“Saber Master made separate contact with Employee Lee Taebaek?”

Executive Director Ryu Subaek’s eyebrows curved downward in a frown. Director Ryu Garyeon bowed her waist apologetically.

“Yes. They met for about an hour. As for what they discussed… we have no way of knowing.”

“Straighten your shoulders. Enough with the sorry face.”

Ryu Subaek rubbed his forehead repeatedly in frustration before letting out a sigh.

“We can’t exactly bug Saber Master’s room. If we got caught, we wouldn’t even make it to the ring before getting chopped to pieces. Literally.”

“Yes…”

“Something feels off about how this is unfolding.”

Ryu Subaek rose from his office chair and stood by the window. A downpour raged outside, as usual. The rain streaking down the glass looked like tears, mirroring his desperate state of mind.

The Ryu father and daughter were fighting for their lives.

They were chaebol. But the chaebol of Lake City were a different breed from those in Korea.

In Lake City, you had to give back as much as you took. Even chaebol were no exception. In some ways, they faced even harsher demands. They had to vomit out more than they’d swallowed.

The moment you were born a chaebol, you stood at a crossroads in life. Creditor or debtor? Ryu Subaek and his daughter were locked in a brutal struggle to become the former in the future.

Enemies lurked everywhere, but their main foe was Daesung Group’s Madam—the Iron Lady of the company, whose influence was immense and whose methods were ruthless. She steadily harassed or tamed the illegitimate children without crossing the chairman. If they were obedient bastards, she’d toss them a position like Executive Director, as she had with Ryu Subaek… but defy her, and she kills them.

Kills them for real.

Three had already been disguised as accidents, their blood spilled. Now, it was time for her to turn her blade on the Ryu family.

Until now, they’d survived by knowing their place and not overreaching. But the limits were closing in.

The current chairman’s term was nearly up. The Madam would rush to install one of her own blood before it ended. Anyone seen as an obstacle would be eliminated without mercy.

“Should we request a private meeting with the Chairman, Executive Director?”

Ryu Subaek shook his head without looking at his daughter.

“Requesting a sloppy audience could draw the Madam’s ire. At that point, I’d rather die by Saber Master’s hand.”

And above all…

Father… the Chairman doesn’t care how many bastards die…

His throat felt parched and rough.

You always play the kindly old man, but you’re not. You’re a monster. And maybe the last monster I have to face is you.

In his later years, he’d gone to great lengths to recruit Saber Master Muyachi. It was a warning to his children.

I’m still going strong.

So don’t get any funny ideas. Keep your heads down.

A man who’d achieved everything, yet his greed knew no bounds. Was that what they called an old man’s vice?

“There are… too many enemies.”

It stung all the more that those enemies were all blood kin. Even in this heartless city, familial bonds trickled faintly between the skyscrapers.

But if you were born a chaebol, a megacorp heir, even ‘family ties’ were a luxury. No amount of money bought eternal life.

Thud, thud.

Ryu Subaek, hands clasped behind his back, tapped the glass with his forehead. Water droplets scattered with the vibrations.

“Saber Master hasn’t made contact with anyone on the Madam’s side?”

He asked his daughter, Ryu Garyeon, with his back turned.

“Nothing confirmed.”

“Any approach attempts from her side?”

“There were a few. But Saber Master rejected them all.”

“…That means if we request a meeting, he won’t outright refuse. He doesn’t even see us as worth the effort of refusing.”

Ryu Garyeon clamped her lips shut. Affirmation.

Ryu Subaek let out a hollow chuckle. Then he turned toward her.

“That’s the fate of the weak-born. Breaking through it is what proves your worth.”

“…”

“Still, I don’t feel particularly hard done by. I’ve enjoyed wealth and glory beyond what lower or even upper-layer folk could dream of…”

Ryu Subaek gazed intently at Ryu Garyeon as he spoke.

“I’m prepared to give it up anytime.”

“Me too…”

“But.”

Suddenly, Ryu Subaek clutched his chest. His fine shirt crumpled.

“This life, your life—I can’t give those up.”

“…Same here.”

“If we could sell our shares and escape now, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But I know better. The Madam will hunt us down and kill us. She doesn’t leave potential threats alive.”

Ryu Subaek closed his eyes, then opened them. Resolve gleamed in his gaze.

“If we’re to die, we’ll kill.”

“…”

“That’s the way to survive in this cold city.”

“Yes.”

Ryu Garyeon adjusted her glasses.

“Actually, the fact that Employee Lee Taebaek and Saber Master are interacting could work in our favor. It’ll draw eyes their way for a while.”

“Meanwhile, we work behind the scenes.”

“He’s unwittingly buying us time. Not the original plan, but since it’s happened, let’s make use of it. Opportunity favors the bold.”

“Wise counsel.”

Only then did Ryu Subaek’s tense expression soften. But Ryu Garyeon seemed slightly uneasy, prompting him to ask.

“If something’s bothering you, speak up. Or did Lee Taebaek give off some suspicious vibe?”

“No. It’s just… it feels like we’re using him, and that sits a bit wrong.”

“Using him?”

Ryu Subaek leaned back in his chair leisurely and added.

“He’s been paid, so he should deliver. And I’m not planning to exploit him for free. If he gets results, we’ll pay extra.”

“Specifically, what…?”

Ryu Subaek’s lips curved into a deep smile.

“I’ve got something special. Hard to come by.”

-It’s not pressure, just food for thought.

Saber Master’s parting words lingered in his mind. Honestly, his head was still spinning from the encounter, leaving little room for anything else.

Attend a Ten Wings meeting?

He’d rather jump into a pit of fire. If there was a required trait for attendance, it would say ‘psychopath’ right there.

Saber Master was the only semi-sane one; the rest were utter lunatics. Mundane folk couldn’t even comprehend their thought processes.

Which meant no one knew their triggers. They all lacked basic morals and believed themselves the center of the universe. Slight them, and combat mode engaged instantly.

Why are those guys even gathering?

Obviously, this wasn’t in the Reycons scenario. From the start, Lee Taebaek had nipped any possibility of the world’s top ten uniting.

Megacorp divide-and-conquer was Reycons’ core narrative.

What if the Ten Wings actually banded together with intent? The city wouldn’t be dystopia—it’d be apocalypse o’clock.

Of course, the odds were slim to none. Practically zero. But the fact it wasn’t absolute zero choked him. If ‘she’ among them pushed hard, who knew?

Art Master.

…If she stepped up, it was game over.

As Lee Taebaek’s brow furrowed deeper in worry, Seong Hayun’s head tilted skeptically.

“…Didn’t we agree to share concerns? Employee Lee Taebaek.”

“This is personal.”

“Save personal worries for home. We don’t want anyone catching us conspiring, so let’s wrap this up quick.”

Lee Taebaek had advanced his meeting with Seong Hayun. After a few days at Daesung, he knew passive observation wouldn’t cut it.

Factional movements within the group were more volatile than expected. Every escalator ride brought scrutinizing gazes sweeping over him. Daesung’s civil war was imminent. Some ‘impatient someone’ would soon make their move.

So right after parting with Saber Master, he’d contacted Seong Hayun and told her to come to this address after work.

She’d been suspicious, asking if it was a trustworthy place.

“Brought a special guest today, Romeo.”

Seeing Jang Chwiyen shaking the wok with a cigarette in his mouth eased her mind.

The malatang shop was dingy inside and out, with plenty of ambient noise. She figured no one would pay them mind, and conversations would drown in the din.

No clue this is Resistance turf.

No helping it. Such was the double agent’s life.

The patrons, disguised as customers, chattered while pricking up their ears toward them. Because they were highly trained, Seong Hayun hadn’t noticed.

This chat goes straight to Resistance brass.

And it’d count as Lee Taebaek’s achievement, so he expected fitting rewards.

He’d eyed this since linking with Seong Hayun. Double gains in one go. An outrageously favorable trade.

Damn, I’m a robber through and through.

Feeling zero guilt, Lee Taebaek spoke up. True psychopath material.

“One thing upfront: no details on my Saber Master connection. Just assume it’s tied to Executive Director Ryu Subaek.”

“Figured you’d say that. Fine. It wasn’t our main topic anyway.”

Seong Hayun shrugged indifferently, poking at her malatang. Her face flushed the next instant.

Lee Taebaek handed her water to soothe her mouth. Panting, she barely managed words.

“Pretty… pretty spicy…”

“Famous spot in the lowers for a reason.”

Lee Taebaek smiled leisurely. Composing himself, he continued.

“Word from Saber Master: no moves from the Chairman’s side. Obsessed with bolstering the group’s firepower. Scouring for more talent, eyes ablaze.”

“Why’s the Chairman like that in his old age…?”

“Old man’s greed, apparently.”

Seong Hayun inhaled sharply.

“Not my take—Saber Master’s opinion.”

“Even if it’s Saber Master… whatever. Can’t comprehend Ten Wings logic anyway. Pretend I didn’t hear.”

“Point is, Chairman’s ignoring the succession fight, so bastard or legitimate doesn’t matter. Just eliminate rivals.”

Seong Hayun cooled her cheek with her glass, muttering.

“Makes sense with the Chairman’s personality.”

“That’s all on my end for now. Nothing else.”

There was. Ten Wings picnic. Can’t spill, or my cover’s blown.

Worry about it solo at bedtime.

Lee Taebaek mentally nodded. Seong Hayun, bowl emptied, said wearily.

“No big haul from me today. Just that Security Team 1 has a mission next week? Was gonna tell the whole team by the day after tomorrow anyway, but since you’re here, gotta give something.”

The shop’s radio volume dipped subtly. All eyes discreetly fixed on Seong Hayun’s lips.

In the unnoticed spotlight, she leaked company secrets.

“Next week, our Security Team’s heading to the Haragusa Festival. Protecting Daesung’s Madam.”

“…”

Lee Taebaek’s face fell.

Ten Wings picnic site. Plus the security team and Executive Director Ryu Subaek’s official escort.

Fuck, how many landmines is that?

His gut boiled.

Not from Jang Chwiyen’s malatang.