Chapter 155
In fact, the refugee problem was not just a problem for Pohang.
Refugee issues were emerging all across the Korean Peninsula, and the root cause was:
“Your Excellency, once again the refugees have caused a problem.”
“Is it within our jurisdiction?”
“No, it is within the jurisdiction of another faction.”
“Then it’s not our problem. Until now, we’ve been managing it, but now we have no obligation to manage it.”
After the failure of the expedition, Kim Suho from Seoul had effectively lost power, leaving South Korea in a state of complete anarchy.
The refugee issue that Kim Suho had managed had to be taken over by the influential figures who took power after Kim Suho.
However, these new figures, despite ousting Kim Suho, failed to manage the issue as effectively as he had, and the refugee problem emerged.
The issue was that, while Kim Suho wasn’t directly involved, another faction was bearing the brunt of the problem, and it was clear that Kim Suho had no intention of solving this crisis.
However, it wasn’t just the refugees causing problems in the Korean Peninsula…
“Your Majesty, we are receiving reports that refugees are causing problems everywhere.”
“Ah, Mary, what should we do about this?”
“We do have a personal guard following us, but usually, this issue should be handled by the cabinet.”
Refugee issues disguised as banditry were a global problem, not just confined to the Korean Peninsula.
Alicia, who had regained the Queen’s dignity through a contract with Bahamut, was even receiving reports that the Ministry of National Defense was deeply troubled by the refugee situation.
This was, in fact, a post-apocalypse consequence that had emerged after the end of the world.
“President Arthur, refugees who have lost their homes are emerging in various regions. They are causing disturbances across all of the United States.”
“For the relatively moderate refugees, we will take them in. For the violent raiders, we will send out the heroes to deal with them.”
The solution to this problem needed to be formulated quickly.
So, Baek Seol-hwa didn’t need to consult with Prime Minister Han Geun-chul before addressing the refugee issue.
“Once again, the refugees have caused problems.”
“You’ve been working hard.”
The Balhut Cult’s headquarters was also aware that bandits disguised as refugees were causing trouble.
Administrative Minister Lee Sua, who had joined the international delegation, reported directly to Prime Minister Han Geun-chul about the refugee problem emerging across the Korean Peninsula after returning to Gyeongju.
The fact that the news had reached Prime Minister Han Geun-chul through Lee Sua, the administrative official, showed that the situation was so dire that even the Balhut Cult’s administration couldn’t control it.
A massive number of refugees were arriving.
“What’s the situation?”
“The bandits who were disguised as refugees are heading towards Gyeongju. We are using military forces to block them, but similar incidents are happening throughout the entire territory of the Balhut Cult.”
The bandit-refugees, who had come to Gyeongju in search of survival, were naturally unfamiliar with the Balhut Cult’s environment.
Based on their experiences as refugees, they were now running rampant and disturbing Gyeongju’s peace as bandits.
As expected in an era where only the strong could survive, they were raiding stores, illegally occupying residences, and engaging in theft and violence, with complaints against them constantly piling up.
The administration didn’t take the refugee complaints lightly and worked with other government agencies to solve the situation, but they failed to suppress it early.
“This is difficult. They are demanding South Korean laws, not the Balhut Cult’s laws… Even under South Korean law, what they’re doing is clearly criminal.”
“They claim they are exercising the people’s right to resist. Do they not know that theft, violence, and crime are not allowed under that justification? Or are they fully aware?”
The issue was that these refugees, under the guise of the people’s right to resist, were gathering together to resist the Balhut Cult.
Of course, the people’s right to resist was a final constitutional safeguard, a fundamental right of citizens to resist by force to protect their rights and freedoms.
However, what these refugees were doing was looting stores, assaulting passing residents, and unlawfully occupying homes, which was undeniably criminal under South Korean law.
Using the people’s right to resist as an excuse for these actions was morally indefensible.
Seeing Prime Minister Han Geun-chul’s troubled expression, Lee Sua firmly stated that their justification was entirely baseless.
“Well… I know, but the likelihood is high that they are ignoring it. Logically speaking.”
“We must respond harshly. Otherwise, the peace we’ve managed to secure will be destroyed again. We’re already busy with the Ulsan battle, but now the administration can’t afford to ignore this.”
Prime Minister Han Geun-chul, seeing Lee Sua’s frustration, didn’t blame her.
In fact, surviving in the apocalypse often meant taking what others had, so he felt some sympathy for the refugees.
However, as Lee Sua said, once they committed crimes, they had to be punished harshly.
He argued that if the peace that had been damaged by Do Josoon’s followers was allowed to crumble again, it would only make things worse, and this logic deepened Han Geun-chul’s grave expression.
“Is that so?”
“The biggest issue is that among these bandits, some of them have been notorious in the community. Through their community, notorious bandits could be quickly caught by sharing information at checkpoints, but some relatively skilled ones have managed to break through our watchtowers and enter Gyeongju.”
“That’s troublesome. If we compare it to the United States, these would be A-list villains.”
The report that actual notorious bandits were sneaking into Gyeongju raised Han Geun-chul’s concerns.
Bandits were unwelcome, but those who had gained fame as notorious criminals were even more unwelcome.
Han Geun-chul understood this well, and the situation was now like a criminal group of psychopaths who had tasted human blood, no different from the raiders.
Once these people started wreaking havoc within the city, casualties would occur swiftly, and in the United States, they would be called villains—social evils.
Considering that when awakened individuals commit crimes, the damage to those around them is severe, it was natural that Han Geun-chul’s expression became even graver.
“It’s frustrating that this refugee crisis is happening at this time. Were the monsters on the mountain frozen to death?”
“Yes. It looks like they’re taking advantage of that gap. Moreover, the disappearance of the monster groups in the mountains left gaps in surveillance.”
The timing couldn’t have been worse.
Because of the cold wave, the monsters in the mountains had been wiped out, and gaps in surveillance had emerged.
Normally, monitoring the main roads would have been enough, but with the monsters in the mountains wiped out by the cold wave, it became possible to bypass those routes and cross over the mountains.
A large number of refugees were using this method to get to Gyeongju, and while the Balhut Cult had deployed surveillance drones and refugee response teams, it was still insufficient.
“The fundamental reason is that after the Ulsan battle, the military forces that were guarding Gyeongju have been pulled out. The royal guard protecting the Priestess of the Dragon and the Gyeongju Defense Command are still here, but they are insufficient.”
“What about the forces on the Ulsan front?”
“They seem to have some leeway after a major victory, but it would be difficult to send many forces back to Gyeongju. We should be thankful that the mountain troops who were guarding the mountain passes have returned, which makes it possible to monitor the refugee bypass route.”
The Balhut Cult was suffering from chronic manpower shortages.
Though there were defense forces guarding Gyeongju and the royal guard protecting the Priestess of the Dragon, these forces were assigned to deal with undead entering the city or to protect the Priestess, not to maintain public order.
Most of the forces led by Jung Dong-gun were stationed at the Ulsan front, and although some forces returned after a decisive victory, there wasn’t much they could do with such a small number.
The situation was now one where additional forces were needed to deal with the refugees, and a fundamental solution was required.
“Damn. It’s hard to report this to God Bahamut. He’s not likely to intervene in this.”
“It’s a human society issue, not about monsters or undead. He never gets involved in these sensitive societal matters unless absolutely necessary.”
The real problem was that Bahamut, being a deity, couldn’t interfere with this situation involving human society.
Had it been a fight with monsters, Han Geun-chul would have reported it directly to Bahamut, but since this was a human issue, Bahamut wouldn’t get involved.
Bahamut had declared that, unless it was something extraordinary, he would not intervene in conflicts between humans.
‘Yuna is not in danger. If this is a problem the Priestess of the Dragon must solve herself… but no, this is a social issue that our cabinet should address.’
It wasn’t even something directly involving Choi Yuna or Baek Seol-hwa, who could be considered the Priestess of the Dragon.
This was truly a social issue happening across the entire Korean Peninsula, and it was up to the current cabinet, the Bahamut Association, and Prime Minister Han Geun-chul to resolve it.
The mere fact that they couldn’t receive help from Bahamut itself left Han Geun-chul feeling frustrated, but there was nothing they could do.
“Recently, we’ve even had to be cautious about many diplomatic issues due to national sentiment.”
“Honestly, I’m glad we’re being cautious. If we had solved it without knowing the background, it would have been a serious problem.”
Han Geun-chul defended Bahamut, saying that even Bahamut had to be cautious in dealing with matters involving national sentiment, and although Lee Sua understood this, she still felt a bit disappointed.
Of course, she could feel that Bahamut was being respected simply by the fact that he was careful when dealing with issues that involved the public’s emotions. But…
“I just wish he could help resolve this difficult situation easily.”
Frankly, both Han Geun-chul and Lee Sua wished that Bahamut would intervene and resolve the issue.
It was a very difficult situation for them, and they felt at a loss as to where to start.
They wished Bahamut would at least provide some kind of guidelines.
“Anyway, do we have any means to solve this?”
“We do have a solution. There is one.”
At least Lee Sua said that there was a way to resolve the current situation.
Han Geun-chul, hearing this, responded with a relieved expression, as if saying he was truly glad.
“If there’s a way, I’ll use my discretion to make sure it’s carried out.”
In the difficult situation of not knowing where to begin, Lee Sua’s words felt like a lifeline to Han Geun-chul.
He looked at Lee Sua with an expectant expression, thinking that this must be the administrative officer chosen by Bahamut!
“You can deploy the IRS agents.”
“Are you thinking of crippling someone?”
Han Geun-chul’s expression changed in an instant.
What did she just say? This woman?
Is she seriously contemplating such a brutal act?
Deploying the notorious IRS agents would solve the issue, but Han Geun-chul couldn’t even imagine how many corpses would be left in the aftermath.
“…Is that really the solution?”
“Although things are chaotic, if we deploy the IRS, a hundred people will be sent to the afterlife in no time. A hundred? No, a thousand might die.”
The infamous reputation of the IRS was already well known throughout the entire cabinet.
Prime Minister Han Geun-chul knew that this reputation wasn’t just a rumor, it was true, and he also knew that the IRS agents were often stronger than most awakened military personnel.
Moreover, thanks to Lee Hyuna’s cleverness, they had obtained powerful magical items developed by Bahamut, and armed with these items, the IRS agents would be like grim reapers to tax evaders.
“But the effect is outstanding.”
“Well… I can’t deny that.”
The effectiveness was indeed impressive.
As soon as the IRS agents were deployed, even if the tax evader was an awakened one, they would become as docile as a lamb and willingly pay their taxes.
Given that in the apocalypse, collecting taxes required strong force, it was not unusual for the IRS to be equipped with such powerful weapons.
Although, there had been past instances where a few tax evaders who resisted were overpowered and turned into fools by excessive force.
Therefore, Lee Sua’s suggestion to solve the problem quickly with the IRS wasn’t just an empty boast.
“With one move, everything could be solved. Lately, I understand how my sister must feel.”
If they deployed the IRS agents and turned these people into tax evaders, the IRS would physically go and collect taxes.
The violent clashes that might ensue were nothing new for the IRS agents, and they would make sure to collect all the taxes and crush any resistance while they were at it.
“Stop thinking like that before you reach dangerous thoughts. If you, too, get addicted to the IRS omnipotence, I won’t be able to stand by it.”
Although Han Geun-chul agreed with Lee Sua’s words, when he thought about the aggressive nature and the danger of the IRS agents, he realized that deploying them wasn’t the first solution he would choose as the Prime Minister.
Then Lee Sua, with a sigh, didn’t blame Han Geun-chul for stopping the IRS deployment and shared her backup plan.
“The next easiest solution is to use the justification and expel all the refugees. With the justification that the regime was overthrown due to the refugee influx in Daegu, we could easily carry out a forceful expulsion.”
Her backup plan was none other than expulsion.
By using the justification, they could expel the refugees coming to Gyeongju, and it seemed she had already thought of it, mentioning that the temporary government in Daegu was overthrown due to the influx of refugees.
Han Geun-chul listened to Lee Sua’s explanation silently at first.
“…What did you just say?”
“You’re talking about using force…”
“No, I mean the part in the middle.”
“The government that had been formed in Daegu was overthrown by the refugees. The information agents we had set up were also quite damaged. Fortunately, my sister did a good job with Daegu.”
Lee Sua’s casual remark sent a chill through Han Geun-chul’s heart.
The fact that the temporary government in Daegu had collapsed was not something to be taken lightly, and hearing that the refugees had overthrown the government, Han Geun-chul felt a wave of fear and closed his eyes.
He instinctively realized that this refugee crisis was not only a problem with raiders but also a situation that threatened the government itself.
This wasn’t just a survivor camp level issue; it was like the Balhut Cult trying to establish a legitimate government only to be destroyed in an instant!
“So, what happened to the temporary government?”
“It’s a bandit government. Do you think the ones who overthrew the regime are heroes who made decisions for the country? Wake up, Prime Minister.”
The newly established temporary government in Daegu was referred to as a bandit government.
The external situation was so shocking that Han Geun-chul felt like escaping from reality.
“Ugh! A counterattack… no, I feel like resigning from the cabinet right now!”
He felt like declaring a complete resignation from the cabinet due to the responsibility of the current crisis.
It was the misfortune of being the Prime Minister in a chaotic time, and even if Han Geun-chul declared his resignation now, Yuna wouldn’t accept it.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while now…”
“Stop it. If you level up through real combat experience, it will be us who’ll have trouble. Pohang is in a similar situation. You need to make a decision quickly.”
Han Geun-chul, realizing that his neighbor was a bandit, had been thinking about making a drastic move, but Lee Sua warned him that if they waited too long, things would become even harder to manage.
As the situation continued to escalate, Han Geun-chul felt a sense of helplessness but knew there was nothing he could do.
The current cabinet was the Bahamut Association, and of course, it was the Bahamut Association that had to solve this crisis.
“Hoo. If Pohang is in a similar situation, Seolhwa, who is protecting the East Sea, must know about this. How should I explain this crisis…”
“Your Excellency.”
“What is it? I’m busy right now…”
But before he could even think about how to deal with this crisis…
“Baek Seol-hwa has arrived at the official residence.”
The news that the Priestess of the Dragon, Seolhwa, had arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence made Han Geun-chul freeze.
Why was Bahamut giving him such trials? He muttered, not really blaming Bahamut, but feeling the weight of the situation.
“…I should just take responsibility for all of this and resign from the cabinet.”
“Dream on.”
Han Geun-chul had seriously considered resigning from the cabinet, but now he felt like he had no choice but to face the consequences.
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment