74. Negotiation (1)
The left side of the negotiation table was occupied by the Balhut Cult, while the right side held the American delegation that had come all this way. Choi Yu-na sat squarely in the center, but the Americans viewed it merely as ceremonial protocol for a head of state and made no objection to her position.
On the contrary...
It's as if they knew we were coming and prepared in advance. Most of the Balhut Cult executives we've already identified are here at this table. To respond this quickly...
Despite the sudden surprise visit, the Balhut Cult showed no signs of panic and had completed all preparations for negotiations with them. Jeong Dong-gun, who handled military affairs, was absent due to an expedition stabilizing the east of Gyeongju, and Yu Su-seong, in charge of construction, was dispatched to Pohang for reconstruction efforts. But every other executive was present without exception in their assigned seats for the Balhut Cult.
"On behalf of this gathering today, I'm truly delighted that we've met on such friendly terms."
"Your Korean is quite fluent."
"Yes. I studied diligently for this very day."
Of course, pre-apocalypse South Korea and the United States had been allies, with the U.S. maintaining an embassy and dispatching an ambassador to Korea. South Korea was essential for the U.S. to check North Korea, China, and Russia while securing Pacific hegemony, and South Korea needed a powerful ally to counter those three nations. To the U.S., South Korea ranked just below the Five Eyes alliance in importance, so it was only natural for the White House to have Korean-speaking specialists for smooth communication.
However...
"But it's strange, isn't it? That the United States would come not to South Korea, but directly to us, the Balhut Cult. Don't you already have a special envoy in Seoul?"
As Park Cheol-gon pointed out, the U.S. had no need to contact the Balhut Cult directly; they could simply go through the special envoy in Seoul to reach the official government there. Unlike the physical transport planes and escorts required to meet the Balhut Cult in person, contacting the envoy in Seoul would allow swift communication.
Yet at that remark, Steven gave a wry smile and opened the floor.
"We on our side cannot ascertain the whereabouts of William, the special envoy dispatched to Seoul. But considering Seoul's situation... he has likely become a zombie himself, or been devoured by one."
"Hmm."
This was confirmation that the capital, Seoul, had fallen into zombie hands. The cult executives had heard such rumors frequently on internet communities and didn't find it shocking, but hearing it directly from the Americans carried entirely different weight. It truly sank in: the South Korean government was gone, and the Balhut Cult was now the only organization properly running a government on the peninsula.
"That's why we wish to establish friendly relations with you, the sole operators of a government on this peninsula. Indeed. Starting with this meeting, we'd like to establish a diplomatic mission here."
"Does that mean you're recognizing us as an equal ally?"
"Yes. The United States wishes to engage with the Balhut Cult on equal footing."
The United States—the very nation praised as the lone survivor of this apocalypse—was proposing equal dialogue first. From the Balhut Cult's perspective, this was proper recognition from an external power. But...
What is this? I don't know, it's scary.
What's going on? Do we have anything worth offering America?
At Steven's declaration, the politicians Park Cheol-gon and Hwang Geun-chul plunged into confusion, wondering deeply if they'd overlooked something. Unlike America, which was said to have preserved its territory and military intact, the Balhut Cult was—at best—a government that had reclaimed two cities. At worst, they could be called a mere warlord controlling a few cities on the peninsula.
They're operating pre-apocalypse armored units without issue. And all of them are Awakened. Are we really equals?
Word from Pohang even indicated they were flawlessly operating pre-apocalypse armored vehicles. No matter how they puzzled over it, the Balhut Cult couldn't fathom what America wanted so badly that it would approach them claiming equality. They simply had no proud bargaining chips to offer.
"It's suspicious. Isn't America still known as the world's strongest nation? It's a bit hard to believe such a country would seek equal relations with us."
With the two politicians lost in confusion and unable to respond, Yu-na voiced her suspicion, citing America's publicly known might to question if true equality was possible. In this post-apocalypse world dominated not by reason but by raw power, America wouldn't differ much. Why send a delegation at all when conquest was a viable option? If all other militaries were crippled while America's remained intact, world domination wasn't out of reach.
"A valid point indeed. Yes, pre-apocalypse, calling for equal relations with you would be nonsense. Above all, the South Korean government existed then, so we wouldn't have contacted you. Ah, in that case, the Balhut Cult itself might not have been born."
"Then why now?"
Steven neatly acknowledged Yu-na's point, admitting they never would have considered contact before. But now, America had reason to reach out to the Balhut Cult first.
"The apocalypse has wrecked every nation equally. America is no exception."
"But I've heard your military and government are intact."
"That's merely relative."
Steven claimed the apocalypse was equalizing force, leaving America as battered as anywhere else. Yu-na listed the optimistic rumors from Korean internet sources, but Steven dismissed them as relative assessments. In other words, America had merely held onto its government and military; other areas had suffered catastrophic losses.
"Why tell us that? From what I know, diplomacy prioritizes national interest."
"Astute as expected."
Yet there was no reason to reveal America's vulnerabilities. Since national interest was paramount in diplomacy, Steven's candor could seem emotional. Yu-na judged it wouldn't benefit them, but...
"Even if you know this, can the Cult invade America across the Pacific? In this crisis demanding all your focus?"
"........."
Steven countered sharply: even armed with this info, what could the Balhut Cult do to America? Without Dragon God Bahamut, the Cult lacked the means, and crossing the Pacific to exploit it would be suicidal folly. The Cult's priority was hegemony on the Korean Peninsula—realistically, nearby cities—not the distant American continent. The entire Balhut delegation fell silent on the spot.
"Impossible, right? But from the special envoy's position, you didn't need to explain that to us."
"True. But to earn trust, confessing the truth is quickest. I've shared some of America's situation solely to gain your trust and faith."
"...Can't argue with that."
Yu-na conceded she understood, but noted Steven had no need to reveal future negotiation disadvantages. Steven agreed, explaining it was to build trust. The info was useless to the Cult anyway—they couldn't act on it. It merely confirmed America's plight, so Yu-na gravely nodded, acknowledging his logic.
"And as for why we've come: allying with the Cult brings us ample gains. Our interests align sufficiently."
"Gains?"
He firmly drew the line: this wasn't charity. America stood to benefit too, and he slowly explained why.
"America—no, the White House—is in dire crisis. We've appealed to the public for national unity, and countless citizens have rallied. But state governments cry only for their own rights. So, despite appearances... modern America is something of a paper tiger."
"Isn't that too blunt?"
Steven openly dramatized America's crisis, breeding doubt in Yu-na and the Cult: was this feigned weakness to deceive them?
"Yes. But what gain is there in fooling you? I'll be frank: today's apocalypse strikes humanity equally. America struggles to survive this trial of the strong devouring the weak, just like anyone."
"Can't deny that."
"Yeah."
Steven refuted the suspicion head-on, insisting the apocalypse equalized all. His earnest plea drew reluctant agreement from the Balhut side—they couldn't refute that much.
"And being this honest now prevents you discovering it later, harboring grudges, or demanding reparations from America—which would trouble us who led these talks most."
Looking ahead to future exchanges, he vowed straightforwardness over deception for a fair fight. This too served America's interests; it wasn't a ploy but genuine...
"What do you want from us?"
"We recognize the Balhut Cult—the sole government in South Korea—as the peninsula's unique authority. We'll station a diplomatic mission and special envoy here. Yes. We want you as a strategic ally to advance into the future together."
"An alliance..."
America sought alliance, promising treatment identical to pre-apocalypse South Korea via a special envoy. In international relations, there were no eternal enemies or friends—America could discard these words for gain. But...
To think that America truly wants us as allies. Wonders never cease.
This was apocalypse; meaningless fights must be avoided. The Balhut Cult sensed this alliance would endure, and all stared at Steven in stunned expressions.
"And if this alliance forms, we can provide each other what we need."
"What we need?"
"Yes. From our intel, when you quelled the self-proclaimed King of Gyeongju or recaptured Pohang, you wielded special ammunition."
America was keenly interested in the Bahamut Bullets the Balhut Cult had produced. They openly referenced battlefields where the bullets were officially used, and the Cult executives finally showed some understanding as they eyed the delegation.
The Cult manufactured them, but the power within came from Dragon God Bahamut himself.
"...Hmm."
"A dragon, no less..."
In this apocalypse, the Cult's most valuable asset was undoubtedly these mystical bullets born of it. The moment Steven called Dragon God Bahamut a "dragon" and referenced its power...
"Lord Bahamut."
"Eh?"
"His name is Bahamut, the Dragon God. Address him as Lord Bahamut or Dragon God."
Yu-na quietly cut Steven off, sternly warning him to use "Lord Bahamut" or "Dragon God." Her beaming smile vanished, replaced by icy severity. Seeing this, Steven realized he'd touched her reverse scale and swallowed hard.
Glancing around, even the other Balhut executives—save fellow Dragon Priestess Baek Seol-hwa—looked bewildered by Yu-na's sudden shift. Yu-na silently glared at Steven, deeming it a grave matter.
"...Yes. In any case, an item imbued with that Dragon God's power holds ample value and benefit for us."
"As expected?"
Steven corrected to "Dragon God" to meet Yu-na's demand.