Chapter. 10 Lead and Silver Coins (7)
****
“Dom is so crazy that fresh food is cheaper than preserved food.”
“It probably means that supply has been stabilized.”
“Is it possible to do this in our town?”
“It’s rice… I’ve definitely changed my diet to be more like a human, so the wild taste has gone down. “I don’t know if there is any land near my house that can be used for farming.”
That evening.
We spread out the food we bought from a nearby restaurant on the table in our hotel and began to eat and report on what we had done during the day.
Ian, holding a seasoned skewer of what was presumed to be a rodent, spoke first.
“Let’s start with me. First of all, there is a lot of demand for caravans. The story about Dom’s semi-latest weapon was still under embargo, so it didn’t become a hot topic, but there were plenty of other items needed in Area 40. As expected, the most requested thing is skin masks. Recently, the radioactive contamination area has expanded, so in the adjacent areas 40 and 41, skin masks are said to be expensive. In addition to that, there are people who ask to save creatures that are considered delicacies among mutants that only live in the 30th division, people who ask to save entire old-generation heating equipment or key parts from areas that have not yet been explored, and even people who ask to find news of separated family members…. There are a lot of things that make money. On the contrary, in the 30th unit, there are many requests for clean and fertile soil, deep drilling equipment, fresh food, and shield generators.”
Skin mask. Deep drilling equipment. soil. These are all requests based on the characteristics of the 30th district. Areas 39 and 30, where radioactive contamination begins in earnest, are different in many ways from areas 40, the non-contaminated survival center.
“Anyway, Life & Murder said they would secretly let the intelligence side know about weapons sales, so I think we can just focus on trade while dealing with those who have the size to approach on their own. “When I asked people in the industry, they told me that I could live a life worthy of a ranker just by selling masks.”
“Mask… Those are the guys who live in District 32, right? “A group of technophobic pseudo-religious people.”
“that’s right. Happy Blinds. It’s a mask made by processing a special strain that only lives in the 30th district. Despite its disgusting appearance, it is an amazing product that filters out all dust, radioactivity, toxicity, and chemical atmosphere. In their own words, it is ‘proof that the Lord has promised that we can live with what we have now.’ “We can live well without the old technologies that reduced the world to ashes.”
To put it simply, the 30th zone is a ‘risky, high-profit farming area’.
Although it is not the center of a nuclear missile, it is an area within the area of influence where almost everything on the ground is contaminated with radioactivity.
Thanks to this, it was not easily accessible to people without special protective equipment, and unlike the 40th District, where all old-fashioned materials had already been torn down and utilized because people could not access it, there were a huge number of usable items still remaining. Most of the generators that occasionally appear on the GG exchange were brought by scavengers who entered the 30th Division’s area at the risk of death, so it is fitting to call it a treasure trove of the old world.
There are many variants. Since most people died without trauma due to radiation poisoning, most of them remain as type 2 even after a long time has passed, and although it is unknown, type 3 is said to be so numerous that it cannot even be compared to the 40th division. It is said that among them, there are mutants and native creatures that have changed into unimaginable forms due to radioactive mutations…. In fact, it is safe to say that the 40th District and the 30th District are separate worlds.
‘I only went to the 30th Division area once as patrol support when I was working at the dome… It’s a bit of a problem that I don’t have any living knowledge.’
All I know is the sight of Area 39 that I saw in passing a long time ago and the knowledge I learned at that time. Now, several years later, the biggest problem was that we did not know which forces were influential and what risks there were. If we are unlucky enough to set foot in a place where there are forces hostile to the Dome, our names will be put on the Dome’s list of missing persons.
Thinking about the physiology of the 30s, I swallowed a mouthful of mushroom salad and then poured three meals worth of calorie sticks processed as soft as bread into my mouth.
“Ummmm. Soil… is for agricultural purposes, so there is a lot of demand for it, but it’s a bit bulky, so… Isn’t that the same with drilling equipment? “I think they are looking for it to dig up less polluted deep groundwater, but I guess they can only sell one or two pieces per group.”
“So, you have to take care of it no matter what. Since it is a true necessity, it would be the best gift to make a good impression on new business partners. “Let’s take only one or two sets and focus on selling fresh food with a long shelf life and the wasteland-grade weapons we used to sell.”
“Wasteland payment?”
“Something that suits the level of wasteland technology. Not the semi-new weapons I got from Life and Murder, but the ones they originally sold. He also sells it at wholesale price as he is a partner in Life & Murder. It is said that weapons using large-diameter bullets are popular in the 30th division, where there are many encounters with mutants and radioactive mutants. Since such weapons require a lot of maintenance and tend to break down quickly, it is obvious that there will be a lot of demand for them. “If you show me something like Barrett or the hand cannon I use, my underwear will jump out.”
also. I guess it’s because he was originally a businessman who did business as his main job. He’s definitely ahead of me on this front. You can leave it to me with peace of mind.
“Then shall I talk next?”
After Ian’s story was roughly summarized, Bex raised his hand and said.
“I went to the inspection department. As you all know, the 30th division… is a bit difficult to follow to Cynthia. But you can’t leave it alone at home. Even if we are close to the villagers, we still can’t trust them, and as Hepburn said, there will be people targeting our residence. When we talked about it, someone from the inspection department said he would expand the patrol area near my house while we were in the 30th Division area. In his words, it was like ‘a service for willingly allowing me to carry out my mission.’ “Cynthia decided to go to school.”
“school?”
“Okay, school. I don’t know because I’ve never been to a school, but it’s an institution that gathers children and educates them. If you want to regain your past prowess, education must come first. “Most of the children who were rescued from Raptor last time as expendable pilots are also attending, and there are many children in similar situations to Cynthia, so it won’t be difficult to adapt.”
“I mean those people. Cynthia, how about you? I want to go?”
“…I said I wanted to go first.”
Cynthia, who was eating next to her, said.
“You brought trouble by coming here. I thought I could do anything on my own, but I wasn’t. The village people I thought I was close to tricked me like the professor said, and I don’t know what it was, but they said I interfered with Uncle Bex’s plan…”
“Oh, that’s it!”
“The professor, Ian, and Bex are all amazing people. “You can’t even be compared to a child like me who is just a nobody that people are praising.”
As the child began to cry, Bex began not knowing what to do. It seemed like he had become less talkative since the village started, but he seemed to have been shocked in his own way. Although Cynthia was very self-centered, she was not a brainiac. Perhaps the events that occurred throughout the day made him aware of his situation. In a village where I thought I could lead it alone, I suddenly found myself in a cold place after I left. When we arrived at the dome, no matter where we went, the three of us’ names were on people’s lips, and we felt like a burden as they followed us around.
[Cheeky. At first, that means you put us and yourself on the same level, right?]
‘Kids usually only know themselves. In the first place, before the age of 6, even the concept of others is rare. That guy’s social experience other than his biological parents is close to zero, and since his parents died and he had to take care of everything he wanted on his own, he’s likely to develop self-centered thoughts.’
But I agree with the idea that it’s arrogant.
Because [Professor Bex Ian is an extremely high-ranking person -> Therefore, the mindset of [I will go to school] is….
“…Ezel says school is a place that makes people great. “I will soon become so good that other people will talk about it, so until then… you don’t have to come.”
Anyway, it means that you will stand on the same level as us and talk.
Cynthia, who had an unusually strong obsession with what was ‘mine’, could not bear the fact that she, the subject of all that possessiveness, was the least valuable among her ‘family’. Should we call it self-love reflected in others? Should I call it pride?
Whatever it was, he was overly mature and cocky for a 10-year-old, and that was why he was cute. Anyway, there must be a lot of affection for the three of us in his heart.
Cynthia, who expressed her aspirations to the end in a tearful voice, put a piece of salad in her mouth and began to swallow it loudly, as if trying to suppress her tears.
“Hahaha! This kid covered it up while I wasn’t looking! Hey, all you have to do is listen to an adult, you brat!”
In the end, Ian, who was watching the scene with a grin, was the first to explode. When Ian’s pot-lid-like hand stroked Cynthia’s head, Cynthia covered her head with her hand as tears leaked out.
“Don’t profit! ‘My hair is messed up!’
“Hehehe! Oh yes! If you’re a member of BDSM, you should have that level of ambition! Isn’t that right, Vex?
“….”
“Vex?”
There’s no answer.
“Cute ears…!”
Vex gasps, clutching her heart. Well this is dead.
“If that is what you mean. Life in the wasteland isn’t all that great, so it might be good for the new generation, Cynthia, to learn something meaningful.”
“…Are you going to go and stay for a long time? I’m going to work really hard and become a great person quickly, so it won’t take long, so when I come back, I’ll…
”
“I won’t throw it away, I won’t throw it away. Since we’re not leaving you at the inspection department and going somewhere on our own, you’re going to school. “I’ll come pick you up in a month, maybe two.”
“H-!”
When I pointed out what she was most worried about, Cynthia finally burst into tears. Craddangtang! Then, the sound of Vex falling down was heard.
Anyway, Cynthia’s problem and the village’s problem have been resolved well. At least in the wasteland, it would be difficult to find an educational institution as normal as the Dome’s educational facilities. He seems to have a knack for politics, so he’ll probably do well in school.
As I was pondering Cynthia’s words, I remembered something I had briefly overheard and asked Cynthia.
“Ezel was the one who told you that school was a great place?”
“Sniff! huh. “He was dressed like work clothes and looked very tired.”
“If it’s work clothes… is it a jumpsuit for an exosuit? “It looks like he returned briefly from a surveillance mission.”
The professor, who had been rolling Ezel Raiden’s name around for a moment, smiled with satisfaction.
I feel like I have everything I need.
“Now then it’s my turn. First, before going to the hospital, I will make a contract with the Inspector General and explain my condition as heard at the hospital. Speaking of food, I think we need to load more food, mainly high-calorie food for about 10 people…” The
playful tone of my explanation gradually faded and serious conversation began again.
****
An hour later, in the break room attached to the inspection department garage.
Ezel, who had not slept well for almost a week and had just returned from a mission to hunt down raptor cyborg guerrillas, was drooping and couldn’t believe his ears.
“what?”
“You need to help us with our work.”
A man with a smile on his face that makes him feel like he’s dying.
This is because Professor Park, a person who has recently emerged as a hot potato in District 40 and his long-time wasteland LAN friend, said something ridiculous as soon as they met.
Please help me. I would like you to join me on the way to District 30, which is said to be nothing but a royal palace.
“Um… Professor?”
“Why?”
“I think you’re mistaken. It’s true that I’m in charge of most of your BDSM diplomatic work, but… after all, I’m an agent of the Inspection Department? He is also a ‘veteran’ agent who can operate an exosuit and has experienced actual anti-tank warfare. No matter how high your power is sky-high, you can’t just use a high-ranking talent like me in an emergency like this-”
Cheo-eok.
“I mean. what?”
Ezel couldn’t finish his sentence. This is because, instead of answering, Professor Park pulled his collar and thrust the shiny gold badge on it in front of his eyes.
A badge with a bright gold skyscraper and a hemispherical symbol. As a veteran agent, the symbol of power provided only to those at the level of a manager, one level above his silver badge, was flashing clearly before his eyes.
“No, why did you…”
“Because our kind and benevolent president gave me ‘the right to exercise director-level authority at all stations.’ “When I went to the counter and asked, everything was already told to me?”
“You have manager-level authority at every station. Why would someone like you be given such ridiculous authority…”
“Well? Isn’t it possible that Dome’s great ★Hero☆ has been entrusted with another huge task? I can’t say it yet, but it’s really important for the future of the dome. “I believe that as a person in charge of such a mission, I must do my best, so I am asking for help from the best talent I know.”
The moment the word ‘mission’ came out of the professor’s mouth, Ezel’s instincts, trained by life in the wasteland, began to sound an alarm. You must not follow. I can’t believe I’m walking with someone who is like a natural disaster and causes all kinds of accidents! That can’t be possible. I took the inspection examination to live a life on an isolated island, not to join the inspection department to live a life full of blood and smoke, and this time even radioactivity! Give your stomach some strength, Ezel Raiden! I’m talking! I’m telling that satanic Professor Park that I reject him outright!
As a veteran agent of the Inspection Department, Ezel quickly gathered his racing thoughts and answered the professor’s words in a serious and clear voice.
“Since you said it was a request, I guess you can refuse it?”
“Then of course.”
“Then I’m sorry, but I refuse. After all, as a member of the Inspection Department, I cannot stand to see Dom still in a dangerous state. “I wouldn’t be able to bear it if a colleague who went out of his way to fill my vacancy got hurt while I was with you in the 30th district.”
“….is it. Then what? “I can’t help it.”
“….really?”
“then. I told you, right? It’s just a recommendation. “They say they don’t like it, so what can I do?”
‘YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!’
Contrary to his expectations, Ezel internally cheered at the sight of the professor giving up obediently.
‘I did it! You successfully escaped from the devil’s grasp that was close to your chin! Viva Democracy! Viva Freedom-’
“If you don’t come, the inspection department will have no choice but to take someone with you. The president said he would provide support for up to one exosuit, but since it’s biometric, you can’t carry it around unless you’re a pilot, right? If you can’t decide, you should at least bring someone else. Um… let’s see. The name there… John? The name is so heartwarming and nice. Would you like to join us in Area 30, taking in the radiation and defeating all kinds of mutants and unidentified threats, including fanatics? no? How about you, Kimmy? Even though the areas I’ve been to outside for the past few months have all been devastated, become raptor bases, and this time a war broke out. Will it happen this time too? Although one friend I was walking with had almost his side blown off and his internal organs were spilling out, and another person had an entire magazine full of bullets from all the bullets he had been hit with. Let’s go together! Ezel says he doesn’t like it, so what can I do? huh?”
“Uh….”
Ahhh. Lord.
The eyes of the senior members of the inspection department who had returned together were changing to resemble those they had when facing the tank. The professor leisurely enjoyed their reactions and spoke with a smile on his face.
“I’m going to ask you one more time. Still, if possible, it’s better to go with a close friend. Ezel, would you like to go with me to the 30th district to do some very important work? No, don’t do it if you don’t like it. Your freedom is freedom. It’s a dome, right? A bastion of liberal democracy! “Do whatever you want!”
Ahhh. My freedom. Our justice.
Ezel uses all the secret signals and eyes of the inspection department to shout, ‘Youngest!’ I couldn’t help but raise my hands with tears in my eyes as the seniors shouted ‘Youngest!!!!’
“I will support you….”
Slam!
“Al-I thought! “He’s my ‘friend’ after all!”
“Hehehe homo pilot. “Let’s get along one more time?”
“Kihihihi hal-clap! Please take care! Angel!”
The professor is patting his back, Ian is laughing darkly, and Bex is licking the sharp blade for some unknown reason. Ezel opened his mouth with tears in his eyes, recalling the four-character idiom, “Geunmukjaheuk (近墨者黑).”
“It’s Ezel Raiden… Whoop! Please…please….”
Ezel was sold to the BDSM caravan under such unspoken pressure.
****
And two days later. A cold morning in September, getting closer and closer to winter.
Two armored trucks. A Hummer that had been repaired and remodeled was revving its engine in front of the northwest entrance to the dome. There was a large trailer attached to the back of the truck, and the Hummer had a lot of boxes fastened to the roof, so anyone could see that it looked like a caravan leaving for business.
“What are you doing, President, so early in the morning?”
“People are going on long and dangerous journeys because of me, so is it really a big deal to wake up early in the morning?”
The professor and the president in front of the rambling vehicle. His escort troops were facing.
“Oh my, you already expressed your sincerity in abundance yesterday when we loaded the supplies. Please also prepare two Raptor-made armored trucks that have just been overhauled. “I thought it would be a bit expensive to do business with just our own car.”
“It’s yours to begin with. Didn’t they recognize the right to capture in the contract? First of all, it has been confirmed that among the equipment that your ship disposed of that has not been scrapped is the tank and four combat vehicles, but I think it will take a little longer to repair the tanks. Not only is the heavily wrinkled external armor a problem, but someone burned down the internal data access system, so it seems like it will take some more time to get it back to normal operation. Combat vehicles seemed unsuitable for this kind of material transport, so we arbitrarily replaced them with armed trucks.”
“It’s good for us, right? Anyway, trams may be suitable for medium-distance travel, but they are unsuitable for ultra-long distance travel due to fuel requirements.”
It’s false. All you have to do is remove all the oil from the station. Actually, if I could have dragged him, I would have dragged him, but there is no need to say this in front of the president when he says he can’t.
The president, who shook my hand, also extended his hand to Ezel, who had already joined our group.
“Well… I would like to thank you for your service.”
“Hehehe….No, President. As an agent of the Inspection Department, I have sworn to sacrifice my body for Dom, so if I have to sacrifice it, I must sacrifice it. They say it’s about making a difference, right? Makeover! Sharpen your bones! Break your body! It will be convenient when you are cremated when you die! Ha ha ha ha ha! Hehehe!”
“…Thank you.”
“Welcome back! I’ll catch up with you in no time… hi! “Because!”
“OK! “I’m looking forward to it, kid!”
“I’ll be right back! If you really want to see it, go to the inspection department and talk about it! Because I can contact you!”
Ezel, who had been feeling a little sick for a few days, put embarrassment on the iron-clad president’s face, and the short farewell party ended with Cynthia’s crying face.
Finally, after checking supplies and radiation preparedness equipment, the group got into their respective vehicles. Ian and Bex in the Hummer in the lead. The combat vehicle equipped with an exosuit, battery, and semi-state-of-the-art weapons is Ezel. And in the last rear, I was in a combat vehicle loaded with food and other trade goods with a long shelf life.
“Then let’s leave quickly!”
Kwagwagagak! purr!
Buaaaaang-!
Three vehicles kicked off the sand and began heading towards the desolate wasteland.
The target was Area 41, adjacent to Area 46. It was the location of a large scavenger group that had secretly sent a purchase request for an item called ‘transitional equipment’, the official name for the latest weapon given to Life and Murder last night.
***
