032 Culture Day
"Hmm..."
It had been about three hours since the battle between Dome Head and the Korean Reconstruction Government began.
They were strong. At first, I thought Dome Head might be weaker than expected, but that wasn't the case. The 1st Special Awakener Division was the powerhouse.
Their tactics were similar to the ones the alliance had devised. The strongest awakeners led the subjugation while the rest hung back, preparing for worst-case scenarios or evacuating the wounded. Of course, even they couldn't devise proper strategies against the erratic named monsters, so they relied on individual skill to dodge attacks and inflict damage.
There were ten powerhouses, including Yoo Gyu-seong. They had clearly received amplification from Na Hye-won. The main difference from the alliance's fight was that the four from Nakyuan had cheat-level insurance—Coating and the hospital—so they could charge in recklessly without fear of death. These guys didn't have that luxury. Even with a healer awakener, one wrong hit could leave them crippled for life. It was nothing like the recovery chamber, which could fully mend shattered nerves.
That's why they played it ultra-defensively against Dome Head. In a way, that was the orthodox approach. The downside was that if any soldier's morale cracked, the whole line could collapse. But those ten never faltered, steadying their troops and keeping the battle stable.
Over sixty of the more than two hundred vanguard had died or been injured, but they showed no signs of breaking—as if they'd braced for this level of loss from the start. They hunted Dome Head methodically, greedlessly accumulating damage without overreaching.
Dome Head was panting, exhausted. With its iron shell shed on the ground and black blood streaming from its body, the fight seemed nearing its end.
Han Seol and Han Byeol had gone silent at some point, fully focused on the battle. They were probably shocked. If their awakeners fought these guys, who would win? In my mind, Nakyuan would take it hands down. With Na Hye-won, the amplification melon, Coating drones, Dissolving Liquid Projection drones, armory swords, workshop gear, and pulse rifles in the mix, the external advantages were overwhelming.
Han Seol and Han Byeol seemed stung by the realization that if Yoo Gyu-seong's dual swords had been armory blades instead of silver shell ones, Dome Head would already be dead. Silver shell swords could pierce the hide but not cleave bone. Purely as soldiers, these guys were a step above. Of course, the alliance was newly formed without a proper military structure yet.
I'm glad I showed the battle to those two. Whatever they lacked, they could learn.
"Kraaaack!"
"It's over."
Dome Head suddenly turned tail and bolted toward the National Assembly building, probably aiming for the tunnel it'd dug. Yoo Gyu-seong and the awakeners didn't miss a beat, swarming it and unleashing merciless slashes. Soon, dust billowed as the massive beast slumped to the ground in silence.
"Alright, shall we head back?"
"Yes? Ah... yes!"
It was good we'd stuck around till the end. They'd won, but at a heavy cost—and this potential enemy was stronger than expected. I also got a rough gauge of Yoo Gyu-seong's combat prowess. If it came to Im Jui versus him in bare-knuckle one-on-one, I'd bet my fortune on Jui. Yoo was monstrously strong, but a notch below her.
After the fight, I recalled the drones to their racks.
"So, what'd you think?"
"From tomorrow, I need to train harder with Jui..."
"Same here..."
"Don't get too down. When Na Hye-won amplified you two, you fought better than them."
"Yes!"
I chatted a bit more with the Han sisters before turning in.
A week had passed since we watched the Dome Head subjugation.
Word was, all of Seoul buzzed with tales of the alliance slaying Silver Foam and the government taking down Dome Head. Citizens seemed to dream of the two forces uniting to clear every named monster in the city, but that wouldn't happen. The government might want it, but the alliance warlords despised them. Most were defectors who'd fled the government's disgraceful conduct.
Both succeeded, but our side came out better. Our severely wounded were all in single recovery chambers and recovering nicely. Lee Seong-guk's pulverized right arm was fully healed. The 1st Special Awakener Division, from what I'd seen, lost at least twenty dead and forty critically injured. Who knew if they'd recover properly.
"Marshal, I owe you a tremendous debt."
"Ah, you're discharging today, right?"
"Yes."
"Straight back to the field?"
"Yes, to help with the silver shell excavation."
Lee Seong-guk had waited until I woke to thank me personally on his discharge day. What a diligent man.
"Alright, take care. I had some milk and meat set aside—grab it on your way out."
"Thank you so much."
He bowed nearly 150 degrees. He knelt every time we met, which embarrassed onlookers, so I'd ordered alliance soldiers not to. I'd told residents the same, but they ignored it, sneaking in worship whenever they could. At this point, it bordered on workplace bullying.
They'd cleared the debris and reached the basement. As expected, the department store basement brimmed with silver shell. Photos showed iridescent piles that evoked a treasure vault.
We'd survey the full amount, then divide it as planned. Jeong Su-hwan's group would need at least another week. I'd offered to rotate in Han Eun-ji's new awakeners, but he refused. Better he finish what he'd started than hand off. Han Eun-ji's crew wanted to solidify their place but lacked roles beyond policing. She'd requested the 1st Guard rotation herself.
Today was the big event I'd planned long ago.
With over a thousand residents now, it was time for a recurring holiday. I'd prepped months ahead: the 10th of March, June, September, and December as Culture Day. No special circumstances—just ban labor and enjoy culture.
That's why I'd hounded Kim Dae-geon for music, movies, dramas, novels, comics, beam projectors, screens, pads, and monitors.
All residents gathered as I took the stage.
"Today is Culture Day. You all know what that means? Eat, play, enjoy. But no working. Just play."
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
They treated "play" like a command. Not everyone could join—event staff, techs, and chefs had duties. I'd promised them separate rewards, but they refused, calling it an honor.
Baths stayed open till 11 p.m. Play, eat, enjoy—only labor, sleep, and alcohol banned.
The empty lot hosted a festival ground built by carpenters. Techs ran craft stalls making bracelets and necklaces. I'd banned practical items; only fun, decorative ones for themselves.
Books were out for casual reading—sit, lie, whatever. Giant fruit punch bowls, snacks, bread, and cold salad buffets dotted the area. Hungry? Plate up and eat.
Movie theaters opened in house living rooms and bath lounges. Tabs and monitors available for rent. Officials loaded every tab and phone with films and dramas.
At first, awkwardness reigned, but after two hours, everyone was blissfully immersed.
I'd urged Jeong Su-hwan's group to rotate in and enjoy, but they declined, so we'd feast privately in the baths upon their return.
"This is it... now it finally feels like people are living."
Seeing everyone laugh and smile lifted my spirits too.
Han Seol and Han Byeol were off duty, attending a "Korean, Western, Japanese Chef Cooking Class" in the 2nd West Sector houses, learning dishes to take home.
The chefs had bickered over the name, settling on Korean-Western-Japanese order via rock-paper-scissors. Japanese chef Choi Jang-min lost twice.
Im Jui, surprisingly into woodworking, joined "Make Your Own Little Drawer" in the 2nd Northwest Sector. I passed by and saw her smash a plank to splinters instead of hammering a nail, leaving the instructor flustered. She looked mortified. At her strength, she'd do better just pressing with her thumb.
"You sure you don't want to enjoy it?"
"Yes, this is the most fun right now."
"Thank you for entrusting us with protection!"
"It's an honor!"
Han Eun-ji and her nine bowed. The Han sisters insisted on guarding me sans backup, so I appointed Han Eun-ji's group as day's detail. Like Jeong Su-hwan's at first, they saw themselves as rice-wasters. Handing them duty brought tears of joy.
Their eyes said they wanted more, but as the territory grew, the sisters were swamped with duties. Talks of a formal security office were underway—not rotating, but dedicated.
No deaths inside the barrier, but life was unpredictable. If I died, everyone here was done. Constant guards made sense. But peacetime? Idle hands. With Im Jui often on me, they'd have to compete for exclusivity. I'd only recently learned the position was hotly contested—they'd already scheduled rotations among themselves. Being near the leader made it a key post.
The VIP ward brimmed with kids Na Hye-won had befriended in her single room. They called it peak happiness, huddled watching anime.
Back at the mansion, I lounged on the roof with a chair. Nine guards stood sentinel at the entrance.
I read my book to the sound of residents' laughter.