Chapter 166

Click.

The President hung up the phone.

“Hoo…”

A long sigh escaped his back.

His whole body felt limp, and the tension drained away.

The Pentagon secured.

That single phrase had released all the tension from his body.

“You’ve worked hard, Mr. President.”

At the words of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff beside him, a faint smile touched the President’s lips.

“I’m not the one who worked hard. It was Commander Kang Yuseong and the Stardust Attack Unit members who risked their lives to infiltrate the Pentagon… But speaking of which.”

A sharp glint returned to the President’s eyes.

“How is the Western Front?”

He hadn’t forgotten.

Even while busy keeping the United States in check, he knew that the European Allied Forces were advancing eastward.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s gaze also changed abruptly.

The biggest problem wasn’t the United States.

The European Union.

A massive organization moving under the command of Queen Elizabeth III of England.

That organization was now moving towards the Republic of Korea.

“We are currently assessing their movements. We’ve received reports that they are concentrated near Turkey and the Czech Republic. It seems they were waiting to see the outcome of the war with the United States before making their move.”

The President let out a small laugh.

“So, it was a ‘just in case’ precaution, then.”

“It seems most likely that’s the case.”

The President slowly rose from his seat.

“They wouldn’t have known that would be their decisive mistake. You can’t just tap on a stone bridge; you have to step on it… to cross the river.”

“Precisely, sir.”

“Who is stationed on the Western Front?”

“A coalition of various guilds, the 1st Regiment of the Special Warfare Command, and the newly reorganized 19th Infantry Division and 7th Mechanized Division are providing support.”

With the provisional unification with North Korea, the military structure had undergone significant changes, and it was no exaggeration to say that the reorganization of the infantry and mechanized divisions had been completely overhauled.

Defunct divisions were entirely removed, and new ones were created by integrating with the North Korean military’s structure.

“Good. Deploy additional intelligence units to accurately ascertain the enemy’s movements.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

The main enemy had now changed.

With Japan, China, and even the United States defeated, Europe remained.

Europe moving first actually reduced the burden on their side.

Extending the battlefield to their territory would have been incredibly taxing, but having them enter their own domain was a much less burdensome affair.

One didn’t need to recall Napoleon’s precedent of entering Russia’s vast territory and returning in great defeat; expeditions were always very burdensome and difficult.

“Now, let’s get to our work.”

At the President’s words, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff offered a faint smile and saluted.

The Pentagon had fallen.

Kang Yuseong and the Stardust Attack Unit members chewed on jerky amidst the ruins, looking around with a sense of awe.

Just a short while ago, that massive Pentagon, which had swayed the fate of the world, was now beneath their feet.

There was no need to go to the White House.

The United States had already lost its power, and even if Ohio-class nuclear submarines were still active, they would no longer have the guts to launch nuclear missiles.

With the collapse of the Pentagon, the White House would also have lost control over the entire United States.

Now, instead of a federal union, it would likely splinter into dozens of separate nations.

So, there was no reason to bother with the White House anyway.

They would collapse on their own and meet their own ruin.

“Shall we head back?”

Kang Yuseong asked, looking at his unit members.

The Stardust members smiled and nodded.

“Don’t we still have a lot of work to do? We should finish it.”

Kang Yuseong chuckled.

“When will we finally be able to lie on a sunny beach and truly rest?”

Baek Myeong-han answered with a faint smile.

“Soon, won’t we? Humanity is entirely different from before.”

While Monster Shocks might not cease entirely in the future, the situation had changed drastically.

They had Kang Yuseong, the greatest leader, and they themselves had grown incredibly strong.

Through countless experiences, they had developed flexible crisis management.

They had truly become veterans among veterans.

For them, Monster Shocks were no longer a problem.

“First, let’s deal with those Europeans. It’d be unsettling to have missiles flying our way while we’re relaxing on the beach.”

Kang Yuseong stood up.

“Let’s go back. To our country.”

“Yes!”

The Stardust members clenched their fists.

The Republic of Korea.

The day they returned to their homeland always filled them with such excitement.

“The United States has fractured. Civil war has finally erupted, and President Harold has reportedly been overthrown.”

Aboard the plane heading for Korea, Kang Yuseong received this report.

The United States had been tragically torn into dozens of pieces, and its President had been ousted.

And the racial conflicts and interstate disputes that had been held together by sheer force had all burst forth at once.

It was so severe that there was no thought of how to contain it, and indeed, the US White House had eventually relinquished all control over the federal union.

State governments asserted their own sovereignty, distinct borders emerged, and yesterday’s neighbors became today’s enemies, pointing guns at each other.

All of this had transpired with the collapse of the Pentagon, the true driving force of the United States.

Kang Yuseong nodded quietly.

Things that would have been unimaginable in his past life were now possible.

He had brought down Japan, collapsed North Korea, and made China kneel.

This meant he was no longer the Kang Yuseong of old.

Monarch.

A title self-bestowed upon those worthy of being a Monarch.

A title known for uniting all leaders and possessing the power of the heavens itself.

Kang Yuseong was now nearing that power.

No, even if the title of Monarch wasn’t explicitly given, he was already no different from one.

If the one who brought down Japan, China, North Korea, and the United States wasn’t a Monarch, then who would be?

‘It’s not over yet.’

But Kang Yuseong did not let his guard down.

He still had greater challenges ahead, and he had an obligation to resolve them.

The vast European Union.

And Russia, still standing strong.

The European Union had already bared its fangs, but the problem was Russia.

The reason they remained silent was all too obvious.

If Europe and the Republic of Korea clashed, they would move then, to secure their own interests.

Like jackals coveting others’ possessions, they would hide their claws, move stealthily, and incite conflict between the two powers.

‘She can’t be unaware of this, can she? Elizabeth III.’

Kang Yuseong, knowing who the de facto ruler of the European Union was, thought of Elizabeth III.

She was formidable.

Exceptional leadership and decisive judgment.

Furthermore, a charisma that captivated numerous men despite her delicate female physique.

And with her brilliant mind, there was no way she wouldn’t have noticed Russia’s shallow schemes. Yet, the fact that she moved her armies meant she was confident she could control such a situation herself.

‘Is she really going to try?’

A smile appeared on Kang Yuseong’s lips.

The resolve of Elizabeth III, who advanced despite knowing Russia’s true intentions, and the cunning of Russia, which feigned ignorance despite knowing its hand had been revealed.

The Republic of Korea was already on thin ice, no different from the precarious situation they had created.

Just like in the old days, when their territory was violated regardless of their will, similar events were about to unfold now.

‘But this time will be different.’

A fierce light shone in Kang Yuseong’s eyes.

Now, he was here.

He had the power to crush their vile ambitions, and the justification to do so.

‘First.’

Kang Yuseong tapped his finger against the window, looking at the scenery outside the plane.

His decision was made.

Russia.

He was thinking of that place.

“Welcome, Commander Kang Yuseong!”

“We welcome the Commander’s return!”

As the plane landed on the runway of Seongnam Air Base, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and numerous soldiers, already present, saluted Kang Yuseong as he disembarked.

In the history of the Korean people, had anyone ever so resoundingly brought down the United States?

No, merely imagining invading the United States would have been considered audacious; America was a nation on a completely different scale from theirs.

But they had ripped out the heart of that America and returned.

“You’ve worked hard, Commander.”

Then, a man stepped forward, escorted by his security detail.

It was the President.

“Mr. President.”

Kang Yuseong met his outstretched hand and shook it firmly.

“You look bright, Commander. Perhaps it’s because you’ve returned from such a magnificent feat. Ha ha!”

Kang Yuseong smiled at the President’s joke.

“I’m glad if I appear that way.”

“Come, let us go. A banquet has been prepared.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

Kang Yuseong and the Stardust members received an exceptionally warm welcome as they boarded their designated vehicles.

Kang Yuseong was specifically arranged to travel in the same vehicle as the President.

That was how important he had become to the Republic of Korea.

“You’ve truly toiled greatly.”

The President looked at Kang Yuseong and expressed his gratitude once more.

“Thanks to your concern, sir.”

The President offered a kind smile and continued.

“The United States has officially proposed an armistice. Well, it’s just a shell of an administration, though.”

With the United States facing such an immense crisis, they likely had no choice but to surrender.

“That’s welcome news. However, Mr. President, it’s necessary to finish them off decisively.”

“You mean we should send occupation forces, then?”

The President immediately understood Kang Yuseong’s meaning.

“Yes, that’s right. We must clearly state that fact through diplomatic documents, to firmly establish that the United States is under Korea’s control. While subjugating such a vast land might be impossible, we must administratively bind them. That will require considerable effort from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In truth, after the Shock, the work handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had shrunk to a fraction of its former duties.

But now, the moment for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had arrived.

“Divide and conquer. We don’t need to directly interfere with every state. We can co-opt the governors of influential states and sign powerful agreements with those states. Those agreements would, of course, include the provision of potions from Star Pharmaceuticals.”

Potions from Star Pharmaceuticals.

That was one of the most critical items in the current situation.

The potions developed and distributed by Kang Yuseong had already shown an incredible growth rate, enough to be weaponized themselves, and they had played a crucial role in bringing down the Pentagon.

The President nodded vigorously at Kang Yuseong’s words.

If that were the case, the influential states of the United States would never be able to refuse Korea’s offer.

No, they would eagerly compete to sign agreements.

This was a diplomatic strategy that aimed for maximum effect with minimal occupying forces.

“The United States is already a nation that has forcibly patched over countless conflicts. Racial issues are one, and the wealth gap is another. If we simply ignite those conflicts a little, they will voluntarily bow their heads and come under our control.”

Civil war.

Kang Yuseong intended to induce civil war as a method of governing the United States.

“An excellent idea, Commander. I’ll discuss that immediately with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

Kang Yuseong smiled and nodded.

With this, the United States was finished.

They would plunge into an irreversible and catastrophic outcome.

‘Alright, America is done… Next is…’

Kang Yuseong’s gaze turned north.

Towards the crouching jackals of the north.

Towards Russia.