Chapter 141

Silence fell.

Everywhere one looked, the air reeked of blood.

Countless corpses lay piled high, forming mountains of the dead, and from their tragically slain bodies, pus and thick blood oozed.

“Haa, haa…!”

Among them were those who gasped for breath.

The one hundred and fifty special forces operatives.

They were known as the ‘Hounds’.

A potent killing intent still lingered in their eyes.

But they had already torn their prey to shreds, leaving nothing more to rend.

– Headquarters.

And one of them spoke softly into the radio.

– This is Headquarters.

Upon hearing the response, the man who had radioed in smirked and continued.

– The hunt is complete.

– Confirmed. Well done.

Headquarters must have already been aware of the situation.

Yet, they felt compelled to radio in their report, unable to bear not being acknowledged for their achievement. Unable to keep this thrilling euphoria to themselves.

“Heh heh…!”

The man laughed, looking at the gruesome corpses of the Japanese Tsukuyomi Attack Unit piled before him.

This was the end.

Japan, the great enemy of the Korean people, had been annihilated.

News of victory had already arrived from the Japanese mainland.

The Southern Campaign had succeeded.

“We’re returning.”

They walked with pride.

How long had they waited for this very moment!

As they disappeared towards Headquarters, an indescribable sense of satisfaction emanated strongly from their backs.

“Mr. President.”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff approached the President and stood respectfully.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was also fulfilling his duty as the Chief of Command within the Integrated Command.

The President, who had been sitting alone in his office in a corner of the bunker, looked at him.

“Speak.”

Was it defeat? No. The smile playing on the Chairman’s lips clearly conveyed that this was not the news he had feared.

“We’ve won! We’ve achieved victory, Mr. President!”

Only then did a smile grace the President’s lips.

How anxious he had been until the Chungcheong defense line was breached?

How restless he had felt, even after hearing that Gil Ji-yeon had been deployed?

But now, victory.

The President nodded vigorously and rose from his seat.

He had actually come to rest for a while, having not slept for days, but now he felt an abundance of energy even without rest.

It was victory.

Against Japan, no less!

“Let’s go!”

Following the President, who stood with renewed vigor, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also followed, a broad smile on his face.

In the history of the Republic of Korea, there had never been a President who looked so proud.

Having now choked the life out of the most powerful and ancient enemy, he was truly worthy of being called the greatest President.

* * * * *

“Commander, news of victory!”

Baek Myeong-han, having received the dispatch from Headquarters, delivered the news of victory in an excited voice.

Kang Yuseong, watching Busan Port draw closer, nodded. A smile also played on his lips.

“That’s good news.”

He had believed Gil Ji-yeon would accomplish it.

In a fight against humans, her abilities possessed terrifying power.

If one couldn’t focus properly, even Kang Yuseong would struggle to block her attacks. The power she manifested was something even Kang Yuseong had never encountered before.

It was to the point where he doubted if any ability user could stop her.

In any case, it was a relief that they had won.

Japan.

One of the nations that had profoundly influenced Kang Yuseong’s death before he died in the past.

That Japan had fallen.

A sharp light gleamed in Kang Yuseong’s eyes.

‘Revenge truly begins now. Everyone… you’d best look forward to it.’

But his revenge was not yet over.

No, it had only just begun.

His blade of vengeance had only just been aimed.

And his next target was…

Kang Yuseong’s gaze turned in one direction.

There, the vast western sky stretched out before him.

“Well done, Commander Kang Yuseong!”

When Kang Yuseong and his companions arrived at Busan Port, government officials were already there to greet them. Behind them, several helicopters were lined up.

“The President is waiting. Please, board.”

Helicopters sent all the way from Seoul to Busan.

It was a scene that showed just how highly the President regarded Kang Yuseong.

Kang Yuseong moved without delay.

The threat from the south had been eliminated, but much work remained.

For that work, the President’s power was absolutely necessary.

Thump-thump-thump-

The helicopter immediately took off, heading towards Seoul.

The scene viewed from high in the sky was utterly devastating.

Everything was burnt to ashes, and in some places, uncollected corpses lay scattered.

Kang Yuseong observed it all in heavy silence.

If he hadn’t stopped them, a scene far more gruesome and horrific than this would have unfolded.

‘Hmm…’

But the problem was, this wasn’t the end.

Thump-thump-thump-

The helicopter flew relentlessly towards Seoul.

* * * * *

“Welcome, Commander Kang Yuseong.”

The helicopter arrived near the Blue House, and Kang Yuseong entered the grounds in a specially prepared vehicle. As he stepped into the Blue House Guest House, numerous people rose to their feet, applauding him. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Minister of National Defense, Taebaek, the Immortal Guild masters…

Indeed, all the most prominent figures in the Republic of Korea had gathered to celebrate his victory and the decisive defeat of Japan’s Tsukuyomi Attack Unit.

The President, too, greeted Kang Yuseong with a beaming smile upon his arrival.

“Please, show Commander Kang Yuseong to his seat.”

At the President’s words, people on both sides quickly prepared a seat for Kang Yuseong.

As Kang Yuseong took his seat, the President continued.

“Today is truly a day of profound significance. Our nation and Japan have been at odds for a long time… but today, we have finally put an end to that cursed, tiresome rivalry. Today, on this land, the spirit of Japan has been broken. And their mainland has also been completely shattered. In the history of the Republic of Korea, no, in the history of the Korean Peninsula, where else can one find such a gratifying event? So, I’ve prepared this small gathering; please, everyone, enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content.”

At the President’s words, the gathered people smiled and toasted each other.

Only a few hours prior, they had been fighting a bloody battle against the Japanese Tsukuyomi Attack Unit.

Though signs of fatigue were still evident, their expressions were brighter than ever.

The President took a seat directly opposite Kang Yuseong.

While it was a breach of protocol, no one could stop the President from insisting on it.

“Commander Kang Yuseong, you’ve worked hard.”

Kang Yuseong smiled and gave a slight bow to the President, who spoke with a smile.

“Not at all. The attack unit members did the hard work, more than I did. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to defeat Japan.”

“Indeed, we must bestow generous rewards upon them. For they are the heroes who saved this nation. Haha!”

Laughter erupted from those around them at his words.

Heroes.

Why did that word stir their hearts so profoundly?

In truth, how well had those called heroes in the Republic of Korea ever been treated?

Considering how rarely that happened, this moment was nothing short of a sea change.

“Commander Kang Yuseong, even now, it feels like a dream.”

The President spoke in a subtle tone.

Numerous emotions flickered in his eyes.

Kang Yuseong quietly watched him, listening to his words.

“When could we ever have defeated Japan? When could we have driven them out so gratifyingly and decisively? This is all thanks to Commander Kang Yuseong. I know it all. I know how much effort Commander Kang Yuseong put in.”

“You flatter me.”

“Haha, and humble too. Ah, speaking of which, Commander Kang Yuseong.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

The President lowered his voice slightly.

“Based on the recommendations from the heads of various departments, we’ve established something called the Integrated Security Command. I have a proposal I’d like to make to you, Commander…”

The President’s eyes turned to Kang Yuseong.

Kind and gentle, yet within them, a firm resolve, like strong bamboo, could be glimpsed.

Seeing those eyes, Kang Yuseong realized once again that not just anyone could become the President of a nation.

“I would like Commander Kang Yuseong to become the first Commander of this Command.”

“Com…mander?”

At his words, Kang Yuseong showed a slightly surprised expression.

It was, in fact, an offer he had never anticipated.

The Integrated Security Command…

And its Commander, no less.

“The Integrated Security Command is a core department that links each branch of the military, the executive branch, and furthermore, each local government and guild. It’s an organization created with the purpose of overcoming crises during emergencies, based on strong command authority.”

At the President’s words, Kang Yuseong fell silent in thought.

To entrust him with an organization possessing such powerful authority…

In truth, delegating command authority over the military, the executive branch, local governments, and guilds was a decision that required immense resolve from a President.

It was an act that could potentially overturn the entire nation.

However, it seemed the President had given it considerable thought, using this incident as an opportunity.

That without a proper organization, there would be no way to cope with emergencies anymore.

“Do you trust me?”

At Kang Yuseong’s reply, which came after a long pause, the President looked at him for a moment, then nodded.

“I do.”

It was, in fact, a meaningless question.

Kang Yuseong smiled briefly, then nodded.

“I gratefully accept your proposal, Mr. President.”

A broad smile bloomed on the President’s face.

Indeed, if it hadn’t been for him, such a decision might not have been made.

If it hadn’t been for the man who, in the past, had fought valiantly to save the people, only to die a glorious death.

But Kang Yuseong had saved him, and the President, with a bold decision, was now lending his power to Kang Yuseong.

‘The Integrated Security Command…’

An enormous organization where almost all authority was concentrated.

Should an emergency arise, he could mobilize the military and command the guilds.

A powerful position that could even transfer authority from the executive branch through emergency orders to carry out tasks.

An astonishing development that would never have happened without the successive Shocks.

Kang Yuseong had now acquired that immense power.

He had not accepted the President’s offer for any other reason.

Now that Japan had fallen, other nations would surely make their move.

The most likely contender now was China.

Among them, the movements of the Black Wind Unit, meticulously created by the Chinese government, needed to be closely watched.

They were different from Japan.

Their firepower was formidable, and the skill level of their Hunters was exceptionally high.

While Gil Ji-yeon possessed great power, there was no match for sheer numbers.

That was why Kang Yuseong had accepted the President’s proposal.

To wield proper power at the right time.

Otherwise, this nation could be swept away by them in an instant.

A tiger had grown wings.

‘Now, it’s your turn.’

Kang Yuseong muttered softly to himself.

China.

It was the next country he had set as his target.

* * * * *

The establishment of the Integrated Security Command was announced the very next day.

As was the fact that Kang Yuseong would be its first Commander.

This, too, was a matter carried out by the President’s sudden directive.

It was a decision that conveyed his resolve to stabilize public sentiment, which had suffered greatly from the Japanese Tsukuyomi Attack Unit, and to focus on reconstruction.

The headquarters of the Integrated Security Command was perfectly equipped according to the grand vision laid out by Kang Yuseong.

It featured an underground bunker with the highest security systems, a honeycomb-structured bunker apartment system capable of housing thousands of people for months, and even Star Pharmaceuticals’ research lab was relocated there, with measures taken to ensure research could continue even if an attack occurred on the surface. A processing plant for pharmaceuticals was also located underground.

This was to ensure a stable supply of enhancements and Stamina Potions to the Hunters.

The systems of the entire military were connected to the Integrated Security Command’s main system, as were those of the executive branch and each guild.

Everything was being perfectly set up.

Then one day, news reached Kang Yuseong.

– 125 Black Wind Unit disappeared.

One of the Black Wind Units they had been closely monitoring had vanished.

An entire unit had simply disappeared.

That was not an ordinary occurrence.

‘Time to begin the hunt.’

He had to pursue them.