Master of Namsan (1)
After signing the trade treaty on alcohol sales with the government, the status of Gangbuk had risen significantly. It wasn't trading in quantities that shook Gangnam's economic power, but the fact that the alliance had secured the treaty on favorable terms was crucial.
To Seoul's citizens, Gangbuk was still seen as overwhelmingly inferior to Gangnam, even after succeeding in subduing Mundancer and Silver Foam. But now, more and more people were saying Gangbuk no longer bowed to Gangnam.
Things were progressing smoothly in the territory as well. Aside from the housing in the newly restored Third Northwest District, all residences had been reconstructed. After completing Han Seol's permanent enhancement, we began Han Eun-ji's. I fed her one completed enhancement melon and bestowed a single sword upon her. Han Eun-ji's compatibility rose from 11% to 50%. The remaining enhancement melon was stored in the permanent preservation chamber for now.
Using monster corpses captured by Seo I-rang's ability, we crafted 32 pieces of low-grade equipment and distributed them to the guard unit and security office personnel. Unlike top-grade gear, they lacked features like auto-cleaning or temperature control. There was no strength enhancement either, and their defense seemed significantly lower than top-grade. Still, they were far lighter and tougher than the protective suits soldiers used to wear. With everyone in identical designs, it finally felt like a proper army.
The "small group support policy," based on food supplies from Gangnam, was also going well. Many small groups were starting to pledge loyalty to the alliance. In return, the alliance provided them with enough food and water to get by without raiding others—nothing extravagant. Starting next spring, we'd dispatch experts to train them in earnest farming.
The only issue was that the monsters in the surrounding mountains had thinned out, forcing us deep into the ranges to lure any. Strong monsters didn't respond to Seo I-rang's orbs anyway, so there was no helping it. The numbers had dipped slightly, but points were still coming in steadily.
Namsan Purification Operation
"…."
A named monster subjugation plan from the alliance had come up. They seemed ready to form troops and hold strategy meetings the moment I approved it. The report was packed with the names of supporting executives.
I hadn't been the one pushing for it first, so their proactive eagerness caught me off guard.
"No executive pressured anyone about Tetora subjugation, right?"
"No way!"
"No, sir. The alliance executives proposed it themselves."
The executives waved their hands in denial at my question.
"Hmm… Then I really don't get it. Why go out of your way to take down Tetora, who's just sitting there?"
"Well…."
"Mundancer was rampaging on the verge of a frenzy, Silver Foam was cleaning up the government's mess, but Tetora's holed up in Namsan without stirring."
As the executives hemmed and hawed, Han Byeol stood and declared,
"The alliance members believe this is the one chance to eliminate every named monster in Gangbuk!"
I got the gist. Most executives in Paradise and the alliance were former Republic of Korea government soldiers or from other groups. They'd once dreamed of eradicating all monsters and restoring the country. In this hellish reality, they'd buried those hopes deep and fought just to survive. But after the alliance formed and we took down two named monsters together, that spark reignited. Add the gear crafted from Silver Foam's silver shells post-subjugation, and their confidence was overflowing. The executives' gazes burned with fervor as they looked at me.
"Hah… You know this is completely different from Mundancer or Silver Foam, right?"
"Yes!"
"Yes, sir!"
Mundancer had been dying from wounds, Silver Foam was a single entity with some luck on our side. But Tetora was another beast entirely. I'd read documents on it—a colossal spider monster dominating all of Namsan. The old government collapsed before a proper attempt, so intel was scarce. An anonymous awakener who'd ventured in multiple times testified that the whole mountain had become a hellscape webbed everywhere, swarming with human-sized spiders. If true, Tetora wasn't a lone boss but a hive-type monster.
Even victory could shatter the alliance. If we committed, it had to be a decisive triumph like with Mundancer or Silver Foam—not a pyrrhic one. Chase ideals or play it safe?
As I closed my eyes in thought, Han Seol spoke up.
"And… reclaiming Namsan would give us timber, wild greens, and plenty of other resources."
"If Tetora subjugation starts, bombardment drones will torch the whole mountain first. That's surface-level—the real reason is you and the alliance executives want every monster in Seoul dead."
"I'm sorry…."
Han Seol bowed her head. I'd grown numb to loss after losing my family young, but most Seoulites were different. Those who'd lost kin early on harbored burning hatred for monsters.
"For now… I'll think it over tonight and give an answer tomorrow."
"Yes, thank you!"
"Understood!"
Back in my office, I skipped dinner and pored over the 70+ page "Namsan Purification Operation" report the alliance had sent. It was loaded with every scrap of info to sway me—from reliable intel to outright rumors. Among the sketchier bits: named monsters surfacing recently in Jeolla and Gyeongsang Provinces.
Amusingly, most Tetora data came from one anonymous awakener. Nearly everything hinged on this guy's testimony, who'd somehow survived 40+ trips into Namsan—maybe he left something behind. He claimed Tetora slowed in rain or snow, holing up underground. Its presumed offspring spiders tunneled around Namsan Tower.
The alliance's grand strategy: encircle Namsan, strike on a rainy day before winter chill, minimizing natural damage with bombardment drones. Deploy drones and artillery for indiscriminate strikes on the tower to flush Tetora and spiders out. They didn't know the drones' true nature yet—revealing it would overhaul their plans.
"Ah… my head hurts."
Everything hinged on my fingertips. Headache incoming.
"C-can I come in?"
Seo I-rang's voice came from outside the door.
"Yeah, come in."
"O-open the door, please."
"Huh?"
Opening the office door revealed Seo I-rang looking up at me, tray in hand. Crispy golden potato pancakes and soy sauce sat invitingly atop it.
"Seol-unnie and Byeol-unnie said to bring this since you skipped dinner, oppa."
"Wanna eat together?"
"C-can I?"
"They even left two sets of chopsticks, like they knew."
We shared a late dinner in the office. Perfectly crispy outside, fluffy inside—pro-level work. Probably Im Jun-gu's doing. Watching Seo I-rang devour hers, a thought struck: Fine for us, but could Korea's kids ever attend proper schools again? I wasn't naive—even wiping out Seoul's monsters wouldn't restore the old world. But subjugating every named one and establishing new order… we might rebuild some civilization.
It gnawed at me. Tetora meant hordes of corpses and points, but massive casualties too. And rumor had it named monsters might stir all at once—can't ignore that.
"N-not eating?"
"Huh? Yeah, gotta eat."
"I've decided."
All executives held their breath, eyes on me.
"We'll launch the Tetora subjugation. But no rushing—prep thoroughly. Tell the alliance execs it might turn into a prolonged battle; check their food stocks."
"Yes, sir! On it immediately!"
Their faces lit up. The way they looked at me—like a savior. They probably thought I'd unify not just Seoul but all factions, stabilizing the peninsula someday. Couldn't tell them I was just a pathetic guy craving a quiet life, ambitions be damned.
Post-decision, alliance execs visited Paradise often. Camps were rising around Namsan; with potential for massive battle, 900 awakeners and 4,800 regular troops were mobilizing. Han Byeol scouted daily via drone. Spiders mostly underground—few visible. Detailed terrain maps for training.
Gangbuk merchants donated canned goods gratis. Everything proceeded like clockwork.
"Paradise participants: Im Jui, Han Seol, Han Byeol, Jeong Su-hwan, Han Eun-ji, and the entire First Guard Unit."
"Yes, sir!"
"Im Jui, Han Seol, Han Byeol, Jeong Su-hwan, and Han Eun-ji enter Namsan directly… First Guard stays at the camp on standby."
We moved pharmacy meds to the camp. Building a proper field hospital for prolonged ops. Surgeons placed—if a soldier took heavy wounds, stabilize there, then evac to Paradise hospital.
In about 10 days, all forces assemble at Namsan camp, await rain. Stand by 20 days—if no rain, proceed anyway.
Tetora subjugation goal: one only. Succeed with under 200 casualties.