Ulsan Negotiation (1)
It could be called a decisive victory for the Balhut Cult. They had solidified their grip on North Ulsan, territory previously seized by the Immortal Cult. The most critical chokepoints—the Ulsan Bridge, Myeongchon Bridge, and countless bypass roads—were now firmly under allied control.
This triumph drastically lowered the chances of the Immortal Cult striking the alliance's rear lines. Stable supplies and reinforcements could now flow in from Gyeongju without interruption. Above all, the ability to redeploy rear-guard troops to the frontlines—freed from the threat of surprise raids via detours—effectively doubled their available forces.
"It'd be a stretch under normal circumstances... but Korea's winter is no joke. We can pull defenders from Gyeongju to join the Ulsan fight."
They never would have dreamed of stripping rear defenses to face mountain monsters. But those beasts, unprepared for Korea's brutal cold, had been decimated by the freeze. The mountains were now a savage struggle for survival amid the unrelenting chill. Monsters weren't raiding humans—they were barely clinging to life themselves. No need for dedicated guards against them.
"Fortifications on the bridges are complete. Once we mop up the remnants in North Ulsan, the whole area's under our control."
"Good work. Our rear's secure now."
And with no rear threats, the dispatched alliance troops could focus solely on bridge defenses. Ulsan Airport now served as the rear base, turning the bridge dividing North and South Ulsan into both border and frontline.
"We've got results we can proudly report before winter ends. Whew. Bahamut still trusts me implicitly... but the cabinet's watching us with suspicion."
With postwar cleanup done, Jeong Dong-gun let out a relieved sigh, comforted by the tangible achievements. No matter Bahamut's boundless faith, the bureaucrats and National Assembly members would doubt his competence. War consumed ever more resources with no quick gains—critics could brand this campaign pointless at any moment.
"At least we have the Dragon God Association and Heonmin Democratic Party's trust... It won't come to extremes."
Prime Minister Hwang Geun-chul and Speaker Park Cheol-gon—products of the recent election—knew better than anyone that military strategy without Jeong Dong-gun was impossible. No one else delivered results so faithfully. Even if Bahamut was away on international diplomacy, their backing would let him weather months of scrutiny.
"We're burning through supplies like crazy. Can't ignore the eyes on us."
Still, the pressure was real. They'd scrapped plans for three quiet months, launching this massive offensive because Gyeongju faced growing Immortal Cult threats—and suspicions demanded proof of worth.
"Trade with America helps, but our consumption's a heavy burden. No complaints yet... but a prolonged war? Who knows how the home front turns."
"Speaking of, elections wrapped up?"
"Yes. Cabinet's formed. Right after the vote, we needed some good news."
With elections done and the Balhut Cult reverted to a proper democracy, Bahamut's favor alone wouldn't suffice. They might crave fresh victories to rally the cabinet—this win was priceless for Jeong Dong-gun and the cult alike.
"We've reclaimed North Ulsan, seized the key bridges, uncovered the ghost fleet's Immortal Cult ties. No red faces at headquarters. Plan's to hunker down defensively till winter passes."
Satisfied that cabinet and public opinion would affirm the alliance's value, he prepared to switch back to defense. But...
"We've got prisoners too. They're isolated after interrogation, but they could break their mana seals and self-destruct anytime. Unsettling."
"Bahamut's seals won't break easily."
Han Seong-geun warned of suicide risks from the captives, but Jeong Dong-gun dismissed it with faith in the Dragon God's craft. Bahamut's name invoked, he spoke with mild regret.
"I'd love to show them to Bahamut personally... but regrettably, He's away on diplomacy."
"Not in-country? Japan? America?"
He ached to rush to the temple with the glad tidings, but Bahamut was abroad with Yu-na. Domestic Dragon God activities were on hold. Supplies like Bahamut Coins and energy flowed remotely via His control; real-time contact came through Baek Seol-hwa in Pohang. No major issues without Him physically present.
"Attending an international organization conference in London."
"International organization!? It's reformed?"
If it was that, even this war would take a backseat. Han Seong-geun gaped, hopeful—
"Reports say provisional governments gathered for a reconstruction conference in London. We just attended."
"That's... official recognition of the Balhut Cult as Korea's legitimate government."
A stamp of approval as a sovereign nation on the world stage.
"Good news for us."
"For us too."
Han Seong-geun found resolve in it, steadying his hesitations.
"After the alliance ends, staying on?"
"Yes. Independence wouldn't improve things. Rebuilding war-torn Ulsan alone? Impossible."
In apocalypse reality, prideful independence didn't guarantee survival. It meant shouldering all civilization's burdens solo—Han lacked that confidence. Defying the victorious Balhut Cult offered nothing beyond hollow power.
"Joining those who treat us well benefits me personally and those we're aiding."
"Ruling a region isn't tempting?"
Ulsan Airport awakeners, battle-hardened veterans, eyed rewards and fair treatment. Many hoped to stay. Han knew the tide; this path served them best. But Jeong Dong-gun, recalling Jo Sun-do, pressed—
"Jeong Dong-gun-ssi. Better a poor citizen in a rich country than a rich man in a poor one."
Rulers couldn't match a prosperous nation's lifestyle.
"Post-alliance split leaves us ruined cities and regressed civilization. Reclaiming abandoned farms, repairing infrastructure... It's daunting, bleak."
"...I'm truly grateful for your commitment to the Balhut Cult."
"Yes."
Thus, Han formally joined. Jeong rejoiced inwardly—not just for Han, but the easier recruitment of his comrade Jin A-yeon. With Han's persuasion, her staying seemed likely.
"That said, the counteroffensive revealed issues."
"I know the gist... Hoo. Let's hear it."
Good news came with bad. Settlement time arrived; Jeong braced reluctantly for the report.
"Troops are exhausted. Pushing in this cold caused frostbite and collapses galore."
"As expected."
"Injuries are heavy too. Evacuated to rear hospitals, but frontline return's off the table soon."
Deploying round-the-clock in this freeze? Fatigue was inevitable; frostbite and exhaustion felled countless. Wounded couldn't frontline anyway. Even this decisive win, Jeong eyed talks because troops couldn't sustain more.
"Even awakeners can't shrug off this cold."
The freeze that slew monsters humbled Koreans too.
"Supplies burned hotter than expected—no resupply, no deployments. North Ulsan's retake risks unknown fronts. Scouting remnants needs detachments. Sustaining war's burdensome."
"Plenty on the plate. Delaying glad tidings to Bahamut."
Inevitable. Overwhelming victory eased logistics and scouts, but troop health stumped him. Yu-na could've healed them instantly—but she was in America, meeting President Arthur Anderson.
His only play...
"...Any word?"
"Word on what?"
"The negotiation team. Anything from the Immortal Cult?"
Negotiations it was. Past proposals ignored, but this time, Jeong was confident they'd bite.
"We signaled interest via Ulsan community site. Good sign: post's still up, not deleted like usual."
"Naturally. Defeat stings, but capturing four high-level awakeners? That hurts."
The prisoners fueled his negotiation hopes.