Chapter 53
“Is that even possible? We’ve already tried with the help of the Navy and North Pohang, but it failed.”
With a gloomy expression, the representative of the university campus shook his head.
It wasn’t that they hadn’t made an effort to reclaim Pohang from the zombies using all available power.
On the contrary, they had joined forces with the Marine Corps and the survivor camp beyond the Hyeongsan River, attempting to reclaim Pohang from the zombies, but they came close to failure.
“Yes, but this time you have the support of Gyeongju. And despite the failure, aren’t you all still alive? Doesn’t this mean there’s still a chance?”
“…That’s true.”
Jung Dong-gun assured them that, with Gyeongju’s help this time, things would be different.
Indeed, with the help of Gyeongju, they might find a more secure path to reclaim Pohang than before.
Moreover, Pohang’s forces were still alive; as long as they lived, there would always be a chance.
With Jung Dong-gun’s words, the members of the university campus nodded heavily.
“We’ve already secured control over the Gunpo Industrial Road, which allows us to deploy forces anywhere in Pohang.”
“That’s correct.”
Jung Dong-gun then explained the basis for his confidence.
They had secured three assault routes through the Gunpo Industrial Road and were already using those routes to contact the university campus.
The campus representatives, having seen this firsthand, could not argue against his logic.
Seeing that the university campus was showing signs of being swayed, Jung Dong-gun seized the opportunity, opening his mouth with a confident expression.
“Right now, we’re deploying troops on a reconnaissance scale, but if you desire, we can deploy over a thousand awakened soldiers in Pohang at once.”
“A thousand!? All of them awakened!?”
One thousand.
Upon hearing that the Balhut Cult had a thousand awakened individuals, the campus representatives looked skeptical.
A thousand soldiers alone might not sound particularly impressive, but if they were all awakened, it was a different story.
The university campus representatives, having experienced firsthand the overwhelming power of the awakened in this apocalypse, questioned if he was telling the truth.
Awakened soldiers – and over a thousand of them to be deployed all at once… Could he really be telling the truth to persuade them, or was he bluffing?
‘It’s a bit of bluster. We can only deploy about 500 at once, but we do indeed have over a thousand on the roster.’
Jung Dong-gun’s statement was half-truth and half-bluff.
He had added a bit of bravado to steer the negotiation in his favor.
But the fact remained that the Cult did have over a thousand awakened individuals, all soldiers.
“Can you really deploy over a thousand soldiers all at once?”
“Of course.”
This was a lie.
While the Cult’s records did show more than a thousand soldiers, their forces were dispersed for the protection of Gyeongju’s main base, security activities in the farms, and maintaining the supply lines.
Under these conditions, the maximum number of soldiers the Cult could deploy at once was only around 500.
However, since more than a thousand soldiers were indeed mobilized for this war, Jung Dong-gun could proudly claim he wasn’t exactly lying.
Five hundred were already deployed in various areas to assist with the war effort, and by mobilizing the remainder at the forward base, he could just reach a thousand.
“Let’s have a quick meeting.”
Seeing Jung Dong-gun’s confident stance, the university campus ultimately decided to defer.
He was so sure of himself, and if they demanded proof, he seemed like he could indeed provide it. With this hope in mind, the campus representatives huddled together to discuss.
Watching them, Jung Dong-gun was convinced they were almost won over.
“Have you made a decision?”
“Yes, we’ll cooperate with the Balhut Cult.”
The Pohang University Campus had decided to join forces with the Balhut Cult.
Jung Dong-gun smiled in relief, realizing he had successfully completed the mission given to him by Bahamut.
“We’ll do our best to meet your expectations.”
Gratefully, he shook hands with Ha Jin-woo, the representative of the Pohang University Campus, who also smiled as he shook his hand.
Having successfully secured the pact, Jung Dong-gun made a request on behalf of the Cult.
“Can you arrange contact with other camps? If you can introduce us, I believe we can persuade them as well.”
“Yes, that’s possible. Especially with the Navy nearby; if we put in some effort, we should be able to arrange a meeting with them.”
Contact with the other survivor camps was now within reach.
For the Balhut Cult, which especially wanted to contact the Navy, the words from the university campus were truly helpful.
“That’s great. If you can help, it will greatly strengthen our efforts to reclaim Pohang.”
“Before that, show us if what you said is true. The discussions with other survivor camps can come after.”
Of course, since the Balhut Cult had made a request, the Pohang University Campus also had the right to request something from the Cult.
In return, the Pohang University Campus representatives asked Jung Dong-gun to demonstrate the power of the Cult.
“Ah, I understand that I can’t convince you with words alone. So how should I prove it to you?”
“Reclaim Pohang Steelworks Industrial Complex Zone 1.”
In response to Jung Dong-gun’s agreement, the campus representatives, without hesitation, pointed out the industrial complex near their campus as the target for proving his words.
Seeing how they mentioned it without hesitation, it was clear the industrial complex had already fallen into the hands of the zombies and was likely infested with them.
In other words, they intended to leverage the Cult’s power to serve their own interests.
“Will that be enough?”
Jung Dong-gun, as if he had anticipated this, asked if that would be sufficient.
After all, reclaiming a location was almost routine for Jung Dong-gun, and the Balhut Cult also had a vested interest in retaking the industrial complex. In fact, they planned to reclaim it even if the campus hadn’t asked.
Internally, Jung Dong-gun was pleased that the task he already intended to complete now had the added benefit of earning the university campus’s trust.
“If you fail, it will only make our survival even harder, won’t it? So we’re simply using you to secure our own survival. That’s all there is to it.”
“It’s only natural for you to be skeptical of the Balhut Cult.”
However, the university campus representatives seemed slightly irritated by Jung Dong-gun’s response, emphasizing that they were only looking out for their survival.
Jung Dong-gun realized his words might have come off as indifferent, so he adjusted his stance to appear slightly more considerate.
“…In any case, reclaiming it, yes, that’s fine. I have full authority from both our Leader and God Bahamut. If reclaiming it is the only way to earn your cooperation, the Balhut Cult will uphold its promise.”
“…Quite likely.”
“Heh, I’ll reclaim Pohang Steelworks Industrial Complex Zone 1 for you by the end of today.”
Declaring that he could easily fulfill the promise, he displayed strong confidence, though the Pohang University Campus representatives thought his confidence was nothing more than empty boasting.
With doubtful expressions, they shot skeptical looks at Jung Dong-gun, who solemnly vowed to reclaim it, then bowed and bid farewell.
“It was a meaningful meeting. Until next time.”
“……”
Thus, the first meeting between the Balhut Cult and the Pohang University Campus came to an end, and the campus representatives returned to their base.
Now alone in the desolate tent, Jung Dong-gun slowly recalled the contents of the meeting, and a woman entered the tent that had been used for the discussions.
“Isn’t that pushing yourself too hard?”
Seemingly aware of the meeting’s details, Son Sang-hui asked if he was overextending himself.
“It’s not overexertion. Since it’s something we can handle on our own, I accepted their request.”
“Is that so?”
Despite Son Sang-hui’s concern, Jung Dong-gun displayed confidence, asserting it was well within their abilities.
He had already proven this by retaking the Steelworks Crossroads with a small squad.
Just like in the meeting, deploying even 500 soldiers would quickly fulfill the conditions they set.
“But merely reclaiming an industrial complex? I was prepared to reclaim the entire region.”
“I think it’s risky to be overconfident.”
“True, but for us, retaking a location is just routine… practically an everyday affair.”
To Jung Dong-gun’s casual remark, Son Sang-hui insisted that it was still unwise to be complacent.
In her eyes, it seemed that Jung Dong-gun had accepted a demanding task and was now displaying overconfidence.
At her caution, Jung Dong-gun smiled wryly, acknowledging it as something familiar and assuring her it posed no issue.
“But isn’t it a bit of a loss to reclaim an industrial complex just for a single meeting?”
She pointed out that it seemed like a waste for the Cult to expend manpower and resources for an industrial complex, just to gain an introduction to other camps.
Indeed, while the Cult had to spend resources and personnel to reclaim the industrial complex, the survivor camp only needed to use their connections within Pohang to arrange meetings with other camps.
Considering that Pohang already had several communication networks established to combat zombies, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Pohang University Campus was taking advantage of the Balhut Cult.
“No. Just the fact that we can hold talks with other camps brings us closer to the descent of God Bahamut. It’s still a gain for us.”
“The descent of God Bahamut… That’s the deity of the Balhut Cult, right? Does he really exist?”
However, Jung Dong-gun shook his head, stating that meeting other camps was beneficial, as it would hasten Bahamut’s descent.
At the mention of Bahamut, the god of the Balhut Cult, Son Sang-hui, with a doubtful expression, asked if he truly existed.
“Yes, he exists. He truly exists in reality.”
Jung Dong-gun smiled bitterly, affirming Bahamut’s existence.
‘We were like that at first, too.’
He understood how Son Sang-hui felt.
At first, Jung Dong-gun, too, had held the same doubts, entertaining the idea of Bahamut’s descent with cautious optimism, while also making realistic judgments.
However, Bahamut was real, and the Dragon God who had descended upon Gyeongju was still with the Balhut Cult.
“And now, we’re preparing for his descent. Though we call it a descent, it’s more about finding a way to safely channel Bahamut’s power.”
In essence, the Cult’s ultimate goal was to find the perfect moment for Bahamut’s descent.
“His power is so immense that, if we’re not careful, he could wipe out Pohang in the process.”
If misused, his power could easily devastate Pohang’s industrial complex, so they had to handle it with utmost care.
“That’s terrifying.”
If true, it was a frightening prospect, and Son Sang-hui responded with a bitter smile.
At any rate, she now understood that the Balhut Cult had a hidden trump card for reclaiming Pohang, and they were taking steps to prepare for its use.
“So, shall we head to reclaim the industrial complex, as they requested?”
“What? There are only twelve of us, though.”
“That’s more than enough.”
Besides, Jung Dong-gun and his team of twelve were sufficient to reclaim the industrial complex.
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment