Chapter 30: Normalizing the Abnormal (2)

Tension gripped the world.  

But it wasn’t just a problem between the Republic of Korea and Japan, who had declared war on each other.  

War between nations always carries unpredictable repercussions.  

The whole world held its breath, closely watching the two nations’ every move, wary of the butterfly effect the war could unleash.  

Yet, things were quieter than expected.  

Especially Japan.

Despite expectations that they would launch an immediate attack on Republic of Korea territory, they only maintained standoff positions over airspace and territorial waters, showing no actual aggression.  

Of course, this was somewhat anticipated.  

With the Hawkin Layer’s intervention, the entire Japanese leadership had been assassinated.  

Amid such chaos, the unlikely acting Prime Minister hardly had the courage to bear the heavy responsibility of waging war.  

They declared war, attempting to redirect internal attention outward, but were inevitably unable to execute it in earnest.  

But that calm wouldn’t last long.  

No matter how much they tried to avoid responsibility, what was destined to happen would eventually happen.  

Japan’s pride had been deeply wounded by Kim Si-won’s exploits and Republic of Korea’s war declaration.  

The public sentiment demanded war.  

Though there was some hesitation due to the anticipated damage, war was an unavoidable reality.  

The only fortunate aspect for the Republic of Korea was that it bought some time to prepare.  

The unfortunate part was how obvious the war’s outcome would be.  

One hundred times out of a hundred, the Republic of Korea would face defeat—no, a massacre.  

If Japan truly set its mind to it, turning the Korean Peninsula into a sea of flames would be trivial.  

Even the recent rising fame of Kim Si-won didn’t change that fact.  

That was simply because the disparity built up over the past 50 years was enormous.  

Awakeners’ activities had not only affected the Tower but had subtly traded its resources to strengthen national power.  

The Republic of Korea had grown to rank just below the four major powers—the United States, Russia, and China—in strength.  

So even if the Republic of Korea fought the so-called ultimate battle, the odds of victory were none.  

Moreover, judging by the current state of the Republic of Korea, the possibility was zero.  

“The Japan-Loving Society condemns the government. What we want is peace and harmony, not war.”  

“President Lee Ilhwa of the Women’s Peace Organization demands the government immediately halt its reckless push to drag the people into the battlefield.”  

The pro-Japanese faction, which had spread like a cancer within the Republic of Korea from the past until now, had begun to mobilize.  

Broadcasts, news media, and online articles erupted day after day, protesting the war.  

The scale was not insignificant.  

It was only natural—having bowed to Japan for fifty years, human nature inclines to seek strength.  

While the current pro-Japanese faction was incomparable to the era of direct colonial rule under Japanese Imperialism, their numbers had indeed grown significantly.  

But now, to declare war on Japan?  

That was unforgivable to those who called for pro-Japanese sentiments.  

So, under the banner of opposing the war, they fanned the public’s anxieties and sowed chaos.  

With slogans like “The People Are Cannon Fodder.”  

If it had been just the voice of the pro-Japanese faction, the flames might have quickly died down.  

But they were joined by hyenas who criticized the government as incompetent and accused the current acting President Hosik Jeong of ruining the Republic of Korea.  

“An incompetent government is trying to destroy the Republic of Korea. This war attempt is a clear act of treason.”  

“The acting President is shouting war to solidify his grip on power. We expose the regime’s atrocious evil.”  

The Blue House assassination had left the regime in a precarious state.  

Although Acting President Hosik Jeong, the highest in the order of protocol, had briefly held power, a position without a foundation was fragile.  

That’s why hyenas swarmed from all directions.  

Teaming up with the pro-Japanese faction, they sharpened their criticism of the current government and Acting President Jeong as incompetent.  

The combined force of pro-Japanese factions and hyenas bent on toppling the interim regime surged like a wave.  

“The government’s unilateral war. The people tremble with fear.”  

A war with no chance of victory.

An incompetent government using the people as cannon fodder.

Their purpose?  

“It’s time to sacrifice a few for the greater good. Handing over Kim Si-won is the way to save the people.”  

This swept through the Republic of Korea in an instant.  

Someone had said, “The masses are just dogs and pigs.”  

Caught in public opinion and mass psychology, the people were swept away by the tide without making proper judgments.  

Before they knew it, those who supported war were cast as threats to the Republic of Korea, while those opposing it were hailed as awakened citizens who cared for the nation.  

Many knew this was far from normal.  

“Professor Seon Jeongin warned that if we yield to Japan again, it will be colonization akin to the Japanese Imperialism era.”  

“Dokdo has always been the Republic of Korea’s territory. It’s disheartening to see the current reality where it’s called Takeshima.”  

“I’m not saying I support war. But if we submit to Japan again, it will inevitably mean a return to colonial rule like during the Japanese occupation.”  

Peace?  

Of course, resolving it peacefully without bloodshed would be ideal.  

But Japan showed no signs of that.  

For fifty years, Japan had been the aggressor, hitting unilaterally.  

The Republic of Korea was the victim of this one-sided assault, now only starting to strike back.  

When it comes to resistance, we must resist.  

We have to instill the image of a mad dog that can bite back at any time so Japan dares not act recklessly.  

The heated debate over war for and against raged.  

When the whole nation should have been united, this polarized division sowed internal conflict.  

The Awakened Bamboo Grove reflected the same sentiments.  

– “What do you guys think about this war?”  

– “Of course we have to fight. They’re including Dokdo in handing over Kim Si-won, right? It was just recovered after fifty years, and now they want to give it away? I would never allow that, even if it kills me.”  

– “Heh, when was Dokdo ever ours? It’s Takeshima. The world already recognizes it as Takeshima. And if giving away a resource-rich island and a single person can prevent war, shouldn’t we just choose that?”  

– “Gotcha, you little punk! Here’s a pro-Japanese before the war even starts.”  

– “Pro-Japanese? Imagine if your son went to war and became cannon fodder. Better to sacrifice one than have tens of thousands die.”  

– “Am I the weird one? I think we absolutely must fight, but there are so many opposing people?”  

– “This is ridiculous even before the war has begun. Looking at it objectively, we’re just going to lose.”  

– “If you want war that badly, then go fight yourselves.”  

– “We want peace!”  

– “Tenno Heika Banzai!”  

As time passed, opposition to the war gained momentum.  

This was only natural since absurd rumors about cannon fodder and imperialization of the regime had spread widely.  

Before long, supporters of the war were labeled threats to the Republic of Korea, while opponents were seen as enlightened citizens and patriots.  

***

President’s Office  

“Bang!”  

A fist slammed hard on the desk.  

“Damn it!”  

The one cursing without restraint was Acting President Hosik Jeong.  

Behind his crumpled, haggard face were multiple internet news articles.  

The articles vehemently opposed the war with Japan, openly revealing their intent.  

“Goddamn bastards. Even in times like these, they’re scheming to grab power like this!”  

He had thought that clearing out incompetent superiors would solve everything.  

But that was his misjudgment.  

The pro-Japanese faction and the power-hungry hyenas within the Republic of Korea—he had underestimated them.  

Like cockroaches, unseen creatures crawled out from the shadows, eating away at the Republic of Korea.  

But there was nothing he could do.  

If the war was truly for imperialization, he could declare martial law and wipe them out in one sweep?  

Doing so might capture those causing internal strife, but he would never escape the stigma of being a dictator.  

In that case, even the people who supported him would turn their backs.  

Ultimately, losing popular support meant losing legitimacy for the war and all future actions.  

So even while watching those who ate away at the Republic of Korea, he could not act.  

Frustrated, he chain-smoked cigarettes he had quit for three years.  

But in the past few days, it felt like he had smoked the amount of cigarettes he should have for three years.  

“Phew—nothing can be helped.”  

Lost in thought, he had no choice but to pull out his trump card.  

His gaze flicked to the right.  

“Minister Chaun Kim.”  

No sooner had he called the name,  Kim Chaun, having undone his camouflage, appeared.  

“Swoosh.”  

“Yes, Minister… no, Acting President.”  

He hurriedly corrected himself upon realizing the mistake.  

“A real deadweight.”  

Yet Kim Chaun had been appointed the vacant Minister of the Awakening Bureau position.  

There were many far more qualified candidates, but for one reason only.  

“Contact Kim Si-won.”  

“Yes.”  

Because Kim Chaun was the only person who knew Kim Si-won’s contact information and could reach him.  

For that one reason, despite being a deadweight, Kim Chaun was an irreplaceable existence who secured the position of Minister of the Awakening Bureau.  

“Yes. I’ll call him on speaker.”  

The call connected shortly after.  

[…What is it this time?]  

A controlled voice, almost devoid of emotion, responded.  

“I apologize. Even though you helped before, we failed to handle things properly.”  

Previously, there had been a promise.  

Once the Blue House’s higher-ups were eliminated, power could be seized.  

And there was a vow to make the Republic of Korea a strong nation.  

But how long had it been since they took power that they had to ask for help?  

“Regardless of my incompetence, this matter must be handled swiftly. It’s embarrassing, but I contacted you for help.”  

It was shameful to admit one’s own incompetence.  

But worse was to ignore a problem to hide that incompetence when it could be solved.  

[…Not bad.]

Then came a single reply.  

[If it’s about that problem, I’ll take care of it now.]

And just like that, the call ended.  

An abrupt end after a one-sided conversation.  

“Not bad.”  

Hosik Jeong mulled over the words he had just heard.  

***

Hosik Jeong—this was exactly the kind of man he imagined.  

Firm but able to bend when needed.  

If one is only strong, one breaks easily.  

Had he been afraid to reveal his own weakness and delayed contacting Kim Si-won, the position would have been filled by a new person.  

This was a kind of test.  

And he had passed it.  

‘Internal conflict.’  

A thought arose from the current situation.  

“What do you think is most important in preparing for war? It’s internal stability.  If you go to war without internal stability, you might initially shift your focus to the external enemy, but problems will inevitably arise.”  

As a Knight of the Galia Empire, one learns basic military strategy.  

Knights are guaranteed high status, far beyond being mere human tactical weapons.  

Therefore, when a commander dies, someone must always be ready to fill the vacancy.  

Having once served the empire, he had learned various strategies and tactics, and the most emphasized was internal stability.  

And now, the Republic of Korea faced its worst-case scenario: internal conflict.  

When unity was desperately needed, even those considered traitors in the Republic of Korea bit and clawed at each other.  

Unless this issue was resolved, war was meaningless.  

So it was resolved.  

“Screech.”  

[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has used the Ticket of Exile (Enhanced) for national defense.]  

[All pro-Japanese elements within Republic of Korea territory are being exiled to Japan.]  

[This is an enhanced ticket. As an additional effect, those exiled are banned from setting foot on Republic of Korea territory for 200 hours.]  

The Ticket of Exile was torn—just a simple click.