Chapter 73

EP 12 - Those Who Bear the Burden (11)

The chaos has ended.

The era that would later be called the dawn of the supernormal society has come to a close.

Glorious achievements were adorned with all sorts of flowery language, and the number 10 million remained an empty statistic.

The end of the turmoil was the work of heroes,

and the opening of a new era was the work of the rulers.

* * *

Death carries great power.

The energy contained in loss is intense, and how a nation's people accept that loss can change the country.

That was the work of politicians.

However, the United States used that energy for political civil war, as it coincided with a presidential election. Two candidates, one from the Republican Party and one from the Democratic Party, split the country, causing numerous casualties.

In the end, the incumbent president, who had been treated as a relic, broke tradition and succeeded in a third term, but the damage incurred in the process was immense.

The United States lost the central Great Plains, once known as the Western wilderness.

As a result, a division occurred in South Korea, similar to the North-South division, forming a two-front line for the ground forces.

It just so happened to be during the election period, and the political issues surrounding the zombie apocalypse caused by infected beings prevented the ground forces from launching an active offensive.

Officially, 30 million deaths were reported, but in reality, over 70 million died, including zombies. A vaccine has not yet been developed, at least officially.

In contrast, Russia did not experience political turmoil.

The Russian dictator made a swift decision. As a result, Russia lost the Siberian Great Plains.

Or rather, they abandoned it.

Since most of the population lived in the west, they quickly set up a new defensive line centered around Moscow and abandoned the rest of the territory.

Although 15 million people died, all scholars praised it as the most rational and minimal sacrifice.

However, with a smaller population, the Far Eastern Military District in Northeast Asia, centered around Vladivostok, broke away from central government control and gathered the abandoned citizens.

Of course, it was a passive coup for the defense of their own people, and they worked to create an atmosphere of reconciliation and compromise, but the situation changed dramatically with the sudden death of the dictator.

The western central government, with a large population and a small army,

and the eastern military district, with a small population and a large army.

The Great Plains of Siberia were swirling with justifications, ideologies, and the resentment of abandoned citizens.

China reported over 300 million deaths. There were seven large and small "counter-revolutions," all of which were brutally suppressed, and they still claim to be one China. Of course, no one knows what the future holds.

Japan, being an island nation, had a small army. With the defense being handed over to hunters, the yakuza began to show their heads. The conflict between the central government and local hunter forces was intense. The 30 million deaths were not a priority for political forces, as they could simply shift the blame to the other side.

Europe was connected, and with the monsters spreading without regard for borders, strategic and tactical operations became meaningless, leading to chaotic battles between humans and monsters. In these chaotic battles, hunters were more effective than regular troops, as they only targeted the enemy. Numerous heroes emerged in the chaotic world, and Europe was transforming into a hunter-centered society. Of course, the scale of casualties was immeasurable due to the chaotic battles. The same was true for the Third World: the Middle East, Central America, South America, and Southwest Asia.

With the military, drug cartels, religious extremists, and rebels naturally aligning with hunters, the Third World entered a Warring States period. It was as if they were doing what they had always done, but now without being noticed. There was no official body to count the dead, but it was clear that the number was in the billions.

Therefore,

maintaining social infrastructure,

ensuring a high quality of life,

still maintaining a 350,000-strong elite force,

and being relatively safer from the threat of monsters,

South Korea.

- "I, Won Ok-bun, am here to declare that I am prepared to accept the call of history to become the president, and I will run in the next presidential election..."

was able to engage in the very luxurious political activity of a "campaign."

*

"Wow!"

Hong Seon-ah, watching Won Ok-bun's announcement of her presidential candidacy on TV, wiggled her toes that were sticking out from the cast and marveled.

"She's speaking so strongly?"

"Is it surprising?"

"Um, a little?"

Won Ok-bun was making a spirited announcement of her candidacy, even invoking the "call of history." She was doing this at the front line of the Chungcheong defense line.

In the background of the press conference, a city was still burning, emitting smoke. It was a very overt image-making strategy, a strongman tactic.

"While you were in a coma, Won Ok-bun's approval rating surpassed 50%."

"Huh?"

"She took down North Korea."

The reason why the superhumans of the national army did not support Seoul, despite the widespread use of awakening stimulants, was revealed.

The superhuman unit.

Won Ok-bun successfully created the organization that was Cha Jae-gyun's ultimate goal.

And,

through persistent negotiations, she secured U.S. tacit approval and Chinese cooperation,

Won Ok-bun boldly stabbed North Korea in the back with the sharpened dagger she had honed to the end.

"She seized their nuclear weapons."

"......Wow."

Hong Seon-ah let out a small exclamation, and it was indeed a feat that garnered explosive reactions.

"From the circumstances, it seems China helped. She's quite capable."

Of course, the location of nuclear weapons was always known by the National Intelligence Service's North Korea operations line, but going there and bringing them back was a different matter.

"I don't know how she did it. She kept her mouth shut. From the reaction, it seems there's more to the story, but at least that's how it was reported in the media..."

Won Ok-bun had achieved a great feat. The highest virtue a politician could achieve.

"She boosted the national pride."

It was the most significant factor in her approval rating. National prestige and actual safety.

- "I will clearly state that our military will no longer hesitate to use any means necessary to protect the safety and peace of our citizens..."

Won Ok-bun continued her speech with a stronger and more robust demeanor than ever, but for some reason, she seemed to be smirking to me.

It was clear that this was her peak.

And a politician who reaches their peak just before the election is predictable in their path.

Listening to the TV, I peeled an apple nicely and fed it to Hong Seon-ah, who was wrapped in casts all over her body.

"Go ahead and try it."

"Mmm."

"Che. Politics can't tolerate a certain level of inclusiveness. She's given up on expanding the moderate support base and is focusing on solidifying her base. She knows she's the next president."

North Korea is now in a pitiful state. Monsters are advancing from the Kaesong area, and with the loss of nuclear weapons, their external deterrent power has been lost.

Now they have no choice but to rely on our air support.

Whereas before, they would request airstrikes to avoid dying together in a nuclear explosion, now they politely request airstrikes to save their lives.

"......"

The taste was not particularly good.

My crazy plan to push the monsters north was almost unanimously approved, and it actually happened, with the monsters ravaging North Korea's rear.

A large-scale exodus from North Korea has occurred again. It was a result we had guided, and this time, the People's Army did not stop it.

We are accepting the defectors in Gangwon Province without limit. And through maritime routes, we are only evacuating 'South Korean' people to the Chungcheong defense line.

The defectors could cross the demilitarized zone but could not go south of the Chungcheong defense line.

The defense line that was meant to stop the monsters is now stopping people.

They are clearly citizens of South Korea who are entitled to protection, but they do not have the right to vote and are essentially second-class citizens.

They will build a new home in the lost territory, in the rugged mountains of Gangwon Province, where small gates and monsters lurk.

"This is the world we've created."

"Um... At least it hasn't collapsed."

"Right."

I looked at Hong Seon-ah. She swallowed the apple she had been chewing and looked back at me.

The politician was smiling faintly out of habit, and the mental patient was smiling to hold back tears, so neither of them was actually smiling, but they were both smiling.

Beyond the window, the first signs of dawn were visible. The black sky was gradually turning blue. It was the dawn's early light.

Inside the room, Won Ok-bun's confident speech on TV, the announcer's hopeful future, the sound of the heater, and the sound of nurses pushing carts.

We faced each other in a noisy silence for a long time.

And.

I don't know about Hong Seon-ah,

but at least I,

saw in her eyes,

that the fire had not yet died.

"Seon-ah, how are your legs?"

"The potion worked well."

She had not been broken.

That was enough.

"Shall we go somewhere?"

"Really? Here? You're quite the man, aren't you...?"

"Stop it."

"Wasn't that a date invitation without a comeback? I got excited for a moment."

I fumbled with my tie and said offhandedly.

"It's true, so get dressed."

*

After a long drive, we arrived at a scenic spot near Jirisan National Park.

I hobbled with my prosthetic leg and loaded the bandaged bundle onto the wheelchair.

"Oof!"

"Hey, can you not act like it's heavy when you're moving me?"

She chattered incessantly, but I silently hobbled and pushed the wheelchair. The wheelchair seemed to serve as a crutch for me.

We walked for a long time on the grassy field with fresh air. The sky was gradually brightening, and the empty space surrounded by forests had an inexplicable sacredness.

"Um! The air is so good! What is this place?"

"It's a new national cemetery."

"......"

Hong Seon-ah fell silent instantly, and I looked at the cities surrounded by morning mist, visible from the mid-slope of Jirisan.

And, in the distance,

a black gravestone came into view.

Hong Seon-ah looked uneasy.

"Why are we here?"

"To confess."

Her expression and voice seemed normal at first, but her trembling hands were tightly gripping the blanket on her lap.

"Don't joke around."

"I'm not joking."

Ignoring her hesitation, I pushed the wheelchair to the black gravestone.

On the way to the gravestone,

"The hunters and the military did not help each other."

I began my confession calmly.

"A representative body for the superhumans is needed."

And,

"Someone needs to balance the relationship between superhumans and the national army."

Finally, we arrived at the black gravestone.

Hong Seon-ah, as if in a trance, reached out to touch the gravestone while sitting in the wheelchair.

The morning dew on the gravestone dripped down, looking like tears.

Her hand caressed the names engraved in the black marble,

and her lips quietly recited the names of the deceased. I confessed to her.

"Seon-ah, will you become the president of the new association?"

She turned to look at me with her usual ambiguous expression. It was a cold indifference that made it hard to tell if she was smiling or not.

Then she smiled.

More brightly than ever.

"I'm not qualified."

"Why not?"

Hong Seon-ah gently smiled and stroked the gravestone.

"The people I abandoned are here now."

"Your intentions, Seon-ah, don't matter."

We bear burdens.

Burdens of blood, tears, and lives.

Burdens we can never put down.

"All the survivors who followed Kim Chun-sik nominated you as the next president of the association."

Her hand, which had been stroking the gravestone, stopped.

I did not explain further, and she did not ask more.

She simply,

struggled to stand with her barely recovered legs, wobbled over, and embraced the gravestone.

Unable to stand, she fell to her knees.

A laugh that couldn't be held back escaped.

She laughed wildly.

I turned to look at the sky.

Dawn had passed.

It was morning.

The sunlight illuminated the black gravestone,

and a hero lay weeping in front of it,

and I suddenly thought the wind was very warm.

Winter had ended.

The world had returned to its own share,

and the age of heroes had faded.

However,

the journey given to those who bear burdens had not ended,

and as always,

the hero quietly supported them from beneath the earth.

Kim Chun-sik 金春植.

David. S. Kim.

'1978 - 2025'

So justice is far from us,

and righteousness does not reach us.

We look for light, but all is darkness.

for brightness,

but we walk in deep shadows. Isaiah 59:9

Therefore, justice is far from us,

and righteousness does not reach us.

We look for light, but there is only darkness,

for brightness,

but we walk in deep shadows. Isaiah 59:9

EP 12

Those Who Bear the Burden

END