Chapter 256
"No, sir! We'll give it our all!"
The six captains, led by the colonel, responded sharply and in unison.
"The glory of our Japanese Empire hangs on this planet. If we pioneer it and reap the rewards, we can reclaim the splendor of the old Greater Japanese Empire. We won't need to rely on America anymore. We can put that arrogant North Korea, the ever-climbing South Korea, the Asian dinosaur China, and the Siberian bear Russia all beneath our feet. It's no exaggeration to say that everything for our Japanese Empire depends on this planet. And yet, in six months, all we've surveyed are two worthless forests. What if other nations have portals too and start exploring and researching this place? Are we going to lag behind world civilization again, chasing the tails of the superpowers?!"
"No, sir! We'll take the lead!"
What a load of bullshit... Hanyaseong, hovering above the barracks and listening to every word through his language translator, couldn't stifle a snort of laughter. Did these lunatics think it was World War II? They weren't here for exploration—they were hunting for a new civilization to propel their nation to glory. Just like their modernization in the past, they craved a 21st-century upgrade. Typical Japanese. All they cared about was profit from this planet, not pure discovery. It left a bitter taste.
What would Korea do if they were here? Would they even explore properly? Or bicker over shares? Probably the chaebols and government would sideline the public and carve it up among themselves. Forget exploration—they'd go bloodshot-eyed for anything profitable. They wouldn't pioneer for the nation. At least these Japanese were doing it for their country; Korea's elite just lined their own pockets, indifferent to the nation's or people's ruin. That bitterness fueled his resolve to punish the government and chaebols later. In his suit and flight pack, he could hunt them down one by one and beat some sense into them. Maybe that would make the country a little better...
But he shelved the thought. His own nose was barely above water. With giants looming, he had no time for national politics. He needed to clear out each country's trash first, then find a way to deal with the giants. The nation? The people would sort it out. It was a democracy decided by votes, after all—the responsibility lay with the voters. No one person could sweep it all clean; that would make it a dictatorship. He wanted to conquer North Korea and rule as king, but South Korea? They'd curse him: Who the hell are you to meddle? Millions would protest if he claimed to be their king. Nothing he could do but let the people handle it.
But these guys? No way. They only thought of conquest once they gained power. Worthless scum who "modernized successfully" and started wars killing millions. Nothing guaranteed they wouldn't repeat it—hell, they definitely would. These vermin always invaded when they got strong, itching to test new weapons. He couldn't let history repeat. Hanyaseong wasn't much of a patriot, but he hated seeing his own people die. They were kin from the same land. For them, he vowed to punish these pig-hoof bastards thoroughly.
"Starting tomorrow, expand surveys to the other forests. Bring back every rare animal, rare plant, special metal—everything."
At Colonel Ishii's command, one of the first-class captains at the table stood, his face troubled.
"Over forty men have already died surveying the forests. Expanding the area will mean even more deaths—it's worrisome."
The other officers nodded in agreement. But Colonel Ishii glared, slamming his baton on the table with a sharp crack-crack!
"Dying for the nation is an honor! What's there to fear? Even if all our men die, the surveys must continue. Even if we all perish, reinforcements will follow. America became a superpower through countless deaths pioneering their continent. Japan needs the same sacrifice to join their ranks! Are you saying we should cower from death over this vital planet? And you call yourselves soldiers of the Greater Japanese Empire?!"
Colonel Ishii's fierce roar made the officers bow their heads in shame. That was when Super Wild Being Tan Ya Geura Ne tore through the barracks ceiling and landed on the table.
"Ah, this motherfucker keeps yapping about the Greater Japanese Empire! It's fucking annoying!"
His words, translated into Japanese, sent them into chaos—tumbling from chairs in shock.
"Gaaah! What the hell?!"
"It's the forest monster!"
"Akkumada!"
They scrambled and rolled in panic. Even Colonel Ishii dropped his baton and staggered back in surprise. Hanyaseong, in his black suit with the flight pack on his back, stood on the table glaring down at them.
"Listen up, you bastards—this is my land! Get the fuck out now!"
Colonel Ishii drew his pistol and shot back.
"Wh-what nonsense? Your land? Are you a native of this place?"
"I'm the guardian god of this world! Now drop that gun?"
"You mad bastard! You must be a local savage. Behave, and I won't kill you!"
Dozens of Japanese soldiers had slipped in unnoticed, rifles trained on him. The officers, regaining composure, drew their pistols too, fingers itching to fire. Hanyaseong scoffed.
"Thieves turning to robbery now? Typical of you scum. Fucking dogs!"
"Who the hell are you? Reveal yourself!"
One officer, pistol raised but seemingly open to talk, demanded urgently. Gun-toting bastards want to chat... Just like the Americans. Fear of otherworldly races, probably. They wouldn't hold guns if they weren't scared. Their faces mixed terror and curiosity as they stared, rifles steady. Behind the soldiers stood scientists in white lab coats, watching intently—including young women, fear mingled with fascination at the sudden otherworlder.
Hanyaseong decided to explain first, then beat and boot them out like the Americans.
"I'm Tan Ya Geura Ne, guardian god of this planet."
Same spiel as with the Yanks—might as well keep it consistent if they swapped intel back on Earth.
"How do you speak Japanese?"
"Language translator lets me speak yours."
They murmured in awe, just like the Americans—convinced otherworlders had advanced civs. Colonel Ishii shoved past his captains, stepping forward.
"Bursting in by ripping the roof—how rude. You could've used the front gate."
"You barged into someone else's planet uninvited. Not your place to complain."
"Mind your manners. I am Ishii, colonel of the Greater Japanese Empire!"
Spotting the otherworlder alone, Ishii pressed for dominance. With guns everywhere, they held the advantage—or so he thought. Hanyaseong eyed the balding 60-something and marked him for death. Extreme imperialist, right-winger vibe. Scum like him tortured Koreans back then. Time for payback.
"You, stay back. I'll talk to that one."
He pointed to a man in his late 30s who'd seemed reasonable.
"Your name and rank."
"Second Captain Takashi of the Ground Self-Defense Force."
"Good. You and I will talk. How'd you get here?"
Ishii scowled, chiksho, blatantly ignored. But he held fire, pistol ready, watching. Takashi glanced at Ishii, who nodded permission, then continued.
"A portal appeared in a region of Japan recently. Researching it led us here, so we sent an expedition."
Vague—no specifics on when, where, or how. Hanyaseong wanted scientists, but they ranked low, stuck far from the barracks.
"Can't talk to the scientists?"
"Talk to us."
Takashi stuck to military protocol, no flexibility. Hanyaseong's patience wore thin.