episode_0058
by fnovelpiaOne day after the Jeju Island incident was resolved.
[The death toll alone exceeds 500,000 in just two days… Including missing persons, it is the world’s largest number of casualties in the shortest period of time…]
[The Island Turned Red. A Record of Those Terrible 50 Hours.]
[I will never forget the Jeju incident on May XX, 204X.]
[We managed to meet the family of a survivor who was barely rescued and set up an interview with great difficulty.]
[Jeju Island, with a large amount of extra-dimensional particles… From a leader in culture and tourism to a land of death in an instant. Experts say, even with purification work, it will remain a wasteland for more than 30 years…]
News, newspapers, internet tornadoes and other media outlets were busy updating the latest news, damages and future outlook almost every minute.
To that extent, the Jeju Island incident gave a great shock to Korea.
Within 50 hours of the outbreak, Jeju City had become a ghost town, and Jeju Island itself was off-limits to the general public due to the lethal dose of toxic extradimensional particles.
Except for the investigation team dispatched by the United Nations [Union] and some of the dispatched attack series to manage the remaining gates on the island,
Jeju Island has become a land of death without even a single blade of grass left.
Because there had been no major problems for nearly 20 years, or because the terrible memories of 20 years ago still lingered, this incident once again brought awareness to the cracks in the gate in a society that had become lax.
Optimists who had been talking about reducing the amount of tax money being spent on gate management and the awakened education industry have been silenced, and society has become more determined to solidify its sense of external security.
All public broadcasts were canceled and a separate schedule was created for this incident.
After that, they began broadcasting 24-hour, commercial-free content about the death toll, rescue operations, and discussions on countermeasures.
Major domestic portal sites were plastered with memorial images and news links regarding this incident on their front pages.
[No, Rep. Kang Bong-gu. I am deeply sorry about this incident… I express my condolences to the deceased and their families.]
[Government establishes incense burners in various cities and counties… Relief facilities for 137 survivors who were barely rescued…]
[Korean Awakening Association President Han Byeong-pil, who dispatched a special task force but unfortunately failed to produce meaningful results, apologized to the deceased and their bereaved families, and made a national apology broadcast…]
Memorial services were held across the country.
In particular, in the case of Daejeon, which was the site of the fiercest battle of the 1,000-day battle, it was noticeable that a particularly large number of people flocked there, perhaps because it was considered someone else’s business.
Politicians expressed their condolences and regrets, shed tears for the cameras, visited the incense burner, and met with the bereaved families, all in an effort to build their image.
and….
Two days after the Jeju Island incident.
“… Ah, at the time of the report, it was a Class A situation, but even so, you quickly formed a suicide squad and dispatched it in preparation for any possible crisis, is that what you’re saying?”
“Yes. The management and the association will not sit idly by and watch the gate issue. In order to prevent the damage from growing, we quickly gathered 300 B-class or higher awakened people, including [Neulhaerang], and formed a suicide squad to attack the gate as quickly as possible.”
“I see.”
“Yes. However, unfortunately, we were unable to stop the situation as the gate suddenly expanded to S-class. The cause is currently being investigated.”
“Indeed. But does it often happen that an A-class incident escalates to an S-class?”
“There is no such thing as zero chance. If there is an unexpected situation during the operation, if there is a mistake during the operation, or if the gate is not suppressed and the situation continues to spread, it is quite possible. I fully acknowledge responsibility for my lack of judgment.”
“There are suspicions that Chairman Han Byeong-pil intentionally did not participate in the operation. What do you think about this?”
“I am very sorry, but I think it is a painful reprimand. I underestimated the danger of the corrupted gate as being Class A, dispatched [Neulhaerang], and continued my overseas schedule with peace of mind. When it was determined to be Class S, I returned on a private plane, but it was already too late.”
“Ah… .”
“It was too lax and easygoing. But this [Fighting Father] is not one to avoid a fight. I will never run away from this sin of immaturity.”
“Some say that it could have been a bigger issue, but fortunately, the government, the association, [Union], and the Awakened made great efforts to suppress the gate in about two days.”
“That’s a very happy thing to hear in the midst of my heartbreak. But I could have saved more people faster, but I couldn’t. I appreciate the words of encouragement, but I’ll have to decline for now.”
“Mr. Song Chan-seop, who was in charge of the scene, is currently in a comatose state. Do you have anything to say about this?”
“I think it is very unfortunate that our young friend ended up like that. Although the effort was admirable, we cannot escape responsibility for the failure of the operation. My heart is heavy, but I will clearly reveal the right and wrong of this incident, including myself, and appropriate punishment will be given accordingly.”
“Yes. Are there any other related characters?”
“Yes. The same goes for former Jeju branch manager Lee Dong-jin, who was the manager at the time. There will be a proper investigation and punishment for why he failed to prevent the gate from being altered and why he was late in reporting.”
“Despite the fact that it was discovered late that the Gate had degenerated to an S-class scale, the request for support sent to [Union] was evaluated as being quick and accurate. Who is this hidden hero? Is he someone we know?”
“… First of all, shamefully, it’s not me. I’m guessing it’s [Heenari] Hong Yoon-ha, who failed in the operation and returned to fight again with [Union]… . Yes. This is also still under investigation. The government will probably award her with a commendation and a prize. ”
“I see. Let’s end the interview here. Thank you for your honest and sincere answers so far. In a moment, Han Byeong-pil, the director of the Gate Safety Management Bureau and the president of the Korean Awakening Association, will be apologizing to the public on air. Thank you for your words.”
“No. I feel heavy-hearted because I can only offer you an apology in words. Haha.”
After the interview and apology broadcast of the association president, [Fighting Father] Han Byeong-pil, another news report began to be reported.
[What is the cause of this incident?]
[Gate management failure? Amazing coincidence? Meet Mr. Kim.]
[Association President Han Byeong-pil, feels responsible, deeply apologizes… [Neulhaerang] did his best. Please don’t push him too hard.]
[Why couldn’t Song Chan-seop stop the situation? Arrogance about his own abilities? Abuse?]
[Prosecutors arrested former Jeju branch manager of Gate Safety Management Bureau, Lee Dong-jin. However, due to severe injuries, he will be detained in a special room for a thorough investigation.]
When a major incident occurs, it is a very natural social phenomenon, regardless of country or race, to look into the cause and blame those responsible for the damage.
The seriousness of the scale of this incident has created a public sentiment that the cause must be clearly identified and punished.
There was no significant criticism of the government or the association. They quickly suppressed the gate that caused such serious damage within 50 hours with quick judgment and did their best to prevent the situation.
It was also quick to request support from [Union].
The results were disappointing, but there was a consensus that it was an appropriate decision, and that efforts were made accordingly, but public opinion was largely that it couldn’t be helped.
Instead, the responsibility of Lee Dong-jin, the [bone destroyer] who reported late based on the interview with Han Byeong-pil, and Song Chan-seop, [Neulhaerang] who failed to deal with the situation in a timely manner, was raised.
There was regret and criticism, or reproach and condemnation, and talk of arresting and thoroughly punishing him as soon as treatment was completed.
[Japan expresses its deepest condolences and regrets regarding this incident… and promises its full support.]
[Queen Elizabeth, Britain and Korea have strong ties, and she assures full support.]
[China to send 50 tons of relief supplies with condolences, saying, ‘We have not forgotten the East is invincible’]
[USA…]
Although the country’s largest island and tourist destination suffered serious damage, with its infrastructure blown away, Korea’s image held considerable status in the international community thanks to the activities of Admiral Yi Sun-shin.
Sympathetic public opinion was formed among many countries, and Korea was able to receive a significant amount of support.
[Association, deliberately hiding the facts of the damage? Bereaved family testimony, is it really true?]
[Controversy among some members of the suicide squad over ‘the report was not wrong’…. The truth must be determined accurately]
[Government says conspiracy theories are spreading amid serious situation. Promises strong response and punishment…]
Of course, there were still some annoying gag issues to sort out, but the government and the association’s strong control over the media made it possible to dismiss them as mere rumors and simply pass them over.
Okay, the tail clipping was perfect.
Although the damage was great, the stock price was successfully defended and an appropriate amount of support was promised to compensate for the loss.
The entire process and the ending were perfect.
It was a really good thing.
Yeah, that was a good thing.
Three days after the Jeju Island incident.
One afternoon after lunch, Incheon International Airport was crowded with reporters.
Today, news broke that Liam Craven, one of the heroes who resolved the Jeju Island situation, was suddenly leaving the country.
Although the reason was unknown, all of the [Union] supporters currently gathered in Korea did not return home and were staying in their respective hotels in silence, while [Balor], the only one who had started to operate, was shown interest by numerous media outlets.
And then, not long after, the Liam Craven they had been waiting for showed up at the airport.
He was dressed in a smart black suit, with a white rose pinned to his left breast pocket – traditional British funeral attire.
Is this to commemorate the victims and their bereaved families?
Or for whom?
“Mister, Mister! Look this way!”
“Can you give me a little wave!”
Liam, who appeared in front of the media for the first time in a while, was showered with camera flashes one after another, making it difficult to open his eyes.
There was also a desperate cry to be able to include just one more sentence when publishing the article.
However, the reporters’ excitement quickly died down as they saw [Balor] passing through the door and getting closer to them.
Although I didn’t use mana, I was overwhelmed by the momentum that the S-class Awakened was spreading with all their heart.
I don’t know why, but he was angry.
It felt like a bomb about to explode.
Overwhelmed by it, the flashing lights stopped flashing and the shouts from the throat died down.
Even with dozens of journalists present, the only thing that remained at the scene was the sound of Liam’s shoes hitting the tiles.
Liam, who was walking slowly, glanced at the reporters.
The bloodshot, swollen eye was eerie. The pupil was already tinted purple.
I heard someone gulp.
“mi, Mr-”
At that time, a young and innocent rookie reporter stepped forward.
She had boasted to her seniors that she would get a scoop, but when even her seniors couldn’t bring themselves to say anything, she dared to speak to [Balor].
“Say it.”
Liam stopped in his tracks, perhaps because of her courage, then turned around and walked towards her.
The new recruit who successfully applied for an interview asked him questions in fluent English with a strangely happy face, but dripping with cold sweat.
“I would like to thank you for responding to Korea’s national disaster this time, Mr. Craven! I am Kim Jae-hee, a reporter for KKS National Broadcasting!”
“Just for the record, briefly.”
“Yes, yes. Can you tell me why you are acting separately while the other elite awakened members of [Union] are not moving?”
“… Not really. I’m just going as a representative.”
“Representative…? Oh, no. Then, Mr., can you tell me about your current schedule? Are you returning home? Or do you have other plans?”
“… … .”
Silence. Reporter Kim Jae-hee felt her back get wet as she watched Liam staring at the wireless microphone she had held out for him.
Even though the sticky anger wasn’t directed at me, the density of the emotion was so high that it was hard to breathe.
“I heard that many of the first-generation Awakened people from other countries who had retired also participated in this expedition. So, was [Admiral Yi Sun-sin], the world hero and pride of the Republic of Korea who suddenly disappeared about 20 years ago, also on the battlefield?”
However, she continued to ask questions, and although she was still a rookie, she deserved to be praised for her strong professional spirit.
“… … .”
Although his earnest desire was enough to warrant an answer, [Balor] still remained silent.
The rookie reporter, who could no longer continue asking questions, also kept his mouth shut. However, he did not take back his arm that had extended the microphone.
My arms were numb and painful, and my legs were shaking, but I stood firm as a reporter.
Finally, did their hearts connect? Liam snatched the microphone from her hand and opened his mouth.
“I was originally planning to return home. But I changed my schedule. I’m going to [Union] headquarters in New York now. I have some work to do there.”
“What should I do?”
The pre-detonation bomb named Liam had a precarious, precarious feel to it, as if someone was gently caressing it before pressing the detonator button.
He opened his mouth, twirling the microphone in his hand, holding his breath as if choosing what to say for a moment.
“I’m going to propose the termination of the conditional protection treaty between [Union] and Korea. Most of the representatives of each country, except me, and the supporters who came here have already agreed.”
“And, I will come back with special ability awakeners, [Moirai] who can hear the truth and [Pinocchio] who can see lies. I will come and round up all the trashy humans who violated the Gate International Management Law.”
“Yes, yes?”
“Did you ask earlier if [Chungmugong] was here? Yes, he was. He came and sacrificed his life to save the world. Our hero died without even leaving a body behind. But, in this country, no one knew about it except for two people. Isn’t that interesting?”
The one-eyed demon who never showed mercy to his enemies continued speaking with an eerie smile.
“My senior, my hero, my mentor, my father, is dead, and I cannot bear that fact. International opinion? Britain’s reputation? I don’t care. I will fight this country as an individual, for the man who was the greatest of all. Revenge. Yes, revenge. I will only honor my hero with revenge.”
Finally, the bomb exploded.
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