Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World-Chapter 270: The Hostage Exchange

"You must be Captain Shin Woncheon, correct? I heard them call you that," Yoon Jongju adjusted his glasses. "If you want to take everyone back, that’s possible, but you’ll need to exchange sufficient supplies for them. If you don’t have enough materials, items with equal value will also work."

Yoon Jongju listed a number.

It was an enormous quantity of resources.

Jo Sungmo, who was bounded, let out a cold laugh. "Since when did the Bangnang Safe Zone become a bandit den?"

Shin Woncheon’s expression darkened slightly. "If you truly want to secure the release of your people, then sincerely name your price. Keep in mind, it was you who proposed this hostage exchange. If we really wanted to, there are plenty of ways to retrieve our people."

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"Are you threatening me?" Yoon Jongju’s face remained stoic.

Shin Woncheon was about to respond, but Kim Haru placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

Kim Haru glanced at Jo Sungmo and the others, whose hair was beginning to freeze. He knew that if this negotiation dragged on any longer, by the time the hostage exchange was completed, his people might end up with severe frostbite.

Without saying much, Kim Haru simply gestured for the others to look out the window.

Under the pitch-black night, moonlight reflected off the snow-covered ground. Not far from the residential building, several mounds of snow suddenly appeared on the pristine surface.

Everyone knew these weren’t ordinary snow piles—they were Cryo Wolf.

Kim Haru spoke calmly, "Now, is the number of hostages sufficient?"

The expressions of everyone from the Pyeongseong Safe Zone instantly relaxed, their faces lighting up with satisfied smiles. In contrast, the people from the Bangnang Safe Zone turned grim, their faces as dark as ink.

Jo Sungmo and the others didn’t understand what was happening, their curious gazes shifting toward Shin Woncheon’s side.

Someone discreetly mouthed the words, "Cryo Wolf."

In an instant, Jo Sungmo and the others grasped the situation.

They relaxed as well.

Ha! Let’s see how these people from the Bangnang Safe Zone feel smug now. Those Cryo Wolf were notorious, and Kim Haru’s Cryo Wolf weren’t just one or two—they were a full eleven of them.

Given the defensive capabilities of the Bangnang Safe Zone, there was no way they could withstand the destructive power of those Cryo Wolf.

And to make matters worse, the Bangnang Safe Zone had even allowed the Cryo Wolf to enter their territory.

Wasn’t this equivalent to letting wolves into their house?

Sure enough, Song Hayoon and her group’s expression immediately turned ashen, they reluctantly agreed to their unfair terms for the hostage exchange.

The pyeongseong rescue team wasted no time in untying the resource searching team members. A Fire-type ability user immediately dried the icy shards forming on their heads.

Had they waited a little longer, their hair would have turned into solid chunks of ice.

As soon as Jo Sungmo was freed, he spoke up. "We have more people locked up in the adjacent room."

No need for further words—they were all released.

After the hostages were exchanged, Shin Woncheon, being a reasonable person, offered, "We’re willing to trade supplies with you, but you need to answer one question for us."

...

Jo Sungmo and his group moved to another room to rescue the others and recover their strength. Meanwhile, Song Hayoon from the Bangnang Safe Zone led Kim Haru and the others to a different room, where both sides sat down, facing each other.

"Speak," Song Hayoon said.

Shin Woncheon didn’t care about the sour expressions on the faces of the opposing side. The worse their mood, the happier the people of the Pyeongseong Safe Zone felt.

"I hope you’ll truthfully tell me what you’re doing here," Shin Woncheon demanded.

"What else would we be doing? The Bangnang Safe Zone always relocates after a while. Isn’t it normal to end up somewhere? This time, we just happened to pick this place randomly," Song Hayoon said nonchalantly while toying with her fingers.

However, her casual attitude didn’t fool those who were keen on uncovering the truth.

Shin Woncheon had his reasons for asking. Despite being nomadic, the Bangnang Safe Zone was still composed of people—people who needed to live in habitable environments. During harsh weather, even migratory birds wouldn’t move unless absolutely necessary, let alone humans.

Winter wasn’t a favorable season for venturing out, given the biting cold. The fact that the Bangnang Safe Zone chose to migrate during such a season seemed highly suspicious.

The idea that the Bangnang Safe Zone might have settled here before winter was also implausible for anyone familiar with Imsil County. It wasn’t a simple abandoned town where a little hiding would suffice for safety.

Why did the Pyeongseong Safe Zone send a team to Imsil County only during winter? It was because most zombies would freeze in the cold, significantly reducing the risks. Winter was the optimal time to explore zombie-infested towns, and Imsil County was one of them.

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Before the snow and ice of winter, Imsil County had been overrun with zombies. Suggesting that the Bangnang Safe Zone had moved in early would be laughable.

Seeing Song Hayoon’s lack of response, Shin Woncheon chuckled. Without pressing further, he took an orange from his pocket and rolled it in his hand before slowly peeling it.

His movements were unhurried, and the aroma of the orange immediately filled the room, permeating the air with a strong citrus scent.

The people from the Bangnang Safe Zone opened their eyes wide open.

An orange! A fresh, edible orange!

Song Hayoon and her companions instantly changed their attitudes toward the Pyeongseong Safe Zone members. Where there had previously been curiosity and longing, now there was disbelief and caution.

"Well, can we have an honest conversation now?" Shin Woncheon asked.

Song Hayoon’s gaze shifted from the orange to her companions.

Yoon Jongju, catching the meaning in Song Hayoon’s eyes, took over the conversation and said, "Fine, there’s no harm in telling you."