152. Refugee Problem (1)
With the Seoul saga finally wrapped up, it's time to return to Pohang after what feels like ages. Liberated by the Balhut Cult's exploits, the city buzzes with nonstop activity day in and day out. Fishing boats launch from the harbor to secure food supplies, container ships arrive from America, and trade has kicked off with Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia—thanks to agreements forged at the international reconstruction conference in London. Within Balhut Cult territory, Pohang has effectively become the economic hub, ushering in what amounts to a second golden age.
"Feels like I've finally set foot on solid ground after so long. Every day's a whirlwind."
Baek Seol-hwa, who had naturally been appointed to govern Pohang under Bahamut's orders, finds her authority steadily expanding. She's even taken the helm as admiral, personally safeguarding the East Sea—a realization that dawned on the Balhut Cult: the East Sea's security is essential to sustaining this prosperity. Yet a Dragon Priestess isn't just a warrior; she's meant to govern directly as well. Like Yu-na, Seol-hwa bears ultimate responsibility for Pohang's administration, and only her hands-on involvement keeps it running smoothly. Fortunately, she has...
"You've returned, Lady Seol-hwa. Sooner than expected."
...a loyal subordinate handling internal affairs in her stead amid the daily bloodbaths on the East Sea front. Seo Un-jae, once a leader of one of Pohang's three major camps and now Seol-hwa's chief advisor and administrator, greets her warmly upon her return. Seol-hwa flashes a bright smile at the sight of him and speaks in her steadfast tone.
"Yes. It wrapped up quicker than anticipated. We claimed a decisive victory on the Ulsan front, and we've confirmed the ghost fleet haunting the East Sea is tied to the Immortal Cult."
"That's splendid news—a true triumph. Just what we needed, with those new assembly members starting to question Commander Jeong Dong-gun's competence. This victory will silence the doubts."
Identifying the ghost fleet's affiliation, coupled with a decisive win on the Ulsan front. Seo Un-jae sounds genuinely relieved, warning that the freshly elected assembly newcomers were indeed doubting Jeong Dong-gun. Seol-hwa stares at him in disbelief.
"Talk like that's circulating?"
"Indeed. The Dragon God Association and the Heonmin Democratic Party dominated the election, but neither scored a total rout. A third force was inevitable, Lady Seol-hwa."
The two parties had their achievements, but neither claimed an overwhelming mandate. This opened the door for a third faction, whose newcomers now scramble to assert themselves by nitpicking the flaws of bureaucrats from the prior cabinet. And at the same time...
"More than that, eyes are on the far-right elements even within the Balhut Cult."
These weren't ordinary political groups; by pre-apocalypse standards, they were outright dangerous extremists. That fact gnawed at him.
"Is that a problem?"
"No, quite the opposite—it's natural. In a world this brutal, the absence of far-right voices would be the real anomaly. Extremism thrives in the apocalypse; radical rhetoric gains traction. Citizens disillusioned by the moderation of the Dragon God Association or Heonmin Democratic Party flock to the fringes."
Seol-hwa asks uneasily about the "far-right" label, but Seo Un-jae reassures her it's par for the course. In such harsh times, extremism isn't just expected—it's inevitable. Moderate platitudes bore; fiery words deliver that dopamine hit, drawing eyes. Of course, if those fantasies ever became reality, most people would suffer—but it's easy enough to gloss over that inconvenient truth.
"I'm clueless about assembly politics. So... you're in the assembly too, right, Mr. Seo?"
"Yes, Heonmin Democratic Party representative. As a servant of the Dragon Priestess, it's only fitting."
Seol-hwa throws up her hands in confusion, pointing out he's in the assembly himself. Seo Un-jae confirms his affiliation, adding that serving a Dragon Priestess like her demands loyalty to the party that reveres them most.
"Uh, there's the Dragon God Association too."
"Haha, I respect Dragon God Bahamut, of course. But my liege now is you, Lady Seol-hwa. Anyway, on the far-right matter..."
Seol-hwa mentions the Dragon God Association as if Bahamut comes first, but Seo Un-jae firmly prioritizes her and presses on.
"Whispers say more dissatisfaction with Balhut Cult rule than expected— even here in Pohang, not just old North Gyeongju."
No regime escapes grumblers. Policies divide opinions; people cling fiercely to petty grievances. Hitherto, the apocalypse's exigencies let the cult bulldoze complaints with force if needed. But post-election, as a full democracy, bottled-up resentments begin to simmer. And among them, the prime example: the Korea-First Party's Dragon Slayer platform.
One of the new parties in the assembly pushes that lunatic 'Dragon Slayer' doctrine... No way I can tell Lady Seol-hwa, a Dragon Priestess, about that.
Seo Un-jae has the sense not to mention it. No telling how she'd react—furious enough to personally dismantle the Korea-First Party on the spot. To spare its members, he holds his tongue.
Frankly, it's their own damn fault. They've caused enough headaches already.
He feels no pity for their extremism; they own that platform. His real worry...
...is it'd look like I'm siccing the Dragon Priestess on rivals for a political hit. If I tell her and she acts, it'd paint me as the puppet master ordering a hit. Even idiots know assembly members are duly elected; seeing one sniped by a Dragon Priestess in broad daylight on the street? Messy.
"Anyway, what do you mean it's cropping up in Pohang too?"
"Ah, inflows from outside have spiked lately. Call them refugees politely—or vagrants, drifters, whatever."
Best to pivot. Plenty else to report besides the Korea-First Party—like the uninvited outsiders streaming into Pohang.
"Isn't it natural for people fleeing the apocalypse to seek safety?"
Seo Un-jae explains the mystery refugees arriving in Pohang. Seol-hwa sees no issue; it's commonplace in the end times, with droves heading to Balhut Cult lands.
"But they're disrupting Pohang's public order. To them, it's like a foreign nation suddenly plopped on Korean soil. They can't adjust to the unfamiliarity."
The catch: these refugees are upending Pohang's peace. As a city that broke from Korea to join a new realm, it looks alien—yet still fundamentally Korean at heart? Seol-hwa frowns, baffled.
"Seriously?"
"Yes. Many newcomers can't acclimate to Pohang's vibe. Especially under the rule of the Balhut Cult, the most alien organization on the peninsula—psychological resistance is inevitable."
Seo Un-jae insists it's real; the cult's otherworldliness breeds instinctive aversion. Seol-hwa pulls a face like it's absurd.
"If they saw Lord Dragon God, they'd believe."
"Haha, that'd work, but most would panic or go mad."
She suggests Bahamut's descent would end gripes; he chuckles wryly, agreeing it'd be effective—but chaotic. She can't argue. Seo Un-jae himself surrendered to the cult upon witnessing the descent, opting for white-flag submission over resistance. Back during Pohang negotiations, he'd haggled hard for the city's gain, strong-armed or not.
Looking back, what balls I had.
Now just a black mark on his history, he shakes his head calmly.
"So, Mr. Seo, you brought this to me specifically—means there's urgent work while I've been overseeing the East Sea. Sum up Pohang's internal state in one line."
"Simple."
Refugee issues were routine; she'd delegated authority for Seo Un-jae to handle alone. No need for daily reports on something so apocalyptic-normal. Yet his emphasis signals...
"We must restore public order in Pohang, shattered by this sudden influx of outsiders."
...the refugees have overwhelmed Pohang's capacity. In other words, massive waves from across the peninsula are crashing in.