Self-improvement and business growth. It was a time when I was diligently stacking the bricks of life and sweating with fulfillment.
Suddenly, ominous rumors began to circulate.
It was some kind of creepy talk about an apocalypse, and after sending out the scouts to gather information, it basically went like this.
Apparently, the people from the nearby town were all wiped out.
But instead, it turned out they all became zombies!
Also, an unimaginable Golgari Legion has appeared.
To make matters worse, we heard the Demon King had defeated the general Sanguchun and was advancing into the Central Plains, with the celestial demon Koke Temur resurrecting as a Golgari to sweep through the territory with a million strong army.
“What on earth are these rumors? Serin, Hayoung, why are all these rumors suddenly spreading?”
“I’m not sure, but it seems like something big has happened.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. If I were at the family estate, I could get accurate information, but since I’m not, it’s hard to make a judgment. It would be best to be cautious.”
I had this conversation with Serin.
I was a bit worried but didn’t really think it was going to be serious.
But the next day, the government made an official announcement.
“The Undead Legion has appeared! Currently, one district and numerous towns have fallen into the hands of the undead, and a massive army of demons is approaching this way! The Emperor has commanded the extermination of the demon horde! Based on that, we will conduct military conscription! Those who refuse will be executed!”
That was a shockingly alarming announcement.
Upon further investigation, it seemed the undead army had suddenly emerged and caused complete disaster.
There were reports of plagues and pestilence in the nearby district, with victims suddenly transforming into zombies, spreading the zombie plague in an explosive manner. The district fell without any intervention from the government or martial arts world, and the hordes of zombies began proliferating everywhere.
“What are we dealing with, zombies?”
The undead fall under a category of demonic beasts. Skeletons and those kinds of things are included. The zombies, which are not much different, fall into the same category.
In any case, all those things were causing chaos.
Therefore, both the government forces and the martial arts world took action simultaneously.
“Geunhyeop, this doesn’t look good.”
Serin, who had returned from gathering information, said,
“The zombie plague has suddenly emerged, and within no time, one district has fallen. This is definitely not normal.”
“Uh, Serin, I don’t really understand. Is this zombie thing common?”
“It appears occasionally.”
Surprisingly, it seems that zombies pop up in this martial arts world from time to time.
“But the undead have been thoroughly monitored by both the government and the martial arts world. For an entire district to become a zombie den in just a few days is simply absurd.”
“Really?”
“Moreover, I’ve heard even the Golgari legion has been sighted.”
“Golgari? No way?”
“Yes. The martial arts alliance has concluded that this is the doing of the Four Fairies.”
“Oh my…!”
The Four Fairies!
I never expected to hear that ominous name again!
“So, you mean that the Four Fairies spread the zombie plague to wreck one district, huh?”
“Exactly.”
“How could that be!”
I had always heard about how evil the Four Fairies were, but now I was truly coming to understand. They turned a district with tens of thousands of residents into a den of zombies?
It’s absolutely insane…!
It’s so terrifying that I can barely breathe. I was shivering when Serin, patting my back, said,
“There’s a reason they talk about the Central Plains being dangerous. As such, it’s likely that the elite martial artists from the Golden Guard or the Dongchang will be coming down here.”
“What!”
The Golden Guard and Dongchang!
This is getting way too big!
“And that’s not all. The martial arts alliance will deploy various combat units as well.”
“It can’t be!”
“Indeed, not only the local government forces but even the Great Ming Empire troops will likely come. That’s not the end of it. I think there may even be generals fighting against the Demon King in the North who will come to lend support.”
What Serin was saying was so grand that it barely registered in my head. I tried to wrap my brain around the situation.
“So, to summarize…”
At that moment, Hayoung, lying on the bed with her head resting and sucking on candy, said,
“Means that all sorts of powerful forces are converging here, right? And these are all the strong ones. Oh my. The Golden Guard, Dongchang, Great Ming Empire troops, Northern Army, and combat units from the martial arts alliance. That’s a lot.”
I couldn’t process what was happening.
Could Kim Geunhyeop, who was just on the verge of becoming a top-tier warrior, handle all this? Could I really remain okay with whales like this showing up?
“Guys, what should I do in a situation like this?”
“Um, well, first we need to be careful, right? We’ve established ourselves as a righteous faction, so we’re better off than the dark side, but we still need to be cautious about our actions. Anything could happen.”
I’m scared to death.
“Geunhyeop, focus on managing the Nachal Bang rather than expanding.”
“I’ll do that.”
“But still, don’t worry too much. Who am I? I’m Namgoong Serin, the Jade Flower Sword. Being the flower of the righteous martial arts world, I’ll be on your side through whatever happens, so rest assured.”
With a proud expression, Serin placed her hand on her chest!
“Serin…! I’m so touched!”
Kyaaa!
“Alright!”
There’s no need to be scared just because a situation has blown up!
“If anything, we need to stay sharp! That’s the mark of a true hero!”
I am no longer alone. Being the head, I can’t afford to waver. From now on, I’ll respond to the situation with a sharp mind.
I think that if so many forces gather in one place, some incident is bound to occur. I need to be careful to not get caught in that incident.
“Hehe, good. Geunhyeop, I really like this part of you.”
“Set an example as the leader.”
“Hmm, you really do seem reliable. It definitely sounds like a big deal, but if we sit around scared, nothing will happen. I actually think this could help us grow even more.”
“Wow! That’s our Hayoung!”
Her mindset is absolutely fantastic!
“Such a good attitude! Alright, guys! This situation is undoubtedly tragic, but it doesn’t mean we should stop growing! Let’s tackle this wisely and elevate our status!”
“Yes.”
“Agreed!”
Serin, Hayoung, and I are all warriors with aspirations. The three of us will complement each other and grow even stronger together.
*
After a thorough meeting, we set the stance of Nachal Bang.
We halt expansion and focus on management. We will absolutely not intervene in external conflicts and will handle our business protectively and secretly. In simpler terms, if someone wants to fight us, we’ll lure them to a quiet spot and deal with them there.
Also, there was talk of conscription from the government, and I think that since we are a righteous faction, there’s a good chance we will be assigned some role in this situation.
“Currently, many citizens are being conscripted for their properties and labor. From what I’ve heard, even small sects among the righteous factions have been conscripted into combat units. At this rate, our Nachal Bang will not escape conscription either.”
When I said that, all the members of Nachal Bang looked at me with tense expressions.
“Thus, I’ll organize some units.”
I will form three units.
For one thing, I’m the head of Nachal Bang, so I’m out. I’ll be moving as a trio with Serin and Hayoung, representing us in dialogues.
The rest will naturally be divided into two units led by Jaemi Son and Galbi Jong.
That’s how the units were organized.
After all, our Nachal Bang is a new small sect. Even if we were to be conscripted, they wouldn’t scrape the bottom. If one unit goes out, the other will support it while managing our business.
“Ugh… the undead are stirring up mayhem. This is indeed a big deal. I think it’s certainly the work of the Four Fairies.”
“Oh, I should have mentioned earlier. The martial arts alliance seems to have made the same judgment.”
“No way!”
Galbi Jong jumped in surprise at the mention of the Four Fairies.
But wait, wasn’t this guy a cruel and vicious wannabe of the dark faction? Why is he so scared?
“Galbi Jong, don’t you like evil characters?”
“No, no! As evil as they may be, I don’t like the Four Fairies! Even the leaders of the dark factions that commit civilian massacres regularly are just kind-hearted village idiots compared to the Four Fairies!”
“What kind of crazy comparison is that!”
Seriously, what a lunatic comparison!
“Haha, this is a weird year indeed. Anyway… if the Undead Legion is attacking, a battle will inevitably break out. It’d be wise to prepare for training.”
“As expected of you, Jaemi Son. Your brain is working well.”
“And don’t forget. There will be many who will abandon our faction and flee. We need to catch those guys and make an example out of them.”
“That’s right! In times like this, we need to establish discipline!”
Kya! With sharp-minded folks, planning becomes much easier!
And with that, the conscription from the government began.
It seems they really intend to clash with the Undead Legion.
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