Chapter 2612 – 2612. Eternal Eden

A harsh winter, similar to last year’s, had arrived.

This time, we had somewhat anticipated and prepared for it, so fewer people froze to death compared to last year.

The worst news was that trade had completely stopped. Now, we had to be self-sufficient. Prices were expected to skyrocket further.

Self-sufficient agriculture was not easy. The D virus also affected plants. Even if we did agriculture, it required very meticulous management. Smart farms were good for times like these, but… we lacked both the technology and resources to build them on a large scale.

Now, most Koreans would receive food from distribution centers.

‘That’s strange.’

It had been several months since companies in Korea had found out about my recovery ability.

I didn’t believe that the companies had completely kept it a secret. The information that my ability could even cure aging must have spread overseas.

‘But the reaction from abroad is quiet.’

Even Japan was turning its attention away from Korea and focusing on its own internal affairs. Most of the powerful people in this world were elderly, so I thought they would be seeking youth and trying to manipulate me somehow… but they were quiet.

Only a few powerful figures from other countries contacted me directly for deals. Most remained silent.

‘Did they not receive the information? That’s a bit disappointing.’

Or perhaps they didn’t have the time to contact me.

What was certain was that everyone was busy with their own national affairs.

‘If I had known this would happen, it might have been the right choice to develop some life-related technologies. Then, fewer people would have died. …Well, it’s done. I’ve already made my choice, so it’s a meaningless assumption.’

If I hadn’t invested in combat, Japan would have been very troublesome from the start. And the Korean peninsula might not have been recovered yet. The worst-case scenario would be local cities causing chaos by declaring independence. Fortunately, the current power in Korea was concentrated in the government, so that wouldn’t happen.

• • •

In April of the 22nd year, the presidential election began.

There were a total of three candidates.

Candidate No. 1: Sung Yu-jin. Independent. That was me.

Candidate No. 2: Baek Ju. Conservative. A nobody.

Candidate No. 3: Kim Gae-san. Progressive. Also a nobody.

I had already taken over the political scene in South Korea. The world was now an era where power mattered more than money. Since I controlled the military, the political world had no choice but to be cautious. And if they wanted to benefit from my abilities even once, they had to grovel.

‘In reality, the outcome of the presidential election is already decided. The other presidential candidates are just there for show. They were forced to run so that the picture wouldn’t look bad.’

My presidential pledge and declaration of candidacy.

I looked at the camera and shouted.

“Respected citizens! I am Sung Yu-jin! I am running in this presidential election to lead the future of South Korea! I, myself, will guarantee the safety of the citizens and the rise of South Korea!”

I didn’t make empty promises for the sake of pledges.

My recognition was already at its peak. I had been doing volunteer work, which didn’t suit my personality, for the election. Of course, it was all automated.

“Trust me and vote for me! To make Korea greater! Healthier! Younger! I will create the strongest Korea!”

Currently, the Sungjin Church had 14 million followers, 60% of the total population of Korea.

That was more than half. It was an election I couldn’t lose.

Time passed. I didn’t make an embarrassing campaign song. Instead, I toured the provinces and showed off my abilities. To create charisma, I made an anti-Japanese politician and criticized them. Of course, I didn’t forget to kill mutants on live broadcasts.

The rest was up to my followers. Especially the activities of the Sungjin Church were anticipated.

On election day.

I sat in Yeouido, leisurely watching TV.

‘Hmm. I’m a little nervous. It would be a bit embarrassing if the voter turnout is lower than I expected.’

A low voter turnout meant low approval ratings. My power could be slightly shaken.

‘In that case, there’s only one solution. Purge. Conduct a large-scale purge.’

Hoping that wouldn’t happen, I watched the vote counting broadcast. I wasn’t alone. For the first time in a while, all my women had gathered.

“Hmm.”

Na Chae-young was watching the screen with her arms crossed. Her index finger couldn’t stay still and kept tapping. She seemed more nervous than I, the person involved.

But soon, her tension eased. As soon as the vote counting began, the voter turnout exceeded 80%. It hadn’t even been 10% counted, but the start was so good that the result was obvious.

“Wow. It seems like the voting went well even in this situation.”

Yoo Seo-jung was slightly impressed.

“It was conducted in the shelters. We created an atmosphere where people voted while receiving rations. In a way, it could be said that we forced them to vote.”

Lee Yeon-hee said calmly. Naturally, this election was conducted under Lee Yeon-hee’s supervision.

“If we had used the Sungjin Church followers more actively, we could have been elected more decisively. It’s a bit disappointing. Shouldn’t we have rigged the votes?”

Kim Ji-hee asked. Lee Yeon-hee looked at her as if she was absurd. Kim Ji-hee’s mother, Yoo Seo-jung, smiled awkwardly and took Kim Ji-hee’s hand.

“Of course, we could have rigged it if we wanted to. Currently, South Korea is not normal, and most of the power is held by Yu-jin. It was Yu-jin who wanted a fair election.”

“The election is already certain anyway. So, we’re just checking the voter turnout this time. That will be the approval rating.”

Time passed, and the vote count exceeded 70%.

Voter turnout: 86%.

‘The key is whether it can exceed 90% or not.’

“The election is already decided. But what’s the point of becoming president? Wasn’t South Korea already Sung Yu-jin’s even without being president?”

Choi Hye-jin asked. Lee Yeon-hee smiled gently.

“Yu-jin’s power was indeed great. But it wasn’t officially recognized power. The military is currently supporting Yu-jin, but… it wouldn’t be strange if a rebellion happened at any time. Above all, there were limitations because we had to use power unofficially. This time, even those limitations will disappear. Especially since the world is in a more dangerous situation than ever… the president’s power can be said to be the highest ever.”

Choi Hye-jin blinked her eyes. She didn’t seem to understand Lee Yeon-hee’s words.

“Oh, okay. But a president is like a king. Can’t you give me a city or something? In Europe, they give cities to nobles. I’d be fine with Daejeon.”

“No.”

“Absolutely not.”

Lee Yeon-hee and I said at the same time.

“Feudalism in this era? Even the Joseon Dynasty wasn’t feudal. Power must be concentrated in the center.”

“Unless there’s a distance problem. Feudalism in the tiny Korean peninsula? If you take a helicopter, you can get there quickly. What feudalism are you talking about?”

Faced with fierce opposition, Choi Hye-jin was flustered, rolled her eyes, and then shrugged her shoulders.

“I, I just said it because they do that in Europe.”

“Even in Europe, they oppose the return to feudalism. No, it’s not even feudalism. In reality, some cities in Europe demanded independence, and the countries that had lost power granted it. Our situation is different from Europe. Rather, China’s situation is similar to Europe’s now.”

“Okay, okay. I was just saying it.”

I saw Choi Hye-jin pouting and turned my gaze to the side. Irina was sitting quietly. She didn’t seem interested in the election broadcast and was fiddling with her smartphone. Looking at the screen reflected in her eyes, it seemed like she was on a community site.

I respected women’s hobbies, so I pretended not to notice.

The vote count exceeded 90%. I moved to where the reporters were. It was a historic moment. Of course, I had to show my face on the screen.

1 AM. The vote counting was over.

I was elected as the 22nd president with a voter turnout of 96% and a vote share of 93.7%.

I made a joyful expression in front of the camera. In reality, I didn’t feel much emotion. It was natural for me to become president.

I had achieved the goal of becoming president. But now that I was president, I felt that the five-year term was too short. It was only day one, but… I wanted to be president longer. I didn’t want to let go of power.

“Citizens of South Korea! As the 22nd president, I will normalize South Korea!!”

Feudalism was trash, but a monarchy might be okay.

“I will definitely normalize it!”

• • •

The next day.

I entered the Blue House.

I sat down at the desk in the presidential office, which I had visited a few times, and put my feet up.

“Ah. This feels good.”

I was at the pinnacle of South Korea.

Soon, Lee Yeon-hee entered.

“Your Excellency, the President. We have received phone call requests from foreign leaders. Who would you like to call first?”

“Who sent a congratulatory message first?”

“It’s Japan. Even before the vote counting was over, they sent a message as soon as your election was confirmed.”

“…That’s unexpected.”

The current relationship between Japan and Korea was the worst. It was a relationship where war could break out at any moment. Well, war would eventually happen anyway.

“After Japan, it’s North Korea, China, Russia, Taiwan, and the United States in that order. We have also received congratulatory messages from other countries.”

“The United States is slow.”

“The internal situation in the United States is more chaotic than ever. After the US president was assassinated, the vice president is acting as a proxy… but in reality, he’s not doing anything.”

“Who seems the most urgent?”

“Japan and China. You must never trust Japan.”

“I know. It’s stupid to trust anyone else in this world anyway. I’m curious about what the Japanese prime minister has to say… but China is the most urgent right now. Contact the Chinese president.”

“Yes. I’ll prepare it.”

Lee Yeon-hee left.

‘I can’t keep making Lee Yeon-hee do secretarial work forever. I need to hire a secretary… but there’s no one I can trust.’

If possible, a woman. It would be nice to have a beautiful chief secretary who could take care of my lower body.

I contacted the Chinese president, Jeong Du-jeong.

“Nice to meet you. I am Sung Yu-jin, the 22nd president of South Korea.”

I spoke in Chinese. Translation was annoying in many ways. Lee Yeon-hee, who was next to me, widened her eyes, surprised that I could speak Chinese.

“Nice to meet you. I didn’t know that the new president of South Korea could speak Chinese. Do you perhaps have Chinese ancestors?”

Hao style?

This fucking Chink is out of his mind.

“Don’t insult me, Chink. I am the president of South Korea. Chink. You must respect me. Ching Chong.”