Chapter 95 – Toast

Chapter 95 – Toast

‘The forces of China……’

Having lost Beijing to the Siberian Front, their sphere of influence had moved south, so I didn’t need to confront them in the previous round.

And that was still largely the case. The notification coming from Shanghai, rather than Beijing, which was geographically closer, must have been due to that circumstance.

However, the difference this time was……

Unlike before, my faction was not only surviving but thriving.

So, at this point, as the Korean Peninsula is slowly unifying, it was perhaps inevitable to encounter other nearby countries.

“Even so, there hasn’t been any direct contact yet…”

My faction’s commerce was actively developing.

So, it was perhaps a natural progression for merchants to trade with minor factions outside their sphere of influence. And those minor factions would, in turn, trade with other nearby factions.

After crossing a few stepping stones like that, indirect exchanges of rumors or goods were bound to happen.

“No matter how you look at it, to think that the Worker Bugs would reach Shanghai…”

It was astonishing.

With the number of Worker Bugs approaching 10,000, it was impossible to pinpoint the exact location or activities of every single one. But I never expected them to go as far as Shanghai.

Perhaps, it spoke to the Worker Bugs’ prestige.

“Just as Roman Empire silver coins were found in Japan…”

Even without going as far as Japan, Roman glassware was once excavated from a Silla Royal Tomb. A powerful faction’s influence naturally spreads.

In other words, it wasn’t a bad thing, no matter what.

“Though I’m not entirely pleased that the Self-Destruct function was activated.”

Contracts are made to be kept.

However, since they weren’t directly connected to my faction, there was no guarantee that the terms of the contract would be accurately conveyed.

Therefore, the other party’s intentions were important.

“Now that I think about it, whose sphere of influence is Shanghai in right now?”

Considering my Hong Kong colleague from my previous life, China, true to its population, had quite a diverse range of spheres of influence. And depending on who the opponent was, their intentions could be predicted.

Especially since I knew that the reason for the self-destruct was an ‘unauthorized attempt at disassembly.’

I immediately looked for Seoyeon.

“Seoyeon, please check what the current situation in Shanghai is likely to be through a private appointment.”

“Okay! But it might take some time.”

Unlike this time, the spread of appointments overseas happened much later in the previous round. And the number of survivors wasn’t that high either.

In other words, it wasn’t an easy task.

Anyway-

“Alright, thanks.”

I left the situation analysis to Seoyeon.

“Then I should focus on Busan.”

I immediately began to focus on the task at hand.

***

Several Observation Ships were gliding over the Korean Peninsula, monitoring every situation. And Busan was no exception.

Busan, once the second largest city in the Republic of Korea…

was now devastated, turned into a nest for Monsters.

The reason for this was still a mystery.

‘It doesn’t seem like there’s a Villain or a special entity right now…’

For a large city like Busan to be apocalyptic, a very strong Villain or special entity should have been active, but no such presence was observed.

Because of this strange phenomenon, it was natural that thorough preparations were made before attacking Busan. I looked at Busan and thought for a moment.

It was time to draw a conclusion.

‘Perhaps… then it can’t be a special entity.’

If it were a special entity, it would either reside where it was born, or it would start to wander, like the one that pushed North Korea from the Siberian Front.

Along with that wandering, it would leave a long trail of destruction in its wake. However, the Monsters only occupied Busan. As if they had taken over empty land.

‘Then… this must be a Villain.’

In contrast, Villains are different.

Villains are based on humans, humans who betray and mutate, so their behavior patterns are as complex as humans themselves.

In other words, if the opponent is a Villain, it’s possible to assume that they destroyed Busan and then quietly moved on to another area.

But even so, doubts remained.

‘A Villain strong enough to devastate Busan. Who could it be?’

Even someone like Oh Yuhyeon, who had taken over Gwangju, was not an opponent to be taken lightly. But Gwangju’s population was less than half that of Busan.

Considering its status and importance as the second largest city in the Republic of Korea, the invasion difficulty itself would have been several times harder.

‘If it’s a strong individual of that caliber…’

It was while I was agonizing over it.

[Seong Siwoo, you will arrive in Incheon soon.]

A message came from William through Apoin. He was coming to buy the resources he had obtained by clearing Hamhung.

As I looked at the message, something suddenly occurred to me.

‘That’s right. There was a Head Hunter.’

The being William told me about, who assassinates world leaders.

And that it started in the Republic of Korea.

‘What if that person was a villain born in Busan?’

Everything fit perfectly.

It was a bit regrettable that it wasn’t reported in the early media, but given the circumstances, the media itself had lost much of its function.

Also, they didn’t widely publicize the defeat. It was right to assume that the government controlled the media, because if bad news started to be reported in an already bad situation, there would be no end to it.

But… there were places that even such a government couldn’t control.

That was, of course-

“Seoyeon. Look into the early Busan situation too.”

“What, again?! What about Shanghai?”

“That’s that, and this is this.”

“…Why are you doing this to me?”

Seoyeon, suddenly hit with a bomb of tasks, looked at me with resentful eyes. I grinned at her.

“I’ll get you some Cola Jelly next time.”

“Huh! Really?! Alright!”

Seoyeon, excited, focused.

* * *

And the Busan occupation battle.

It was the last remaining city in South Korea. But since there were only monsters, the battle was boringly trivial.

To fully acquire the considerable remaining resources, there was no need for even an artillery barrage. It was merely a matter of slowly advancing and expanding territory with infantry, colossi, and magitech armor.

Because of that, the fight was more like a festival.

“Oh, another one is coming!”

“I’ll take this one!”

Whoosh- Bang!

Yoon Sanghoon and Choi Yongjin were laughing at each other and showing off their strength. They were testing which of them could throw a Monster the farthest.

Similarly, the Volunteer Knights who had come along were also full of boisterous laughter.

“Oh, hey, do you want to go to that Castle supplies store?”

“Sergeant Park. I really wish you wouldn’t do that…”

“Hey, if not now, when will we ever get to go?”

“Even so, I’m definitely not going with Sergeant Park.”

“Hey! Your senior is asking you to go!”

They were even paying attention to the surrounding shops besides the battle. It was something that would have been unimaginable in a serious battle in the past.

Thus, in less than half a day, the cleanup of Busan was completed.

There were zero casualties, no exaggeration. Exactly 0 people. In particular, the abundance of Aetherium and the ability to use high-end machines like Emitters without any problems contributed greatly.

Finally… it was the moment the Republic of Korea’s territory was fully reclaimed.

***

Everyone looked excited.

“Born as a brave son of the nation!”

“Hey, don’t sing a military song, sing something else!”

From the veteran members of the Volunteer Knights who had worked hard from the beginning.

“Squeak- Woof! Yip!”

Even Poppy, trembling and barking, was with them.

It was thanks to Minju, who, using her abilities, brought everyone directly to Busan, saying that it was better to come out and celebrate together on a day like this, rather than staying home.

Furthermore, they even brought Korean beef, alcohol, and other items from the market in the Main Base. These days, the price of Korean beef was literally more expensive than gold.

But even so… it didn’t matter much to me.

Thanks to the endlessly flowing Worker Bug Coins, I was able to buy enough food to feed over 400 people, including the Shopping Mall members and the Volunteer Knights who came all the way to Busan with us.

And so, we had a small party at Haeundae.

It was spring, and the weather was slowly getting warmer, but we hadn’t quite returned to normal life yet.

“Can we go into the ocean? Aren’t there monsters in there?”

“The Platoon Leader said not to go into the ocean!”

However, we didn’t need to give in to that.

For example, even though it was a day with pouring spring rain—.

“What’s with the weather on a day like this?”

Whoosh-

Sua gathered all the raindrops and created a large mass of water in the sky, forming a small ice barrier.

“It’s a little better now.”

Sua brushed her hands and giggled. The Volunteer Knights stared at her in awe at her charismatic demeanor.

“Wow… as expected of the Goddess of Water.”

“Sua is quite cool.”

“Waaah, take me!”

“Private Park, are you saying things like that again?”

Sua’s overwhelming skill utilization, which I had personally trained from the beginning, was giving everyone hope.

Even if training their abilities couldn’t make them as good as me, everyone had seen Sua grow, which made it even more so.

Meanwhile, it wasn’t just everyone’s abilities that had grown.

“Ugh, Big Brother, why am I still a Private?!”

“If you don’t like it, get promoted, hehehehe.”

It had been over half a year since the Military collapsed. The ranks that existed within the unit were now just a subject of teasing.

Everyone was united as ‘comrades’.

It wasn’t just them who had changed.

“Seongjae, Big Brother. You’re not going to post weird spam again, are you? You’re already busy enough these days.”

“But… it’s the Complete Restoration of Korean Territory… I should be showing it off with lots of stars…”

“What is it, Seongjae? Sounds fun.”

“Oh, come on, even Uncle Sanghoon is asking me why I’m like this!”

The awkward colleagues were now completely close.

‘Indeed, everything is going well….’

It was when I was lost in thought, watching them.

Seongjae spoke to me.

“Siwoo, shouldn’t you give some kind of speech?”

“What speech? Korean beef is enough.”

Sizzle-

He urged me to give a speech, but I declined, looking at the grilling meat. Even if I didn’t give a speech, everyone knew we had won.

“Really, this is enough.”

I said, putting a delicious piece of grilled meat into my mouth.

The recovery of the Republic of Korea’s territory was something unimaginable in the previous round. The fragmented factions here and there were all defeated one by one.

In the end, I had to swallow bitter tears and evacuate to the Last City via William’s Ship. Compared to then, this was a huge leap forward.

However, it wasn’t over yet.

‘It will continue to be different in the future.’

I renewed my resolve once again.

The recovery of the Republic of Korea’s past territory was just the beginning.

Because we were already completely different from the past.

“Now, next is the Northern Advance.”

…It was when I uttered those words.

“Cheers!”

“Truly, the best toast!”

Everyone raised their glasses.