Chapter 112: Entering NGL
The boy, carrying a full basket of fish, was content. Holding his sister's small hand, he happily headed home.
He thought about how hard his mother had been working lately and decided to cook a large pot of fish soup for her tonight.
Just then, a massive crab-like monster appeared before them, blocking their path home.
In the cave nest.
This was the first time the Chimera Ant Queen had ever eaten a human.
"This... is incredibly delicious."
"And highly nutritious, it's the perfect food!"
"I need more, more of these creatures."
The Chimera Ant Queen had finally set her sights on a target.
...
NGL is the abbreviation for Neo Green Life, a group of people who claim to abandon all mechanical civilization and devote themselves to living in nature.
Their primary means of communication is through letters, and their main mode of transportation is horses. Anyone who deliberately brings tools of civilization into their territory will be sentenced to capital punishment.
In 1987, the NGL autonomous region arrested three journalists who had infiltrated for interviews. One was executed, while the other two remain imprisoned to this day.
The country's population is 2.17 million, 99% of whom are NGL members, with the remainder being so-called volunteers.
It is a completely isolated nation.
Pariston's decision to send the Chimera Ant Queen here was nothing short of a masterstroke.
Anything that happens here will not reach the outside world. When a severe infectious disease once spread through NGL, they left it to fate and refused entry to international medical rescue teams.
Even if information were to leak out one day, it would already be too late—the King of Ants would likely have been born by then.
As for NGL, while it masquerades as a nature reserve on the surface, it is secretly producing the narcotic "D2." Unlike typical narcotics that are inhaled or injected, this drug can easily take effect through oral consumption, making it widespread across the globe.
To enter NGL, one must pass through a checkpoint and embassy built within a massive tree located on the canal between the country and the Republic of Rokario. Since no mechanical items exist within the country, strict entry inspections are mandatory. Only after passing the inspection can one enter.
Mord's private jet had also landed in the Republic of Rokario. From there, he took a dedicated vehicle to the border.
"This is the border of NGL. Over there is their checkpoint and embassy," the driver said, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
The car came to a stop in front of the colossal ancient tree.
"The people living here are strange, and it's odd that you want to visit this place. I don't know what's going on lately, but you're the seventh group of passengers like you I've driven here."
"What could possibly be in such a remote place?"
The driver, still puzzled, drove away. He didn't want to stay in this place a moment longer.
"It seems many people have already arrived here," Mord remarked, glancing up at the towering giant tree.
If it wasn't Pokkle, it would be someone else.
He just didn't know whether Kite and his group had made it here yet.
"What brings you here, sir?" an NGL staff member asked with a friendly smile.
"Work," Mord replied, pulling out his Hunter License and handing it over. "There may be a designated quarantine creature that has escaped into your country."
"Hunter, this way, please." The staff member showed no surprise at Mord's words, clearly not hearing this for the first time.
Mord was led by the staff into the interior of the giant tree, where a different world unfolded. A group of staff members were busy working in front of computers and various other modern electronic devices.
Sensing Mord's gaze, the staff member explained, "These computers are mainly used for handling diplomatic affairs or intelligence exchange. Due to NGL's explicit legal regulations, even we can only set up equipment here because, strictly speaking, this area isn't considered NGL territory."
"No mechanical devices are allowed within NGL borders, and outsiders are strictly prohibited from bringing such items inside. Therefore, please leave all metal products, petroleum-based items, glassware, and anything else you deem non-compliant here."
"Clothing, belts, shoes, undergarments—anything containing plastic, synthetic fibers, or metal components—must also be removed."
"Additionally, individuals with internal pins, dental implants, or silicone enhancements... anyone unable to remove such items on the spot will be denied entry."
"After completing physical inspections and questioning, you'll need to undergo metal detector scans, X-rays, and ultrasound examinations."
"We appreciate your understanding."
"This is because there have been instances of people attempting to smuggle firearm components inside their bodies, hide cameras and phones in their rectums, or even having trained animals deliver laptops after entry."
Faced with this series of almost harsh demands, Mord could only exclaim 'Good grief' inwardly.
Fortunately, he had come prepared. He had changed into ancient-style clothing made purely of natural silk and hemp, and even tied his grown-out hair into a bun at the back of his head.
He looked remarkably like a wandering martial artist from the movies of his past life.
After smoothly passing all inspections, Mord finally gained entry into NGL.
"Thank you for your patience. This way, please. Welcome to NGL."
At the border entrance stood a large horse ranch.
Horses served as the country's sole means of transportation.
"Welcome! The daily rental fee per horse is 12,000 jenny. If the horse sustains significant damage due to human causes, there will be a 5 million jenny fine!" The ranch owner beamed.
Business had been unusually good these past few days.
Although Mord could run much faster than a horse, conserving energy was always wise.
Moreover, his current outfit perfectly complemented horseback riding.
He looked even more like a wandering swordsman now.
He had casually asked NGL staff earlier—they hadn't received any reports about giant insects yet, which Mord had anticipated.
Even if Chimera Ant attacks occurred, people in this country wouldn't make much fuss about it.
Most had been thoroughly brainwashed into believing that dying from animal attacks was simply part of their natural destiny as species of the ecosystem.
These lowest-level NGL members fancied themselves as guardians of environmental harmony, while in reality, they were being used by higher-ups as pawns in drug manufacturing schemes.
Truly pitiful and lamentable.
Upon entering NGL territory, endless wilderness stretched before Mord's eyes.
He unfolded his map and glanced at it. His first step was to search every village along NGL's coastline.
As for the NGL staff member who had been following him, Mord had long since shaken him off.
This fellow, ostensibly assigned as a translator for communicating with NGL's special language regions and uncivilized tribes, was actually just a spy sent to monitor Mord.
The purpose was to prevent Mord from seeing things he shouldn't see, and to promptly handle any such incidents if they occurred.