17. Why Did You Come to My House? Why Did You Come? (1)
While the fool was concocting some bizarre scheme, Yu-na diligently carried out the tasks he had assigned.
"The Lord has granted permission."
"…He approved it readily enough. From your position, my proposal might as well be blasphemy."
Hwang Seung-man wiped away the sweat streaming down his face like water, relieved that the compromise had passed so smoothly. Bluntly speaking, it was only natural from his perspective, but from Choi Yu-na's standpoint, interpreting it as sacrilege wouldn't have been amiss. To secure even a modicum of compromise, Hwang Seung-man had steeled himself and pushed hard on the conditions—yet the other side had accepted them with unexpected mercy. Bluntly put, didn't they have ample means to force submission through sheer power, just like the other survivor groups?
"Yes. For He is merciful. However, a direct meeting right away is impossible."
"I understand that much. But may I ask the reason?"
The compromise had passed, but an immediate meeting was off the table. Hwang Seung-man nodded in understanding and questioned Choi Yu-na about why.
"Our Lord seeks to unify all survivor camps in Gyeongju. Since we're already negotiating with Gyeongju Support, we plan to inquire if the other camps wish to meet with Him as well."
"…Makes sense. Negotiating with each one separately would be inefficient, especially with so many camps in Gyeongju."
It was an efficient approach. In this disaster where time was worth its weight in gold, meeting them one by one would be a massive waste. Hwang Seung-man nodded as if he comprehended, but worry crept in simultaneously.
"Will they be convinced? Some might not believe even after seeing it."
"If they don't believe, that's fine. Such groups simply won't receive the Lord's protection. We can sort them out accordingly."
"…I see."
If they didn't follow the cult, there would be no protection from Bahamut. For a young girl, it was a brutally harsh statement—but in the current situation, it was utterly logical. With survival resources already scarce, there was no room for selfless aid or leisure. Her judgment was cold, yet utterly reasonable for a leader guiding a faction.
"Then I'll take my leave. Once a date is set, we'll send word through Gyeongju Support."
"Wait a moment."
"What is it? I'm busy."
Hwang Seung-man called out to her departing figure with a grave expression. Choi Yu-na shot him an annoyed glance, but he pressed on with what he wanted to say.
"Are you… happy with this?"
Are you happy walking that path? In a zombie apocalypse, happiness was a luxury—but Hwang Seung-man deemed this question vital.
"Yes. Of course. I'm happy."
Because…
"Now, I finally understand the meaning of my birth."
This question revealed her mindset.
"I was born into this world for this very day."
"I see."
Watching Choi Yu-na declare without hesitation that she was born for this day, Hwang Seung-man could only close his eyes and nod silently on the spot.
A week later.
"To think so many survivor camp leaders would gather like this!"
Hwang Seung-man, contacted by the Balhut Cult, headed to the designated location and found himself amid Gyeongju's so-called survivor camp leaders—from the famous heads of major camps to those leading small groups. It seemed they'd convinced every survivor camp in Gyeongju. All the renowned leaders he knew were in attendance. They waited quietly in the spot Yu-na had specified, faces etched with anxiety or anticipation.
No wonder she showed such confidence.
Seeing even rival camps that usually clashed sitting peacefully, Hwang Seung-man realized Yu-na's influence was far greater than he'd imagined. For camps that had long collided to assemble without incident meant they'd all yielded to her power.
More precisely, they're terrified of the dragon hosting this gathering.
Gyeongju Support, lacking any mage awakeners, couldn't gauge the dragon's might objectively—but larger camps with mages had felt its bone-deep terror. Thus, they understood that provoking the dragon's wrath here would spell catastrophe. Even spotting old foes or rivals, they swallowed petty grudges and stayed still.
"We will now head to Namsan, where Lord Bahamut resides."
"Namsan?"
"Please board the vehicles we've prepared."
According to Yu-na, the dragon dwelled on Gyeongju's Namsan. Under her guidance, the leaders boarded the Balhut Cult's vehicles and set off for Namsan.
"It's deep in Namsan, so… from midway, we'll walk to the temple."
"A tiresome hike, huh."
But upon learning they'd need to hike to reach the temple, annoyance flickered across their faces. As awakeners, the trek itself posed no issue—but for those unaccustomed to mountains, it was a hassle. Hwang Seung-man, who often hiked Namsan on vacations, felt a familiar thrill and prepared accordingly.
Hm? Was there a road here?
His preparations halted as something odd struck him. The path to Namsan was right, but this road was one he'd never seen.
No—this was an old hiking trail!?
He realized this stretch wasn't originally a vehicle road at all.
"Wh-what the hell is that?"
Suddenly, a sight resolved his doubts. The unpaved road to the temple—flanked by passes—began transforming as bricks materialized from thin air, paving it into smooth asphalt. Their vehicle trailed right behind the expanding pavement.
Hwang Seung-man gaped at the mystical scene, as did the other leaders.
"What is this? How'd they do it? Telekinesis? Magic?"
Even leaders privy to intel from external governments and countless awakeners wondered if it was trickery or sorcery. Hwang Seung-man sensed this was no ordinary affair from their reactions—and upon reaching the temple entrance, doubt turned to certainty.
"This is the entrance to the temple."
A cave greeted them—one he'd never seen despite countless Namsan hikes. Doubting Yu-na had lied about a massive dragon inside, Hwang Seung-man wavered.
Really in there?
But recalling the miracle he'd just witnessed and Yu-na's unwavering confidence, he accepted the dragon truly dwelled within.
"We go inside here?"
"Yes. I'll lead the way."
As someone voiced wary fear, Yu-na strode ahead with brimming confidence. The leaders exchanged glances, nodded, and followed. Hwang Seung-man steeled himself like the rest and entered slowly.
Actual ruins. Could granite be carved so intricately?
Inside lay genuine ruins. Precise statues of granite welcomed them. Walls and ceilings bore enigmatic patterns that glowed faintly, as if greeting visitors.
"I can feel mana from all of them."
Magic. A real dragon lives here?
The female mage's words—sensing mana everywhere—cemented it. Yu-na smiled, guiding them deeper. Murals and statues affirming a dragon's presence appeared increasingly. Magical flames danced in clusters toward the center, leading to what seemed an altar.
"Now up these stairs to the top… Ah. No need to walk; it's handled."
Endless stairs awaited, but so did an escalator—for visitors. Not electric or mechanical, but a magical staircase mimicking one, powered by mana. As Hwang Seung-man and the mages marveled, inspecting it…
"The dragon…!"
Atop the altar stood seven majestic dragon statues glaring down. The leaders froze instantly—but…
"Don't worry. They're just statues."
"Wh-what? You scared me."
Relief washed over them at the revelation they were mere decorations. Hwang Seung-man, hearing the cries, admired the seven statues' precise arrangement and carving. A stunning sight he wanted to praise—but it wasn't over. No real dragon yet, so he asked Choi Yu-na.
"Then where is the dragon?"
"Right beneath your feet."
Beneath their feet? What nonsense? He nearly retorted—but
"Liar…"
"It's been there from the start?"
Glancing down at the survivors' murmurs, Hwang Seung-man froze. She was right. Beyond the transparent floor they stood on, the dragon gazed silently upward.
Its form through the crystal-clear pane matched the one that descended on Gyeongju.
"Pay your respects to Lord Bahamut."
"Uh. Uh? Huh?"
Yu-na bowed reverently to the dragon. The others followed instinctively. Hwang Seung-man did the same, overwhelmed by its dignified presence.
"Cast aside your fear. No need for obeisance. You are guests here."
The great dragon dismissed it, bidding them relax.
I feel like an ant before a human…!
Yet Hwang Seung-man and the survivors couldn't. Its mere presence exuded overwhelming dignity and power—like ants before giants. Realizing an ant's plight before humans, Hwang Seung-man deeply regretted his earlier demands.
"I am Bahamut, the being who slumbers in this temple. Recently contracted with Choi Yu-na, now intervening in this world."
"H-Hwang Seung-man."
"Jeong Dong-gun."
"Lee Hyun-ah and Lee Su-ah."
"P-Park Cheol-gon of the Democratic Party…"
"Uh… Hwang Geun-chul of the Conservatives."
"Huff! Yoo Soo-seong."
"……Jo Sun-do."
The dragon introduced itself first, prompting introductions. Voices overlapped, hard to discern—but all shared awe and intimidation. No one questioned or doubted the dragon's existence now. Its tangible enormity erased skepticism, instilling reverence and fear.
"You told Yu-na you wished to meet me. Why?"
"Th-that is…"
None answered properly. This meeting, born of Hwang Seung-man's proposal, fell to him to lead.
Terrifying. One wrong word, and I might die.
Even he faltered before the colossal dragon. The others glared resentfully, eyes brimming with blame and hatred.
"It's because you're terrifying."
Sensing mortal peril in those gazes, Hwang Seung-man mustered courage and confessed the truth: fear of the dragon prompted this.
"I deeply empathize. You are the weak, and it is natural for the weak to fear the strong. Fear no more. I harbor no intent to harm you. I promise it in Bahamut's name."
The dragon nodded gravely, acknowledging their feelings, assuring no harm, and swearing solemnly. Faces brightened slightly at its words.
"Th-then…!"
"If you cannot trust this promise, henceforth I shall convey my will not in this form, but another—or through Choi Yu-na."
It even offered concessions if distrust lingered. Relief spread, mingled with vague regret.
Something feels off. What is it?
Hwang Seung-man puzzled over his relief-tinged disappointment, glancing at the dragon beyond the wall.
"I sincerely welcome you to my temple."
The dragon's serene blue eyes conveyed no hostility toward the survivors.