Chapter 592: Rally of New Seoul

South Korea, New Seoul.

On a grand stage by the coastline, a large number of South Korean Battle Zone Awakeners had gathered.

From above, bursts of roaring sound echoed as supersonic fighter jets circled in formation, flaunting their might.

Beneath a massive teleportation gate, a squad of a hundred Third-Stage Awakened smiled as they basked in the crowd’s cheers.

Unlike most other battle zones.

In contrast to other nations that treat national war with solemn dignity as a life-or-death struggle for billions,

the South Korean Battle Zone—known even before the apocalypse for turning major national events into entertainment—continued this ‘tradition’ post-apocalypse.

“Lord Park Chan-eun! I hereby congratulate you in advance on your coming victory in this national war! Bring glory back to South Korea!”

“Let all of Asia once again witness the might of our Korean people!”

On the open-air stage, after an impassioned speech, President Kim Min-woo, visibly moved, placed a garland on the head of the leading Peak Third-Stage.

In previous national wars, the South Korean Battle Zone had not performed particularly well.

Hindered by its small population, external threats from a watchful North Korea, internal discord, and lack of unified command, it usually ended up in the bottom three—barely escaping harsh penalties.

But this time, Kim Min-woo believed everything would be different!

They were now certain to be contenders for first or second place!

After bowing respectfully, Park Chan-eun signaled the crowd to cheer.

Arrogantly, standing at the forefront, Park Chan-eun accepted the President’s compliments with only a slight nod in return.

No wonder he exuded such self-assurance.

In fact, he was not originally one of the Military’s Awakeners but rather one of the chairmen of South Korea’s largest private conglomerate.

Unlike other battle zones, internal power in South Korea is organized by conglomerates—commercial tycoons who had controlled the nation’s lifeblood even before the apocalypse.

Twin Stars, Hyundai, Daewoo…

On an area no larger than a province within the Huaxia Battle Zone, a handful of major conglomerates and the Blue House jointly ruled South Korea.

However, about six months ago, after the Korean Military agreed to cede half of its command in exchange for becoming his ‘partner’, today’s South Korean Battle Zone could at least be considered a unified entity.

And the president before them was nothing more than his puppet.

“Rest assured, this victory will be ours this time!”

“Not only has Huaguo been plagued with internal issues, but we’ve also preemptively secured the Southeast Asia Joint Battle Zone.”

“We even have North Korea on our side now!”

“This time, aside from the Indian Battle Zone, no one can stand against us!”

As if announcing it to the entire audience, Park Chan-eun casually revealed what should have been classified information.

In mid-sentence, a flash of purple ignited in his eyes and a rumbling thunder erupted from his very being.

As if to showcase his power, the display immediately drew raucous cheers from the South Korean crowd.

Not content with that, under the gaze of tens of thousands, Park Chan-eun burst into laughter, soared into the air, and with a sweeping gesture, summoned a barrage of thunderbolts.

“Boom-Ka!”

Thunder dragons roared.

With overwhelming force, it seemed as though a legendary presence had arrived, instantly pushing the atmosphere to a fever pitch.

Seeing tens of thousands of admiring eyes and cheers from below, Park Chan-eun’s smile grew even brighter.

As South Korea’s top Third-Stage Awakened, his greatest passion—or rather, obsession—was basking in the worship of the masses; he had even crafted his image to resemble Korea’s guardian deity.

Unlike the many South Korean Battle Zone Awakeners marveling at their leader’s strength from the sidelines,

a group of Third-Stage Awakened with sullen expressions, watching Park Chan-eun flaunt his spirit energy, had a flash of cold enmity and apprehension in their eyes.

They were North Korean Awakeners who served only the great General Kim.

They were not impressed at all by Park Chan-eun’s show of force.

Had it not been for the System, which always merged their two nations for the national war after several unsuccessful separate operations, they had no intention of cooperating.

“Thunder’s Wrath, S-Level Skill. Combined with his innate talent, it’s truly formidable.”

He offered his low-toned analysis.

A slightly gaunt Peak Third-Stage muttered his assessment of Park Chan-eun’s abilities.

No matter how much he disapproved, he had to admit that the guy’s power was undeniably terrifying.

As a rare melee Elemental Awakened, Park Chan-eun not only boasted an S-Level innate talent but also manipulated lightning in combat, significantly boosting his movement speed for close-quarters battle.

A month ago, rumors swirled that after acquiring an S-Level Skill, he had directly patched his final weakness by gaining a formidable long-range combat capability.

With ultra-fast movement and thunderous bursts, every attack inherently inflicted a paralyzing effect, leaving any enemy facing him in utter despair.

If he once had to rely on close combat, now Park Chan-eun had transformed into a thunder warlord, unleashing astonishing power at any range!

Thus, the South Korean Battle Zone brimmed with confidence for this national war!

“Captain, I believe your strength is not far behind his. Since these South Koreans are so confident, let them lead the charge!”

“But I’ve heard they’ve recently mobilized many Awakeners to attack the Huaguo border. Should we consider doing the same…?”

Standing behind a slightly gaunt North Korean Peak Third-Stage, one Third-Stage Awakened couldn’t help but whisper a question to their captain.

According to him, one key reason for the two nations’ collaboration was that the South Korean Battle Zone simply couldn’t produce more Peak Third-Stages.

It was precisely to support Park Chan-eun that they sought them out, proactively requesting a partnership.

Moreover, to secure cooperation, South Korea even offered hefty rewards and promised abundant food supplies.

Even a fool would know what that implied.

“Never mind, I’ve always had a bad feeling about Huaguo. We don’t need to get involved in that mess.”

“They’ve likely seized a vast amount of resources.”

With a cold laugh, he discerned that one of his team members was getting tempted—considering even raiding the Huaguo Battle Zone after the war.

But the Captain, a Peak Third-Stage, immediately dashed that thought.

Although he knew the South Koreans had undoubtedly reaped immense benefits recently,

population, food, spirit energy resources—there was no shortage of them!

And, barring any surprises, intelligence indicating a significant weakening of forces at the Huaguo border was highly likely to be true.

Otherwise, how could South Korea’s limited strength overcome Huaguo’s troops?

In the past, subduing the Huaxia Battle Zone required a joint effort from several battle zones!

Thus, harboring an inherent and complex fear of Huaguo, he had no desire to get involved in such matters.

Not to mention, he knew full well that when these South Koreans got overly confident, they could act recklessly.

Perhaps a long history of sensitivity and inferiority drove South Koreans to go to extreme lengths to prove themselves whenever given the chance.

Especially when facing Huaguo.

But North Koreans were different—they knew that even the full might of Korea was no match for Huaguo, like ants compared to giants.

Any advantage gained now was only temporary.

If these Huaxia Awakeners were truly provoked, Seoul might very well be renamed ‘Han City’ again.

“Let’s go! Prepare to enter!”