The Torch of Anti-Communism (10)
The Korean government's administrative efforts to create a model case for its new policy bore fruit on the last Monday of March. Inside the convention hall, a banner reading "Launch Ceremony for the Republic of Korea's First Public Ability Corporation 'Gaema (Armored Horse)'" hung prominently, as high-ranking officials from the government and both ruling and opposition parties gathered, flashing smiles amid the barrage of press photographers' flashes.
Everyone wore a grinning face, but a closer look revealed genuine delight from the ruling party side, while the opposition bore traces of barely concealed regret. The latter's disappointment was straightforward.
They wanted to throw a wrench in the works.
A Public Ability Corporation—formally known as a Special Authorized Ability Corporation—was the institutional legitimization of the informal clans and guilds that private hunters had been forming. In essence, it was tantamount to a Korean-style militia organization of Awakened ability users. For a tangible result to emerge less than a fortnight after the president's announcement of the new policy was a lightning-fast pace unmatched anywhere.
This speed war, backed by the government's iron will and the ruling party's majority momentum, was driven not just by the escalating security threats—threats upon threats—but even more by the by-election slated for early next month. Coincidentally, the mayoral seats in Seoul and Busan had both fallen vacant, turning what should have been a routine by-election into a prelude to next year's presidential race. The opposition must have been desperate to sabotage the ruling party's initiatives. But in these times, doing so risked a fierce backlash. First, it would look like delaying honors for heroes; second, it would paint them as prioritizing political turf wars over public safety.
Especially since bolstering public safety measures served the politicians' own interests—whether for their personal and family security or to preserve their political viability and approval ratings in districts outside the metro areas.
Fail to show statesmanlike magnanimity here, and it would spell consecutive blows in the upcoming by-election and the next presidential run.
The corporate name "Gaema" had been Kyung-tae's suggestion. He proposed taking the first two characters from Gaema Musang, the armored cavalry warriors.
"Using a name that stirs national pride would be best here, hyungnim."
"What's 'national pride' mean?"
"Ah, it's like this trendy internet slang these days—"
From Kyung-tae's ensuing explanation, it sounded akin to chauvinism. In short, the naming aimed to lay a foundation of the masses' blind patriotism as a support base.
"Even though the hanja is different, there's Gaema Plateau in North Korea too, so plenty of folks hearing the name might think, 'Is this that?' Pretty solid naming, right? For the North-advancing crowd, it'll subconsciously leave a good impression. You know, the types who see what they want to see and believe what they want to believe."
It was a safe proposal, so I greenlit it. That was just two days ago. The paperwork submitted that day got approved yesterday, leading to today's launch ceremony. Processing at the speed of lightning roasting beans.
"Respected citizens of the Republic of Korea. Government ministers and members of the National Assembly from both parties. And the stars of today's event, the 31 recipients of the National Service Medal. I hope this day will be remembered as the meaningful moment when we took our first step in the right direction."
The president at the podium opened the ceremony with the customary speech.
"We have long bid farewell to the past. The past's daily life, common sense, peace, prosperity, and the order of bygone days that has become the past. Since the emergence of forces inexplicable by conventional science severed humanity's past from its present, we have groped through the darkness filled with the unknown, yearning for what will not return."
"Each step forward has been hard to make truly righteous. We have sidestepped and even backtracked. I humbly admit with shame that our government's path has been marred by stagnation in public safety and regression in human rights."
"In this chaotic era, our heroes have illuminated the right path for the government with astonishing courage and extraordinary dedication."
"This is yet another demonstration of the excellence of our people, who have overcome numerous national crises through the voluntary power of the masses..."
Fine words, all polish. I let the rest of the speech flow in one ear and out the other, thinking,
At this point, no one would dare upend the board easily.
Thanks to bolstering the organization's overall security and proactive precautions, no leaks about our true nature had surfaced through any suspected channels. With the government now elevating my crew as a policy exemplar, I no longer needed to worry about backchannel probes from the police or Security Support Command. That would require openly defying the current administration—not to mention courting public backlash.
Of course, security issues weren't fully resolved. But we'd cleared the most perilous hurdle, so as the top decision-maker, I didn't need to stay glued to headquarters watching developments.
The hunkered-down period had dragged on unavoidably. Time to reclaim freedom of movement. Leaving Suyeon as acting chair would suffice for the headquarters in my absence.
As the president's speech wrapped up, the freelance announcer took over proceedings.
"Next, we will proceed with the medal conferment ceremony. Recipients, please come to the podium. For the one absent due to illness, the medal and plaque of appreciation will be received on their behalf by Gaema Public Ability Corporation representative and Exemplary Hunter Gong Hyuk-su."
The absent one due to illness was me, watching the live broadcast from my office. Even with a disguise identity and silicone mask, showing my face and build wouldn't help, so only the frontmen were at the venue. Sure, pandemic masks were ubiquitous, but I anticipated politicians and greedy reporters demanding exceptions. "Can't we get one good photo on this historic day?"
With the president facing my subordinates, the announcer spoke again.
"Gaema Public Ability Corporation representative director Gong Hyuk-su will receive the third-tier National Service Medal among the five grades—the Samiljang Medal—while the rest of the team members receive the one tier below, the Gwangbokjang Medal."
"Medal Certificate. Special Authorized Ability Corporation 'Gaema' Representative Gong Hyuk-su. As an exemplary hunter with outstanding abilities and a strong civic spirit, you have subdued numerous infiltrated agents, greatly contributing to public security enhancement. Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, the following medal is hereby conferred..."
After handing out certificates and medals to my subordinates one by one, the president went ahead and appointed the "Republic of Korea's First Supervisors."
Personnel tasked with linking networks to military-police reporting centers, overseeing armed private hunters' activities, and granting extended citizen's arrest powers to hunters as needed.
"Appointment Certificate. Inspector Song Hye-ryeong. The above individual is hereby appointed as detachment leader dispatched to Gaema Public Ability Corporation. 2021..."
Four from the military, four from the police—half men, half women. With on-site response capabilities for the armed forces and police a hot topic, the current administration, touting public servant gender balance as an achievement, likely saw these dispatched supervisor roles as a way to create jobs for non-Awakened career soldiers and officers while maintaining gender parity. A few photos and clips here to rally the base.
No higher motives from these vote-pandering clowns. Man or woman, as long as they're useful tools, that's fine by me.
"Next, the firearms handover ceremony."
At the announcer's cue, the regular soldiers who'd been guarding the gun cases stepped forward, lifting rifles from racks, cradling them two-handed, and facing front. The newly appointed military supervisors oversaw it—though "overseeing" was just performative role assignment for the cameras.
"Rifle number 14967113! 14967113! Rifle check—clear and ready!"
The soldiers, lined up abreast facing my subordinates, chorused serial numbers in turn. When one nearly fumbled his rifle, the watching officer's glare sharpened. The soldier's forehead gleamed briefly with fresh sweat as he stiffly handed over the unloaded rifle to my subordinate.
No concrete ammo issuance or management plan yet, as far as I knew. For now, these rifles were little more than display pieces in their cases. All were standard-issue Republic of Korea military rifles. Though qualified civilian hunters would eventually get leeway for non-standard firearms, the policy mandated one standard rifle per person for potential military mobilization. Uniform equipment simplified logistics.
They were also developing universal black boxes for all firearms, building on existing smart revolver modules for police—shouldn't take long to realize. Effectiveness was another question.
"Finally, the donation ceremony for Kia Motors' civilian off-road tactical vehicles. Drawing on long-accumulated technology and expertise contributing to domestic military procurement and self-reliant defense, Kia Motors has decided to donate four new tactical armored vehicles to the Public Ability Corporation Gaema, which has greatly aided national security, as a token of gratitude. Please give a warm round of applause to Kia Motors' Vice President and PR Director Kim Jong-won, representing the company."
The sparsely filled audience responded with perfunctory applause. The rising Kia VP bowed in all directions. Cameras panned to the side of the hall, where four tactical vehicles in camo patterns distinct from military ones stood under bright lights like ornaments.
This was a show born of government-corporate interests. First, the corporation: naturally, market dominance and profits. Selling their armored vehicles to high-risk hunters to boost sales. A tactical vehicle for the nation's first Public Ability Corporation? Prime advertising. Praise from nationally heroic hunters would amplify it. Hence Kia's lifetime, unlimited warranty and regular on-site maintenance for the donations.
Government gains were manifold: permitting civilian tactical vehicle conversions secured economies of scale, lowering procurement costs; boosted sales meant tax revenue; and in military hunter mobilization scenarios, improved maintenance and operation efficiency.
With the event seeming to wrap smoothly, I tuned out the live feed.
"Hoo..."
Exhaling shortly, I glanced down at the desk, where a bonsai tree—half-raised with mana—sat. Nearly complete; a bit more detailing would finish it. The simple process of inducing artificial growth via Life Incantation while supplying nutrients through solution let me craft a convincing bonsai over a cup of tea.
Two trunks split from the base: the thick one formed a round, lush canopy; the thin one extended oppositely, adding spatial depth. Shaped in Japanese sokan (double trunk) style, it served as daily incantation practice and a gift for a yakuza boss.
The recipient: the kumicho (boss) of the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi. Well-formed bonsai fetch base prices in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars. Beyond monetary value, perfect for money laundering and asset concealment. Few bribes suit politicians better. Low risk of tracing back to me, too—not easily liquidated to cash.
A half-dozen like this should suffice to leverage Yamaguchi-gumi's political influence. Their boss, from the same hometown as former PM Abe's grandfather who'd stepped down for health reasons, had solid LDP ties.
What I sought via that influence: multiple secret anchorages in the Seto Inland Sea. Between Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku, the sea's geography features extreme tidal ranges and fierce currents. Send lightweight submersibles, and strong rips could sweep them astray. Especially to the island chain I targeted, amid clusters narrowing channels.
Thus, ideally secure drift and wreck contingencies before maiden submersible launches. Perhaps mere paranoia. But the general who secures victory before battle is supreme, and leaders unprepared for risks lack standing to rebuke subordinates for mishaps.