042_Imperial Studies
The days were starting to grow a bit chilly. Han Eun-ji's permanent reinforcement had been completed. After pondering who to reinforce next, I decided on Hospital Director Lee Kyung-min.
Since he was now an official executive, it made sense to give him a permanent boost. Ever since awakening as an Awakener, his stamina had far surpassed that of an ordinary person, allowing him to pore over medical texts all night long. I'd heard that his gentle nature had once led the doctors under him to subtly push him around, but after awakening, anyone who tried that nonsense risked getting beaten to death—so those incidents had vanished.
I ordered the union to select 500 residents and send them to Nakyuan (Paradise Territory). By now, every citizen in Seoul had heard the rumors about Paradise, so there'd be no shortage of applicants. I told them not to mention it was for Paradise residency outright. Instead, ask if they were willing to pledge loyalty in exchange for joining a group that offered abundant food and accepted families, including the elderly and children. This time, I focused recruitment on intellectuals—experts and scholars who'd made a name for themselves in any field before the world went to hell. I hoped for a good number of university professors and PhD holders.
Five hundred thirty-one new residents arrived. Including those in Namsan, our resident count was nearing 1,800. As Han Seol had advised, with the chill setting in, many hoped to become residents. People who sensed they wouldn't survive the winter had no choice but to apply for relocation to some unknown group. They only learned on departure day that they were heading to the territory of the union's supreme commander—me. I granted citizenship to all of them.
Residents were used to the process by now, so we'd set up temporary showers around the territory days in advance and prepared hearty beef stew for everyone. Most had loyalty above 50%. Twelve fell below 40%, so I gave them ten seconds to rethink their attitudes. Ten still didn't hit 50% and were sent back; the other two were accepted.
There were nine Awakeners, mostly leaders of small 20- to 30-person groups. They knelt before me and swore unwavering loyalty. Nominally, I assigned them as security officials under Im Jui, but they'd take orders from Security Captain Jeong Su-hwan. Unfortunately, no Special Awakeners.
"Well... no surprise there."
Any decent Special Awakener would be treated like royalty in their current group, so they had no reason to risk everything and migrate empty-handed.
I planned to import massive quantities of books and task them with reviving lost pre-apocalypse knowledge. It wasn't just about survival; essential skills were fading from memory, and those who knew them were growing scarce. Who knew when we'd need them? Stockpiling knowledge felt necessary.
Since that day, Han Seol and I occasionally went to the spa alone. Of course, to avoid a repeat, we headed home by 10 p.m. Once, things heated up at home, and we ended up kissing in the warehouse—only for Han Byeol to catch us. She scolded us, saying if we were going to do that, at least go somewhere Seo I-rang wouldn't see. It was the first time in my life a younger woman had chewed me out.
Having awakened to romance, I was suddenly noticing things I'd overlooked before. Naturally, among over a thousand residents, plenty were dating. I'd declared from the start that romance and marriage were free, but violence or abuse would mean severe punishment. I'd wondered if anyone would actually date amid all this, but sipping coffee on the rooftop, I'd spot couples flirting. With eight people per room, making babies wasn't easy. I was considering a system where couples or married pairs could book one of the four motel rooms in Spaland for a night, via application.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes!"
"Have a safe trip."
"Yeah."
I took Seo I-rang's hand and stepped out the front door.
"O-Oppa, what are you learning?"
"Dunno. First day, so I'll see when I get there."
Today was the day Seo I-rang and I both went to school. Most of Paradise's executives were highly educated. The Han sisters and Na Hye-won were stars from top universities; Jeong Su-hwan and Han Eun-ji were corporate alums from elite schools. The only one I could beat on academics was Im Jui, who'd dropped out before high school when the world ended—middle school grad. Or so I thought.
Asking her, she said she never attended high school but got her diploma via GED. Now Im Jui and I were tied for the bottom.
My knowledge was ridiculously lopsided. Back when I lived alone, I'd game all day and read Wikipedia history articles in bed when sleepy. It was fun, so I considered my history knowledge solid for a layman—but general knowledge? Dismal. I'd never cared for studying or college; middle and high school grades were rock bottom.
But time had sparked a thirst for learning in me. When I brought it up at the executive meeting, they lit up like they'd been waiting and promised immediate action. With all these scholars in the territory, I could fill my gaps. University professors and civil service exam vets would handle my education—former elites from legislative, administrative, judicial, and foreign service exams, plus PhDs. They awaited me at the spa's fourth floor.
Slinging on a backpack after so long made my heart race—like being a student again. Textbooks were prepped there, so last night, Seo I-rang and I picked out a pencil case and supplies. I wasn't thrilled, but I went with the character-covered one she chose.
"Hold up."
I stopped in front of the spa's first-floor entrance.
"Just the security chief comes with me. The rest stay down here. Eat if you're hungry."
"Yes, sir!"
Even for class, a horde of sword-wielding guards charging up would terrify the teachers. I took only Han Eun-ji to the fourth floor.
"Welcome!"
"It's an honor!"
Long desks and chairs, books on tables, whiteboard up front. Normally, ten teachers would rotate two per day, Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In old times, East or West, even the highest ranks showed respect to teachers.
"Looking forward to learning from you."
I bowed to them.
"O-Oppa, h-how was school?"
"Huh? Fun. Learned new stuff... teachers were great. How about you, I-rang?"
"I-I learned math today!"
"Nice. Impressive."
Something felt off. I wanted to learn math like her—middle/high school level science and such, higher than hers. But my first-day books were all unfamiliar:
Introduction to Public Administration, Organizational Behavior, Political Science, Economics, Management, History, and more. Totally unexpected.
No time for questions—class started. They taught with veins bulging, full passion. Couldn't complain it wasn't what I wanted. These were straight-up college textbooks. How to handle people, manage organizations. History was a relief, but not what I expected: examples of failed vs. successful rulers, paths to take or avoid.
By 3 p.m., I was nodding off and got scolded. They lectured with genuine concern. I peeked at Seo I-rang's math textbook from her bag.
"Whoa... never thought I'd find a math book this interesting."
"Do-hyun, get up. Time for class."
"O-Oppa! I'm all ready!"
"Head hurts today... Can I skip just once?"
"Teachers said today's an important lesson—they're waiting."
Scary. A month into classes. I'd asked to learn first, so backing out now looked bad. Kids went without complaint; I couldn't whine as the adult lord here.
"Can we come in?"
I yanked the blanket over my head and fake-coughed as the door creaked.
"Cold? Should I call the director?"
"N-No. Just resting at home."
"I'll make porridge then."
"S-Stay in bed today!"
"Yeah... thanks."
Han Seol touched my forehead, tilted her head slightly, then left. She'd spotted my fake illness. Self-loathing hit.
Vehicles arrived in the territory. I'd felt the need before, so I splurged: 10 cars—5 motorcycles, 2 armored vehicles, 3 modified trucks. Calling the union daily for transport felt bad, and these were for emergencies. Our auto mechanic residents were thrilled; no outlet for their skills till now.
Fuel came from a Taeguk Alliance Special Awakener who created it—silvery liquid that shimmered oddly, far more efficient than normal.
I rode shotgun for a territory lap. In future, send Im Jui in one for missions. Kim Dae-geon also reported the Reconstruction Government would soon officially disband. Their population was down to 4,000—effectively gone. Most defected to warlords in the union; the rest lingered without options, not out of loyalty. He'd met Seo Su-yeon; she looked utterly worn. Once a potential ally, now crumbling into history's dustbin.