Ch.150149. Kim Suho’s Survival in Seoul (3)

The real issue was that Kim Su-ho had managed the post-disaster chaos so well that he maintained the facade of South Korea, keeping its name alive.

In other words, Kim Su-ho’s achievements had convinced former government ministers, self-proclaimed lawmakers, and even Seoul citizens that South Korea hadn’t ended yet.

If South Korea had truly collapsed, the government ministers and self-proclaimed lawmakers would have recognized the severity of the situation and cooperated with Kim Su-ho for survival.

‘I’m still a South Korean citizen—how can I be asked to end South Korea? Isn’t that too harsh?’

Even Kim Su-ho himself still believed that South Korea hadn’t ended yet.

While the president and actual lawmakers were missing, their staff had survived. Kim Su-ho was using these surviving officials to manage Seoul’s chaos, making it difficult even for him to accept that South Korea had fallen.

After all, whether he liked it or not, Kim Su-ho had benefited most from maintaining South Korea’s name.

“But that’s just talk. Anyone who knows what’s really happening understands that South Korea has been reduced to just a name.”

“If the name ‘South Korea’ disappears, what logic would we have to command these people? What honor would make them respect us?”

Of course, the well-informed upper echelons knew that South Korea was essentially just a tattered sign.

They certainly hadn’t opposed Kim Su-ho out of ignorance. They knew perfectly well that South Korea was a house of cards maintained solely by Kim Su-ho, which is precisely why they clung to this fragile remnant.

“As if we have a choice. We have to parasitize this tattered sign.”

“Good grief. To think we’ve fallen this far. Truly the end times.”

After all, their ability to mobilize citizens and stand up to the overwhelmingly powerful Kim Su-ho stemmed from the remaining authority of South Korea—the powerful positions and status guaranteed by that name.

Without South Korea’s backing, they would have lost everything and become nothing more than refugees begging Kim Su-ho for protection. That’s why they clung more desperately to the name “South Korea” than Kim Su-ho himself did.

Even if it was a house of cards, they had to beg like animals to maintain what power remained in their hands.

“We have no choice but to keep operating like this. If a better solution presents itself, we’ll take it.”

At least Kim Su-ho possessed not only the most crucial combat power in this apocalypse but also exceptional leadership skills—so much so that one might think he had chosen the wrong career.

He had established the Han River defense line, gradually regained control of the Gangnam area, restored Seoul’s urban functions, secured food and necessary supplies, and managed evacuation centers—he handled it all.

Kim Su-ho had proven to everyone in Seoul that he was a hero born from this apocalypse, which led the remnants of the old South Korean establishment to gather around him.

“Damn it, there’s being competent and then there’s this!”

“We can’t dispose of him after using him!”

It was because of these outstanding abilities that he could maintain the name of South Korea, which attracted more parasites clinging to that name.

In exchange for his god-given combat and leadership abilities, Kim Su-ho had…

“This is giving me a headache.”

…a severe lack of political skill—the ability to build social consensus.

He was terrible at it. With his straightforward, iron-willed approach, he demanded cooperation from the old South Korean establishment without offering a single word to address their anxieties and desires.

Naturally, these privileged individuals were extremely dissatisfied with Kim Su-ho, who seemed to be arbitrarily stripping away their privileges, and they were greatly disappointed by his rigid adherence to principles and righteousness.

Frankly, if Kim Su-ho had been even slightly more flexible, if he had addressed their anxieties and desires even a little, some traitors might have emerged from their ranks to pledge loyalty to him.

So while Kim Su-ho bore some responsibility for failing to persuade the upper echelons, it was difficult to blame him for this.

“Who knew I’d have to play politics!”

After all, Kim Su-ho himself had been an ordinary citizen with no connection to politics.

He had been politically indifferent, yet overnight became the ultimate authority of the Han River defense line and a real-world politician who needed to persuade the existing elite.

While he could somehow manage the Han River defense line with his talents, persuading others and moving hearts through eloquence depended more on life experience and social skills than innate talent—he was being forced to do something completely unsuited to his nature.

“I had just been discharged from military service when the apocalypse hit!”

He had experienced the apocalypse immediately after completing his long national service.

Beyond mere bad luck, he felt like asking why the heavens kept testing him like this.

“Haha. That is unfortunate indeed. You essentially re-enlisted as an officer right after being discharged, sir.”

“I never even received officer training!”

“Yes, that’s what makes it more impressive. It shows that true talent really does exist.”

While this was certainly unfortunate for Kim Su-ho personally, for South Korea—or at least Seoul—he was like a superhuman knight on a white horse, appearing exactly when needed most.

Despite having no formal training, his ability to command the public and implement his ideas was clearly in the realm of talent.

Thanks to this, numerous government workers and field officials who had worked for South Korea pledged their loyalty to Kim Su-ho and followed him, becoming his support base.

“So what’s the matter?”

“We have another problem.”

“Another one?!”

That’s why if one were to name the busiest person in Gangnam, it would undoubtedly be Kim Su-ho.

He had to manage the vast Han River defense line while simultaneously commanding the elite agents who followed him.

However, this wasn’t a bad thing—it was evidence that he had inherited all the legacy left by South Korea, giving him a foundation incomparably better than the Balhut Cult in Gyeongju.

The Balhut Cult in distant Gyeongju didn’t have a single special agent and had to train people from scratch using civilian expertise. In contrast, Kim Su-ho could easily mobilize elite agents and soldiers simply by maintaining the name of South Korea.

If Bahamut, the dragon god of the Balhut Cult, were to see this, he would be envious of how easily Kim Su-ho could gather elite agents and Awakened ones, regardless of internal politics.

That’s how powerful the Awakened ones gathering under Kim Su-ho were compared to other factions.

“Yes. We have information that criminal organizations and looters who have tasted blood are disguising themselves as refugees and secretly entering Gangnam from across the Han River.”

“If criminal organizations come to Gangnam in this situation, it will create even more chaos! Let’s arrest them at the Han River defense line or block their entry.”

“Understood.”

Thanks to this, he had completed the Han River defense line and maintained complete control over it.

By maintaining South Korea’s name, he had even secured elite forces trained by South Korea. Despite internal political issues, he was far from being cornered.

In this apocalypse, the most important thing was military power to protect oneself, and Kim Su-ho was in a position where he could, if necessary, ignore all political conventions and stage a coup.

“Oh, and here’s the information gathered by the National Intelligence Service from each region. Please read it at your leisure.”

“Thank you, Agent.”

Moreover, with the National Intelligence Service on his side, Kim Su-ho could access all of South Korea’s intelligence while sitting comfortably.

Even now, he was planning operations based on information collected by the NIS, which was risking lives to infiltrate and gather intelligence not just from Seoul but from provincial cities as well.

“The Balhut Cult in Gyeongju. The Cult of Immortality in Busan. And self-proclaimed looters running rampant among refugees everywhere. What a mess. At least Daegu has just formed a provisional government, while other places haven’t yet.”

Through this intelligence network, Kim Su-ho became aware of the Balhut Cult and the Cult of Immortality faster than anyone else, and could monitor the current situation of South Korea in real time by receiving reports from each region.

Of course, most of the information was depressingly bleak, causing Kim Su-ho’s spirit to gradually break, and…

“It’s starting to crumble.”

His political opponents, who monitored Kim Su-ho’s movements like stalkers, noticed that he was gradually breaking down and began devising plans to corner him further.

A direct confrontation was obviously impossible.

They weren’t strong enough to stage a coup, and if asked whether all of them together could take on Kim Su-ho alone, they would immediately shake their heads—the power difference was overwhelmingly in Kim Su-ho’s favor.

Frankly, if someone suggested that Kim Su-ho could single-handedly slaughter all his political opponents, they would nod in agreement—the power of South Korea’s first superhuman Awakened was no empty title.

“Didn’t they say looters were coming to the Han River defense line?”

“Criminal organizations too. Well, well. Some interesting ideas are coming to mind!”

What they needed to target was appropriate agitation and fabrication timed with Kim Su-ho’s actions—political offensives.

Even this operation, which was simply a matter of maintaining public order, could become good fodder for their agitation.

“Citizens! Look at Kim Su-ho! Isn’t he driving away poor citizens who have come all the way to the Han River defense line just to survive! How dare anyone claim this isn’t the behavior of a dictator! Kim Su-ho is a dictator! A dictator who will destroy democracy! We must rise up!”

“Kim Su-ho is no longer Seoul’s hero!”

In their hands, criminal organizations instantly transformed into poor refugees who had risked their lives to reach the Han River defense line, becoming material for agitation.

Of course, they knew perfectly well that the people coming to the Han River defense line weren’t poor refugees but criminal organizations that had tasted blood.

If they were in Kim Su-ho’s position, they would be horrified and would refuse entry to these people, implementing the exact same policies as Kim Su-ho.

“Kim Su-ho is in charge, right? So it’s Kim Su-ho’s fault.”

“When I do it, it’s romance. When you do it, it’s adultery.”

This was classic hypocrisy.

They understood this, but from the perspective of those trying to usurp Kim Su-ho’s power, whether his policies were right or wrong was irrelevant.

What mattered to them now was tarnishing Kim Su-ho’s high prestige, and…

“Please believe in me!”

“We conservatives must unite and resist!”

Some even started forming their own factions within Kim Su-ho’s sphere of influence.

Using their remaining connections as the establishment, they successfully formed a power base in Gangnam.

This was similar to the survivor camps commonly seen in provincial cities, and Kim Su-ho didn’t react sensitively to the fact that they had formed a faction within his territory.

“It’s good that you’re organizing. Are you willing to help us?”

“Of course. For our rights, we’ll help you, Mr. Kim.”

He even called them directly, acknowledged their leadership, and requested cooperation.

If they had formed a faction, it meant they had a military organization to exert influence, and for Kim Su-ho, who needed every soldier possible to fight zombies, they were potential allies.

The problem was that, contrary to Kim Su-ho’s expectations, they were a group acting solely for their own benefit rather than for noble ideals.

“Do you really intend to help us? Isn’t this different from what was promised?”

Far from seriously helping Kim Su-ho, they were just receiving and hoarding supplies distributed by him to grow their faction, while Kim Su-ho was once again left to handle the Han River defense line alone.

Kim Su-ho asked them firmly with a pained expression if this was different from what was promised.

“Aren’t we helping? We’re properly maintaining the Han River defense line, aren’t we?”

“I hear there have been problems in the section of the Han River defense line that you’re responsible for. Yet I’m told you’ve been brazenly receiving supplies.”

“That’s just a minor mistake by the personnel on site.”

“You requested to be put in charge of the Han River defense line. But if you act like this, aren’t you abandoning civilians who risk their lives coming here for safety?”

“We can’t control everything like you can, Mr. Kim.”

It would have been better if they had maintained some boundaries while pursuing their own interests.

At least they didn’t greatly offend Kim Su-ho, claiming individual deviations while still listening to his words.

Of course, it was annoying that they were only pursuing their own faction’s interests under Kim Su-ho, but at least they were a faction that listened to Kim Su-ho’s words.

“We need to rescue survivors remaining in Gangbuk.”

“That’s a good cause. Then, Mr. Kim, please remain at the Han River defense line.”

“…What?”

The problem was that factions challenging Kim Su-ho’s command were starting to appear.

The Gangnam faction, which had grown by consuming supplies provided by Kim Su-ho, now questioned his every command, pursuing only their own political gain.

Even if their claims were groundless and detrimental, they would brazenly make them if there was political gain to be had—a kind of populism.

“If Mr. Kim isn’t here, who can protect the Han River defense line?”

“Are you saying that you will enter Gangbuk to rescue survivors?”

“Yes. Our Seoul Youth Corps will rescue them splendidly.”

They were trying to surpass Kim Su-ho’s achievements and take control of the Han River defense line, with some factions even setting out on expeditions while excluding Kim Su-ho’s forces.

Kim Su-ho was speechless at their groundless confidence, wondering where it came from.

But they certainly had their own confidence.

“I’m an Awakened too! So I can do whatever Kim Su-ho can do!”

“We’re just facing zombies! If the entire expedition consists of Awakened, there’s not much danger!”

“Kim Su-ho has just been overrated. Now I’ll be Seoul’s hero!”

They were either glory-seekers or moths chasing the false reputation built by Kim Su-ho.

They were mostly the type who had been internet warriors in their rooms, and now that the fantasy they had only imagined was before their eyes, they thought they could be the protagonists.

But this type was surprisingly common in this apocalypse. Choi Yu-na and Baek Seol-hwa, who had contracted with the dragon god Bahamut to become dragon priestesses, also belonged to this category, though their direction was quite different.

The difference between these basement dwellers and the dragon priestesses was…

“It’s dangerous. Gangbuk is currently full of undead. We have no idea what’s deep inside! Unless we all cooperate…”

“Enough.”

“…Huh?”

They completely lacked self-awareness and believed they would certainly win without any basis or logic.

Where had rationality gone, and where had objectivity been sold?

These people, who hadn’t even broken through level 10, ignored the advice of Kim Su-ho, who had transcended into the realm of superhumans.

“Is Mr. Kim the leader here? You never had the right to command us in the first place. We’ll handle this ourselves. We didn’t come here to listen to your annoying nagging.”

Instead, they denied his command and revealed their sticky jealousy.

If they had ignored Kim Su-ho but still won, Kim Su-ho would have acknowledged that despite their arrogance, they had skill and determination.

“So you’re saying they were defeated?”

“Yes. They went out with great momentum and were completely wiped out.”

“And all that manpower and resources?”

“Gone.”

But in reality, those who had set out with such confidence were defeated and completely wiped out.

Despite being given supplies and having their faction built up, they disappeared without providing any return on investment, showing only an ugly side.

Kim Su-ho felt like asking if these were really 21st century humans like himself, and…

“Why should we sacrifice ourselves to help Gangbuk residents!”

“Relocate them somewhere else now!”

As time passed, even the foundation of Gangnam began to voice complaints, unable to endure the long apocalypse.

Local residents rebelled over refugee issues, and Kim Su-ho now had to resolve conflicts between Gangbuk and Gangnam.

Before the apocalypse, this would have been a common regional conflict, but…

“What am I supposed to do!”

Kim Su-ho didn’t have the capacity to resolve these regional conflicts as well.

“This is too unfair.”

He seemed about to break under the constant unfair treatment, but…

“I need a way to turn this situation around.”

The fact that he still managed to find a way to reverse this bleak situation proved that Kim Su-ho truly was the superhuman knight on a white horse destined to save Seoul.