#57 Coup d'État
The presidential office erupted in chaos when news came through the inter-Korean hotline.
"South Korea, curb your greed. If you obstruct our people's relief efforts, Goryeo's warriors will visit the Blue House. Proceed with caution."
"These bastards are outright threatening assassination now?"
The president exploded in rage, immediately convening all relevant officials.
"This is a credible threat."
"We must bolster security details."
"Request reinforcements from Nova immediately."
At the urgent demand of the presidential security team, military personnel were mobilized—even New Seoul Command in Nova was ordered to provide backup.
Brigadier General Park Jun-pil of New Seoul Defense Forces was livid.
"What the hell? I ask for reinforcements and they take my men instead?"
"S-sir, please compose yourself."
"Captain Ahn. Are you joking?"
"No, sir."
"Hey."
"Captain! Ahn Seung-woo!"
The supply officer snapped to attention, barking his rank and name.
"Tell me—is the military a joke to you?"
"No, sir!"
"All you do is fuck around in this godforsaken place."
"......"
Ahn Seung-woo gritted his teeth.
"What's your malfunction?"
"No, sir."
"Christ's sake—prepare for Earth deployment."
"You're going personally?"
"You think they'd take you seriously alone? I need to go raise hell myself."
"No, sir. Preparing immediately."
"What about Major Lee?"
"On standby at base."
"Bring her along."
"Reassigning Major Lee may compromise New Seoul's defenses."
"Then who's the real threat?"
"There's nobody left to stop bandit Kim Choon-bae."
"That bastard's been lying low."
"Kang Cheol-doo's faction remains... ambiguous."
"Hmm."
Park Jun-pil's face twisted before he forced out the words:
"He's no enemy."
"But we must prepare for contingencies."
"Goddamn it."
Frustration choked Park.
The military needed a clear stance on Kang Cheol-doo.
"Earth first."
The commander couldn't abandon his post.
"What about personnel?"
"Take some from 3rd Assault Team."
"Yes, sir."
"When are those bastards coming?"
Four days had passed since Major Lee Eun-young and Captain Choi Joon-seop returned with the rejected request.
Half of him trusted Cheol-doo; half trusted his own judgment—but the possibility of Cheol-doo allying with bandits gnawed at him.
Thud thud thud—
A sergeant came sprinting in.
"Kang Cheol-doo and Kim Jin-tae just arrived at the west gate!"
"What?"
"They're in a standoff with our guards—your orders?"
"The fuck?!"
Park shot to his feet.
"Get Major Lee!"
Had he gone to Army HQ trusting them, it would've been disastrous.
A standoff?
Am I the only one who knows that bastard's temper?
Are people really this blind?
"Move out!"
"Sir!"
At the west gate, dozens of soldiers stood spear-ready in tight formation.
Before them stood a bewildered Kang Cheol-doo and Kim Jin-tae.
Thank Christ.
"Stand down!"
Park shoved through the ranks.
"Park Jun-pil!"
"Kang Cheol-doo!"
"Is this how friends say goodbye?"
"Bullshit—let's talk inside."
"Fine."
As Cheol-doo stepped forward, Kim Jin-tae grabbed his arm.
"Could be a trap."
Park's face darkened.
Misunderstandings breeding misunderstandings.
Wars start from trifles.
Had he actually left his post, catastrophe might've followed.
"What fucking trap?!"
"He's right. Jun-pil's my friend."
"Still—"
Cheol-doo gave Jin-tae a lazy smile.
"Jin-tae. Jealous?"
"What? You insane bastard—what kind of dogshit is that?"
Doesn't he see the dozens of spear-armed soldiers?
Heh. Even if it's a trap, does it matter if I don't fall?"
"Huh?"
"You think I'd lose?"
"No."
"Then what's the difference?"
"Fair point!"
Jin-tae conceded—you can't trap an elephant in a teacup.
"Let's go. I'm sick of sleeping rough."
They headed straight to the government office, where a feast awaited.
"So what happened?"
"The request?"
"Yeah. Rejected."
"He didn't deserve to die."
"That wasn't your call."
Cheol-doo shook his head.
"Jun-pil. I'm no assassin. It was a request I could refuse."
"Tch."
"Fine. You follow orders—but if ordered to kill a child, would you?"
"......"
Park had no answer.
Heh. Kim Choon-bae's no monster. Neighbors should get along."
"...Jesus!"
Both Park and Captain Ahn were floored.
The man's obliviousness was breathtaking.
"You fought before?"
Hah. More like insubordination and desertion."
"Whatever. You grow through conflict. He's decent."
"Whoa."
Park slapped his knee.
Like fog clearing from his mind.
"You're right! That's what ate at me."
"Huh?"
"Kim Choon-bae—good man, but a troublemaker."
"Oh?"
Radical and insubordinate, but fiercely patriotic.
"That's why I hesitated. Not just delaying the purge. Then you wiped his base out—now higher-ups are breathing down my neck."
His excuses for delay now earned accusations of negligence.
"I was cowardly. Passed the choice to you."
"Hmm."
"When the rejection came, my first feeling was relief. Kim Choon-bae didn't deserve to die like that."
"So I saw. I tried recruiting him—got rejected."
"Right. Rebellious bastard—wouldn't bow to just anyone. Only someone extraordinary could handle him."
"Hmm."
Cheol-doo stroked his chin.
Still green as a chieftain.
I must've seemed unworthy to Kim Choon-bae.
"Anyway, it worked out. The government fears powerful Nova forces—thinks another Kim Choon-bae could emerge."
"So they feared me?"
"Exactly."
"Quivering like cornered rats."
"Hmm."
Seeing Cheol-doo's confidence, Park realized New Seoul's safety wasn't guaranteed if he turned.
"Let's be clear—are we still friends?"
"Of course."
Cheol-doo slurped his soup.
"Only two people call me friend—Jin-tae and you, Jun-pil."
Heh heh.
Park coughed awkwardly, raising his glass.
Sweet potato liquor burned down his throat.
Who knew being called "friend" by a kid would move him at his age?
"Good! Fuck it!"
Park swore violently.
"I swear on my name! Even if higher-ups come for you, I'll protect you. Just trust me!"
Heh. Friends don't need such dramatics."
Hah. True enough!"
In high spirits, Park downed several more shots.
"I'll settle things at Army HQ tomorrow. Your mercenary group will be approved—operate from New Seoul."
"No."
"Huh?"
We were having a moment!
"I'm going to Cheongju."
"Why?"
"The portal's there."
"Well..."
Even classified intel was hard to hide from Park's rank.
Army HQ was finalizing Cheongju portal development plans.
"Hmm, true, but..."
"You know anything about the outer wall?"
"Huh?"
"How to pass through or destroy it."
Park shook his head.
"No country's cracked that yet."
"Hmm."
Cheol-doo stroked his chin.
"The Cyclops?"
"Tch. Learned a lot from Kim, huh?"
Heh. That guy the strongest here?"
"Yes. Even North Korea and China haven't beaten that field boss."
"Huh? They're doing well?"
"Extremely."
"Wow, surprising."
Jin-tae's eyes sparkled as he interjected. Park laughed.
"North Koreans swept into portals reportedly shouted 'We're saved!' Hah. More food in Nova than North Korea."
Starting from the Stone Age was no obstacle.
North Korea adapted fastest—their survival skills unmatched.
"No fucking way."
"You don't know their situation. Enlist later—I'll give you a full briefing..."
He was rambling.
Jin-tae cut in:
"China?"
"Human waves."
"Well, they've got the numbers."
Park smiled bitterly.
"Anyway, North Korea just collapsed. Breaking news."
"Wait, North Korea fell?"
"You just returned—their leadership was wiped out. Blue House is requesting extra security."
"Damn. Lots happened while we got the horse."
"Tch. You got it?"
Heh heh. Jun-pil, want to see my Sonata?"
"Sonata?"
"My horse's name."
"Who names a horse Sonata? Should've picked Grandeur."
"......"
Cheol-doo's brow furrowed.
"Huh."
Hadn't considered that.
Next horse would definitely be Grandeur.
"Anyway, I'll settle things at Army HQ. Your group will be recognized—freedom guaranteed. But we'll need a treaty ensuring you don't oppose South Korea."
"I'm Korean."
"Exactly! Higher-ups don't get it!"
Park's frustration boiled over.
What's loyalty without trust?
They're always waiting to discard you.
'Can't recruit him? Kill him?'
Back on Earth, he'd confront Jang Mi-ran first. Damn it—Cheol-doo wasn't someone they could eliminate now.
"Good. We'll go together."
"Huh? Why?"
"Planned for year-end—got delayed securing the horse."
"Hmm, fine. Prepare to return."
After their long-overdue reunion meal, the group headed for Earth's portal.
