Chapter 44
The Balhut Cult leaders understood why Bahamut chose Pohang as the direction for expansion.
Yoo Soo-sung remarked that Jung Dong-gun’s theory was terrifying, and while the other leaders remained silent, they all shared pale expressions, agreeing with him.
“A new type of Mutant Zombie.”
The emergence of a new type of Mutant Zombie.
There could have been opinions among the leaders that this was overly speculative, but the existence of Mutant Zombies already served as sufficient grounds for this speculation.
Mutant Zombies, after all, did not exist in the early days of the apocalypse. They emerged over time as zombies evolved.
So, wasn’t it too optimistic to assume that these Mutant Zombies would not undergo further evolution, especially considering such a perspective would favor only the Cult?
“…It’s a terrifying thought.”
“In that case, I understand why God Bahamut is concerned.”
“If a more powerful zombie were to appear, it would inevitably mean that our Cult would have to brace for sacrifices.”
If, as Bahamut feared, a more powerful Mutant Zombie appeared, then the Balhut Cult would inevitably face losses.
Of course, through these battles, new Awakened could emerge, and as time went on, these newly emerged Awakened might lead the charge in the war against the zombies.
However, human nature favors achieving a complete victory with minimal losses rather than a Pyrrhic victory won at the cost of many sacrifices.
“More importantly, our Balhut Cult is surrounded on all sides. The Cult needs a safe stronghold, and it seems they’ve chosen Pohang as that stronghold.”
Thus, Jung Dong-gun explained what he believed to be Bahamut’s logic for advancing towards Pohang.
Bahamut’s plan was to make Pohang the Cult’s stronghold, supporting Gyeongju from behind.
Here’s why:
“There’s a naval base stationed in Pohang. If we’re lucky, we might be able to recover the weapons used by the military or find surviving soldiers. If fortune favors us, we could even acquire the warships used by the South Korean Navy.”
“Warships! That’s right! Pohang indeed had a naval base!”
He mentioned the naval forces that might still be present in Pohang.
It was uncertain whether they were still there, but the weapons and surviving soldiers who served in the navy would be valuable assets and resources for the Balhut Cult.
And considering that it had once been a naval base, if they were fortunate, they might even secure the warships docked in the harbor, which made Pohang an even more attractive target for the Cult.
“Moreover, controlling Pohang’s coastline would allow us to fully secure Gyeongju’s eastern flank. While the mountain range to the east of Gyeongju acts as a natural barrier, there’s no guarantee that zombies or monsters won’t cross the mountains.”
“So, you’re saying we could protect Gyeongju’s eastern side entirely.”
“Yes. In broader terms, it means gaining control of the East Sea.”
Additionally, it would help reduce the pressure on Gyeongju’s current front lines.
Even though Gyeongju’s eastern side had a mountain range as a natural barrier, it wasn’t fully under the Cult’s control, so in some ways, Gyeongju was surrounded on all sides.
Securing Pohang could transform that encirclement into a three-sided front, making the push towards Pohang almost inevitable.
In short, once they secured Pohang, the Balhut Cult would be able to utilize the sea and stabilize the eastern side of Gyeongju along the coast.
Jung Dong-gun’s bold statements noticeably lifted the spirits of the Balhut Cult leaders.
With the safety of Gyeongju more assured, it also meant greater security for the citizens living there.
And, of course, they had reason to rejoice knowing their own safety was further assured.
“The road to Pohang lies through Northern Gyeongju.”
“Yes. While we haven’t yet fully established order in Northern Gyeongju, the judgment of Do Josoon has already spread throughout the region. It’s unlikely that any foolish bandits would dare to raid our supply routes.”
The road to Pohang ran through Northern Gyeongju.
They had not yet fully subdued Northern Gyeongju, and there were still bandits acting up in the area, but the judgment of Do Josoon was already well-known throughout the region.
Of course, Do Josoon called for an appeal, protesting the ruling, but the Cult couldn’t overturn a verdict delivered by God Bahamut.
Moreover, considering Do Josoon’s past misdeeds, by pre-apocalypse standards, he was a man who deserved to die, and even after the apocalypse, he was still considered a scoundrel. There was no one in Gyeongju who would sympathize with him.
“We will train the Awakened who emerged as prototypes and deploy them as part of the security forces.”
However, they did not let their guard down.
The main culprit, Do Josoon, and his high-ranking followers had been captured and judged, but remnants of his faction still lingered in Northern Gyeongju.
They had taken refuge in areas beyond the Cult’s reach, acting as bandits and engaging in covert crimes among the Awakened. Jung Dong-gun decided to use this opportunity to train the prototype Awakened as security forces to establish order in Gyeongju.
“I will personally persuade them.”
“Thank you.”
Yuna’s promise to directly approach the potential recruits conveyed her intent to spare no effort in supporting them.
With Yuna personally involved, most matters would proceed without obstacles.
“This expedition is directly commanded by God Bahamut. Thus, it is not a matter the Cult can take lightly.”
Building on Jung Dong-gun’s words, he sternly declared to all the leaders present that this was not a trivial matter.
Since it was a mission ordered by the God Bahamut, the Cult could consider it a holy war, if one wanted to view it that way.
“It’s about securing Gyeongju’s safety and, beyond that, rescuing our compatriots who may be suffering under the zombies in Pohang! Yes, we attack Pohang to save our compatriots!”
However, this wasn’t a meaningless holy war for Gyeongju.
It was an effort that could secure the safety of Gyeongju, and beyond that, it could become a righteous mission to rescue the citizens suffering in Pohang.
Even if, in reality, it was about acquiring the resources in Pohang’s infrastructure, Yuna, as the Cult Leader, instinctively knew that the public needed a convincing justification.
Therefore, after hearing the leaders list the benefits of occupying Pohang, she declared with a brazen expression that their goal was to save their compatriots.
“We attack Pohang to save our compatriots. A fine phrase indeed!”
“It means the righteousness lies with the Balhut Cult!”
Hwang Geun-chul and Park Cheol-gon, the politicians, quickly understood the intention behind Yuna’s declaration.
However, they did not criticize it as being wrong.
On the contrary, they even wanted to praise Yuna for packaging their desire for Pohang’s infrastructure as a righteous holy war.
Moreover, it wasn’t entirely a lie since the Cult’s expedition plan also included rescuing the compatriots in Pohang.
‘Kids these days are frightening.’
‘They’re growing at an alarming pace. Does the position really shape the person?’
They considered the fact that she instinctively grasped this as a sign of innate talent.
Though they were astonished by Yuna’s rapid growth, Park Cheol-gon and Hwang Geun-chul merely responded to Yuna’s appeal.
Growth rate was just that—a rate. Yuna was undoubtedly their superior and the head of the Balhut Cult, the nation’s leader.
They found comfort in having a reliable leader during this apocalypse.
“I will instruct the Expedition Team to prepare. I’ll inform Mr. Choi’s Foundry to get ready for weapons production.”
“Please do.”
With that, the Cult meeting concluded, and the Balhut Cult began preparing for the war to advance into Pohang.
***
Naturally, the first place Jung Dong-gun would go to prepare for the Cult’s war was Mr. Choi’s Foundry, which managed the Cult’s weaponry.
As Gyeongju’s main supplier of industrial goods, Mr. Choi’s Foundry buzzed with intense heat and activity daily, with numerous craftsmen sweating as they produced goods for Gyeongju.
So.
“That’s what I mean. I’m counting on you, Mr. Choi.”
“Just go back already.”
With a brazen expression, Jung Dong-gun placed a large order that was beyond the Foundry’s capacity, and Mr. Choi told him to leave immediately.
Even now, the craftsmen were swinging their hammers tirelessly to produce the military supplies Jung Dong-gun had already requested. Yet, he had now placed an order for several times more than that.
Naturally, it was beyond Mr. Choi’s Foundry’s capacity, and knowing this, Jung Dong-gun still made the request with a shameless expression, which made Mr. Choi feel utterly exasperated.
“Hey, why are you like this? I’ve got an important mission, you know?”
“No way. We’re already swamped with orders, how do you expect us to handle this? To process this order, all our craftsmen would have to work non-stop.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
However, the fact that it wasn’t impossible made it all the more frustrating.
If all of Mr. Choi’s Foundry threw themselves into it, they could fulfill Jung Dong-gun’s order for military supplies within the required time frame.
“But if we do that, we won’t be able to handle any other orders. We’d fail to meet the expectations of Gyeongju’s citizens who’ve entrusted us with work.”
“I understand. I guess I did make an unreasonable request.”
However, fulfilling this order would mean other requests would be delayed, which would inconvenience Gyeongju’s citizens.
Jung Dong-gun scratched his head, acknowledging Mr. Choi’s point.
“But this request comes directly from the Cult Leader. Even if there are some side effects, we need to ensure everything is ready this time.”
However, Jung Dong-gun had a trump card.
It was using the name of the Balhut Cult’s Leader, Choi Yuna, to leverage the situation.
He already had her permission, so there was no issue.
“Ahem. Well, even if some orders are delayed, it should be fine. Alright, everyone! Start with Mr. Jung’s order!”
Mr. Choi quickly changed his stance, as if his earlier refusal due to other orders was a lie, and shouted for the workers in the Foundry to begin working on Jung Dong-gun’s order.
It was a rapid change in attitude, but Jung Dong-gun, accustomed to such things, responded to Mr. Choi with a smirk.
“Heh, reliable as ever.”
“Hey, when our lovely Cult Leader says it, we can accept it, but when you say it, it just feels annoying.”
“Can’t I even joke around?”
The system worked efficiently.
The craftsmen, upon hearing that the order was from Yuna, accepted the task without any complaints.
Of course, Mr. Choi made a remark toward Jung Dong-gun for using Yuna’s name, but Jung Dong-gun just brushed it off, calling it a joke.
“So, is it another war this time?”
But if the order came directly from Yuna, it was a sign that something significant was happening within the Balhut Cult.
Mr. Choi asked whether it was another war and inquired about the situation.
“It’s a war, alright. A war against the zombies.”
“Zombies? But there aren’t any zombies in Gyeongju, right?”
“True. There aren’t any in Gyeongju.”
Jung Dong-gun mentioned that it was in preparation for a war against zombies, which puzzled Mr. Choi.
It had been a long time since all the zombies in the Gyeongju area were eradicated, so why was there talk of a war against zombies now?
Even Jung Dong-gun himself acknowledged that there were no zombies in Gyeongju.
“Are zombies coming in from another city?”
“No, it hasn’t come to that yet. But God Bahamut has concerns.”
“The god himself?”
When asked if zombies were coming from other cities, Jung Dong-gun shook his head.
However, upon hearing that the God Bahamut had concerns, Mr. Choi looked at Jung Dong-gun with a tense expression.
“Yes. So, this is a preventive war and also a holy war to rescue our compatriots suffering in Pohang.”
“Pohang, huh. Are you aiming for the steelworks there?”
“Yes, that too. If the zombies grow stronger, we need to arm ourselves with even more powerful weapons.”
Hearing about their intention to target Pohang, Mr. Choi quickly understood the hidden motive, and Jung Dong-gun did not deny it, openly admitting to their aims.
However, regarding the mention of the zombies growing stronger, Mr. Choi didn’t argue against it.
“You’re not wrong.”
Instead, he acknowledged the need for more powerful weapons that Jung Dong-gun mentioned.
While Gyeongju might be peaceful for now, in the current apocalypse, the most important things were food and the overwhelming force to defeat zombies.
And the quickest way to gain that power, both in the past and present, was through powerful weaponry.
—
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