40. Ashvilam is Still at Peace

The Monster Wave incident caused a stir. It had been five days since it happened.

Ko Byeong-gap looked out of the window and drank cold water.

“There are still soldiers out there.”

Armed soldiers on the side of the road patrolled in formation. It wasn’t just there. Armed soldiers were strewn all over the city.

What kind of soldiers were they? The guilds set up their security guards to defend the city center around the clock.

The association sent a message of cooperation to the free hunters to ask if they would apply for the voluntary crime prevention unit. Of course, the pay wasn’t good. Ko Byeong-gap flatly refused.

“It’s not usually a mess.”

That disturbance wasn’t only in South Korea. The following was what he learned from the late news.

Fifty-seven countries around the world experienced Monster Waves. On the same day and at that time when the Monster Wave happened in Korea.

The extent of the to country. The worst was the United States. There were as many as two S-rank cracks in Los Angeles alone.

Not to mention the loss of life and property damage of several trillion won.

In Korea, five cracks broke out in both Seoul and Busan. The total casualties were 1,477 dead, 918 injured, and seven missing.

Naturally, it was accompanied by astronomical property damage. It was said that three buildings completely collapsed in Seoul.

The whole world was on alert. When it came to the atmosphere alone, it was more strict than when the Deep Impact occurred 28 years ago.

“I need to buy some food too.”

People raided the grocery stores. All items, whether ramen or rice, had been in short supply. Black dealers distributed illegal weapons at that time, and two days ago, there was a gunfight in the private sector.

The country was a mess one way or the other. Fortunately, the Monster Wave never occurred again since that day, but public unrest didn’t subside. They remained at home in fear of when the monsters might emerge again.

The researchers studied how the Monster Wave happened and raised concerns about a future recurrence, but nothing had been clarified.

“Sad.”

Ko Byeong-gap took his wallet and went out. It was awkward to see tanks and armored vehicles parked in the middle of Seoul.

‘There are only soldiers.’

They were all soldiers. There were occasional people in plain clothes who were probably hunters.

Currently, the country didn’t function properly. Businesses were forced to close, as well as schools and offices, since the workers refused to go to work. It was natural for self-employed people to shed blood and tears. If that trend continued, an economic depression might occur soon.

The government tried to calm the people down. However… Few people believed in the saying to live in peace.

“… It’s crowded here.”

Ko Byeong-gap stopped in front of a food market near his house. There were no people on the street, but that place was crowded with visitors.

“Get out of the way!”

“You can only buy two packs of ramen per person! Please keep order!”

“No, why don’t you let me buy it when I say I’ll pay for it!”

“Old lady, you just took my stuff from my cart!”

“Oh my God, who are you to accuse me of being a thief? And you’re the old lady!”

There was such nonsense as that. Ko Byeong-gap stood absentmindedly and turned away.

He was wondering if he could get something that day, but he couldn’t.

‘Why are you making such a fuss?’

Ko Byeong-gap thought the people were making a fuss. His heart wondered if there was any need to fuss like that. But that was a mindset that Ko Byeong-gap had because he was a hunter.

It had already been three years since he became a hunter, and he had been through all sorts of weird situations. He also knocked on the door of the afterlife several times. Didn’t he almost die in a dungeon if it wasn’t for his ‘fate’ a while ago?

Moreover, seeing monsters in his daily life made him feel familiar with them. In other words, he was able to maintain a detached mind even in extreme situations. The public, on the other hand, didn’t.

It was like an apocalyptic situation all of a sudden. It was only natural for ordinary people to fall into chaos. Whatever it was, Ko Byeong-gap didn’t like that confusion. He was worried that the social problem would put a break on his mother’s treatment.

Fortunately, there was no notice from the hospital. So far.

“I have to go back.”

Ko Byeong-gap was empty-handed again that day. The house was lonely, and there was no significant food supply in his house.

At best, rice and a little water, two bags of ramen, and dried salty food were all he had left because he rarely cooked at home. It was not a problem at that time. However, if that apocalypse situation, which the private sector was concerned about, really broke out, it could be difficult…

Hmm. Maybe not.

‘I can go to Ashvilam and dig up the potatoes and sweet potatoes.’

There was clean water and food in Ashvilam. Even if the war came, Ko Byeong-gap didn’t have much to worry about. If he took refuge in Ashvilam, that was enough.

‘But we still have to be prepared.’

Ko Byeong-gap searched the internet. He also made a few phone calls. It was almost impossible to connect, but he got one in dozens of attempts.

-Hello?

“Oh, yes. Hello. Are you the one selling hens?”

***

Ko Byeong-gap drove four hours to visit a poultry farm in North Gyeongsang Province.

“Oh, you’re from Seoul? I heard it’s a mess over there.”

“Yes, well, that’s for sure. How’s it going here?”

“It’s better than Seoul. It’s rural here anyways.”

The situation in the provinces was better than in Seoul. There were also soldiers and hunters on alert, but there were much fewer people living there.

“You’re buying chicks?”

“Oh, yes, yes. That’s right.”

“How many did you say you needed?”

“About a hundred. Is that possible?”

“There’s nothing you can’t do if you give me money, haha. Would you like to carry it?”

“Just put it in a box. I can put it in the back seat. How much did you say it was?”

“This is Ogol chicken, which is a good breed. It’s 3,000 won per head, which is a total of 300,000 won.”

Ko Byeong-gap bought 100 chicks for 300,000 won in cash. The poultry farm owner wanted to teach Ko Byeong-gap ‘100 ways to raise chicks well,’ but Ko Byeong-gap politely declined.

He knew how to raise a chick well. He could feed them growth potions. Of course, there was the side effect of turning the chicks into somewhat of a turkey…

Ko Byeong-gap drove out of the poultry farm with 100 chicks in his car. The chirping sounds almost caused him to have an accident a couple of times.

He pulled over at the right place and crossed over to Ashvilam. He handed over the 100 chicks to Gobung with two bottles of growth potion.

“Save them.”

“Yep!”

“And Gobung, we need to build another fence. We need to make it a little higher and denser this time. I don’t want to let the roosters in.”

“Oh, I see! Let me try.”

“No, I’ll be back in a few hours, so let’s make it together.”

“Yep! Great! Alright!”

Ko Byeong-gap, who returned to his car, drove diligently. It was about 4 pm when he got home. Ko Byeong-gap quickly got ready and returned to Ashvilam.

The Goblins were still in the midst of their work.

“Gobung. Come play with me.”

“Oh, Lord. You’re here?”

“I just got here. Build a fence with me. Stop working and come out.”

“Yep! I’ll be right out!!”

Ko Byeong-gap glanced around inside the cave. The earth was in chaos, but it was still peaceful there.

He took Gobung and headed to the back of the campsite. There was a pile of trees cut down.

It was beaten to pave the way to the river. If that was the case, the material wasn’t a problem.

“Oh, you’re here? When did you come? I didn’t even know you were here.”

“Lord. Hi.”

When he looked past the trees they planned to use as materials, he found Ea and Doran. Ko Byeong-gap briefly greeted them.

“What are you doing here?”

“We have to get ready for dinner. We’re here to get some wood for firewood.”

“Really?”

Ko Byeong-gap stared at Doran and said abruptly, “That’s the way to go. Ea, let me see you for a second.”

“Do you have something else to say to me? Anyway, it’s all good.”

“What are you two talking about? Why without me. Can you tell me, too?”

“Stay here.”

“Tsh…”

Doran puffed up her cheeks and sulked. Ko Byeong-gap took Ea to the quiet forest.

Ea jumped up and down with her hands behind her back and said, “I think I know what you’re going to say. Should I guess? I’m good at this kind of thing.”

“Guess what.”

“You’re asking if Doran is doing well, right?”

“… I know that.”

“Did you always worry so much? How come every other day you ask about her well-being?” Ea said in a knowing tone. Ko Byeong-gap replied with a small sigh.

“So, what do you think of her?”

“Don’t I tell you every time? Doran is doing well. She gets along well with the other Goblins, and she doesn’t complain. Oh! She’s very curious. She tries to do anything. Sometimes she’s clumsy, but isn’t it like that for everyone at first?”

“Okay, that’s good. Alright, let me know if you need anything.” Ko Byeong-gap habitually said so. Suddenly, Ea raised an eyebrow and said, “I want you to bring me some vegetables. I’ve been grilling meat with salt for days. The Goblin wants to eat gukbap.”

“I’m sorry, but the situation outside is not good. It’s hard to get vegetables and stuff. Hang in there for a few more days.”

“Hmm? What do you mean things aren’t good out there? Is there something wrong with where you live?”

“It’s not that serious.”

“Oh, I’ve made a mistake. If that’s the case, don’t overdo it. I don’t want you to take the risk and bring me vegetables.”

“It’s fine. It’s not that bad.”

“If that’s the case, I’m glad.”

Ko Byeong-gap and Ea went back to where the trees were piled up. Doran ran and whispered as soon as she found Ea.

“What did you talk to the Lord about?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Doran. He’ll be offended if I told you that.”

“You can tell me in secret! Ea, tell me. Tell me.”

Ea looked at Ko Byeong-gap with a puzzled expression on her face. In fact, Ko Byeong-gap wasn’t interested at all.

“Let’s go, Gobung.”

“Yes!”

Ko Byeong-gap and Gobung left with an armful of trees. Since his muscle strength wasn’t at an average level, the amount he could move at one time was also great.

“What did you say? Why don’t you just tell me?” Doran was persistent. Ea thought she might accidentally tear her clothes.

It wasn’t a bluff, but Doran’s power was really great. She couldn’t help but open her mouth.

“Okay, I’ll tell you. So please don’t pull my clothes. It’s going to rip!”

“You’re going to tell me? Really?”

Doran let go of her gently. Ea answered after she glanced at the spot where Ko Byeong-gap had left.

“I think your Lord really likes you.”

“Huh? No, that’s not it. Lord doesn’t like me. He doesn’t even talk to me much.”

“Well, maybe it’s because he’s shy. He asks about you every day. Whether you sleep well or eat well. He wouldn’t ask me that if he didn’t like you.”

“Ahhh…”

Doran blinked her big eyes. Ea laughed a little because the sight was funny.

“Hey, hey. Ea.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“What should I do then?”

“What? What do you mean?”

“If the Lord likes me, what should I do?”

Ea thought as she tilted her head. After a while, she said, “I don’t know, but it’s nice to receive affection and attention from someone. So wouldn’t it be a good thing to pay back?”

“How can I repay him?”

“Do something he’ll like.”

“What would Lord like to do? What’s that?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

“Oh, I see.”

The two women returned to the camp with a few pieces of firewood. All the way back, Doran thought, ‘What would the Lord like?’