Art Master.

“…Shall we hear what you call a countermeasure?”

She spat the words out, sharp as needles.

“If you don’t have one, you’re gonna have to take a beating. You seem way too full of yourself just because you’ve ascended to the Ten Wings. As your senior, it looks like you need some education.”

Clack, clack.

Her footsteps carried a heavy pressure. Cracks began spiderwebbing across the stone slabs underfoot. Jasbi trembled in terror before quickly ducking under the bar table.

Goeun was visibly tense as well. Never mind Art Master barging in like this—the fury radiating from one of the Three Calamities was palpable.

But Lee Taebaek leisurely swirled his whiskey glass from the side. Even in this situation, he exuded his usual nonchalance. Thanks to buffing his Mental stat earlier. The influence of his Concepts helped too.

“Have a seat first and listen.”

“You’ve got some guts.”

Lee Taebaek took the initiative.

“It’s a shame the broadcast got canceled. But what you want isn’t that kind of performer, right? I’ll grant your true wish.”

“Acting like you know me so well? Then do you know this too? I never let anyone who tries to scam me live.”

Art Master raised her arm. As she clenched her fist, space warped around it. Refracting the air with raw Strength alone was her signature move.

“Poor thing. About to get your head popped right after joining the Ten Wings. At least I’ll spread your last words on the broadcast. As the ‘Supreme’s dying words.’”

“Your master.”

She flinched.

Art Master’s eyebrows stiffened.

“I know where she is.”

“…”

Space still rippled around Art Master’s shoulders. Not quite enough provocation after all…

It was an instant.

Boom!

Gazes shifted slowly. Before eyes could turn to the dust cloud, Art Master flicked her fingertip downward. The dust scattered at her gesture.

The wall of Eunko Bar had been literally deleted. And it wasn’t just here. The building next door, the one after that, and the one after that.

Thanks to Art Master, he’d finally gotten to meet the neighbors he’d never had occasion to see before.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Silence blanketed Eunko Bar.

Screech.

Art Master pulled out a chair and sat.

“Any cognac. The expensive stuff if you have it.”

She ordered flatly. Goeun hesitated with her lips parted, earning a deeper frown.

“No cognac in a bar?”

“Ah, yes…”

Goeun rummaged through the shelves. Where Jasbi had been, only a faint outline flickered before vanishing. She’d slunk away without a trace like a sneak.

Art Master’s irritated gaze landed on Lee Taebaek. She rolled words around in her mouth several times before spitting them out.

“Explain in three minutes.”

People love rankings.

Because they’re easy to understand and see.

Even megacorps too lofty to glance at get lined up by market cap.

Naturally, the Ten Wings weren’t exempt from such rankings.

The Seven Masters are definitely below the Three Calamities.

No one would argue that proposition.

That was why they were split seven-to-three out of ten from the start. No need for categories if their power levels were equal.

So among the top three apex predators, who was strongest?

Six out of ten picked Kergel Magic Tower Master, the Heavenly Demon. But nearly half disagreed.

Blame her silence since the Demonic Cult moved to the City. They rebranded as Kergel Magic Tower, holing up for research and study.

At the center was the Tower Master herself, the Heavenly Demon. The woman who’d once dreamed of demonic supremacy had secluded herself for over a decade now. More than enough time to fade from memory.

She got mentions because she was the Heavenly Demon; otherwise, she’d be dismissed as washed up. Rumors even swirled she suffered from a chronic illness. Staff Master hadn’t flexed her power in ages either.

Among the Three Calamities, only Art Master stayed active. Unlike the other two, heads of their organizations, Art Master was bound to Haragusa. Even as one of the Three, she was an employee taking orders from above.

Her position means they can’t boss her around lightly. But by contract, she must obey the Haragusa family at least three times a year.

That’s why more people ranked her number one lately. Videos of her feats circulated, bolstered by years of celebrity fame.

Not baseless talk, either.

Pure physical class.

Art Master’s pure physical class surpassed the Heavenly Demon’s. Set by Lee Taebaek himself, the one who input the parameters. Trustworthy.

He’d deliberately left her ‘Strength’ unquantified. No upper limit set.

Art Master is Godzilla in human skin.

A monster (kaiju), but still human. And humans all have flaws or weaknesses.

The next day.

Outside the alley was a bustling neon-lit downtown. A slightly chaotic entertainment district in the upper zones. But Lee Taebaek’s destination was a back alley, cleared for AC outdoor units.

“…Why’d you call me to a dump like this?”

Art Master’s eyes flashed with anger under her cap brim. Ignoring her, Lee Taebaek crouched, patting the ground. Specifically, hunting for a manhole cover.

Here it is.

One of three manhole covers. He hooked fingers into the hole and yanked.

Removing it revealed a rusty ladder plunging into deep darkness. Art Master alternated glances between him and it before asking.

“No way, right?”

“Way.”

“You know what I’m talking about?”

“Going down the manhole.”

“You’re kidding.”

Who jokes with one of the Three Calamities?

Ignoring her piercing glare, Lee Taebaek climbed down the ladder. Leading by example. Art Master let out a disbelieving scoff.

“Never thought I’d live to see an actor head into a manhole. This is scoop material. Reporters would love it.”

“That’s why I told you to wear comfy clothes. You showed up all fancy. And now you’re complaining.”

Lee Taebaek descended casually. Less stench than Resistance HQ. A spot everyone in the know knows. Resistance used stink as camouflage; this place was just discreetly located.

“Didn’t know upper zones had places like this…”

“Actors probably never inspect manholes. Hurry up and come down. Before we draw more eyes.”

“You first.”

“…?”

Art Master furrowed her brow.

“Can’t you see my outfit?”

Crop top and miniskirt. He’d said comfy clothes, but standards varied.

“Fine, then.”

Lee Taebaek descended quicker.

First time here.

Unknown depth meant no jumping. Even Ten Wings weren’t made of steel. Full prosthetic bodies shatter from 100m falls too.

About 100m down, thick sewage splashed his ankles. Lee Taebaek conjured an Ice Arrow and fired upward. A white beam surged toward the pinpoint of light.

Signal sent. He stepped back from the ladder. If predictions held, the ‘residents’ wouldn’t welcome visitors. Prep was key. Para Blade and Python maintenance part of it…

Rumble!

Fouled water sprayed everywhere. Lee Taebaek reacted in time, popping his umbrella to block it.

Without it, he’d be a drowned rat. Cursing under his breath, he folded the umbrella.

“Ah, shit. Limited edition too.”

“…”

Art Master shook her legs clean. Her landing spot cratered.

Jump from that height?

Tough or stupid? Paper-thin difference—let it slide.

“…Let’s go.”

Lee Taebaek led. Art Master carried her heels, barefoot. Tempted to complain about dirt, but her soles gleamed fresh-washed.

She was contracting and expanding her muscles rapidly to form an air force field around her body. It might not seem possible, but she was demonstrating it.

Proof that high Strength wasn’t just brute force. It meant masterful body control. Impressive.

Maxing one stat opens endless applications…

Honestly, what’s the difference from Magic Power? Anyway.

After a long trek, the sewer ended at a massively rusted door. Its size was intimidating, like a cork plugging the entire passage.

Closer up, Lee Taebaek spotted a small hole and knocked lightly. A human voice came right after.

“Password.”

The unseen gatekeeper demanded bluntly. Lee Taebaek fired his prepared line.

“Water flows from high to low.”

“That expired last month. Come back when you know it.”

The hole slammed shut. No further talk.

“…”

“What was that?”

“Bounced at the door.”

“What?”

“Outfit doesn’t match the dress code.”

“Bullshit. Move.”

Art Master shoved him aside, stood in front of the hole, and rapped the door. Controlled force, yet it dented inward.

“Open up.”

No response.

“…”

“I said open.”

-…Rude outsider. I take back what I said earlier. Don’t ever set foot here again. Do you know what this place is?

Clanking followed from beyond, like extra bars slamming into place.

“Fucked.”

Perfect summary. Art Master’s legendary patience had tanked everything.

“Annoying.”

That’s my line.

No choice. Lee Taebaek turned. Art Master didn’t.

“Annoying.”

Repeating it, she pressed her palm to the door.

Crunch.

Metal crumpled around her hand. She yanked lightly.

Boom!

The door tore off like dough. Again: diameter at least 30m, basically a building wall. Weight? Tens of tons minimum.

Insane.

Stale air blasted out, tousling their hair.

Then the hidden space unfolded. The sewer scenery felt like a lie; the interior evoked the Parthenon Temple.

They spotted the gatekeeper who’d argued. Robed man, hood flung back. On his ass, staring up at Art Master.

“Guide us.”

Art Master kicked his shin lightly with her foot.