137. Before the Storm
The aftermath of Ariena’s death was as widespread as her status during her lifetime. Illumination could no longer control their monsters. Currently, the creatures were no longer obedient hounds but wild dogs that could bite their necks at any moment. The monsters that escaped from Illumination’s rule scattered in all directions. Whether it was the mountains or desolated cities, monsters could survive anywhere.
They lived together in twos and threes, eating those weaker than themselves. But, when they crossed paths with Gruggles, they would run away without fail.
What was left of Illumination was the important matter. Ko Byeong-gap and his party observed them for the past few days as they moved about.
“If you look at their current route, the place where Illumination wants to gather should be this area.”
Seo Si-hee pointed to Gyeongsangbuk-do on the large map on the table. In it were the upper provinces in contact with Chungbuk and Gangwon-do.
“That’s strange. Didn’t all their golden members head down? Oh, you mean they’re coming up suddenly?”
Han Chang-hoon tilted his head as he asked the question. It was as he said. Illumination retreated right after losing their monsters. Even their smaller forces spread across the country flocked to a single point.
“Is there anything else? Since they can’t use monsters anymore, they’re probably trying to stick together. Rather good, isn’t it? We can wipe them out in one shot.”
Jeong Seon-kyung spoke with a mean look.
“I think so too. No matter how eccentric their movements are, they can’t act like before. As he said, it seems that waiting for them to get together and then trying to ambush them will save us a lot of trouble.”
Shim Seung-seop, who had been silent, also voiced his opinion. Most of the public agreed with this, and Ko Byeong-gap thought the same thing. It would be helpful if their scattered enemies gathered on their own. Moreover, didn’t Ariena say it? Once her mind control was released, the organization would collapse on its own.
Even if not, if they advanced with the Gruggles at their forefront, they would be able to annihilate their enemies with minimal damage. But one thing that caught him was the possibility of facing an SS-class hunter.
Ko Byeong-gap lost himself in thought, rubbing his chin.
‘You can somehow catch the small things even if they are lumped together. However, wouldn’t it be wise to break through each of their SS-class members first? If they gather, it will be difficult to deal with.’
It would be much more difficult to deal with two SS-class hunters than dealing with a thousand A-class hunters. If the strong ones were united, their synergy would increase exponentially.
‘But I can’t find them, and they know of Ariena’s death, so they’ll be much more careful… I can’t help it.’
Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do.
“Then, we may have to prepare for an all-out war. Do you all agree?”
Instead of answering their voices, they each sent him a determined look. Ko Byeong-gap nodded.
“Then, for the time being, we will have time to reorganize while observing their movements.”
“That sounds good. We’ve been fighting for a long time. Many have died, and everyone’s exhausted even if they don’t say anything.”
“Alright. Let’s wrap up today’s meeting.”
After the meeting, they each returned to their respective seats. Ko Byeong-gap remained in the conference hall and called Seo Si-hee, a cigarette hung from his lips.
“What do you think about having an all-out war?”
“It will reduce the hassle.”
“Is that all?”
Seo Si-hee opened her mouth, looking at the expressionless Ko Byeong-gap.
“A lot of people will die. This way or that way.”
“I guess so because it’s a war. It won’t be hopeless. Their side has lost the monsters, and this side has the Gruggles. However.”
“However?”
“Ariena said that the Six-rays Bridge is aiming for the Korean Peninsula. I was quite surprised to hear that.”
“So what?”
“If they’re still aiming for the Korean Peninsula as their ark, then the rest of their members will flock here. To borrow their expression, they’ll have to climb onto the ark.”
“That’s right.”
“Now that I’ve killed Ariena, there are sixteen SS classes to deal with. Among them is Go Geon-ryong. I’m thinking about how to deal with them.”
“Are there any SS-class hunters you know? Can’t we ask them for help?”
Seo Si-hee shook her head slowly.
“I’m skeptical. I’ve been trying hard to recruit SS-class hunters over the past decade, but everyone rejected me or treated my offer as crazy. Or they’re already affiliated with the Six-rays Bridge.”
“Won’t those people realize their mistake by looking at the misfortunes going around the world right now?”
“Well, I think they’re just finding their ways to live. From their point of view, it’s just going to happen in a distant country.”
“Isn’t that too much of a leap?”
“Is it a leap? Change your perspective and think about it. Would you be willing to go and help a small country that you don’t know much about? With your life on the line?”
He swallowed his words. It was as Seo Si-hee said. When the large-scale monster waves occurred in Africa or Argentina, did it matter to him? Even if they appealed that the existence of mankind was at stake, just how many great warriors would take the lead? It was the perfect time to pursue certainty, not uncertainty.
“…Then let’s go down to the lower part of the country first. We must recruit the refugees there. They will cooperate with us.”
“That’s a good idea.”
The next day, Ko Byeong-gap and Seo Si-hee flew down to the southern end of the Korean Peninsula, expecting that refugees would be gathered there. Fortunately, their expectations didn’t betray them. At the southern end of the Korean Peninsula, many refugees had gathered.
Awakeners formed vigilante groups to protect the refugees there. However, it couldn’t be said that their appearance was valiant. They monopolized a large amount of food and supplies to protect the people from monsters. Some of the marginalized and the poorest sat on the roadside, freezing and starving to death.
‘As the law collapsed, it immediately became like this.’
Ko Byeong-gap clicked his tongue. How could they resolve this confusion if no human Lord appeared? Whatever might happen, the two searched for the vigilantes guarding the refugees. Finding them wasn’t a difficult task.
Regardless of what kind of refugees they were, they just had to find the right place. The first place the two visited was Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. Of course, the vigilantes there were wary of outsiders. However, after they identified themselves, their guard eased.
The two asked for cooperation by telling them what was going on.
“Unbelievable… that’s quite a story. Well, we’ve been wondering all this time. How the hell were they able to carry around monsters and kill other humans? But there was a secret behind it.”
“We need your strength. Please cooperate.”
“It is a difficult decision to make. Could you give me some time?”
Ko Byeong-gap and Seo Si-hee exchanged looks for a moment before nodding.
“We’ll be back in a week. Will that be enough?”
“I think it’ll be enough. Yes. Oh, and I’d like to ask you something. Do you know any other places other than here that hold refugees?”
“I know that there are quite a few in Gimhae, Changwon, and Ulsan. Of course, Busan is the largest, but it’s said that it won’t be monsters that kill you, but the people. Thousands of people starve to death every day. Hmm… there will be quite a few refugees in Jeolla-do. They also said that the defeated soldiers settled in Gwangju. I heard this a long time ago, so I don’t know how it is now.”
“It’s helpful enough, thank you. We’ll see you in a week.”
Starting with Yangsan, Ko Byeong-gap, and Seo Si-hee went where people wanted to gather. Some were already ruined by monsters, and some were much better than expected, but each made them feel like they were visiting some medieval feudal state.
Anyway, Ko Byeong-gap asked them to cooperate to join the war, and in a pleasant turn of events, they usually responded positively. They were also aware that their situation was at the edge of a cliff. How much longer could they endure alone? It wasn’t difficult to realize it was better to use their weapons than to wait to starve.
Meanwhile, preparations for the war were in full swing in Ashvilam. The food ration was cut in half and stored in the warehouse. They also spurred the production of weapons and protective equipment. Humans wouldn’t fight in the war, but in the case of the unknown, they also focused on educating their soldiers.
A day passed, two, and then more than fifteen. The new year had arrived. However, no one celebrated since they were busy with their noses put to the grindstone.
“The location of Illumination has been identified. They are currently united in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do.”
The number of people in the conference room increased. Nearly a hundred people filled Ashvilam’s conference room as the heads of vigilante groups from all over the country attended. On the other side, active-duty soldiers dressed up in military uniforms.
“Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Why are they gathered there?”
Someone asked, but no one could answer.
“Is there a reason to procrastinate? The location is confirmed, so let’s attack them first.”
The soldiers insisted on a surprise attack using all their efforts. Their argument was plausible. First, they could fire their cannons as an initial surprise assault and then send out the Gruggles to suppress them. Finally, the remaining force could sweep in to wipe out the remnants.
It was a matter that couldn’t be decided hastily, but many agreed with the idea with an eagerness to see some change.
“Okay. Let’s have a vote”.
Ko Byeong-gap led the vote for and against. As a result, the surprise attack was decided with 80% approval. They had another seven hours of discussion over the date and time of the assault. At last, when the sun went down, the meeting disbanded.
It was decided that the surprise attack would be mounted in five days at three in the morning.
Ko Byeong-gap left Valtadren for a while and headed for Somnium. Whenever he went there, he felt as if he had returned to his hometown.
“Oh, Lord. You’re here? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
“Yes. I’ve been busy lately.”
Even though it was late at night, Gobung wasn’t asleep. Ko Byeong-gap spent the night chatting with Gobung.
Soon, the day of the assault arrived.
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