Once you reach the Ten Wings level, your mind grows so profound it practically withers and twists. Ordinary matters don’t even faze them.

Even Great Master Hong Geolgae, who was relatively emotional for a Ten Wing, was just putting on an act.

His philosophy was that to become the world’s strongest puppeteer, you had to attach and detach a colorful range of emotions.

“Saber Master… that blockheaded bastard…?”

That Hong Geolgae was genuinely shocked. His gaping throat looked ready to let his heart leap out. Stammering, he barely managed to ask back.

“Lee Taebaek, weren’t you the one who clashed with the Saber Master?”

“That’s right.”

“Then how the hell did you two end up on recommendation terms for the Red-Light District?”

“It’s less a recommendation friendship and more just a straight-up deal.”

He stopped there. Even though Hong Geolgae was friendly with Lee Taebaek, it was all because their interests aligned.

He could flip on me anytime.

In the City, the most important commodity isn’t money. It’s value and proof.

A person’s worth rises the more secrets they hold. People quickly lose interest in those who bare too much.

The more secretive, the more desperately they crave it.

Keep them hanging.

If your accomplishments weren’t that stacked yet, playing a little coy was a solid strategy.

Lee Taebaek had internalized this without realizing it, thanks to his “Concept: Psychopath.”

He was also speaking with his [Mental] stat buffed. Right now, Hong Geolgae was probably spinning wild fantasies about him.

About Lee Taebaek’s relationship with the Saber Master.

How close they really were.

Whether the two getting too tight might put him, or the Beggar Clan, at a disadvantage. That wrinkled brain was no doubt furiously crunching numbers.

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that. I just can’t spill it.”

His twitching lips betrayed his burning curiosity. The Beggar Clan is an info network. Hong Geolgae knows most of the City’s rumors. The itch of an unknown truth must be driving him nuts.

“…You’re really hiding fangs, aren’t you…”

The Great Master let out a resigned sigh.

“Jin Sobang and you, why do you both compare me to a snake? Where’s a more transparent guy than me?”

“Sure, transparent. Too damn transparent, that’s the problem. Bit late to nitpick, but how long are you planning to keep spitting casual speech at me?”

“Old man’s got grudges.”

“You’ve gotta have nine lives.”

He had to know everything to scratch that itch, but this time Hong Geolgae backed off. Lee Taebaek wasn’t some random drifter anymore.

Even though they’d called a truce, Hong Geolgae had overlooked him waltzing into Beggar Clan HQ. Because he didn’t want to make an enemy of Lee Taebaek.

Seemed beneath a Ten Wing, but…

This young viper ain’t ordinary.

Dealing with him was a real headache, even for Hong Geolgae.

Can’t gauge the depth of his potential.

He was growing by leaps and bounds every day.

Hong Geolgae might dominate today, but tomorrow could flip. That’s the kind of guy Lee Taebaek was.

He was shaking up the lax world of the powerhouses.

Hahaha!

Amusingly, Hong Geolgae welcomed it. A stir was rising in the City frozen by money-worship. His heart was pounding again.

Maybe that’s why.

The anxiety of losing Lee Taebaek to other Ten Wings. The childish urge to pour everything into him.

“I’ll make the recommendation.”

“Straight shooter. Thanks.”

“Hear me out more.”

“More to say?”

A tangle of complex emotions surged. It pushed Hong Geolgae to an impulsive offer.

“Just a ticket won’t cut it. You need money, cash. Walk in and out without spending a won? The staff’ll side-eye you.”

“Good point.”

“We’ll cover the expenses from the Beggar Clan.”

“…Outta nowhere? That’s so generous it’s suspicious.”

“I’m impressed by your efforts to cure those two women’s severed meridians.”

Hong Geolgae smiled meaningfully.

“Think of it as payment for stirring my old bones’ sense of justice after so long. Can’t say more. You have your secrets, and I have mine—more than you, naturally.”

“Fine, whatever. Amount?”

“Don’t be so prickly. It’s a credit card.”

“The City’s most precious commodity is credit, and you’re handing it to me just like that… Thanks, but overdo the generosity and it breeds doubt, old timer. The world’s gone dangerous these days. Anyway, a big shot like you wouldn’t scam over this. I’ll put it to good use.”

Lee Taebaek stood, turning to leave. As he lifted the tent flap, Hong Geolgae called out.

“Go see Sobang.”

District 31 Branch Leader, Jin Sobang.

Lately, he ruled the 30s districts. After purging some Blue-Robed Faction elements, Hong Geolgae had handed them all to him. And Lee Taebaek had a hefty stake in that.

“I’ll call ahead.”

[Yo, Dragon Head Chief…]

“Yeah. Sobang called? Knew you’d come.”

[…As you said… I handed him the card.]

“Good work. Come with Punggae by dinner. Time to grease the family pot together.”

[…]

“Worried?”

[Not questioning your decision, Chief. But… that guy’s so vicious… If I wasn’t worried, it’d be deceiving you. Beg pardon, but allow a few words.]

“Go ahead.”

[Imugi—that guy’s no sadist or anything. But this is Lake City. I know firsthand how he charms folks with his silver tongue, outdoing sages and immortals alike.

I know he cares for others more than himself. But the venue’s the issue. In the City, being that generous to someone…]

“Handing it out blindly could get us fleeced, huh.”

[…]

“Sobang, I get it. Never seen a cleaner Blue-Robe than you. You think of me most.”

[Thanks for the kind words.]

“But listen, Sobang. That’s why we gotta invest bold in this City. Heard of ‘buying the dip’? The cash we’re fronting him is a steal compared to that viper’s potential. And how much could he even blow…?”

[…He’s already burned 200 million.]

“…What?”

[Ah, now 230 million… no, more… I give up, Chief. Money’s pouring like a busted faucet.]

Imugi, you bastard. Eating beggars’ livers? Not even an hour since he left, and an amount in the hundreds of millions melted away. Hadn’t even entered the Red-Light District yet?

[Chief. One slip and we’ll lose the whole 30s district fortune. Bank’s draining dryyyy.]

“Once you trust… stick it out… Imugi wouldn’t waste on nonsense. Must be necessary…”

[Hit a clothing store and jewelry shop.]

“…”

[What now, Chief?]

“…Chase him down…”

[Pardon?]

“Send the beggars after him now!”

Lee Taebaek’s crew was gearing up.

Heading to the upper-layer Red-Light District—no, salons. Rolling in with lower-layer rags? Straight-up door-blocked. Disguise was key for smooth entry.

First, he took Goeun and Rock to a reasonably priced clothing store at the upper-layer entrance. It was famous for value.

They snatched luxury imports meant for top-tier stores and sold ’em mid-tier.

I opposed having clothing stores in the game.

Caved to Team Leader Seo’s nagging and added ’em. Now Lee Taebaek was reaping the benefits. Without her, he’d have been ripped off.

“Um…”

Goeun peeked her head from the fitting room. The next stall rustled—Rock changing.

“Do we really need to go this far?”

“Gotta cure your curse.”

“No, I mean me…”

Goeun’s lips twitched.

“Not just for you. Once your curse is gone, I need to know what deal I cut with the Heavenly Demon.”

Since meeting the Magic Tower Master, her confidence had tanked. She played cool, but her old arrogance was gone from her tone. Still.

She has to overcome it herself.

What good was his pep talk? He didn’t even know why she’d half-given up on life, and he wasn’t her emotional dumpster.

A landlord who fireballed on first meet had charm. But one wilted in hot pants and crop top? Nah.

“I get that, but… the clothes are kinda…”

“What’s wrong with ’em?”

For the record, this was all for her. His tastes influenced it just a tad. Very slightly.

“Aren’t the hot pants too short?”

“Upper-layer salons ain’t school. That’s perfect length.”

“Panties! Panties might show!”

“They don’t though?”

“You perv bastard!”

He ignored the ungentlemanly slur.

“Waaah! You look stunning!”

The owner gushed at Goeun. Rock emerged then too, doubling the awe.

Not empty flattery. Dressed up, they screamed idol.

Goeun was a heavy smoker, Rock mask-obsessed, but beauties both. Unless you crush them, maybe not.

Dressed up, they’d outshine that one.

Raken’s has an official beauty. A global idol star.

Sounded like everyone’s first love, but she was a “Ten Wing.” Monster lurked behind the pretty face.

“Do their makeup too.”

“Right away. But um…”

Lee Taebaek flashed the card.

“Swipe. Lump sum.”

“I’ll give it my all!”

City virtue: they delivered for the pay. The owner went all-out decorating the ladies.

As she stepped back, Goeun and Rock shone. Customers gawked. An ineffable elegance radiated.

Damn.

Even Lee Taebaek blinked.

Women’s transformations were innocent? This was guilty as charged. He tipped big; owner bowed nonstop.

Just as he was leading them out, a familiar face waited. Branch Leader Jin Sobang.

“Lee Taebaek, you son of a… bi…”

Goeun and Rock didn’t just snag the two men—they vacuumed every eye nearby. They carved a tunnel a fly could fly through, just like at the store.

“Y-you, y-you, you bastard!”

For some reason, Jin Sobang seethed.

“Perfect timing.”

“…Huh?”

He was already short a headcount. Upper salons took pairs only.

Lee Taebaek made Jin Sobang an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“Come to the salon with us.”

Salons have rules.

One: Membership required. But ticket-holders can bring three extras.

Exposing security gaps for promo? Decadently brilliant marketing.

Two: Masks mandatory. Animal-themed, randomly assigned pre-entry.

Three: Inside, call folks by mask animals. No real names—tons of untouchables there.

“Lee Tae… Viper sir.”

Jin Sobang—no, Pig—said it. Fittingly, Lee Taebaek drew a snake. A venomous one, triangular head.

“…This for real…?”

No surprise there. Anyone facing earthly paradise would gape.

A sea of flesh tones rolled before them.