Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Ryu Han Empire (6)
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The primary cause of the Dimensional War was environmental problems and resource depletion. Each dimension saw Earth as a potential migration destination and waged war to secure resources.
Coexistence with them was impossible.
Because in the dimensions of the Otherworld Races, the majority of humans were either wiped out or treated like slaves.
"Those bastards view the human race as utterly inferior. From basic physical abilities to whether they possess mana or their lifespan... everything falls short compared to the Otherworld Races."
Being treated as equals by such an inferior species?
They would surely scoff at the idea.
In the end, the only path to peace was to confront them with overwhelming military power.
"Taking out their rulers and subjugating the Otherworld Races beneath our feet would be the most effective approach."
Eliminating every single Otherworld Race member without exception would be incredibly difficult.
There was no choice but to force them into submission with superior strength and achieve coexistence that way.
The problem was resources.
"We'll have to hope that dimensions rich in resources connect to Earth."
While Park Kang-hyuk received the report from Arbon, in the territory of the Ryu Han Empire, damaged buildings were being demolished, foundations laid, and new structures erected in their place.
South Korea had begun securing resources from North Korean territory.
In response to South Korea's unilateral actions, the U.S. even raised the possibility of withdrawing its forces stationed in Korea.
However, strong backlash erupted within the U.S. against pulling out the U.S. Forces Korea.
It would only increase China's influence over South Korea, after all.
For now, they still had to rely on South Korea even for electricity.
Water resources, at least, were relatively abundant.
As dams were constructed, the Ryu Han Empire's basic infrastructure fell into place one by one.
While Jeolla and Gyeongsang Provinces were restored and development began in northern South Korea, the Spirit Race and Beastmen refrained from easily crossing over to the Korean Peninsula.
Thanks to that, South Korea was able to reorganize domestically before a year had passed.
In the meantime, numerous buildings rose in the Ryu Han Empire territory, quickly giving it the appearance of a city.
Apartments and officetels built with modular methods soon exceeded thousands of units, and Kang-hyuk steadily summoned new homunculi.
China hoped that National Power-level forces would step in, offering astronomical compensation in return.
Of course, the South Korean government and major guilds had also received requests from the Chinese government.
They had asked Japan for help as well, but Japan found it difficult to deploy its National Power-level Hunters.
Conflicts with the demon race were still ongoing, after all.
In the end, South Korea and the Ryu Han Empire formed an allied force and decided to cross into Liaoning Province, bordering the Ryu Han Empire's northern border, to attack the Beastmen.
The GH Guild also mobilized numerous S-rank Hunters, prompting the Chinese government to express gratitude to both the Ryu Han Empire and South Korea.
For reference, due to intense pressure from the U.S., South Korean national forces were not deployed.
The U.S. maintained a cautious stance regarding aid to China.
However, Hunters were different.
They weren't bound by government orders and could be deployed as mercenaries.
Numerous South Korean Hunters crossed into the Ryu Han Empire and began advancing beyond the Yalu River alongside the Ryu Han Empire forces.
Kwaaang—! Kwakwakwang!
While the Ryu Han Empire forces and South Korean Hunters crossed the border to attack the Beastmen, Kang-hyuk, masked, unleashed slashing attacks toward Shenyang City.
Sseuwwaaaak—!
Kang-hyuk devastated the cities in Liaoning Province, drawing the Beastmen's attention.
The Beastmen attacking Beijing had no choice but to panic.
"Wha... China officially recognized the Ryu Han Empire as a nation?!"
"Yes, and they've requested support in exchange for astronomical compensation! The Ryu Han Empire's emperor is destroying cities in Liaoning Province! Plus 300,000 Ryu Han Empire troops and over 1,000 South Korean Hunters...!"
Lockna's Beastmen fell into deep contemplation.
Should they withdraw their forces now and fight the Ryu Han Empire army?
Or continue the assault and seize Beijing?
Capturing Beijing right away was difficult.
A National Power-level Hunter was counterattacking from within Beijing, after all.
Moreover, as the capital, Beijing was garrisoned by an enormous number of Hunters.
Chinese military forces were firing guns and artillery from inside and around the city.
Kugugung!
Buildings collapsed and explosions rocked various parts of the city.
Smoke billowed into the sky.
Puhwaaaaa—!
"...?!"
A brilliant crimson flame beam shot into the sky.
"Damn it! Retreat for now!"
"Understood!"
In the end, as Lockna's Beastmen began withdrawing to Liaoning Province, the Ryu Han Empire forces and South Korean Hunters also pulled back at the right moment to minimize casualties.
Lockna's Beastmen could only grit their teeth in frustration.
"What? The Ryu Han Empire forces have withdrawn?!"
"Yes, that's correct."
"These damn...!"
"It might not be about stopping the Beijing attack..."
The Beastmen gnashed their teeth.
"Attack the Ryu Han Empire!"
"That could prompt the Chinese military to move. For Beijing's safety, they'll want to reclaim Liaoning Province."
"Damn it!"
Lockna currently controlled Manchuria, the Primorye region, and about 20% of Mongolia.
Advancing further north was difficult for them.
Russia was home to the dragonkin, considered the strongest among the Otherworld Races.
"How about gradually occupying Chinese territory via Mongolia for now? Crossing through Chinese lands would allow us to reach the Middle East. They say resources are abundant there..."
"Urgh..."
"There are currently two National Power-level forces on the Korean Peninsula. Rather than taking them down to seize it, it would be more profitable to conquer the western nations."
The Korean Peninsula had excessive military power relative to its size.
Thus, Lockna's Beastmen had no choice but to postpone retaking North Korean territory and attacking Beijing.
The Ryu Han Empire forces crossed the Yalu River and returned in just two days.
A single assault had averted Beijing's crisis.
The Chinese government signed an FTA with the Ryu Han Empire while keeping an eye on Lockna's Beastmen.
They didn't know when they might attack Beijing again.
When that time came, they'd need the Ryu Han Empire forces' help once more.
Especially upon hearing that the emperor had single-handedly attacked Shenyang City, the Chinese government expressed profound gratitude, sending tens of trillions in cash and 200 billion worth of goods.
Additionally, the Ryu Han Empire issued new currency and conducted currency swaps with South Korea and China.
"Card payments are now possible even in Ryu Han Empire territory. The central bank manages all the IT systems..."
By importing various facilities from South Korea for financial transactions, online and card payments became available even in the Ryu Han Empire's capital, Pyongyang.
"Beyond banks, government offices and other public institutions are being established, and affiliates of the imperial LK Group are kicking off full operations. We've purchased cargo ships from South Korea, enabling trade with China, and newly summoned homunculi receive basic training before being deployed to sites."
Of course, homunculi also had job freedom.
They could quit or change jobs at will if they wished.
"Monthly rent for apartments and officetels is set at 100,000 Wid, with maintenance fees at 80,000 Wid. Utility bills like water and electricity are higher than in South Korea, but still manageable, I believe."
Ryu Han Empire workers currently earned around 1 to 1.2 million won per month in Korean currency.
Thanks to massive support from South Korea, the Ryu Han Empire grew at a rapid pace.
Moreover, normalization of relations with China allowed industrial complexes built in the Ryu Han Empire to start operating quickly, with labor needs steadily filled by homunculi.
South Korean companies also began investing in Ryu Han Empire territory, projecting GDP growth unprecedented for a new nation.
The issue was population.
The South Korean government was stunned upon hearing the number of Ryu Han Empire citizens.
Including soldiers, it reached 18 million.
The relocating citizens received imperial support for jobs and housing.
They couldn't just hand out support money recklessly.
Thus, for settling in, the imperial family provided interest-free loans of 5 million Wid.
The Ryu Han Empire focused on economic development by rapidly developing its capital Pyongyang, the trade city Nampo, the massive industrial complex in Kaesong, and the border city Sinuiju.
"Including highways, high-speed rail, subways, trams, and more..."
Returning to the GH Guild's Second Headquarters, Kang-hyuk squeezed his eyes shut as he reviewed the report.
"The imperial palace is nearly complete. Holding a reconstruction ceremony to engage with neighboring nations might be a good idea."
"Whether masked or revealing your identity..."
"I think it's still too early to reveal your identity. The Otherworld Races believe two National Power-level forces are stationed on the Korean Peninsula. If you reveal yourself... they might attack when you're away."
Kang-hyuk nodded once.
"That could happen."