Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Inner Quarters (4), Camp Roberts
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The Winter Alliance grew rapidly. It had started with just four large tents and fewer than eighty people, but now it was pushing toward three hundred. Screening hopeful affiliates had been the job of the two deputies. Jang Yeoncheol and Min Wangi had agreed not to take on any more members and gotten Winter's approval after the fact. Their reasoning: it was simply impossible to manage at that scale.
The side effects of such rapid growth were already starting to show. Yoo Jae-heung, the dog thief, was a prime example. Even if it wasn't him specifically, countless people had joined hoping for protection and handouts. At least up until now, that was the ironclad rule of the refugee zone ecosystem—a pyramid of survival of the fittest, built on exploitation.
There were other problems Winter had worried about, too. Halting direct recruitment had been an unavoidable decision.
Instead, they brought in groups as whole units. They promised protection and sought cooperation in return.
This transformed the Winter Alliance into a true alliance in every sense. It was only natural. Even the Damul Prosperity Society boasted over a thousand members. To secure real safety, they needed an even larger force.
At Jang Yeoncheol's suggestion, they created a symbol. He had a skilled alliance member craft white ribbons tied in intricate multiple knots. He called them "Snowflowers."
Alliance groups hung the Snowflowers at their tent entrances. It caught on like a trend. Entire sections divided by barbed wire fell under their sphere of influence.
With Min Wangi sidelined by poor stamina, Jang Yeoncheol moved with even greater vigor. He seemed to have found new purpose in life. He also served as the go-between, relaying requests from alliance groups to Winter.
When this kind of alliance expansion hit its limits, he made a bold new proposal.
"Let's split up the other organizations."
*Cough, cough.* Min Wangi, worn down by fatigue and coming down with a cold, asked through his hacking cough.
"That's no easy task. Can we really pull it off?"
"It's entirely possible!"
The young deputy showed conviction even amid the tension.
"Giant organizations like the Korean Patriots Association are riddled with internal rot. They've kept it under wraps by bullying smaller groups and taking their stuff to placate the underlings, but now that's not so easy because of us. The resentment from below is massive."
"So you're saying we ignite that resentment? Isn't that too dangerous?"
When Winter asked, Yeoncheol shook his head vigorously.
"I've built up some good connections while doing this work. I won't be exposed."
It was a side of him very different from his first impression. Then again, this was probably why he'd been at the center of things before Winter joined.
'Competence can cover a lot with just responsibility alone.'
If someone had zero talent, that wouldn't hold, but Jang Yeoncheol wasn't that case.
Winter raised an objection.
"I still think it's too risky. I appreciate all your hard work, but if something happens to you, Deputy Jang, it'll be a real problem. The Winter Alliance is still unstable right now."
"Honestly, I'm not that irreplaceable."
Jang Yeoncheol smiled tensely as he spoke.
"No one else can fill the Little Boss's role, but mine is different. There are plenty of people as capable as me. I can recommend some."
"That might be true if we're just talking raw ability."
The Little Boss's response visibly deflated Jang Yeoncheol. Even if he'd said it himself, hearing it acknowledged was another matter. Reason and emotion don't always align. Deep down, he might have hoped for a denial. Winter continued quietly.
"But you've got a track record now. No one would question the two deputies' contributions, right? Isn't there a difference between having the potential and actually delivering? Who else could step into the trust you've built up?"
"Trust..."
"If I just bring in someone competent, could I trust them like I trust you, Deputy Jang?"
Responsibility proves itself through actions—that was Winter's point. Winter persuaded the visibly moved Yeoncheol.
"I'm against it. We need to focus on solidifying our base right now. It'd be a disaster if you got hurt."
"I agree."
Min Wangi chimed in, coughing intermittently, backing Winter up.
"Even if Deputy Jang's plan succeeds, it's a problem. *Cough!* That'd push the other organizations into a corner. There's no guarantee they won't lash out desperately. *Cough.* Even if they don't target us directly, what if they go after our protected alliance groups?"
Jang Yeoncheol countered.
"Then we track down the culprits and punish them hard."
Min Wangi frowned as he replied.
"We've grown too fast all at once. Our territory's too spread out. Can we always identify culprits right away when something happens? Even if we do, if they sacrifice some underling like cutting off a tail, what more can we do? *Cough, ahem!* Should we just flip the table and go berserk? No, we can't. We're the model the Americans hold up—we can't act crazy."
He drove the point home in a weary voice.
"If that happens a few times and trust in the Winter Alliance crumbles, everything we've built goes down the drain."
It was a valid point.
"How about this, then?"
Looking newly determined, Jang Yeoncheol proposed an alternative.
"We do it without being obvious."
"Without being obvious... Ah, spies?"
When Winter asked, Jang Yeoncheol confirmed it.
"Why should only we suffer? If we offer a little convenience, people will line up to sell out from the inside."
"You've changed a lot since the beginning, Deputy Jang."
At Winter's words, Jang Yeoncheol suddenly flushed red. He seemed to take it as a jab at becoming scheming.
"No, well, it's just... after all these experiences piling up, I had no choice but to..."
He glanced slyly at Min Wangi, who was preoccupied with coughing. As fellow deputies, there had been signs before that Jang Yeoncheol harbored an inferiority complex toward Min Wangi. Winter got it.
'He's learned by watching.'
Imitating a rival is natural. You can't imitate if you lack the ability.
"What are you embarrassed about? It was a compliment."
"...Really?"
He was still far from truly cunning, judging by his embarrassment. Jang Yeoncheol tried to salvage the mood.
"Anyway, now's the time to act. The Winter Alliance grew so fast that everyone's off-balance. They see us as the rising power. We have to strike before people cool off and think straight. It'll help with that issue the Little Boss worried about before. You know, the drugs and all..."
"So, get internal intel on the other organizations?"
"Exactly!"
Winter pondered anew. From how far he'd gone, it seemed like a well-prepared ace in the hole from Jang Yeoncheol. Winter had to consider not just the risks to him, but his future motivation too.
"Go ahead."
Winter finally approved.
"Really?!"
To the elated Yeoncheol, Winter stressed safety.
"On the condition that you always prioritize your safety."
"Of course! My life's the most precious thing to me."
"Good. I'll trust you. Help him out a lot, Deputy Min."
"*Cough, ahem.* Will do."
Min Wangi replied in a phlegmy voice. He didn't seem inclined to object further now that Winter had approved. He looked drained anyway.
Just when it seemed the discussion was wrapping up, Jang Yeoncheol had more to say.
"I have a bit more to discuss..."
"Go ahead."
"There are people who want to join the Winter Alliance."
Winter tilted his head.
"Didn't we decide against direct recruits for the time being?"
"Well, these are people who absolutely can't survive on their own..."
"Can't survive independently?"
"They're disabled."
"I'm against it."
The last voice was Min Wangi's. His immediate opposition left Jang Yeoncheol blinking in surprise. Emotion showed on his face afterward. Before he could even frown and speak, Min Wangi pressed on.
"The Winter Alliance's demographics are already imbalanced enough. The gender ratio... *Cough.* Can't do much about that, but there are too many elderly, kids, and their mothers. Before the Santa Maria miracle, other groups mocked us openly. Adding disabled people on top would be a disaster. *Ahem, cough.* I get their situation, and it's heartbreaking, but we have to be cold-hearted here."
Jang Yeoncheol's expression darkened. He seemed a little angry.
Winter thought it over. Min Wangi sometimes came off as opposing Jang Yeoncheol just to oppose him. This was one of those times.
'Is he showing off to me?'
He knew why there were two deputies.
'Or maybe it's for Yeoncheol's sake.'
He understood Winter's tendencies. What if he'd deliberately opposed to anticipate Winter siding with Yeoncheol, boosting his confidence?
Of course, there was no guarantee it was pure consideration. It benefited him, too. Inferiority complexes breed hostility easily. True mutual checks and balances.
So both inferences could hold.
Yeoncheol's voice rose a notch.
"Those people came to us before, too. Before the Little Boss arrived. You remember, right, Deputy Min? Even we, who were a gathering of the desperate, turned them away. And now you're saying we reject them again?"
So that's what happened.
"Did you forget the Little Boss's inauguration speech? We're people walking a hard road. People who want to live like humans. Right, Boss?"
Setting aside stray thoughts, Winter agreed.
"You're right. But I'll meet them first and decide. We can't just let anyone in who wants to live with us."
Yeoncheol's face lit up.
"When do you want to meet?"
"Right now possible?"
"Of course! They said they'd be waiting. I'll be right back."
Yeoncheol hurried out. As expected, Min Wangi didn't look too disappointed. He just coughed harder than before and headed for his bedding, saying he needed rest.
A short while later, Yeoncheol returned with seventeen people. Their cowed demeanor hinted at the ill treatment they'd endured. Their representative at least appeared outwardly fine—an elegantly aged woman. Her dirty clothes were worn neatly. Yeoncheol introduced her.
"This is Grandma Kang Young-soon, leader of the disabled community. She has a speech impediment, so she'll communicate by writing. Oh, do you know sign language by chance?"
Winter shook his head. It wasn't a critical skill, so it used little SP, but Winter's spare experience points were limited too—thanks to Tutelage. He needed to keep a minimum reserve for survival skills in emergencies.
Yeoncheol looked unexpectedly let down, like he'd hoped otherwise. Winter was starting to seem superhuman to him—capable of anything. He said.
"She can hear fine, so speak freely."
"Got it. Deputy Jang, could you step out for a bit?"
"Huh?"
He must have assumed he'd be part of the conversation. Yeoncheol hesitated, then stood awkwardly under Winter's steady gaze. Before leaving, he encouraged the old woman.
"Grandma, it'll be fine. The Little Boss is a good person."
Right in front of her, no less. The grandma smiled as if amused. Winter offered a polite greeting.
"You probably know already, but let me introduce myself properly. I'm Han Gyeowol. I represent everyone here. Nice to meet you."
The old woman opened her notepad and wrote. Once done, she turned the page toward Winter.
「Nice to meet you. Kang Young-soon. You're handsome. Even better up close than from afar.」
Winter made a gentle smile.
"Thanks for the compliment. Your handwriting is beautiful."
The old woman wrote another line.
「It's like my voice.」
It was a fine metaphor. It revealed her character, too.
============================ Author's Note ============================
1. Folks say reality's harsher than VR, and yeah, probably so.
The side with ActiveX...
2. For those wondering how to be a good reader:
First, hit recommend.
Second, let the author rest.
Third, read Wind and Starry Night.
Read Wind and Starry Night. It's a truly excellent work.