Chapter 142

The 125th Black Wind Unit.

Today, China’s power undeniably lay with the Hunters cultivated at a national level. They possessed immense strength, as if intentionally nurtured by the Chinese state, and in some aspects, even surpassed the capabilities of America’s Hunters, who were often called the strongest in the world.

However, China’s power didn’t end there. Their conventional firepower, developed over the years to counter the United States, was also formidable. And, characteristic of China, that immense power was concentrated squarely in the hands of the state.

But even before the Shock, “the state” often referred to a single individual. After the Shock, that position of supreme authority, above all others, had only grown stronger.

That was the Chairman.

The power concentrated in the current Chairman, Wang Hao-ping, was staggering. It wasn’t for nothing that people said China moved at Wang Hao-ping’s command.

Wang Hao-ping had a direct special intelligence unit, known as the 125th Black Wind Unit. Of course, they were thoroughly disguised now, but Kang Yuseong, already possessing knowledge of the future, saw right through it.

That’s why he had ordered all Black Wind Units to be monitored, with specific instructions to keep a close eye on the movements of the 125th Black Wind Unit.

The 125th Black Wind Unit was a special force that only carried out Wang Hao-ping’s direct orders. In other words, their movement meant Wang Hao-ping was plotting something.

“They’ve vanished.”

“Completely?”

The report came from Kang Min-gyun, head of the Special Intelligence Unit, ‘Snow Eagle,’ under the Integrated Security Command. If Snow Eagle couldn’t detect them, then no one in South Korea could.

Their intelligence authority was supreme, and their capabilities were top-tier to match. Yet, they had missed the movements of the 125th Black Wind Unit.

“Yes, we tracked them as far as Jilin Province, but after that, they completely disappeared without a trace.”

“I see…”

Kang Yuseong nodded. It was a different move from the past.

‘Unexpected.’

Then again, perhaps it was to be expected. After Kang Yuseong had crushed Chinatown, relations with China had twisted in a direction he hadn’t anticipated…

‘Hmm…’

Kang Yuseong habitually tapped his fingers. Normally, the Black Wind Unit would have occupied Chinatown, then moved through Shanghai to Incheon, setting foot in South Korea.

But that had changed. Instead, they moved north, towards Jilin Province. Further north from Jilin Province was Heilongjiang Province, and then the Yalu River.

‘Are they planning an invasion from the north?’

With Kim Jong-un gone, the North Korean region was in a state of anarchy. Warlords in various regions had risen, claiming sovereignty, but their hold was tenuous, liable to collapse at any moment.

It was only natural. Decades of dictatorial abuses had been more than enough to plunge North Korea into its worst possible state. The fact that Kang Yuseong had assassinated Kim Jong-un didn’t change North Korea’s situation.

If anything, it had only made things more chaotic there. From China’s perspective, this might be seen as a golden opportunity.

‘Warlords… huh.’

Kang Yuseong fell into thought. In the past, he had acted alone, but now it was different. He was now the head of the Integrated Security Command, sanctioned by the President.

This meant he had the power to mobilize the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Unification, and the Ministry of National Defense.

‘To… take North Korea?’

Absorbing North Korea at this opportune moment was one approach. However, as numerous statistical analyses showed, the cost in terms of sacrifice would have to be carefully weighed.

Tap, tap!

Kang Yuseong’s fingers steadily tapped the table. Then, his fingers stopped.

A subtle smile played on Kang Yuseong’s lips. He had made up his mind.

“I need to see the President. Prepare the car.”

While he could activate all his authority, Kang Yuseong decided not to exclude the President. After all, the President was the nation’s focal point.

* * * * *

“Welcome, Commander Kang Yuseong.”

“Good to see you, sir.”

Seeing Kang Yuseong, who had arrived unexpectedly, the President smiled and greeted him warmly. Kang Yuseong, in turn, bowed respectfully to the President.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Yes, sir.”

Having requested a private audience with the President, there was no one else present. After the Presidential Secretariat staff had left a hot cup of tea, only silence filled the President’s office.

The President personally poured tea and offered it to Kang Yuseong.

“Please, try it. The tea is excellent.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Even amidst such chaos, the fragrant taste of the tea suggested that life on Earth continued to thrive on its own.

“But Commander, what brings you here? I was a little surprised by your request for a private meeting.”

As the President asked directly, Kang Yuseong smiled and set down his teacup. It wasn’t something easily said, truthfully. It hadn’t been long since the Southern Expedition ended, and now a Northern Expedition?

“Mr. President. I believe you’ve been briefed on China’s unusual movements and are aware of the situation.”

The President’s expression turned serious.

“Yes… I was just pondering that very matter. Do you have a solution, Commander?”

Kang Yuseong didn’t hide his thoughts. There was no need to hold back. He laid out his intentions plainly.

“Will you permit a Northern Expedition?”

The President’s face crumpled. A Northern Expedition. It meant attacking North Korea.

“A Northern… Expedition?”

The President’s voice trembled faintly. Kang Yuseong continued without hesitation.

“China intends to seize North Korea and then immediately move down into South Korea. We believe the movements of the 125th Black Wind Unit, which we’ve been closely monitoring, clearly indicate this intention. Before that happens, we believe it’s right for us to preemptively conquer North Korea.”

“Hmm… this is no easy matter.”

The President adjusted his posture, a grave expression on his face.

“Truthfully, regarding this recent conquest of Japan, various nations, including the United States, have expressed concerns. In reality, they used concern as an excuse for threats. If we were to undertake a Northern Expedition in such a situation…”

The President, his face visibly weary, pressed his fingers to his temples. Indeed, the presidential office was not a place where one could simply rejoice over the success of the Southern Expedition.

Having overcome one mountain, it was as if even larger mountains now loomed ahead…

But Kang Yuseong continued in a calm tone.

“In the past, perhaps, but now they cannot protect us. It is time for us to survive on our own. If we don’t occupy North Korea now, the next battlefield will be Seoul.”

It was a self-evident truth. The President closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

“Hoo…”

It was clearly a very difficult situation for him.

“And.”

At that moment, Kang Yuseong continued.

“We will, take China.”

The President’s eyes widened.

“W-what do you mean?!”

“The Northern Expedition I spoke of meant precisely that. If we succeed, no one in the world will dare to look down on South Korea.”

“Hmm! That may be true, but wouldn’t it be too dangerous? North Korea, perhaps, but China?!”

“If we don’t suppress them now, they will eventually swallow us whole.”

It had happened before. Kang Yuseong had experienced it firsthand. This era was one of self-reliance.

If one couldn’t survive on their own, they would be culled; if culled, they would be devoured. That was the law of the present. Because power was precisely that.

It was also an era where showing one’s claws could instantly cost one’s head. That’s why the President hesitated.

Because he knew how terrifying it was. Because he knew that crushing Japan wasn’t the end of everything. Because he knew all too well how powerful China was, the President reacted this way.

But it had to be now. Kang Yuseong knew that precisely. If not now, everything would be over.

“Leave the aftermath to me. We are already in checkmate. The only way out is to overturn the board; nothing else will solve this.”

In its long history, never had the nation been as perilous as it was now. Never had humanity been closer to its raw instincts. Negotiation and diplomacy held power only when human survival was assured.

But this was not such an era. One wrong move, and lives could be lost to a monster counterattack. In such a climate, the survival instinct to band together was terrifyingly strong.

Because this was an era where one would not hesitate to kill a comrade next to them just to survive. Especially a nation with immense power like China, they would be even more ruthless.

“Hoo…”

The President’s expression remained conflicted. And after a long moment, he spoke.

“That’s not something I can decide alone, it seems. I’ll need the Emergency Committee’s approval as well… Please return and wait for a while.”

The Emergency Committee. In the past, it would have been the role of the National Assembly. It was a body that represented the voices of refugees from various regions during a national catastrophe.

That’s why the President was deliberating and conflicted. Because he knew how many obstacles they would have to overcome to undertake a Northern Expedition.

Kang Yuseong said nothing more.

“Yes, I understand. Then.”

The President gave a heavy nod, acknowledging Kang Yuseong’s slight bow. Leaving the President’s office, Kang Yuseong’s face became pensive for a moment.

‘Your decision… will determine the fate of this nation.’

Kang Yuseong intended to wait, hoping the President’s decision would be the right one.

* * * * *

While the President’s decision was being made, Kang Yuseong also had work to do. Once the Northern Expedition began, astronomical costs would be incurred.

Of course, some would be supported by the national budget, but he also planned to fund it from Star Pharmaceuticals’ revenue. Star Pharmaceuticals was currently generating enormous revenue, and with the release of Healing Potions following Stamina Potions, it had quickly risen to become a top conglomerate.

This was because, during the Second Shock, the potions produced by Star Pharmaceuticals had sold like mad. Ironically, the largest consumer base for those potions was China itself.

‘They’d be choking themselves, in a way.’

If war broke out, Star Pharmaceuticals planned to halt all exports to China. Even if it seemed petty, it couldn’t be helped.

‘Let them make their own then. Heh heh!’

Next was troop replenishment. This was, in fact, the biggest challenge. China would launch a powerful offensive, and there was no clear answer yet on how to withstand it and launch a counterattack.

However, Kang Yuseong had something in mind. A large population meant many aspects could work greatly in his favor, too.

‘I’ll make them feel the ultimate terror!’

Just then, someone approached in a hurry.

“Commander.”

“Hm?”

Turning around, he saw his aide standing there.

“The President is looking for you.”

Kang Yuseong nodded.

“Understood. Let’s head to the Blue House.”

Three days had passed since his private meeting with the President. What decision had he made, indeed…?

Kang Yuseong, his expression tense, also headed to the Blue House. Upon entering the Blue House, he found the President waiting in his office.

“Please, have a seat.”

Once again, they were alone in the President’s office. The President spoke.

“Commander Kang Yuseong.”

“Yes, sir.”

The President looked directly at him. His gaze was more resolute and stronger than usual.

“I’ve decided. Let’s make some waves.”

The President continued, his tone firm.

“A Northern Expedition, let’s do it! We will!”

A smile touched Kang Yuseong’s lips.