With the completion of the annex, a safe zone spanning dozens of kiloters was established around Seoul.
At the sa ti, Oh Eon-ju and Ha Dong-geon were finally freed from their responsibilities.
"Currently, the only locations that require a forward base are the nuclear power plants in Yeonggwang, Uljin, and Gyeongju."
Busan, where the Kori Nuclear Power Plant was located, had been absorbed into the "Ho Base" domain during its recent expansion.
Thus, there was no longer a need to maintain a forward base there.
Ulsan, on the other hand, had suffered from radiation contamination in the past, and all survivors had already been relocated to Busan, making a forward base unnecessary.
This left only three remaining locations where maintaining a forward base was essential: the nuclear power plants in Yeonggwang, Uljin, and Gyeongju.
"For Wolseong Base in Gyeongju, Choi Hyeong-jun will take charge.
For Hanul Base in Uljin, Yoo Han-gil will oversee operations.
For Hanbit Base in Yeonggwang, Seo Ye-jin will manage security."
There were strategic reasons for assigning these individuals to their respective locations.
The Wolseong Base in Gyeongju was relatively close to Busan’s "Ho Base" and had been the site of multiple monster hunts, aning it was fairly well-mapped.
The average monster level in Ulsan, Gyeongju, and the surrounding South Gyeongsang Province was in the low 20s, just slightly higher than Busan.
Since there was no imdiate need for further exploration there, Choi Hyeong-jun was stationed there.
However, for the other two bases, I assigned Yoo Han-gil and Seo Ye-jin, both of whom specialized in reconnaissance.
"Our plan is to use their abilities to scout the surrounding regions and gradually assess monster levels."
The Hanul Base was located near the border of North Gyeongsang Province and Gangwon Province, while the Hanbit Base was positioned along the west coast of South Jeolla Province.
Both regions had been secured, but information was still extrely scarce.
"The primary objective is to establish footholds in major cities and construct forward bases as the foundation for future territories."
After hearing Kim Da-bin’s thorough briefing, I asked a question.
"What’s the exact number of available troops?"
Here, "available troops" referred to retainers.
The first phase of the plan was to construct forward bases in major tropolitan cities—Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon, and Incheon.
While hunting teams would be crucial later for setting up fully-fledged territories, they weren’t necessary for constructing forward bases.
"Excluding the three individuals stationed at the nuclear bases and the **two administrators—myself and Yoo Hye-rin—there will be a total of 80 retainers participating in this operation."
Eight teams of ten mbers each.
The team composition was optimized to maximize efficiency in forward base construction.
Each of the eight teams would target the major tropolitan areas as well as densely populated regions in Gyeonggi Province.
"What about Jeju Island and Ulleungdo?"
Since these had been previously discussed, I followed up on them.
"If this operation is successful, we'll assign separate teams for those locations later."
For now, the focus was on securing the mainland.
"Understood. When should we begin the operation?"
"I believe we should allow sufficient rest before deploynt."
"Agreed. Let's grant a five-day break before starting the operation."
And so, the retainers, who had been overworked from constant monster hunting, were granted a short five-day reprieve.
***
"Three more servings of sirloin, please!"
"Coming right up!"
Shindorim had transford into a thriving comrcial hub.
As her subordinates laughed and drank, enjoying their food, Yang Ha-young observed them with detached indifference before stepping outside.
"Huh? Where are you going, unnie?"
"Smoking."
"I’m coming too!"
As Yang Ha-young lit a cigarette, the woman who followed her snapped her fingers, summoning a small fla to light it for her.
She inhaled deeply, the tip of the cigarette glowing red.
"Seriously, unnie, you look sexiest when you smoke."
"Back off. You’re too close."
"Not a chance! I’m clinging even harder now."
As the other woman burrowed into her space, Yang Ha-young exhaled smoke directly into her face.
Rather than being bothered, the woman smiled with delight, inhaling the secondhand smoke.
"Ahh~ Passive smoking is the best~"
When Yang Ha-young finally shoved her away, the woman reluctantly stepped back, lighting her own cigarette before asking—
"Unnie, sothing happen? It’s been a while since we had leave, but you seem really down."
After a brief pause, Yang Ha-young finally spoke.
"Choi Soo-bin."
"Yeah?"
"Are you happy?"
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Choi Soo-bin frowned, deep in thought.
"What do you an by that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
"Happy…?"
After a mont of serious contemplation, Choi Soo-bin responded.
"If I really think about it… yeah, I guess so?
I don’t have to worry about food, my house is great, sure, hunting monsters is annoying, but I’ve gotten way stronger than before.
I can drink as much as I want, smoke freely, and…"
She flicked the ashes from her cigarette, flashing a grin.
"It’s pretty damn great, isn’t it?"
"I see."
After letting those words sink in, Yang Ha-young finally spoke again.
"That’s good, then."
She thought to herself—
So it really is just .
Ever since that day, sothing in her mind had broken beyond repair.
The concept of happiness felt distant, faded—as if she were dreaming, with no sense of reality.
But grief—
Grief was far too vivid.
Just like the mories she relived in nightmares every night.
‘Strange.’
Why had she told that man about it?
Her parents’ story—she had never told anyone before.
Not even Choi Soo-bin, the person closest to her.
Co to think of it—
Choi Soo-bin knew very little about her.
She didn’t even know her age.
"Choi Soo-bin."
"Yeah?"
"You said you're twenty-two, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I just turned nineteen."
Choi Soo-bin’s eyes widened in shock, and she dropped her cigarette.
"Wait, WHAT?! You’re serious?!"
"I am."
She had always been told she looked mature for her age.
Maybe it was because she was tall for a woman—standing at 178 cm.
After the world fell apart, appearing older had its advantages, so she never bothered to correct people.
"Unnie, this is… seriously shocking."
"...Why are you still calling 'unnie'?"
"You don’t like it?"
"It’s not that, but…"
"Then I’ll keep calling you that, unnie. It just feels natural now.
But, unnie—"
Sliding her arm around Yang Ha-young’s, Choi Soo-bin smirked.
"Why’d you only tell your real age?
Is this a sign?"
"…I just felt like it."
And in that mont—
She realized sothing.
The reason she had opened up to that man was simply because—
She had felt like it.
Just like now.
"My parents died because of ."
"…Huh?"
"To be precise—I killed them."
"……."
This ti, it was easier to tell the story.
Maybe because she had already said it once.
And so—
She spoke.
And Choi Soo-bin listened in silence.
For a while, a deep silence filled the air, during which their cigarettes burned down, shrinking with each passing mont.
The only sound that broke the stillness was the distant laughter and chatter of their comrades inside the barbecue restaurant.
Finally, when the cigarette was reduced to just the filter, Choi Soo-bin spoke up.
"Unnie. Sit down like this."
"...All of a sudden?"
"Just do it, co on!"
Choi Soo-bin was short.
So whenever she hugged Yang Ha-young, she would bury her face against her stomach rather than her chest.
But now, as Ha-young crouched down, the situation reversed.
For once, she was the one looking up at Soo-bin.
And at that mont—
"!?"
Choi Soo-bin pulled her into an embrace.
A hand, small compared to her own, gently stroked her hair.
And then—
"It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault, unnie."
Hearing those words, Ha-young finally realized—
"Your parents would have been glad that you survived."
That was what she had wanted to hear.
And then—
"……!"
The last image of her mother’s face resurfaced.
The desperate movent of her lips, trying to say sothing.
Even in unbearable pain, with bones piercing through her body, she had forced a smile as she tried to convey one last ssage—
(It’s… okay… It’s… okay…)
And now—she finally understood.
Her eyes burned.
She felt sothing warm trickling down her cheeks.
Realizing it, Ha-young buried her face even deeper into Soo-bin’s embrace.
"…You’ve been hurting a lot, haven’t you?"
As Soo-bin softly patted her back, Ha-young remained still—
And quietly cried.
***
Kuaaaagh!
(This is impossibleeeee—!)
A Toyong wailed in despair at a construction site.
Kuaaaeeek!
(It can’t be happening!)
Sothing unbelievable was unfolding.
Recently, one human’s arrival had greatly accelerated construction speed.
A woman driving a car had been rapidly repairing roads, significantly reducing the Toyongs’ workload.
For the first ti, they had less work to do.
Most importantly—
They no longer had to deal with the tedious, soul-draining task of road repairs.
On top of that, the woman’s power had grown even stronger, and now she had begun restoring entire buildings.
Naturally, many Toyongs grumbled about it—
But the one currently screaming?
Deep inside, he had actually been thrilled.
Kuuurururuk, Kurururuk!
(I was just starting to enjoy my well-earned vacation!)
But in the end—
It had all been a fleeting dream.
Before they could even finish one project, the amount of work they needed to do had multiplied several tis over.
Kuuuuh! Kuririk!
(This has to be a nightmare! I refuse to believe it!)
He desperately tried to deny reality, but—
The half-demolished cityscape before him made it painfully clear just how much work still remained.
anwhile, the other Toyongs, happily wiggling their butts as they worked, overheard his rant and chid in.
Kuuuuururuk! Kuririririk!
(Seriously, that woman almost ruined everything! I was so worried about how boring our vacation was going to be!)
A Toyong, currently repairing a cracked building, enthusiastically agreed.
Kuk! Kuguguruk? Kurik!
(Phew! Did you hear? That woman finally got a vacation? Serves her right!)
Another Toyong, still focused on his work, snapped irritably.
Kuuuuruk? Kuriririk, Kuriririk! Kururiririririk!
(Have any of you actually seen her? She snatched up all the work, finished it in record ti, and then mockingly waved at ! I still haven’t gotten over that humiliation!)
Krrrruk! Kuririk!
(Yeah! She did that to too!)
Kurik!
(Sa here!)
From all around, Toyongs who had suffered similar indignities voiced their complaints.
Kuuurururirik!
(She should just stay on vacation forever!)
Kurik! Kuuuuruk!
(Agreed! Never show your face on-site again!)
Hearing this, one particularly frustrated Toyong shouted—
Kuaaaaaaaah!!
(I want a vacation toooooo!!)
Unable to comprehend the bizarre reactions of his fellow Toyongs, he turned to one of them in frustration.
Kuuruk! Kuriririk Kururigirik!
(If you love working so much, why don’t you take my job too?!)
Silence.
And then—
Kuuuuruk— Kuuuuruk?! Kurik?!
(Y-You an it?! I really can?!)
The Toyong beside him imdiately pounced on the opportunity.
K-Kururugruk!
(Not only will I do your job, I’ll take on even more work too!)
For a mont, the lazy Toyong hesitated before nodding.
"...Kururuk?"
(...Would you, really?)
At that mont—
Kuuuuuuurururuk!
(You're such a great guy!)
The overjoyed Toyong, whose workload had suddenly doubled, trembled with emotion.
And then—
K-Kuuruk! Kuuuuruk!
( too! Give more work too!)
Kuuuurik! Kuririririk!
(Stop! This workload is mine!)
Watching this unfold, the lazy Toyong had a sudden revelation.
His eyes glead as a brilliant idea struck him.
Kuuruk! Kurururuk! Kurururuk?
(Alright, line up! Who wants the privilege of taking my workload?)
The Toyongs nearby reacted instantly—
Practically trampling over each other in desperation.
Kuuruk! Kuuuuruk! Kuuuuruk!
(! ! , please!!)
And as he watched them clamber over themselves for work—
The lazy Toyong finally grinned in triumph.
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