00043 --- The Little Prince in the Ossuary ---
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#Inner Chamber (4), Camp Roberts
The 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 grew rapidly. Initially, it consisted of four large tents and fewer than 80 people, but now it was approaching 300. The screening of applicants who wished to join was the responsibility of two deputies. Yun-cheol and Min Wan-gi agreed not to accept more people and received post-approval from Gyeo-ul. This decision was made due to the belief that managing more people would become impossible.
The side effects of rapid growth had already begun to appear. The dog thief Yu Jae-heung was a prime example. Even without him, there were countless people joining with the hope of gaining authority. Until now, that had been the rule of the ecosystem within refugee zones: a predatory pyramid based on exploitation.
Gyeo-ul also worried about other issues. Deciding not to accept more people was an inevitable decision.
Instead, entire groups were incorporated. Protection was promised in exchange for cooperation.
Thus, the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 evolved into a genuine organization. This was a natural cycle. Even the 「Damul Development Society」 had over a thousand people. To ensure real security, a larger force was necessary.
At Yun-cheol's suggestion, a symbol was created. A skilled member of the organization made several knotted white ribbons. He called them 「Snowflakes」.
Organization members hung 「Snowflakes」 at the tent entrances. This trend spread like wildfire. Whole sections divided by barbed wire came under their control.
Yun-cheol, more energetic than the physically weaker Min Wan-gi, became the main driving force. He seemed like a man who had found purpose in life. He even served as a liaison, conveying the requests of allied forces to Gyeo-ul.
When this method of expanding organizations hit its limit, Yun-cheol made a bold suggestion.
"Let's cause divisions within other organizations."
Cough, cough. Min Wan-gi, who had caught a cold due to fatigue, asked at the end of his coughing fit.
"That's a difficult task. Can it really be done?"
"It's absolutely possible!"
The deputy leader spoke with confidence despite the tension in the air.
"Large organizations like the 「Korean Patriotic Society」 are rife with internal corruption. Until now, they've been able to cover it up by taking from weaker groups, but because of us, that's no longer easy. The dissatisfaction among their lower ranks is immense."
"So, you're saying we should trigger that dissatisfaction? That's too risky, isn't it?"
Gyeo-ul asked, shaking his head vigorously.
"I've gained valuable connections while working on this. I won't be exposed."
This side of him was different from the first impression. After all, someone capable of this must have been at the center of attention even before Gyeo-ul joined.
'Capability can be determined to some extent by responsibility.'
If he had no talent at all, it would be a different story, but at least Yun-cheol wasn't in that category.
Gyeo-ul voiced his concerns.
"It still seems risky to me. It's great that you're so dedicated, but if anything happens to you, we'd be in trouble. The 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 is currently in a fragile state."
"Honestly, I'm not that extraordinary."
Yun-cheol said with a tense smile.
"No one can replace the role of our little leader, but my role is different. There are plenty of people as capable as me. I can even recommend someone."
"If you only consider ability, that may be true."
The little leader's response left Yun-cheol disheartened. Even if he said it, it was different for the other person to recognize it. Reason and emotion don't always align. He might have secretly hoped for contradiction. Gyeo-ul quietly continued.
"But there are accomplishments you've made. No one doubts the contributions of you two deputy leaders. Don't you think having the ability and actually accomplishing something are starkly different? Who would replace the trust Deputy leader Yun-cheol has built?"
"Trust..."
"If you bring someone claiming to have ability, would I be able to trust that person as much as I trust Deputy leader Yun-cheol?"
Responsibility must be proven through actions. That was the meaning of Gyeo-ul's words. Gyeo-ul persuaded the emotionally stirred-up Yun-cheol.
"I'd like to oppose your idea. It's time to consolidate our position. Deputy leader Yun-cheol, if you become endangered, it'll be detrimental."
"I agree."
Coughing intermittently, Min Wan-gi took Gyeo-ul's side.
"Even if Deputy leader Yun-cheol's plan succeeds, it poses a problem. Ahem! It pushes those organizations too far into a corner. There's no law against them taking extreme measures, you know? Cough. Even if they don't target us directly, what if they recklessly attack the allied forces we're protecting?"
Yun-cheol rebutted.
"Then we find the culprit and deliver severe retribution."
Min Wan-gi frowned as he spoke.
"We grew too quickly. Our territory is extensive. Can we find the culprit immediately every time an incident occurs? Even if we do find them, what can we do if they just cut off the tail and throw the scapegoat at us? Cough, ahem! Do we retaliate by destroying their base? No, that's unacceptable. We have to be a role model according to the US forces' designation; we can't engage in reckless behavior."
He emphasized this point in a fatigued voice.
"If such incidents repeatedly destroy the trust in the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」, everything we've achieved so far will become meaningless."
It was a valid point.
"In that case, how about this?"
Appearing to have become stubborn, Yun-cheol offered a new proposal.
"We can do it in a way that doesn't make us conspicuous."
"Without being conspicuous... Ah, a spy?"
Gyeo-ul asked.
Yun-cheol responded affirmatively.
"Is there any law that says we should only suffer? If we provide appropriate conveniences, there will be plenty of people eager to cooperate with us."
"Deputy leader Yun-cheol, you've changed a lot from before."
Upon hearing Gyeo-ul's words, Yun-cheol suddenly blushed. It seemed he interpreted it as insinuating that he had become sinister.
"Well, you know, it's just that with accumulated experiences, it can't be helped..."
He then glanced at Min Wan-gi, mentally preoccupied with his coughing. There had previously been indications that Yun-cheol felt a sense of inferiority towards Min Wan-gi, despite being fellow deputy leaders. Gyeo-ul understood.
'He learned by watching.'
Imitating a competitor is natural. Without ability, imitation would be impossible.
"Why are you embarrassed? It was a compliment."
"... Was it?"
Judging by his embarrassment, he wasn't on the verge of becoming sinister. Yun-cheol tried to regain his composure.
"Uh, anyway, if it's not now, we can't do it. Everyone is in a state of panic due to the rapid growth of the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」. Everyone sees it as the trend. It has to be done before people calm down. It'll also help address the issues that the little leader was worried about, like drugs..."
"So, you're saying we should acquire internal information from other organizations?"
"Exactly!"
Gyeo-ul pondered anew. From the way he spoke, Yun-cheol seemed to have prepared extensively for this incisive proposal. Consideration must be given to not only the risks he would face but also his motivation for the future.
"Go ahead."
Finally, Gyeo-ul gave his consent.
"Really?!"
To the delighted Yun-cheol, Gyeo-ul urged caution.
"Prioritize safety above all else."
"Absolutely! My life is most precious to me."
"In that case, that's good. I trust you. Please help out a lot, Deputy Min Wan-gi."
"Cough, ahem. Right."
A phlegm-laden voice answered from Min Wan-gi. It seemed he no longer intended to oppose now that Gyeo-ul had given approval. He also appeared weary.
The conversation seemed to conclude here, but Yun-cheol still had more to say.
"I have one more thing to report..."
"Go ahead."
"There are people who wish to join the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」."
Gyeo-ul tilted his head.
"Haven't we decided not to accept direct admissions for the time being?"
"Well, they are completely incapable of self-reliance..."
"They can't be self-reliant?"
"They are disabled."
"I'm against it."
The last remark came from Min Wan-gi. Yun-cheol blinked in surprise at the immediate opposition. Emotions revealed themselves afterward. With a slightly wrinkled face, Min Wan-gi quickly took the initiative to speak.
"The composition of the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 is already imbalanced. While gender ratio...ahem, the gender ratio is unavoidable, there are too many elderly, children, and their mothers. Until the miracle of Santa Maria, other organizations openly derided us. If we add disabled individuals, things will become difficult. Ahem, cough. While I'm not unaware of the treatment they receive, and it's pitiable, we must remain dispassionate here."
Yun-cheol's expression darkened. He seemed slightly angry.
Gyeo-ul considered this. Min Wan-gi sometimes seemed to oppose Yun-cheol simply for the sake of it. This appeared to be one of those times.
'Is he trying to show me something?'
He knew why there were two deputies.
'Or perhaps it's for Yun-cheol's benefit.'
He is aware of Gyeo-ul's temperament. Suppose he anticipated Yun-cheol's wishes would be granted and deliberately presented a dissenting view. If Gyeo-ul sided with Yun-cheol, it would likely boost Yun-cheol's confidence.
Of course, there's no guarantee it stems from pure kindness. It might as well be necessary for personal convenience. After all, feelings of inferiority can easily lead to hostility. It was mutual checks and balances in the truest sense.
Thus, both assumptions could simultaneously be valid.
Yun-cheol's voice grew slightly elevated.
"Those people approached us before. It was before the little leader joined. Deputy Min Wan-gi, don't you remember? Even when we were a gathering of people with nowhere to rely on, we couldn't take them in and sent them away. Are we going to reject them again now?"
It seemed such events had indeed occurred.
"Do you not recall the leader's inaugural speech? We're those who take the hard path. Those who want to live as humans. Isn't that right, leader?"
Setting aside miscellaneous thoughts, Gyeo-ul agreed.
"You're correct. Still, let me meet them before deciding. We can't just let anyone join arbitrarily."
Yun-cheol's face brightened up.
"When would be convenient for you to meet them?"
"Is now possible?"
"Certainly! They said they'd wait patiently. I'll be back in no time."
Yun-cheol eagerly left. As anticipated, Min Wan-gi didn't seem particularly disappointed. He merely coughed more severely than before and announced he'd rest soon, in search of a bed.
A little while later, Yun-cheol returned with seventeen individuals. Their demeanors were so subdued it was possible to infer the treatment they'd undergone thus far. The spokesperson, at least outwardly, appeared composed. She was an elderly woman who aged with grace, dressed neatly despite the tattered clothes. Yun-cheol introduced her.
"This is Grandma Kang Yung-sun, who leads the community of people with disabilities. She has a speech impairment and will communicate through written notes. Oh, do you know sign language?"
Gyeo-ul shook his head. Although not a critical skill, Gyeo-ul's available experience level was limited. It was partly due to 「Instruction」.
It was vital to leave enough for minimal investments during emergencies.
It seemed it had been anticipated. Yun-cheol appeared a bit crestfallen. There were signs of idolizing Gyeo-ul, almost like a superhuman who could do anything. He explained.
"She has no issues hearing, so feel free to speak."
"Alright. Deputy leader, could you step aside for a moment?"
"What?"
He seemed to have assumed he'd naturally be part of the conversation. Yun-cheol hesitated, but under Gyeo-ul's watchful gaze, he stood up hesitantly. Before leaving, he encouraged the elderly lady.
"Grandma, it'll work out. The little leader is a good person."
To speak so candidly in front of Gyeo-ul himself. The old woman chuckled as if amused. Gyeo-ul offered her a polite greeting.
"As you're already aware, let me formally introduce myself. I am Han Gyeo-ul, representing the individuals here. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The elderly woman opened her notebook and began to write. After completing her message, she turned it to Gyeo-ul.
「It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Kang Yung-sun. You are eloquent. Up close, you're much better than afar.」
Gyeo-ul crafted a kind smile.
"Thank you for the compliment. You have beautiful handwriting."
The elderly woman wrote another line and showed it to Gyeo-ul.
"It's like a voice to me."
It was a beautiful metaphor, one that gave insight into her character.
--------------------------= Author's Note -------------------------
1. People say reality can be harsher than virtual reality, and that's probably true.
After all, where else do they have Active X...?
2. For those wondering how to be a 'good reader,' here's the answer:
First, click on 'Recommend'.
Second, allow the writer some rest.
Third, read "Wind and Star Cluster".
Do read "Wind and Star Cluster".
It's truly a fantastic work.