At that moment, where the Endless South Sea met the World South Pole, at the boundary between glacier and ocean.
A team of humans was setting up camp.
The team moved in perfect order, every action seeming to have been rehearsed millions of times. Not a single person made the slightest unnecessary sound.
At the very front of the team, a man in his thirties who radiated scorching heat stood atop a glacier overlooking the ocean.
Behind him, someone spoke. "Your Majesty, we're running out of medicine."
"Lin, tell them to hold on a little longer. There's nothing we can do about the shortage. We can only wait until we encounter more Anomalies and extract it from them."
"But I still have seven pills here. Go give them to everyone."
As he spoke, he took a small bottle out of his pocket.
The bottle wasn't large, and the pills glowing with a ghostly blue light were clearly visible through its sides.
Carl looked at the Chinese man standing behind him and smiled. "Lin, tell my subjects that we will soon leave this barren place and embark on another great voyage!"
"The ocean is full of mysteries, but it is also full of hope."
Lin Bei, whom he called Lin, froze for a moment at his words. Then a fawning expression spread across his face. "His Majesty, the great King Carl, will lead us to survival and rebuild our great human civilization!"
"I have always firmly believed that!"
Carl's smile broadened. He patted Lin Bei on the shoulder. "Lin, you are a very loyal man."
"Go. Free my subjects from the agony of the cold!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Lin Bei took the bottle Carl had given him and returned to the crowd.
When he returned, three other Chinese survivors gathered around