39. Internal Affairs (1)
"What do you mean by problem?"
A brief silence flowed between us. Park Donghyuk handed me some water he'd fetched from somewhere.
"Ah, thank you."
"I assume you've heard the rough outline already. The blood clump monsters to the north. And the raiders from the south."
"Yeah. Humans in military uniforms attacking, right? Hoo."
"Correct. To be precise, it's kidnappings."
Kidnappings... That sounded exactly like what happened to Kim Yunjin and her group. I asked the question I'd wanted to pose to Lee Euna earlier.
"Have you ever heard the term Northdong Liberation Army?"
"Northdong Liberation Army. It rings a bell. Though it's just the Liberation Army, really."
His response was noticeably sharp. Park Donghyuk clearly knew something.
"Are they an official military unit?"
"No. All I know is that they call themselves the Liberation Army."
"So, they're the ones kidnapping people from the south?"
"That's right. They're the ones in reserve soldier uniforms—precisely reserve gear—snatching people away. I hope everyone's okay... but given what those bastards do, the odds aren't good."
Park Donghyuk's face darkened. Despite his looks, he seemed to carry some sense of responsibility for others.
But...
If that was true, the credibility of Jeong Suhyun's and the survivors' accounts shot way up. People in reserve uniforms kidnapping folks between Northdong and Southdong, up to some shady shit. And there was a high chance it matched what happened to Kim Yunjin's group.
The bastards who took over the mart are the same ones who were at Our Love Church...
But since Jeong Suhyun hadn't known about Kim Kwonyong and his crew, there was still a possibility those dozen survivors Park mentioned were alive.
The reserve soldiers from the mart could've fled and linked up with others. Makes sense.
Their whole MO was lashing out at soldiers and civilians when things got too hot for them. It fit.
But it's not confirmed.
I decided to file that intel away for now. Park Donghyuk and the Northdong Station group were the priority.
"So, they're the problem?"
I steered back to the main point. Blood clumps in the north, humans attacking from the south—yeah, that qualified as a problem.
But Park Donghyuk shook his head.
"No. They are a problem, but not a big one. You probably saw it yourself, but Lee Euna's ability and mine are enough to hold them off."
"That, uh, barrier thing?"
"Yes. She's a Barrier Summoner. I have Surveillance. She seals both entrances, and I use Surveillance to watch for anyone approaching. That way, we can always prepare."
Surveillance. Sounded like a CCTV skill. Probably why he'd reacted so fast to my arrival.
That sparked a small doubt in me.
"You can just tell me that outright?"
We'd only met today.
"Why not? You showed us your abilities and goals already. Fair's fair."
He chuckled, then abruptly cut it off, his expression turning serious.
"Besides, you're asking because you're interested, right? Our real issue is internal."
He nodded toward Lee Euna, who pulled a binder from a drawer and handed it to me.
"...What's this?"
"The Northdong Station survivor roster and their abilities."
I flipped it open. Names, genders, ages, Status Window classes and skills. It was neatly categorized: Attack/Defense & Support/Food/Other.
"You made this yourself?"
"Yes, right after I became the leader here. Haha, take your time reading."
"Ah, sure."
I didn't get why he was handing this over mid-problem discussion, but there had to be a reason. I started flipping through slowly.
Impressive.
Detailed, but only the essentials. Personnel records stripped to the bone.
'Kim Jung-hyuk, Blunt Weapon Summoner. Lee Ah-reum, Spear Summoner.'
Most were Attack types. No mages like me—mostly enhancers or summoners.
'Lee Euna, Barrier Summoner. Park Donghyuk, Surveillance. Kim Gapsu, Key Maker. Choi Youngchul, Meat Summoner...'
Defense, Support, and Food were fewer, but Park had noted them meticulously—knowing their value.
'Other... What the hell, unawakened?'
Then I spotted something odd. About seven people under Other. Just names, genders, ages—no class or skills.
"...What's this? The Other section."
"Haa..."
Park Donghyuk sighed deeply, coughing as he caught his breath.
"Ahem. Cough. Yeah. They're our biggest problem."
"Unawakened, you said."
I frowned. He continued, voice heavy as if the ground might swallow him.
"Yes. Unawakened. No Status Window. Outwardly, at least."
"But that doesn't add up. Everyone who's said 'Status Window' got powers."
Lee Euna jumped in.
"So, they're hiding their abilities and plotting something?"
"...Close enough. And they..."
Bang bang bang!
Just as Park was about to answer, frantic knocking echoed from outside the room, followed by a young man's voice.
"Uncle Donghyuk! Uncle Donghyuk!"
Young guy. Sounded like a middle schooler, maybe.
"Minhyuk? What's up?"
Park blinked, opening the door. Sure enough, a boy about 170cm tall—right on the money.
The kid Park called Minhyuk ignored us entirely, yelling at him.
"Those assholes are fucking up the cafeteria again!"
"Kim Minhyuk, watch your mouth."
"No, Unnie Euna! This isn't the first or second time. Who the hell are they to boss Uncle Donghyuk's rules around?!"
"Q-quiet down, Kim Minhyuk. What if someone hears?"
"Let 'em hear! Fuck! Those shitheads!"
"Kim Minhyuk!"
He was pissed—face flushed red. He kicked the doorframe, ranting on.
"Mom and Dad hate those bastards too. They break rules, hassle people. And because of them, the south gate opened last time and Mina Unnie's group got nabbed!"
"...That was..."
"F-first, Euna, take Minhyuk out for a sec."
"Ah, yes. Minhyuk, come talk outside with me. W-we have a guest."
"Guest? What guest?"
"Come on."
"Wait, hold up. A guest?! What guest?!"
Park hustled them out fast. Lee Euna was stronger than she looked, dragging the protesting Minhyuk.
Thud!
Door shut. Just me and Park left.
"...I get the picture."
From Minhyuk's outburst, I pieced together the Northdong Station survivors' issue.
Park sighed.
"Kuh... Yeah. My rules. Nothing fancy: no fighting, no betrayal, rations as allocated, night watch in rotation."
He sank into the sofa, reciting them. If he wasn't lying, they were basic common sense.
But from Minhyuk, it sounded like a faction ignored them.
"They hate that shit. Do whatever they want, plot how to tank this place—not even thinking past tomorrow. Ignore rations, watch duty, internal rules..."
"Can't control them?"
"Control? If we could, would Euna and I be sitting here? Last time, they tried seducing her while she slept. That's why the south gate failed—people got taken."
Park snapped, then realized what he'd said and apologized again.
"Sorry. Can't hold my temper. But trying that on Euna... and people forgave it?"
"No. Their rep's in the toilet."
He ground his teeth.
"But they have abilities we don't know about. Everyone's keeping quiet."
And.
"We lack real attack power. Most have families, elderly, kids—they hesitate to step up."
Plus.
"Told you, attacks from both sides. North and south... ugh, frustrating as hell, and these power-tripping assholes..."
He stopped abruptly. His small eyes gleamed.
"Just my word, though. Let's go see. Judge them yourself—appreciate your take."
He stood, smiling.
"After, you're here for a deal, right? This chat shows we might cooperate on your goals. You're an outsider, after all."
A very, deeply suspicious offer.