Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World-Chapter 272: Strange Trails

"Alright then, let’s move on to business." Shin Woncheon gestured for Song Hayoon and his group to sit.

Now, the balance of power in the room had entirely flipped. Even though the people from the Pyeongseong Safe Zone were technically the guests, they now had complete control.

"What strange phenomenon did you mention earlier?"

"Captain Shin, your demands are getting excessive," Yoon Jongju replied while wiping the frost off his frozen glasses. "We’ve agreed to your unfair hostage exchange, and we’ve repaid the harm we’ve done to your people. Don’t you think it’s time for a little fairness?"

"What kind of fairness are you asking for?"

"If you want information, we can tell you what we know. But information isn’t free—we need some kind of compensation."

"That’s fair," Shin Woncheon said with a smile. "How about I pay you with trade rights for supplies? You know the initiative lies with us. Whether we’re willing to sell to you is entirely up to us. If you share everything you know, we’ll grant your people the privilege of trading with us."

As soon as he finished, everyone from the Bangnang Safe Zone, except for Yoon Soeon, who didn’t fully understand, cursed Shin Woncheon in their hearts for being so devious.

Even some people from the Pyeongseong Safe Zone couldn’t help but gave him a thumbs-up in admiration.

They had never imagined that the usually bold and easygoing Shin Woncheon, who was well-liked by many, could have such a ruthless streak.

What Shin Woncheon meant was clear: the people from Bangnang Safe Zone had to spill all the information they wanted, and in return, th Pyeongseong Safe Zone would merely allow them to trade for supplies. This "permission to trade" didn’t come with any promise about the prices of goods.

In other words, even if the Bangnang Safe Zone could buy supplies from Pyeongseong, it depended on whether they had the money or resources to actually make those purchases.

Dark, truly dark.

But it was a satisfying kind of dark!

The people from the Bangnang Safe Zone were indignant for a long time but ultimately couldn’t resist the reality of their situation and had to agree.

"That strange phenomenon… honestly, we haven’t figured it out either. Occasionally, someone notices some mutated animals behaving strangely, leaving their usual habitats and heading off in other directions. What’s even more bizarre is that some of these behaviors go completely against their natural instincts. These instincts are like lifelong habits for humans, nearly impossible to change," Yoon Jongju explained to the people from the Pyeongseong Safe Zone.

"We initially followed a group of Solarian Rat heading in this direction, but when winter set in, they all froze to death. Then, unexpectedly, we discovered traces of Starlight Armored Bug. What’s odd is that they weren’t moving underground as they normally do. Instead, they were active in the interface between the snow and the ground. This behavior is completely uncharacteristic of Starlight Armored Bug. Because of their immense value, we decided to track their trail in this direction."

"When we entered the Imsil County area, we encountered the ice storm and have been stuck here ever since."

With that, Yoon Jongju clearly laid out the background of their team’s journey.

The people from the Pyeongseong Safe Zone frowned deeply as they listened, lost in thought.

The behavior certainly sounded strange. The Solarian Rat are known to build nests in warm locations before winter. To abandon such behavior and head in one direction until freezing to death felt entirely unnatural.

And the Starlight Armored Bug? Everyone knew how rare and valuable they were, primarily because they preferred deep underground environments. To find traces of them on the surface, even covered with snow, was undeniably unusual.

What’s going on? Could it be that some massive disaster is looming, prompting such bizarre mutated animal behavior? Isn’t it said that animals can sense unknown changes in weather or other environmental shifts?

More than one person thought along these lines, their expressions tinged with fear.

Meanwhile, the members of the Delta Squad couldn’t help but glance discreetly at Kim Haru.

As for Kim Haru, when he heard Yoon Jongju’s words, a wave of familiarity swept over him.

The Starlight Armored Bug as rare as they were, and heading in the same direction—it had to be the same group currently residing in his small farm. According to the Ginseng Spirit’s translation, the reason for their abnormal behavior was that some entity had commanded them to seek out Kim Haru specifically.

Not just the Starlight Armored Bug, but the Cryo Wolf too.

If that’s the case, could there be a similar reason behind the Solarian Rat’ unusual actions? Perhaps the only reason he hadn’t encountered them was that the entire group had frozen to death along the way.

What exactly is going on?

...

"What’s wrong? Any more questions?" Yoon Jongju knocked on the table and continued, "If you have no further questions, can we finally discuss our own issues?"

Shin Woncheon glanced at Yoon Jongju, he then stretched his hands, and said, "Ah, we’ve been so busy today, traveling all this way—it’s just too exhausting. And now it’s so late. I really want to sleep."

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

"Exactly, exactly. Captain Shin, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve forgotten. If we don’t sleep soon, it’ll be morning already. My eyelids are practically glued shut."

"Ugh, staying up this late has turned my brain to mush. Talking about selling things or tallying accounts right now? I can’t even think straight!"

"Yeah, yeah. Hey, is there anywhere we can get some rest?"

The people from the Pyeongseong Safe Zone all chimed in one by one, voicing their complaints.

"You…" The people from the Bangnang Safe Zone were about to lose their temper, but after glancing at Kim Haru, who had hardly spoken, and recalling the intimidating Cryo Wolf downstairs, they thought better of it. They couldn’t win a fight anyway.

"Give them rooms to sleep in," Song Hayoon said abruptly before turning and walking off. Your next chapter is on novelbuddy