Ch.292292. Roadmap (2)

Seorabeol began implementing the roadmap and promises it had outlined, methodically weakening extremist factions.

While the nationwide Awakened project couldn’t be immediately implemented due to lack of infrastructure in Seoul—requiring travel to the temple where the Dragon God had resided—the other promises were entirely feasible to fulfill right away.

Therefore, Seorabeol focused all its efforts on rebuilding Seoul.

“Wow. In the end, all you need is a budget to get things done.”

Seoul’s streets were quickly being reconstructed.

Particularly in Gwanghwamun, which would become Seoul’s center, steel frameworks for new buildings continued to rise.

As buildings were constructed one after another, large screens throughout Seoul broadcast daily news and updates on Seorabeol’s roadmap implementation, with professional announcers informing citizens of progress.

“They’re even advertising this on YouTube. They’re really going all out, aren’t they?”

“I heard rumors that all of Seorabeol’s tax revenue is being spent on rebuilding Seoul.”

Kim Tae-hyun voiced concern that these reforms might be placing a financial burden on Seorabeol, but—

“Aren’t you making a lot of money because of it?”

Kang Jae-wan patted Tae-hyun’s shoulder with an awkward smile, pointing out that he was reaping substantial profits from the situation.

“I can’t deny that!”

Tae-hyun couldn’t argue. All wealth and resources were flowing into Seoul, and he had positioned himself to profit from this influx.

Just like in Gyeongju before, Tae-hyun’s first business venture involved food. Food had become a high-value commodity after the apocalypse and was the top priority for many citizens. Seoul had experienced long periods of food shortages, and a culture of stockpiling emergency rations had developed.

If asked what the best-selling commodity in Seoul was currently, the answer would obviously be—

“I never expected rice to sell this well! Long live the Yamato Alliance.”

“Well, rice is the Yamato Alliance’s main export. We’re benefiting from that.”

Rice—the staple food of Koreans that could provide most necessary nutrients—was selling best.

Seoul was currently consuming hundreds of thousands of tons of rice monthly. Tae-hyun, finding the supply from Gyeongju’s granary region insufficient, was purchasing large quantities of rice that the Yamato Alliance exported to Seorabeol and selling it in Seoul, aiming for distribution profits.

These substantial profits could help establish the name of Kim Tae-hyun Company throughout Seoul while also making the young businessman himself known. Some might feel grateful to him for selling rice, others might see him as an unscrupulous person playing with food, and still others might recognize him as a businessman who seized an opportunity to build tremendous wealth.

“This isn’t the end. Seoul’s revival is just beginning.”

But Seorabeol’s policies wouldn’t end with just this much.

Seoul’s revival had just begun, and Tae-hyun simply smiled at the crowds and trucks visible outside his window.

People were busily moving supplies, and large equipment needed for construction was being installed one by one.

There were even street vendors selling snacks to the workers.

A city that had been virtually an abandoned ruin just a month or two ago was transforming into a vibrant place where people lived.

“The policy implementation status board is up again today.”

“It’s up again today? Then we should check it. It’s risky to focus only on seasonal business.”

What reassured Seoul’s citizens most was that Seorabeol had no intention of hiding its achievements.

While modesty is typically considered a virtue when governments announce accomplishments, for the newly established Seorabeol, it was better to demonstrate overwhelming power and progress to deter potential rebel forces rather than showing humility.

A policy implementation status board had been installed in front of the administrative office near Gwanghwamun, showing real-time progress. It revealed that while the nationwide Awakened project was only 22% complete, constitutional amendments had reached 52% completion, including provisions for survival rights and improved rights for the Awakened as promised in the roadmap.

“The Seoul Reconstruction Special Act is almost fully implemented.”

“That’s right. Wealth redistribution is nearly complete too. And reconstruction zones are becoming more active.”

Seoul’s reconstruction—most crucial for daily survival!

This was the promise Seorabeol was trying to fulfill most quickly, knowing that the faster it was implemented, the more Seoul citizens would support Seorabeol.

As promises were fulfilled, Seoul citizens were gradually becoming Seorabeol citizens, quickly forgetting their identity as citizens of the Republic of Korea.

“And though it’s minor, illegal weapons are gradually being collected.”

“It might seem minor to us Awakened, but with the Awakened project not yet fully implemented, this is evidence that Seoul is becoming safer.”

Finally, the promise to disarm illegal weapons was also gradually progressing.

From an Awakened person’s perspective, this might seem insignificant, but for ordinary Seoul citizens who hadn’t Awakened, it meant Seoul’s public safety was stabilizing.

Currently, 34 unauthorized militias across the country had been disbanded, and the illegal weapons recovery rate had reached 87%, showing that numerous field troops were working hard for Seoul’s safety.

“Lady A-yeon must be working hard.”

“If she had stayed as a secretary, she wouldn’t have had to work so hard.”

The two young men paid respects to a superhuman who was suppressing resistant private militias and confiscating their illegal weapons. They were increasingly anticipating the government’s upcoming announcements, but there were also forces greatly displeased with Seorabeol’s progress.

Yes, not everyone found Seorabeol’s promises sweet. While some praised Seorabeol’s majesty, elsewhere, formerly wealthy extremists were secretly nursing their anger.

“Our end has finally come.”

“If Seorabeol hadn’t respected us, we would have fought for the Cult of Immortality.”

“Kim Su-ho. Oh, hateful Kim Su-ho!”

They had no choice but to suffer losses under Seorabeol’s policies, having already lost all their wealth through Seorabeol’s harsh land reforms.

All financial records were not guaranteed by Seorabeol, effectively resulting in delisting, and while they still had some physical assets, they were powerless against Seorabeol.

They had been included in wealth redistribution as a gesture of goodwill, but what could they do with that?

Seorabeol had simply used their inclusion in wealth redistribution to demonstrate fairness, but these now-toothless tigers could only loudly voice opposition to Seorabeol’s policies.

“This is robbery! All the wealth we’ve accumulated…!”

“Dragon Priestess or whatever… in the end, just the face of a red dictator.”

But they only complained without taking action, cowering when Seorabeol showed signs of war or suppression, and hiding in back alleys when actual troops passed by.

Even public sentiment didn’t support them, and their reason for existence was beginning to disappear.

“Do you have any reason to exist? Shameless fools! Living on rations distributed by Seorabeol!”

“What gives you the right to act superior when you have no legitimacy?”

Those who claimed Seorabeol’s dictatorship must be overthrown quietly lined up at Seorabeol-operated soup kitchens to receive food rations.

Others shouted that theocracy must be overthrown, but when democracy was guaranteed through constitutional amendments, most had no choice but to remain silent.

Even genuine revolutionaries who acted on conviction rather than for votes eventually accepted the solemn reality of Seorabeol’s establishment.

What was most unbearable for these genuine revolutionaries was…

“Just chicken hawks, that’s what they were.”

“All talk of rebellion, but in reality, relegated to the back room. Couldn’t even gather a single person.”

It was having their convictions denied.

As Seorabeol’s policies successfully concluded, citizens increasingly appeared who despised or denied these groups’ existence.

Initially considered a necessary evil, as Seorabeol achieved success, its establishment became more firmly grounded. To protect the wealth they had received from Seorabeol, it was essential that Seorabeol not fall.

This was evidence that things were proceeding according to Dragon God Bahamut’s thinking, and faced with the cold gaze of public opinion, extremist forces had only one option left:

“We’re heading to the Korea First Party! We still have a chance to survive!”

“No, dissolve the party! If our ideology has no meaning in this apocalypse, dissolving this useless party is the answer!”

While some joined third-zone parties to maintain some semblance of continuity, others dissolved their parties altogether. Pre-apocalypse parties also began seeking transformation into parties suitable for the apocalyptic era.

Since it had been proven that extreme right or left claims could no longer capture voters’ hearts, they needed to either create new ideologies or develop policies that voters would accept.

And they had their own confidence.

“Seorabeol’s reforms will eventually reach their limits!”

They believed Seorabeol would reach its limits.

Their argument wasn’t entirely without logic, and based on their own common sense, they could confidently proclaim the limitations of Seorabeol.

“Seoul cannot maintain its current welfare! They don’t even have oil money! They’ll soon reach budgetary limits!”

All wealth has limits, and indeed, the revenue Seorabeol could obtain through taxation was also limited.

While there might not be problems now, the system would certainly reach its limits eventually, and when Seorabeol reached those limits—

“We’re not finished yet!”

They would deliver the final blow.

The extremist revolutionaries who had infiltrated the Korea First Party could only smile as they imagined the future ahead.