Silver Foam (1)
“You called for us?”
“Yeah, Security Chief, put your palm on that panel and wait until it hits 100%.”
I summoned Im Jui and Jeong Su-hwan to the reinforcement room.
Originally, I'd planned to give one of the enhancement melons to Jeong Su-hwan, then debated what to do with the leftover before deciding on Im Jui.
Her opening degree was already at 91%, but I was curious if hitting 100% would unlock new abilities. Even if it didn't, she'd still get stronger than before, which was fine. Plus, I wanted to see the exact increase.
Han Seol and Han Byeol had both jumped over 30% from just one melon. If Im Jui didn't reach 100% this time, it would mean the enhancement melons were less efficient at higher opening degrees.
In other words, if my hunch was right, these melons worked best on awakeners with low opening degrees.
Han Byeol sliced the melon and brought it out on a plate.
“Security Chief, wait until you hit 100%. Im Jui, eat all of that and don't leave any.”
Im Jui removed her gas mask and started eating the melon.
She ate with us so often now that taking off her mask in front of me and the executives was no longer a big deal.
Someday, I hoped she'd chat casually with us without it.
Clink.
Im Jui swallowed the last piece and reacted much like the Han sisters.
“How is it? Feel any different?”
She stared into space for a few seconds, then scribbled on her notepad.
“Hmm... You were already at 91%, so maxing out at 9% more is about right. The Security Chief's still measuring, so let's check yours again after.”
Im Jui stood from her chair and bowed deeply.
“Sure.”
We passed the time chatting idly as five of us waited for Jeong Su-hwan's measurement to finish.
Soon, I'd hit the 30-day mark, and my ability would get its permanent enhancement.
I had no plans to abuse it like the Republic of Korea government, but once mine was done, I'd pick someone from the residents to reinforce the next awakener.
The other executives were thinking the same.
The next candidate was obvious.
“Im Jui, you're up next. Actually, you're the only one.”
Im Jui panicked, donned her mask, waved her hands, and grabbed her notepad.
“No, you know it too... Even geared up with workshop equipment, an enhancement melon, and a sword at your hip, these three awakeners here would struggle against you alone?”
Im Jui fidgeted but didn't deny it.
“Don't worry about Na Hye-won. I won't run her ragged like the Republic of Korea government did.”
“Your Excellency! Measurement complete!”
We stood and read Jeong Su-hwan's opening degree on the panel.
“Oh.”
Their first readings: Han Seol at 13%, Han Byeol at 14%. They'd rated him slightly stronger than themselves.
Their assessment was spot on.
“Alright, Security Chief, go slice up a melon and eat every bit.”
Tears streaming, Jeong Su-hwan grabbed my hand.
“Your Excellency...! Thank you! Such undeserved grace for a wretch like me!”
“You've more than earned it.”
In a way, he was the resident I'd known longest.
“I'll etch this grace into my bones.”
“Right. After this, I'll give you a sword—wear it always from now on. You never know what might happen.”
Jeong Su-hwan trembled, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Cry later. Eat the melon first... Im Jui, panel for your opening degree.”
The results were highly satisfying.
Im Jui went from 91% to 97%—a 6% boost. Jeong Su-hwan leaped from 18% to 56%.
Opening degree rankings among territory residents who've eaten enhancement melons: 1st Im Jui 97%, 2nd Jeong Su-hwan 56%, 3rd Han Seol 52%, 4th Han Byeol 51%.
This experiment confirmed stronger awakeners get smaller gains.
Next two melons: feed to others or test multiples? No info on stacking.
If possible, I'd push Jeong Su-hwan, Han Seol, and Han Byeol past 80% into super soldier territory.
“You serious?”
“Yes!”
Na Hye-won had reinforced me for 30 days straight, then 24 hours without—and the boost held.
My ability was permanently enhanced.
Second Northwest Block restoration complete; houses built. Sixth and seventh buildings still locked.
Everything going smoothly until bad news from the Union. Days later, Han Seol, Han Byeol, Im Jui, and Jeong Su-hwan came requesting permission to hunt Silver Foam.
“Why go? For silver shells? We don't need that stuff.”
“Not for silver shells.”
“Workshop gear?”
“No.”
“Wait... because of that news?”
“Yes.”
Their eyes said it wasn't about loot.
I checked reconstruction points nightly, but post-marquis promotion, idle land eased the pressure. Reconstruction tempted, but with so much open space, monster hunts weren't urgent—especially if filling all 49 didn't promote me.
Ability boosts sped construction drones; a few more houses and residents soon.
Of course, I'd sensed it before.
They hated monsters for shattering the world into hell.
Powerless amid human squabbles and dormant named monsters, they'd looked away. But with food secure, powers enhanced, good weapons—this worst news hit: “We could take it now.”
Im Jui, next for permanent enhancement via Na Hye-won, was already monstrously strong and brimming with confidence.
The news: Days ago, Republic of Korea special awakeners raiding silver shells drew Silver Foam. Fleeing, they smashed Hyunshin Department Store's first-floor wall.
Silver Foam, never venturing out before, emerged, killed the thieves, dragged bodies back inside. Word reached the territory.
Union hastily walled it with stones, but Silver Foam attacked anyone nearing the store.
“You know this is insane, right? Not stealing shells—just subjugating it... Fail worst-case, it rampages out, you get hurt—no one cleans up.”
“Yes, we know.”
“Then drop it. Not our call anyway. Subjugation means Union army joins. ...I've got ideas brewing, so wait.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
I wrapped it up, but my head throbbed.
This morning, Kim Dae-geon delivered a personal letter from Ham Seong-hoon.
Groups near Hyunshin Department Store prepping to relocate. Hoping Union handles Silver Foam.
Sensible evacuation; no urge to act despite their Union hopes.
But the letter's end hurt: Ham Seong-hoon's spy in Republic of Korea government—serious talks on subjugating Silver Foam.
When Na Jong-hoon left, I'd warned him: no risks; if info needed, I'd send someone—tell them.
I'd replied to Ham Seong-hoon: Use spy, give Na Jong-hoon my name and code—he'll spill all. Verify rumors first.
If true, disaster.
These lunatics smashed the wall themselves, now pretext to meddle in Gangbuk.
Subjugation starts: massive battle trashes store. Fail? Silver Foam rampages—Republic takes hits but safe in Gangnam; Gangbuk foots bill.
Succeed? Gangbuk slowly regaining order via Union. People think: “What's Union for?” Republic expands influence—ends at my barrier.
They can't breach unilaterally or siege forever. I won't surrender. Worst: Seoul splits, war erupts.
Preempt via Union before Republic—looks good. Propaganda: “Union cleans Republic's mess.”
“Haa... headache.”
A high school dropout in way over his head.
Even old Odajeong Union brass await my word.
Two choices: Wait for spy's intel from Na Jong-hoon.
Ham Seong-hoon's spy contacted Na Jong-hoon—got everything.
Rumors true.
“Haa...”
Republic of Korea greenlit Silver Foam subjugation, drafting plans.
Ham Seong-hoon came personally with spy's docs.
No choice now. To avoid killing humans—kill the monster.
“Chairman.”
“Yes, Marshal.”
“Summon all Union high executives here.”
“You mean...”
“We handle the subjugation first.”