Chapter 151
Chapter 151
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Emergency Mobilization
-----------------------------------------------------------------
We played some billiards, hit up karaoke, and even checked out the nearby amusement park.
We'd spent our time off pretty fulfillingly like that. And finally today, while eating hangover soup at the Oduak in the hotel, a text message pinged on our smartphones.
We apologize for contacting you via text due to an emergency situation. Recipients of this message are designated mobilization target Hunters by Korea. Hunters who received this message, please head to your nearest provincial or city hall by 9 AM three days from now.
※ This mobilization carries legal force under relevant laws. We request your voluntary and active participation.
It's concise, but laced with a hefty dose of threat.
The words are polite, but it's basically saying, "If you don't show up, something bad's definitely gonna happen to you. Come quietly while we're asking nicely."
The fact that we'd gotten this message meant Gonsalok was already making moves.
"They're being polite because we're Hunters, after all. Oh, the news is on too."
Jeong Oh-hoon pointed at the TV. The program that had been running cut off abruptly, switching to breaking news.
"That's DEFCON, right?"
Jeong Oh-hoon gave an ambiguous look at my question.
"Chan-seok, what can soldiers do against monsters pouring out of an Erosion Core? Aside from Hunters, the military and police's main roles will be maintaining order and control."
Fair point. Unless it was the kind of threat where soldiers could charge in aggressively, a full-scale DEFCON prep wouldn't mean much.
"We're in Hongcheon, so we'll head to the Gangwon Provincial Office in Chuncheon."
I nodded and tapped the hangover soup pot with my spoon.
"Let's scarf this down quick and go. No reason to be late—in fact, we should hurry."
We needed to rack up overwhelming contributions in the fight against Gonsalok compared to everyone else. The sooner and more aggressively we moved, the better. We'd already prepped everything.
"Ah, so the vacation's finally over."
Jeong Oh-hoon said that, then gulped down the rest of his hangover soup like he was chugging from the pot.
Han Sang-ah quickly kept eating while turning to me.
"They still don't seem keen on revealing that this mess happened because of us."
"Of course not."
No point admitting failure now and having civilians lash out at Hunters who could be key forces. We could reveal it later if things went south. Right now, there was no reason to stir that up.
We finished eating fast and soon arrived at the Gangwon Provincial Office in Chuncheon.
"Soldiers, huh."
Military and police had merged to guard the building.
"Hey, halt right there!"
They pointed guns straight at us. Hesitate even a little, and they'd pull the trigger. I rolled down the window and stuck my head out.
"We came because you told us to."
The soldier recognized my face and immediately lowered his gun in surprise.
"Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?"
"I got the mobilization text. Yoo Chan-seok plus two other Hunters."
We quickly verified our identities, passed inspection, and entered the provincial office. Normally, people might come out to greet us, but no idiot would waste time schmoozing in this situation.
"Headhunters, first time meeting you. We'll brief you on the situation en route by helicopter."
We boarded a chopper headed for Incheon Airport. Once there, we'd hop on a transport plane straight to Nanning Wuxu International Airport.
"What's the scale of participating Hunters?"
"Around 48,000."
They'd mobilized a massive number. But even that was carefully selected Korean Hunters.
How many could they muster if they just grabbed every Hunter without filtering? Just imagining it showed how thuggish a nation Korea really was.
"You three will travel via dedicated transport."
Hunters high on Hope's List would get special planes—a mark of respect, probably.
The rest would go on fifty transport planes, each carrying 200.
"Can Nanning International Airport even handle that?"
It's called international, but I doubted an airport in Nanning could take fifty massive transports.
The soldier gave a straightforward answer.
"You can parachute."
"Ah."
Right. These were handpicked Hunters. If you couldn't survive a drop from the sky, you didn't qualify for Korea's mobilization text in the first place.
We hopped on the helicopter right away and headed to Incheon. A voice came over the radio.
"What do we need to do once we're there?"
I could guess, but the radio crackled back right away.
"Got it."
There was a brief pause, then the radio came back. The voice had changed—deeper, seasoned with age.
Already picking a fight over command at this stage? One thing to check first. I replied in a smooth tone.
"Mind if I ask who's speaking?"
ROK Forces China. Looked like the Korean government had already dispatched some troops to Nanning while we were resting.
Not in the mood to fight anymore? I could already see the role this Major General Woo Il-seop would play.
China wasn't Korea. It was probably swarming with desperately poor folks like in other countries.
Seeing the supplies Korea provided for Hunters would make their eyes pop, and those poor bastards would end up guarding the supplies meant for us.
If we got off on the wrong foot now, who knows what they'd do to our supplies.
"It's an honor to speak with you, Commander Woo Il-seop. Let's hash out the details after we arrive."
After ending the call, I clicked my tongue softly. With this many moving pieces, we'd inevitably have to fight for control, like it or not.
"Can't we just do what they say?"
I shook my head at Jeong Oh-hoon's words.
"Not just the government—plenty of Hunters high on Hope's List won't want us stealing the spotlight in taking down Gonsalok."
If things got that dire, they'd give us big roles out of necessity. But until then, we'd get pushed to the back of the line.
"If Gonsalok gets taken down without us shining, the government will pin the blame on us immediately."
Without solid achievements, we couldn't block the incoming arrows of criticism.
"Just following orders won't cut it. We'd all end up in cuffs side by side. Well, Han Sang-ah, you might be the exception."
"Yeah, I'd probably get a pass."
Lucky her, being rich. Anyway, Jeong Oh-hoon and I didn't have a solid family backing us up. He looked troubled.
"Think we can get chummy? A major general's position means the government's probably already tipped him off."
Good point. Three stars on his shoulder. Holding a key post and commanding ROK Forces China to boot. He'd definitely gotten word on how to treat us.
"Better stock up your sub-space just in case."
Jeong Oh-hoon eyed me.
"What do you mean?"
"The only thing the Korean military can meddle with is supplies."
No need to explain how vital supplies are in war. We couldn't advance eating grass. Were we the Japanese army or something?
But supplies weren't everything. If we could go independent from government provisions, the military couldn't stop us.
"Fill the remaining space with food after your gear."
With the sub-space size we'd secured, we could pack enough rations to last months even if we tried to starve.
"Of course, staying on neutral terms with Commander Woo Il-seop is priority one for now."
"Even neutral, I doubt a soldier defies the president."
Han Sang-ah's assessment was cold but spot-on. Ignore presidential orders? The president was commander-in-chief, and the military ran on strict hierarchy.
"The absolute principle soldiers must uphold isn't the president's orders—it's protecting their nation's territory and citizens."
Hierarchy existed to enforce that principle.
If the president ordered troops to fire on innocent citizens, would obedient soldiers still be true soldiers?
Real soldiers, in a situation where Gonsalok threatened Korea, would prioritize eliminating it over any presidential command.
"We'll see. We don't even know what kind of guy Woo Il-seop is yet."
Lots to think about. As I mulled over possibilities, we arrived at Nanning International Airport.
"ROK Forces China Commander Woo Il-seop."
Stepping off the plane, a uniformed middle-aged man stood with his staff.
"Yoo Chan-seok."
My first impression of Woo Il-seop differed a bit from the worst I'd imagined. Like most major generals, he looked past sixty at a glance.
But his body was solidly built, defying his age—better than most young folks.
"I know all about your exploits. I'd love a longer chat, but given the situation..."
His voice was like hammered steel, eyes sharp and alive.
"Agreed. Better move now."
Woo Il-seop nodded.
"To the Central Command Center."
En route with him, Woo Il-seop spoke up.
"I've heard the details of how Gonsalok came to threaten Korea."
His gaze turned to me.
"Truth is, I don't hold the Headhunters in high regard."
We were the ones who'd dragged Korea into this mess, after all. He removed his beret and fixed me with a steady look.
"His Excellency the President issued orders. The gist: don't rely heavily on the Headhunters during this operation."
I stared at Woo Il-seop in a daze. You're bringing that up first? Right now? What the hell was he thinking?