Absorption Unification (1)
Han Seol had been completely hooked on chess lately. Her goal was to beat Ha-yeon at least once. So far, her record stood at 25 losses in 25 games.
"…."
Originally, it had been 26 games: 1 win and 25 losses. But that single win was a bit problematic, so they'd agreed to invalidate it. They'd been playing chess late into the night, and Ha-yeon must have gotten sleepy, making blatantly weird moves that anyone could see were intentional losses just so she could go to bed. When everyone stared at Han Seol strangely, even Ha-yeon admitted it wasn't right and agreed to void the game. Ha-yeon had begged her to acknowledge the win since she'd lost fair and square, but Han Seol wouldn't hear it.
Han Byeol spoke up as she watched Han Seol at the table, eyes blazing as she pored over a chess beginner's book.
"Think she'll win?"
"You and Han Seol were both top students back in school, right?"
"We weren't bad."
"Modest. You both went to those famous universities everyone knows by name."
"Still, Seol was better at studying."
"That's the problem."
"Huh?"
I let out a sigh and turned to Han Byeol.
"I don't know much about it, but here's one thing I do know: in games like go, janggi, or chess, no matter how hard an average person tries, they'll never beat a genius."
"But Seol's older... If she studies hard, couldn't she win?"
"In that world, it's routine for amateurs who've been famous for 30 or 40 years to get utterly crushed—soul and all—by some talented kid."
And it was especially bad for Han Seol. She was so honest that in mind-game board games like this, every emotion showed right on her face.
"Han Seol here."
"Come in."
Han Seol entered with a somewhat serious expression.
"What's wrong? Something happen?"
"Marshal, sir, I think we need an emergency video conference with the Union executives right now."
"Huh?"
It was the first emergency video conference ever. After the server room was created, the developers had even built a video chat app. We'd held occasional meetings to exchange greetings, but nothing like this.
"Everything ready?"
"Yes, sir. The four top executives and twenty-two mid-level ones who can join immediately are standing by."
"I'll change and head over."
For video conferences, we dressed with some formality—suit jacket on top, anyway. Of course, pants were training sweats. Only the upper body showed, so formal top, casual bottom.
"I'm a little late."
"Greetings, Marshal, sir."
"Greetings, Marshal, sir!"
We used formal speech with the executives. We'd always been fairly polite anyway, but the teachers had advised that from now on, half-mal with outsiders was fine—even recommended—but absolute formal respect with executives. It was about showing respect, but also about upholding the executives' dignity and the Union's prestige. That said, they'd also suggested drawing a clear line and switching to half-mal immediately if anyone crossed it, to hammer home the hierarchy.
"Good to see you all. Emergency meeting, so straight to the agenda."
"Yes, sir."
Ham Seong-hoon began explaining on behalf of the executives.
"This morning, we got contact from some field-grade and minister-level officers in the Gangnam government, plus high-ranking bureaucrats from various ministries."
"Reason?"
"Well..."
Ham Seong-hoon continued with a grave expression.
"The ones who reached out want political asylum with the Union."
"Asylum... We've had attempts like that before, haven't we?"
"Yes, but this time it's different..."
There had to be a reason they'd bring up asylum specifically and request an emergency meeting with me. As the Union grew, asylum requests from north of the river had been pouring in nonstop. Na Jong-hoon's defection was obvious to everyone not an idiot, so more were trying to follow suit. But we hadn't accepted a single one. No reason to. Most were losers in Gangnam's internal politics or criminals on the run. Accepting them would just stir up trouble with Gangnam.
It wasn't fear of Gangnam. With our executives' gear fully enchanted, their chances of winning a war against us were basically zero. Their intel leaked to us daily, and we had plans to behead their entire leadership the moment war broke out. But if it dragged into a full-scale, prolonged conflict, we'd bear massive military costs and postwar reconstruction. Not to mention soldier and civilian casualties.
I was seriously preparing for an eventual clash with Gangnam. We were actively discussing countermeasures with the executives. All to avoid all-out war.
"Marshal, sir, what they want isn't simple asylum. They want the Gangnam government's downfall."
"Downfall...?"
Ham Seong-hoon's words were intriguing. These weren't just asylum seekers—they wanted Gangnam destroyed. Most who contacted us already had rock-bottom loyalty to Gangnam. Never loyal to begin with, they'd watched us from Tetora subjugation to unifying the north, then diplomatically forcing Gangnam to its knees. That was the breaking point; they decided to betray right then.
Wise, in a way. Betrayal works best early. Defecting after your own power crumbles means nothing. You have to seize the moment when your intel is most valuable.
Their wishes were simple: preserve the status and wealth they enjoyed in Gangnam here with us.
"We forwarded all the intel they offered this morning to Nakyuan."
I glanced back at Han Seol standing there, and she spoke up.
"Yes, sir. Every bit priceless—you couldn't buy it. Schedules of high officials, bunker locations... even key secret facilities' positions and functions, all detailed."
"Legit intel? Not Gangnam tricking us?"
"Needs more vetting, but it matches our classified info perfectly—word for word."
"…."
It was tempting. Gangnam's core bureaucrats openly plotting their own government's doom. They'd likely deliver more intel nonstop. Traitors existed in every era, but these were high-value ones at Gangnam's heart.
"If they'd spouted nonsense like 'for the greater good' or 'the government's betrayed the revolution,' I'd reject them outright. But they're so bluntly greedy, it actually builds trust."
"We think the same, sir..."
Grandiose ideals would've been an instant no. But admitting they just wanted wealth and power? Intriguing.
"For now... make contact discreetly, no leaks. Hand them smartphones. We'll watch if they're real traitors or playing patriot, then decide."
"Yes, sir!"
Their treason offer proved genuine. Using the 15 smartphones handed to the high officials, we ran 24/7 surveillance. They thought the phones were just for contact—clueless about constant audio monitoring and location tracking.
We bugged their secret meetings, and the content was shocking. They discussed how the Union's Marshal still didn't fully trust us, suggesting we plant explosives in major bases to prove our sincerity. Not just traitors—virtual anti-national criminals from Gangnam's view.
No guarantee more S-rank traitors like these would walk in. Time to decide: swallow Gangnam whole now, or wait indefinitely.
"Do it."
"Marshal...! You mean—!"
In the executive meeting, we greenlit the operation. If war was inevitable, better quick and low-casualty.
"Marshal, sir, notifying executives and starting briefing now."
"Yeah. Security is life—keep it airtight."
"Yes, sir!"
The Union's and Nakyuan's executives proposed various methods in the meeting. I chose: terror military bases and supply depots, kidnap/assassinate Gangnam leadership to collapse admin and command. Hit the power vacuum—let traitors seize control. Back them from the shadows to sway or purge loyalists, shape public opinion among Gangnam citizens to 'might as well join the Union,' and absorb them.
Of course, we'd win hearts with massive free aid, as the 'war-torn' saviors. The terror? Spread disinformation blaming internal Gangnam power struggles escalating to military action.
Timing was now or never. Failure meant all-out war. Told traitors: no more recruits. Security first.
"Marshal, sir, Gangnam troops have arrived."
"Good. Tell them to start immediately."
"Yes, sir. Orders received."
After Gangnam fully submitted diplomatically, we'd slashed alcohol sales to break them. Following executives' advice, volume dropped to 1/20th, sporadic bulk dumps without warning. Warehouses piled with Nakyuan booze.
Perfect timing: Gangnam elites pressuring their gov for booze. We messaged: 'As a friendly gesture, selling at below-market bulk.' Had diplomats leak fake intel: 'Union's desperate—refugee influx short on food/supplies, forced to sell booze.' To lower guards.
Gangnam jumped: direct gov deal, cheap? Yes! They proposed sending troops; we agreed.
Gangnam soldiers now at Union HQ, loading trucks. Among dozens: traitor trucks, soon packed with booze and explosives.
Theirs would head to Gangnam, plant bombs in key sites during lax guard shifts from booze-loading troops. They'd wanted to supply own explosives, but bulk disappearance risked exposure. This way safer.
"How long?"
Han Byeol answered.
"They guarantee bomb placement in three days."
"Operation go-time?"
"Max a week. Longer risks leaks."
"Got it. Tell Han Seol, Im Jui, Jeong Su-hwan: train as if deploying anytime."
"Yes, sir!"