102. Union (1)
After hearing the full situation in Ulsan from Han Seong-geun and Jin A-yeon, Jeong Dong-gun turned his gaze briefly to Son Sang-hee and her subordinate unit.
While Jeong Dong-gun had been speaking with Han Seong-geun and Jin A-yeon, Son Sang-hee and her team had been distributing food to the survivors at Ulsan Airport while gathering internal intelligence.
Sensing Jeong Dong-gun's eyes on them, Son Sang-hee signaled that their story checked out, and her subordinates nodded in agreement. Of course, there was always the possibility this was all a rigged game on Ulsan Airport's part.
But a survivor camp couldn't possibly have that kind of unity.
Unlike the cult, which could select only elites, a group of awakeners formed from survivors was inherently a ragtag bunch by nature. Even if they were coordinating a ploy, contradictions would inevitably surface somewhere—and Son Sang-hee and her team had verified there were none. They confirmed the story held true.
Jeong Dong-gun, who trusted his own subordinates far more than these strangers Han Seong-geun and Jin A-yeon, relaxed his guard once they signaled it was legit.
"So, what do you plan to do now?"
"What we plan to..."
"Hunker down here at Ulsan Airport indefinitely? Or accept aid from our Balhut Cult?"
He directed the question at Han Seong-geun. The Balhut Cult's arrival here already presented them with a new option: sever ties and fight alone at Ulsan Airport, or ally with the Balhut Cult and stand together.
Jeong Dong-gun laid out the facts plainly, and at the mention of possible aid, Han Seong-geun...
"That's..."
could only bow his head.
His face, etched with pain and torment, carried the crushing weight of a young deputy leader bearing the lives of everyone at Ulsan Airport on his shoulders. It couldn't be helped.
"Truth be told, I don't know. Your names and reputations are well-known throughout Yeongnam, but the Balhut Cult itself? We've never even heard of it in Korea before. Not once. Just like the Immortal Cult."
"Fair point."
He still couldn't fully commit to trusting the Balhut Cult standing before them. Much like in Pohang, the cult's external reputation was abysmal—treated as a sudden cult that popped up in the apocalypse.
The Immortal Cult had earned trust in Ulsan through proven results that locals could see and believe in. But the Balhut Cult was a new force appearing out of nowhere from outside, making it hard to buy in.
Especially for people who'd already been backstabbed by the Immortal Cult—they needed solid proof that the Balhut Cult was different.
"That said, we do know the Balhut Cult was the one that first recaptured a city on this peninsula."
"Yes, that's true too."
That's why Jin A-yeon, standing beside Han Seong-geun, brought up the cult's international reputation, noting how they'd been the very first to reclaim a city on the peninsula.
Jeong Dong-gun stared at her in surprise as she laid out nothing but the hard results. But Jin A-yeon spoke as if it were the most obvious thing, voicing the questions she'd harbored inside.
"We heard about Korea first in Fukuoka from the Balhut Cult too. Honestly, I don't get why they're so hated here on the peninsula. They recaptured a city. Wiped out every last zombie, right? Word is they're even rebuilding and running a proper currency economy. What more do they need to do? They've done it all."
"Uh. Well."
Having learned of the cult through Japanese communities rather than Korean ones, Jin A-yeon figured a cult might deserve flak as a shady outfit, but she couldn't fathom why the rest of their policies drew hate. They'd done everything, plain and simple: reclaimed the city, swept the zombies clean, rebuilt impressively, got the economy humming with currency. They'd fulfilled every government role—why the distrust and vitriol?
Of course, even Jin A-yeon had her suspicions at first about this unheard-of cult, but since it was new to her, she'd only voiced mild doubts. Worried they might not get a warm welcome, that's why she'd come to Ulsan.
"If A-yeon says so, then I suppose I should trust you once. But we've already been stabbed in the back by the Immortal Cult. So I have to ask you, Jeong Dong-gun."
Convinced by Jin A-yeon's words, Han Seong-geun seemed swayed. He turned to Jeong Dong-gun, his voice trembling as he spoke.
"Do you have something—anything—that can convince us? Honestly, my decision here changes the fate of everyone at this airport. We need a rock-solid reason to stake other people's lives on a choice like this."
If they failed this time, the people at Ulsan Airport might die. Han Seong-geun and Jin A-yeon, as awakeners along with their group, might survive, but the elderly, weak, and children under protection? They'd be goners for sure.
With lives on the line, Han Seong-geun needed conviction for this choice—or more precisely, the courage to trust his own judgment.
"Hmm. Very well. Our Balhut Cult has been recognized by the United States."
"...Come again?"
With that single word—"America"—Jeong Dong-gun left Han Seong-geun dumbfounded. What was this guy talking about? Why drag America into it out of nowhere? Sure, Korea had U.S. forces stationed here, so American influence was huge, but hadn't everyone said America was a mess in the apocalypse too?
"It's not widely known outside yet, but we've already got a special envoy plenipotentiary dispatched from the U.S. And they've recognized our Balhut Cult as the sole legitimate government on the peninsula."
As Han Seong-geun's mind swirled in chaos, Jeong Dong-gun smiled warmly and summed it up in one neat sentence.
"Whoa, uh... this is way stronger than I thought? Wait... is that for real?"
Jin A-yeon, listening beside him, gaped in shock. "Isn't that too strong?" It was like a lightweight boxer eating a barrage of heavy heavyweight punches—clean hits.
"Th-that's... way bigger intel than I expected. I figured you'd convince us with Pohang bigwigs or evidence like that. But America? Suddenly the scale jumps from peninsula level to global."
"Haha. But it's true."
Especially the part about being recognized as the peninsula's sole legitimate government by America—it was unbelievable. From city-scale to international in one leap. Way beyond what a mere survivor camp deputy like Han Seong-geun could handle.
"And 'America' carries serious weight on this peninsula."
"Y-yeah? It's so heavy... I can't even believe it."
The word "America" weighed too much in this era. If everything Jeong Dong-gun said was true, it confirmed a trustworthy power. But still... wasn't it too much? It'd be easier to believe he was lying.
"Anyway, if you're heading back to Gyeongju, there's a U.S. embassy under construction right now. We can show you the proof there too. Here—photos and videos I took on my smartphone."
With that, Jeong Dong-gun pulled out his personal smartphone and showed them footage of the embassy construction, side by side with the American and Balhut Cult flags fluttering together.
"No clue. You coulda just grabbed some random American flag lying around and snapped a pic."
"Haha, yeah, fair enough! Y-you're joking, right, Jeong Dong-gun?"
But Jin A-yeon pointed out it could be faked, refusing to buy it easily, while Han Seong-geun laughed hollowly, the scale too vast to feel real. Gotta be a joke to lighten the mood! Hell, he wanted to ask if they could even handle that level!
"Lately, America's been seeking business partners—allies—who survived the apocalypse with them. It's not just us; Western Europe and Fukuoka in Japan are on the list too."
"Didn't know that before I left."
"We only met them after taking Pohang. Probably dispatched after you left, A-yeon."
Jeong Dong-gun clarified it wasn't exclusive to them, drawing a line. Jin A-yeon admitted ignorance, and he explained it happened post-Pohang, after her departure.
"That's... pretty convincing!"
The way he put it made it scarily persuasive. Jin A-yeon nodded, convinced.
"Regardless, we're the legitimate government of this country, recognized by America. International, even—though in this apocalypse, intact nations are just America and a tiny few."
"Mm."
Truth was, the Balhut Cult could claim sole government status because they were the only ones actually governing the peninsula. They'd organized laws, fulfilled government functions—that's why America reached out. Globally, few had formed proper governments like them: powerhouses like the UK, France, Germany, or successes like Fukuoka thanks to strong awakeners.
Jeong Dong-gun laid it out logically to persuade Han Seong-geun.
"If you still can't believe it, why not visit in person, Han Seong-geun? Seeing it with your own eyes would convince you."
"In person..."
Seeing his deep anguish, Jeong Dong-gun even suggested a personal visit if words weren't enough. Seeing was believing, after all—tangible proof beat talk every time.
"Honestly, it's hard to believe. After the Immortal Cult's atrocities, thinking of Ulsan citizens who've suffered... this takes real courage."
For Han Seong-geun, burned badly by the Immortal Cult, it was a gutsy move. As deputy leader, getting captured as a hostage would put Ulsan Airport in a bind. From their side, it was a gamble.
"I get the fear completely. From an outsider's view, it's no wonder we get called a cult. Not even based on some Christian offshoot like Shincheonji—we worship a god no one's heard of pre-apocalypse."
"You knew."
"Yeah. We're suspicious as hell, can't deny it."
Jeong Dong-gun acknowledged his proposal was a gamble for Han Seong-geun, empathizing fully while calmly explaining why. Bluntly, he was owning how shady they seemed—but that only piqued Han Seong-geun's interest. If he knew that and still proposed it so boldly, he must have something to convince him. No other reason for that confident breakdown of his weaknesses.
"But you all know it too—in this apocalypse, you need that courageous resolve. Only those who make it survive."
"Courageous resolve..."
Pressing earnestly that survival demanded such gutsy choices, Han Seong-geun closed his eyes.
"...All right. I'll go as representative. Check it out myself."
In the end, he accepted Jeong Dong-gun's offer. Time for a decision. Staying put would just lead to defeat by attrition. This was the moment to seize the tide.
"You sure? Uncle Han Seong-geun?"
"Honestly, terrified to go! But you've shouldered so much since I handed you the leader spot despite being the strong one! When else do I show you my cool side?!"
The fear was real. Recalling the Immortal Cult's horrors made grim imaginings of the Balhut Cult easy. Terror of the unknown screamed for flight, legs shaking. But it was necessary.
This time, I want to make the right choice. I want to survive. No more watching my comrades die!
Han Seong-geun had failed repeatedly. Trusted a non-hero as one; bad calls led to followers dying by Immortal Cult hands. Jin A-yeon joining mid-game was luck, but she alone couldn't save Ulsan.
For a nobody like me to save Ulsan... I need a life-on-the-line resolve.
He knew it was a gamble. If Balhut was no better than Immortal, he was dead. But his life was already on the table. Leader spot passed to Jin A-yeon—no chaos at the airport even if he got nabbed.
"We sincerely thank you for that courageous resolve. Now, we'll head back to the cult via teleport magic right away."
"Huh?!"
But making his resolve look foolish, the moment Han Seong-geun accepted, Jeong Dong-gun beamed and declared they'd teleport straight back to cult HQ.
What the—scary as hell, no warning!