Subjugation Order (2)
In response to Jeong Dong-gun's mobilization order, the expedition teams dispatched outside returned to Gyeongju. Excluding the awakeners assigned to secure order and safety in the liberated farm villages, the remaining expedition members were reorganized into the North Gyeongju subjugation force.
The number came to a staggering 500. With the addition of scouting teams and separate strike units to support them, the total participating soldiers numbered exactly 512.
Each one was an elite agent nurtured with massive investments from the Balhut Cult and the utmost efforts of the military bureaucrat Jeong Dong-gun, rich in real combat experience from countless expeditions.
'The soldiers have no fear of war.'
What pleased Jeong Dong-gun most was the soldiers' uniforms. Their ranks aligned in perfect formation, marching in identical combat gear—it was like beholding the Republic of Korea army from before the apocalypse.
'Though in reality, it's incomparable to the old days.'
Of course, a closer look revealed they weren't wearing the standard digital camouflage battle dress uniforms; it was closer to navy blue attire. But they were fully equipped with the bare minimum for safety: bulletproof vests, helmets, arm and knee guards, and more.
Above all, every single one was a successful Awakener, so they were expected to perform like ten men on the battlefield.
"You've arrived?"
"Yes. I look forward to working with you, Dong-gun."
"Understood."
At Yu-na's appearance, the soldiers' stern faces broke into wide grins in an instant. Part of it was admiration for her dignified figure, but most of the subjugation force owed their lives to her, knowingly or not. Among the troops, Yu-na was practically an idol... a saintess. They couldn't help but be purely delighted at Choi Yu-na's arrival.
Jeong Dong-gun was aware of the soldiers' sentiments, but...
"Focus! You planning to show such a sloppy sight before the Pontiff?!"
"""No, sir!!!"""
He restored discipline with stern command. Soon, they would march into the enemies' stronghold in North Gyeongju—not safe South Gyeongju, but a lawless land teeming with outlaws and marauders. No matter the wound, as long as it wasn't instant death, a healing sorceress would ensure survival—but complacency was forbidden.
"Then... we march."
"All units, proceed with the march as trained!"
At Yu-na's order to advance, the soldiers began marching in formation at Jeong Dong-gun's signal.
Starting from the Balhut Cult's main temple, the subjugation force headed into the streets and soon encountered throngs of onlookers. The spectators emerged like it was a parade, watching the splendid departure, snapping photos, worrying over lovers in the force, or offering food in gratitude.
"Everyone's so welcoming."
"The soldiers will be heartened."
Bathed in the blessings of the masses, the troops gained pride in their righteous cause—a direct boost to morale. Fear held no sway over them. Justice and the greater good resided with the Balhut Cult!
"You've arrived, Yu-na."
The subjugation force reached Gyeongju Bridge, the border dividing North and South Gyeongju. Upon arrival, an Awakener from the outpost monitoring northern marauders approached Yu-na with a status report.
"Movements in North Gyeongju are unusual."
"They've likely caught wind of us. Spies in South Gyeongju, it seems."
The enemy wasn't incompetent; they'd detected the subjugation force's mobilization in South Gyeongju. Jeong Dong-gun judged there were spies within South Gyeongju—and he wasn't wrong.
"Wasn't this expected?"
"Yes. The North Gyeongju border guards near here look ready to shoot if needed. Of course, for safety, our vanguard is preparing a suppression operation."
It was a foreseen scenario. North Gyeongju wasn't stupid; they'd naturally track their rival South Gyeongju's moves. And vice versa.
"No issue. We're here to punish North Gyeongju's tyrant and his collaborators according to their crimes. Suppress them all."
"Understood."
Whether North Gyeongju was on alert or not, today they would settle things once and for all. If they judged Jo Sun-do, the rest were small fry. What stood out, though...
"Who are those people? That one looks like Tae-hyeon."
Near the Gyeongju Bridge outpost sat a peculiar parked vehicle. Two men stood before it, smiling and greeting Yu-na and her army.
"The other is Kang Jae-wan. His job is..."
"War correspondent. Pleased to meet you, Yu-na."
"A war correspondent..."
A war correspondent followed armies into battlefields to report events. In this harsh world, they risked their lives during coverage, with many dying on the job. Yet their reports became vital historical records, protected under international law.
"I'm embedding with the Cult's expedition to film conditions outside Gyeongju and combat scenes. Turns out it's lucrative."
"North Gyeongju is dangerous. We might not be able to protect you."
With Korea in ruins and international bodies defunct, only the Balhut Cult could guarantee safety—and they were clashing with North Gyeongju's tyrant. Kang Jae-wan, claiming war correspondent status, couldn't be assured survival.
"Thank you for your concern, Yu-na. But this time, it's not combat— I want to cover North Gyeongju civilians."
"Not combat... civilian areas?"
"Yes. I originally lived in the north, not the south. So... I know a bit about the internal situation."
Grateful for Yu-na's care, Kang Jae-wan insisted it wasn't necessary. What he wanted to cover wasn't the clash with North Gyeongju, but its civilian zones. He gazed beyond Gyeongju Bridge with a bitter smile, as if knowing something. Yu-na guessed he had his reasons and turned to Kim Tae-hyeon, checking his food truck behind.
"And you, Tae-hyeon? I heard you run a street food cart with your parents..."
"Heh. Now with this fine food truck, I provide real-time cold drinks and snacks to expeditions."
Kim Tae-hyeon sought to differentiate from other food vendors by targeting frequent external expeditions with chilled refreshments. Gyeongju was safe inside, but outside teemed with monsters and zombies. Even with vanguard clearing paths, stragglers lurked, demanding life-risking sales. As an Awakener himself, he'd bashed zombies at his cart, selling to expeditions—and become a full-fledged self-employed entrepreneur.
"What I supply the Cult is mostly emergency rations, but hot oden and drinks on-site boost soldiers' morale and stamina..."
"Jeong Dong-gun's a regular too."
"Ahem. No need to mention that in front of Yu-na!"
Kim Tae-hyeon's success was simple. Even the Balhut Cult could only ration expeditions emergency packs, high-calorie chocolate, or insulated healthy meals—no guarantees on taste or warmth per soldier.
"Here comes the PX guy!"
"I'm not a PX guy!? I have an official brand!"
"You act like one."
With hot, tasty food and cold drinks sold right there, how could zombie-fighting soldiers resist that sweet chill? No gouging either—fair prices skyrocketed his popularity, even making commander Jeong Dong-gun a regular. He was a mobile PX in real time.
"Glad to see you thriving, Tae-hyeon. Business today too?"
"No, volunteering. Teaming up with Jae-wan. Even bought pricey rice from liberated farms."
"Volunteering! That's wonderful!"
"N-not that impressive."
But giving back as much as received had its place. Today was volunteering, not business. Yu-na's eyes sparkled with genuine admiration. Overwhelmed, Tae-hyeon eyed Kang Jae-wan, who sighed and spoke.
"It's really just boosting his brand value... but plenty need this selfish altruism."
"Hey! My life's devoted to the Balhut Cult!"
"Sure, sure."
"But it saves people. Tae-hyeon's brave, I think."
Kang Jae-wan called it selfish altruism, but Yu-na shook her head, deeming it courageous. Yet the brief peace ended there.
"Yu-na, North Gyeongju outposts neutralized."
"Proceed as planned."
"Understood."
With the vanguard's report of suppressing North Gyeongju outposts, no more delays. Yu-na bowed apologetically to Tae-hyeon and Jae-wan, then stepped before the troops.
"This is our most crucial advance! For Bahamut watches this battle!"
"Yes. You've heard? Show our worth to Bahamut!"
She informed the soldiers that Bahamut oversaw the fight—the Cult's paramount clash, a golden chance to prove themselves to their god. Jeong Dong-gun rallied them: since Bahamut watched, display their value. Discipline tightened, faces tense, the Cult soldiers slowly crossed Gyeongju Bridge.
No resistance. The vanguard had cleared the border outposts, opening the path. The subjugation force could march triumphantly into North Gyeongju roads like returning generals.
Yes, a march.
"It looks like the subjugation force is holding a formal military parade."
"We induced it, didn't we?"
"Not wrong. Proceeding per the operation plan."
It resembled a national army's military parade to flaunt power. The subjugation force staged a flashy review on North Gyeongju roads—rigid ranks, chanting marches, exuding national army prestige toward North Gyeongju.
"Baekdu Mountain's spirit stretches over the three thousand li of rivers and mountains"
"Rose of Sharon eternal, light of all nations"
"We who grew from Hwarang bloodlines..."
The marching song was none other than Korea's military anthem—nightmare for conscripts, nostalgia for others. North Gyeongju's male Awakeners and civilians found the once-familiar tune heartwarming, believing the ROK army had finally arrived.
And they had grounds to believe.
"All in identical uniforms and weapons!"
Marching vigorously in matching gear, they screamed "national army." Scale was small—500 soldiers, no digital camo, no modern armor—but observers couldn't count precisely, and navy uniforms sufficed. Their fierce ranks made the force seem over a thousand strong, intimidating hidden watchers.
"These crazy bastards!"
Even Jo Sun-do's gang, preparing to intercept the South Gyeongju incursion, felt the same. Parading openly in enemy territory when stealth was needed?! Initially dismissed as mad, seeing slaves and survivor camps stir turned it into a devious ploy—they cursed heartily.
"Boss, you okay? Not real government troops?"
"Shut up! It's just South Gyeongju's cunning trick!"
Even his followers wavered at the parade. He bullied them into stillness, but Jo Sun-do himself half-believed it was the ROK army.
'What? Identical uniforms and weapons? Possible in this mess?'
In apocalypse, only a nation could equip masses uniformly. Sharp uniforms, boots, maintained guns—if not national forces, whose?
'What now? Fleeing means abandoning hoarded wealth and power.'
The real army's arrival rattled him. Fleeing wasn't an option; his North Gyeongju base held plundered riches—abandoning them was suicide.
'Damn, fleeing now breeds doubt in my strength.'
Doing nothing and running would shatter faith in his unbeatable power, his kingly legitimacy. A tyrant ruling by force, fleeing South Gyeongju troops without fight—who'd follow?
'No one follows a gutless fuck like that.'
Even oblivious Jo Sun-do knew: inaction meant doom.
"That woman! Boss! Balhut Cult's Pontiff!"
"What?!"
Heart already conceding defeat, desperate to flee yet chained by lost power, a subordinate's report lit hope. There strode Balhut Cult's Pontiff, Choi Yu-na, boldly amid troops—their vital figure, exposed.
'Bait?'
At first, a trap to lure him. But such tantalizing bait...
'Capture her, reverse the tide. But too obvious.'
Seizing Yu-na could indeed flip the unfavorable odds. Suspicious, yes.
"Grab that bitch, we take everything from Balhut Cult!"
"Boss?"
Yet primal greed stirred: capture her, claim the Cult—all, dragon included. Base delusion, but the bait was sweetly fragrant.
"Right. One shot. Succeed once, it's over."
Shelving filth, realistically: capturing Yu-na gave negotiation leverage, solidifying North Gyeongju rule. Crisis was opportunity.
"Boss, you think it's possible?"
"Think! Not many troops. No need to fight all—just snag her, we win!"
No full battle needed. One capture—Yuna's—and victory. Jo Sun-do persuaded thus, but...
"I don't like it. Let's ju—"
"Flee? You? From me?"
His logic was poison to others. As one urged flight, Jo Sun-do's hand seized his throat.
"Kek?!"
"Shut it. The king decides."
A pig's squeal echoed. Crushing with irresistible strength, Jo Sun-do's face was savage.
"We fight! Flee here, think you'll be treated well elsewhere?"
He knew fleeing forfeited wealth and power. No equal treatment outside.
"Right! Kings here, nobodies elsewhere!"
As outsiders, they'd face discrimination. Here, they discriminated.
"You know other cities beyond Gyeongju offer no hope. Fight zombies daily?"
"No, sir!"
Other regions still battled zombies daily—life on the line. No one wanted that.
"One catch. Grab her, we rule North Gyeongju—no, all Gyeongju. Enjoy properly what we've skimped on! Claim our rightful power!"
One success meant more riches. Not impossible. Better than ruinous certainty.
"No fools fleeing this fun party, right?"
"Ooooh!"
His persuasion ignited desire; the gang cheered with lustful faces. Like leader, like followers.