70. Sergeant Kim Ju-hee
[Winter cycles on the Frey planet are accompanied by intermittent large-scale storms. Please be prepared.]
Do we have to worry about the cold and the storms too?
It’s a real mess.
But fortunately, Han clearly had several ways to deal with it.
“How about buying more suns? Or surrounding the perimeter of the World Tree with winter trees or acorn trees like a barrier to block the cold wind?”
[All are valid methods. They should be effective. However, these are limited to early winter, so we recommend preparing new methods promptly.]
“Alright. That’s what you’re saying, right?”
Han looked around.
The elves were already bustling with preparations for winter.
They were busy processing the fur of the white frost bison herd they had encountered some time ago, securing fur, and stuffing more straw into the fur coats to make them thicker, focusing on expanding insulation.
Yumina wore a mask.
A mask made from the white frost bison leather they had obtained this time.
“…..”
Seeing the silent figure blinking only his eyes, Irina asked.
“How’s the mask? Does it fit well?”
“It fits well.”
“Good. If by any chance wind gets in from the inside, it could be a problem, so if you feel any gaps, be sure to let me know.”
“Yes, sister.”
The elves began to each have a mask that suited them.
Well, in that outside world, even breathing was not an ordinary thing.
Without any protective gear, your lungs would freeze in an instant.
It was a wise choice.
“Irina.”
“Ah, Muma-nim.”
At that moment, Muma approached.
He bowed his head and showed his large antlers.
“I appreciate the mask you made for me, but could you also make a cloth to wrap around these horns?”
“…Horns, you say?”
Irinya tilted her head quizzically.
“As the weather gets colder, the spot where the horns are feels chilly. Unlike other parts, these horns don’t retain heat, so the cold seeps all the way down to my head.”
Saying so, Muamua shivered uncontrollably.
“…?”
Come to think of it, Muamua, this little guy.
His eyes were completely covered in white, as if he had been out in the harsh cold.
Could he have ventured out in this cold?
It seemed likely.
In that moment of wondering what he was up to, Han’s gaze suddenly fell on the boy’s hand.
There, a bundle of white snow was held for some unknown reason.
Why did he bring that along?
“…Wait. Is that by any chance?”
Within the snow bundle that peeked out briefly.
A clear piece of meat was visible.
Han’s expression changed ambiguously upon confirming it.
“Did he really go out into this cold to get that….?”
He must be quite remarkable.
***
Han surveyed the shop windows.
Intermediate Shop
▷Small Sun: 2,000pt
•Literally a small sun. Raises a small sun high in the sky. Utilizes the power of the planet.
However, this only works in the morning and during the day; it automatically turns off at night.
Current Points: 2,400pt
The cold was gradually intensifying.
Near the boundary where the World Tree’s domain met the outside, a white frost began to form.
Outside, the situation was so harsh that visibility was almost zero due to the heavy snowfall.
Han had to prepare for this.
The first thing that came to mind was the sun.
With just one sun like now, it was insufficient to preserve the warmth that was gradually expanding in this place.
‘I need more suns.’
Therefore, he considered summoning a new sun into the sky.
Not just at the center of the World Tree’s domain but towards the outskirts affected by the cold.
By doing so, he could prevent the imminent frost from reaching the interior in advance.
“But to purchase more suns here… I need points.”
A sigh escaped him involuntarily.
It costs 2,000 points to purchase a sun.
Even if he only purchased this one thing, his accumulated points were about to hit rock bottom.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
There was also the Winter Tree.
“No matter how much I save my points, it seems like it’s never enough. To plant the Winter Tree here as well… Oh, sigh. How much do points really cost for this?”
Even the World Tree had its limits.
At a glance, it seemed infinite, but in reality, the upcoming harsh winter was the most dangerous moment when the World Tree’s power weakened.
It was at that moment.
The Muamua and Elves prayed towards the World Tree.
“Please accept our prayers, World Tree.”
A faint blue light flowed from them, enveloping the World Tree.
It was a ritual where they handed over the magical power they had gathered.
[The World Tree is expanding its domain.]
As the changing World Tree trembled and vibrated, it grew rapidly.
Simultaneously, the World Tree’s domain began to expand.
It was a moment of growth.
The white snow melted softly and fresh new shoots sprouted.
No matter how many times you looked at it, it was endlessly mystical.
Just watching it gave a feeling of something stirring within.
“Since Muamua joined us, the growth rate has definitely increased.”
Indeed, Muamua’s prayers always played an exceptional role in the World Tree’s growth.
It was even more significant than the combined efforts of three other Elves.
Perhaps it was because Muamua possessed exceptional mana.
Or maybe it was because he was a glutton who devoured potatoes by the sackful.
Han looked at the young World Tree in the shape of a broccoli.
Rich blue leaves adorned it.
Although it grew a bit with each prayer from the Elves, the system had already stated that compared to entities truly worthy of being called World Trees, it was incredibly small and feeble.
‘Those truly worthy of being called World Trees were said to grow to pierce through layers of the atmosphere and reach into the vastness of space. They were so massive that they could be considered as large as an entire planet.’
The atmospheric layer of an average planet was easily hundreds of kilometers high.
Considering that, the size of a mature World Tree naturally led to a conclusion of how immense it must be.
The one before Han’s eyes was nothing compared to a budding sapling.
Anyway, due to such reasons, just like among World Trees, there were different levels and abilities, and this one still possessed a measly power.
After observing the growth rate of the World Tree for a while, Han spoke up.
“How much time will it take for the World Tree to grow enough to withstand the cold of winter?”
[Based on its current growth rate, it will likely take a considerable amount of time.]
“…”
If they were to face the coming winter as it was, the chilling cold would eventually reach deep into the World Tree’s domain.
But for now, there was no immediate solution.
They could only supplement warmth through the sun, as regrettable as it was.
‘Ideally, I would like to find a way to accelerate the World Tree’s growth. But for now, it seems impossible.’
For the time being, it seemed like waiting was the only viable option.
“Sa, sasa, please… save me!”
Bang!!
Thud.
Captain Kim Ju-hee, no, Lieutenant Kim Ju-hee.
She looked down at the man who had fallen in front of her and let out a short sigh.
“These Samhapae (三合會) guys are really getting on my nerves. Tsk.”
Even just the man in front of her right now was like that.
He wasn’t Korean.
He was one of the lower-ranking members moving under the name of Samhapae.
“Lately, there have been too many Chinese people wandering around this area.”
I don’t even know how many I’ve seen this month alone.
They were all illegal immigrants.
Moreover, they were not ordinary civilians, but awakened beings from the underworld who had awakened their abilities but were not officially registered.
Feeling a sense of disgust, she clicked her tongue, and soon a group of men in sharp suits approached from the other side and stood in front of her.
Without even sparing a glance at the fact that the man was dead, they bowed their heads.
“Lieutenant Kim Ju-hee.”
“Yes?”
As if she didn’t care at all.
Of course, Lieutenant Kim Ju-hee was the same.
She holstered her gun and asked, covering it, “How did things go over there?”
“Everything’s done. There were three of them.”
“Take this one with you and send him off towards Hang Port as before.”
“Should we go to that place like last time?”
“Yes. Try not to attract attention. I have things to take care of now.”
From Noble mtl dot com
Leaving behind a brief farewell, Lieutenant Kim Ju-hee turned her head as the men moved away.
She had her own matters to attend to.
Recently, the situation in China was unsettling.
Economic retaliation, whatever it was, was complicating matters and imposing various constraints.
Externally, they were citing deteriorating diplomatic issues between countries as an example and beginning to sever business and trade between companies, but in reality, there was a hidden agenda.
The general public was unaware of this fact.
“They probably caught wind of something in some way.”
Most myths existing in the world are not entirely false.
Just like how dragons and gods exist in the legends of every country.
In fact, humans as creatures were not that imaginative.
Rather, they made up most of modern culture through imitation and satire.
“They are starting to have confidence from China.”
Just last year, it wasn’t like this at all.
However, for some reason, starting from this year, the sudden and coercive actions of the Chinese President began.
It was still just a precursor, but economic sanctions were expected to intensify.
Of course, in the process, there would be more spies like the man in front of us.
The reason for their change in attitude.
It wasn’t like this last year, but it changed this year.
There was only one reason.
“Perhaps it was because Hani’s abilities were fully awakened.”
The level of Korea desired by China was just right at the moment.
They didn’t want Korea to gain more power.
Already, there was a public perception that there were many high-level hunters on this small piece of land.
For the general public, this might be a proud achievement that elevates the country’s status, but in reality, due to these overlapping situations, China is now on high alert.
Even the United States was subtly exerting pressure.
“It’s fortunate that even the Great Sage Equal to Heaven seems not to be moving… but you never know. It’s uncertain how it will turn out.”
The existence that has always been said to be unpredictable could reveal itself at any moment.
But even without the appearance of that existence, Korea was struggling under China’s pressure alone.