Ubermensch – Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Jeongguk rapidly transformed.

After Kim Donghwang disappeared, the North Koreans who lost their leader were forced to make a choice.

Would they assimilate into China and live as Joseonjok? Or would they cross over to South Korea?

Those with connections wanted to remain in China, but the majority wished to cross over to South Korea.

The Joseonjok were merely one of the many ethnic minorities under China. South Korea, where the Mount Paektu bloodline and their compatriots had settled, was an attractive option.

Moreover, if they were going to start with nothing anyway, they calculated it was better to start anew among fellow North Korean pioneers than to be treated like beggars, enduring condescending glances from the Chinese.

Thus, 80,000 active-duty soldiers and 500,000 civilians decided to go to South Korea.

Naturally, this decision was made without prior consultation with South Korea, and naturally, South Korea was pressured by the sudden change in circumstances.

However, at the crossroads of accepting or rejecting them, they ultimately chose to accept.

There was a humanitarian aspect to it, considering they were the same people after all……

“It’s to claim ownership of North Korean land.”

At Yekaterina’s words, Mason nodded.

No one could touch North Korean land at the moment. It was an abandoned wasteland, and the Laughing God lurked in its heart, Pyongyang.

The ownership of North Korean land would become a point of contention after the Laughing God’s subjugation, when the land would hold value worth claiming.

“And that’s why China got rid of Kim Donghwang for us.”

“What do you mean?”

“The legal owner of North Korean land is Jeong Ryeogyeong, the representative of the Mount Paektu bloodline. Or the original inhabitants, the North Koreans. You’ve acquired both, Mason.”

Yekaterina spoke calmly.

“From China’s perspective, they’ve finished their political calculations. They’ll do us a favor now, and later, they can just swallow up North Korea along with you, Mason.”

“Do you think it’ll go that way?”

“Even if it’s rebuilt, North Korea will be nothing more than a small nation of about a million people, built on barren wasteland. It won’t be able to stand on its own in East Asia, where numerous world powers are vying for dominance. One way or another, it’ll inevitably be influenced by neighboring countries. It’s uncertain whether remaining with South Korea will be the best choice for the rebuilt North Korea, or whether aligning with China or Russia would be better.”

Yekaterina smiled.

“The only certainty in politics is that there are no certainties.”

“Politics is complicated.”

“Nothing in the world is as complex as the human heart. How can governing people be simple?”

Mason fell into thought.

“By the way…… I killed him, right?”

“Kim Donghwang?”

“Yes.”

Yekaterina hesitated for a moment.

She could have spoken softly or lied.

But Yekaterina……

“Yes.”

She spoke coldly, only the truth.

“The moment you made the proposal, Mason, his value was gone. China pulled the trigger, but it was you who aimed the gun.”

It was because she believed Mason had grown enough to bear the weight of his decision.

“I killed someone……”

“That fact won’t change. But, some things will.”

“What’s that?”

“Whether you saved the North Koreans who were threatened by Kim Donghwang, or whether you seized power by killing him, depends solely on how you treat the North Korean people, Mason.”

Yekaterina looked at Mason.

“What kind of person do you want to be, Mason? A savior? A usurper?”

“I want to be a savior.”

“Then…… be one.”

“Kacha.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. For being by my side and the North Koreans’ side.”

“I’m the one who should be thankful. Thank you for saving me and my people.”

A king was destined to be lonely.

So, how precious was it to have someone to share that loneliness with?

Yekaterina had waited thousands of years for someone to share her loneliness. Mason had longed his entire life to be able to help someone.

Because they were each other’s dreams and hopes, they could speak with sincerity.

“I’m glad I met you.”

Yekaterina smiled.

It was a smile she had been waiting for, for a very long time.

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The future was the future, and the present was the present.

What was currently moving Mason’s North Korea was a meticulously crafted plan, prepared and coordinated for a long time.

The Northern Expedition was merely the most prominent project. Numerous detailed projects were operating beneath the surface. Countless projects, including feeding and clothing the North Koreans.

However, due to the sudden influx of mouths to feed, everything had changed.

Especially, the thing that had changed the most……

Was Mason’s position.

In fact, even until now, many were wary of giving Mason too much power.

The Northern Expedition plan was fundamentally predicated on training North Koreans as soldiers.

But conversely, this also meant turning Mason into a warlord with hundreds of thousands of troops.

South Korea had lost too many young people, too many soldiers. That’s why they needed an army.

But the most important thing for an army was loyalty. There was considerable anxiety about militarizing North Koreans, from whom loyalty to South Korea was hard to expect.

Despite this, the plan went ahead for two reasons.

The need for an army was desperate, and Mason was considered a controllable figure.

Mason was a good person. However, good and evil were not particularly important in politics.

Controllability was more important.

Mason had a tendency to value law and order and a personality that avoided conflict rather than provoking it.

He was someone who wouldn’t cause trouble as long as he and his people were taken in.

The confidence that Mason could be controlled became the driving force behind approving the Northern Expedition plan, with its enormous risks.

But now, Mason was…

Showing himself to be someone who could escape South Korea’s control.

Mason was still a good person. He had merely made the best choices for his people.

However, having demonstrated the political acumen to eliminate Kim Donghwang and bring in the North Koreans, the premise that Mason was controllable began to crumble.

If China offered more support for the North Koreans than South Korea, what reason would Mason have to refuse?

Mason was not born in South Korea, and it was difficult to expect patriotism from him. He owed no debt to South Korea. He was a man of humanitarianism, not patriotism.

From the moment he showed he could negotiate directly with China, bypassing South Korea, Mason fell into the category of uncontrollable individuals.

It was only natural that South Korea viewed Mason with a wary eye.

However, all of this was happening beneath the surface.

Publicly, they only sent out messages welcoming Mason’s humanitarian decision. Along with a stance of active support.

Their attitude was friendly and amicable, far from blaming or complaining.

Thanks to this, Mason and others realized…

The fact that South Korea was wary of them.

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The Northern Expedition plan and the plan to support North Koreans were drastically revised. Yekaterina was inevitably buried under a mountain of paperwork.

Mason was no different.

Although not to the extent of Yekaterina, the details he had to review were considerable, and Mason found himself going back and forth between his office and home.

It was the most reasonable and efficient containment method.

To restrict their movements.

And while they bought time this way, the government was taking the next step.

“So, you want to discuss something with me?”

“Yes.”

The person before her was an agent from the National Intelligence Service. The department responsible for South Korea’s intelligence.

“Raid Leader Mason has become an uncontrollable individual. In that case, we need to at least know his movements and plans one step ahead.”

The NIS agent gave a pleasant smile to the person sitting in front of him. It was a smile honed through long training.

“And, Seo Yeonhee, you’re Raid Leader Mason’s closest confidante, wouldn’t you say?”

“I’m one of the closest people to him, I suppose.”

Seo Yeonhee gave a self-deprecating smile.

“Doesn’t seem like I’ve been much help, though.”

“Anyway, your cooperation would be of great benefit to the national interest.”

“I see. Of great benefit to the national interest.”

Seo Yeonhee asked nonchalantly,

“But how would this benefit me?”

The NIS agent wasn’t surprised. He had anticipated this reaction.

Unlike Mason, who had become too influential to be swayed by patriotism, Seo Yeonhee was someone who didn’t place much weight on the word.

She was a private person, driven by self-interest.

“We believe you’ll need help subjugating the Laughing God.”

“Wouldn’t you have to help me with that even if I didn’t cooperate?”

“As you know, the Laughing God is a special monster. Special measures will be needed.”

Seo Yeonhee narrowed her eyes.

“Are you saying you’re researching techniques that are effective against the Laughing God?”

“Let’s just say there’s a classified project.”

“Then I think I should ask why this classified project is classified.”

“Why do you think it’s being hidden?”

A tense conversation was unfolding. A conversation between people wearing trained smiles like masks, hiding daggers behind their tongues and their backs.

Seo Yeonhee spoke nonchalantly,

“Either the objective or the process, or both, are problematic. And considering it’s being managed by the state…… It’s likely a technology involving human experimentation or with the potential for abuse against humans.”

The NIS agent was impressed.

“You’re much sharper than I expected. I was worried because you were in rehabilitation, but that was a needless concern.”

“Did I guess correctly?”

“Yes. Both.”

The NIS agent said with a smile,

“The NIS is conducting classified research on mind control abilities. And in relation to that…… we have some information about the Laughing God’s abilities.”

The Laughing God.

The moment that name was mentioned, Seo Yeonhee’s gaze changed.

It was the exact reaction the NIS agent had hoped for.

“If you cooperate, we’ll grant you access to that research.”

“And if I refuse?”

“We’ve been investigating you for quite some time, Seo Yeonhee. Since the Heavenly King’s rise, we’ve been secretly supporting you, her only rival. So, we know enough about you, Seo Yeonhee.”

The NIS agent said with a smile,

“You absolutely cannot refuse this offer.”

“…”

“If I’m wrong, try denying it. I’ll quietly withdraw.”

Seo Yeonhee fell into thought for a moment.

It wasn’t a long time.

“I’ll do it.”

The NIS agent placed a USB drive on top of his business card.

“This is the data for Project .”

The NIS agent stood up.

“I look forward to working with you, Seo Yeonhee.”

As he left, Seo Yeonhee picked up the USB drive.

“…”

Along with the NIS agent’s business card.