Bang!

The vase on the desk leaped into the air. The broadcasting CEO who had slammed his fist down couldn’t take his fist off the desk and seethed.

“That news…….”

Finally, he pried his fist open like his lips. A fist-shaped imprint from his sweat marked the desk.

“…….”

“…….”

Even amid this excessive agitation, those seated around the round table only let out groans. They all shared similar sentiments. Despair and fear colored their eyes.

The CEO who had punched the table unclenched his hand. He slicked back his hair with sweat instead of wax and spoke.

“You’ve heard the news, right?”

“…Impossible not to.”

All eyes turned gloomily to one corner of the table. An empty seat. Today, that vacant chair looked particularly desolate.

It wasn’t sentimentality or loyalty. No matter who took that seat, they wouldn’t accept it.

The reason they despaired was a premonition that the seat would remain empty forever. And that was just the start.

“Who could’ve predicted the Art Master would ally with the Supreme…….”

At this point, they might as well have received their death sentences. The Supreme alone was overwhelming. That’s why they’d dragged the Art Master into the game.

But that chess piece had suddenly turned its blade on them. An unforeseen twist.

If they knew what the Art Master wanted, it might ease their minds. But there was no negotiation. The Art Master was simply wreaking havoc, bombing broadcasting stations and Siesta’s affiliated facilities one after another.

“And you’re sitting here all calm about it?!”

As the fist CEO snapped irritably, another CEO who had been silent glared fiercely.

“Do we look calm? We’re doing this because we can’t do a damn thing. Not because we’re not making a fuss like some people.”

“W-What……!”

“Cut the dramatics. You think your neck’s the only one on the chopping block? We’re all in the same boat.”

“He’s right.”

Someone chimed in.

“Two of the Ten Wings are coming from the front, and Siesta’s closing in from behind. We’re trapped with no way out… every one of us here.”

There was no way out.

No way was visible.

No path in sight.

“Damn it all!”

In the end, a grown man burst into laughter.

“Two Ten Wings are bad enough! Knowing Siesta’s coming too keeps me up at night!”

The City had dozens of broadcasting stations. Even narrowing it to mainstream ones, there were nearly ten.

Most broadcasting stations were tied to Haragusa. Haragusa was a whale in entertainment. They held the reins over the entire industry.

Some judged that lacking competitiveness. They built ties with Siesta, nearly Haragusa’s equal. And those were the ones here.

“…I can’t even close my eyes. Afraid that when I open them, it’ll be inside a polymorph tank… I’m going mad!!”

Expecting charity from a megacorp was foolish.

If they fell out of favor, they’d have to spit back double what they received. Everyone knew it intellectually. Their bodies just wouldn’t accept it.

“How about contacting the Supreme and gambling on a negotiation? He might be reasonable…….”

The fist CEO exploded.

“You call that a plan?! Talking to the group that put a hit on you?”

Rage boiled inside him. Fear had frozen their brains. To the point they couldn’t even distinguish friend from foe.

No wonder—their central figure, the female CEO, had ended up fish food. That empty seat loomed larger than ever.

“If we make an offer he can’t refuse.”

“Shut—up!”

The fist CEO lunged across the desk. The precariously perched vase toppled sideways. His thunderous roar sent it tumbling, shattering shards across the floor.

“Hey, you bastard! We know nothing about him—what kind of irresistible offer are you gonna make?!”

“Let go! I said let go?!”

The fist CEO grabbed his collar. The man, bent backward, clutched the wrist tightly.

“You fucking idiot. Irresistible offer? That just means money, right?”

“*Urk*”

“You thick-skulled moron. Ads are drying up—where do we get money? If the Supreme was money-grubbing, he’d have bitten a megacorp right after hitting Ten Wings status and signed a deal. But what’s he doing? Steadily fucking up Siesta! Money to a guy like that? You trying to hire a hitman or what, you prick?”

“Then! Wh-Wh-What else you got?!”

“Nothing! That’s why we’re busting our asses here racking our brains! And you spout bullshit when your head’s about to roll. If you’re wasting time, die by my hand—now!”

The room shook with shouting. The situation grew dire. No one stepped in to stop them. Everyone was too anxious themselves.

As the scuffle dragged on, a gray-haired middle-aged man spoke up.

“Looking at it objectively, we’re thorns in Siesta’s side. We’re practically the culprits who escalated this.”

“…Who doesn’t know that!?”

Even as spittle flew from the fist CEO, the middle-aged man kept his voice low and calmly elaborated.

“We need to change who we appeal to.”

“What……?”

“Siesta will be busy dealing with their own mess for a while. Even they won’t have enough hands to deal with us right away.”

“…….”

The grip on the collar loosened. The man shook off the hand and slumped back into his seat.

With the air somewhat calmed, the middle-aged man pressed on.

“We use this gap to switch our patronage.”

“To where?”

The fist CEO asked back. He climbed down from the desk and straightened his clothes.

“At least Siesta’s equal. Only Haragusa qualifies. But we’re anti-Haragusa broadcasters, aren’t we? Bowing to them now? It’s like baring our necks.”

“Haha, you only know half of it.”

The gray-haired middle-aged man shook his head gently. Vitality gleamed in his eyes as he said,

“Haragusa or Siesta—they’re just big in size. No substance. Compared to the place I’m talking about.”

“Substance…….”

Everyone snapped alert. It wasn’t an unimaginable name. One they’d deliberately avoided thinking of. The middle-aged man voiced it.

“Let’s contact Kergel.”

In political strife, scale is key. Events that could cause massive upheaval shrink to ripples depending on size.

“Bring them into this game, and we survive.”

Did they need two whales? The middle-aged man smiled as if asserting that. Silence fell. Tacit agreement from all.

Same time, Jang Chwiyen’s Malatang shop.

Creak.

The door opened, and a fishy stench assaulted the nose. Eyes from Jang Chwiyen and the shop’s patrons naturally turned. Lee Taebaek entered, dripping blood.

“Heh…….”

Jang Chwiyen let out a hollow laugh, ladle in hand.

“What a sight.”

“One Malatang. Extra spicy.”

Lee Taebaek slumped over the bar table. Customers from the 3rd Battalion (Resistance members) grabbed their bowls and moved aside. His appearance chilled their spines and their Malatang alike.

One brave member offered ice water. Lee Taebaek skipped the thanks. He fished out the ice, dumped it under his top.

Sizzle.

Steam rose from his skin. Only then did Jang Chwiyen snap to his senses. He stirred the pot vigorously with his ladle and said.

“The 9th Battalion and you are pushing too hard.”

“Gotta. Opponent’s Siesta. Half-ass it, and we’re all dead.”

“…Talk to the Commander-in-Chief.”

Jang Chwiyen meant it sincerely, worried for Lee Taebaek.

The past few weeks, this guy had been overworking himself. The 9th Battalion suffered too, but the vanguard was always Lee Taebaek. The total danger he shouldered was on another level.

“The Commander-in-Chief’s giving all the support they can. External agents, whatever. But you know it. That’s got limits. Siesta ain’t pushovers.”

Lee Taebaek’s slender jaw worked dynamically. He crunched the remaining ice.

“Not downplaying you or your Battalion Commander. But gotta admit, it’s not enough. If I begged for help because even my weak hands weren’t enough…….”

He swept his gaze over the shop. Faces clouded with worry. More like avoiding his eyes. Guilt and self-reproach.

Same organization, yet powerless to help. They’d prided themselves on resistance spirit. All they did was huddle and chat idly.

Even that made Lee Taebaek feel full without chopsticks. Feeling indebted to others in this steel desert? Monumental progress.

Lee Taebaek comforted them.

“Everyone here’s gonna die like dogs. Jang Chwiyen, your business ends that day too.”

“…….”

“Not on my watch. Losing a regular spot like this would break my heart.”

“Heh, haha. Confusing times like this. Looks brainless, but sometimes seems sharp. Character so varied, it’s multidimensional—almost multiple personalities.”

Jang Chwiyen’s insight was spot-on. Nailing the ‘concept’ even the man himself didn’t know.

“Anyway, gotta do my best for our great general. Wait. Treating you to something so spicy you won’t hit the bathroom.”

“Tall order.”

“You think I don’t know you cool your mouth and guts with Ice Magic while talking big?”

…How’d he figure it out?

“Caught it from the steam off your Malatang. Know Koreans love spice pride, but that’s embarrassing.”

“Tone it down three levels. Going legit today.”

“That’s the spirit, General.”

Lee Taebaek sulked; Jang Chwiyen chuckled and turned back. Dangerous bubbles boiled in the red broth. The members finished eating.

Lee Taebaek leaned against the chair back. He gazed at the ceiling, then closed his eyes.

The city-wide upheaval was ongoing. Thanks to him and the Art Master’s simultaneous rampages, Siesta had launched evolution efforts.

In the midst, Siesta’s inhumane human cultivation experiments were exposed to all. City residents weren’t so clear-headed as to just shudder at Siesta’s evils. Even they recoiled at the pure malice.

Siesta kidnapped residents indiscriminately for experiments. The revelation shocked viewers.

Decent chance of getting snatched off the street into a factory as a test subject.

Modern folk ignore others’ crises. But if they might be the victim, rage follows. Immersion kicks in.

Tips keep pouring in.

Plenty of nonsense. But solid intel too. Side note: Jasbi handled verification and sorting. She waged fierce info war with Siesta via personal broadcasts and the Hundred-Fold Sect.

Jasbi’s stream rocketed to platform top ranks, making it possible. Plus stable lower-layer Hundred-Fold Sect footing, Lilith Order cooperation. Beggar Clan needless to mention.

Steady progress.

As Lee Taebaek leaned forward, the door bell jangled violently.

Eyes focused. 3rd Battalion Commander Tang Jihye sweated profusely.

“*Huff, huff*”

Breathing ragged. Tang Jihye gripped the doorframe, panting. Faces hardened universally.

Tang Jihye pushed off the floor arduously toward Lee Taebaek. Her heavy breaths hit his face.

“Kergel…….”

Her cracked voice emerged.

“The Heavenly Demon’s declared war. On you.”