Chapter 21: My Blade Strikes All Equally (1)

A sudden curiosity struck me. Why do so many Beggar Clan members have names that end with “gae,” like dog?

There was one reason for such a random thought.

And why? It was because of our Beggar Clan guide who’d volunteered for the job.

“It’s Filchi, named for the poetic flair of my brushwork like the wind itself. If I sell my calligraphy, I could fetch millions of won easy!”

Seo Punggae thrust his chin up proudly. His shoulders swelled with such pride they looked ready to ascend to the heavens.

“What do you think, young hero? Want an autograph from me?!”

“What the hell am I supposed to do with a beggar’s signature?”

“Hey now, even dog shit has medicinal uses.”

Lee Taebaek’s gaze was utterly unfocused.

Seo Punggae’s nonstop verbal barrage felt like toxic gas poisoning his mind. In a different sense, Lee Taebaek felt like he might ascend to the heavens himself.

“If you’re that confident in your calligraphy, why not sell it? You could live like a king in the lower districts.”

Lee Taebaek barely managed to pry open his mouth. He’d meant to cut the man off mid-sentence, but at this rate, his own nose would rot off first.

“Asking a Beggar Clan disciple to earn money?! That’s enough to make a passing dog laugh! Beggars don’t work—that’s what makes us beggars!”

“Labor that makes you sweat blood is better than begging—”

“You insolent fool! I can overlook the casual speech, but insulting the very foundation of the Beggar Clan is blasphemy I can’t ignore!”

Seo Punggae reacted to the aside with even greater outrage. Lee Taebaek gave up with a sigh. Earth’s common sense didn’t apply here.

‘Who the hell made the Beggar Clan rule that disciples can’t earn money anyway?’

He had a rough grasp of wuxia basics and lore.

Thanks to endless nagging during his office days.

From whom? Who else?

The one who’d be offended if left out.

—Assistant Manager Lee! A working beggar isn’t a beggar! It goes against the Beggar Clan’s foundation! That’s dog-eat-grass nonsense! Don’t make sounds like a Wudang Taoist gnawing meat!

Team Leader Seo.

The culprit who’d crammed wuxia elements into the already chaotic cyberpunk mess of Laykuns, making the worldview even more confusing.

‘Thanks to that preview, I can at least nod along awkwardly even when running into a Beggar Clan disciple by chance.’

And he was picking up valuable street info that only came from encounters like this…

“—I’ll go!!”

“……”

Not that it didn’t make his head throb.

‘Haa.’

Sighs leaked out nonstop. But only exhale—don’t inhale. A dizzying stench came with it.

“Anyway.”

Seo Punggae shot him a sidelong glance.

“I know it’s meddlesome, but I have to say my piece.”

“Then don’t.”

“Come now. It’s just an old man’s concern—hear me out quietly.”

His eyes deepened gravely.

“Haven’t you ever thought this? ‘Orthodox or unorthodox, they’re all just the same thugs.'”

Maybe it was all the free meals sharpening his instincts. The man had keen perception.

“……”

“Why the face? It’s true enough. Orthodox sects strut around like gangs too, don’t they? The difference? We wield swords instead of heavy weapons and hone our fists. Hollow pride.”

“Coming from a martial artist, that hits home.”

“There might’ve once been a line between orthodox and unorthodox, but in the end, they’re all the same. Even in our Beggar Clan, Tattered-Robes Faction holdouts like me are rare. Brothers chasing gold in the Blue-Robed Faction outnumber us old-timers.”

The two walked side by side now. Seo Punggae had deliberately matched Lee Taebaek’s pace.

“White Path, Black Path, gangs—doesn’t matter your affiliation in this city. Lake City mixes every filthy element like bibimbap.”

“Get to the point.”

“Heavenly Demon Cult.”

Lee Taebaek flinched.

“……Stay far away from them.”

Seo Punggae was warning him.

“Chasing money is natural here. The Tattered-Robes are the weird ones. But the Demonic Cult is different. They don’t care for money.”

Seo Punggae lowered his tone further. His voice settled heavily on Lee Taebaek’s shoulders like a weight.

“Their ultimate goal is the Demonic Path. To reach it, they see humans as elixir ingredients.”

“I’ve heard rumors of the Magic Tower experimenting on people… Guess they’re not just rumors.”

“Rumors inflate, but they also hide deeper truths.”

Those bastards are bugs too. I’ll wipe them out someday. Lee Taebaek ground his teeth discreetly.

But not yet.

A future vendetta.

Charging in now would be pointless.

Like smashing eggs against a rock. Or maybe sprinkling sand on it.

After fleeing the Central Plains, the Demonic Cult settled in Lake City as the ‘Kergel Magic Tower’ and rose as a megacorp.

“The Demonic Cult abandoned martial arts for magic. Demonic cultivators became mages. Even the Heavenly Demon calls herself the Kergel Magic Tower Master.”

“Who knew the Heavenly Demon was a genius mage……”

“Hm? What was that?”

“Nothing. Just bullshit.”

“Bullshit? Sounds like you meant for me to hear.”

…That’s why perceptive beggars are a thing. Phrenology isn’t total nonsense.

“Starving must’ve twisted your guts. You wouldn’t curse someone offering goodwill.”

“Fair enough—you’re not that rotten.”

Seo Punggae tilted his head curiously, then murmured in a barely audible voice.

“Tragic, really. Demonic Cult or not, she’s from the Central Plains. How far the Jianghu’s ways have fallen.”

“Thanks for the explanation, but why tell a stranger like me? I don’t have money either.”

“What can I expect from a punk spitting informal speech at his elders? Nothing. Just an old man’s free advice.”

Seo Punggae waved it off dismissively.

“Then Eunko Bar… Magic Tower front?”

“No. Why would their front hang a sign in the lower districts?”

“No reason.”

“Exactly. No reason to, and even if they did, the White Path wouldn’t stand for it. Money-grubbers or not, they haven’t sold their souls.”

“Like your Beggar Clan?”

“I’m no saintly beggar either. Opposite, even.”

Seo Punggae gave a wry smile, then shook his head as if sensing a gaze.

“Chattering away at a young hero like this. Heaven won’t look kindly.”

“You never know. Might be closer than you think.”

“Talking like a Shaolin monk. You’re one unique character.”

Seo Punggae felt his energy deflate at Lee Taebaek’s quip. An absurd question met with profound wisdom.

“Appreciate the concern, but watch your own back, young hero. You’ll learn the details through hard knocks. Ah, we’re here.”

Lee Taebaek followed Seo Punggae’s gaze. A modest three-story building.

Tucked into the gap between skyscrapers, its location and facade screamed extraordinary.

A cylindrical body topped like a severed waist, capped with a pointed roof. Like a cake topped with a cone.

Rust-eaten pipes crawled the exterior like veins, adding life to the static structure.

「Eunko Bar」

The Korean sign asserted its presence masterfully. Shabby at first glance, but steeped in history.

‘This is where I’ll be staying from now on……’

As Lee Taebaek stared in dismay, Seo Punggae whirled away like a gust.

“As promised, I’ll take my leave here. Oh, almost forgot. Nameless young hero, you…”

Half-turning, Seo Punggae let out a quiet sigh, then added like advice.

“If you’re living in Lake City, keep your killing intent in check. Especially in the lower districts crawling with Jianghu folk.”

“……”

Spot on. The man read people like a ghost.

“Figured as much. No intent to hide it.”

“Good attitude. But flaunt it openly, and blood-scent sharks swarm. Make restraint a habit.”

“Hey.”

Lee Taebaek called the beggar back. As Seo Punggae half-turned again, he said sheepishly.

“If we meet again… Even if it’s not you, if there’s a beggar, I’ll give alms then. Can’t right now—I’m a beggar too.”

“Your words already fill me up. Heed mine. Entering that place will link you to the Magic Tower. Judge and act wisely after. Reminds me of my youth, seeing your face.”

“Noted.”

“Hahaha, such bold spirit is rare. Straight answer too. Anyway, I’ll be off. Good luck, young hero.”

The beggar grinned broadly, whistling as he departed.

With each step, the six ropes tied butterfly-style at his waist danced with their master.

At that moment, the Tattered-Robes elder had no idea.

His brief encounter with the nameless youth would spark massive turmoil in the lower districts.

Screeech.

The door’s hinges screamed. Clearly unmaintained far longer than it appeared from outside.

Stepping inside, Lee Taebaek scanned the room with his eyes. Broad daylight outside, but pitch black within.

The entering sunlight was the only light. Focusing his gaze sharpened his vision.

Dark adaptation was incredibly fast. Lee Taebaek noted. This body was darkness-friendly in many ways.

Then.

“Uuuuugh.”

A pained woman’s groan drifted through the air. From the corner where his vision had just cleared.

“Ah, we… not open… yet.”

Lee Taebaek turned toward it. A woman sprawled limply on the straight-backed sofa like seaweed.

Her dangling hand outside the sofa clutched a long pipe. Liquor bottles and glasses littered the side table.

“We open at seven PM. Come back then?”

She pulled herself up slightly, her face peeking through disheveled hair.

A stunning beauty, the rare kind that drew every eye.

Even I, utterly uninterested in women, was taken aback.

‘Top-tier idol level.’

Like one who’d plummeted to ruin in an instant over some unavoidable scandal.

“Hm? What. A minor?”

She blinked, then widened her eyes.

“Trouble is, we’re a legit registered business—no minors allowed.”

Lee Taebaek didn’t reply.

He quietly thumbed the Para Blade’s open/close button.

“The beggar I met on the way said the same to me heading into a bar. Wished me luck.”

Silence fell, eyes met. The dry dust made his mouth parch.

“Glasses here but no booze smell. And sprawled out like you’re begging to be attacked.”

“……”

“Above all, leaving the door open when you’re not open? Might as well lock it.”

The woman tapped out her pipe and stood.

“Commander-in-Chief hyped you up, so I ran a verification. Decent situational awareness. Heard I don’t take just anyone as a lodger?”

“No, but figured.”

“Our regulars’ nature means you need to handle yourself. Waiter applicants aside—knife fights break out constantly.”

She snapped her fingers. Flame ignited the pipe, lighting the whole bar.

“……Mage.”

“Precisely, ‘was.’ Apostate three years ago.”

“You survived somehow.”

“Yeah. Kergel Magic Tower doesn’t kill talented mages right away. Assassin eventually, but that history lets me run this jazz bar as a side gig, among other things.”

She shrugged casually.

“Let’s see your skills. Commander approved, by the way. Lodger condition: skill check. Don’t worry—I’ll adjust so you don’t die.”

“Perfect. Was gonna test mine anyway.”

Lee Taebaek’s thumb pressed the button.