The Pyeongseong Safe Zone’s workforce was fully occupied with housing construction.
Public heating shelters had mostly been completed, but they couldn’t have everyone crammed into communal spaces all winter.
After finishing the communal buildings, the next step was private housing construction—either tearing down and rebuilding or repairing existing homes.
Of course, housing wasn’t free.
The authorities provided some subsidies, but residents had to pay with either crystal cores or contribution points.
For those without enough resources, there were two options.
They could continue living in the communal buildings until they saved enough money, though communal housing required a daily fee of one contribution point—a negligible amount meant to prevent misuse of public resources.
The second option was signing a deferred payment contract with the safe zone.
The safe zone would build their house first, and they would pay it off later.
These people would also be obligated to prioritize any labor needs of the safe zone.
Most people chose the second option.
As a result, almost the entire safe zone needed a round of reconstruction, making manpower the biggest challenge.
Jang Dojang added details about the recruitment process.
After hearing him out, the Caeruleus Draco Squad members quickly decided, "We’ll spread the word right away. How many people are willing to join depends on them."
Jang Dojang advised, "The ice on the river is thick. Only those with enough physical strength should take on this work. Let the volunteers evaluate their own fitness. We also don’t want slackers or troublemakers—such people would harm the trust between us."
"Understood," Song Hayoon nodded.
The Caeruleus Draco Squad would ensure the message was clear when passing it down.
"But our people don’t have enough tools for the job."
"We’ll provide the tools," Kim Haru assured.
With that, the Caeruleus Draco Squad had no further concerns.
The recruitment message quickly spread throughout the people of the Bangnang Safe Zone.
Within half an hour, people began approaching Kim Haru and Jang Dojang in the hotel lobby.
"Will we really get food? We’re only breaking river ice and won’t be asked to do anything extra, right?" someone asked skeptically.
"Yes," Kim Haru confirmed with a nod.
"Do you think I qualify? I’m very strong," a man asked eagerly.
"Register over there," Kim Haru replied, directing the man toward Jang Dojang.
Several people were already lined up in front of Jang Dojang, waiting to register.
The required information wasn’t overly complicated—basic details like name, gender, age, and whether or not they had any abilities.
Once the information was provided, the people would need to sign or leave a fingerprint to complete the registration process.
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An ability user who had come along with them, along with members of the Caeruleus Draco Squad, was maintaining order.
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In truth, the lobby wasn’t particularly chaotic.
Most of the people were excited to hear about the job opportunities and wanted to make a good impression in front of Kim Haru.
Despite their impatience, they queued up quietly.
It didn’t take long to recruit a team of 30 for the ice-breaking task.
"That should be enough," Kim Haru said, glancing at the numbers and addressing Jang Dojang.
Initially, about a dozen people would have sufficed, but Kim Haru was worried the ice on the river might be harder to break than expected.
Since having extra hands wouldn’t hurt, he decided to recruit more.
Those people who weren’t selected sighed in disappointment, their faces showing their dismay.
Kim Haru didn’t say much to them but thought to himself that if the glass-making experiment turned out successful, he could recruit more people for the work later.
For now, though, he didn’t know how things would pan out, so it was better not to make promises.
Once the unselected people left, the 30 chosen men signed employment contracts with Kim Haru in the presence of Jang Dojang, representing the Pyeongseong Safe Zone, and Song Hayoon, acting as the representative for the labor group.
With formal contracts in place, the selected workers visibly relaxed, relieved to have secured the opportunity.
"Get your warmest clothing ready today. Tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock, gather near the river section outside the east gate of Pyeongseong," Kim Haru instructed before dismissing them.
He also needed to prepare tools and basic cold-weather supplies for these 30 workers.
Starting work today wasn’t feasible; it would have to wait until tomorrow.
Kim Haru even worried whether he would be able to wake up at 9 a.m. himself.
Once Kim Haru finished his recruitment, Jang Dojang began discussing hiring Fire-type ability users with the Caeruleus Draco Squad.
It turned out there were a few Fire-type ability users among them.
After seeking their consent, two more work contracts were signed.
Before leaving, Song Hayoon asked Jang Dojang how preparations for "that matter" were coming along.
Kim Haru knew exactly what they were referring to—it was the plan to eliminate the Golden Dianthus Squad.
"The target isn’t easy to eliminate. Naturally, we’re making thorough preparations. We’re selecting people now and will set out within five days. Who’s coming from your side?"
"Yoon Jongju," Song Hayoon replied without hesitation.
The Caeruleus Draco Squad had already decided.
While everyone wanted to personally witness the Golden Dianthus Squad’s downfall, Yoon Jongju’s observation abilities made him the most suitable candidate.
Sending too many people would only increase the risk of exposure.
"Understood. Wait for our signal," Jang Dojang said.
With that, Kim Haru and his group left Buyeo Town.
...
When Kim Haru returned to the small farm, hus new employee Kang Hose had already hit it off with the older worker, Go Okrim.
However...
"What exactly are you two doing?" Kim Haru asked, staring at their antics.
He felt as though his eyes were about to be burned by the sight.
Go Okrim and Kang Hose had their upper bodies inside the duck pen, leaving only their backsides sticking out, neither round nor shapely—utterly devoid of aesthetic appeal.
In short, it was an eyesore.
Hearing Kim Haru’s voice, both of them tried to pull themselves out but misjudged the pen’s height and with a resounding "thud," their heads collided with the pen’s doorframe.