26. Reconstruction (3) The Difference Between Ordinary People and Awakeners!
Bahamut had received repeated warnings from each of his officials: conflict between ordinary folk and awakeners would inevitably lead to division. For now, with the reconstruction projects underway, both civilians and awakeners were content, lacking for nothing. But humans always chased their selfish desires. Once reconstruction ended and peaceful daily life returned, that selfishness would surface in pursuit of better lives—and that self-interest would spark conflict.
It's fine for now. But later, it could explode into discrimination issues.
Awakener discrimination? Or civilian discrimination? In the worst case, they could come to hate and fight each other to extremes.
Bahamut had a premonition that if he let this slide without properly resolving it, he'd regret it deeply one day.
"What thinkest thou, Yu-na?"
Thus, he summoned the ever-reliable Choi Yu-na to the temple and sought her opinion. Like it or not, she was the one he trusted most—and as head of the Balhut Cult, this ticking bomb was her problem to defuse.
"It must be resolved. Yes, absolutely. Even if you say it's fine, my lord—I cannot allow it."
"I see."
With a stern expression, Yu-na insisted this time demanded a firm resolution. She always obeyed Bahamut without question, but here she drew a hard line.
"Canst thou explain thy reasoning to me?"
"Of course."
Yu-na recounted in detail the story from her survivor camp days. The conflict between civilians and awakeners. The emergence of variant zombies had ignited it, leading to the camp's collapse. The survivors scattered into groups to fend for themselves, and in her desperation, Yu-na had fled to Namsan.
It's much like our current issue. If this deepens, we could end up the same.
Yu-na had exaggerated a bit to persuade him, but Bahamut knew well that unresolved conflicts like this always snowballed. The reconstruction boom in Gyeongju had everyone ignoring it subconsciously for now, but once the excitement faded and peace settled in, those embers could blaze.
Hadn't discrimination between awakeners and civilians already simmered beneath the surface over coinage issues?
"That's why I want to resolve this before it erupts."
"Hearing thee, I too believe it must be addressed."
Even if her approach was radical, Yu-na's push for swift action rang true. Bahamut knew from her words and his advisors' that conflict resolution was essential.
But... I lack the wisdom to solve it. How should I even approach this? A true dilemma.
Yet Bahamut had no wisdom for it. He wasn't the omnipotent dragon from novels, nor blessed with near-omniscient insight. At his core, he was just a shut-in gamer who loved strategy sims. He'd navigated this far without disaster by knowing his limits—gathering countless expert opinions and coordinating them.
But even the experts were stumped here. Bahamut could only brood deeply.
"The awakening method for awakeners is straightforward: hunt zombies directly."
"Yes."
Awakening was simple. If an ordinary person could fell a zombie, they awakened. Choi Yu-na and the cult's other awakeners had bravely fought zombies to succeed.
Of course, no one could swear there were no other methods. But this was the only known one, so they had to work with it.
"Yet now, finding even one zombie inside the city is nigh impossible. Ordering expedition teams outside to capture zombies for more awakenings..."
"That's difficult, my lord. The teams are already busy securing supplies for the cult and liberating nearby villages. Capturing zombies on top would burden them greatly."
"A troublesome matter indeed."
This method was infeasible for the current Balhut Cult. Ironically, Bahamut's own purge of zombies from the city and surroundings had caused it. It brought peace, but hindered new awakenings and growth.
Of course, zombies still trickled in via roads to Gyeongju, so expeditions fought them daily. But for teams liberating villages and hauling goods, live captures alongside that was a heavy load.
"Above all, it's grueling for children, the elderly, infirm, or disabled. That's why our cult's awakeners are mostly young adults or middle-aged."
"I see."
Catching zombies was too harsh for kids, frail elders, or the disabled. Bahamut closed his eyes and nodded gravely at Yu-na's harsh reality.
"Then we must seek a new awakening method—one unbound by zombies."
"Can such a thing even be found, my lord?"
"We must try everything possible. Fortunately, we have leeway, do we not?"
Thus, a new method was needed. Yu-na eyed him worriedly, but her god assured her the cult still had resources to spare.
Her old camp collapsed from lack of time to address conflict. But now was different. No open clashes yet—just expert warnings. Complaints hadn't surfaced. They had ample time for prevention.
"The feared conflict hasn't erupted, and time is on our side."
"B-but it could be incredibly tough. Even you're troubled, aren't you?"
"If we try every avenue, some viable path should emerge."
Explorations into non-combat awakenings weren't unique to the Balhut Cult. Online communities were already abuzz with "Awakening Without Fighting" challenges.
Yet countless failures had yielded nothing. Knowing this, Yu-na fretted for Bahamut—but seeing him as a transcendent being unlike her, she trusted he had a way.
"For now, Yu-na, mediate between awakeners and civilians as best thou can. As their leader, thy efforts will keep complaints at bay."
"Understood."
She bowed without complaint, solemnly accepting his solemn command.
Watching her leave the temple, Bahamut's grave facade crumbled into a heavy sigh.
What the hell do I do now?
He'd projected confidence before her, but it was little more than baseless promises.
Anyone could handle up to this point. If they started in my position, sure—they could manage reconstruction.
Bahamut figured anyone with his dragon body could sweep zombies and save Gyeongju easily.
But birthing new awakeners? If I'd known, maybe leave some zombies... No, that'd just spawn new threats. One fix breeds another. Tricky.
Creating novel concepts was beyond him. No draconic omniscience, no omnipotent magic. If yelling "Awaken!" worked, he'd have done it ages ago. He lamented inwardly.
I'm in a bind. Not a real dragon who's lived eons—just a strategy-game nerd running a cult from his room.
But ignoring reality changed nothing. Bahamut pondered deeply yet didn't neglect his duties.
"We're here again today, Lord Bahamut."
"Ah, thou hast arrived."
This morning's Balhut Cult workers—dozens strong—came for clean water and charged batteries for the cult. They entered the temple, greeting the brooding Bahamut warmly. He shifted from dejection to solemnity and returned their salutes.
"Then we'll collect today's haul."
"Aye, labor well."
The workers loaded trucks with the water cans and batteries Bahamut had prepared. Routine as ever for him—but not today.
"Whoa—I awakened?!"
"What?!"
A worker hauling cans suddenly shouted he'd awakened. No precursors. Not from zombie-slaying, the known method—just mid-haul.
"What saidst thou?"
"I-I awakened! I'm an awakener now, Lord Bahamut?!"
Bahamut recoiled in shock, questioning the man. The worker beamed with ecstatic eyes, voice trembling with joy.
Sensing the mana flow distinct from a civilian's, Bahamut knew it was true.
"Knowest thou the cause?"
"N-no idea. It just... happened while hauling cans inside the temple."
"Hauling cans in the temple."
If mere hauling sufficed, countless others would've awakened by now. None had, so it wasn't that.
Then... the power of the temple I built?
If so, something here had triggered it. Bahamut recalled constructing the temple.
Awakened here, inexplicable by action—only the location remained.
"A sudden question, but how long hast thou served in my temple?"
"Hauling's grueling, so we rotate weekly—one day here, then mountains elsewhere. Today marks my seventh day."
"So tomorrow brings fresh faces, none at day seven?"
"Likely so."
Simple enough.
"Observe tomorrow for confirmation. Well done. And congratulations on awakening."
"Th-thank you, Lord Bahamut!"
Observe tomorrow's visitors for more awakenings. Bahamut congratulated the new awakener, who bowed gratefully, then boasted to his fellows.
Envy tinged their stares, but in this era, awakening meant self-defense. He could weather the jealousy.
"I-I awakened toooo?!"
"Me, an awakener? Meee?!"
"L-Lord Bahamut! Is this reward for my faith in you?!"
And the next day, new awakenings at Bahamut's temple became another tale entirely.
This is all part of my big picture! Yeah, that's the story!
It felt like a meaningless blunder that lucked into success via backpedaling. But don't expect conscience from this fool dragon. Bahamut puffed himself up, convinced it was his grand design.