If they used too much force, sparks flew, and the sound of pickaxes striking ice rang out all around.
However, the progress was slow.
Kim Haru observed the workers toiling away and realized he might really need to recruit more people.
At this rate, if they wanted to dig up the riverbed mud and sand, it would take at least ten to fifteen days, and that was assuming they were lucky.
He wondered if they’d even get it done before winter ended.
This wasn’t going to work.
If necessary, he could just let everyone from the Bangnang Safe Zone who was willing to come work.
Kim Haru thought it through.
With the food he had, he could easily afford to pay everyone from the Bangnang Safe Zone for an entire winter of work.
And as for those who didn’t want food but needed contribution points, he had a substantial amount of points himself, so there was no need to worry about paying them.
Besides, if he brought everyone over, he wouldn’t have to worry about idle people from the Bangnang Safe Zone causing trouble in the Pyeongseong Safe Zone.
This would also be a huge boost to the safety of the area.
Anyway, once his greenhouse project succeeded, the safe zone could build some greenhouses too.
As for river sand, he didn’t need to worry about not having a place to use it.
So, after Shin Woncheon and the others had nearly finished lighting the fires, Kim Haru instructed them to accompany him to Buyeo Town.
"Leave one person here to supervise," Kim Haru said. "Once Snowball No. 1 brings the Unmelted Frost Bamboo Tree, find a spot to plant it, and have Snowball No. 1 wait here for me. I’ll be back soon."
Ra Jinho from Shin Woncheon’s team stayed behind to supervise, and the other three followed Kim Haru to Buyeo Town.
With the experience from last time, this recruitment went much more smoothly.
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In less than half a day, Kim Haru returned with a large group of people in tow.
Kim Haru had recruited everyone from the Bangnang Safe Zone except for the core members of the Caeruleus Draco Squad.
Even the core members of the Caeruleus Draco Squad no longer needed protection, so they simply came along as well.
They didn’t want to spy on what Pyeongseong Safe Zone was doing; they just wanted to make sure their own people wouldn’t be bullied.
"If you’re coming, that’s fine, but you’ll be responsible for your own food," Shin Woncheon had already made that clear.
"Of course."
The newly hired workers didn’t have proper tools, but they didn’t mind.
Once they knew what to do, they simply used their zombie-fighting weapons to start chipping at the ice.
At first, when Kim Haru had recruited people from the Bangnang Safe Zone to work, they were nervous despite being hired.
But now, with the entire Bangnang Safe Zone together, no one was feeling uneasy anymore.
The people on the riverbank were chiseling away at the ice while chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.
Kim Haru and the Caeruleus Draco Squad stood to the side, watching, their expressions complicated.
The people from the Bangnang Safe Zone originally had their own safe zones.
However, due to various reasons, they could no longer live there, either leaving on their own or being expelled.
Over time, they had formed the current group.
Having grown accustomed to this way of life, none of them suggested finding a new safe zone, for they feared repeating their previous experiences.
But who wouldn’t want a stable place to live, to no longer wander aimlessly?
The people taken in by the Caeruleus Draco Squad had all been carefully vetted, with no issues of character.
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Song Hayoon had put in great effort to improve their lives, yet she knew it wasn’t enough.
Still, everyone in the Bangnang Safe Zone comforted her, understanding her situation, and no one had said anything negative.
However, now, seeing the cheerful atmosphere in front of her, Song Hayoon realized she needed to seriously consider the problems of this large group.
Why was everyone so relaxed and happy at this moment?
The weather was still freezing, they still had work to do, and their clothes were tattered and pieced together.
It was because they saw hope.
As long as they worked hard, they would have food.
As long as they were willing to labor, they didn’t need to fear starving.
There was no need to worry that no matter how hard they struggled, they wouldn’t have food, or that no matter how much effort they put in, their hunger wouldn’t be resolved.
Without the worry of tomorrow’s rations, with such hope right in front of them, who wouldn’t feel at ease?
"May I ask how long you need them to work?" Song Hayoon walked up to Kim Haru and asked.
Kim Haru didn’t know why she suddenly asked this.
Did she need workers for something else?
"If you need more workers, just register them, and you can take them with you," Kim Haru replied. "If you don’t need them, you can send them back to me. Chipping ice will take a long time."
Song Hayoon quickly explained, "No, I don’t need anything. Please, use them as you see fit."
Song Hayoon was just worried that if this task was too short, the people from the Bangnang Safe Zone would soon return to their previous life of uncertainty, and she needed to come up with a solution quickly.
Knowing this, Song Hayoon felt much more at ease.
At the same time, she developed a deep respect for the man in front of her.
Indeed, not everyone was as despicable as they seemed.
Kim Haru didn’t say anything.
After hearing Song Hayoon’s words, he was reminded of something.
Since so many people would need to keep working here for such a long time, surely there should be a place for them to rest, right?
Kim Haru looked around.