Chapter 39. The Danger of the Nuclear Power Plant.
Chapter 39. The Danger of the Nuclear Power Plant.
"If you'll oblige us, I'd like to speak somewhere quiet. In private."
I nodded and had my people escort them to the village hall. While they were being led there, I washed up and headed over myself. By the time I arrived, our visitors and the others were already seated.
"Pleased to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Min Seok-woo, currently serving as President and leading the government forces."
"Yes, likewise. Cheon Sihu. I'm in charge of this group."
We exchanged greetings, then spent a moment just studying each other in silence. They were still sizing us up, I imagine—trying to get a read on what sort of people we were.
"So, Mr. President. What brings you all the way out here?"
"I'll be direct. I'd like you to help us."
He spoke with his head faintly bowed—the sort of man who could be endlessly courteous without it ever coming across as servile.
'Right. Now that I'm seeing him in person, I remember. He was the independent who got elected and still managed to sway the whole country to his side. Though I'm guessing that's how it went.'
The truth was, he'd spent his term heavily constrained, hamstrung by the weakness of having no party. But he'd made up for it with sky-high public approval—a president who worked himself to the bone for the nation.
"Up until now, the Uljin Nuclear Power Plant has managed to hold on by relying on its automatic cooling system, but it's about to hit its limit. If nothing is done, there will be a risk of a leak."
"But why come to us, of all people, to ask for help?"
"To be frank, the Republic of Korea is still a nation under a lingering threat of war. As such, we maintain a communications system meant to function during emergencies. I've been able to grasp the broad situation through that."
From the start, there had been various contingency measures in place so communications could be maintained even if base stations were destroyed during a war or disaster. So they already knew everything—how we had mopped up a military base with overwhelming force, how we had operated helicopters, and how we had safely brought the vast majority of our people here.
"There must be other groups. Why target us specifically?"
"Of all the groups I've heard about, yours is the most powerful. And judging by its members, I concluded you were not looters, and that there was a reasonable chance of dialogue."
"And what's in it for us if we resolve this?"
Apparently unhappy with my answer, the Chief of Staff standing beside him cut in.
"The highest level of commendation and financial compensation..."
"Do we seriously look like a couple of fools to you?"
"..."
"If we didn't, there's no way you'd be making an offer this absurd..."
"Then what kind of compensation would..."
"Let's just decide that once the job is finished."
'Cheon Sihu... is this the confidence that comes from overwhelming force?'
"Understood... Then, when it's convenient for you, please come to us, and we'll brief you on the operation."
He indicated a landing zone for transport helicopters on a map, then got back on his helicopter and left.
"Son, what made you agree to their request so easily? That's not like you."
"Radiation leaks would make it hard for us to live here too. And solving the electricity problem would be nice. Besides, isn't it better to get paid for a job we'd have to do anyway?"
"Then wouldn't it have been better to secure the compensation up front?"
"No. They'll give us whatever compensation we ask. Because our strength will be absolutely essential for any restoration effort."
'If anything, it'd be nice if they broke their promise just once. If only to make an example of them...'
"Once again, only our Awakened are going. The rest of you, please guard this place."
"This time, it's going to take quite a while..."
So, over the course of a week, we set up the basic perimeter and assigned our personnel. After confirming things were running relatively smoothly, even if the time was short, we headed for Yongsan.
* * * * * * * *
After landing in Yongsan, soldiers guided us to the bunker where they were all staying.
"It's been a week. This is President Min Seok-woo."
"Yes. I saw on the way over—everyone seems to be holding up more stably than I expected."
"Truthfully, when the crisis first broke out, we stockpiled as much food here as we could. And at the moment, it's not just military personnel—a large number of civilians are also residing here."
"Ahem... There's something I've been meaning to ask President Min. As far as I know, the Special Warfare Command is based in Icheon, but on my way here, I thought I saw special forces. Was I right?"
"Yes, they were in Icheon and later linked up with us. But more importantly, before the operation briefing, let's have a quick meal, and I'll introduce you to our operatives."
So we ate: rice, canned tuna, Spam, and an assortment of seasoned vegetables. Given the current circumstances, you could call it a downright luxurious(?) meal.
"Anyway, these operatives—who are they?"
"They're excellent members of the 707th Special Mission Unit. I called them here, and they should all be arriving any moment now."
— Knock, knock, knock!
"Unity! Master Sergeant Park Chung-won and seven others, reporting as summoned."
"Oh! Welcome. This is Mr. Cheon Sihu. He and his people will be joining the operation to secure the nuclear power plant."
They apparently hadn't known they'd be running an operation alongside civilians, and their faces showed they had plenty they wanted to say.
"Sir, aren't these people civilians?"
"Yes, but don't worry. These are the people who already retook a military base and established a safe zone, where they're living securely. And all of them are Awakened."
"...Even so, our teamwork and coordination won't..."
"Enough! The decision to accept their help has already been made. Now, Chief of Staff, the briefing, please."
The Chief of Staff hooked up a beam projector and began explaining, putting up various photographs on the screen.
'So they're getting a certain amount of electricity here from solar panels, huh?'
"First, as you can see, there are a total of four nuclear power plant sites in Korea. Because they're strategically vital, the protective facilities are well-built, so there may be survivors. However, while the others are manageable, we have currently lost contact with the Uljin Nuclear Power Plant..."
"If we secure that site, will it be possible to supply electricity?"
"There is a definite possibility of survivors. The plant isn't operating normally—at the moment, they'll be holed up inside. Uljin is the most urgent; once we secure it, we plan to move on to the other sites. By our calculations, their food supply must be at its absolute limit."
After that, the Chief of Staff's spit-flying briefing wound down, and the President spoke up.
"Once the situation at the plant is under control, we plan to attempt contact with other nations. There are bound to be countries that have already established a system to some degree, like us, and are in the process of restoration."
Once the President finished, Special Forces Commander Park Chung-won spoke.
"Sir, we don't know these people's combat capabilities. To be honest, Awakened or not, the fact that they haven't received professional military training makes me uneasy."
"Mr. President, showing is faster than talking, don't you think? Come at me, all of you."
"Look here, Mr. Cheon Sihu. Even if you are an Awakened, you're underestimating us far too...!"
"All eight of you, Special Forces Commander included—come at me at once. I'll fight bare-handed."
Sensing the temperature in the room spike, the President hurriedly tried to intervene.
"E-everyone, that's enough!!"
The special mission agents were still glaring at me, their anger far from cooled. Then the President let out a sigh and asked the Special Forces Commander to hand over his pistol.
"Mr. Sihu, I apologize, but would you show us, just once?"
Once the President had the gun and asked for my forbearance, I signaled my consent. He aimed the pistol at me and fired.
— Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Click!
Soon, all the ammunition was spent; the only sound was the hammer clicking on an empty chamber. I had deflected every bullet, and I didn't have a single scratch on me.
"Will this satisfy you?"
"...I apologize. Thinking about a life-or-death operation, I seem to have been sharper than I realized."
"I get it. We're outsiders, so that's a natural reaction."
"Then... is everyone else here like you, Mr. Sihu?"
"No. This one uses magic, and this one uses a bow. This man uses a shield, and the remaining two friends use swords like me."
He seemed to have a rough idea of what Awakened were, since he accepted the magic part without resistance, but the mention of a bow made him tilt his head and ask again.
"A bow... you say?"
"Yes. Believe it or not, she can hit a distant target faster than a bullet, just like a sniper. With enough force to punch clean through several cars."
"Th-the Awakened really are something... I think this is more than enough to make it possible."
The President rose from his seat and spoke, meeting the eyes of each special mission agent one by one.
"You are all battle-hardened heroes who have carried out operations to rescue survivors and procure food. For the sake of humanity's survival, this mission too must succeed. I believe in all of you."
Finally, he looked at the Special Forces Commander and spoke.
"Success is important, but your survival comes first. The zombies are already far too numerous. Half the population... no, possibly more than that, may already be dead. Please, I beg of you, survive... And I'm sorry that, for all my authority as president, all I can do from here is offer my encouragement..."
After receiving the President's words of encouragement, the special mission agents each steeled their resolve. Then the Chief of Staff beside him spoke up.
"We will depart in three days. Go back, finish what you need to do, and when you return here, we will depart."
The meeting ended, we dispersed, and then we headed back to Gimpo.