It was very early in the morning. The rising sun generously gave off its radiance.
Hendrick was not alone. There were many adults from all over town, leaving their homes to head the mountains.
The mountains provided an array of food, fuel, and herbs, among other things that benefited the locals. It turned out that they were all competing for the same resources. So, they arose early and went out discretely. Nobody wanted the other person to know where they harvested their gems. It just so happened that if somebody intentionally followed another, it would often end in a fight. Nonetheless, most of them were careful not to break into fights.
Theirs was a small, poor refugee village. It did not even have a name. But compared to when Hendrick first came there, there was an improvement. Something similar to order was forming.
“Whew.” Hendrick sighed.
He had just finished climbing a steep slope. He turned back and looked down at the village. At its center, there were a few buildings. There were many shacks and huts houses around them. To the east, people were picking up stones from the fields in preparation for planting.
“It still looks the same.” He thought as he looked at that field.
The progress had been slow despite a fortnight’s work. It was difficult to make a field with tools made of wood and stone. They could not use the iron, for it was a precious commodity. Given the war situation, most of it went to the battlefield, and the blacksmiths could only be found in large towns or cities.
Besides, there was no field to cultivate. Hendrick considered evacuating again. It would be nice to farm. He imagined grain and fruit trees growing all over the place. With the right crops, he wouldn’t have to wander in the mountains looking for food.
He did not know much about farming, but he knew that the harvest would not come right away. He also reflected that it wouldn’t take long to manage the field. So, he could leave the field and climb the mountain. Still, the stones would pose a big challenge. He shook his head and embarked on his journey.
At the mountain, Hendrick confirmed that no one was looking. He took out what was wrapped in a jacket. Right there, he heard the helper’s voice.
―Identify it as your property.
―Would you like to destroy the target item?
―If you destroy it, you can get helper points that correspond to the value of the target.
Having thought about farming earlier, he decided to bury the chicken box and the eggshells, rather than burning as the siblings had suggested. Just when he was done, the voice spoke again.
―The destruction is complete.
―You have earned helper points (0.1).
‘Destruction’ meant to get rid of something and get a reward equivalent to the object’s value. The reward was the ‘helper points’. He interpreted it as some money he could use within the helper function he was using. At least he had heard about money.
There were some signs in front of his eyes, but he could not read them properly.
-Would you be able to learn to write?
-Wouldn’t that be possible with God’s tools?
“It is possible.” He said, even though he could neither read Hangul or English.
-it takes 5 points to master one of them. However, it is not just learning letters or vocabulary or grammar.
Unfortunately, the Prakin script, a script used in this region, was not on the list to be learned. The characters that could be learned were those learned by ‘Ko Jin-Hwan.’ It puzzled Hendrick that God only knew two characters. Anyway, he cherished the thought that it would be great to be able to read to write.
-Reading will commence immediately
“How can I collect more points?” He asked the helper.
Five points was a long way to go. So far, he had only 0.1. He could hear the helper’s explanation; ownership would increase his points.
Even if it wasn’t a gift or something from God, he could earn points on his own. He could also dig natural objects such as branches and stones around. However, in natural objects, the concept of ownership would vary based on the conditions. He could own anything from a no man’s land, but not from somebody’s property.
A random thought hit Hendrick, and picked up a stone at his feet.
―It is a subject that can be destroyed.
It was a pleasant tone. However, the explanation that followed was somewhat disappointing.
-The point that can be obtained by destroying natural objects in such a way is too small. With the small stone in your hand, you would have to destroy about 1,000 to get 1 point.
“I think it will be easier than I thought with 1,000.” There were many stones scattered both on the mountains and on the slopes. He decided to take some time to go up the mountain or after the sunset.
Hendrick was also told about another function that could be used by spending points. One of them was to send a message to Ko Jin-Hwan.
-If you spend 0.1 points, you can send the recorded voice for a certain amount of time, around 30 seconds.
“You mean I can talk to you?”
It felt amazing to tell God the story of life in a manner different from praying. Hendrick spent 0.1 points right away and started recording. It was a little stammered a little, but could still put most of the words he wanted to say.
He started by introducing himself, saying his younger siblings’ names, and even giving thanks for the help he received instantly. He explained how he had the burden of taking care of his younger siblings and how he survived on herbs and roots. He had always enjoyed the roots and herbs. So, he vowed thenceforth to work harder to find it.
Then he was done.
There was a lot of firewood there, and Hendrick wanted to offer them to God, but he did not seem to need them.
He was about to go on with his business in the mountain and earn more points when he was stopped by the ‘transmission’ guidance.
-Once I came to the mart, I bought you things you might need. If you need anything in the future, let me know. I’ll do whatever I can…And can you tell me the size of your feet and clothes? And your sibling’s too?
Hendrick focused so as not to miss a word. At the same time, he picked what was in front of him.
It was a black ‘shopping bag’ made of a material that resembled a cloth but had a different texture. It had a strap that could be worn on the shoulder, and a handle could be held by hand. But it was empty. “It would be better to mine herbs or herbs.” He told himself as he looked into the bag
There was also a metal knife. The sharp metal blade looked eerie. It was obvious that adults would try to take it from him once they saw it. So he took it out quickly and hid it in his arms. It cut Hendrick’s skin slightly, and it amazed him. It was too sharp to be compared with a stone sword.
Hendrick put the knife back in the market bag.
“Gloves?”
There were also ten pairs of gloves. He knew what gloves were, though he had never seen one made of that material. And it had a unique red feature.
It didn’t fit well, so he pulled it with a little. They were still a little big for Hendrick, but they felt much better to his bare hands when he put them on.
‘It was perfect for breaking the rough grass or vines. The red part had a good grip. He figured out that that should be the inner side. He was right, for the helper’s voice confirmed it. He touched the glove with the knife. It was tough, for it remained uncut.
He removed the gloves, tied them with a string around his body, and then wore the jacket. They were concealed but not completely because of the holes in the rugged jacket.
There was a climbing vest there too.
He was familiar with a vest. He had seen many types of vests. He didn’t have to listen to the helper’s voice as it told him how to wear it. It was a smooth russet brown vest. Its material was unique as opposed to its color, and it seemed to stand out.
He couldn’t just hide it, for it would eventually be exposed. He was afraid that he didn’t have the strength to keep them from bad adults. He wondered if there was a place he could hide them. Their hut was quite far, but people always visited their area. There was a stream a little further away, but it was frequented too.
Hendrick was running out of ideas when a bright idea struck him. He would make a secret warehouse on the mountain, a place where adults wouldn’t find them—a place where there were no herbs.
“Is there a way to hide something?” Hendrick asked the helper.
―Give a better definition of hiding.
“I want to keep my things where others will not find.”
―Do you need personal space?
“Yeah. I need a place that others cannot and will not stumble into.”