＃Episode 75 Clash
Reform always begins by erasing the remnants of the past.
General Im Unjin, as the General of the Shinseoul Nova Army General Headquarters, started by erasing Park Junpil's traces.
One cannot establish the discipline of new leadership while leaving behind nostalgia for the former Commander.
This was a prerequisite for solidifying the chain of command.
“Have all the military uniforms remade.”
Not just the uncomfortable Dopo Robes, but also the messy clothes that looked like poor imitations of something else.
Military uniforms without even rank insignia?
The sergeants and soldiers, looking no different than Pojol, seemed pitiful.
“What? They won’t issue permits unless it’s a Tavern?”
What the hell was that bastard Park Junpil doing in Shinseoul?
“Permit them all!”
Various shops began to open in Shinseoul. Types of bars and high-end restaurants that were previously restricted appeared, bringing vitality back to the streets.
“Are the citizens complaining a lot? Increase the issuance of Military Scrip.”
60% of Shinseoul's population were ordinary citizens or discharged civilians.
Since they couldn't be forcibly mobilized for corvée labor, Military Scrip was issued for material requisition and labor mobilization.
With no immediate money to pay, it was a type of promissory note promising payment equivalent to the scrip's value later.
An unexpected development boom swept through Shinseoul, and various buildings were constructed.
“Develop that area into a golf course.”
“But, sir, that’s a training ground intended for raising cavalry later.”
“Hah, when civilization advances, we’ll just make cars. What’s this talk about cavalry now?”
General Im Unjin cursed Park Junpil.
“How much time did we lose because he was caught up in playing Yangban? To think firearms development hasn’t even properly begun.”
A unit without firearms.
In General Im Unjin’s mind, such a military concept didn’t exist.
This place, Nova, would soon blossom with civilization like Earth.
Now was not the time for raising horses and such; they needed to quickly move past the Iron Age and enter the Industrial Age.
Faster than other nations, much faster!
“Make it a better place to live than Earth!”
We need to bring in various experts to accelerate industrialization. A place where high-level personnel would want to live, without exception.
Shinseoul’s development would be further accelerated by the influx of elites.
“This is the Mercenary Corps Autonomous Zone, so it’s not allowed.”
“Hah, giving an Autonomous Zone within the city? Tear it down.”
“But it’s already been agreed upon by treaty…”
“We can renegotiate when the Mercenary Corps returns. Proceed with the development for now!”
“Understood.”
“We need to make it so impressive that even the stubborn experts’ eyes will widen.”
To invite experts from various fields and hasten Nova’s industrialization, we must provide sufficient merit.
Labor isn't an issue.
Even now, those who have newly become Novices are flowing in through the Portal.
However, the explosive population growth wasn't solely advantageous.
“We’re short on cloth!”
“Requisition it from the civilians.”
“There’s no more capacity.”
“Give them double the Military Scrip. They’ll all bring it out.”
No matter how much Military Scrip was issued, it wasn't immediate cash, so the public sentiment in Shinseoul grew increasingly grim.
Cloth wasn't the only thing lacking.
“Why has the price of rice jumped so much?”
“Hah, the price of sweet potatoes isn’t normal either.”
Due to the population increase, the amount of food consumed surged, naturally causing prices to soar.
Since the authorities held the largest stockpile of food, rumors even surfaced that they were intentionally inflating food prices.
“Hah, what good is giving us Military Scrip? Food prices are soaring like this. Aren’t these guys just thieves?”
The value of previously received Military Scrip decreased, while the cost of food became dearer day by day, intensifying civilian discontent.
st:Hoofbeats
It was around then that the Ironhead Mercenary Corps arrived.
Returning to Shinseoul after several months, the Mercenary Corps was extremely excited.
“Aww, I want to warm myself by a hot ondol floor right away.”
“Haha, I’m dying for some Takju from Jinsa Tavern too.”
Each thinking of returning to the Mercenary Corps Garrison, they spurred their horses onward.
Sergeant Kim, guarding the South Gate, was startled by the appearance of over a hundred cavalry.
“Whoa? What’s that?”
“M-Mounted Bandits, aren’t they?”
“Quick, close the gate!”
As the cavalry approached, the South Gate was hastily closed, and troops gathered, causing a commotion.
“Special Task Force Captain Choi Junseop! We are returning after completing our mission. Open the gate!”
When Choi Junseop stepped forward, there was a brief murmur, then Sergeant Kim shouted.
“Then aren’t those Mounted Bandits?”
“Mounted Bandits? Ah. A misunderstanding.”
As Choi Junseop turned back, Kang Cheoldu laughed and bellowed loudly.
“Ironhead Mercenary Leader Kang Cheoldu!”
“Huh.”
“Oh? That’s right. That man is Kang Cheoldu.”
“You, hurry and inform Headquarters.”
Two months had already passed since the Cyclops was caught and the Portal opened.
Preparing a grand triumphant return ceremony while waiting for them was already a thing of the distant past.
There was no need for a fuss over their sudden appearance, but the misunderstanding was cleared, so they quickly opened the South Gate and welcomed them.
“The new Commander is waiting for you. We will escort you to Headquarters.”
“Hmm? New Commander?”
As Cheoldu tilted his head, Sergeant Kim elaborated.
“Yes, the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Nova Army has taken office as the Commander of the Nova Army Headquarters.”
“What about Junpil?”
“He was assigned to the Nova Army 1st Command in Cheongju.”
“Hah, he left first.”
Since Cheoldu had planned to go to Cheongju anyway, he thought it was actually for the best.
“Huh? Headquarters is this way.”
“We’re going to our base first.”
“Yes? B-But…”
Sergeant Kim was flustered, not knowing what to do.
Soon, realizing he had no other choice, he told the truth.
“The Garrison where you were staying has been demolished.”
“Hmm? By whose authority?”
Cheoldu stopped in his tracks.
Simultaneously, the Mercenary Corps following him came to a standstill.
Over the past years, they had become a Mercenary Corps whose presence had grown noticeably stronger and whose movements were disciplined.
“W-Well, that is…”
Cheoldu figured there was nothing to gain from arguing with a small fry.
“Let’s go to the Government Office.”
“Yeees.”
Cheoldu led the Mercenary Corps through the South Gate in a crowd. South Gate Street, originally lined with Taverns and Entertainment Houses that also served as tea houses, had changed quite a bit.
“Hmm? The shops have changed a lot?”
Instead of tile-roofed houses, there were many unique buildings here and there.
Some places operated with just the building, without any surrounding walls. While each might look distinctive on its own, these buildings popping up sporadically disrupted the harmony.
The unique buildings nestled among the still-dominant tile-roofed houses were jarring, like a piece of meat stuck between teeth.
It seemed Kang Cheoldu wasn't the only one feeling this strange discomfort.
“This feels like a real hodgepodge.”
Kim Jintae also looked around, displeased, feeling like he was looking at a disorganized Korean street.
Before, he had felt a strange sensation, like being on a drama set, but now, the standing signboards everywhere strangely reminded him of a Korean alleyway.
“Let’s go check it out first.”
The Ironhead Mercenary Corps reached the Central Plaza. The Government Office was just a bit further down the north road, but numerous soldiers were lined up in formation in the plaza.
There were over 600 of them, and in the center stood a white-bearded man wearing a military cap with four stars, smiling broadly.
“Welcome back, Mercenary Leader.”
“…”
Cheoldu silently stepped forward.
Just then, Colonel Kim Geunsu, standing beside the general, stepped up.
“This is the General of the Nova Army, General Im Unjin.”
“Kang Cheoldu.”
“…!”
Kim Geunsu was aghast.
“Hah, how rude!”
“…”
Cheoldu simply stared blankly, startling Kim Geunsu, but he mustered his courage nonetheless.
This is a chance to make a good impression on the General.
Flattery required perceptiveness and smooth talk. He had already thoroughly assessed Kang Cheoldu.
“This man is superior to the former Commander, Lieutenant General Park Junpil.”
“So?”
Cheoldu looked at Im Unjin.
His mouth smiled kindly, but Kang Cheoldu wasn't one to miss the underlying emotion in his eyes.
He’s got a really weird look in his eyes.
“You don’t like me?”
“…?”
“Is that why you took my home?”
“Hmm? Hahaha.”
General Im Unjin laughed heartily.
“Well, well. So that’s why the Mercenary Leader is so thoroughly sulking.”
“I am not sulking.”
“…”
“Explain. Why did you take my land?”
Unable to watch any longer, Colonel Kim Geunsu stepped forward.
“Hey, Kang Cheoldu!”
Kim Geunsu grabbed the hilt of his sword, intending to show some force.
He meant to threaten, but upon meeting Kang Cheoldu’s eyes, his body froze.
“Don’t draw it.”
“…”
“You’ll die if you draw that.”
Kim Geunsu felt his heart stop cold.
Cheoldu averted his gaze from Kim Geunsu and looked at General Im Unjin.
Step, step.
As the distance between the two men closed, tension rose on both sides.
Choi Junseop hadn't even had the chance to report his return, so he stood with the Mercenary Corps, but his affiliation was strictly as a leader in the Special Task Force.
All the men standing behind him now were his comrades.
The Special Task Force, the 2nd Attack Squad, and the 6th, 7th, and 8th Attack Squads too.
All the elites had gathered.
The privates and sergeants, considered nothing more than labor, weren't even called.
If we fight.
Do I have to turn my sword against them?
Choi Junseop watched Cheoldu’s back with an anxious heart.
He couldn't imagine Cheoldu losing, but the opponents were far too numerous.
No, shit, opponents?
Choi Junseop was startled.
They were his comrades; treating them as the enemy already made no sense.
“Captain Choi. Please try to stop them.”
Gi Yongsu called out to Captain Choi in a tiny voice.
“Ah, right.”
He shouldn't be taking sides, he needed to stop the fight from happening in the first place.
As Choi Junseop strode forward, the distance between Im Unjin and Kang Cheoldu was barely five meters.
“…”
“…”
General Im Unjin’s and Kang Cheoldu’s gazes locked in mid-air.
“Major Lee.”
“Major Lee Eunyeong.”
Lee Eunyeong stepped forward.
Her previous appearance in a martial arts uniform was gone; dressed in a military uniform, it took a moment to recognize her.
“They say you’re the best fighter in Shinseoul?”
“Yes.”
“How do you compare to the Mercenary Leader?”
“Maybe 20 to 1?”
“…?”
Im Unjin asked, puzzled.
“What does that mean?”
“Even if there were twenty of me, I wouldn’t stand a chance against the Mercenary Leader. If there were about 100… well, I still wouldn’t be confident.”
“…!?”
“Allow me to say one thing before my discharge: Pay the price for the contracted request with the Mercenary Leader, and furthermore, repurchase the Mercenary Corps base.”
“…?”
Major Lee removed her military cap.
“Who gave you permission to discharge?”
“I did.”
This fucking bitch? Does she think I’m a joke?
General Im Unjin’s face twisted hideously.
Major Lee approached Kang Cheoldu and asked.
“You were supposed to receive two officers, right? Is there a spot for me?”
“Stand behind me.”
“Yes.”
As Major Lee stood behind Kang Cheoldu, silence fell over the area.
Kim Geunsu approached and stood beside General Im Unjin.
“Without Major Lee, we have no chance. We can’t stop that bastard.”
He was the one who single-handedly destroyed a mountain stronghold.
Didn't they say he cut down three Rankers at once?
And behind him stood nearly a hundred troops.
Even with Shinseoul's elites gathered behind them, it didn't feel like they had the upper hand in terms of strength.
Kim Geunsu, having served in Shinseoul for nearly 10 years, had an accurate grasp of their relative power based on intuition.
“We’re fucked, General.”
“What, you bastard?”
st:Smack!
General Im Unjin slapped Colonel Kim Geunsu across the face.
“Confirm the request and pay the fee!”
General Im Unjin spun around abruptly and went inside.
