NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 86
086 New Base
Even though the Liberal Clan headquarters, carrying Myung-jun, managed to escape safely from the encirclement set up in Sejong City, it didnt mean that the Liberal Clan was completely safe.
The Republic of Koreas Ministry of National Defense didnt rely solely on ground forces for its power.
Shortly after that, when the Clan headquarters flying through the air was about to reach the East Sea, Republic of Korea Air Forces F-16 fighter jets urgently dispatched to intercept began flying threateningly near the Clan headquarters, sending warnings through communication.
[To the pilot controlling the architectural structure flying in the airspace of the East Sea. I am Lieutenant Colonel Park Jae-hyun of the Republic of Korea Air Force. Your current course of flight in the Republic of Koreas territorial airspace is illegal. Immediately turn back towards the land! Repeating! Immediately turn back towards the land! If theres no response, we will open fire!]
The communication broadcast on all available frequencies was also clearly transmitted to the situation room inside the Liberal Clan headquarters.
Seeing this, following Myung-juns arrival at the Clan headquarters as Shadow Hawk, Cha So-eun, Myung-juns younger sister, looked slightly frightened as she glanced in the direction where her brother was.
Brother? What do we do? Should we go back?
At this, Soo-jeong, who was comforting So-eun beside him, spoke with a wide smile.
Huh? Why go back?
But if we dont respond, theyll attack
If they want to, let them.
Soo-jeong said.
Shall we make a bet? If any attack they launch towards us results in even a scratch on the buildings outer wall, Ill pay you 1 million won per scratch.
But theyre fighter jets!
So what? Human-made weapons cant cause any real damage to the armor made of this monster material. Besides, the armor coating the buildings outer walls is a special type, even inferior to the material used in Ho-changs armor, but it cant be scratched by most missiles.
Soo-jeongs voice was filled with boundless confidence in her and Myung-juns abilities.
I designed it, and your brother made the equipment, so trust a bit more. Your brother is much more remarkable than you think.
Upon hearing Soo-jeongs words, So-eun looked incredulous as she glanced in the direction where Myung-jun was.
There was Myung-jun, not resembling his usual self that she knew, but instead, he wore the expression of a leader who had taken on the responsibility of a leader of a group, looking at the monitor.
Senior?
Yeah?
Could we eavesdrop on their communication over there?
No problem. Unless they employ quantum security from their end, preventing our hacking is impossible.
Soo-jeong flicked her finger, summoning a laptop out of thin air and placing it on her knees.
Then, with eyes resembling a surprised rabbit, she looked at So-eun and began to smile before showcasing an impressive keyboard performance.
[No response from their side on this communication.]
[All weapons aimed and ready. Will fire immediately upon command.]
[Deploy all units as an attack formation. Project all attacks, including missiles, upon the flying structure upon my signal.]
[The opponent is floating in the middle of the East Sea. If we attack as is, theres a chance the building will crash into the sea, but do we really attack?]
[Were just following orders. The directive from the command is to use all available means to prevent the Liberal Clans escape from our airspace.]
[Were 3 kilometers away from the limit line.]
[Last warning. Turn back. This is the final warning. If no response within 10 seconds, well attack without further notice.]
At that moment, Myung-jun, who had been silently listening to the communication, opened his mouth towards the monitor.
Lieutenant Colonel Park Jae-hyun??
[Message received. Please state the affiliation and name of the person sending communication on the current frequency.]
I am Cha Myung-jun, leader of the Liberal Clan.
[Nice to meet you. My daughter is your fan. Its regrettable to meet under these circumstances. I earnestly request. Please turn back.]
Do you understand the current situation?
[I received a rough transmission from the headquarters and also saw the public broadcast from the Liberal Clan. But, Myung-jun. Not as an Air Force Colonel, but as a citizen of the Republic of Korea, I implore you. Please, return to Korea.]
You saw it, didnt you? Even though we faced attacks, including tanks, we havent retaliated at all. We havent even retaliated at a level that could be called self-defense. Despite our headquarters and colleagues being attacked, we havent attacked the soldiers on the scene because theyre just following orders as citizens of this country.
[Thank you for your consideration.
But this time its different. Final warning? I give final warnings too.]
As Myung-jun finished speaking, numerous turrets attached to the external armor of the flying Liberal Clan headquarters, which had been silently listening, simultaneously turned their heads.
While it might seem like a fantastic scene to witness from the side, it was an endlessly chilling scene from the perspective of the person who became the target of the attack.
The moment even a single shot is fired, we will retaliate with a rain of gunfire. I assure you, unlike your attacks that dont cause any damage to us, our attacks can turn the fighter jets youre riding into a handful of firework before you even activate the ejection device.
Myung-jun said.
Its natural for soldiers to follow orders, but sacrificing ones life in a situation where it wont make the slightest difference in the outcome is pointless. Colonel, even if you dont care about yourself, please dont put your subordinates in such a situation.
Lieutenant Colonel Park Jae-hyun looked out of the round cockpit at the enormous flying structure.
And the hundreds of fearsome turrets attached to that structure.
Looking at a structure that could be seen only in imagination or dreams rather than in reality, the colonel realized that this situation was beyond his capacity to handle.
[Were retreating.]
[Colonel!]
[Even if we mobilize all our arms, we cant prevent their departure. Well only end up losing valuable pilots and aircraft.]
As the Republic of Korea Air Force, realizing that executing the orders was impossible, withdrew, So-eun, who had been tensely anticipating a potential battle, slumped down.
Phew Is it over?
Well, quite literally, theres no way.
Watching Myung-jun scratch his nose and speak in a cool manner, So-eun chuckled.
Oppa, I wanted to ask since earlier, whats with the outfit? Do you usually dress like that at the company?
So-eun pointed out Myung-juns attire.
Myung-jun, who had been wearing Guardian Armor in Sejong City, changed into a uniform that exuded a space navy feel upon arriving at the situation room.
The outfit had blue LED-embedded metal parts arranged properly, giving a sense of displaying Myung-juns well-trained muscular physique through countless hammerings. Naturally, the design perfectly reflected the preferences of its designer, Han Soo-jeong.
Feeling a bit embarrassed by his sisters scrutinizing gaze at his outfit, Myung-jun, with a slightly reddened face, asked.
Why? Is it weird?
Upon which, So-eun firmly pointed her thumb towards Myung-jun while tilting her head.
No?! Its super cool! You look like a movie protagonist!
So-euns words werent just flattery. Within the control room where she was, every individual gathered was equipped with impressive outfits and gear befitting anime or game protagonists.
For her, this day had been nothing short of a series of shocks. From a telekinetic who had identified themselves as a government agent suddenly trying to take her away, to her brothers girlfriend and subordinates, who suddenly appeared during a crisis, knocking down the government agent, to even boarding an invisible plane and flying into a sky fortress. In just over a year, she was immensely surprised by what her brother had created.
And the fact that every member gathered in this room addressed her brother as the leader was also beyond belief for So-eun.
Overwhelmed by everything, So-eun hurriedly approached her brothers side and, poking his side lightly, whispered softly.
Oppa, is it true? Are you the leader of all these people?
Well, sort of.
Then, is that big guy who saved me also your subordinate? Hes much older than you, though?
Yeah.
And what about Unni?
Shes more like a partner than a subordinate
Wow! So, everything in this building belongs to you? Even those incredibly powerful weapons and armor I saw on the lower floors?
As Myung-jun nodded, So-eun became excited and exclaimed.
Me too! Can I try wearing those? I want to become an Awakener like you!
What!?
Myung-juns expression turned startled upon hearing So-euns words. He had only considered her as someone he needed to protect, never once thinking of making her an Awakener.
Myung-jun shook his head, refusing So-euns request.
No.
Yay! No, wait? Huh? No?
Youre still in middle school. Gate conquest is too risky.
But theres an elementary school kid over there!
So-eun pointed her finger in the direction of Ito Kei, who sat with a cute expression, rubbing his nose in a playful manner.
What? Me? Why? What did I do?
Kei, suddenly singled out, appeared flustered, and So-eun continued.
Everyone in this room is counted among the worlds top Awakeners, right? Then isnt that elementary school boy also an Awakener? I can do it too!
Hes not a combatant but more of a tracker class. Hes the class that hides first when battles break out.
What about that unni over there!? Shes a student too!
So-eun then indicated Arin, who was tinkering with a drone in one corner.
At this, Myung-jun once again tilted his head and spoke to his sister.
Shes different. Besides, shes not one of our clan members. Shes just here for a field trip.
Myung-jun had his reasons for rejecting his sisters singular request. Fundamentally, the life of an Awakener was vastly different from that of an ordinary person. His own life was a clear testament to this. As a typical young man in his twenties, he found himself attacked and treated as a criminal in his hometown. This forced him to fly toward this unknown destination in pursuit of refuge.
If nothing changed in the future, including what he had planned, Myung-jun and the members of the Liberal Clan might never set foot on Korean soil again. Perhaps not only in Korea but also in their birthplaces worldwide, they might not be welcomed.
Myung-jun didnt want his sister to be treated in such a manner.
Did you see just now, threatening to fire unless they turn back? Officially, the Liberal Clan is recognized by the Korean government as a rebellious group. And yet, you still want to become a part of that?
So, if I stay like this, can I go back?
Unable to answer So-euns crucial question, Myung-jun hesitated.
Of course, if things worked out as planned, he could go back. However, the obstacles to overcome in that process were not just a few.
Sensing Myung-juns hesitance, So-eun pushed harder.
Oppa. The situation is already like an arrow shot. Also, as you said, if a bigger crisis comes to Earth, I need to have the ability to protect myself. Besides, when those big guys suddenly came to take me away, I couldnt do anything. It was too devastating.
Watching her sisters shoulders tremble slightly, Myung-jun realized how much she had gone through today.
If it werent for Soo-jeong and Ho-chang rescuing her, she might have been trapped in an unknown location, used as a bargaining chip.
Myung-jun gently placed his hand on So-euns shoulder, attempting to console her.
Then, he nodded.
Okay. Ill think more about the Awakeners issue. But its not confirmed. With your current abilities, even if I forcibly Awaken you, youll just be a mediocre Awakener. Theres an old saying about this. The battlefield is filled with the bodies of those who can barely wield a sword.
What does that mean?
It means either be extremely skilled with the sword or dont even touch it at all. In the end, a mediocre expert falls as an extra to someone elses sword.
So, to become the protagonist
Youll need training. Very intense training.
Upon hearing Myung-juns words, So-eun placed her palm on her forehead with determination and shouted.
Ill work hard, Leader!
Not yet. Well give it a try, but if it doesnt seem feasible, I wont Awaken you.
Okay, thats fine. Ill do my best! What should I start with?
Watching his sister, who seemed ready to jump into special training right away, Myung-jun chuckled and tousled her hair. Then, turning towards the monitor, he said.
Im sorry, not now. To reach our destination, theres still one more obstacle we need to overcome.
The South Korean Air Force just retreated a while ago, didnt they? Other than that
Forgot? Theres one more country we have to pass through to head east from Korea towards the Pacific Ocean.
As Myung-jun finished speaking, dozens of fighter jets were seen on the monitor forming a formation and flying towards the direction of the Liberal Clan headquarters across the sea. Simultaneously, a transmission from them echoed through the situation rooms speakers.
(Halt! Halt! The unauthorized flying structure currently entering Japanese waters, please immediately cease your advance!)
The urgent communication, heard in its original pronunciation in Japanese by So-eun, who hadnt received the implanted language translation, made her realize the country they needed to cross.
If we move in a straight line from Sejong City to the Pacific Could it be?
The direction Myung-jun was leading the Liberal Clan headquarters.
There lay the neighboring country of Korea and the worlds eighth-ranked military power: Japan, whose capital, Tokyo, was located.
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