Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World-Chapter 135: Seeds of Change

It wasn’t that the researchers hadn’t cultivated a crops with low-mutagenic virus content before, but usually, that success depended heavily on luck, with just the right combination of circumstances. Asking them to replicate it was almost impossible.

In this situation, however, the Pyeongseong Safe Zone Plant Research Institute had managed to produce three crops with very low mutagenic virus content all at once. Did this mean they had found a way to control the mutagenic virus levels?

This thought set the rest of the research community buzzing. However, no matter how they inquired, Pyeongseong Safe Zone kept everything tightly under their wraps. They only knew it was thanks to a new consultant that had recently joined the facility, but no other details could be obtained.

The arrival of the new consultant followed so closely by the birth of several high-grade vegetables. Nobody could believe it was just a coincidence.

Soon enough, the research institutes that was the closest one to the Pyeongseong Safe Zone safe zone were planning to send people over.

But all these matters were handled by the Safe Zone Commander and his team, so none of it would trouble Kim Haru. Upon arriving at the research facility, Kim Haru was greeted with an enthusiastic welcome.

"Mr. Kim, you finally arrived," Lee Kang, Seo Woo, and Baek Wonyeon said as they stood at the front, they immediately stepping forward upon seeing the familiar figure. "The crops you guided us on have matured. We’ve been keeping them in the ground without harvesting, and we wanted to ask if there’s anything special we need to pay attention to when harvest them?"

It wasn’t that the three of them didn’t know how to harvest mature crops; rather, they were concerned that such high-grade plants might have special requirements during the harvesting process. They had heard of cases where someone cultivated a particularly high-grade chili pepper, and when harvesting, they had to use fire-type ability user to scorch the chili stem to make it break off naturally.

This way, the harvested chili would be a food item with particularly low mutation virus content.

If they simply pulled the chili off without using fire-type abilities, the chili would turn into an explosive pepper within three minutes, causing tears and snot to flow uncontrollably, making one question their life choices.

Since the apocalypse began, not much could be understood through common sense.

Kim Haru was unaware of this and felt a bit puzzled by their caution.

"Pick it if you want to eat it; leave it if you want to keep the seeds," Kim Haru said.

Lee Kang and the others exchanged glances, their expressions filled with joy.

They had considered keeping seeds but hadn’t brought it up for fear of what Kim Haru might think. Plus, they weren’t sure if the next generation of seeds would have the same effect.

Now, having received Kim Haru’s assurance in person, their confidence soared.

Why would they use such precious things for eating? Once they figured out how to expand production later, they wouldn’t worry about not having enough to eat!

The three of them decided they would keep seeds.

After confirming that the process of keeping seeds was similar to their own experience, the trio was filled with confidence.

Just as Lee Kang and the others were about to express their gratitude to Kim Haru and try to build rapport, with the smiles barely on their faces, someone suddenly pulled them back by the neck.

"Who dares—Director, when did you arrive?"

Turning to shout at the person, they were met with the familiar face of their plant research institute’s director.

Lee Kang, Seo Woo, and Baek Wonyeon instinctively shrank back and quickly gave way.

Despite the director’s seemingly refined demeanor behind his glasses, he was actually a scheming person. Those who lacked cleverness wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

Kim Haru also noticed this man, who was of short stature with slightly graying hair, appearing to be around 50 years old.

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Jang Dojang introduced to Kim Haru, "This is Jang Dojung, the Director of the Plant Research Institute. He was at the Haneulsae Safe Zone’s research institute for exchange meeting when you visited last time, which is why I didn’t introduce you then."

He then turned his head to Jang Dojung and said, "Director Jang, this is Mr. Kim, the new consultant at the research institute that I have been mentioned to you."

Jang Dojung had, of course, heard Kim Haru’s name.

It could be said that during this return to the Pyeongseong Safe Zone, the name "Mr. Kim" was the one he heard the most. Not only in his own Plant Research Institute but also among the Safe Zone Commander’s secretarial team, everyone spoke of Mr. Kim with admiration on their faces.

Additionally, while casually strolling through the safe zone, he could hear people discussing about the vegetable shop in the Second District that was opened by this Mr. Kim.

Jang Dojung knew that this shop was owned by Kim Haru.

Particularly among the residents of the Fourth District, Mr. Kim had received high praise. If anyone dared to speak ill of him, seven out of ten people nearby would glare at them.

Even the search team that had departed for Gokmul County had returned singing his praises. It should be noted that the teams entering the search operation were either official teams or capable independent squads that was predominantly composed of ability users.

The comments from these people about Mr. Kim meant that anyone in the entire safe zone who wanted to offend him, regardless of their status, would need to think twice.

The last time such a situation occurred was when Jang Dojung nurtured the first Class SS tomato in the Pyeongseong Safe Zone.

Jang Dojung sized up Kim Haru and extended his hand. "Hello."

Kim Haru waited a moment before he lightly touching the tips of Jang Dojung’s fingers. "Hello," he replied, immediately withdrawing his hand.

Jang Dojung was momentarily taken aback.