Chapter 61
Pohang had been completely cleared of zombies, marking the end of its recapture. However, now Pohang needed to address matters it had postponed for too long.
The task was post-war reconstruction and establishing a clear power structure and governance for Pohang.
“We intend to provide ample resources for Pohang’s reconstruction. We’ll dispatch professional personnel and provide essential resources like clean, purified water and energy, all free of charge.”
In terms of reconstruction, the Balhut Cult had already pledged to supply the necessary resources, which would facilitate swift progress.
The Cult also promised to dispatch skilled professionals essential for reconstruction and offered free supplies of purified water and fuel, crucial for daily life.
Thanks to this, the Balhut Cult could firmly take the lead in Pohang, gaining acknowledgment from the Three Major Camps in Pohang for its control.
“We appreciate your support, but we can’t ignore our contributions to recapturing Pohang, can we?”
“Indeed. We recognize that you all shed much blood to reclaim Pohang.”
On the other hand, the Pohang Three Major Camps had a right to demand recompense from the Cult.
As the negotiator for the Pohang Three Major Camps, Seo Un-jae asserted Pohang’s contributions to the recapture to the Balhut Cult’s representatives, Park Cheol-gon and Han Geun-chul.
After Bahamut’s descent, Pohang’s three factions voluntarily cooperated with the Cult’s governance, each proving their value in the internal cleanup operations.
Moreover, if one considered how these camps had fought off mutated spider zombies within the city before Gyeongju arrived, the Balhut Cult couldn’t deny the contributions Pohang had made.
“In exchange for the blood our citizens shed, we demand rights exclusive to the people of Pohang.”
“Rights, you say?”
Now, rather than resorting to extreme struggle, they sought to secure rights for Pohang’s citizens through negotiation, leaving Park Cheol-gon and Han Geun-chul little choice but to consider Seo Un-jae’s argument for the stable governance of Pohang.
Bahamut himself had a peace-seeking disposition, favoring dialogue wherever possible, and the other side was also keen to resolve things through negotiation.
Furthermore, Seo Un-jae’s demand wasn’t unreasonable for the Cult, as it was focused solely on the rights of Pohang’s people.
“Are you asking for autonomy for Pohang?”
“Yes, we also contributed to the assault on Pohang. We would like to request local autonomy proportionate to our contribution.”
It was effectively a form of local self-governance.
In essence, Pohang would recognize the Balhut Cult as the central government, acknowledging Gyeongju’s supremacy, while Pohang would retain its own benefits and autonomy.
“This isn’t a bad proposal for the Balhut Cult. Rather than negotiating and forcibly controlling each of the three factions, voluntary cooperation would facilitate the Cult’s governance of Pohang.”
Moreover, Seo Un-jae’s proposal wasn’t disadvantageous for the Balhut Cult.
Since securing Pohang, the Balhut Cult required internal cooperation to govern effectively.
However, as outsiders, the Cult lacked detailed knowledge of Pohang’s internal affairs and thus needed collaboration from Pohang’s residents.
“I have complete control over Pohang’s administrative personnel.”
“Hmm.”
Located across the Hyeongsan River, in Pohang City Hall, Seo Un-jae firmly held control over Pohang’s administrative staff.
In other words, the Balhut Cult hadn’t succeeded in recruiting any figures knowledgeable about Pohang’s administration.
Han Geun-chul glanced at Park Cheol-gon with a glimmer of hope, but Park shook his head, indicating he, too, had failed to secure any allies before the meeting.
At this point, only Seo Un-jae fully understood Pohang’s administration, meaning his cooperation was essential to efficiently implement administrative measures within Pohang.
“We didn’t come to Pohang to rule over it; we are a righteous army here to save our brethren. The Cult does not wish to offend Pohang’s pride. We aim to secure stable governance through public support. To be candid, our true objective is to utilize Pohang’s industries and steelworks efficiently.”
“Well, that’s refreshingly honest.”
“Even if I tried to conceal it, you’d already know.”
“Of course. In this apocalyptic world, the most valuable assets in Pohang are the remaining industrial facilities and Pohang Steelworks.”
Faced with no other option, Han Geun-chul candidly expressed the Cult’s true intentions, appealing for Seo Un-jae’s cooperation.
The Balhut Cult explained that they hadn’t come to rule Pohang but to govern it as a righteous force and sought to maximize the efficiency of Pohang’s industries and steelworks.
At this, Seo Un-jae smiled widely, commenting on the Cult’s honesty, and acknowledged that those facilities were indeed Pohang’s most valuable assets.
“It’s clear that the Cult is highly interested in our industries. In that case, we have much to discuss. You can’t operate Pohang Steelworks on your own. You’ll need skilled technicians to run it, correct?”
“Yes, as you say, we’ll need professional technicians to manage Pohang Steelworks.”
“Our Three Major Camps know exactly where to find those technicians. We even have professors who once taught them the skills.”
Moreover, to operate Pohang Steelworks after its recapture, skilled technicians and workers were essential.
Amid this chaos, the Balhut Cult could not accurately locate the technicians and skilled workers who once worked at the steelworks. However, the Pohang Three Major Camps knew the whereabouts of those who had worked there.
This alone underscored why the Cult had to collaborate with Pohang’s Three Major Camps.
“If we can just coordinate things well, both the Balhut Cult and we in Pohang will be able to smile.”
“I understand. Let’s work out a proper negotiation so that we can ensure mutual satisfaction.”
“Back before the Apocalypse, we were in the same political party. Do we really need to engage in such contentious arguments?”
Seo Un-jae suggested a cooperative approach, but Han Geun-chul firmly insisted on maximizing coordination through thorough negotiation.
In response, Seo Un-jae remarked wistfully to Han Geun-chul that they were from the same party, asserting that he himself had been with the Conservative Party before the Apocalypse.
“The Conservative Party of South Korea is over.”
“If it were before the Apocalypse, that would be quite a harsh statement.”
“But now, it’s simply the truth.”
Han Geun-chul drew a clear line, declaring that the Conservative Party that existed before the Apocalypse was completely finished.
Seo Un-jae, seemingly frustrated, responded that such a statement would have been harsh pre-Apocalypse, but Han Geun-chul simply replied that it was factual.
“Haha, facts are facts. I was hoping that, by emphasizing our past camaraderie, we could smooth out this negotiation.”
“If our former party affiliation is an obstacle in these negotiations, I’ll officially declare my departure from a party that no longer exists.”
“Five months have passed without any contact from the party. If that’s your stance, I’ll declare my departure as well.”
It had been more than five months since the Apocalypse began, and now, the notion of conservatism felt irrelevant amidst the end of the world.
The same applied to Park Cheol-gon from the Democratic Party, who was listening to the negotiation from the sidelines.
“In that case, I’ll declare my departure here as well.”
“Pardon me, but which party were you affiliated with before the Apocalypse?”
“The Democratic Party.”
“Quite a rare scene to witness these days!”
In a time when mere survival from zombies was paramount, ideological or political discussions seemed unnecessary.
Survival was the only priority in the face of the Apocalypse, and ideological conflicts or factionalism, common pre-Apocalypse, were seen as a luxury even by the Balhut Cult.
Thus, when Han Geun-chul announced his departure from his party, Seo Un-jae followed suit, unwilling to be outdone, and Park Cheol-gon did the same.
The parties they once belonged to no longer existed, nor could they wield any political power in the future, so there was no issue in declaring their departure.
In fact, it was doubtful whether the party would even accept their departure declarations.
“By the way, unlike me, who just declared his departure, you all are no longer even South Koreans.”
Seo Un-jae, with a confident expression, understood that the politicians before him were no longer citizens of South Korea.
They had abandoned their affiliations without hesitation and were working for the Balhut Cult.
“Is that strange?”
“Not at all.”
Yet, their actions weren’t unusual in these times.
“Rather, I admire the swift and decisive judgment you’ve shown.”
South Korea’s authority had lost all credibility, sinking to rock bottom, and the positions they once held in South Korea no longer held any sway.
The missing president had yet to reappear, leaving it unclear if he was dead or simply avoiding responsibility, while self-proclaimed governments had proliferated in Seoul.
Remaining a citizen of South Korea under such conditions was futile, as the government, military, and police who were supposed to protect the citizens had vanished.
“I’ve heard there are several self-proclaimed South Korean governments in Seoul. Compared to their antics, the Balhut Cult looks almost saintly.”
“There’s even a warlord claiming to be the Empire of Korea.”
“Right. While it may sound ridiculous in modern times, the emergence of overwhelming power among the Awakened may have rendered old laws meaningless.”
In that light, the Balhut Cult, protected directly by the God Bahamut, seemed saintly indeed.
Though it was often disparaged as a cult, seeing Bahamut’s descent firsthand would likely change anyone’s perspective.
Even if the Dragon wasn’t a deity, the Cult’s willingness to protect the citizens made Seo Un-jae think he could call it divine if it served his own interests.
“But that’s not what’s important. What matters now is whether the Pohang Three Major Camps, or rather, the local government of Pohang, will follow the Balhut Cult or not.”
“Naturally, we intend to follow. Isn’t the Balhut Cult the prevailing power?”
Han Geun-chul then asked if the Pohang Three Major Camps, now the Pohang local government, would follow the Balhut Cult, and Seo Un-jae replied without hesitation that they would.
“But Gyeongju is small, while Pohang is large.”
However, Seo Un-jae, in passing, pointed out Gyeongju’s inherent limitation.
“I don’t believe Gyeongju has the capacity to fully govern Pohang. Don’t you agree?”
To some extent, he hadn’t abandoned the idea that the Three Major Camps would retain leadership in Pohang.
Seo Un-jae stated that Gyeongju lacked the resources to completely govern an industrial city like Pohang.
“Yes. Unlike Gyeongju, which was a tourist city, once the reconstruction is successful, Pohang, as a city supporting South Korea’s industry, will indeed be stronger.”
Han Geun-chul, with a somber expression, readily acknowledged that Gyeongju, as a city, couldn’t match Pohang, an industrial powerhouse.
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