Chapter 218
Chapter 218
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Welcome
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"Does this even make sense?"
Humphreys Camp Commander Daniel couldn't hide his astonishment the more he learned about the Sejong City survival group.
Gathering information on their settlement wasn't all that difficult. The people living there had a remarkably free atmosphere and weren't overly guarded.
Not only did they have electricity, communications, and running water, but they were even operating some bizarre shop.
On top of that, they'd opened the shop freely to people from Humphreys.
Major Taylor Smith's reconnaissance had confirmed that Baek Seol-hwa's words were true.
Afterward, most of Humphreys' people—leaving only a minimal force behind—had been deployed to hunt monsters in Cheongju for mana stones.
He'd also figured out why they wanted the mana stones.
Their electricity and water were supplied using mana stones.
And those shops in that building called Uno Mall...
The over-technology items looked anything but ordinary.
What was even more absurd was that all of this had been accomplished single-handedly by their enigmatic leader, Park Un-ho, who had gone somewhere and still hadn't returned.
At this point, Daniel couldn't help but grow curious about the man's true identity.
"Walter, do you think this makes any sense? I'm starting to wonder if he's an alien. Or maybe there's some massive organization backing him?"
"Whether he's an alien or a pawn of some huge faction, the fact is he's helping us right now. That's clear."
"Dig deeper into their leader... But more importantly, any chance we could get our hands on that generator and water supply device too?"
Humphreys Camp had a substantial population.
Things had improved somewhat thanks to hunting in Cheongju and begging from the Sejong survivors, but food and drinking water supplies were still far from stable.
"Given their generous nature, it's worth a shot."
"Set up a meeting with that Baek Seol-hwa woman."
"Understood."
Following Daniel's orders, his adjutant Walter made contact with the survivor group and quickly arranged a meeting with Baek Seol-hwa.
"You want to acquire a mana generator and water supply device?"
"Yes, that's right."
Daniel answered Baek Seol-hwa politely.
It was their first meeting.
Taylor had mentioned she was young, but she looked far younger than expected.
Even so, since she effectively managed the survivor group, he couldn't treat her lightly.
Baek Seol-hwa fell silent at Daniel's request.
'Is this too much to ask?'
Her expression didn't change.
No way to guess her thoughts.
Daniel and Walter tensed, waiting for her to speak.
The silence didn't last long.
Baek Seol-hwa opened her mouth.
"This isn't something I can decide on my own. I'll have to consult my lord and get back to you."
"Y-you can contact him?"
"Yes. He's far away, but communication is possible."
Clearing out the dwelling wasn't hard.
I just tossed the unnecessary stuff into my inventory.
I cleared some space and set up my luxury bed in one corner.
I could have used Hero's Haven.
But I couldn't check the outside situation from there.
If Grace showed up in the meantime, it'd be a problem.
They said they'd call me for dinner.
To kill time until then, I lay down on the bed.
I stared blankly at the weathered wooden ceiling.
'This isn't leaking, is it?'
The rainy season had passed.
By the time I got here from Alaska, my Body Strengthening skill had reached level 8.
My height had increased just a tiny bit, and the mana core now settled in my heart had grown nearly as large as the organ itself.
Plus, I'd accumulated 72 spare skill points.
I couldn't deny that Ignis and Suni deserved much of the credit for how quickly they'd piled up.
Without them, it would have taken far longer.
Of course, I'd steadily hunted my way from Alaska here too.
In Canada, I'd even taken down a top-grade Corrupted Being—a massive deer.
At this rate, the next strengthening level wouldn't be far off.
I had a few spare mana generators.
But for water generators, Albert back in Pantera needed to bring spirit stones first.
That meant heading to Pantera and spending at least a month there for results.
Obviously, I had no intention of doing that now.
'Not like I'm in a rush...'
Building up skill points was more important right now.
-Knock knock.
After wrapping up a quick meeting with Seol-hwa via raid chat, I heard a knock at the door.
Probably the signal that dinner was ready.
I opened the door to see an unforgettable familiar face.
A beauty with deep brown hair and pale green eyes.
It was Carrie.
She seemed to have gotten over her fight with Philip, smiling brightly.
"Time for dinner."
I didn't need to eat, but I couldn't refuse an invitation from a beauty.
"We prepared a welcome party."
Carrie seemed a bit excited.
"Welcome party?"
Stepping outside, I saw a massive campfire in the center of the clearing.
People gathered around it, chatting.
While I was inside, things had seemed a bit hectic outside... Guess they were setting this up.
"Is this everyone?"
Counting roughly, it was a small group of under 30.
"Yeah... Not many of us, huh?"
Carrie gave a wry smile.
As Carrie and I approached, the area suddenly quieted, all eyes on me.
Grace approached with a smile.
Standing beside me, she addressed the group.
"You've probably heard the gist already. This is Park Un-ho. I had a pretty dangerous moment today, and he saved me. He's joining our group."
-Clap clap clap.
The people applauded.
From their expressions... They didn't seem opposed.
Except for Philip.
(He's huge... Was he a football player? Solid guy on our side.)
(Whoa, check out those muscles.)
(That big, and he looks Asian... Is he really Asian?)
(Superpowered, right? Grace brought him, so he must be decent.)
I could hear the people murmuring about me.
A burly middle-aged man, easily 190cm with a scruffy beard, approached.
"Name's Richard Cohen."
"Richard's a superpowered like us," Grace said.
He looked like an enhancer type.
(Whoa... He's massive. Standing next to him, Richard looks like a kid.)
(Anyone would next to that guy.)
The welcome party wasn't anything fancy.
Just a campfire, sitting around chatting, sharing food.
I sat on a split log on the ground, gnawing on some well-grilled fish while watching the flames.
No idea what kind it was.
Seasoned with salt and pepper—pretty good, actually.
Freshness suggested it was from the lake.
I was the only one holding a whole fish, so they were treating me nice.
A few excited kids were playing around.
They glanced at me curiously but, thankfully, didn't approach.
Still, humans adapt—gotta stay cautious so they don't start looking down on me.
Like those Sejong kids.
"They've all been cooped up here for months. They're dying for some fresh air, even if they don't say it. Just you joining has everyone this excited."
Carrie next to me grumbled like she was venting.
"I've been dying to go on a supply run myself, but Philip's dead set against it. So... about that."
She paused, glancing at me.
Looked like she wanted to ask a favor.
"You're superpowered, Un-ho, so you'll probably head out for supplies. Could you take me along?"
Not a tough request.
"I could, but..."
"R-really?! Yay!"
She hugged my neck in delight.
Was this worth getting this excited about?
Well, I wasn't complaining.
Unexpected beauty hug.
"But even if I want to take you, won't it be tricky...?"
Siscon Philip would obviously object.
"Don't worry! No one's even offered to take me before—thanks to that stubborn Philip! If you say yes, I'll handle the rest."
After months cooped up, she was desperate for some outside time.
Not that there's much to see...
I spotted Grace chatting with the others in the distance.
"You into Grace or something?"
Carrie asked.
"Yeah."
No reason to hide it—even a kid wouldn't bother. Straight answer.
I came all this way for her, after all.
"Ooh... Poor Philip."
Carrie seemed to know Philip's feelings for Grace. But rather than pity, she wore a mischievous grin.
"So, does Grace have a boyfriend?"
I tossed the question Philip had ignored at Carrie.
"Nope."
Looked like I could stick around a bit longer.