Preparations for the Subjugation
Why do waves happen?
A phenomenon that occurs regularly at set times?
Half right.
When the number of monsters in a dense area increases, raising their density?
That's half right too.
The main cause of monster waves is elite monsters.
When their numbers grow and their territories overlap, they become hypersensitive and succumb to madness, leading to battles among themselves.
Almost simultaneously, in an instant, every elite monster in the dense zone plunges into a frenzy of chaos.
The fear or killing intent they emit spreads to regular monsters, building up until the entire horde trembles in terror.
Over time, like a collective mass hysteria, it transforms the horde, turning their fear into aggression toward humans.
Eventually, they charge out of their territories into human settlements, unleashing a time of slaughter.
All monsters go berserk.
Even the bottom-feeders of the monster ecosystem, like long-tailed skunk rabbits, charge at humans on sight.
Whether preemptive or non-preemptive monsters, they pour out indiscriminately.
A merciless assault on humanity.
But at times like this, weapons become usable.
Once a wave has started, what's there to hold back?
Guns, cannons, missiles—all means must be mobilized to hold back the monsters.
This is the reason for the existence of the Jirisan Monster Defense Legion.
Nukes excluded, of course.
China's example shows that using nukes could doom the entire nation.
Once the madness subsides and the monsters return to their territories, the wave ends.
That's the formula for a wave.
It repeats in similar cycles.
Thus, the primary targets in a great subjugation operation are elite monsters.
The operation's success hinges on how many elite monsters are taken down.
Great subjugation ops also bring massive side profits.
Hunting elite monsters yields elite mana crystals.
That's why, during these ops, pharmaceutical companies across the empire dispatch executives to buy up elite mana crystals.
Taeju planned to snag a few himself.
So, the first step in preparing for the subjugation?
Stockpile recovery potions, lots of them.
In Taeju's view, the op's victory or defeat rested on these potions.
He'd supplied plenty to the military already, but he needed to secure as much surplus as possible.
No shortages allowed.
Giant half-moon bears were plentiful in Jirisan anyway.
Before the op kicked off, he'd been hunting a few per day.
He processed the bear gallbladders and personally brewed the recovery potions.
Not delegating to Baek Changhoon or Jang Suncheol—they had their own tasks.
"H-Hyungnim! L-Let's take a break..."
"No way! Look at Suncheol—he's following without complaint."
"...I'm getting tired too."
"Yeah, keep at it."
Five Elements Qi Gong training started with horse stance basics.
Strengthen the lower body and draw in the energies of the five elements: fire, water, wood, metal, earth.
"No skill generated yet?"
"Not yet... What if it never comes?"
"We keep going till it does."
It's only been a few days.
Infiltration Meridian took a week last time.
"You'll both join the subjugation op. You need at least expert level to be useful, right? Eyes shut, grind till then, got it?"
"...Yes."
"We'll train hard!"
Subjugation ops were insanely dangerous—half-assed prep meant big trouble.
Taeju whipped up a few more spirit elixirs too.
Aiming to boost them both to mid-expert.
He got it now, a master's feelings toward disciples.
Better to roam unharmed than chase realms.
But something was off.
Days after teaching Five Elements Qi Gong, no system messages.
Over ten days gone.
Then one day.
System messages rang for Baek Changhoon and Jang Suncheol.
Half a month in.
Skill: Five Elements Mana Heart Method acquired.
"Skill popped!"
"Nice!"
Five Elements Mana Heart Method—clearly the system name for Five Elements Qi Gong.
"Good job. Keep grinding! Don't slack just 'cause it's registered."
Still, why'd Five Elements take so long?
Infiltration Meridian: a week. This: half a month. Nearly double.
Thinking it over, Five Elements was basic but no pushover.
Even Dang Clan heirs learned it mandatorily.
Hmm, maybe?
He had a hunch.
"Kids, this time something easy. Cool?"
"Yes!"
"Sounds good."
So Taeju taught basic swordsmanship everyone learned: Three Talents Sword Method, and simple speed step: Three Talents Step.
Hunch confirmed.
Less than two days later.
"Ah!"
"Got it."
Exclamations from Baek Changhoon and Jang Suncheol.
"It popped?"
"Yes! It did."
"Names?"
"Well..."
Skill: Triple Formation Sword acquired.
Skill: Triple Formation Step acquired.
Triple Formation Sword for Three Talents Sword Method, Triple Formation Step for Three Talents Step, obviously.
So the system has limits after all?
Tougher arts take longer to register.
Even basic-heart-method-level Five Elements took half a month.
For quick skill registration, formulas need to be simple.
Mastery through repetition alone.
Still.
Three Talents Sword and Step are solid if mastered well.
This level, they won't get pushed around.
※ ※ ※
Hamyang Monster Defense Division.
Lieutenant Colonel Do Minsu was reviewing personnel files on soon-to-graduate cadets.
Kim Taepyeong, Kim Taecheon, and their classmates.
Officer academy: four years.
But early graduation anytime.
Just awaken.
So files showed mixed years and ages.
Haa, spoiled brats.
Cadets' backgrounds dazzled: chaebol families, high officials, scholar clans, master-rank kids, regional heirs...
No surprise.
That's how marriages went.
Even Do Minsu got daily matchmaker texts.
He was academy grad, but plain family.
Both parents mana compatibles.
Lucky break: awakened early 20s, enlisted.
Alright then...
Time to play.
Do Minsu hit the division HQ parade ground on schedule.
Cadets arriving via large bus.
32 graduating cadets total.
Some talented, awakened in two years for early grad; others money-fueled to beginner via elixirs.
So what?
They'd suck worse than compatible NCOs.
"Move it! Faster, you blood clots!"
Cadets scrambled off bus, formed up.
"You're trash! Useless for shit—remember that. Don't move till I say!"
At attention.
Among them, Taeju's half-brothers: Kim Taepyeong, Kim Taecheon.
Yawning, whispering tiny voices.
Fuck, boot camp from jump? Total boomer.
Shh! Quiet.
Gurye close by. Wonder what that prick Taeju's doing?
Selling pills. Ignore. Civilian—no contact.
Yeah? ...Fuck, squanders cash, ghosts Paju. Least house/feed us for the dough. Whose money was it? Mom's side.
If he had conscience, he'd have by now.
Do Minsu issued first order.
"Subjugation prep starts now. Tough luck—you're extras. No quarters? Make 'em."
Eye signal: waiting soldiers piled stuff one side.
"That's your tents. Jungle life too. Practice: pitch here. Vets'll help. Dismissed!"
Cadets rushed.
Grabbed tents, set up assigned spots.
Two-man tents.
Taepyeong and Taecheon snagged one.
Helper soldier assigned.
"Hoo, hot as hell."
"Yeah, bro Taepyeong—way different from Paju."
"Live in this blaze? No AC?"
"What ya gonna do? Orders."
Mid-pitch, Taepyeong pointed, whispered to Taecheon.
"Hey Taecheon, see her?"
"Who? Oh, Jeong Yeonhui? Baekdu Auto daughter."
"Cute, right? Family loaded."
"Face-value girl. Tried chatting en route—icy stare, no reply. Whew!"
"Fits Baekdu heiress. Date her? Jackpot."
"Dream on. Notice us?"
"Maybe. Hit master rank."
"Heh, sure."
Listening soldier:
"Hurry tent. Late setup means less chow time."
Taecheon glared annoyed.
"Doing it. Fuck! ...Why won't this fit?"
"Wrong pole. Use this."
"Hoo, toss us shitty tent—village vibes."
"Standard issue. Academy taught tenting, right?"
"What, punk? Saying I suck 'cause I didn't learn?"
"Watch mouth. Why curse?"
Subtropical—muggy index sky-high.
Taecheon affected.
"Haa, punk! Wanna die?"
"Cut pointless beef. Discharge in two days. Basically civilian."
"You? Mana adapter? Lugging gear, think awakened officer easy?"
"..."
Soldier eyed Taecheon like idiot.
Unearned officer?
These types commission, tell compatible clerks: You the orderly? Coffee.
"Yeah yeah, my bad. Grab pole? Got work."
"Still yapping?"
Humm.
Taecheon surged mana, infused killing intent.
"You equaling me?"
Crowd watching, but couldn't let slide.
Taepyeong didn't stop bro.
Lowly soldier crossed line.
But soldier no pushover.
Senior private nearing end.
Post-conscript, Seoul gov job via vet preference—leaving Jirisan soon, fearless.
Three years jungle: that threat? Laughable.
Glared, bellowed.
"What you doing!!! Assault intent?"
Voice boomed.
Taecheon panicked.
Expected cower at scare.
Not clap back loud for all.
"Y-You, qu-quiet..."
Sudden!
"Freeze!"
Do Minsu appeared.
Smiled at soldier.
"Private Park, sorry. I'll apologize for him."
"No, sir! Fine!"
"Later proper. Busy—go."
"Yes!"
Then.
"Mind-boggling. No manners, low IQ, no read-the-room."
Furious glare at Taepyeong, Taecheon.
"N-No, he started..."
"Forehead plant."
Thud thud!
Brothers slammed heads ground.
"Rest in that pose."
Do Minsu yelled other cadets.
"Fall in!"
Cadets rushed.
"Idiots still clueless? Fresh awakes no sense? Not assets—you're burdens."
All heads bowed.
Knew who, what happened—watched.
"Don't slight regular soldiers. More service, hunt exp. Respect seniors, got it?"
"Yes! Understood!"
Cadets chorused.
"No chow today. First, thank supply grunts. Meal after."
"..."
Silent.
Hoped quick tent, eat.
Then girl raised hand.
"Cadet Jeong Yeonhui! Opinion."
Do Minsu pointed.
"Speak."
"Unfair all starve for two idiots. We're different. Polite to soldiers, helped—tents up fine."
"So?"
"Punish guilty."
Do Minsu shook head.
"Academy grad, no clue on military?"
"P-Pardon?"
"Unit accountable. Classmates? Thought you knew?"
"...Yes?"
"Park!!!"
Thud thud thud!
Remaining 30 slammed heads.
"Awakers—no sweat?"
"No sir!!!"
"Forward march!"
"..."
Scrape scrape.
Awakened strength.
Deep furrows plowed.
Human plows.
Cadets seethed.
At Do Minsu?
No.
At Taepyeong, Taecheon for this.
Knew they'd strut.
Dumb duo—no food.
Our classmates? Says who.
Paju trash fearless?
Brats. Bro's officer—honors soldiers.
Fuck, should've stepped when he sassed grunt.
Taepyeong, Taecheon dying inside.
Chill vibes.
Classmates' thoughts vivid.
But brothers' ordeal just beginning.