Chapter 31

EP 7 - North Wind (2)

China pushed a monster into the Korean Peninsula. It was said that all the monsters from the northeastern border were crazily pushed into the peninsula.

North Korea detonated a nuclear bomb without any consultation. It was to avoid losing face by asking for help first. As a result, we ended up playing Russian roulette with fallout.

The North Wind is blowing.

"First, I apologize for my radical remarks."

I came to the side of the podium and bowed 90 degrees.

I really bowed for quite a while.

Now this is the front page of the newspaper.

"However."

A brief silence. Focus is concentrated on the next statement.

"Is it a world where no apology is needed for radical actions?"

* * *

I didn't sleep for three days and nights to prepare for this moment. With bloodshot eyes, I spoke with a hoarse voice.

"The South Korean Air Force uses the MK84 bomb. Each one costs $3,100, or about 3.5 million won in our currency."

Yesterday, I screamed like a madman at home, scratching my throat. A weak, cracked voice came out through the microphone.

The concept is a young politician who can't sleep worrying about the country.

"An F-15K fighter-bomber of the South Korean Air Force can carry 7 bombs.

That's 25 million won.

And 40 fighter-bombers are preparing to take off to help North Korea.

That's 1 billion won."

I shook the stack of documents I received from Cha Jae-gyun.

Of course, nominally, these are the operation plans I secretly diverted.

"These are operation plans. They are planned up to the third air raid.

The total is 3 billion won.

And, to prepare these fighter-bombers, we carried out the first and second FX projects, spending 46 billion and 29 billion won, respectively."

I threw the stack of documents to the ground with a blank expression. The pile of papers hit the floor with a thud.

"We spent 78 billion won to prepare these fighter-bombers,

and we will use 1 billion won worth of bombs three times.

Moreover, we are in a situation where we cannot smoothly supply bombs and aviation fuel."

The audience was silent, and only the red lights of the live broadcast cameras were shining.

"The 'Monster Disaster Relief Foundation' has an orphanage for children who lost their families to monsters.

However, it cannot operate due to funding issues.

And, 3 billion won can feed 6,000 orphans for a month."

I spoke with a trembling voice, gradually infusing emotion into my words.

"The reason South Korea is taking food from war orphans is because China pushed monsters into the peninsula, and North Korea threatened us with a nuclear bomb to prolong their regime."

Calmly but with a sense of anger. I frowned deeply with dark circles under my eyes and spoke calmly.

"I understand. This is the international community, and this is politics. Everyone takes selfish actions for their own country. China did, and North Korea did."

I ask the entire nation.

"But why are South Korean politicians silent?"

I raised my voice for the first time, gesturing into the air.

I screamed as if I had a rage disorder, my voice tearing through the speakers.

With each word, I jabbed the podium as if my fingers would break.

A scream burst from my terribly cracked throat.

"On our land!

Sending monsters!

Spreading radiation!

What are our leaders doing!

Right now!"

Bang! I punched the podium with all my might, breaking it.

Some reporters covered their mouths.

I had crossed the line in politics.

Of course, it was already a prearranged deviation.

I began to sob with a mournful expression.

"......2 million, 2 million people have died."

The voice of a young, indignant politician flowed out.

A tear rolled down my cheek.

How many negotiations did it take to get this speaking opportunity? Yang Pan-seok is probably watching TV and smiling contentedly right now.

"Monsters keep pouring out from the gate.

Half of Seoul's citizens...!

Are dying trapped in their homes, right now...!"

The National Assembly set up the Special Committee on Monster Affairs, but in reality, it was an organization I set up alone. The National Assembly just added a spoon to a finished meal.

That's why I can criticize them now.

Give and take.

"But the military...!"

Moreover, my 'criticism' targeted the military.

"Why is the military helping the North Korean regime while our citizens suffer...?"

And.

The military is not a group that needs public support.

The military command is held by Cha Jae-gyun, not Won Ok-bun, through prior negotiations with the political authorities.

No matter how much I curse here, it won't leave a scratch.

Shadow boxing.

This is the essence of what I'm doing now. The interesting part is that there's a prize for shadow boxing.

The hotter the public opinion, the higher my recognition will rise. As I've said many times, politicians are creatures that feed on attention.

And.

Now. Cha Jae-gyun will tell the North:

"Domestic public opinion is bad, so we will reduce support."

*

I fiercely cursed Cha Jae-gyun,

but in reality, both of us benefit from this situation.

Moreover.

I could also suppress Cha Jae-gyun's political participation.

As a military man, Cha Jae-gyun is unscathed by my attacks, but as a politician, he has suffered significant damage.

This was our clever strategy.

Balance of power. And mutual benefit.

I gain political benefits by criticizing the military and the National Assembly.

The National Assembly takes my achievements and pushes the Special Committee on Monster Affairs.

Won Ok-bun uses Cha Jae-gyun as a shield to safely assume the role of acting president.

In return, Cha Jae-gyun gets 'absolute' military authority tacitly approved by the political authorities. Incidentally, it also makes it possible to reduce support to the North.

It's a situation where each party tears off a piece of their own flesh and gently feeds it to the others. This is Korean-style politics. Creative economy.

I concluded my speech.

"......All the statements made so far are solely the personal opinions of me, Han Seung-moon, and all political responsibilities lie with me. Furthermore, I will turn myself in to the police on suspicion of leaking military operations from now on."

I didn't mention that I can't be arrested due to parliamentary immunity, and it was a secret that the police wouldn't touch me because it was all prearranged.

"......However, I have one last thing to say."

Now it's time to pray for the southeast wind.

"With the help of government ministers dedicated to their duties in Sejong City, I was able to gather the remaining personnel of the Meteorological Administration and measure the direction of the wind.

As a result, the continental wind was blowing due to the influence of the summer monsoon.

In other words, the southeast wind is blowing.

Fallout is basically contaminated ash. The fallout will blow north.

I sincerely hope that the citizens of South Korea do not lose sight due to fear,

and I earnestly request that you cooperate and show consideration for the guidance of local governments. That's all."

I staggered and was helped into a police car by the officers. I hung my head dejectedly.

In the slowly moving police car, I thought.

Jin Insa Dae Cheonmyeong (盡人事待天命)

I don't know if the southeast wind will blow or not. I have done all that I can do. The rest is up to heaven.

I have fully performed my duty.

A sigh of relief burst out.

"Phew......"

Political life is spectacular.

That's how my one-month career as a National Assembly member ended.

*

The police detention ended after just one night.

This was because 10 National Assembly members (excluding me and Won Ok-bun) came to the front of the police station and pressured for Han Seung-moon's release.

At the front of the police station, an old politician and a young politician shook hands in reconciliation, embraced with tears, and declared their dedication to the country.

Yang Pan-seok's operation was completed.

Day 1. Cha Jae-gyun threw a half-hearted punch.

Day 2. Won Ok-bun burst into a patriotic fervor upon taking office.

Day 3. The National Assembly and the Guild followed up with a strong punch.

Day 4. I mitigated the side effects of the patriotic fervor.

Day 5. National unity.

In just 5 days.

The country began to regain its vitality in just 5 days.

The vice minister of finance reported that the police could arrest people hoarding supplies without resistance, and the public opinion had calmed down, so companies that were wasting time began to take action.

Yang Pan-seok quickly began to push through special laws in the National Assembly. These were things that would smoothly pass when diluted later.

The large-scale refugee protests that were giving Cha Jae-gyun a headache were temporarily disbanded, and support to the North was significantly reduced. It seems they had no choice because the public opinion had turned against them due to their own actions.

Won Ok-bun, as acting president, began to restore the administrative base from Sejong City and disciplined a few misbehaving conglomerates to restore order.

Most importantly.

The recognition of the Han Seung-moon Foundation skyrocketed, and fundraising for the orphanage began voluntarily. 600 million won was raised in just two days.

"This is the country......"

I lay down on a soft bed, satisfied. I hugged a pillow and rolled over. It was cozy.

How meticulously I prepared the operation without sleeping. Collaborating with the highest powers in the country to carry out a large-scale propaganda effort made me feel like my mind was shattered.

I enjoyed a pleasant vacation.

I got new suits and prosthetic legs fitted at the mall with my aunt, and took some photos with the hunters at the Guild with some reporters.

As soon as I got home, I devoured two plates of sashimi prepared by my uncle and watched weekend variety shows with Yeo Do-yeon.

I scratched my round ankle.

I think I can sleep comfortably tonight.

And I slowly closed my eyes.

Poke. Someone poked my cheek.

"Hey."

"......"

"Are you drooling?"

Poke. Poke. I pretended to be asleep, not submitting to the violence.

"Do you want to wear rabbit-patterned pajamas at your age?"

"Ah, no, I hid rabbit pajamas in the third drawer- Ah! Ow! Kyah!"

Yeo Do-yeon poked my side mercilessly.

I sat up on the bed with a dazed look. Yeo Do-yeon spoke bluntly.

"Hey, 27-year-old kid. Aren't you going to get up soon?"

"I'm 28, and..."

"Shut up."

"I'm in my mid-20s, and you're in your late 20s!"

Smack! Yeo Do-yeon slapped my forehead, and my weak body fell back onto the bed.

"Get up."

"Rather kill me......"

"Really?"

I wiggled my thick ankle.

"Put on my prosthetic leg."

"Ah......"

Yeo Do-yeon, with a scowl, carefully put on my prosthetic leg. I barely managed to steady my wobbly body.

"Come on."

"Okay......"

I got out of bed, holding Yeo Do-yeon's hand.

Yeo Do-yeon supported my wobbly body as we headed for the front door. I finally came to my senses.

My blurry vision cleared.

"......"

"......"

At the front door, Pi Chae-won was looking at me with a strange expression. I poked Yeo Do-yeon's side.

"Hey, I'm in my pajamas."

"Uh-huh."

"Shouldn't you tell me to change?"

"I did."

"Was that telling me to change?"

"Uh-huh."

"Are you human?"

Yeo Do-yeon smiled wickedly and left me standing there, heading back to her room. Pi Chae-won was staring at me with a strange blank expression.

"......"

"......"

"......Ah, hello?"