Gangbuk's Apex vs. Gangnam's Champion
I'd moved my residence to the North Palace. I slept there, but I still handled my usual duties from the South Palace. It just felt more comfortable working where I always had.
We decided to keep the first, second, and third floors of the North Palace open at all times. Mostly, the kids came by to play. Whenever I headed down, I'd find them with game consoles or comic books, each claiming a room to hang out in. The residents had drilled good habits into them—they always cleaned up neatly before leaving.
The three apartments on the fifth floor went to the executives. Jeong Su-hwan moved in with his wife and daughter, along with Lee Kyung-min and Lee Ha-yeon, and Han Eun-ji. Han Seol, Han Byeol, Seo I-rang, and Na Hye-won stayed where they were, living with me on the eighth floor. The only change was that Im Jui had decided to live with us on the eighth floor too.
Han Eun-ji had lasted just one day before complaining that living alone in such a huge place felt like a waste and insisting on moving back out. But after seeing how convenient it was sharing with the other executives, that idea got shot down.
At mealtimes, we'd all head down to the second floor to eat together. No need to trek back and forth to the spa—just take the elevator, and the chefs would serve up the food. It was more convenient than I'd expected.
I kept the door to the Seven Princes Palace on the seventh floor locked. No point using it until we had an official heir.
"This... there's nothing to compare it to."
Six days ago, I'd planted cherry tomato seeds in pure, unadulterated fertilizer. Already, they were sprouting stems and climbing the supports. In just six days. An absurd growth rate.
And since farming was the goal, I gathered some coarse sand—useless for agriculture—and mixed it with the fertilizer at a 1:2 ratio. After six days, the sand had blended with the fertilizer, transforming into rich, dark brown, oily, fertile soil. This proved that even worthless land could be turned into prime farmland using the factory's fertilizer.
There wasn't much need for mass production inside Nakyuan, so I gathered the union executives and brought up the fertilizer. As expected, the reaction was explosive.
"Marshal, what do you think about state-run farms?"
"State-run farms... Who would we hire as farmers?"
"How about employing the poor, promising them a share of the harvest and meals?"
That was my exact thought when I first saw the fertilizer.
"Sounds good. Any other ideas?"
"Marshal."
One executive raised his hand.
"Yes, go ahead."
"Marshal, what are your thoughts on military farms?"
The others perked up at the idea, showing clear interest. It sparked a constructive discussion—no raised voices, just useful input.
Lots of opinions flew around, but they narrowed down to two: state-run farms and military farms. If we could manage it, more soldiers were always better. Well-fed, well-trained troops deterred war just by existing and helped maintain public order. In our current situation, without a separate police force, the military handled all security.
But as Seoul unified and social order slowly recovered, some suggested trimming the regular army. Why not create a dedicated police or security force? Back when Gangnam and Gangbuk were snarling at each other just months ago, cutting troops would have been insane. Now, it made sense.
We needed as many Awakener soldiers as possible, but regular troops didn't need to be excessive. Enter military farms: give soldiers land in peacetime to farm. Of course, I'd allocate a portion of the harvest to make it work.
Opponents worried about downsides—like draining our bottomless military budget or soldiers turning into farmers and losing their edge. I got it; cutting costs was tempting, and preserving the military's purpose mattered.
"Spring's still a ways off, so let's take our time. I'll distribute fertilizer—try it out and we'll talk again."
"Yes, Marshal!"
I handed out fertilizer from Nakyuan, let them test it, and planned to reconvene. Something quick-harvesting like potatoes would be ideal.
I spent the remaining 592P to build four more fertilizer factories, bringing the total to five. Then I upgraded all of them to LV.2 for 50 points each. The factories grew into three-story buildings, cutting production time to 12 hours. An avalanche of fertilizer poured out from the four new ones.
"Spending 450P stings a bit..."
No helping it. I knew nothing about farming, but even I understood it wasn't some side hobby to dabble in. If I was doing it, I was doing it right.
I'd stockpile as much fertilizer as possible before March hit, then launch the union government's new project: the Agricultural Revival Initiative once the weather warmed.
"Do-hyun!"
"Yeah?"
As I watched residents haul fertilizer from the factory, Han Seol came looking for me.
"The 1st Special Awakener Brigade officers and Gangnam's commanders have arrived."
"Got it, on my way."
I'd considered summoning everyone, but the executives favored key figures for the first meeting. So I invited 10 officers from the 1st Special Awakener Brigade and 20 senior Gangnam officers to Nakyuan.
Some had helped round up the rebels. In my judgment, they were true soldiers. When the Gangnam regime tried to seize control and purge the military, these were the ones who came up clean—no dirt, so I promoted them instead. The political officers deep in the game? All arrested and executed. Without their quiet support, civilian control of the Gangnam military would have cost far more blood.
These were people who might charge into battle on my orders. I couldn't expect them to fight for a boss they'd never met. So I invited the top brass to Nakyuan.
"Whoa... intimidating."
Even from afar, they reeked of battle-hardened veterans. Their faces practically screamed, 'I'm a soldier.' But even they didn't notice me approaching, standing dumbfounded before the barrier, staring up at the palace.
One spotted me and snapped to attention. The rest followed.
"Salute the Marshal!"
"Sir!"
"Sir."
I returned the salute, then dropped my arm. They followed suit.
"You've all had a tough trip here."
"Not at all! An honor to be invited to your domain, Marshal!"
"An honor!"
Honestly, they scared me a little.
"Come on in. Granting citizenship."
I issued citizenship to the officers, their drivers, and escorts. Everyone but one clocked in over 80% loyalty. Purging the corrupt elite and redistributing their wealth had clearly paid off.
The lone exception: Yoo Gyu-seong, the 1st Special Awakener Brigade's strongest—and Gangnam's overall top dog—at 71%. Not low, but ambiguous.
First time seeing him up close. Black hair, black eyes, around my age—a young Awakener.
I invited all the officers and soldiers to the spa.
"Enjoy a bath first, then we'll eat."
"Thank you, Marshal!"
"This is... the legendary..."
"Whoa..."
The soldiers gawked at the bathhouse interior, faces blank with disbelief even after seeing it.
Figured I'd cramp their style, so I headed up to the lounge first. Just in case, I had Jeong Su-hwan and 1st Guard Unit members join them.
"Take your time and enjoy."
"Yes, thank you!"
Excitement lit up their faces.
I agonized over what to serve them. I'd planned fine dining like with the executives, but the chefs suggested something warmer, more homely.
"Whoa...!"
"Oh...!"
I could hear the officers gulping from here.
A long row of tables held a dozen gas burners topped with griddles. Onions, garlic, kimchi, wrap veggies, ssamjang, gochujang, sesame oil, beef tartare, beef sashimi, booze—the works, like a pre-apocalypse barbecue joint.
Sizzle.
"Whoa..."
The chefs and assistants slapped oil-dripping meat onto the hot griddles, drawing gasps from the soldiers.
"Everyone, sit."
"Y-yes, sir!"
They sat, staring blankly at the sizzling griddles in silence. Sure, they'd been VIPs in old Gangnam, treated well. But this was emotional. Fresh from a pre-apocalypse bathhouse, now a perfect recreation of a old-school meat house—with prime cuts even Gangnam's elite would struggle to get.
As they fixated on the griddles, one sharp officer eyed the empty shot glasses, stood, and shouted.
"Marshal! Allow me to pour you one!"
I nodded. He grabbed a bottle, poured with both hands at my side.
I stood with my glass.
"Fill 'em up... We should've done this sooner, but I've been swamped. Keep pushing for the union government. I need your help."
"Marshal!"
"Yes, sir! We'll give our lives!"
"For the union government!"
"For the union!"
The party was a smash hit. Everyone but Yoo Gyu-seong broke 85% loyalty. His jumped 5% to 76%. Close enough—he'd hit 80% by morning.
The soldiers crashed at the spa. They seemed eager to drink, sauna, and sleep there anyway. Jeong Su-hwan, my spa overseer that night, reported in the morning.
"Marshal."
"Yeah?"
"I chatted with the officers over drinks last night..."
"Problem?"
He shook his head.
"Nah... Colonel Yoo Gyu-seong wants a spar with Im Jui."
"..."
I nearly refused outright, but he explained: last night, the officers debated Im Jui vs. Yoo Gyu-seong, with 7:3 odds favoring Yoo. They hadn't seen her fight, so...
It itched. I found Im Jui and explained.
"Yeah..."
She didn't even consider losing.
I grabbed breakfast, bid farewell to the departing officers, and brought up the spar. They panicked at first, thinking their talk had leaked, bowing in apology. I waved it off and pitched the match.
"Marshal! I want this spar!"
Yoo Gyu-seong was the most eager.
"Alright, stop when the referee calls it. It's a spar—no killing intent."
All residents and officers gathered in the open lot. Im Jui and Yoo Gyu-seong faced off. I acknowledged his strength, but her losing? Impossible. Even bare-handed, she'd win; with workshop gear, forget it. No weapons—just fists. Executives reffed, halting at any danger.
"Ready... fight!"
Boom.
Im Jui stomped and lunged. Too fast for my eyes.
Crunch.
Dust billowed. When it cleared, her right fist was buried in his forehead. He was floored but gripped her right arm tight.
"Oh...!"
He twisted, landing a perfect kick to her face.
Thud.
It connected with her mask. She didn't budge.
"Huh?"
He looked stunned. She grabbed his face one-handed, hoisted him skyward.
Bam!
Slammed him down.
Whoosh. Bam!
Five repeats, and the executives called it.
Gangnam officers gaped. Some rubbed their eyes, double-checking reality. They'd figured she might win, but not this dominantly.
I grabbed her hand, raised it high.
"Im Jui wins!"
"Oh...!"
"Ooh!"
Residents and officers erupted in cheers and applause. Yoo bled from his forehead but seemed fine—tough guy, and she'd pulled punches. Still, first loss ever? He was shell-shocked.
He stood, bowed to her.
"I lost."
She bowed back. Then he approached me, bent 127 degrees.
"Marshal! I overstepped with my arrogant request—punish me!"
"It's fine."
His loyalty shot to 94%. Full buy-in now.
I'd expected her win, but his resilience shocked me. Taking her punch and countering instantly? Insane durability and guts. Without the ref, it might've been epic. At 100%, I'd hook him up with melons and gear too.