Chapter 89: Chapter 89

This is a story from the time when the Third World War was underway.

Before South Korea had entered the war, China was planning a massive military operation to seize Taiwan in a single blow. They assembled an enormous fleet in a military port and stationed hundreds of thousands of landing troops in the rear, ready to drop them all on the island of Taiwan at once.

The size of this force accounted for about a quarter of the People’s Liberation Army at the time, and in the Northern Theater alone, it exceeded nearly 100% of available forces.

Some scholars later speculated that they gathered almost a million troops in one place because they were forced to make a quick decision internally, perhaps due to signs of a coup. The theory is that this mobilization wasn’t merely to occupy Taiwan but to keep internal coup forces in check.

Regardless, China’s hope to end the war quickly by landing a large force on Taiwan was dashed by South Korea’s sudden entry into the war. In the name of preserving peace in Northeast Asia, the South Korean government simultaneously declared war on both North Korea and China, which had been provocatively aggressive. They launched over a thousand of the Jujak-8 missiles, supplied by Koryo Militaris, against North Korea and China.

That initial strike alone was extensive. It was followed by another two thousand, and then three thousand missiles.

North Korea, unable to intercept the 20-ton warhead Jujak-8 missiles, saw its entire military and leadership wiped out, while China also suffered enormous losses.

Tragically, one of the targets was the harbor where hundreds of thousands of troops had gathered.

Hundreds of warships, nearly a thousand aircraft, and hundreds of thousands of trained soldiers were reduced to ashes in an instant, and for a time, the vast sea was stained red with blood.

South Korea, having struck first, then advanced northward and swiftly retook the northern region of North Korea, even advancing into Manchuria (the Three Northeastern Provinces) and beyond, occupying areas like Beijing and the Shandong Peninsula.

The port city, a crucial military stronghold that had gathered a massive military force, was completely destroyed and flattened, with redevelopment only starting after the war ended.

The redevelopment aimed to create a specialized military city, purely for defense purposes. It served to monitor the entire newly acquired territory, always pointing missiles at the continent to prevent any mischief and, if necessary, to crush their ambitions from the very beginning.

Yes, this is the story of Dalian City.

In terms of South Korean territory, it’s almost in the center. It’s the location of the Koryo Militaris headquarters, a fortress city built with military purposes from its inception.

“Wow, it’s beautiful…”

Soo-ah murmured, pressing her face against the window. If we had come by car, we’d still be driving, but fortunately, my aunt sent her private jet.

With a straight-line distance of 440 km, driving would have been too much…especially since I’m not a professional pilot.

“Master, it’s really stunning…”

“Yeah.”

It was now Friday, October 30th, around 11 PM. The night view of Dalian City in the distance was dazzling.

The sea was lined with an uncountable number of warships anchored in rows, and beyond them on the coastline, enormous solar panels larger than skyscrapers were set up.

As we approached the city, the entire area went dark, as if there had been a power outage. I was startled, but a moment later, the lights turned on again.

But only certain buildings lit up.

“Welcome to Militaris, Young Master Go Muyeol.”

The buildings of Dalian City displayed a welcome message pixel by pixel. As soon as I read it, fireworks exploded all around.

“Wow, how much do you think all that costs, Master?”

“…Aren’t you impressed at all?”

The message continued to change, almost as if my aunt was personally sending me a greeting.

“Though I am curious…how much did this cost?”

Probably shouldn’t ask, right?

I dedicated a full week for this day.@@novelbin@@

To meet with Go Min-young, secure the artificial island, and add wings to my plans for the future!

I memorized all 10 pages of my script, which had now expanded by about three pages, practicing as if giving a speech in front of a full-length mirror.

And, lest she find fault with anything, I even followed her advice not to work out the day before meeting her. Since today was Friday, I didn’t exercise on Thursday either, so my body felt fresh and without soreness.

“Phew…Why am I so unnecessarily nervous?”

Why, indeed…

“It’s been a while, Muyeol.”

“I hope you have been well, Aunt.”

After nearly a month, I was meeting Go Min-young again. She looked much the same as before, though there was something sleek…about her presence.

“Damn…feeling that way about my aunt…”

Sure, technically Min-ji is also my aunt, but Go Min-young feels…something else entirely.

It’s a strange feeling.

“I told you to come on Saturday, but you’re early.”

“I couldn’t delay seeing you, Aunt.”

“Indeed.”

Her response, as always, was dry. But I thought I saw her smile, even just a little.

Was she really smiling? Or was it just my imagination?

She checked her wristwatch.

“It’s late at night, as if you timed it.”

Timed it? For what?

“The custom weapon can wait until tomorrow…tonight, let’s just have a long talk, you and I.”

“Huh…”

At this hour? It’s almost midnight. I had intended to simply say hello and then leave. What could she want to discuss at this time?

Ignoring my confusion, Go Min-young turned her back to me and started walking away.

‘…I guess I’m supposed to follow her?’

Resigned, I sighed quietly and followed her. I was supposed to be in the club, having a wild time, but here I am, about to have a chat with my aunt…

“You two go on ahead. They’ll guide you to your rooms.”

“Yes, Master. Have a good night!”

“Please, enjoy yourself, Master.”

Grabbing the gift I prepared for her, I followed her.

She remained silent as we walked. The closer we got to her room, the more the attendants around us drifted away until we were alone. Yet, she still didn’t say a word.

I can’t imagine what she wants to talk about…

“Come in.”

“Yes, please excuse me.”

Either way, I entered her room.

Naturally, the room was vast. I couldn’t say if it matched the scale of her authority, but even from my perspective, as someone who owns a mansion in Songdo, it looked flawless.

“Was your journey comfortable?”

“Yes, thanks to you, I traveled very comfortably, Aunt. The cityscape was magnificent as well. Ah, and this.”

I handed her the gift I had brought.

Encased in a luxurious glass display, the Undying Enchantment was wrapped in a red cloth.

With her characteristic cold expression, Go Min-young accepted the gift. She didn’t seem particularly expectant.

“What’s this?”

“It’s my gesture for you, Aunt.”

“A gesture?”

I almost called it a gift, but that felt too blunt, so I went with “gesture” instead. Perhaps because of that, her expression seemed to soften slightly.

“May I open it?”

“Of course. Allow me.”

She held the gift while I untied the cloth.

Swish.

“…!!”

The flaming rose, the Undying Enchantment, emerged. The sight of the burning rose planted in a small pot inside the glass display was mesmerizing, even for me. Although it’s an item with no real effect, nothing beats it for setting a mood.

“What…what is this…?”

Even Go Min-young seemed genuinely surprised. Her sharp eyes widened, and she leaned in close, staring through the glass as if to bore a hole through it.

“I couldn’t give my aunt anything ordinary.”

She’s far wealthier and can mobilize far more resources than I can. Something ordinary wouldn’t even catch her interest.

“So I personally acquired it, just for you, Aunt.”

“Really…you acquired this yourself?”

After closing her eyes briefly, she placed the Undying Enchantment on display in a corner of the room with a calm expression. Compared to her initial shock, she now seemed almost indifferent.

‘…Does she not like it?’

I’ve heard that some people…find flowers completely unimpressive, viewing them as mere disposable decor.

‘But this is a real flower that never wilts. It doesn’t need to be thrown away.’

“Truly, Muyeol, you’re hopeless.”

She lifted both arms, running her hands through her hair. For a moment, I was transfixed, like watching a scene from a movie, but I quickly gathered myself and spoke.

“If it displeases you, I apo—”

“Silence.”

“Eh?”

Without warning, she shrugged off her jacket. Since I first saw her, she’d worn it over her bare skin in a daring style, and I’d assumed, “Surely…she must at least be wearing underwear.” But no—beneath the jacket, there was truly nothing. Her bare body was revealed, with her pink nipples directly in my line of sight.

“But…why is she suddenly undressing…?”

She grabbed my face and kissed me.

‘??????????’