Every time he comes to this underground bunker, the same thought strikes him: “Why on earth did they build a bunker under a pond back then?” He is also frustrated by the fact that his clothes get ruined by the water every single time.
During the Joseon Dynasty, Ha Ryun served as a sort of construction supervisor for Gyeonghoeru. Therefore, during its construction, he was able to approach the pond without worrying about the eyes of others. In the early stages, the Gyeonghoeru pond was small. It grew to its current large size after the 12th year of King Taejong’s reign, when Gyeonghoeru was rebuilt and the pond was expanded.
At that time, Jun-ho began constructing a research facility deep beneath the pond. A silver sphere treated the construction site with a transparent defense shield, and droids—using technology that did not exist at the time—allowed the sub-pond construction to proceed according to plan.
Jun-ho judged back then that the research facility could be preserved for a long time only if it were built inside the palace. Even now, he does not know if that choice was right. However, at the very least, the research facility has been preserved for a long time.
The research bunker is located 10 meters underground beneath the pond. The moment Jun-ho descends into the bunker and sets foot on the floor, lights turn on simultaneously across all the interior walls.
That light does not come from man-made lighting fixtures. The bright illumination seeps out from the white stone walls that form the interior themselves. The size of the bunker is about that of a football field.
As he passes the entrance, the light leaking from the walls grows even brighter, making the entire bunker as radiant as midday. However, nothing is visible inside. The floor, walls, and even the ceiling look like a space carved entirely out of a single, massive piece of white crystal.
Jun-ho walks to the center of a wall and spreads his right hand in the air. Then, a silver sphere reveals itself above his palm. He lightly tosses it into the air. The silver sphere flies as if bouncing and embeds itself at the point where the wall and ceiling meet.
At that moment, something begins to take shape in the air between the white crystal walls. The spot where Jun-ho stands suddenly becomes the middle of a corridor, and the walls on both sides transform into a massive digital hologram space.
Like the virtual space seen in the movie The Matrix, unrealistic structures and light patterns form rapidly. Inside the hologram, young men and women who look exactly like humans sit in chairs and work. They watch various computers and digital devices, their hands moving busily.
The office scenery closely resembles human society, yet it does not feel like reality—much like how one does not feel a drone show in the night sky is "real." They look like game characters trapped in a massive, Matrix-style digital space.
Jun-ho walks to the end of the corridor, stops, and asks: “Where is the space battleship now?”
Then, in the digital space to the right of the corridor where he stands, the form of a young woman appears. She wears black pants and a white blouse. Her appearance is no different from a human office worker, but because she is confined within a digital box, she cannot approach Jun-ho.
“The battleship is currently landed on a wide field near the border front between Country U and Country R.”
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“Without hiding itself?”
“Yes. It is exposed as it is, without any camouflage.”
Jun-ho cannot understand it. Why is the space battleship landed there without bothering to hide? It is as if it is waiting for something.
“Since Lillik’s battleship appeared on Earth, how is the situation unfolding?”
“Less than a day has passed, so no direct actions have been detected yet. However, based on information from various intelligence agencies and data analysis, several predictions are possible,” the woman continues calmly.
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First: R is highly likely to suspend attacks against U for the time being. This may lead to the end of the war, but it is not certain. R will not withdraw without some form of compensation.
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Second: Intelligence agencies worldwide perceive the 'space battleship' as a severe threat. They will attempt to analyze the weaknesses of the ship and the droid army.
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Third: Some countries, including the US and China, are likely to carry out a ‘weak test attack’ on the space battleship soon.
“A test attack?” Jun-ho asks back. “What does that mean?”
“Each country knows that the space battleship neutralized military weapons through digital hacking. When the spacecraft first appeared on the battlefield of U, digital equipment in every nation went dead; R, the US, and China perceived this as a major threat. However, they have realized that non-digital weapon systems—analog, mechanical combat weapons—still function. Therefore, an attack method like the past, where bombs are loaded onto mechanical fighters for a charge, is theoretically possible.”
Jun-ho nods. “But why would they bother trying to attack the space battleship?”
“The moment it appeared, the space battleship was recognized as the strongest weapon system on Earth. The superpower R stepped back, and conflicts around the world paused temporarily. Lillik’s press conference gave the impression of opposing war and standing with the victims. However...”
The woman’s gaze pauses for a moment. “Superpowers will never tolerate a situation where their national interests are infringed upon. Fear is eventually overcome. And the space battleship will be classified as a ‘threat that must be eliminated.’”
Jun-ho is silent for a moment, then says, “Wouldn't they believe that the space battleship could transfer technology and provide information helpful to Earth?”
“Correct. Some will advocate for the battleship. But the superpowers will judge even that possibility as a risk that infringes on their interests.”
Jun-ho’s thoughts grow deeper. Lillik settled the situation peacefully without a single attack. However, the result is flowing in a different direction than expected.
“What are the current weaknesses of the battleship?”
“The space battleship is not a digital virtual entity like us. It is a being composed of actual matter. Although it is a material that has endured for 700,000 years, that was only possible because there were almost no external attacks.
The ship’s energy source is an asbestos-based fiber tissue, and current production is steadily decreasing. It is expected that Earthlings are unaware of this fact. The transparent shield is also not permanent; it can be damaged by a nuclear attack of a certain scale. The fighters within the ship may hold the upper hand in initial combat, but they are not enough to damage the entire Earth. If Earth’s analog fighters challenge them collectively, the situation will not be easy at all.
And the most important fact is...”
The woman pauses before continuing. “There is only one space battleship. Earthlings do not know this yet. If that becomes known, the word ‘courage’ will sprout in their hearts. Furthermore, the silver sphere is merely a device responsible for shielding, energy, and communication—it is not an offensive weapon system. Of course, weak attacks are possible.
In conclusion, if the nations of Earth unite and attack, there is a high probability that the space battleship will be suppressed in the final stage.”
As the explanation ends, Jun-ho stands in silence. The flying saucer air show for the U army was perfect. The craft utilizing the silver sphere left a powerful impact on the soldiers, and the subsequent appearance of the space battleship at the R square was truly a revolution.
The adventure was a success. However, Earthlings are not that foolish. If so, why did Lillik undertake such a dangerous gamble?
Jun-ho asks the digital assistant beside him, “Why did she do this?”
“In my opinion, it is highly likely for the purpose of inducing division among Earthlings and forming a new order.”
“That’s an ambiguous answer.”
Jun-ho commands the silver sphere to attempt communication with Lillik in Summerland. But there is no response.
Jun-ho thinks to himself: ‘The sight of the space battleship being destroyed and exploding must be shown to the people of Earth.’ ‘The world must appear as if it evolved on its own.’
And a final thought flashes through his mind: ‘…Should I be the one to attack first?’