Ch.102102. Alliance (1)

After hearing about the situation in Ulsan from Han Seong-geun and Jin A-yeon, Jeong Dong-geon briefly turned his attention to Son Sang-hui and her subordinate unit.

Son Sang-hui and her unit had been distributing food to survivors at Ulsan Airport while gathering internal information around the time Jeong Dong-geon was talking with Han Seong-geun and Jin A-yeon.

When Son Sang-hui felt Jeong Dong-geon’s gaze, she signaled that these people’s statements were accurate, and her subordinate unit confirmed the same.

Of course, there was still a possibility that this was all a setup orchestrated by the Ulsan Airport side.

‘A survivor camp couldn’t possibly have that level of unity.’

Unlike the cult that could select only the elite, Awakened from survivor camps were inherently disorganized by nature.

Even if they were putting on an act, there would inevitably be contradictions somewhere, and Son Sang-hui and her subordinates had verified and confirmed that what these people said was true.

Naturally, Jeong Dong-geon trusted his subordinates more than Han Seong-geun and Jin A-yeon whom he was meeting for the first time. When they signaled that the information was accurate, he lowered his guard and asked:

“What do you plan to do now?”

“What do we plan to do…?”

“Do you intend to continue holding out at Ulsan Airport? Or will you accept help from our Balhut Cult?”

He was asking Han Seong-geun what they would do from now on.

The fact that the Balhut Cult had come this far meant these people now had a new choice: either break ties with the Balhut Cult and fight alone at Ulsan Airport, or cooperate with the Balhut Cult and fight together.

Jeong Dong-geon made this clear to Han Seong-geun, and at the mention of receiving help…

“That’s…”

Han Seong-geun could only bow his head.

His expression, filled with pain and anguish, revealed the weight of responsibility the young deputy leader carried on his shoulders for the lives of all the survivors at Ulsan Airport.

It couldn’t be helped.

“To be honest, I’m not sure. Your name and reputation are well-known throughout the Yeongnam region, but the fact is, the Balhut Cult itself is an organization I’ve never heard of in Korea before. Just like the Cult of Immortality.”

“That’s correct.”

He couldn’t be certain whether to truly trust the Balhut Cult standing before him.

As in Pohang, the Balhut Cult’s external reputation was terrible, treated as a pseudo-religious cult that suddenly appeared at the end of the world.

The Cult of Immortality had proven itself through results in Ulsan, so the citizens of Ulsan could trust and follow those results. But the Balhut Cult was a newly emerged power that appeared suddenly from outside, making it difficult to trust.

From the perspective of those who had already been betrayed by the Cult of Immortality, they needed evidence to be convinced that the Balhut Cult was different.

“But I know that the Balhut Cult was the first to reclaim a city on the Korean peninsula.”

“Yes, that’s also correct.”

Jin A-yeon, standing beside Han Seong-geun, mentioned the Balhut Cult’s reputation abroad, stating that they were the first to reclaim a city on the Korean peninsula.

When Jin A-yeon simply stated their achievements, Jeong Dong-geon looked at her with surprise.

However, Jin A-yeon, as if it were obvious, expressed the doubts she had been harboring.

“The Balhut Cult was also the first to hear news about Korea in Fukuoka. Honestly, I don’t understand why the Balhut Cult gets so much criticism on the Korean peninsula. They reclaimed a city and completely wiped out zombies, right? I heard they’re even rebuilding and running a functioning monetary economy. What more should they do? They’ve done everything.”

“Uh, well…”

From Jin A-yeon’s perspective, who had heard about the cult through Japanese communities rather than Korean ones, while a pseudo-religious cult deserved criticism, she questioned why they were criticized for their other policies.

To put it bluntly, hadn’t they done everything?

They reclaimed a city, completely eliminated zombies, successfully rebuilt, and were running a monetary economy.

They had fulfilled their role as a government, so why were they distrusted and criticized so much?

Of course, Jin A-yeon was also suspicious of this cult she was hearing about for the first time, but she had only expressed doubt because it was unfamiliar. She had come to Ulsan in case they might not receive good treatment elsewhere.

“If A-yeon says so, I should trust it once. But we’ve already been betrayed by the Cult of Immortality. So I want to ask you, Jeong Dong-geon.”

As Jin A-yeon persuaded him, Han Seong-geun seemed to have changed his mind and addressed Jeong Dong-geon with a trembling voice.

“Do you have something that can convince us? Honestly, the fate of the survivors here depends on my decision. I need… solid evidence to make a decision that puts other people’s lives at stake.”

If they failed this time, the people at Ulsan Airport might die.

While Awakened like Han Seong-geun and Jin A-yeon and their group might survive, the vulnerable elderly and children would definitely die.

With these lives at stake, Han Seong-geun needed evidence to be confident in his choice… more precisely, he needed courage to believe in his own decision.

“Hmm. Well then. Our Balhut Cult has been recognized by the United States.”

“…What?”

With just the mention of the United States, Jeong Dong-geon left Han Seong-geun dumbfounded.

What on earth was this man talking about?

Why was he suddenly mentioning the United States out of nowhere?

While it was true that Korea had significant American influence, with U.S. forces stationed in Korea, wasn’t America also in chaos due to the apocalypse?

“This news hasn’t been widely circulated yet, but our Balhut Cult already has a special ambassador with full powers dispatched from the United States. And they’ve recognized our Balhut Cult as the only legitimate government on the Korean peninsula.”

As Han Seong-geun’s mind was becoming a jumble of thoughts, Jeong Dong-geon smiled brightly and summarized what he had just said.

“Uh, wow… that’s stronger than I expected. Wait… is that true?”

Hearing this, Jin A-yeon, who had been listening beside him, also showed a stunned expression, saying this was too strong.

Frankly, it was like a heavyweight fighter landing clean, heavy punches in succession on a lightweight opponent.

“That’s… much more significant information than I expected. I thought you would try to convince or persuade us with evidence from influential figures in Pohang or various other proofs. But suddenly the United States? The scale of your explanation just jumped from a Korean peninsula standard to a global one, didn’t it?”

“Haha. But it’s true.”

Particularly, the fact that they had been recognized by the United States as the only legitimate government on the Korean peninsula was unbelievable.

Wasn’t this a huge leap from a city-scale on the Korean peninsula to an international scale?

It was absolutely beyond what Han Seong-geun, a deputy leader of a survivor camp, could comprehend.

“And the word ‘United States’ carries a lot of weight here on the Korean peninsula.”

“Y-yes, it does. It’s so heavy that I find it hard to believe.”

The word “United States” was too weighty even in this era.

If everything Jeong Dong-geon said was true, then they could be confirmed as a trustworthy force, but wasn’t this too… heavy?

It would have been easier to believe that Jeong Dong-geon was lying.

“Anyway, if you return to Gyeongju, there’s a U.S. embassy currently under construction. I can show you that evidence too. Here, I have photos and videos taken with my smartphone.”

With that, Jeong Dong-geon took out his personal smartphone and showed them photos and videos of the embassy under construction, with the American flag and the Balhut Cult’s flag flying together.

“I can’t tell at all. Honestly, you could have just found an American flag lying around somewhere and filmed it.”

“Haha. That’s true too! Um, Mr. Jeong Dong-geon. You’re joking, right?”

However, mentioning the possibility of manipulation, Jin A-yeon said she couldn’t easily believe it, and Han Seong-geun, unable to grasp the scale of it all, laughed hollowly.

Yes, Jeong Dong-geon must have been joking to lighten the mood!

Honestly, the scale was so large that he wanted to ask if he could even handle it!

“Recently, the U.S. has been seeking business partners—allies—who have survived the apocalypse together. Not only has the Balhut Cult been dispatched, but Western Europe and Fukuoka in Japan have also been targeted.”

“I didn’t know that before I left.”

“We encountered them after the Pohang offensive. It seems they were dispatched after you left, Ms. A-yeon.”

However, Jeong Dong-geon only mentioned the U.S. situation and clarified that this wasn’t exclusive to them.

When Jin A-yeon said she didn’t know about it, Jeong Dong-geon explained that it happened after the Pohang offensive, suggesting it occurred after Jin A-yeon had left.

“That’s… convincing!”

What was frightening was that his explanation was somehow convincing.

Jin A-yeon was persuaded by Jeong Dong-geon’s explanation.

“In any case, we are the legitimate government of this country recognized by the United States. Internationally… though in this apocalypse, only the U.S. and a very few others remain as functioning nations.”

“Hmm.”

The reason the Balhut Cult could be recognized as the only government on the Korean peninsula was because they were the only ones who had actually governed.

They had established laws and functioned as a government, which was why the U.S. had made contact. In fact, by global standards, there were few countries that had formed governments like the Balhut Cult.

Only regions that were originally powerful nations like the UK, France, and Germany, or cities like Fukuoka that had successfully reclaimed their territories due to the emergence of powerful Awakened.

Jeong Dong-geon explained this fact and tried to logically persuade Han Seong-geun.

“If you can’t believe this, how about you visit in person, Mr. Han Seong-geun? Seeing it with your own eyes would make it believable, wouldn’t it?”

“In person, huh.”

Seeing Han Seong-geun deeply contemplating, Jeong Dong-geon suggested that if it was hard to believe, why not visit in person?

In fact, seeing with one’s own eyes was quicker to convince than explaining with words.

People are more easily persuaded when shown concrete physical evidence rather than just circumstantial evidence.

“Honestly, it’s hard to believe. Considering the Ulsan citizens who have already suffered from the atrocities of the Cult of Immortality, this requires a lot of courage.”

However, from Han Seong-geun’s perspective, who had been severely burned by the Cult of Immortality, it required courage.

Han Seong-geun was the deputy leader of this resistance, and if he were taken hostage, it would put Ulsan Airport in a difficult position.

Therefore, from Ulsan Airport’s perspective, Jeong Dong-geon’s proposal was a gamble.

“I completely understand your fear. From an outsider’s perspective, it’s not strange that our Balhut Cult is criticized as a pseudo-religious cult. We’re not even a Christian-based cult like Shincheonji. We worship a god that was never heard of before the apocalypse.”

“So you were aware.”

“Well, it’s inevitable that we seem suspicious.”

Jeong Dong-geon, seeming to understand that his proposal was a gamble from Han Seong-geun’s perspective, empathized greatly with this fact and calmly explained the reason.

To put it bluntly, he had effectively emphasized how suspicious he was, but conversely, Han Seong-geun showed an intrigued expression.

If he knew this and still made such a confident proposal, there must be something convincing.

Otherwise, there would be no reason to detail his weaknesses with such a confident expression.

“But everyone knows that in this apocalypse, such courageous decisions are necessary. Only by making such decisions can one earn the right to survive in this apocalypse.”

“A courageous decision, huh.”

And when he earnestly persuaded that courageous decisions were necessary to survive the apocalypse, Han Seong-geun closed his eyes.

“…Alright. I’ll go as a representative to check.”

And finally, he agreed to Jeong Dong-geon’s proposal.

Yes, it was time for a decision.

If they remained passive, they would eventually be defeated by numerical pressure.

So, it was time to make a decision and change the current situation.

“Are you sure? Mr. Han Seong-geun?”

“Honestly, I’m scared to visit! But since I’ve burdened you a lot after giving up the leader position to you because you’re stronger! If not now, when will I show you my impressive side!”

The fear was unavoidable.

Considering what the Cult of Immortality had done, it was entirely possible to imagine that the Balhut Cult might not be much different.

The fear of the unknown might make him want to scream right now, and his legs were trembling.

However, it was necessary.

“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 continuously failed.

He had believed someone who wasn’t a hero to be one, and due to wrong choices, comrades who followed him had died at the hands of the Cult of Immortality.

Fortunately, Jin A-yeon had joined midway, but Jin A-yeon alone couldn’t save Ulsan.

‘For an ordinary person like me to save Ulsan, a life-risking decision is necessary.’

He knew it was a gamble.

If the Balhut Cult was no different from the Cult of Immortality, he was a dead man.

But he had already staked his life.

He had already handed over the leader position to Jin A-yeon, so even if he was captured by the cult, Ulsan Airport wouldn’t fall into great chaos.

“I sincerely thank you for that courageous decision. Now, let’s return immediately using teleportation magic.”

“What?”

However, making this resolution seem futile, as soon as Han Seong-geun agreed to the proposal, Jeong Dong-geon smiled brightly and said he would return to the cult immediately using teleportation magic.

What’s that? It’s scary because I don’t know about it.