Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World

The entire Safe Zone's available farmland was quickly tallied up. Unclaimed land was automatically considered Pyeongseong's property, and a transfer contract was signed under the Safe Zone Commander's authority, naming Kim Haru as the recipient.

The remaining land that had owners was negotiated with by the logistics department, and it didn't take much effort to get them to agree to the transfer in exchange for some supplies and food. Since farmland had become desolate in the post-apocalyptic world, people were willing to trade it for essential items.

In less than three days, all the farmland in Pyeongseong Safe Zone—both usable and barren—was transferred to Kim Haru's name, encompassing any land that could be used for planting.

"Mr. Kim, does this look sufficient? Is there anything we might have missed?" Jang Dojang, now Kim Haru's dedicated assistant, held a thick stack of contracts—the official paperwork for all the farmland in the Safe Zone.

Kim Haru didn't bother reviewing the contracts. He didn't want the farmland for personal use; only the land that was registered under his name could be utilized by the farming system to produce normal vegetables.

"This will do. Announce it."

He didn't know exactly how he'd save a poor Safe Zone on the brink of winter, but he was determined to start by focusing on what he could control.

The first step was to stockpile enough food to survive the winter.

The announcement of all of Pyeongseong Safe Zone's farmland being transferred to Kim Haru's name quickly spread throughout the zone. Alongside it came a newly issued task.

"All residents are to help collect farming tools. Anyone with tools can report to the mission hall in the Ability User Center to sign up for farming work. The daily wages are set at 100 points plus ten crystal cores, with meals being provided."

As soon as the task was announced, anyone with a bit of sense could understand what was happening.

"It's Mr. Haru! Mr. Haru is definitely going to teach us how to grow normal food!"

"Farming tools, farming tools—I remember seeing a hoe somewhere. Where was it?"

"Can ability users join? I'm a metal-type ability user, so I could make my own farming tools."

"I have a sickle. Does that count?"

"Who has extra farming tools? I'll pay to buy them—I'm buying!"

"Ho Chong, you took the axe I lent you before. Hurry up and return it; I need it to sign up."

"Does a spade count? I have a spade."

The entire Safe Zone became lively, with people rummaging through their homes for farming tools. Those without tools either found metal-type ability users to make them or formed groups to search outside.

"Do you think this winter will be easier to get through?"

Some had that hope.

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"Not yet," Kim Haru replied, curbing Jang Dojang's optimism. "First, I don't know if we'll be able to grow the needed food before winter fully arrives. Second, food alone won't be enough. Our measures for warmth are still inadequate."

"True," agreed Pyeongseong Safe Zone Commander, joining the discussion. "We have only three months left before winter sets in completely. There's still a lot to prepare, and many houses in the Fourth Zone aren't insulated well. It's a big issue." Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire

"Do we have any materials for quick construction, like cement?" Haru asked. "And what about earth-type ability users—could we get them to help with building?"

The Safe Zone Commander shook his head. "That won't work."

"A house constructed by earth-type ability users will collapse once it's no longer supported by their energy, unless they continuously channel energy into it. But that would be too exhausting for them, and it's not a sustainable solution. As for cement…"

The Safe Zone Commander gave a bitter smile.

"There's a cement factory in the neighboring Haneulsae Safe Zone, but their production barely meets their own needs. They haven't had any surplus to offer us in the past, and now it's even less likely."

"Not necessarily," Kim Haru tapped the table thoughtfully. "In the past, they were helping us out of goodwill. But now, we can propose a trade they won't be able to refuse."

"A trade they can't refuse?"

Jang Dojang and the Safe Zone Commander, no fools themselves, quickly caught on: "Mr. Haru, are you talking about food?"

"Yes—uninfected, clean food." Haru looked at them intently. "If we offer them virus-free food in exchange for the materials we need, do you think they'll refuse?"

Of course, they wouldn't!

In this apocalyptic world, food was already extremely precious, and clean, virus-free food was even more valuable. It was a treasure anyone who wanted to survive would be eager to obtain. If a leader of a safe zone was foolish enough to refuse such a trade, it wouldn't be long before a new leader was appointed.

But then…

"Do we have enough food to trade?" the Pyeongseong Safe Zone Commander asked, concerned.

"Let's start by taking stock of the current food reserves in the Safe Zone."

"Alright, I'll go call in the logistics department," Jang Dojang said, heading out hastily.

Once he left, only the Pyeongseong Safe Zone Commander, Moon Baein, and Kim Haru remained in the room.

The Safe Zone Commander looked at Haru, his expression filled with remorse. "Mr. Kim, I apologize. This burden was never yours to bear. It was selfish of me; I couldn't accomplish this on my own, so I pushed this responsibility onto you."

Yet, despite his remorse, Moon Baein didn't regret his choice. Since he had established this Safe Zone, he had been willing to sacrifice himself if it meant ensuring the survival of its people.

Still, guilt and gratitude coexisted in his heart.

Haru replied calmly, "No need to apologize."

He had made it clear—his decisions were never forced. If he had taken on this mission, it was because he had chosen to. As Go Okrim had once said, he wanted there to still be a community when he was ready to rejoin it.

Moon Baein gave a relieved smile.