20. Balhut Cult (2)
Currency. Or as it's otherwise known, money. Choi Yu-na tilted her head in puzzlement, as if she had no idea why Lee Hyun-ah had brought it up, and asked her directly.
"You're talking about money?"
"Yes. If money means something that can be exchanged for goods, then what I mentioned is related to money."
It wasn't much different from what Choi Yu-na had understood. Lee Hyun-ah was saying that the Balhut Cult needed money right now.
"If it's money, don't we have the old South Korean won?"
"That's already lost all value. Is anyone in Gyeongju trading with South Korean won anymore? Among the executives here? I don't think so."
"""………"""
"Of course, other regions aren't much different. They're using instant noodles or canned tuna as substitute currency."
It was a total wipeout, as expected. The South Korean won had long lost its value, to the point where even tens or hundreds of thousands in bills couldn't buy a single proper can of tuna. Everyone at this meeting had experienced the old won losing its worth firsthand. Virtual currencies and electronic payments had effectively vanished too. In this situation, the most valuable substitutes were canned goods and instant noodles.
"The only thing holding onto even a sliver of value is the US dollar. But even that's barely hanging on. According to external internet reports, even America has plunged into hyperinflation."
"America, as expected."
At least the US dollar was the only currency preserving any worth. But even that was gripped by severe hyperinflation, according to sources. Meaning the dollar's value had plummeted while goods skyrocketed in price.
"America's aware of the crisis and has deployed its own military to stabilize things. They probably have better conditions than us, being America and all. But no one knows when recovery will come."
"I get that. So tell me in detail why we need currency."
Was she using mighty America as an easy example to emphasize the need for money? Choi Yu-na looked at Lee Hyun-ah with unease, but Hyun-ah smiled brightly at her expression and spoke.
"It's simple. We lack proper compensation for the laborers deployed to reconstruction sites."
"Compensation."
Compensation! In other words, they were short on supplies to pay the survivors who joined the Balhut Cult.
"Of course, the cult seized Gyeongju's markets, department stores, and marts as spoils of war, so we can distribute preserved foods and daily necessities from there as wages. We're already doing it via rations."
"We're the richest faction in Gyeongju now. Still not enough?"
The Balhut Cult was indeed Gyeongju's victor. Borrowing Bahamut's power, they had proudly exterminated every zombie in the city and declared their rights over all survivor camps. Thus, they claimed the central market, Seongdong Market, Gyeongju Department Store, and even the last mart in Gyeongju as spoils. Thanks to that, the cult became Gyeongju's wealthiest power and could offer satisfying wages to reconstruction workers.
"We are the richest in Gyeongju, but our supplies have limits. Plus, some laborers find the ration system inconvenient. Administrative Minister Lee Su-ah, who handles complaints, would know best."
"Yes. Paying wages is full of hassles. Transporting daily food, supplies, or energy resources for day wages requires manpower. We should reform it into simple currency or exchange vouchers for goods at our operated stores."
But transporting wage supplies demanded significant manpower. And laborers had to haul their received goods home, enduring the inconvenience. Lee Hyun-ah, collaborating with Lee Su-ah who managed field administration, methodically explained the issues. She persuaded Choi Yu-na and the bureaucrats of the necessity and legitimacy of issuing cult currency.
'I don't understand a single bit!'
Despite Lee Hyun-ah and Lee Su-ah's detailed explanations, Choi Yu-na was utterly lost. But as the Balhut Cult's pontiff, she maintained a dignified air, slyly glancing around.
"Well, looking to the future, issuing fiat currency seems inevitable."
"Hauling rations home after work is exhausting…."
Many bureaucrats were already convinced by the sisters' logic. Sneaking peeks at their agreement with Lee Hyun-ah's proposal, the perceptive Choi Yu-na chimed in.
"So, what Sisters Hyun-ah and Su-ah mean is that our followers need reliable vouchers or exchange coupons they can trust?"
"Yes. And they need real value. As a stopgap, we could distribute paper vouchers for daily wages… but they'd be easy to forge."
"Just photocopy them at a stationery store."
Choi Yu-na questioned based on her limited grasp, and Hyun-ah confirmed it wasn't wrong. But she clearly warned of side effects—counterfeiting, naturally. Simple paper vouchers could be duplicated with copiers or computer docs in no time.
"Even so, I strongly advise that at least in Gyeongju, all survivor camps need a trustworthy commodity currency."
"Got it."
Choi Yu-na finally nodded as if understanding. Lee Hyun-ah's explanation had made the need for fiat currency clear. But the Balhut Cult faced issues in producing it.
"But there's a problem. Where do we get the credit people will trust? And what proves its value?"
It came down to credit and a valuable backing for the currency. Credit wouldn't fall from the sky, and deciding what valuable item to base it on was tricky.
"For value… old coins were pure copper or nickel alloys. We could melt them at an ironworks and mint new currency."
Lee Hyun-ah had already considered a valuable base: melting pre-apocalypse South Korean coins to mint new ones. Copper was worthless in current Gyeongju, but soon its value would rise for bullet production. Melting it into currency wasn't wrong.
"But the real issue is credit—getting people to trust our issued currency."
Credit, however—that stumped even Lee Hyun-ah.
"Someone has to guarantee it firmly."
"Then… for this, I'll consult Bahamut directly."
"Lord Bahamut…."
At Choi Yu-na's mention of Bahamut, Lee Hyun-ah pictured the dragon the Balhut Cult revered. His sage-like serenity while calmly conversing with Hwang Seung-man had left a deep impression on her.
"If it's him, we can trust it."
Lee Hyun-ah nodded, agreeing Bahamut was trustworthy. Surely he'd provide a good answer.
* * *
Of course, this fool of a dragon had no brilliant solution.
Receiving the report from Choi Yu-na, Bahamut felt they were already maxing out feasible policies. But Lee Hyun-ah's final advice made his face stiffen. In the Mirror of Foresight, Yu-na gazed at him with expectant eyes: Lord Bahamut will surely resolve the currency issue easily!
Yes, with Bahamut's wisdom and power, this thorny problem could be overcome effortlessly!
'I can't solve it! How would a shut-in gamer like me know economics!?'
Naturally, this guy had no solution. He brimmed with confidence against zombies, but economic or currency issues? Total ignorance.
'I know currency's importance! But dumping a national project like this on me suddenly is too much!?'
This fool knew currency's value better than anyone. But wasn't this like overloading a former shut-in gamer with excessive duties?
"Lord Bahamut?"
[Hmm….]
But admitting this isn't something I can solve was awkward. Choi Yu-na's adoring gaze—full of faith, awe, conviction that Bahamut would surely succeed—burdened him.
[This seems beyond me alone.]
"Then…?"
"I must meet Economic Bureaucrat Lee Hyun-ah directly. Discuss with her and find a detailed solution."
After agonizing, Bahamut chose consulting the expert. Since she'd raised the issue, use her solution! A simplistic thought. But better than agonizing solo and failing. Modern societies routinely decided policies via expert consultation—efficient and common.
"Via the Mirror of Foresight?"
"No. Summon her to the temple."
"That important! Understood!"
They could talk through the mirror, but Bahamut deemed this vital for the Balhut Cult. A single mistake could spell disaster, so direct meeting it was.
"Lord Bahamut summons me?"
Receiving the call, Lee Hyun-ah showed no fluster.
"Yes. To the temple."
"Indeed…!"
Instead, she gladly obeyed, preparing to depart instantly at Choi Yu-na's order—like she'd anticipated this. Watching, her sister Lee Su-ah quickly saw through her scheme.
"You aimed for this?"
"What do you think?"
"I think you did."
To her sister's question, Lee Hyun-ah grinned and asked her thoughts. Lee Su-ah confirmed it played into Hyun-ah's hands. Hyun-ah didn't deny it, nodding affirmatively.
"Yeah, somewhat. Reconstruction in Gyeongju isn't even properly underway, and I made quite a demanding request."
"We had canned tuna as substitute currency. Ramen was already popular before the Balhut Cult even appeared."
As mentioned in the meeting, substitutes existed—from common tuna cans to ramen, functioning well as currency. No urgent need for new money.
"Yeah. We still have plenty for wages. Honestly, enduring minor inconveniences, we could barter with ramen or such. Everyone understands—it's a disaster, after all."
She'd schemed somewhat, pushing excessive demands on the cult. Field inconveniences existed, but workers wouldn't complain outright. Apocalypse norms: tolerate this much. Substitutes weren't absent either.
"But I thought it necessary."
Yet Lee Hyun-ah stated firmly it was needed.
"I want to prove to Gyeongju survivors that the Balhut Cult is their only hope for survival."
Prove the Balhut Cult alone offered Gyeongju survivors their sole path to survival.
Lee Su-ah eyed her sister dubiously.
"Isn't Lord Bahamut more than enough? His power gave me chills."
The sisters had witnessed the promised day Yu-na foretold. Bahamut's overwhelming might displayed to Gyeongju's people—that scene gave hope to the sisters, who'd merely survived listlessly. His power assured the cult's survival in this apocalypse.
"Half accepted. Half refused."
"That's what's bothering you?"
But some blasphemously rejected Bahamut's protection.
"Yes. I can't tolerate that. So, even if excessive, I plan to preempt all future Gyeongju currency."
She couldn't abide it. Her ultimate retaliation: seize control.
"From now on, all Gyeongju transactions will use only our currency."
"Uh… yeah…."
"Yes. Under Dragon God Bahamut's name."
Lee Su-ah found her sister scary, eyes gleaming as she fervently invoked the god.