Chapter 352 – Somewhere in the 20th Century
Even though industrial activity had stopped, the summer on the Korean Peninsula was extremely hot.
This is because there are great restrictions on the amenities of civilization, such as air conditioners, fans, ice drinks, and refrigerators.
Thanks to this, the level of exposure of the people of the polis was, with a bit of exaggeration, reminiscent of Ancient Egypt.
Men went topless in public, and women also showed more of their bare skin than the hem of their clothes.
It didn’t look bad. This is because most people had slim and strong bodies.
Excessive intake has become a thing of the past, and since most people engage in physical labor, it is difficult to see belly fat fluttering around.
Regardless of age or gender, they walked the streets with bronzed, healthy bodies.
Of course, it was also a big deal that all the old, injured, and weak people died during the infection war and the harsh years that followed.
To help citizens who are tired from the heat, many street trees were planted throughout the city and several water taps were installed. As a result, there is a unique culture that has emerged.
“Elder, can I ask you a favor?”
The young man spoke to the old man at the tap.
The old man nods his head and grabs the hose, and the young man stretches out.
Shoot!
An instant listing was made from a stranger.
The custom of asking strangers for a light and offering it to strangers at the tap was formed.
This is an interesting change considering that before the war, it was a society where there was no interaction even with neighbors living next door.
I also helped people I met for the first time several times in that way.
Most requests are made between people of the same sex, but it is not uncommon for a man to ask a woman or a woman to ask a man.
It is also said that young people use this as a sign of goodwill.
At night, you can see families laying down on mats outdoors to avoid the heat, just like in Korea in the 70s and 80s.
It is a scenery that can only be seen in Polis.
In the past, everyone would go home before midnight, but these days, some families go to bed outside.
Should we say this is an achievement in completely eradicating gangs and not condoning crime? The trust people show in public security makes me proud.
The gunfire that occasionally rang out on the outskirts of the city also disappeared.
Mmm-!
The sound of cows provided in the city for the purpose of pulling vehicles or carts can only be heard occasionally.
It is thanks to this security that I can go out on my own without an escort. Artemis no longer nags me for going out on my own.
“Excuse me. “Can you do me a favor?”
As I was washing my hands at the tap, I heard the voice of a young lady. It’s obvious what the sweat dripping from your forehead wants.
“Me?”
Besides me, there was another man in his 50s nearby, so I asked him to confirm.
“Yes! That way!”
“Yes. “Please lie down.”
With the hose in hand, the woman skillfully stretched out. Her hair was also cut in a sports cut, giving her a strong look like a female soldier.
It’s a world where you can’t even dream of using shampoo, and if you mess with it, you could end up with lice.
Men preferred black hair, and some strong women wore sports cuts like this.
Shoot!
“Ah, cool! Thank you. “Please do the waist area too, because my pants may get a little wet.”
I raised the blades of her hands, placed them above her waist like a wall, and skillfully sprayed water on them. This is a skill I learned in the military.
“Wow, what does this person know?”
“It also goes to my neck.”
“Ugh!”
She shuddered pleasantly as the cold water ran down her neck and down her chin.
“It’s okay to touch.”
“I think I’ve done enough. Meanwhile, the line behind me got bigger.”
As many as seven people, probably working as a group, were waiting in sweat.
“Oh my, what a shame.”
She smiled and stood up. He gave up his seat to the people behind him and disappeared beyond the tree-lined road.
I also hand over the hose to the newly appeared group and walk down the tree-lined road on the other side.
What would you say about the current cityscape? It feels like Korea’s past that was left behind somewhere in the early 20th century has been brought back.
Peaceful. Faces that are lacking but not desperate. And a small but unquenchable hope.
I believe that it is definitely at least a little better than the bastion-like scenery of civilization at the end of the century.
* * *
If the polis is full of sweating bronze skin, the shelter is always cool.
Residents who were allowed to go out were frightened by the heat or cold they experienced outside.
-30 degrees was this hot? How have I been living in Korea all this time?
-The sea was nice, but that’s it. If you want to swim, just go to this pool.
3 years in an underground city where humidity and wind are optimally managed. This seems to have made people weak when it comes to temperature, even if their bodies and minds are not.
The shelter population has decreased significantly due to Artemis’ reduction policy, but there is no particular replenishment.
“I don’t need anything from the residents anymore. Genes for experiments can be supplied in abundance from the polis, and most of the labor was initially used for their self-sufficiency.”
The decisive reason for accepting and retaining residents was ‘if you don’t, you will die’, but now the problem has been solved.
Accordingly, the work of residents has also changed significantly.
“Welcome, Manager!”
Chrollo greets me in the central factory area.
The textile factory that was responsible for producing clothes for more than 2,000 people was downsized, and craftsmen under Cloro began making other luxury items instead of clothes.
“What we’re making the most these days is soccer balls. The world is very short on things to have fun, right? In times like these, it is rare to find a play tool as cost-effective as a soccer ball.”
“Because one ball makes 20 people happy.”
“That’s right. But what we make is a little more special.”
“Which side?”
Chrollo smiled and threw one of the completed balls to me.
“So soft?”
It wasn’t as good as a beach volleyball, but it was softer than a regular soccer ball.
“It needs to be strong but a little soft. Many people kick the ball barefoot for fear of their shoes wearing out. This is a necessary measure to avoid damaging your toenails or toes.”
“I guess I need to pay attention to that too.”
“Rather than thinking about every little thing based on pre-war standards, we have to change it little by little.”
“Take it!”
I also threw the ball to Chrollo.
She didn’t catch it with her hands, but trapped it with her breasts and then kicked it into her cart with her knee.
Unlike the chest trapping that men do, Pong! It seemed easy to kick the ball as it bounced slowly.
“What else do you make a lot of?”
“Recycled diapers. To be precise, I am being dispatched outside as an instructor to teach how to make things.”
It wasn’t difficult to see pregnant women with bloated bellies in the police, but the reasons were complex.
Those who came from living dangerously outside had their sexual desires strengthened while their lives were in danger. The lack of contraceptives as well as the lack of entertainment also played a role.
Of course, there are not only negative reasons. Compared to other camps, it was a paradise-like city to live in, so there were many people who became second generation children out of love.
But you’ve only seen diapers on display at the supermarket your whole life, but you probably don’t know how to make them.
For these expectant mothers, Chrollo trains subordinates trained in the textile industry and dispatches them as instructors.
“If you happen to have a child with Artemis, please leave it to me. “We will do our best to create and offer the best diapers on earth.”
Chrollo hugged her arm and her eyes sparkled. It seems like she is very excited.
“Well, will the child he gives birth to poop?”
“Uh… Don’t you need to eat and drink something to grow?”
“Because we are going through a lot of trouble in that direction. I wonder if they will even say they will raise them in an incubator.”
As for Artemis, did she really think she could do that? Chrollo smiled awkwardly.
* * *
The shelter security team that arrived next also changed a lot.
Compared to controlling over 2,000 people, now we only have to control a few people per person.
Due to the nature of Artemis, who likes women with strong bodies, all but a few members of the security force remained despite the large-scale restructuring.
Their muscular bodies, made by working hard to become Helchang, protected their home.
Today, police officers have become closer to horse breeding and trainers than to security duties.
Horses and foals can be seen anywhere in the artificially created grasslands in the lower part or on the guard parade grounds.
“Manager, please take off your shoes.”
Rose spoke to me as I entered the meadow.
She was leading the mares that we were going to ride.
“Are there any rules you have to take off?”
“That’s not it. Just stepping on the bushes with bare feet and feeling the horse’s body heat with your bare legs and communicating with them. Because this is special. These kids love it too.”
Chrollo came over and knelt in front of me.
I gently lifted her feet and she politely took off her shoes and socks and placed them on her saddle.
Purr-!
Rose gestured, and her horses snorted and sat down.
“Amazing?”
“The training standards required by Artemis are very strict. “It is not that difficult because these children have been improved to become sensitive to human signals.”
In a world where oil is precious, traditional means of transportation such as horses and oxen are receiving attention again.
The horses that grow here are meant for the satisfaction of Artemis, apart from being provided externally.
Because she loves dogs and horseback riding.
“Oh, it just worked out. Artemis was also down to check on her ranch. “She will be very happy if you escort her.”
My wife appeared from the other side of the meadow, as if a nobleman, or rather, a madam, could not.
The sight of her walking through the grass with her white bare feet, holding sandals in her hands, was so beautiful.
