150. Surviving in Kim Su-ho's Seoul (4)
Even with massive internal chaos, successfully solidifying the Han River defense line meant that, barring some major catastrophe, things weren't going to get any worse. But put another way...
"The moment the Han River defense line falls, Seoul is done for."
Right. The Han River line was essentially Gangnam's last bastion. If it collapsed, and someone asked if there was a backup plan, Kim Su-ho would boldly declare there wasn't one—not because he hadn't thought of it, but because the internal disarray was so profound he hadn't even gotten that far.
Dozens, hundreds of factions no longer under his control. They'd only accepted his support, never intending to take initiative themselves. They were just vultures eyeing him, waiting for him to fall.
Did they still not grasp the apocalypse? Or did they know but pretend otherwise out of power lust? From Kim Su-ho's view, it was pathetic—a total mismatch of investment to return.
"...They're still forming factions to survive, aren't they?"
"The problem is, those aren't our forces. If they were forces we could actually use, there'd be no complaints."
Bluntly put, the Han River line wasn't just Kim Su-ho's faction anymore. It was riddled with splinter groups from within his own ranks. He could tolerate that much. But the real issue was their actions: building power by ignoring his authority, actively trying to absorb his forces. That was the kicker.
The character for 'endure.' Endure three times, and even murder can be avoided.
They weren't helping—they were gunning for his troops. Kim Su-ho toyed with the idea of purging them a dozen times a day.
"Follow me, the minister or assemblyman. How convenient for them. And the citizens too."
Thinking of the high-rankers who'd obstructed him, Kim Su-ho pondered why people still followed them. He felt it in his bones: legitimacy and status could command loyalty.
But in this apocalypse, wasn't their behavior utterly irrational? Yet citizens swallowed their baseless agitation, clung to their words. Kim Su-ho sensed his own common sense crumbling.
I've been the one holding this line, sheltering refugees. Why do they get the praise? What did I do wrong?
"How about referencing the Balhut Cult's policies, sir?"
"The Balhut Cult?"
The one bit of good news for Kim Su-ho amid Korea's warlords was that something unwelcome to them had filtered into Seoul: Gyeongju's independence.
"Yes. An interim government called the Balhut Cult has emerged in Gyeongju."
The Balhut Cult had retaken zombie-overrun Gyeongju—not returning it to Korea, but boldly declaring independence. A clean break from the Republic of Korea. Not just words: they enforced their own laws, building an apocalypse-fit system and code.
Not inheriting Korea, but founding something new, severing ties. To warlords claiming Korea's mantle, it was intolerable.
"Betrayal! Reactionaries! In this era, trying to found a sacred nation?"
"A cult! The Balhut Cult is a cult! The evil that will destroy our Republic of Korea!"
"I didn't permit this! Assemblymen acted without consulting me! This is Gyeongju's rebellion!"
Self-proclaimed assemblymen from the area raged loudest, decrying betrayal, claiming unauthorized action.
"That's because the Korean government can't do shit. In a survival crunch, it's inevitable."
Kim Su-ho shrugged. Outside Han River and Gangnam, Seoul and the government were useless. Local independence? Obvious for survival.
What had Seoul done for the provinces? During cleanup, he'd seen nothing but chaos and burdens inflicted, no aid. Seoul peddled baseless "Korea endures" rhetoric while the government had long collapsed, worsening provincial turmoil.
Kim Su-ho was grateful Gyeongju hadn't declared war on Seoul's selfishness post-independence.
"What about our side's reaction?"
"Gangnam factions are furious at the Balhut Cult's emergence. Calling it a coup against Korea, treason, rebellion—but deep down, it's mostly bewilderment."
"Independence angering or bewildering them? They're just making their own calls to survive."
The NIS agent reported uniform outrage or dismay among Korea-loyal factions: coups, betrayal, sedition. But with Korea just a hollow signboard, it rang empty.
Kim Su-ho knew Korea teetered on ruin; Gyeongju had no choice but an interim government for survival.
The problem's the Balhut Cult. Some unknown cult.
Issue: a cult forming the government. Fanatic risks unnerved him amid rumors.
But we can't touch them anyway.
No capacity now. Distance aside, Han River lacked spare troops for dispatch.
If those warlords lent forces, we could hit Gyeongju. But...
Seoul's splintered power unified could project easily.
No chance. Just lip service.
Kim Su-ho sighed at the helplessness.
"From their view, it's not serious, sir."
"What's so serious?"
The agent urged gravity, face stern. Kim Su-ho latched on desperately, demanding details.
"From founding to structure, the Balhut Cult severs all ties to existing Korean forces. Meaning Korea's authority no longer sways them."
"That serious?"
"Yes. Especially for assemblymen and ministers basing support on Korean prestige—they've lost their foundation overnight."
Severing Korea meant severing its authority. Orders or assembly clout from Seoul? Ignored. For those who'd built factions on it, instant prestige plunge.
If word spread, citizens would hound them: "Why'd Gyeongju split?"
"Plus, the logic that only Korea can beat this apocalypse no longer holds."
"True. Provinces see no help from Korea. Independence benefits them."
"That's what galls them. Every split erodes Korea's prestige."
Beyond that, it showed alternatives existed. Balhut's success could spark copycats, ditching Korea. Precedent set, they'd bolt at first chance.
For those dreaming of reclaiming Seoul to rule a gutted Korea, it shattered visions.
"If other survival paths exist, why cling to disappointing Korea? Why not their own interim government—especially sans Seoul meddling, so easy now."
"Hence the rage. I get it."
They had to deny Balhut hardest, or lose control: reasons to rule, charisma eroded.
Old Korea's prestige and past skills made them assemblymen; unlike Kim Su-ho, unproven in apocalypse.
If pressed to prove now...
"No issue for me."
"You've proven yours, sir. This might even benefit you."
Others? Dubious if they could prove to citizens. Already, they appealed online to provincial backers, smearing Balhut.
Pre-apocalypse party loyalists lingered provincially; demonizing Balhut as devils or terrorists was easy for opinion-masters.
"What kind of group is this Balhut Cult in Gyeongju?"
"Community says religious, but really a united survivor camps' interim government. They've codified apocalypse laws and structure—fully functional."
"Better review than expected."
NIS rated highly, beyond Kim Su-ho's expectations.
"First to retake a city here. Even Korea can't ignore; undeniable success story."
"Success story..."
Yes. Online hard to spot, but victors: reclaimed city, built government.
Copy their methods? Success possible.
"...If we used Balhut's methods, your thoughts?"
Kim Su-ho probed viability.
"Tough. They'd faced opposition, infighting; Gangnam'd plunge into civil war too."
"...Want details. Can we contact an agent there?"
"Gyeongju's NIS survivor still active. Link up, get internals."
Luckily, the agent lived, briefing Balhut's history fully.
Kim Su-ho's verdict: "Using their way means unavoidable civil war."
Radical yet realistic. Amid infighting, purge elements, start fresh—mutual gain.
Highlighted Han River's chronic ills, offered fix. But pre-planned before cult launch.
Early grasp and management? No such tragedy.
"All my fault?"
He owned the failure cleanly.
Solution to fallout: "Like Balhut, sever Han River and Gangnam from Korea entirely. Start anew."
New apocalypse laws, not old. Admit Korea's fall formally.
Blood in Gangnam, but true reform only path.
"I know we must abandon Korea!"
Yet at the crux, he couldn't.
Too late anyway. Declare Korea dead now? Entrenched foes wouldn't allow; they'd coalition against him in fury.
"But can I do it?"
Kim Su-ho, Korean citizen, shuttering Korea himself? Imagining the horror paled his face, psychological vise tightening.