Erosion Zone Training (2)
Above the bell pavilion near the western gate of Namhansanseong Fortress, Dokgopae stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing down below with a gentle expression. The man who carried the exalted title of the world's strongest had a benevolent air about him. From this vantage point, the dazzling nightscape of Seoul unfolded in a single sweeping view, stretching all the way to Gangnam. Ever since the Gate Incident, South Korea had developed at a breathtaking pace. High-rises over a hundred stories tall were now commonplace. The Jamsil Tower, once the nation's undisputed landmark, no longer looked particularly impressive.
“You've arrived,” Dokgopae said in a quiet voice.
A middle-aged man wearing a pitch-black robe with no patterns stepped up beside him. In complete contrast to the immortal-like Dokgopae, the man unconsciously radiated a domineering aura that seemed to crush the entirety of Seoul beneath its weight.
“It's been a while.”
The man spoke in a detached tone. There were only a handful of people in the entire world who could approach Dokgopae so boldly and stand beside him like this. And this middle-aged man had more than earned that right.
Cheon Wigang, the Heavenly Demon.
No elaborate titles were needed for him. The single word Cheonma was enough.
Even though the ruler of the demonic path and master of the Heavenly Demon Sect had come alone to the heart of the righteous faction's territory, Dokgopae's response remained calm. It was as if this weren't their first meeting.
After silently observing the Seoul skyline for a moment, Dokgopae spoke first.
“I was thinking of retiring at the end of this year.”
“What? Not yet. You must stay for at least three more years.” Cheon Wigang shook his head firmly.
“Is this because of your daughter?”
“Do I look like a man who would be bound by such personal feelings?”
“True, I suppose you wouldn't. Then what's the reason?”
“Even if you're leaving, make sure you finish cleaning up the internal mess first.”
Dokgopae already knew what he meant.
“Is it because of the Blood Sect?”
“They're dangerous. No matter how many we root out, it never ends. The main headquarters is manageable, but many of the overseas branches have been completely taken over. Do you think the Murim Alliance is prepared to deal with that?”
“Shouldn't we leave the affairs of the next generation to those who come after us? You seem to prefer stepping forward yourself. But as an elder of the righteous path, I cannot move so easily.”
“That damned sense of justification and face.” Cheon Wigang raised an eyebrow.
The Blood Sect was like a cancerous mass. Through all sorts of sinister arts, they twisted human minds and waited for openings to infiltrate their forces. By the time one realized what was happening, the corruption had often spread too far to reverse. Unlike the righteous factions that wasted time searching for justifications, they had no such luxury.
“You must have already figured this out, but I don't have much time left to maintain my peak condition. The injury I suffered five years ago is eating away at me.” Dokgopae looked down at his chest with a bitter smile.
“You still look like you could last another ten years easily. Why say such things?”
“...You already know, don't you? The real reason I'm trying to retire.”
“You still can't let go of that obsession with the Central Plains? The times have changed. Try living a little more globally. Why are you so fixated on a land that's already ruined?”
Dokgopae gazed beyond the horizon with heavy eyes.
“It's a foolish attachment. A truly foolish one. But there are things one cannot abandon even while knowing better. Practical men of the demonic path like yourself may despise and fail to understand it, but that's simply who we are.”
“Tsk, how outdated.” Cheon Wigang clicked his tongue.
However, there was one thing in Dokgopae's words that was wrong. Cheon Wigang didn't particularly dislike that stubbornness of the righteous path. Though their paths differed, he respected it as fellow practitioners of martial arts. Of course, he didn't show any of that outwardly.
“Three years, you say. Your words do make sense. If I leave Korea for an extended period, there's no telling what those hidden demons might do.”
“It's not exactly compensation, but three years from now, I'll go with you.” Cheon Wigang averted his gaze as he muttered the words.
“You will?” Dokgopae's eyes widened. This was something he had never expected. If Cheon Wigang himself offered to help, there could be no more reliable support.
“It's not because she's my daughter, but objectively speaking, Hayeon is an unparalleled talent. And while this generation may not match her, in other eras there would have been more than a few young geniuses capable of aiming for the title of the world's strongest.”
“In three years, they'll have grown enough to handle whatever comes their way?”
“That's right. So stop spouting nonsense about retiring this year. Never mention it again.”
“...It seems you're right.”
Even at his age, that hasty temperament refused to disappear. Dokgopae nodded with a wry smile.
I arrived at the 25th Special Mission Flight Group for the erosion zone training. This place was starting to feel familiar now. Once my student ID was confirmed, I could pass through to the runway area without any issues.
The assembly point was one of the massive hangars inside the runway zone. The interior was already packed with other cadets who had arrived ahead of us.
“Looks like we're in different teams,” Han Yeoreum muttered while looking at the temporary screen installed in the hangar.
This operation was structured in pairs. Of course, it wasn't just the cadets going in alone. Since it also served as an observation exercise, we were scheduled to carry out the mission alongside soldiers.
“They probably just paired up the roommates, huh?”
“Yeah. My partner is Yerin.”
Naturally, my partner was Cheon Hayeon.
“After the headcount, please board the assigned aircraft following the soldiers' guidance.”
Once everyone had gathered, Professor Cheongha began calling out names one by one.
“Absolutely do not overdo it. If anything happens, retreat immediately and request support. Understood?” Before the inspection ended, she stared directly at Han Yeoreum and repeated her warning.
“How many times are you going to say that? I got it. I'm not a kid.”
“I'm saying it because I'm worried.”
“Then you should worry about Kim Mugong instead. Tell him not to suddenly charge into dangerous places. Who's worrying about who here?”
“Alright. Be careful, and I'll see you later.”
“Mhm.”
Han Yeoreum moved toward the runway first, following the soldiers' guidance, and boarded a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The sight of dozens of aircraft larger than standard tiltrotors lined up was quite spectacular.
The ZV-22. Its exterior resembled a tiltrotor, but it was distinguished by its use of jet engines that allowed for a larger scale. The technology here was definitely superior, probably thanks to the mana stones.
“Cadet Kim Mugong! Cadet Cheon Hayeon! Please come this way!”
After waiting briefly, we heard a voice calling us. I headed toward the sound with Cheon Hayeon, who had been quietly following close by my side the entire time.
“This is Cadet Kim Mugong.”
“Loyalty! I'm Warrant Officer Ahn Tae-jun, leader of Romeo Team. Please feel free to call me Romeo One.”
A solidly built middle-aged man saluted us and spoke. We followed him and boarded the aircraft that had been prepared in advance. Despite being military issue, it was relatively spacious, so the ride wasn't uncomfortable.
“From here on, please address them as Romeo Two, Romeo Three, and Romeo Four in order. We'll make sure you have a comfortable flight, like you're on a sightseeing tour.”
As we headed toward the temporary camp set up near the blockade zone, we received explanations about the team members and a briefing on the operation. They were a special forces unit specialized in erosion zones, consisting of Warrant Officer Ahn Tae-jun as team leader, one staff sergeant, and two sergeants. It was clear they had done this many times before. Even while accompanying us, they skillfully checked their equipment and completed their preparations.
“Is this your first time in Gaeseong?” Staff Sergeant Jeong Hun-jae, who was sitting next to me and called Romeo Two, asked casually.
“Yes, it's my first time.”
“If it weren't for the Gate Incident, we could've gone sightseeing at Manwoldae. It's truly a shame.”
“Isn't the place we're heading near Manwoldae?”
“Yes, that's correct. However, that area has been completely devastated by frequent bombings.”
Manwoldae referred to the site of the old Goryeo palace. In normal times it might have been different, but in the face of the Gate Incident, historical sites held no significance.
“We'll be arriving soon!” Warrant Officer Ahn Tae-jun shouted loudly.
When I looked outside through the small window, I saw us passing through a high circular concrete barrier.
“So this is the Gaeseong Blockade Zone.”
“Yes. They've completely sealed off an area with a radius of about five kilometers. The central area was intentionally left alone, so the outskirts need to be cleaned periodically. That's our job.” Romeo Two nodded.
“Six people seems a bit insufficient.”
Of course, with an irregular like Cheon Hayeon on our side it didn't matter, but judging by the assigned sector, cleaning it at a normal level would probably take half a day.
“Don't worry. That's why I'm here. You cadets can just stay safely by my side.” Romeo Two thumped his chest and boasted confidently.
“It sounds more like observation than actual training.”
“I wish that were the case. Though we do occasionally have to fight the creatures that run wild. We've arrived.”
We disembarked at the heliport of the temporary base camp adjacent to the concrete barrier. Despite being called 'temporary,' the quarters Romeo Two guided us to had everything one might need, including a bathroom.
“The operation begins at six o'clock tomorrow morning. Please rest comfortably today. Loyalty!”
Soon after, only Cheon Hayeon and I remained in the somewhat crude but spacious room. Cheon Hayeon looked out the window at the base camp with an expression of interest.
“You've been quiet since earlier. Is something wrong?”
“It's nothing major. Seeing them reminded me of the warriors from our sect.”
“They do look rather tough. Are the people from your sect like that?”
“Not all of them.”
With a gentle smile, Cheon Hayeon released her transformation technique.
“Is no one watching?”
“There are almost no people capable of hiding their presence and approaching me, so it's fine.”
“I suppose that's true.”
While pretending to look at the operation map beside Cheon Hayeon as she adjusted her appearance, I examined the files. Two new files related to the 'sewers' had been added after the patrol log. When I opened one of them, a familiar name appeared.
Month Day — Hallucinations. Fucking hallucinations that won't stop. This is all because of that damned sewer. The medical examination results came back normal. Normal? This is normal? Those shitty quack bastards.
Month Day — The team members who went with me have already shoved pistols down their throats and killed themselves. I'm the only one left.
Month Day — Fuck. (The last page is covered in dried blood.)
The newly updated file was Warrant Officer Ahn Tae-jun's journal.