Chapter 87 - The Beginning of Change (3)
Chapter 87. The Beginning of Change (3)
“First of all, we should increase the budget…”
“It’s not something to think about so simply.”
“Journalists are relentless. They’re always looking for something to criticize, and if the defense budget increases, they’ll swarm like bees.”
“If we nitpick everything like that, we won’t be able to start anything.”
“But that’s the reality. We have to acknowledge the many restrictions.”
“It’s impossible to recruit troops unless actual situations occur…”
“What about strengthening the reserve forces’ training?”
“That’s a bad move. It will only give anti-government forces an excuse.”
“It might turn them into rioters disguised as protesters. People are scary these days.”
“The issue of reserve forces is sensitive to the younger generation. It’s not something we can handle easily.”
“But if that ‘hole’ really exists, we can’t just sit idle, can we?”
“If it’s real, yes.”
“It’s just one person’s claim.”
“Monsters came from another world? Preparing for war based on such an absurd reason is ludicrous.”
“Asking to prepare for a nonexistent threat without solid evidence… It’s a demand that mocks the government.”
“That’s right. Reality isn’t a movie. Tsk, everyone is so naive.”
“Really? Even after watching that video, you think that looks like movie graphics?”
“Did you just call me ‘you’?”
“Let’s lower our hands. At our age, we shouldn’t be pointing fingers.”
The atmosphere in the meeting gradually heated up, and the voices grew louder.
This was already the third such repetitive incident today.
It was no surprise, as discussions sometimes escalated into physical altercations.
Yang Jochul, who had considerable experience in such situations, sighed quietly and remained seated.
‘I hope a proper conclusion is reached.’
It didn’t seem promising.
Yang Jochul glanced around the meeting room unobtrusively, suppressing his frustration.
Unlike the bickering ministers and vice-ministers, quite a few people whispered anxiously with tense expressions.
Not everyone was ignoring the fear of the unknown, as some were genuinely concerned about the potential issues.
The fact that Earth could be invaded was officially being considered a plausible scenario, thanks to the repeated demonstrations provided by players like Yang Hyewon.
Moreover, they had seen the monster brought by K in person.
That’s why the defense officials approached the meeting with grim seriousness.
However, realistic constraints impeded any substantial preparations.
“If you’re so confident, why not hold a press conference?! If you can get them to accept this nonsensical situation, I’ll offer any support!”
Just as Yang Jochul was about to sigh again at the stagnating meeting.
Someone entered the meeting room.
‘Someone from the secretariat…’
It was a member of the presidential secretariat.
As the person approached the head of the table and whispered into the president’s ear, the heated voices gradually subsided.
They had raised their voices only for the argument’s sake.
In a situation where new information had clearly arrived, there was no reason to waste time.
“It seems we’ve moved past the phase of doubting the information about the ‘hole’.”
“What?”
The words from the president carried significant weight.
“We’ve received a message from the Kremlin.”
Yang Jochul glanced quickly at Yang Hyewon who sat next to him.
She had conveyed that K had planned to send the evolved species to Russia.
The intelligence agency had reported this only to the president, and it seemed that it had just been confirmed.
“They said an evolved species came through and inquired if we knew anything about it.”
A low murmur came from the defense officials.
After repeatedly confirming from other sources that monsters could traverse the hole, it was a natural reaction.
After all, they would be the ones confronting the monsters directly if an invasion ever occurred.
Seeing that rifles didn’t work on them, their minds must have been racing.
Yang Jochul sighed again, seeing the serious expressions of the defense officials.
‘Not that I’m in any position to worry about others.’
One’s own future is always more burdensome than someone else’s.
‘The issues keep increasing.’
The fact that K’s nationality had started being exposed was a significant concern for Yang Jochul.
While the server was active, K’s nationality had been disclosed to some players and countries.
Fortunately, K had taken the initiative in this matter.
The downside was the high likelihood that foreign agents or special forces had clandestinely entered Korea to find K.
Recently, Yang Jochul’s thoughts were consumed with how to prevent them.
It would have been easier if K’s identity was known.
But even the intelligence agency didn’t have any clues.
Protecting someone unknown was particularly daunting.
Just as Yang Jochul was stifling yet another sigh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had been busy due to the recent focus on issues related to K, spoke up.
“Was there any other message?”
“They acknowledged knowing K’s nationality and requested his cooperation. They want to know how to neutralize the evolved species…”
The president glanced toward the intelligence agency personnel.
“It seems K played a role in transferring the evolved species to Russia, right?”
“We’ll confirm it.”
Although they were already aware, they pretended ignorance, considering the others’ perspectives.
K’s information was being treated with utmost caution.
“I have been concerned even before the meeting began…”
In such a situation, the topic that continued to surface wasn’t exactly delightful.
“While preparing for an invasion is an issue, preventing K’s information from leaking to other countries is also important, wouldn’t you agree?”
Yang Jochul exchanged quick glances with the director of the National Intelligence Service, his superior.
‘We must stop anyone from investigating his background.’
Barely nodded by the director, Yang Jochul spoke up.
“It will be counterproductive.”
He remembered K, who hesitated to kill Han Changshik, yet did it anyway.
‘He’s someone who follows through if he decides to do something.’
Someone like that warned against probing into his background.
K might compromise with no one if he discovered unauthorized access to his surroundings.
‘I believe he would make good on his warning to become a bigger hassle than Han Changshik.’
Yet, protecting K wasn’t the only reason Yang Jochul had in mind.
K’s remark about preventing monsters from crossing over was sincere.
In this aspect, K’s aspirations perfectly aligned with Yang Jochul, who was focused on national security.
While K seemed to be establishing a separate player group by contacting people like Yang Hyewon, which needed watching.
Basically, K was more an ally to support rather than an obstacle to eliminate from Yang Jochul’s standpoint.
Provoking such an individual was inadvisable.
Moreover, if caught while investigating K, the losses would outweigh any gains.
‘If the relationship sours once, there’s no chance for improvement.’
This was the only opportunity not resulting from a mistake yet, without a doubt.
Such risks were not worth taking under the current circumstances.
Yang Jochul energetically opposed any plans to track K’s identity.
However, the signs from the Ministry of Defense were peculiar.
They sneakily exchanged glances and whispered in the intelligence section’s direction.
From there, the meeting’s purpose veered off course.
The time spent debating whether to secure K’s identity or not exceeded actual discussions.
Only then did he realize. It had been decided beforehand to change the narrative this way.
The president was evidently involved.
‘Unless the approval came from above, they wouldn’t latch on this persistently.’
By diverting the focus onto K, the intention was to avoid the difficult immediate decisions and buy time.
If, during the process, they managed to secure K’s identity, it would be a bonus.
Upon grasping the unfolding situation, Yang Jochul hastily attempted to redirect the flow.
Yet extinguishing already ignited sparks proved arduous.
***
A sense of unease began to creep in.
I learned of the meeting’s outcome in which the president participated, from Yang Hyewon.
Nothing definite had been decided; instead, they wasted time by only discussing me.
The matter resolved my decision to stay in Bihar for an extended period.
Thus, for ten days, I focused on hunting and training, acclimating completely to life in Bihar.
What I found most advantageous about the changed living environment was being able to train without being limited by location.
I had my private training ground now.
‘Rashar must have arranged it.’
Behind the grand mansion, alongside stables and an armory, were various facilities showcasing the Bennett family’s might.
Among them was a large collective training ground capable of hosting over a hundred individuals.
However, I used the smaller, private training ground on the outskirts of the collective one.
There was an effort made in setting it up, and ignoring that would be inconsiderate.
After completing the evolved species raid, I spent the next ten days mostly in the training ground.
A persistent issue with mana manipulation even led me to reduce my hunting time to concentrate on training.
However, the results weren’t particularly promising.
‘It’s not improving…’
Thanks to Condense, the proficiency in Mana Manipulation hit 99.99% a while ago.
While it was favorable that the proficiency rose quickly, seeing this number unchanged for five consecutive days indicated a problem.
‘Two of my traits increase proficiency gain speed.’
That allowed me to learn skills, execute magic, and fill proficiency bars faster than anyone else up until now.
Yet, despite possessing two related traits, the proficiency didn’t budge.
Over the past five days, I tried everything imaginable to solve this.
Repeating circulation, materialization, and condense hundreds of times was, if anything, amusing.
I didn’t hesitate to try doing those three simultaneously.
I divided my focus onto different areas like upper body, lower body, hands, and feet.
It was a task demanding such intense concentration, leading to significant mental fatigue.
My body became so strained that I even had nosebleeds.
Yet, it remained stuck at 99.99%.
“Sigh.”
It was truly exasperating.
Having reached no conclusion by myself, I eventually sought advice from others.
Given the current situation, the outcome was less than satisfactory.
The first targets were the Bennett family knights I had come to know through frequent encounters at the training ground.
They couldn’t grasp the issue I was facing.
– Proficiency…?
– What is that…?
For them, proficiency wasn’t something expressed numerically.
So with a grasping-at-straws mindset, I asked other players.
I posted on the community board.
– War Hero: … Are you human?
– Solomon: What do you eat to fill your proficiency so fast?
⌎ Robin Hood: Share some with us.
– Orange: So you’re showing off. Your attitude truly stinks.
⌎ Cappuccino: Is it so hard to admit you’re just jealous?
– Miranda: Lately, there are too many people copying the Damned System 😭😭 It’s frustrating and sad.
⌎ Choco Chip: Yeah, seriously 😭 K, don’t abandon us. Keep posting 🙏🙏
⌎ Ice Cream: K-order gather around, I’ve captured the codes of those guys. Let’s PK immediately.
It wasn’t beneficial, so I deleted it soon after.
Watching the unchanged number, I sighed heavily, feeling the ground sink beneath me.
“K.”
Just then, Chandler approached hastily across the training ground, bringing unwelcome news.
“The priests of Agnotia wish to meet you.”
“Again?”
My voice revealed my irritation when I asked back.
Damned System