Building a Safe Zone with My Harem In The Post-Apocalyptic World Chapter 19: The Perfect Place to Build Civilization

Gideon finally understood why this place was called the White Death. It was not only because of the aberrants living here, but also because of the geysers scattered across the area.

He was glad he had worn a mask. The sll of sulfur was overwhelming, sharp enough to make his nose burn even through the cloth.

The heat was even worse. Sweat soaked through his clothes far faster than it ever had in the Deliric Desert.

They stood on top of a canyon, looking down at the White Death below. Thick mist drifted endlessly across the land, broken only by towering geysers that erupted without warning. Each one shot boiling water straight into the sky like a rocket.

"Damn," Gideon muttered while staring at one of them. "That thing is huge."

Even from this distance, the column of water rose almost as high as the canyon wall they were standing on.

"Yeah," Sumr replied, sounding far too calm. She was already looking through a telescope. "And that one is a delicious crab."

Gideon raised an eyebrow. "I still can’t believe there’s this much water here. I thought most water sources were already gone, or at least ca from aberrants."

Sumr lowered the telescope and stared at him for a mont. Her expression was difficult to read. Without explaining, she handed the telescope to him.

"See it yourself."

Questions filled his head, but he took the telescope and adjusted the focus. The scene below sharpened.

Giant crabs road the geyser field, each one as large as a car. Their eyes looked like fern leaves spreading outward, while moss covered their bodies in bright green, hiding most of the red shell underneath.

"They really do look edible," Gideon said slowly. "Basically walking protein and fiber."

"Look closer," Sumr said. "Focus on the geyser. And especially those two tall plants."

He followed her instructions and shifted the telescope. The tall fern-like shapes swayed gently, moving left and right like antlers.

As he watched, the ground near the geyser shifted, and sothing massive pushed up from beneath the surface.

A claw.

Gideon stiffened and lowered the telescope, turning toward Sumr. "That’s a crab too, right? The guardian of the oasis?"

Judging by that single claw, the creature had to be enormous. At least as tall as a three-story building.

"Nope, but they’re from the sa species called Geysermire Crabs. The big one is the mother. The smaller ones are juveniles. While the one guarding the oasis is the king."

She swallowed slightly. "They’re really good. I ate one once. I never forgot the taste."

"You’re making hungry," Gideon said with a quiet sigh. "But let’s move. I don’t want us to co back late and get kicked out by your mom."

He turned away from the geyser field, forcing himself to stop thinking about crabs and food. Elaine’s map mattered more right now.

His limp was gone after drinking the healing potion, though Sumr kept asking about the ’miracle potion’ and where all his items ca from.

He stayed focused on the route ahead, studying the map while walking, until she finally stopped comnting and followed alongside him in silence.

Their journey was filled with climbing. It was not extre, since Elaine had already marked a route that avoided the need to scale a sheer canyon wall, but the path still kept rising nonstop, as if the place they were heading to sat on top of a mountain.

"This is insane," Gideon sighed. "How can soone get lost while still climbing upward?"

"Well," Sumr replied casually, "because there are giant crabs down there." She glanced behind them. "And we’ve already been walking for about three hours."

Gideon let out a breath. "That modified motorcycle we saw in Climber Rift suddenly sounds like a really good investnt."

"You need to join Freebound to get one of those," Sumr said. "But we could probably make sothing similar ourselves. I think Freya could do it."

"Oh?" Gideon finally lifted his head from the map. "She’s good with machines?"

"She likes exploring the desert and collecting junk," Sumr shrugged. "And sotis she ets the Pathmadre and watches her work on that vehicle."

Her tone dulled slightly when she ntioned the na.

"Is your family close with her?"

"My mother is," Sumr replied, crossing her arms. "Anyway, where is that place? My feet are starting to go numb."

Gideon studied the map again, then slowed to a stop. "We’re here."

Before he could say more, Sumr suddenly pinched his arm. Her mouth opened in shock, words failing her as she pointed straight ahead.

Gideon followed her gaze and finally saw it. The hidden area Elaine had ntioned lay before them.

It was a massive caldera surrounded by canyon walls, not that deep but still needed safety ropes to go down the canyon. Despite that, the view was breathtaking.

"Yeah," he murmured. "This really is a perfect place."

He quickly opened the Infinite Shop and bought ropes, harnesses, and belay gear so they could rappel down safely.

Standing at the edge made his stomach twist. The wind was strong, and trusting his life to a rope did not sit well with him.

But Sumr descended with ease, moving smoothly and confidently. Watching her, Gideon swallowed his fear and followed, pushing himself to move faster.

They turned it into a race.

The loser would hunt a juvenile Geysermire Crab and give it to the winner.

Of course, Sumr won.

"Yesss!" she cheered. "We’re eating boiled crab tonight!"

Gideon sighed and shook his head. It was not surprising. The last ti he had rappelled was when he was fifteen, and that had been on a small mountain, not into a massive caldera.

Still, seeing Sumr so happy, almost childlike, made him smile.

He scanned the area and noticed puddles of trapped water scattered around the ground. The water was still and unmoving, which made it unsafe to drink.

He waited while Sumr scouted the area. About half an hour later, she returned.

"I didn’t see any aberrants," she said. "But this place is huge. They could be hiding sowhere."

"The oasis is about fifteen kiloters from here," Gideon replied. "We should be fine."

"Not from above," she said, pointing upward.

Gideon chose to ignore that.

He opened his storage, and a small rift appeared. From it, he pulled out a seed as large as his head.

"So... do I just plant it here, or—"

[Do you want to plant the ’Seed of Aaru’?]

He nodded.

[Understood. Scanning the area for threats.]

[Scanning complete.]

[Threats detected approximately five kiloters away. Flying-type aberrants present. Do you still want to plant the Seed of Aaru here?]

"Yeah."

[Planting the Seed of Aaru.]

The seed lifted into the air, vibrating as it began to glow.

[Processing...]

[20%]

[80%]

[100%]

[The Seed of Aaru has been successfully planted. Congratulations on your new territory, Lord Gideon.]