Chapter 102
After hearing all about the situation in Ulsan from Han Seong-geun and Jina Ahn, Jung Dong-gun turned his attention to Son Sang-hui and his subordinate units.
While Jung Dong-gun was conversing with Han Seong-geun and Jina Ahn, Son Sang-hui and the units under his command were distributing food to the survivors at Ulsan Airport and gathering internal information.
Noticing Jung Dong-gun’s gaze, Son Sang-hui signaled that the accounts given by Han Seong-geun and Jina Ahn were truthful, and his subordinate units shared the same conclusion.
Of course, there was always a chance that this was an elaborate scheme orchestrated by the Ulsan Airport camp.
‘A survivor camp doesn’t have the cohesion for something like that.’
Unlike the Balhut Cult, which could select only elites, survivor camps were inherently disorganized due to their nature.
Even if this was staged, inconsistencies would inevitably emerge.
To uncover those, Son Sang-hui and his team had carefully verified the claims, ultimately determining them to be accurate.
Trusting his subordinates more than people he had just met, Jung Dong-gun lowered his guard after receiving their signal.
“What do you plan to do now?”
“What do you mean by plan…?”
“Do you intend to remain holed up here at Ulsan Airport? Or will you accept assistance from our Balhut Cult?”
Jung Dong-gun asked Han Seong-geun about their plans moving forward.
The arrival of the Balhut Cult had given them a new option.
They could either continue their solitary struggle at Ulsan Airport or cooperate with the Balhut Cult and fight together.
Jung Dong-gun laid out these possibilities for Han Seong-geun, who lowered his head at the mention of receiving help.
“Well…”
The pained and troubled expression on Han Seong-geun’s face reflected the weight of carrying the lives of the Ulsan Airport survivors on his shoulders.
It couldn’t be helped.
“To be honest, I’m not sure. Your names and reputation are well-known throughout Yeongnam, but truthfully, the Balhut Cult itself is an unfamiliar entity here in South Korea, much like the Immortal Cult.”
“That’s a fair point.”
Han Seong-geun was still uncertain about whether to fully trust the Balhut Cult standing before him.
Just as it was in Pohang, the external perception of the Balhut Cult was dismal. It was dismissed as a doomsday cult that had abruptly emerged amidst the apocalypse.
The Immortal Cult, at least, had proven itself in Ulsan with tangible results, earning the trust of the Ulsan citizens.
In contrast, the Balhut Cult was an unknown force that had suddenly appeared, making it difficult to trust.
For those who had already been betrayed by the Immortal Cult, evidence was necessary to prove that the Balhut Cult was different.
“That said, I do know that the Balhut Cult was the first to reclaim a city on the Korean Peninsula.”
“Yes, that’s also true.”
At that moment, Jina Ahn, standing next to Han Seong-geun, brought up the Balhut Cult’s achievements overseas, highlighting that they were the first to reclaim a city in Korea.
As Jina Ahn neutrally presented these facts, Jung Dong-gun looked at her in surprise.
However, Jina Ahn calmly voiced a question that had been on her mind.
“Back in Fukuoka, the first news we heard about South Korea was about the Balhut Cult. Honestly, I don’t understand why the Balhut Cult is so criticized here on the Korean Peninsula. Didn’t they reclaim cities? Wipe out zombies? From what I’ve heard, they’ve also been rebuilding and operating a currency-based economy. What more do people want? They’ve done everything.”
“Uh… hmm.”
For Jina Ahn, who had heard about the Balhut Cult through Japanese community boards rather than Korean ones, it made sense for a doomsday cult to be criticized.
However, she couldn’t understand the criticism toward the rest of their policies.
After all, hadn’t they done everything?
Reclaiming cities, eliminating zombies, rebuilding infrastructure, and even establishing a functioning economy—these were the duties of a government, so why was there so much distrust and criticism?
While Jina Ahn had initially suspected the unfamiliar cult, her doubts were more about unfamiliarity than any concrete reason.
She had only chosen Ulsan because she wasn’t sure if she would be treated well elsewhere.
“If Ahn says so, then I should probably trust them. But we’ve already been betrayed by the Immortal Cult. That’s why I’d like to ask you, Jung Dong-gun.”
Han Seong-geun seemed swayed by Jina Ahn’s argument and turned to Jung Dong-gun, his voice trembling as he spoke.
“Do you have anything to convince us? To be honest, the lives of the survivors here hinge on my decision. If I am to make a decision that risks the lives of others, I need… solid evidence.”
If they failed this time, the people at Ulsan Airport might perish.
While Awakened individuals like Han Seong-geun, Jina Ahn, and her companions might survive, the elderly and children under their care would undoubtedly die.
With lives hanging in the balance, Han Seong-geun needed not just evidence but the courage to trust his choice.
“Hmm. In that case… our Balhut Cult has been recognized by the United States.”
“…What?”
With just one mention of the United States, Jung Dong-gun left Han Seong-geun stunned.
What was he talking about?
Why bring up the United States so suddenly?
While the influence of the U.S. in South Korea was significant, it was also known that America was in turmoil due to the apocalypse.
“This information hasn’t been widely shared yet, but our Balhut Cult has already been acknowledged by a special plenipotentiary envoy dispatched from the United States. The envoy officially recognized the Balhut Cult as the only legitimate government on the Korean Peninsula.”
Amid the whirlwind of thoughts racing through Han Seong-geun’s mind, Jung Dong-gun offered a calm smile and summarized his statement in one sentence.
“Uh, um… this is much more significant than I thought. Wait… is that true?”
Jina Ahn, listening from the side, commented with a stunned expression, remarking on how overwhelming it seemed.
It was as if a light-weight fighter had been hit repeatedly by heavy punches from a serious heavyweight contender.
“That’s… quite some incredible information. Honestly, I thought you’d try to persuade or convince us with notable figures in Pohang or some concrete evidence. But suddenly mentioning the United States… doesn’t this leap from a Korean scale to an international one?”
“Haha, but it’s true.”
The notion of being recognized as the only legitimate government by the United States was hard to believe.
It was like jumping from the scale of a single Korean city to an international stage.
For someone like Han Seong-geun, the deputy leader of a survivor camp, this was far beyond his capacity to comprehend.
“And the word ‘United States’ carries a lot of weight on this peninsula.”
“Y-Yeah, it’s so heavy… it’s hard to believe.”
Even in these times, the word “United States” carried immense significance.
If Jung Dong-gun’s claims were entirely true, it meant they were dealing with an undeniably trustworthy force.
Yet, it was almost too overwhelming to accept.
In fact, it would have been easier to believe that Jung Dong-gun was lying.
“If you return to Gyeongju, you’ll find the U.S. Embassy currently under construction. I can show you proof. Here, on my smartphone, are photos and videos of the construction and the U.S. flag flying alongside the Balhut Cult’s flag.”
Jung Dong-gun pulled out his smartphone, showing pictures and videos of the U.S. Embassy under construction, with the American and Balhut Cult flags flying together.
“I can’t be sure… honestly, you could’ve just grabbed some American flag lying around and staged this.”
“Haha, true! Mr. Jung Dong-gun, you’re joking, right?”
However, Jina Ahn brought up the possibility of fabrication, saying it was hard to believe. Han Seong-geun, overwhelmed by the scale, laughed hollowly.
To ease the tension, perhaps Jung Dong-gun was joking!
Honestly, the scale was so vast that it made one question if they could even handle this.
“Recently, even the U.S. has been seeking business partners who survived the apocalypse—alliances, you could say. It’s not just the Balhut Cult they’ve approached. Western Europe and Fukuoka in Japan have also been involved.”
“I wasn’t aware of that before I left.”
“We only encountered them after the campaign in Pohang. It seems the delegation arrived after you departed.”
Jung Dong-gun clarified that the U.S.’s outreach wasn’t exclusive to them, explaining that such moves occurred after Jina Ahn had left.
“It’s… persuasive!”
The explanation seemed terrifyingly convincing.
Jina Ahn found herself nodding at Jung Dong-gun’s argument.
“Either way, we are the country’s legitimate government as recognized by the United States. Internationally… well, in this apocalypse, there are only a handful of functioning nations left, including the U.S.”
“Hmm.”
The Balhut Cult’s recognition as the only government of the Korean Peninsula was due to their effective governance amidst the apocalypse.
They had established laws and functioned as a government, prompting the U.S. to make contact.
In reality, only a few nations or entities, such as historically powerful nations like the U.K., France, and Germany, or cities reclaimed by strong Awakened individuals like Fukuoka, were capable of forming governments.
Jung Dong-gun shared these facts in an attempt to logically persuade Han Seong-geun.
“If you find it hard to believe, how about visiting us yourself, Mr. Han Seong-geun? Seeing it with your own eyes might be more convincing.”
“Visiting… myself?”
Seeing Han Seong-geun deep in thought, Jung Dong-gun suggested a direct visit.
After all, witnessing something firsthand was often more convincing than hearing an explanation.
Material evidence carried more weight than mere words.
“Honestly, it’s hard to trust. Considering the suffering Ulsan citizens endured under the Immortal Cult, this decision requires immense courage.”
For someone like Han Seong-geun, who had been scarred by the Immortal Cult’s tyranny, it was indeed a daunting choice.
As the deputy leader of the resistance, if he were to be taken hostage, it would place Ulsan Airport in a precarious position.
From their perspective, Jung Dong-gun’s proposal was a gamble.
“I understand the fear completely. From an outsider’s perspective, it wouldn’t be strange to dismiss us as a doomsday cult. After all, we’re not even a Christian-based cult like Shincheonji. We worship a god unheard of before the apocalypse.”
“So, you’re aware.”
“Of course. We know how suspicious we seem.”
Jung Dong-gun acknowledged their reputation, openly admitting the suspicions surrounding them.
It was a blunt yet transparent appeal about how questionable they appeared.
Surprisingly, this candidness seemed to pique Han Seong-geun’s interest.
If they were so aware of their flaws yet confident enough to propose this, perhaps they truly had something convincing to offer.
Otherwise, there was no reason to address their weaknesses so openly with such confidence.
“However, everyone here knows that in this apocalypse, such bold decisions are necessary. Only those who make them can survive this apocalypse.”
“Bold decisions, huh.”
Urging him to make a courageous decision, Jung Dong-gun spoke with earnestness, prompting Han Seong-geun to close his eyes.
“…Fine. I’ll go and confirm it myself.”
Eventually, Han Seong-geun agreed to Jung Dong-gun’s proposal.
It was time to make a decision.
Remaining stagnant would only lead to eventual defeat under the sheer weight of numbers.
Now was the moment to make a choice and shift the tide.
“Are you sure about this, Mr. Han Seong-geun?”
“Honestly, I’m terrified! But I’ve already put so much on your shoulders after handing over the leadership role to you! If not now, when will I ever show you a brave side of me?”
The fear was unavoidable.
Recalling the horrors perpetrated by the Immortal Cult, it was easy to imagine the Balhut Cult might not be much different.
The fear of the unknown made him want to scream, and his legs were trembling.
However, it was a necessary step.
“This time… I want to make the right choice. I want to survive. I don’t want to see any more of my comrades die!”
Han Seong-geun had failed repeatedly.
He had trusted unworthy individuals as heroes, leading to the deaths of comrades who had followed him, many at the hands of the Immortal Cult.
Although Jina Ahn had joined their ranks, even she couldn’t save Ulsan on her own.
‘Someone like me… to save Ulsan… I need to take this leap of faith.’
He knew it was a gamble.
If the Balhut Cult was no different from the Immortal Cult, it could very well cost him his life.
But he was willing to stake his life.
Having already handed over leadership to Jina Ahn, even if he were captured by the cult, Ulsan Airport would not fall into chaos.
“I sincerely thank you for your courageous decision. Now, let’s return immediately using a Teleportation Spell.”
“Huh?”
Han Seong-geun’s resolve was met with an unexpected response, as Jung Dong-gun smiled brightly and mentioned returning to the cult using teleportation magic.
Wait, what? That’s terrifying!
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment