The World Ahead -1
Jeong Gi-hoon's words revealed a connection between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces that I had wiped out in Japan and two Korean conglomerates. It was Si-woo, Seon-woo, and Si-yeon who had crushed their plans. But somehow, our identities as Koreans had leaked. So now they were hunting for the Steel Man among Koreans—not those in Korea, but Koreans in Japan. It was amusing. They assumed the hunters in the Steel Man suits were Zainichi Koreans. It made sense they wouldn't even consider a Korean gate owner showing up there, especially since we'd vanished back into the gate at the time. Unless it was a freak case like in Korea, foreign gate owners typically lived in their home countries. Korea was uniquely the only place where no foreign residents had become gate owners.
"So what do they plan to do once they find the Steel Men?"
"Probably..."
"Probably?"
"Recruit them. They're presumed to be the strongest hunters alive."
Recruit them? The pro-Japanese collaborators?
"From what you've said, they seem hostile to Japan. Is that even possible?"
"Haha, you think they're pro-Japanese because their goal is pro-Japan?"
Was there something more important to pro-Japanese collaborators than that? I gave Jeong Gi-hoon a look that said I had no idea, and he explained.
"What matters to them isn't Japan or Korea. It's just whether it benefits them. They're siding with Japan for profit. If America or China offered more, they'd switch without hesitation. They have no beliefs—just self-interest."
"So their ancestors collaborated because they knew it would profit them, not because they loved Japan."
"Exactly. There's even that famous story of a notorious collaborator advising his descendants to latch onto America since it looked set to rise."
It made sense when I thought about it. The trio in Steel Man suits who appeared to be Zainichi Koreans likely knew the whereabouts of the mithril gate too. Should we fight them? They were the ones who nearly annihilated the Self-Defense Forces—or at least, that's how it would seem. In reality, no, but that's what others believed. Jeong Gi-hoon was saying that if they found the Steel Men, they wouldn't fight but try to recruit them or ally with them.
"Even if they find the Steel Men as you say, there's no guarantee those hunters would side with the collaborators, right?"
"Possibly. But that assumes the Steel Men know the truth. These people are masters at wielding lies."
Jeong Gi-hoon had a point. If we met them without any prior info and they spun a convincing tale of justice while asking for our aid, would I fall for it? Honestly, I wasn't sure.
Nyaang!
At that moment, Hoya climbed onto my shoulder and nipped at my head.
"Ow, that hurts!"
But I understood Hoya's intent. Don't worry about those guys. Hoya can take care of them. It reaffirmed my thought that with Hoya by my side, there was nothing we couldn't handle.
"So what exactly do you want from me?"
"To be frank, I've looked into you. You're a descendant of independence activists."
"And?"
"I have a request. At the very least, don't join hands with them."
"That's it?"
"Yes. For now. And please grow stronger. This will likely escalate into competition between nations."
I didn't quite follow the nation-vs-nation part. Was there even room for governments to get involved? But Jeong Gi-hoon saw it differently.
"Humans don't break out of their shells easily. They'd rather improve things in their own backyard. That drive holds surprising power."
I could somewhat agree. If you're going to live well anyway, why not do it where you're already rooted, rather than some unfamiliar foreign land?
"Gates don't move, after all. Leaving for a better life elsewhere is practically impossible."
True. Gates stayed put unless special conditions arose, so you had to build your life around where it appeared. That could indeed lead to national rivalries. It was hard to dismiss Jeong Gi-hoon's prediction outright.
"Well, I have no intention of cooperating with them. Though I still don't fully trust you either."
"Can't argue with what you've seen. I'll take my leave."
"Sure. No send-off from me."
Jeong Gi-hoon gave a wry smile at my words, then turned to Go Yeon-ju.
"You've chosen your partner well."
He still thought I was Go Yeon-ju's partner. She didn't correct him, and I saw no need to either. With a final greeting, Jeong Gi-hoon left.
Go Yeon-ju looked at me and asked, "I have this feeling I saw the Steel Man suits in action at Fukushima?"
"Pink Agent, secrecy is Rule Number One of the Shihu Guardians."
"Pfft!"
Ugh, embarrassing. But whatever—she'd figured it out anyway.
"Well, you see..."
I explained everything to Go Yeon-ju: how I'd come to own Hakashi's gate, Leo's story. As she listened, tears streamed down her face. Yeppe was a big dog too, but as someone raising her own pet, Go Yeon-ju empathized even more deeply than I had.
"Sob sob, I watched that documentary and wondered if I could do the same. Turns out he was a gate owner."
"Yeah. In the end, Leo handed the gate to me, and its entrance shifted to our territory."
"Haa. I'll level up fast and become a proud Pink Guardian!"
"Suddenly?"
"Yes! What you did was good. People who treat animals like that can't be good people."
Those who abuse animals are likely to abuse fellow humans too. That's why many animal abusers turn into murderers. Some push for harsher penalties, but politicians often dismiss it—killing an animal isn't a big crime. Flip that, and it says plenty about their human rights views. Just my personal take, of course.
"I agree."
"Captain! Make me a Pink Guardian."
"You're enjoying this a bit too much."
"Yeah, it's kinda fun? Hehe."
Go Yeon-ju had a brighter personality than I'd expected.
"More importantly, bring your friends and family inside the gate from now on. They need the strength to protect themselves at least."
"Yes!"
"But no one with bad character."
"I'll pick carefully. The ones inside now are trustworthy."
I figured as much. They'd held the line during the monster wave, risking their lives. Not easy at all—especially for celebrities, whose jobs prioritize self-preservation. Yet they'd stepped up. That cleared the basic character bar. Not all entertainers with access had come, either. This would sort the true from the false.
"Let's head inside for now."
"Okay."
We stepped back into the gate.
Inside the gate, Hoya hopped onto Yeppe's head. Yeppe didn't resist at all—their hierarchy was clearly set. As a bulldog mix, Yeppe was huge, so Hoya perched there without looking out of place.
"Hoya, don't bully Yeppe too much."
Nyaang!
She's the one bullying me! As if I'd ever bully a lady.
"Then I'll talk to my people and head to your territory, Si-woo."
"Sure."
I called Hoya, and we crossed to our territory. Celebrities were swarmed by locals like it was an autograph session.
"What's this?"
"The elders said they were thrilled to see them."
"Yeah, celebrities aren't everyday sights."
"Obviously."
I got it. The novelty would fade once they lived together.
"Where's Si-yeon?"
"Making Pink gear."
"Stubborn kid."
"Your sister."
"True. Where's Joo-yeon?"
Seon-woo's eyes flickered at my question.
"Bro! We're bros, right?"
"What kinda dialect is that from a Seoul boy?"
"What do you want me to do?"
"Hmm, let's bank one favor for now?"
"Deal!"
I was tempted to break up the Seon-woo-Joo-yeon couple, but if Joo-yeon dumped him, he'd probably stay single forever. So I held back.
"Gather the executives at the lord's castle soon. Got something important to say."
"Got it. Go on ahead."
Soon after, the territory's key figures assembled at the lord's castle—including Karak and Kar-dok. Our leadership wasn't just humans. Current executives: my parents, the soy sauce brewery's Mr. Choi, Village Head, livestock rep, farming rep, Seon-woo's dad, his sister, Seon-woo, Si-yeon. We sat around the round table Karak had built—a Knight of the Round Table vibe, but not bad. Finally, Go Yeon-ju joined as rep for her sub-territory.
"I know you're all busy, but I called you because I met another grand lord outside and heard something relevant to us. So..."
I relayed everything Jeong Gi-hoon had told me. Faces grew serious. Until now, territory and lord stuff might've felt like child's play. But they now sensed the world might revolve around gates—and that meant rethinking their families' futures.
We spent hours debating, aligning on the path ahead for Siho Territory.