Ch.103103. Alliance (2)

Jeong Dong-geon used the hearthstone given to him by the Dragon God Bahamut, allowing him and Han Seong-geun to instantly arrive at the Balhut Cult’s main hall teleportation magic circle.

Han Seong-geun suddenly realized the world before his eyes had flipped, and he found himself not at Ulsan Airport but in an unknown location. He looked around in great confusion.

Jeong Dong-geon, seeming to understand his feelings, gently patted Han Seong-geun’s shoulder to calm his confusion.

Han Seong-geun flinched momentarily at the warm touch on his shoulder, but recognizing it was Jeong Dong-geon, he asked with a bewildered expression, “W-where are we?”

“I used return magic. Ah, would you understand if I called it teleportation?”

Before the apocalypse, such words would have been mere fantasy, but now supernatural phenomena were reality in this apocalyptic world.

When Jeong Dong-geon mentioned teleportation magic, Han Seong-geun accepted this sudden transportation phenomenon, yet exclaimed, “You mean the Balhut Cult has a mage who can use teleportation magic?!”

He was shocked at the mention of teleportation.

Of course, no Awakened who could officially use teleportation magic had appeared in Korea yet, and even overseas, the community consensus was that teleportation magic was still beyond humanity’s reach.

While the possibility couldn’t be completely ruled out that some Awakened might be thoroughly hiding teleportation magic as a trump card, that would be extremely rare. Most mage Awakened speculated that teleportation would only reveal itself to humanity in the distant future.

Han Seong-geun never dreamed he would experience teleportation magic in this way.

“Ah. We don’t.”

“Pardon?”

“None of our cult members are Awakened who can use teleportation magic.”

What was this man talking about?

He just said the miracle was teleportation, but now he was saying there was no Awakened in the cult who could use teleportation?

Wasn’t this completely contradictory? They used teleportation magic, yet there was no one in the cult who could use it?

“Then, is it a tool made by an Awakened? Or a magic item?”

“Well, half right?”

However, people now knew well that objects completely different from existing rules had appeared in this apocalypse.

It was widely known that special powers and magic were imbued in various tools and weapons created by crafting specialists, and depending on the method, one could experience phenomena never before experienced pre-apocalypse.

If he said Awakened couldn’t use it, then special tools or magic items were the only possibilities left. It was only natural for Han Seong-geun to mention this, and Jeong Dong-geon answered that he was half right.

“Haha. It seems such items exist these days. Such power in crafting skills…”

Han Seong-geun finally seemed to understand, sighing with relief.

Yes, he had reached a level where things could be explained within some bounds of common sense.

Of course, what he had just witnessed was beyond common sense, but still, Han Seong-geun was trying to construct a logic he could accept…

“Ah, it’s not something made by humans.”

“What? That’s scary, you know.”

Before he could finish constructing his logic, Jeong Dong-geon said with a mischievous expression that the hearthstone wasn’t made by humans.

Han Seong-geun’s expression crumbled on the spot, his mouth gaping open in an unseemly manner, but it couldn’t be helped.

To be frank, after witnessing something that transcended common sense, anyone would lose their composure.

“Oh? You’ve returned faster than expected.”

Han Seong-geun was only able to close his gaping mouth and collect himself when Yuna, who could communicate with Bahamut in real-time, came out to greet them after learning of Jeong Dong-geon’s return.

The appearance of Yuna in her visibly splendid priestess robes was a presence that seemed out of place in this apocalypse.

“I’m sorry for troubling you to come greet us.”

“Not at all. There might be injured people, so I should be here. But… is this Mr. Han Seong-geun?”

“Yes. He’s the deputy leader at Ulsan Airport.”

‘Huh? Did I introduce myself to her?’

Above all, coming here was spontaneous, so how did the girl before him know who he was?

He searched his memory wondering if he had introduced himself without realizing it, but he had never mentioned his name to the girl before him.

It was impossible time-wise for Jeong Dong-geon to have informed her beforehand, and Jeong Dong-geon hadn’t attempted to contact anyone else.

‘Right. If another squad member informed her of this news, that would explain it. Yes, that must be it.’

If he thought that far, it made some sense.

Han Seong-geun threw away the uncomfortable feeling he was experiencing and slowly bowed his head to the girl before him.

“I’m Han Seong-geun.”

“He led the resistance at Ulsan Airport.”

“As Jeong Dong-geon said, I’m the deputy leader of the resistance at Ulsan Airport. And you are…?”

Thinking she must be someone of high rank here, he lowered himself and addressed her respectfully despite her youth.

And it seemed his guess wasn’t wrong, as Jeong Dong-geon also introduced Han Seong-geun with respectful words, and following Jeong Dong-geon’s lead, Han Seong-geun asked a question to satisfy his curiosity about the identity of the girl before him.

He predicted that the girl before him was probably someone of high rank in the cult, but…

“I’m Choi Yu-na. Nice to meet you.”

“Choi Yu-na… aren’t you the leader of the Balhut Cult! Aren’t you even younger than A-yeon!”

Why was the final boss standing here so casually?

This was the name of the Awakened who was the leader of the Balhut Cult and had completely taken over Gyeongju.

“Ahem. You’re quite different from the rumors.”

What surprised him most was how different she was from the rumors.

According to community rumors, she was known to be the complete opposite of the girl before him, but contrary to the rumors, a young girl was smiling and talking to him warmly.

Though he felt dizzy from the contradiction between rumors and reality, Han Seong-geun was still representing Ulsan Airport in his visit to the Balhut Cult.

With the determination not to show an unseemly appearance, he straightened his mind again.

“Ah. I hear from the community often. A pot-bellied old man, a greedy old person, a witch… All wrong, so I had a good laugh!”

“Those… are all insults about you, aren’t they?”

“? Those who insult me simply haven’t received the Dragon God’s teachings. They’re just lost. If they heard the Dragon God’s teachings, their evaluation of me would surely change.”

Han Seong-geun thought she had quite the nerve as a leader.

However, there was one word in Yuna’s statement that bothered him.

“That… Dragon God…”

“Today, I’d like to request an audience with Dragon God Bahamut for this person.”

Does it really exist?

Just like the being mentioned by the Cult of Immortality, did the Balhut Cult also have a being called the Dragon God?

Unlike the Cult of Immortality, Yuna and Jeong Dong-geon were comfortably calling this being a god, but Han Seong-geun felt uneasy listening to them.

‘If it really exists, isn’t my life in danger?’

It was another fear of the unknown.

At the same time, it was a fear of death.

Perhaps it was also a question of whether he, an atheist who didn’t believe in gods at all, was qualified to face a god.

“It doesn’t matter. If it’s necessary, the Dragon God will allow it.”

“Thank you.”

Despite Han Seong-geun’s silence, the conversation between Jeong Dong-geon and Yuna continued, and Jeong Dong-geon received permission from Yuna for an audience with Dragon God Bahamut.

This meant Han Seong-geun had really gained an opportunity to face the Dragon God, but his heart only grew darker.

“Ah, and Steven also went to the temple today for some reason, so if you’re lucky, you might meet him too.”

“Indeed. He was at the temple too? That’s fortunate.”

The one fortunate thing was…

“Um… who is Steven?”

An uncommon foreign name came from Yuna’s mouth, and Han Seong-geun asked Jeong Dong-geon who Steven was, as if grasping at a lifeline.

There was no particular reason to hide it, and it could serve as a positive factor in persuading Han Seong-geun and Ulsan Airport, so Jeong Dong-geon told him about Steven without hesitation.

“He’s a special envoy plenipotentiary from the White House.”

“…Is that true?”

Well, Steven’s existence was decisive evidence that they were in contact with the United States.

At the mention of a special envoy from the White House, Han Seong-geun stared at Jeong Dong-geon with an expression of disbelief, but…

“Yes. It’s true.”

Jeong Dong-geon said it was true and led Han Seong-geun toward the temple.

Fortunately, the path to the temple and its interior were quiet, so Jeong Dong-geon’s group could reach Bahamut’s temple without encountering anyone.

“You’ve succeeded in rebuilding more than I expected.”

On the way to the temple, Han Seong-geun could observe the internal situation of Gyeongju in detail, and even to him, Gyeongju seemed to have freedom unlike Ulsan.

Life was vibrant, the streets felt like pre-apocalypse society had returned, and what impressed him most was…

“Paying money to buy necessary items. It’s been so long since I’ve seen this.”

“Do you owe me for that?”

“Haha. Let’s overlook that.”

The act of buying things with money.

It was a method of transaction that could be considered forgotten by now, and especially since other regions maintained life through barter as a matter of course, it was all the more impressive.

Of course, Han Seong-geun had no way of knowing about the many efforts and overwhelming violence that enforced peace to maintain this, but from outward appearances, Gyeongju had already normalized and was transforming into the only nation on the Korean peninsula.

“Who is that person?”

“Hm? Ah. That’s Steven. It seems he just finished his audience and is leaving.”

While exchanging stories about what happened in the city, Han Seong-geun and Jeong Dong-geon entered the temple, and they could see Steven leaving the temple.

Steven was walking with a dazed expression like someone who had seen something strange, and Jeong Dong-geon said he seemed to be returning after finishing his meeting with Dragon God Bahamut.

“Oh, isn’t it Jeong Dong-geon? Have you just returned from Ulsan?”

“Yes. I also found a survivor who lived in Ulsan.”

“Oh ho ho. So the person next to you is from Ulsan.”

“Ah. Yes.”

Under Steven’s gaze, which seemed interested in him, Han Seong-geun doubted whether this young man was really a diplomat sent from America.

Wasn’t he too young?

Of course, judging by Jeong Dong-geon’s attitude, it was certain that the man before him was a high-ranking official, but still, he couldn’t help but be suspicious.

“Haha. Nice to meet you. I’m a special envoy plenipotentiary from the White House. To put it simply, think of me as the channel responsible for diplomacy between the Balhut Cult and the United States.”

“Are… you really sent from America?”

“Well, we met so suddenly, so it’s natural for you to be suspicious of me. Hmm. This, this. Perhaps this is a golden opportunity to make the cult indebted to me.”

Seeming to sense that gaze, Steven smiled warmly and revealed his identity, emphasizing that he was really sent from America.

Even if Han Seong-geun was suspicious, he laughed it off as natural and even expressed joy, mentioning it was a golden opportunity to make the cult indebted to him.

“If that’s necessary, I’d like to borrow Steven’s power too.”

“Haha. I’m joking. I just came from making an unreasonable request to Bahamut, so we’re in no position to demand anything from the cult.”

Of course, when Jeong Dong-geon said with a straightforward expression that he would gladly ask for help if needed, Steven immediately backed down.

If he had met Jeong Dong-geon without having just had an audience with Bahamut, he would have gladly shown a small favor to dispel Han Seong-geun’s suspicions in order to create a debt with the cult or Jeong Dong-geon personally, but now Steven had no justification for that.

That was because before Jeong Dong-geon and Han Seong-geun arrived, America had already made some request to Bahamut.

“A request?”

“Recently, the demand for Bahamut coins has been rapidly increasing in the United States. Probably because their effectiveness has been proven, and new technology using the coins has been developed in the US. Thanks to that, I came to ask Bahamut to greatly increase the production and export volume of the coins.”

The demand for Bahamut coins in the United States had been rapidly increasing.

The current export volume could not possibly meet the demand, so the plenipotentiary himself requested to import more coins.

According to him, the United States had developed new technology using Bahamut coins.

“I see.”

“Fortunately, the Dragon God accepted that request, and in return, we agreed to provide a large amount of pure silver. I heard that if silver is well refined, effective weapons against the undead can be created. We are also looking forward to these new weapons. Haha.”

But it wasn’t free.

Bahamut demanded a large amount of pure silver in return, and with America’s acceptance, they were able to complete a transaction between nations.

Steven mentioned that importing large amounts of silver was a measure to prepare for the war against the undead, and…

“The cult is making many efforts to win the war against the undead.”

“Haha. Since the Dragon God is developing it directly, I’m even more excited.”

Jeong Dong-geon also said that the cult was always sincere in the war against the undead, and Steven replied that he was looking forward to it.

However, realizing that Jeong Dong-geon had also come to this temple to meet Dragon God Bahamut…

“Ah. It’s not polite to keep a busy person for so long. Well then, visitor from Ulsan. Please don’t be shocked by what you’re about to see. I recommend you brace yourself.”

“Ah. Yes.”

After giving Han Seong-geun this advice, he left.

Han Seong-geun responded blankly to the sudden advice, but…

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!?”

And soon he could understand why.

As always, the pattern repeated: being captivated by the sight of the giant dragon statue and then being startled by Bahamut below it.

“Well. As expected today too.”

“Haha. Did I startle you too much?”

Jeong Dong-geon, who had now reached the level of enjoying this, and Bahamut, who had always enjoyed this sight, simply laughed comfortably.