troops make periodic broadcasts.
The tone varies depending on the personality of the unit commander, but the content itself is not much different.
Let’s take an example of a garrison’s announcement.
Commander A.
[The last order I received was to strictly maintain martial law.
Even now, when the government has disappeared due to a dastardly rebellion, that order remains in effect. Martial law will continue.
Indefinite martial law applies to all citizens.
For murder and robbery, I will use my power to execute you on the spot. All acts of unrest are prohibited.]
It is a very hard-line attitude, but this can be seen as the basic attitude of controlling garrison forces.
Let’s listen to one more thing.
Commander B.
[Currently, we have no capacity for correction, and lawbreakers are only judged in two ways: whether their sin is great or not. The former will be executed by firing squad, and the latter will be exiled. There are no exceptions.]
Commanders who even omit honorifics in broadcasts to the public are slowly appearing.
It appears that the collapse of the legitimate government was the starting point.
Just one thing.
Whether arrogant or polite, active or passive, there is one attitude that military units maintain in common.
That is a merciless suppression of human hunters.
Rather than simply maintaining order, he was beaten so harshly that it bordered on obsession.
Thanks to this, despite the poor conditions, the era in which humans hunt humans has not yet arrived.
[Perhaps through that method, we can feel nostalgia for the good times and the normal past of Korea?]
Artemis seems to view the soldiers’ attitude as a kind of homesickness.
“… Maybe.”
A faint feeling I felt somewhere in my heart when I decided to provide material support to Yeosu.
At the time, I thought it was the bare minimum of sympathy a human being could have, but perhaps it was the soldierly feelings that still remained, however faintly, within me.
