104. Alliance (3)
Han Seong-geun, having reached the Bahamut temple and finished his conversation with the great Dragon God residing there, gave his answer.
"Cooperation. We accept."
All the doubts and suspicions he had harbored in his heart until moments ago were dispelled, and Ulsan Airport resolved to ally with the Balhut Cult. Honestly, religion had never fully proven the existence of gods, which was why atheists like him had always been skeptical. But the Balhut Cult had a god that existed in reality—one they could actually converse with. The Dragon God's responses to his followers were relatable, fostering genuine exchange and empathy. It was an approachable being.
"You've made your decision."
"Yes. But the decision itself wasn't hard. If anything... when they show such irrefutable proof right in front of you, you can't help but believe it, even if you don't want to."
In truth, even looking purely at the bigger picture and practical benefits, Han Seong-geun's tour of the cult's territory had shown him the momentum on the Korean Peninsula was flowing toward the Balhut Cult. They were the only faction to reclaim a city, establish a proper government, and earn recognition from the White House—not to mention the very real Great Dragon God. Witnessing all that firsthand had physically eliminated the option of non-cooperation.
"Right here and now, we declare the alliance between Ulsan Airport and the Balhut Cult. Any objections?"
"None."
"Then, for now, we'll call this alliance the Anti-Immortal Alliance. We'll settle on a formal name later."
And so, the alliance between Ulsan Airport and the Balhut Cult was forged on the spot.
Returning to the cult's main hall, Jeong Dong-gun and Han Seong-geun witnessed the birth of the Anti-Immortal Alliance, notarized by Balhut Cult Pontiff Choi Yu-na. The name signified the pact between the Balhut Cult and Ulsan against the Immortal Cult, and both Jeong Dong-gun and Han Seong-geun nodded without protest.
"However, the position of alliance leader will be held by the Balhut Cult."
"No objections there. Ulsan Airport has no qualification to claim it anyway."
With the alliance complete, Jeong Dong-gun immediately designated the Balhut Cult as alliance leader, and Han Seong-geun frankly acknowledged their superiority, pledging respect as the leading faction. This ensured that even if new allies joined, the cult could wield leader authority while...
'At least treating other camps as equals on paper.'
It was also a declaration to avoid overly provoking future survivor camps joining the alliance, granting them nominal equality with the cult.
'They acknowledge us as allies. But they won't yield the leader seat. Though... we're not really equals anyway? Treating us with respect is generous enough.'
Han Seong-geun understood the cult's intentions but saw no need to voice them. The power gap between the cult and Ulsan Airport was overwhelming; true equality was impossible. Yet the cult's willingness to treat them as nominal peers brought immense relief. At least they felt respected and valued.
"We need to assemble forces to defend Ulsan Airport. We'll also require ample supplies and food to hold out there. And anyone who can't fight must be evacuated to safety."
"Yes. Ulsan Airport has many children and frail elderly. With them secure, we can fight without worry."
With the formal declaration done, it was time for practical matters. Jeong Dong-gun and Han Seong-geun's first priority was evacuating Ulsan Airport's civilians. If Ulsan became a battlefield, civilians would suffer most, so preemptive evacuation was ideal.
Jeong Dong-gun emphasized the need for defensive troops and supplies, while Han Seong-geun stressed the vulnerable population.
"Then, we'll dispatch transport vehicles and escort troops from our side to handle the evacuees. Once they're ready, we'll guide them to safety."
"Thank you."
Yu-na approved their proposals, and preparations proceeded smoothly. By the time Han Seong-geun and Jeong Dong-gun returned to Ulsan Airport, they had over 200 Awakened soldiers and military buses capable of transporting thousands at once—100 buses, each carrying 30 to 40 people, parked in the lot, awaiting evacuees.
"Whoa. The Balhut Cult... they're bigger than I thought."
Soon after, materials for fortifying defenses around Ulsan Airport arrived, along with engineers. Watching from the side, Jin A-yeon stuck out her tongue in admiration at the cult's displayed might, lounging casually despite her cheap spear around her neck. She'd eyed the incoming convoys warily, but relaxed upon seeing a familiar face.
"Yeah. And from now on, they're our allied forces."
It was Han Seong-geun, confirming their equal alliance status. Jin A-yeon, glad to see him but puzzled by "alliance," stared and spoke up.
"Alliance? We're not just doormats under them? Equals? Bluster or for real?"
"Of course not truly equal. But formally, they've acknowledged us as such."
"Fine. If they're treating us as equals on paper, that's good enough."
It was purely formal—tantamount to treating Ulsan as a subordinate—but Han Seong-geun deemed the respect sufficient despite the gap.
"If you say so, I don't care. Still, who knew we'd actually ally. After all the Immortal Cult crap, I figured it'd be a courtesy meet-and-greet, then bail."
"Things are different now."
Jin A-yeon hadn't expected Han Seong-geun, scarred by the Immortal Cult, to seal a full alliance so swiftly beyond mere formality. She asked what happened; he brushed it off as changed circumstances.
"You seem different, old man. Brainwashed or something?"
"You mages would know best, right?"
"Hmph. No traces. What the hell did you see?"
Jin A-yeon half-joked about brainwashing, but surrendered at his retort, raising her hands and demanding details. What could have flipped the situation 180 degrees?
Han Seong-geun smiled wryly and spoke sincerely.
"I saw the Dragon God."
"What? Dragon God?"
"You'll need to verify as leader anyway. Join the evac to Gyeongju. See the Dragon God with your own eyes."
That was it—nothing more, nothing less. The concise words left Jin A-yeon baffled, but Han Seong-geun figured seeing was faster than explaining. He urged her to witness it during the evac.
"Wait, you're abandoning Ulsan Airport? Can they defend without me?"
Shocked, Jin A-yeon asked if they were giving up the airport. As Ulsan Airport's strongest, her absence left few high-level Awakened—only her Fukuoka companions and Han Seong-geun himself.
"No issue. The Balhut Cult sent reinforcements."
"Those soldier guys...? Strong enough to trust?"
"Don't know yet."
He prioritized civilian evac, trusting the allies. Jin A-yeon eyed the gathering cult troops skeptically, asking their strength; he admitted ignorance.
His uncertain reply drew a sigh.
"Hey. 'It's possible' is enough right now."
"But I haven't seen them fight."
"True. Still..."
The vagueness fueled anxiety, but without firsthand battle experience, Han Seong-geun couldn't judge. No need to overhype either. His compromise: "Don't know yet." Jin A-yeon sighed but conceded.
"They look like real soldiers, at least. Let's trust 'em for now."
"Something about them catches your eye?"
"The mana on their weapons is no joke. Makes ours look like trash."
To her, the cult soldiers seemed reliable, especially their extraordinary weapons.
"Trash? They're scrap spears and junk, yeah."
"Shut it, old man."
Ulsan Airport's gear was mostly factory rejects or roadside scrap, processed crudely. It paled against Pohang's high-grade steel, refined by machinists and Awakened smiths. Han Seong-geun's jab made Jin A-yeon pout and turn away in protest.
Scratching his head with a sigh, he got to business.
"Anyway, on the plan. Balhut Cult and I agreed: we'll jointly defend Ulsan Airport. First, evacuate non-combatants—civilians, wounded, kids, elderly—to Gyeongju."
Handle urgents first. Combat-capable Awakened existed, but non-fighters outnumbered them: unawakened normals, injured frontline dropouts, frail young and old. They offered nothing on the frontlines and needed rear safety in Gyeongju for true fighters to hold firm.
"That's what we wanted. What about our Awakened here?"
Not all Awakened craved battle—many were lucky cowards or unskilled.
"Those who want to fight stay under our command. Others join evac escort. Escorts risk ambushes, and we're moving thousands."
Only willing fighters remain; others bolster the massive convoy. Forcing the unwilling was pointless.
This meant power reduction, so Jin A-yeon sighed.
"Immortal Cult's dumb, but they'd hit fleeing civilians?"
"Common sense says no to non-combatants. But are they common sense?"
"Ugh. Can't argue."
She questioned escort needs, but his logic held: reputation might deter attacks, but the Immortal Cult defied norms.
Jin A-yeon scratched her head, conceding.
"Plus, few want to stay in danger. Open an escape, or resentment builds."
"So only fighters remain?"
"Insane without allies. But now we have trustworthy ones—it's doable."
Few desired Ulsan under Immortal Cult rule. Han Seong-geun knew internal sentiment favored leaving; streamlining was key to prevent unrest. Most survivors, scarred by cult atrocities, craved peace elsewhere, homeland or not.
"Haha. Fine, evac duty's yours. Settle in Gyeongju if needed?"
"Can't relax seeing this mess. Escort 'em quick, then back to fight."
"Appreciate it. Fukuoka's hero stepping up? Makes me wanna try harder."
Han Seong-geun had the vice-leader's trust, but Jin A-yeon—true leader—commanded real loyalty. Few Awakened bolted to Gyeongju, a boon.