The establishment of the United Nations Federation.
The place most sensitive to this news, unsurprisingly, was the Republic of Korea.
[A public enemy? The Republic of Korea had merely responded to attacks.]
[A ploy by powerful nations to keep Korea’s recent meteoric rise in check.]
[Up until now, the government had shown remarkable capability—how would it overcome this crisis?]
The media was in an uproar.
And understandably so—the newly established United Nations Federation had abruptly designated the Republic of Korea as its primary enemy.
There had been signs, of course.
Hiroshima, Tokyo, aircraft carriers, and even Beijing.
Behind all those disasters, they pointed the finger at Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea.
Evidence?
There was none.
The sole reason was that only Kim Si-won was capable of such acts.
Thus, the Government of the Republic of Korea, under the current regime led by President Hosik Jeong, released an official statement.
They declared that Kim Si-won was not involved in this incident.
They made it known to both Korea and the world that this was nothing more than the tyranny of powerful nations.
For Koreans, that reaction was quite exhilarating (at least domestically).
In the past, or under normal circumstances, it would not have been strange for them to bow their heads immediately in the face of such threats.
But the current regime did not yield to powerful nations as before.
As if they had an unshakeable backing, they stood firm, defending their beliefs and the people against intimidation and threats.
But now, everything had changed.
The United Nations Federation, an alliance boasting overwhelming might, had begun to exert pressure.
It was not just the United States, China, and Japan who had sparked friction last time.
Just as the word ‘world’ implied, countless countries had joined together to criticize the Republic of Korea in unison.
If it were only a diplomatic issue, Korea might have handled it as decisively as before.
Troops gathered under the flag of the United Nations Federation were deployed to the front lines.
Having secured land, sea, and even air superiority, the Federation’s forces and power were poised to turn the Republic of Korea into rubble at any moment.
This caused public anxiety to spike.
Even the media, which until recently had been flattering the current regime, changed their tone.
[If you are strong, you are bound to break. The disappointing response of the Hosik Jeong government—was that really the best they could do?]
[President Jeong is putting on a show, not governing.]
[The greatest crisis in Korea’s history. Anxiety is rising daily among citizens considering emigration.]
[Rumors are spreading within the opposition about suspending the acting president’s duties.]
The criticisms began to pour in.
Until now, Hosik Jeong and his administration had won nothing but praise for their strong stance, breaking with Korea’s previously weak diplomacy.
But that was only when results were good.
With the launch of the United Nations Federation and the ensuing crisis, all their past achievements evaporated in an instant.
Feeling threatened by the Federation’s forward deployment, the people even took to the streets with candlelight protests calling for the suspension of the president’s duties.
This atmosphere was reflected perfectly even in the Awakened Bamboo Grove community.
—I saw this coming. They just kept pushing without knowing when to yield, and look where it got us.
á„‚I wrote something like this before and got downvoted to oblivion. lololol.
á„‚Seems like a lot of people can’t tell the difference between being wise and being smart.
—No, you should stand by your convictions only so much. Is it reasonable to insist on your own way in diplomacy? Our country isn’t even that strong yet.
-This is a real disaster, isn’t it? They didn’t just call us the main enemy—they actually deployed troops to the front lines…
á„‚Game over. You’d better look for a way to emigrate fast.
á„‚Already checking out my options.
á„‚So this is how a country can falter just by picking the wrong president.
á„‚What’s funny is, he’s not even the actual president, just the acting president.
á„‚Stop just talking and actually come out for the candlelight protest. If we don’t suspend Hosik Jeong soon, Korea’s really doomed.
á…³Hosik Jeong is a problem, but Kim Si-won, that bastard is too. Should’ve known something was up when he started killing everyone just because he got a bit stronger.
á„‚If Korea falls, it’s Hosik Jeong and Kim Si-won’s fault.
á„‚Those bastards ruined the country.
A far cry from the actions of the weak presidents of the past.
The community, which until now had been full of praise for Hosik Jeong, was now nothing but criticism.
Just like the media.
When results are good, you’re a sage king.
When they’re bad, a tyrant.
The media and the community could only follow the current trend.
And now, Hosik Jeong was facing a situation where he could not help but be criticized.
Under such external and internal pressure suddenly, a live broadcast of President Hosik Jeong’s national address began….
[President Hosik Jeong’s National Address (Live)]
President Hosik Jeong appeared, impeccably dressed in a black suit.
With determination, he bit his lip hard and ascended the podium.
Only the camera for the live broadcast and the cameraman holding it were present there.
“…Fellow citizens, greetings. This is Hosik Jeong.” He began to speak calmly.
“Regarding your recent anxieties, both I and the government are fully aware. The United Nations Federation’s declaration of us as their primary enemy, and the advance deployment of troops to surround the peninsula. I completely understand the terror you must be feeling in the face of such imminent threats.”
Frankly, even Hosik Jeong had not foreseen this.
At best, he had expected that the United States, China, and Japan—nations that had suffered losses in previous clashes—might secretly form an alliance.
But what happened?
They went further, assembling under the flag of the United Nations Federation.
Not just the expected United States, China, and Japan, but also Russia, another major power, as well as the United Kingdom, France, India, and many others, had joined the Federation, designating the Republic of Korea as their main enemy.
To be honest, setting aside Kim Si-won, Korea had no hope of defeating any of those nations one-on-one.
But it wasn’t just one or two—it was dozens of countries.
Most people were convinced that if war broke out, Korea would be wiped out.
In this unfair situation, rather than uniting, the media relentlessly criticized, and the people came out with candles demanding the president’s suspension.
This address was the only way through.
“Up until now. Why couldn’t we engage in proper diplomacy? Why did we have to take such a hardline stance? I will now reveal those hidden facts to you all.”
Then the camera panned away.
It focused on a giant monitor set up for the address.
And then.
[Aaaahhh!]
[Kill him!]
The broadcasted video.
It showed the battle that had taken place in New York.
From a first-person perspective, the protagonist looked around.
“Ratatatatata—”
From every direction poured out beings—no, creatures that could not be called human.
Revealed in their true forms, they looked every bit the monsters.
Werewolves covered in thick fur.
Lizardmen resembling reptiles.
Towering Ogres over three meters tall.
Succubi with tails and horns.
Those surrounding the area, radiating murderous intent, were monsters.
“The United States described the incident in New York as a massacre, a tragedy. But where, in this footage, do you see the massacre of innocent citizens? Unless my eyes deceive me, this is the justified act of killing monsters occupying New York—something any human would have no choice but to do, is it not?”
That wasn’t the only footage prepared.
“The same is true for what happened in China, in Jilin Province and Beijing.”
Massacres in New York, and in Beijing.
No, these were not massacres as claimed by the United States, China, and the United Nations Federation.
It was the act of saving humanity from monsters intent on killing.
That noble act was captured, unfiltered.
‘To think he had even prepared something like this.’
Though he had already seen the footage, he couldn’t help but be impressed anew.
To think that even in this crisis, he’d filmed the scene and kept it as evidence.
Until recently, Hosik Jeong had thought of Kim Si-won as a cold man with overwhelming power.
But that wasn’t all.
As if he had foreseen the birth of the United Nations Federation, he had prepared evidence to undermine their legitimacy and cause.
He was, without a doubt, more thorough and brilliant than anyone could have imagined.
“They have declared us the enemy of the world. But, as you can see in this video, there is nothing here that would justify such a label. Instead, you see the hero’s journey, purifying cities occupied by monsters.”
With this single video, the United Nations Federation’s justification was gone.
“Now, a question arises. Why did the United States and China leave their cities, occupied by monsters, untouched? Why did they declare those who purified them to be evil, public enemies?”
And this was a chance for a counterattack.
“Because the governments of the United States, China—no, the highest authorities of the world—are under the control of those called the Demon Clan, beings of evil.”
That, too, he had only recently learned.
The true state of the world.
That the Demon Clan had taken control of the highest authorities of every country, making them dance in their palm.
“It is reasonable to infer that the reason these countries—always preoccupied with their own interests—have suddenly gathered under the flag of the United Nations Federation is because of the influence of the Demon Clan. In fact, I, Hosik Jeong, assure you: everyone belonging to the Federation is now under the rule of the Demon Clan, dancing to their tune.”
Federation?
Diplomacy is never so simple.
If not for their own interests, it is never easy to gather under one purpose.
But what about the United Nations Federation?
As if they had been waiting for this, they suddenly appeared on the world stage.
Unless something like the Demon Clan was pulling the strings, such a thing could never happen.
This was information for the citizens of Korea, and also a warning to the authorities of each country.
This was why he had prepared this live broadcast.
It was the first step of his counterattack.
“Constantly question who is really above you. Reflect, just once, on orders that make no sense. Perhaps the person you serve is, in fact, a member of the Demon Clan seeking to destroy humanity.”
Humans are creatures of doubt.
No matter how certain you are, once the seed of suspicion is sown, every single action is interpreted anew.
Of course, this was no mere scheme or slander.
He had spoken only the truth, sounding the alarm for those not yet under the control of the Demon Clan.
Just as the enemies had tried to cause chaos within Korea through the launch of the Federation, he now planted internal discord within their own ranks by revealing the Demon Clan’s control.
Hoping that those not yet enslaved by the Demon Clan would surely take action.
“And now, I declare before you all. The Republic of Korea will stand boldly against the United Nations Federation’s declaration. They do not care for the safety of humanity. They are the true evil, seeking to devour the world and restrain our nation.”
And Korea was already prepared to face that evil.
[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has used a Block Ticket (Enhanced++) for national defense.]
[All Observation and Search Tickets applied to the Territory of Republic of Korea are nullified.]
[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has used a Ticket of Exile (Enhanced++) for national defense.]
[All foreigners and members of the Demon Clan within the Territory of Republic of Korea are exiled.]
[As these are enhanced tickets, those exiled cannot set foot in the territory for 200 hours.]
[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has used a Shield Ticket (Enhanced+++) for national defense.]
[For the duration (6 hours), all external attacks are nullified.]
One after another, the tickets were used.
Each one, more enhanced than the last—truly worthy of being called a national defense measure.
“The Republic of Korea hereby declares all-out war and a battle to the death against the United Nations Federation, and the Demon Clan behind them.”
This was no longer merely a national address.
It was a declaration of total war against the United Nations Federation—and the Demon Clan behind them.