39. External Stories (2)
Thankfully, it seemed the gods above had bestowed a measure of equality upon the world. The zombie apocalypse wasn't confined to South Korea alone. East Asia as a whole, including South Korea, was grappling with the same catastrophe. That meant even island nation Japan and North Korea, sharing a border with the South, were suffering the zombie onslaught—as was China along North Korea's frontier. And the countries bordering China were likely no better off. In essence, the entire Asian continent was mired in the disaster.
"Long live the Great Leader Comrade!"
Take North Korea, the closest neighbor to South Korea's streets. Surprisingly, they were holding out better than the South. In a one-man dictatorship, if the dictator didn't misjudge the crisis and grasped the situation accurately, he could mobilize his personal army of loyalists to contain it.
"Wipe out every zombie inside Pyongyang! Shoot anything trying to get in!"
Kim Jeong-man, the ruler of North Korea, knew better than anyone how to preserve his power. When the zombie outbreak hit, he threw his entire military into securing Pyongyang. His methods weren't gentle, but his ruthless thoroughness in hunting and controlling the undead allowed him to safeguard the capital.
Of course, that was limited to the capital. Bluntly put, the rest of the country and provinces had slipped beyond government control. But Kim Jeong-man didn't despair.
"It's nothing new. Send in the troops. Reclaim control of the provinces."
From the start, all of North Korea's power and resources were concentrated in Pyongyang. As long as he held the capital, his regime could endure even without the outer regions. Pyongyang's dominance had always overwhelmed the provinces, making it feasible. He was confident he could retake them anytime, backed by the central forces and his elite guards who remained utterly loyal—unlike provincial detachments.
But the variable he hadn't foreseen was this:
"From today, we declare independence from Pyongyang! We're done being slaves to Kim Jeong-man and his capital!"
"Those damned peasants!"
Awakened survivors in the uncontrolled provinces had grown strong enough to rebel against Pyongyang, proclaiming independence. One by one, regions outside the capital declared autonomy or outright secession, fueled by years of exploitation. Naturally, Pyongyang lacked the power to crush them.
One might ask how an army invincible against its own people couldn't handle rebels—but it was true. Pyongyang had no means to counter the uprisings.
"Are you questioning the Dear Leader's guidance?"
"You bastard. You're a puppet!"
"No, no. I was just worried for the Leader."
The reason was simple: For every provincial Awakener declaring independence, discontent brewed within Pyongyang itself. Challengers to Kim Jeong-man's throne emerged one by one. To silence them, he had no choice but to unleash his guards' brute force. While he focused on internal purges, provincial revolts multiplied in defiance of the capital's yoke.
And to make matters worse...
"Grraaaarrrgh."
"Fuck that Chinese bastard!"
Chinese zombies crossing the Yalu River bridges were cornering the regime. Seal the borders? With provincial rebellions raging unchecked, Pyongyang couldn't even dream of it.
Especially since...
"Whoa! It's an experience point bonanza!"
"Sweep 'em all!"
"Catch those bastards, and we'll get stronger! Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!"
To provincial Awakened, the influx from China was a double—no, tenfold—experience event for honing their powers. The more zombies poured across the Yalu, the weaker provincial control grew, giving rebels more shots at Pyongyang. Civilian casualties? Irrelevant to the Awakened warlords, who had zero incentive to seal borders. Instead, they sabotaged any government attempts, eagerly awaiting the next wave of "experience points"—er, zombies.
Next up: China, naturally, sharing that border with North Korea.
"What the hell is the Center doing?!"
"Well... No word from the Party at all..."
"Damn it!"
Honestly, with uncontrolled Chinese zombies flooding into North Korea via the Yalu, China wasn't faring much better. For the world's most populous nation, the zombie apocalypse was tantamount to civilizational collapse. And Beijing, the political heart, falling first to the undead? It felt like divine mockery to provinces awaiting central orders.
With the central government—President and Party—in ruins or missing, each province fended for itself. Ambitious warlords inevitably arose across China...
"Too many enemies!"
"This is hopeless!"
"Why are zombies using human wave tactics?!"
...Well, self-proclaimed heroes and warlords did emerge. But just as many vanished into the zombie hordes. China's billions meant billions of zombies, their endless waves overwhelming even the boldest Awakened claimants. New ones popped up to flaunt their ambitions, but none had conquered a single province yet.
Still, as East Asia's top breeder of Awakened thanks to its population, China would eventually birth a hero to tame the chaos and unify the continent.
Then there's island nation Japan.
"This is the Prime Minister's curse! The assassinated PM's grudge! Ahahaha!"
Truth be told, Japan was already reeling from the PM's assassination by his own people and a slew of ominous rumors when the zombies hit. Before a new leader could take over, central government crumbled without proper response, forcing local authorities to cope alone. Unfamiliar with the crisis, most floundered—but Fukuoka succeeded, thanks to an exceptional Awakened.
The catch? She wasn't Japanese, but a Korean tourist. Still, her group became Fukuoka's saviors.
The mayor showered them with recruitment offers, but...
"We... plan to return to Korea."
"Th-that's a shame."
They politely declined. The woman, Jin A-yeon, stated her firm intent to head home to South Korea. The mayor expressed regret but couldn't issue a binding order. In this era, fists trumped law, and he knew this slender woman had pulverized hordes of zombies. No desire to test that Godzilla punch, he smiled warmly and offered one favor to win her favor.
"Heading to Gyeongju, then?"
"Huh? Why Gyeongju?"
"Isn't it the only city in South Korea to overcome the disaster?"
If Fukuoka was Japan's sole reclaimed city, Gyeongju stood alone in Korea, freed from zombies with a functioning local government. The mayor figured they'd base there for a homeland reconquest.
"Huh?"
Jin A-yeon just blinked in confusion. The mayor couldn't hide his bewilderment.
"Uh... Aren't you going to the Balhut Cult in Gyeongju?"
"What's the Balhut Cult?! Never heard of 'em!"
Jin A-yeon panicked. Woefully out of touch, she didn't know Gyeongju's infamous rulers. The mayor regretted spilling it—words couldn't be unsaid.
The world's news must be pitch black for her.
With prior knowledge, he could've persuaded her easily. Sighing, he eyed her stunned face.
Finally, America.
They too faced apocalypse—but not East Asia's zombies.
"What the hell is that damn creature?!"
Zombies would've been preferable. With guns everywhere—even in homes—Americans could've shotgun-blasted the undead. One kill per Awakening, easing the crisis thereafter.
Instead: alien invasion. Unseen beasts pouring from gates.
"I've seen this in Hunter novel prologues!"
Koreans in America likened it to Hunter tales. Dozens of gates spawned per state, unleashing monster armies immune to civilian bullets.
"Aaaargh!"
"Mr. President!"
Washington and the White House fell to a monster pack, the President slain in a dire crisis. Central government comatose, America leaderless—until...
"I'm still alive!"
"Vice President Anderson!"
Lucky Arthur Anderson survived, assuming the presidency and issuing nationwide orders. He recalled overseas troops swiftly, rallying survivors for monstrous retaliation. Prioritizing homeland security, but...
"To wipe those out, launch drones."
"Madness! Drones on cities would raze our infrastructure too! Civilization regresses!"
"Then what? They're guerrilla pros! Gas the cities?"
"We have Awakened!"
Invaders occupied urban centers, holing up for sieges. Troops couldn't storm without Awakened edge; regulars needed numbers, but missiles or nukes risked civilizational rollback.
"I'll appeal to American patriotism."
The White House wised up: Awakened best countered monsters. They invoked hero worship—movies, honors, new agencies—to rally nameless Awakened nationwide.
"Damn it!"
But evil doesn't crumble easily to good's triumph. Half a year in, Awakened levels stagnated. Worst: prolonged crisis bred secession.
"A... Declaration of Independence?"
"Yes. If the feds can't protect us, we'll claim our sovereignty."
"B-but everyone knows other states and DC are struggling too."
"Not our problem."
Gates severed rails, isolating states physically. The White House sought reconnection, but states eyed independence. Some negotiated civilly; others outright defied orders.
"We must unite against this! Independence is nonsense!"
"Nonsense yourself! Time to raise our voices! Freedom forever! Down with the tyrant feds!"
America fractured by states: central unity pleas versus secessionist cries. The dollar holding value was miraculous amid hyperinflation and shortages. Yet government and military endured—means to victory remained. The White House vowed resolution.
"Sir, if states ignore us, forge a strong ally to restore federal authority?"
"But... one on this Earth?"
"Forces reclaiming cities with proper governments: UK's Protector cabinet, France's Bonapartists and Orleans Saintess, Korea's Balhut Cult."
Thus, they sought powerful allies.
"...It's really the 21st century, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Yet these sound like 3rd-to-6th century relics?"
"...No idea."
Pity the "strong allies" evoked museum exhibits unfit for modern times. Arthur pondered if this was a nightmare.