85. New Advance (1)
In the end, the only conclusion from this intelligence exchange was a formal agreement for the two nations to cooperate in safeguarding their respective sea routes. In truth, there were likely more than just a few pirates prowling the Atlantic, and it was far from guaranteed that the ghost fleet sighted in the East Sea was the only threat there. With the vast expanse of the Pacific—including the East Sea—and the Atlantic teeming with countless variables like pirates, the most reliable path forward was mutual cooperation to stabilize the routes. Neither the United States nor the Balhut Cult could hope to secure the seas on their own; both had more pressing internal and external issues demanding their attention.
"The Cult must expand outward."
Indeed, it was about time for the Balhut Cult to shift its focus to external matters.
A new advance.
"Yes. Pohang is now on track, and what the Cult needs most right now is exchange with other nations. Gyeongju must advance once more."
Within the Balhut Cult, voices were emerging among the executives arguing that with Pohang stabilized, it was time to push into new territories. Expansion into other regions fell under military jurisdiction, so it could have been Jeong Dong-gun's input, but surprisingly, it was the economic bureaucrat Lee Hyun-ah who presented the proposal.
She argued that the Cult's top priority was international exchange and emphasized that Gyeongju needed to advance somewhere new. In essence, she was calling to halt internal development and extend the Balhut Cult's authority across the entire Korean Peninsula.
So, where should we target?
"Where do you think we should advance, Miss Lee Hyun-ah?"
Unexpectedly, Lee Hyun-ah's proposal resonated deeply with Dragon God Bahamut and the Cult's upper echelons. Buoyed by confidence from their exchanges and alliance with the White House, no one raised objections or doubts. Instead, they turned to her, asking where they should go.
Frankly, the only regret was the somewhat tenuous maritime link with the United States, but the Balhut Cult was undeniably on an upward trajectory, its power growing without end—a plain fact. With the massive influx of resources from America, Gyeongju was being redesigned as a city for awakeners, and Pohang was rising as its vital hinterland.
Perfect timing, too, since the first batch of awakeners from my Awakener Project is about to graduate. We won't snap at the waist if we push out now.
Unlike before, the emergence of new awakeners had created some breathing room. It was no longer just about tending to Gyeongju's internal affairs; the time had come to address the peninsula as a whole.
We have to reclaim the entire Republic of Korea anyway. Sooner or later, it's inevitable.
To normalize the whole peninsula, they'd need to retake every major city at least once. It was simply a necessary step toward their goal.
"Ulsan and Busan."
Ulsan and Busan. But Daegu to the west is missing. Why is that?
Lee Hyun-ah proposed seizing the nearby metropolises of Ulsan and Busan. Bahamut eyed her curiously, noting Daegu's omission.
"Securing Ulsan and Busan would strengthen our maritime ties with the United States and open smooth exchanges with neighboring Japan. But Daegu, being inland, can't do that."
Lee Hyun-ah laid out her economic rationale: Ulsan and Busan were prime for the Cult because they sat on the coast, connected to the sea and thus to Japan. Daegu, deep in the peninsula's interior, had only the skies as a link to the outside world—a critical flaw.
Indeed.
She wasn't wrong. Everyone knew Busan and Ulsan held greater value as ports than Pohang. They'd settled for Pohang out of necessity, but ambition now drove them to claim those superior harbors.
"Busan is the Republic of Korea's largest trade port. If we take Ulsan and then Busan, we'll control the backbone of Korea's former economy."
And though she didn't say it, Ulsan above it was the peninsula's industrial powerhouse, surpassing even Pohang. Daegu might tempt them, but economically, they couldn't ignore those two. That was why Lee Hyun-ah prioritized them over Daegu.
"Makes sense. From our position, Japan is closer than America anyway."
Considering the Cult's foothold, Japan—across a short sea hop—made more sense for initial trade than crossing the Pacific to the U.S. Seo Un-jae, listening quietly to the expansion debate, voiced the commonsense view and backed Lee Hyun-ah. Trade with America had profited the Cult immensely; Japan promised the same.
"Of course, it's not just about Japan. Taking Busan and Ulsan stabilizes our U.S. route too. The Balhut Cult must seize these two ports."
"Especially since Fukuoka in Japan was liberated even before Pohang, opening trade routes through it."
Lee Hyun-ah wasn't fixated on Japan alone; she'd factored in U.S. ties, persuading the executives and Bahamut. Objections might have arisen if Japan couldn't trade, but administrative official Lee Su-ah aptly supported her: Fukuoka was secure and ripe for activation as a trade hub.
Jeong Dong-gun, who had been silently observing the sisters' pitch, finally spoke.
"I see no issue with this proposal. The first-generation awakeners training at Bahamut-nim's temple are nearing graduation. We can shift our current security awakeners to expedition forces and let the new graduates handle policing."
He endorsed the sisters, noting the Cult now had surplus manpower. With the Awakener Project graduates ready, they could repurpose policing forces for expeditions—effectively doubling their troops. As the Cult's soldiers, they could surely take Ulsan and Busan.
But what about Daegu to Gyeongju's west? Isn't it militarily vital?
Even so, Bahamut questioned the absence of Daegu, the western powerhouse. Despite lacking external links, it rivaled Ulsan and Busan in size.
"Pohang had resistance; imagine Daegu's power struggles. From Gyeongju's view, better to take Ulsan first, bulk up our weight class, then tackle Daegu or Busan."
True enough.
Choi Yu-na countered on the spot. Just as Seo Un-jae had cited Pohang's scale to claim its interests, Daegu or Busan might do the same. For Gyeongju, mishandling such giants could backfire; best to grow stronger first. Recognizing Pohang's fierce resistance, Bahamut nodded in agreement.
Still, Ulsan came before Daegu.
"Above all, from Daegu's perspective, they're surrounded on three sides excluding our Gyeongju. We don't need to rush in for them."
Jeong Dong-gun added the geographic angle. Unlike Gyeongju, Daegu was hemmed in on three fronts—or four including the Cult-controlled east. Zombies no longer swarmed from the east, but Daejeon to the north, Gwangju to the west, and Busan to the south were zombie-overrun metropolises. Daegu faced hordes from those directions. Attacking it would stretch the Cult's lines back to three fronts, undoing their double-layered defenses.
Fair point. For safety, targeting the coast—Ulsan and Busan—makes more sense.
Securing the southern coastline would normalize the peninsula's south, benefiting the Cult. Bahamut grasped it immediately.
Then we prepare to strike Ulsan. I know Ulsan and Busan dwarf Pohang.
"Yes. Ulsan is twice Pohang's size."
The Balhut Cult readied for the assault on Ulsan and Busan. But Lee Hyun-ah clarified:
"Busan's scale is three times Ulsan's."
Good lord. Even Pohang was a struggle; these two will be ordeals.
Busan tripled Ulsan. If Pohang was tough, what of these? Bahamut foresaw trials ahead.
"But it's also an opportunity."
Lee Hyun-ah, voice brimming with elation, framed it as a thrilling prospect.
"We've been officially recognized by the White House as the peninsula's sole legitimate government. Taking Ulsan and Busan will let the Cult assert itself as a true nation here."
A new nation on the peninsula.
With U.S. recognition as government secured, the Cult could claim legitimacy as the peninsula's power—a nation. Lee Hyun-ah urged Bahamut to found this new country by seizing those cities.
"In that spirit, perhaps Bahamut-nim could name our newborn nation? A land ruled by the Dragon would be ideal."
"Great idea! A nation guarded by the Dragon God—perfect!"
Yu-na enthusiastically endorsed Lee Hyun-ah's suggestion that Bahamut name it. The executives agreed; a Dragon-ruled name from the god himself carried immense symbolism. They watched the scrying mirror expectantly.
"Haha, what a splendid notion."
"It fits the reason for our nation's birth."
Not wrong, really. A god naming it beat executives brainstorming a thousandfold in epic flair.
What the hell. Can't they just slap any old name on it?
Bahamut quailed at their eager faces. He wanted to protest entrusting such weight to him, but...
I'll give it thought.
"Thank you!"
He couldn't shatter those expectant gazes.
Damn it, just call it Serabeol?
Bahamut resolved to ponder the new nation's name deeply.