Chapter 53: I, Descend (3)

Just five years ago, no such thing as the Gang Alliance even existed. And for good reason.

Picture it: the worst of the worst among outlaws. That’s gangs for you.

Even among their own members, backstabbing was rampant. The idea of those bastards banding together to form an alliance? It was a premise that didn’t hold water from the start.

…That was the prevailing opinion. But in any field, a white-knight superhero on horseback eventually shows up.

For the gangs, that was ‘Levi’. To be precise, not on a white horse, but a red one.

One day, Levi appeared out of nowhere and started devouring the back alleys.

She greedily absorbed every gang she encountered. Eventually, she founded her own outfit called Magnostrom.

Magnostrom was different from the other gangs in structure. At first glance, it resembled an army more than a gang.

The disorganized gangs couldn’t compete with Magnostrom’s systematic ranks. And just like that, this woman who popped up out of thin air unified the gangs in a mere half-year.

Afterward, she formed the alliance, binding together the irredeemable gangs. Every macho gangbanger who lived by peddling their masculinity knelt before one woman.

On the surface, it sounded like the epic saga of a badass heroine. The one flaw in this scenario was that the protagonist lived up to her reputation.

Madwoman Levi.

No words suited her better. It was what everyone who’d seen her said.

At this moment, Lee Taebaek understood why. He hadn’t wanted to know, but she’d demonstrated it herself.

‘Riding a motorcycle indoors?!’

Levi seemed intent on not giving them a moment to catch their breath. The Red Hare’s headlights swept over Lee Taebaek and Kang Hyeonseong like a spotlight pinning down thieves.

Lee Taebaek clutched his temple, then suddenly widened his eyes. He quickly pulled a mask from his pocket.

It was a proper one he’d received from Slit-Eyes, Jin Sobang’s underling. Handy in all sorts of ways.

Tzzzzzt-.

With a click, the mask sealed over his mouth. He felt his hot breath bounce back inside. Filtered, his vision sharpened too.

A dry cough came from beside him. Kang Hyeonseong waved his hand, scattering dust.

Fortunately, his visible injuries were minor. Just a few splinters clinging to him.

Vrrrrmmmm…!

The exhaust roared. Amid the ringing in his ears from the shockwave’s aftermath, Levi spoke up.

“Hey- you *hic* what the hell.”

Something was off. The engine growled thunderously, but her speech was slurred. Like some drunk dad driving home.

“I told you to patrol *hic* outside, not crash around? Nah, actually, perfect timing. You know any 24-hour convenience stores around here?”

“…What…?”

“…Out of booze…?”

Levi’s voice dripped with moisture. As if consoling its master, the Red Hare snorted fiercely.

“…Booze, ran out. Booze. On a shit day like today, you gotta drink enough to black out tomorrow… Even drained the warehouse dry and still not drunk *hic*. So figured I’d hit up the local stores too. For old times’ sake.”

She was mid-sob when Kang Hyeonseong tensed to lunge.

“Can’t let you do that.”

An arm shot out. Turning, he saw Lee Taebaek subtly shaking his head, lips moving faintly.

‘Hold up.’

‘What? Why?’

Their eyes met through the dust.

‘Best outcome for this mission is kidnapping Levi, right?’

‘Yeah.’

‘But if we rush in for an instant kill, plan goes sideways. Plus, she’s on a bike. If she bolts for real, we can’t catch her.’

…Fair point. No matter how fast humans were, chasing a motorcycle was impossible. Especially the Red Hare, said to hit near Mach speeds—like a damn jet.

‘If she were sitting still or passed out, maybe. Charging now is the worst play.’

‘So what’s your plan?’

‘Leave this to me.’

Lee Taebaek cleared his throat for a dignified tone. The mask automatically modulated his voice.

“Boss.”

“…?!”

What the—polite speech?

“What’s got you in such a foul mood today? Something bad happen?”

“Bad? You bet. How’d you like it?!”

“Aw- how’s a lowly grunt like me supposed to know? Gotta tell me.”

Kang Hyeonseong flinched and stared. You can talk all sweet like that? Lee Taebaek ignored the look and pressed on.

“Spill it, Boss. I’ll raid every convenience store around and we can knock back some soju together.”

“You… you bastard…?”

Levi’s eyes probably narrowed. Couldn’t see through the dust, but it felt that way.

As the standoff dragged, Kang Hyeonseong lowered his stance. Ready to pounce if needed. The Red Hare’s engine still idled, but now was the moment…

“…You like!”

“Damn it!”

Kang Hyeonseong finally muttered a curse. His upper body pitched forward at the same instant.

“-a loyal retainer in our gang!”

Levi shouted gleefully. Kang Hyeonseong let out a dumb noise, then tumbled forward from momentum he couldn’t rein in.

Levi burst into roaring laughter at the sight. To her, it was just her underling’s antics. Unwittingly, Kang Hyeonseong aided Lee Taebaek’s plan.

“They say watch out for subordinates most, but a guy sacrificing like this? Different story! I’m feeling generous! This boss’ll show some mercy to her men for once!”

“Thank you, Boss.”

Lee Taebaek smoothly played along while subtly spreading Snow Dance with his hand.

No matter how wasted Levi was, she’d spot them if visibility cleared. If she realized who they were and charged? Better than expected, actually.

‘If it were just me, sure.’

But Kang Hyeonseong was here. One-Man Thousand Kill—a celebrity. Levi was the Gang Alliance’s top dog. No way she didn’t know him.

He was one of the two who’d kept the gangs from messing with the Resistance. The other was obviously the Commander-in-Chief.

Should’ve infiltrated solo if he’d known. Who could’ve predicted this mess?

‘Gotta mask our faces as long as possible.’

That’s why he burned all his mana on fog. Damn. No magic for a while after this.

Anyway, success. Levi started unloading her sob story.

So many pent-up grievances poured out. He even got a brief glimpse of her rough life. Not all that dramatic, really.

Levi hadn’t turned to gang life because of family issues. It was her violent streak. Trust me, I’m a character designer.

Still, messing with drunks was the most fun, she said. Entertaining stuff. Kang Hyeonseong was hooked too before long.

‘Hoping for the Magnostrom origin story, huh? Pretty focused.’

Problem was, mana was critically low. Lee Taebaek felt faint and changed the subject.

“Uh, Boss. About this mission. Did we really have to drag in the Sword Master? Guy’s fees are insane. Huge advance, then more extras.

Even as the Gang Alliance’s core, it’s a burden. Cancel the contract now. Better to negotiate with the Resistance—they’re cheaper.”

“Ah~ that~?”

Levi giggled, swigging from her bottle. Amber liquid trailed her sharp jawline.

“Advance was what, 5 billion? Huge for us, but compared to what that monster’ll do…”

She spat appreciatively, wiping her lips with her thumb. Dust thinning, her smile sharpened into view. Ominous.

“What he’ll do, you mean.”

“Obviously, erase the Resistance from Lake City. You know that part, but I’ll tell you special.”

She dropped her voice chillingly low, cold air amplifying the creep factor.

“Anyway, what’s your name?”

“Ta- no. Baektae.”

Lee Taebaek’s reply broke the mood a bit.

“Baektae? What kinda name is that?”

“Said it’s what Mom felt during her first kiss with Dad. Pure bliss.”

“Wow. Bio-mom’s one tough chick. Just like me.”

“You bet.”

Lee Taebaek flashed an empty smile. Beyond detachment—enlightened.

“Anyway. Baektae, you notice something off when you clocked in today? Our building’s way too empty of thugs.”

“…Yes.”

“Pulled the rowdy ones out and dispatched ’em to Sentinel Gang. Got word from our plant in the Resistance today. Guess what? Those bastards are hitting us tonight.”

Kang Hyeonseong’s pupils wandered. Sentinel’s base was where the Commander-in-Chief had personally gone.

“Fastest way to gut an org is cut off the head. *Hic* Resistance is like a spider. Eight or nine legs.

Chop one or two? Mild inconvenience. That’s it. Gotta take the head. But is the Commander-in-Chief ordinary? Even all us alliance heads charging wouldn’t faze him. Alone? No chance.”

This was intel only Kang Hyeonseong among the eight battalion commanders (originally nine, but Sugar Water’s hospitalized)—had heard secretly. Shatters the assumption of a traitor among them.

‘The mole wasn’t a battalion commander!’

…One conclusion. The traitor was in the Commander-in-Chief’s private unit, the 0th Battalion. As Kang Hyeonseong paled, Levi kept chugging.

“But against the Mercenary King? Game changer. Ten Wings ain’t for show, nor the ‘King’ tag. Tough chew, but Commander can’t match him.”

“Betting on it, huh.”

Lee Taebaek lifted his feet from the ground. Dust nearly gone, mana depleted. No more stalling.

“Dead serious, fuck off. *Gulp* Ahem. Anyway. It’s around 10 now… They’ll clash soon, Commander and Sword Master.”

“So Levi, you sent Magnostrom elites because. You aim to snipe the Sword Master after he fights the Commander.”

Lee Taebaek sliced through the fog, closing in.

“With the Commander’s ‘ability’, you figure he’ll take down the Sword Master anyway.”

“Exac-! Baektae, you’re sharp! Feeling it! Spilled too much boozed up, but you’re promoted! Pick your prize—booze, smokes, girls. Name it!!”

Lee Taebaek was right in her face. She flinched at his ghostly approach but brightened, reaching for him…

“Fuck, wait. Who the hell are you?”

“Me?”

Seeing his face, Levi’s drunken flush vanished. She lit up for a different reason.

“Lee Taebaek.”

Something flashed. The blade split her clavicle. She let out a bird-like groan, slumping.

Splat!

She tumbled off. Amid the commotion, she snapped her head up, seeking the Red Hare first. But.

“Wha, what?!”

Lee Taebaek loomed over her. Astride her beloved steed, the Red Hare.

He patted its neck; it snorted. Despair flooded Levi’s face.

“No way! Impossible! Red Hare only responds to its maker and owner—!”

He cut her off.

“Then I qualify.”

He turned it toward the entrance. Kang Hyeonseong faced his back.

Lee Taebaek atop the sucking vortex of red. Hard to believe it was his first ride—so natural.

“I’m off. This is yours.”

Before Lee Taebaek’s eyes, the vanishing point rushed backward like a slingshot, into the distance.

The taut horizon writhed an instant. Thunder cracked; he was gone. Taillights trailed his wake like a tail.

“……”

“……”

The Red Hare unhesitatingly ditched its old master for the new.