The taiga forests, a biome made of evergreen trees and cold temperatures that are no higher than -1°C on winter and in summer 25°C also one of the coldest biomes.
Young Hok was one of the resporters that documented this kind of place, being on closed up regions was his professional. As he studied the animals and other living beings that resided upon there.
But firstly he needed to find a way on how to get there, as he was born in Korea, his Russian wasn't the best but he had been training it for at least be able to speak with some natives here and there.
Young Hok approached a woman, she was wearing a Ushanka, a traditional Russian hat, clearly she seemed Russian. He held a picture of a blood like water river and showed to her.
" извините, не могли бы вы подсказать, где это? "
( Excuse me, do you know where is this? )
The woman's eyes wandered upon the picture, it seemed to be a place that she heard about but she glanced curiously at the one who was asking this.
" Да, я знаю, что это озеро Карачай. "
( Yes, I know, that's the Karachay lake. )
The Karachay lake, known for it's blood like color, it's a mysterious place for the ones that don't know it's history.
Young Hok also asked for directions, the woman explained to him steady with the patience of an elephant.
The woman said that he needed an authorization to enter there, as this was a reservoir and the place was closed up. But Young Hok already seemed to know that and came prepared.
" А что насчет региона? "
( What about the region? )
Young Hok asked about the environment of the lake, the woman explained that the boreal forests specially in winter get much colder and it's kinda hard to walk on thick snow.
Although Young Hok didn't have any experience on walking on the Serbian Boreal forests he had already been into training on other ice cold places.
" Там также много животных, советую вам взять с собой оружие или что-то для самообороны. "
( There are also a lot of animals there, I advise you to take a weapon or something for self-defense )
The woman talked quite fast, Young Hok could only stare at her. He had understood something about animals and defense.
" Извините, можете повторить? "
( Excuse me, can you repeat? )
Young Hok asked for her to repeat what she had said, she seemed to forget that he wasn't Russian although they were speaking in her native language.
" А, извините. Там есть животные. Это опасно. "
( Ah, I'm sorry. There are animals. It's dangerous. )
The woman seemed to be speaking to a baby, but in this way she was able to explain what she had meant before.
" спасибо, что предупредил меня. "
(Thanks for warning me.)
" Без проблем! "
( No problem! )
Young Hok said goodbye to the woman, she smiled warmly and kept relaxing on the calm and warm place she was.
It was almost evening, the cold streets of Russia makes everyone who's not properly dressed up to shiver. Young Hok trembled his teeth trying to find a place to get comfortable.
Before entering a cafe, he glanced inside. There were well dress people enjoying a noturnal kinda of dish. It seemed to be like small white cinnamon rolls but instead of cinnamon it had something red inside it.
Young Hok entered the cafe, immediately feeling the difference between inside and outside temperatures. His feet were cold but the floor was almost burning hot.
No one gazed upon the stranger entering the place, actually everyone seemed to be taking care of their own life. The atmosphere was nice.
" Извините, я бы хотел то же самое, что и тот мужчина. "
( Excuse me, I would like the same thing as that man. )
The waiter smiled at Young Hok, noticing he was a foreign, he pleasantly takes note of his order.
" Хотите рогалики? "
( Do you want Rogaliki? )
Rogaliki, that was the name of the dish that man was eating, that was what Young Hok wanted. This simple dish that reminds him of that lake.
" Дa, спасибо. "
( Yes, thank you. )
" Пожалуйста. "
( You're welcome. )
The waiter leaved, Young Hok kept waiting. Taking a laptop from inside his backpack he started to search about the lake.
" Hm, it seems like it's a very radioactive place. The water is also not drinkable. "
The Karachay lake accumulated about 4.44 EBq per mile square, which shows high levels of radioactivity which included chemicals like caesium-137 and strontium-90.
" That's a lot, considering that this is comparable to the Chernobyl disaster"
The waiter came back with the Rogaliki, the rolls seemed so soft, Young Hok mouth was drilling upon it.
" Извините, вот ваш заказ, сэр. "
( Excuse me, here is your order, sir.)
" А, спасибо. Спасибо. "
( Ah, thank you. Thank you. )
The waiter smiled leaving Young Hok to taste that dish that he had until now been wondering about.
Young Hok took a small bite she fillings which were made of jelly ran down his mouth. The dessert was different from what he imagined, it was hard but still dissolved in the mouth, indeed it was very tasty.
Young Hok kept eating the dish, the full plate became quickly empty. It's taste was indeed so good that he had felt his body relaxing there.
The waiter glanced at the man who seemed very happy about some biscuits, he found it amusing how he was enjoying himself.
Young Hok didn't care, he didn't even noticed that he was acting strange, he only wanted to eat his biscuits peacefully and appreciate the taste they had.
That went upon a few minutes, until he to leaved. He paid for his bill, which was quite cheap, now it was time to go to the hotel he had reserved.
" I think it's on this street. "
Small snowflakes fallen upon the street, a large building that seemed to came from war times overshadowed the glimzy light of the moon.
Young Hok entered at the hotel, inside it seemed like a quite expensive place. The lady who was a receptionist sat down there at her desk.
After a few documents, Young Hok was able to get to his room. There were hundred of rooms on there, all of them being similar to each other.
There was until 345, the room Young Hok would be sleeping tonight. He puts the key in the keyhole and turns it. He enters the room immediately noticing the nice and warm bed that was in the room.
" Ah, finally ! "
Young Hok laid on the bed, not even taking his shoes off. The soft cushion made him melt in.
Did Young Hok close the door? Surely, but now it was time for him to relax and to not think about any duties he had.
Young Hok eyelids slowly closed, step by step he was falling into a deep sleep. His neck that was stiff became relaxed, his body that was cold became warm.
That was until the next day....