20
Chapter 20
I, Baek Jemin, am someone who always does his best, anytime, anywhere.
But I also know that "doing my best" is hard to convince others of. After days of flipping through all sorts of mystical occult books while repeatedly clenching and unclenching my unwrapped left hand, a familiar face came to visit.
"Baek... Jemin?"
It was Hamza.
Thinking back, he was the person I had the least contact with, so I was curious why he came to see me. Hamza rolled his eyes for no reason, then carefully whispered.
"Could I get a piece of Richam later?"
"I thought Muslims aren't supposed to eat pork?"
"I can just pray to Allah later."
After a brief moment of consideration, I nodded.
Even though Hamza was a Muslim who came from Pakistan, if he washed down pork belly with soju, wouldn't he be an honorary Korean? I could gladly share a piece of Richam with him.
He said he'd work out the matters of faith with the parties involved himself, so it wasn't my place to butt in.
Then Hamza grinned happily, showing his teeth, and sat down next to me.
"You don't seem to be in a rush, Jemin."
"Hm?"
"Look at everyone outside. They're all on edge and sharp. But you're stuck in here just reading books."
It was a moment when I thought I saw a strange light flash in Hamza's eyes.
I blinked, then let out a hollow laugh as I closed the Lovecraft anthology I had been reading. I was reading it to get inspiration for occult and bizarre mythology, and it was perfect timing since I was nodding off anyway.
"Well... you think the monsters will stop if I'm in a rush? If the blockade line breaks, we'll all just play around under the fallout cloud together."
"Huh."
"Worrying and fretting over things you can't control will only drain your mind and body, so just do the best you can. Planting an apple tree even if the world is ending—doesn't it mean something like that?"
"Jemin... that sounds more impressive than I expected. Where did you hear that?"
"It's what I said to my father and mother when I showed them my mock exam report card with Korean, English, and Math rankings of 7, 8, and 9 respectively."
"Is a high number good?"
"Since there's nowhere to go but up, it's good."
Of course, my parents weren't satisfied with my wise answer to a foolish question and went looking for a stick to swing at my calves. Looking back now, it was all just memories.
I sipped the coffee that the sensible driver had brought me, enjoying the leisurely relaxation.
"Hamza, what are you doing not going back to your hometown?"
"I've been trying to live here. In the middle of the naturalization test. I was thinking of bringing my family over..."
The two of us had a conversation like that—not particularly useful, but reasonably valuable.
Hamza was a mage who could use a Dogma-type presumed magic called Angel's Intuition, and it seemed to be a kind of crisis detection or precognition. That means at least staying close to Hamza would be safe.
I was thinking that I definitely needed to stick with either Pastor Park Yo-han, who possessed Soteriological Certainty, or Hamza.
Bzzzt-.
Since I had blocked my parents' numbers because they kept calling, whenever the vibration sound went off, it meant a new message had arrived in the group chat. After briefly gesturing to Hamza to stop him, I checked the messenger and saw everyone was in an uproar.
[Hey, fuck]
[What the hell are these monster bastards?]
[No, more importantly, how the fuck did the government hide this until now?]
[These crazy bastards hid this shit for two months? How could they even hide it? Is the government insane?]
The guy who still called himself my younger brother hadn't checked his phone, as the number 1 remained unchanged.
I played along moderately with my friend beyond the cracked phone screen so he wouldn't feel lonely.
[Just saw it now?]
[There's a national address going on right now. You not watching?]
[You idiot, didn't I give you tips on dealing with monsters?]
[Wow fuck, I survived because of that.]
Still, thanks to this guy making a fuss, I became interested in this so-called national address.
Current time: February 1st, 9:58 AM.
I gave Hamza a subtle glance and suggested.
"Want to watch it together?"
"I have a phone too."
Instead of continuing the conversation, Hamza, like me, started tapping on his phone screen to find the live video.
South Korea was in a quasi-wartime situation, yet cell towers were still running, data was still flowing, and the two of us remained leisurely. I felt pleased, thinking that slurping up all the sweet benefits while others were busting their asses was the secret to living a long, long life.
Soon enough, through the screen, we could hear the current President speaking while bowing respectfully.
[Fellow citizens, our administration has wronged you. We misjudged the severity of the situation and believed containment was possible. We treated nearly 10 million Seoul citizens as potential carriers and placed them under quarantine lockdown. And we are only now revealing the truth to you...]
The sunlight was bright, and through the brisk wind came the chirping of birds somewhere nearby—a peaceful morning.
[...Currently, 150,000 troops of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces have blocked Seoul's major arterial roads and rail lines, flattened the outskirts to create kill zones, and our government acknowledges that this situation is no different from a state of war effective immediately, and will implement new measures. We know you are disappointed. But we ask you to once again place your trust in the military and government, who have the will to clean up this situation and maintain order...]
Click click click.
It was then that the sound of combat boots rang out clearer than the President's voice.
Captain Kim Ho-un and First Lieutenant Shin Han-gi, with their helmets tucked under their arms, watched the national address that Hamza and I were watching, then let out a small sigh. Then they calmly looked our way and spoke.
"Operators, let's go. It's starting."
***
February 1, 2028. The first blockade line targeting Seoul was miraculously maintained.
True to the reputation of the Republic of Korea's Artillery Command, they unleashed all available firepower, and as a result, the influx of Amalgam through the ground was successfully blocked. At least, that was what the government believed, and what the people wanted to believe.
When it was estimated that tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand Amalgam had been defeated, rumors said that ROK military casualties were approximately between 6,000 to 7,000.
Of course, this only referred to the frontline units maintaining the blockade line. What happened to the military units reportedly isolated inside Seoul remained unknown.
With even thermobaric bombs supported by the USA deployed to clear the fog while repeatedly launching artillery barrages, Seoul's outskirts were reduced to a concrete graveyard, and the fog seemed to have lost some of its momentum.
After the Amalgam offensive halted for several days like that, the government finally judged the situation to have temporarily calmed down and began full-scale response measures.
[The government, respecting the tactical and strategic capabilities of our blood-allied nation, the USA, will establish the ROK-US Combined Forces Command in Pyeongtaek and Osan to counter the Seoul crisis, assign military forces, and enable more efficient and superior response...]
While the mages were all gathered and seated, the national address video was playing on the white screen in the conference room.
Civilians, people of the world, would only know this much. Without knowing the detailed background.
The Colonel who had removed his name tag operated the pointer to pause the video, then turned to look at us and spoke.
"The nuclear-related scenario was classified as Level 3 secret, you said. Meaning we anticipated some degree of leakage. But from here on, this is a true Level 1 secret."
We mages, having completed our security clearance oaths, had each been handed a document folder.
The very first page bore a terrifying warning, but accepting it as par for the course, we flipped through according to the Colonel's instructions, and indeed, the complex current situation and state of affairs were revealed.
"As a result of ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations, the USA has changed its stance instead of maintaining its initial nuclear strike position, convinced that the Republic of Korea is the most capable system and ally for dealing with this monster crisis, and has promised large-scale support."
The USA had originally prepared for a nuclear strike, partially withdrawing or redeploying US Forces Korea as a quick cut-loss measure, but after hearing the government's persuasion, they changed their mind and decided to establish the ROK-US Combined Forces Command and receive operational control transfer to secure leadership in this crisis.
The presumed reasons for the USA's intervention in this matter were as follows.
1. Identify the cause of the fog and monsters. Investigate the truth of the incident. Thoroughly investigate whether the same thing could happen in their own country.
2. Recognize that if this occurred in another country, it couldn't be suppressed with conventional firepower as strong as Korea's. Feel the need to secure tactical doctrine against creature swarms using modern military and conventional firepower through this opportunity.
3. Protection and maintenance of US Pacific security.
4. Recognition of the existence of Localized Invasive Structural Alteration, 'magic'. Currently inviting occult believers and related theologians within the USA to establish a magic advisory committee.
Naturally, seeing and hearing these factors and conditions, some people were bound to express dissatisfaction.
Shin Na-in still had his lips pursed as if disappointed they couldn't nuke Seoul, and Staff Sergeant Lee Se-jun, perhaps feeling his patriotism stirred by the operational control transfer part, asked a question.
"We're not some old military. If we're the 2020s Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and moreover, we held off this crazy situation for two months—hasn't our capability been proven? So why are the American bastards in charge again?"
"An excellent point. The reason the government actively sought to bring in the USA is due to the following."
The Colonel nodded perfunctorily with a tired expression and showed the next screen.
What came next was about our neighbor we could hardly welcome—China.
"The People's Republic of China still maintains its nuclear strike policy regarding this incident, but upon learning that the USA is pushing for the establishment of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command with large-scale support, they slightly revised their policy to convene the UN Security Council for a nuclear strike if the blockade is breached."
China had invoked the safety of the continent and humanity, claiming not just a nuclear strike on Seoul but the vitrification of the entire Korean Peninsula, but upon learning of the USA's policy reversal, they decided to pursue a more active and certain method.
The presumed reasons for China's intervention in this matter were as follows.
1. To prevent strikes on China's eastern coast due to the establishment and operation of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command, and declaring this crisis a threat to all humanity, China has also redeployed troops near the Yalu River. Appears to have set all of North Korea as a kill zone in preparation for the blockade line being breached.
2. Maintains the policy of nuclear strike if Seoul blockade fails, but reduced to tactical nuclear weapons. Instead, the PLA declared it would also intervene to stop this crisis.
3. Requesting stationing rights in the western island region near Ganghwa-do for local assistance and support of Chinese forces. Presumably to pressure the ROK government that relocated to Incheon.
4. Aiming to reduce Korea's dependence on the USA and expand its own influence through civilian support and military intervention in this crisis.
Then Pastor Park Yo-han let out a curse.
"Fuck. What about the Japs?"
"They're internally debating whether to revise the pacifist constitution or not, while China is growling that they will absolutely never allow the revision. The USA thinks it should be revised, but public opinion within Japan itself is holding anti-war protests saying they can't send the Self-Defense Forces for this incident."
I didn't expect anything anyway. They're the ones who used to spout that unity bullshit in the old days, so if the line breaks, wouldn't they secretly welcome a dark version of unity where we all get nuked and die together?
With that, the Colonel pressed his index finger and thumb firmly against his own cheek, then stopped.
"You will maintain your civilian status in this incident. And you will also have the right to refuse military requests."
"No, why?"
This time, I asked.
Of course, I was fucking thrilled, energetic, and it was exactly what I wanted, but think about the shit the Military Manpower Administration usually pulls. When someone who never gives a shit suddenly acts generous, you can't help but be suspicious.
Then the Colonel very kindly explained the reality South Korea was facing.
"The government is currently preparing for the worst-case scenario, where the Chinese People's Liberation Army uses the protection of its citizens and the suppression of the situation as an excuse to forcefully occupy Ganghwa-do and the western island areas, by transferring wartime operational control to the ROK-US Combined Forces Command established in Pyeongtaek and Osan, and is ready to transfer actual government and administrative functions..."
The reason the government couldn't move right now in Incheon wasn't simply because there were a lot of people, but because of the possibility that VIPs had been infected by Unidentified Species like the Amalgam.
It was due to the paranoid delusion that the leadership could be hijacked as is in the worst-case scenario. Whether they knew this or not, they were worried that if the PLA stationed itself in the western island areas like Ganghwa-do and staged a show of force, the country would be reduced to a puppet state.
Furthermore, the Colonel argued that the PLA also seemed to have recognized the existence of magic based on the circumstances, claiming that there was no way those nuke-crazy bastards who only cried for nuclear strikes would suddenly hint at advancing into the Korean Peninsula otherwise.
"Because of this, if the ROK-US Combined Forces Command drafts Operators, it would give the PLA an excuse to claim we are trying to turn the Korean people into biological weapons and increase their level of intervention. Therefore, the government intends to emphasize your status and position as domestic civilians by administratively securing privileges for you Civilian Operators, such as partial immunity, independent operational authority, and priority for military supplies."
Eventually, all the briefing ended.
It was the moment the reason we were all gathered here was finally revealed.
"Therefore, you will effectively be assigned to the Combined Alteration Task Force under the Reality Survival Command, which has already been prepared under the ROK-US Combined Forces Command. Since you will externally act as an independent and autonomous civilian organization, you can coordinate the group's name, purpose, motto, and character among yourselves."
This was why the mages, each with their own circumstances and backgrounds, had gathered in one place to rack their brains.
***
Sitting huddled together in the reopened social welfare department for the mages, it felt strangely refreshing.
Being forced to rub faces with people I never wanted to meet or would never meet in my life made me wonder how this was any different from the Amalgam.
Anyway, the first one to open their mouth among us was that shithead Shin Na-in.
The guy, who had his earphones in and was bouncing his shoulders to the beat, was slashing at the air with the edge of his hand as if it were a real sword, his eyes sparkling.
"How about the Lord's Divine Punishment Crusade? It sounds like a group that strikes down the power and forces of the Satanic Demons."
"We have a Muslim who believes in Islam and a Monk right here, you know?"
"Let's believe in the Lord this time. Repent!"
At those words, Hamza, who believed in Islam, fiddled with his turban for no reason and shook his head.
"Jesus is a great prophet, but not the Son of God. And it's not good to carelessly take the prophet's name in vain."
"How dare you doubt the divinity of the Lord!"
"How about taking the epithet of our Islamic hero, Khalid ibn al-Walid, and going with the Sword of Allah? All the Muslims would love it."
"People in South Korea don't have very good feelings towards Islam, so no."
It was a name that anyone who heard it would mistake for an extremist terrorist organization and report immediately.
Then Pastor Park Yo-han, who had been crossing his arms and thinking deeply, adjusted his glasses with a sly look and spoke.
"How about the Trumpets of Jericho?"
"Too boring and pedantic."
"Aw, fuck. Then you try saying something, Baek Jemin!"
Was it finally my turn?
I believe that a truly excellent and transparent organization should let people know what it does right from its name. An intuitive and clear name that leaves no one doubting the organization's nature and purpose.
Furthermore, it had to possess the objectivity and neutrality to pursue its purpose regardless of religion.
In my opinion, the most certain group name that fulfilled all these requirements was this.
"Let's call ourselves the Supreme Mages."
It was rejected unanimously.
After going back and forth a few times like that, Monk Cheong-hwi, who had been keeping quiet, quietly put his hands together in prayer and spoke.
"When our intentions differ, forcing them together will only keep us from narrowing down our opinions. Even if our grand goal is the same, we'll end up splitting over the little details; if we force a connection now, it will only be stiff, not resilient. How about we start by revealing the intentions each of us holds?"
It made a lot of sense, as expected.
Was everyone here to save the country? For starters, I wasn't.
Only then did we look around at each other and take time to discuss our individual purposes and thoughts. In this urgent situation, one might wonder what the hell we were doing, but honestly, I felt a thrill at the thought of mages gathering to form something akin to a secret society.
If the country gets nuked and destroyed, well, fuck it, what can you do.
I wasn't so messed up that I'd feel peace from the fact that the blade of a guillotine called a nuclear strike was slowly licking around my neck, but I was feeling an immense rush of dopamine instead.
If we fail, nukes will drop.
And the way to stop the nukes is to gain stronger magic.
To awaken powerful magic, you have to voluntarily enter the fog swarming with monsters, and you have to risk a life-or-death crisis.
This was a positive feedback loop akin to a spiral of death.
To escape a life-threatening crisis, you had to voluntarily plunge into one; to survive, you needed strong magic, and to gain strong magic, you had to be willing to throw your life on the line.
Isn't that thrilling? Doesn't it drive you mad?
My pain leads to the hope of survival, and my pain guarantees my salvation...
It wasn't the false hope that you could achieve your dreams if you worked yourself to the bone, but a 100% guaranteed miracle that said if you actually ground your bones down, you would unconditionally receive an appropriate reward, resting right there with those monsters in the fog.
Before that omnipotent power vanished in the heat of a nuclear blast, I had to jump in first!
However, people who understood this philosophy of mine were incredibly rare.
Only Pastor Park Yo-han looked at me with an ambiguous gaze.
Ultimately, due to Pastor Park Yo-han's strong argument, we finally recited a covenant that would become the motto of this organization.
"Words may seem to carry the least weight, and may seem to evaporate along with our memories, but they inevitably move our hearts subconsciously. This is a truth revealed even in the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament. Before they were carved into letters, there were words and sounds, and before statutory laws moved people, covenants moved them."
Pastor Park Yo-han looked specifically at me as he said that.
As a manly man, I also knew well the weight of words. Since I had told my father I would become an Archmage, I would definitely achieve it, so I nodded with a serious expression.
"Haaah~ fuck~."
"You sigh a lot, Pastor."
"Pastor! I, Shin Na-in, am standing by as the Youth Group Leader!"
Pastor Park Yo-han looked back at me and Shin Na-in, letting out a sigh full of joy.
"The youth of South Korea are in great shape. Good!"
And so, we mages finally recited our covenant, each putting our own intentions and desires into it.
First, Pastor Park Yo-han, who had brought up this covenant, narrowed his eyes and spoke resolutely.
"To stand against those who blaspheme the Lord's incarnation and the flesh of humanity made in His image."
Next was the honorary Korean from Pakistan, Hamza.
Hamza looked around with slightly trembling eyes before revealing an utterly secular desire.
"....I was granted permanent residency in South Korea. They said that once this incident is over, I can return home or naturalize with my family. As for me... I'm doing this for a better tomorrow."
Hearing that, Shin Na-in tapped his earphones with his index finger and shook his head as if it was pathetic.
Then, with a confident smile, he responded.
"To stop the encroachment of the Satanic Demon's authority!"
Next was Staff Sergeant Lee Se-jun.
As if he didn't need anything grandiose, he slapped his thighs with his palms.
"Because I can't stand to watch my country be wiped out."
Monk Cheong-hwi quietly pressed his palms together and bowed his head.
"I, too, was ashamed to find myself gripped by fear in the subway. My cultivation is still utterly lacking, so I wish to stay with all sentient beings and strengthen my insufficient resolve. So that I won't be ashamed in front of anyone."
When my turn finally came around, I opened my mouth without hesitation.
"That power I wouldn't have been able to reach even if I dedicated my entire life to it. That miracle. I want to fully understand that power which has brought me pain and ecstasy!"
Only then did Pastor Park Yo-han, perhaps having prepared it in advance, clasp his hands together as if in prayer and speak in a quieter, lower voice than usual.
"It shall end before our faith breaks. We shall become the terror before the terror subjugates us. We march into hell to prevent hell from seeping in. Madness against madness, absurdity against absurdity."
Pastor Park Yo-han let out a short sigh, then stared intently at me and said.
"Let's name our organization Aphorism."
"Aphorism?"
"Why? It was a famous word for a bit. It means a maxim, proverb, or epigram... It pops up when you search for it. It's moderately religious, but also moderately secular. Isn't it good?"
There was no backlash.
Except for exactly one person.
I, Baek Jemin, could only think with my arms crossed. Who could predict the organization's purpose just by hearing the word Aphorism?
Wouldn't Supreme Mage just be better...
"Haha..."
"Even the shithead thinks so, right?"
"Baek Jemin, cut the crap."
END
ⓒ Hadeupokbal#151df