Chapter 149. Rumors.
Rumors.
Regardless of their truth, they are facts or information that spread from person to person.
Considering the current state of the restored computer networks, spreading rumors via the internet is virtually impossible. Gyeonggi-do has barely managed to get communications back online, after all.
On the other hand, there aren't enough people left for word of mouth to be effective. Regrettably, so many have already died.
"A radio?"
"You mean a radio broadcast, sir?"
"Even an unspecified number of people could pull that off with just a little bit of know-how."
"R-Right, you're correct. Please wait just a moment!"
The man who had come to report excused himself and rushed out. He returned carrying a laptop and a file that held a recorded voice clip.
"The content was so alarming that we quickly made a recording."
First, there was the noise of someone yelling to hurry up and record, then it grew quiet, and the sound of the radio came through.
- Right now, an unprecedented disaster has struck the Republic of Korea!
- In the midst of this tragic situation, the President is currently being detained in Gimpo.
- As you all know, everyone has gained superhuman powers. Someone is using strange tricks to detain our nation's President, to control him, and to exploit this disaster to reshape our country to their own tastes.
- Do you see this piece of paper? It says you'll be protected if you join their group. I am deeply suspicious of their ulterior motives.
- If they can indeed protect you, shouldn't they be using that power to rescue the people directly?!
The moment his speech paused, the people went into a frenzy, shouting their support for him.
- That place is already said to be overflowing with supplies and completely self-sufficient. Do you believe it's right for those people to monopolize those goods?
- Brave citizens who wish to join us in rescuing the President safely and building a nation where no one lives in fear of the zombies, we welcome you to join us at any time!
- Let us build a world where no one is discriminated against for their powers, where everyone is equal, well-fed, and free from fear!
As the speech came to a complete end, the recording ended with thunderous applause and cheers. Among those who had listened, some were furious, while others were left speechless.
"After all the work we've put in so far!!!"
"He's right! They've completely disparaged our efforts and made us out to be nothing but villains!!"
The President stepped in to mediate with those who were terribly enraged.
"We, and every person in this village, know of your hard work. First, let's calm down and prioritize how to resolve this situation."
"Ha, this is a headache."
These were people harboring dangerous ideas that were utterly ill-suited for the Republic of Korea. They reminded me of a certain someone infamous for mesmerizing people with sheer eloquence.
"Judging solely by the cheers we can hear, it seems like quite a large crowd has gathered..."
The President rested his chin on his hand, pondered for a moment, and then replied as if he'd reached a firm conclusion.
"Paradoxically, in a situation like this, that kind of rhetoric is highly likely to have worked."
"You mean it was effective?"
"Yes. In a world where zombies run rampant and finding food is a struggle, the idea that everyone is equal, regardless of their abilities? From their perspective..."
"It would be easy for them to fall for it."
"In truth, our village is a very unusual case in this kind of disaster scenario."
"It's the gap between difference and discrimination."
In our village, we don't discriminate based on ability. We differentiate based on effort; anyone who works hard, regardless of their power, is rewarded accordingly. But I'd wager most survivor groups created tiers and classes by discriminating based on powerful abilities.
'In the first place, unlike us where work is differentiated by ability, most groups are probably only focused on procuring food and eliminating zombies...'
"Going forward, these kinds of situations are bound to accelerate. Because the Awakening System is so transparent, it has starkly divided those with good abilities from those with bad ones."
It was going to be a bit of a pain in the neck, but there was no reason we had to clash with them. Even if an armed conflict broke out, our side would be overwhelmingly dominant anyway.
"Alright, let's move on to the next agenda item—"
ㅡ Crash!
"Representative, please listen to this!"
The door was kicked in as someone rushed in urgently and placed a radio on the table.
- We will assemble a group, go directly to them, and demand that they release the President and distribute the food.
"...Demand?"
I was so dumbfounded that the words slipped out before I could stop them.
- Everyone, we say this once more. The Republic of Korea is suffering in disorder and chaos right now. But you have a choice. Shouldn't those with power help the weak?
The man's voice coming through the radio was calmer and more persuasive than before. It was the voice of someone utterly convinced that they alone embodied justice, brimming with certainty.
- Even now, there are people around you who possess power, yet only look after their own safety. Selfish people will eventually call forth a greater Calamity. Power must be shared, and with that power, we must create a safe and equal world for all.
The man paused briefly, as if catching his breath. In that moment, the tension around the radio grew even thicker. Everyone, myself included, listened closely.
- We are simply people who wish to share power and correct an unjust world. You who hold power, even now you must reconsider your position and accept your responsibility to help the weak. If you do not, we will claim those rights on their behalf. By using the necessary force, if that's what it takes...!
'Is this guy actually fucking insane...?'
- I will say this one last time. Join us, even now. We do not wish to antagonize you, but for the sake of the weak, we will not shy away from any method.
Their cheers echoed through the radio. The applause and ovation continued without pause, as if they were under some kind of mass hypnosis.
Soon, the voice on the radio cut off, and silence fell over the room.
"So, they're saying they're going to attack us?"
"Listening to that, it certainly sounds that way..."
"Hmm..."
I debated with myself for a moment. If they openly attacked to loot us, dealing with it would be easy.
"If they come forward, using innocent civilians as shields, it'll get a little annoying..."
But no matter how annoying or irritating it was, I wasn't some lunatic who'd go around slaughtering civilians.
"On the other hand, I don't think they'd be the type to listen to reason..."
'Should I just intimidate their leader instead?'
The room fell silent again, the only sound being my fingers drumming on the table as I thought. Cassius, who had been listening quietly from the side, spoke up.
"Commander, if you'll just grant me permission, I can take a few members and handle them without leaving a trace."
I didn't answer Cassius at all and simply kept drumming on the table. Naturally, Cassius didn't press for an answer and just stood there waiting, patiently.
The broadcast had already ended, and now only static noise crackled from the radio. I was lost in complicated thoughts. This was no simple provocation. There was conviction in their voice, an absolute certainty, as if they truly believed themselves to be guardians of justice.
Most of the villagers had already heard the radio broadcast. Anyone with a radio could have listened.
Truth be told, I wouldn't stop anyone even if they were swayed by that ideal of "an equal world for all" and secretly snuck away. More than that, I had no need for the kind of person who'd be seduced by such nonsense and abandon the group.
"Where did you say they were located?"
"If the broadcast is to be believed, Suwon."
"Suwon... Suwon, huh..."
It was still in Gyeonggi-do, but quite a distance away. I wondered how they planned to find their way here.
"How long would it take to get here from there?"
"If they have a car, roughly two hours. Even if they were to walk, they'd arrive within a day."
My head was starting to ache because some goddamn moron had gotten on the radio and started spouting that shit. Humans are more fragile than you'd think. In a world like this, getting corrupted by drinking in such words is all too easy.
"Commander, give us the order on what to do if they come here..."
"Leave them be for now. If they come, I'll go and hear what they have to say for myself."
Setting the Suwon matter aside for now, we proceeded with the meeting on other agenda items, but everyone's minds were clearly somewhere else, and the meeting didn't go well at all.
Two hours passed with no further news as to whether they were actually walking over. The news that they had actually arrived came the very next day, right as we were about to sit down for lunch.
"I was wondering when they'd show, didn't think they'd turn up this fast. Where are they now?"
"They were armed, so... we didn't let them inside the village."
"Gather our people."
The man nodded and rushed outside to assemble the officers. I, too, headed for the village's main gate. They had put together a fairly decent set of gear. The area was filled with wary eyes, all watching these sudden arrivals.
'National Armed Forces-issue rifles... and they're even wearing helmets and tactical vests?'
I acknowledged the greetings from those standing guard and walked directly toward them. I radiated an unmistakable "I'm the guy in charge" aura as I strode forward, so they spotted me right away.
The one who looked like their leader stood in front of the gate, his expression brimming with confidence. Behind him stood his faithful followers, bound by conviction and trust, exchanging glances but unable to hide their tension.
Just seeing their faces, so obviously brimming with that twisted, stubborn zeal, was laughable.
"So, you've finally come to preach."
I stood in front of them, unarmed and bare-handed.
"Well. The representative of the group has come directly. What are you going to do about it?"
"Are you the man called Cheon Sihu?"
"Yeah."
The man approached me without hesitation and met my eyes. His smile was excessively smooth and relaxed, but it was easy to spot the arrogance hidden beneath it.
"Join us."