We ventured deeper into the alleyway.

The end of the back alley, which had looked like the gateway to hell, opened up into a far more dazzling world. So that’s why the outside had been so deserted.

It was a sight that left me in awe. Red lanterns lined the street all the way to the vanishing point, standing in for the sun.

“So this is the famous Red-Light District I’ve only heard about.”

“Come on, boss. Acting like it’s your first time.”

“This’ll be your last time here, though.”

“…….”

Thanks to the proper guidance from the gangster, we made it here without getting lost. Probably hoping I’d spare him if he cooperated.

Lee Taebaek smirked as he stared at the back of the gangster’s head.

Gotta put him down clean with one stroke.

The Red-Light District buzzed with crowds. The street was narrow enough that five grown men walking side by side would fill it, but it was packed beyond capacity, bodies squished together.

Inside the ramshackle wooden buildings, people were going at it so enthusiastically that it felt like an earthquake, the structures swaying precariously. Even the spare chairs rattled in rhythm.

♥♥! ♥! ♥♥-!

The women out on the street twisted their bodies seductively, flaunting every trick in the book.

Lee Taebaek looked at the back of his head and chuckled.

“Fuck, look at that.”

He spotted a Wudang Taoist. No mistake—even rubbing his eyes, the taijitu emblem on the robe was unmistakable.

Defrocked monks he’d heard of, but a defrocked Taoist? First time for everything. The gangster quickly chimed in.

The women out on the street twisted their bodies seductively, flaunting every trick in the book.

“About thirty percent of the customers are martial artists from the Jianghu.”

Defrocked monks he’d heard of, but a defrocked Taoist? First time for everything. The gangster quickly chimed in.

“Why so many from the Jianghu?”

“They’ve got just the right amount of cash. Upper-layer spots are off-limits unless you’re a City Government bigwig or megacorp exec.”

“…Unbelievable.”

Lee Taebaek let out a soft sigh.

“Wudang Taoists go without saying, but plenty of baldies show up too. Over half are probably gangsters.”

“And the Beggar Clan?”

“Almost none. No money. They’re the closest thing to proper Orthodox Sects we’ve got.”

“Gangsters play pimp here?”

“Yessir. Each shop has its own gang backing it. The top ten gangs… oh wait, ours got wiped out. The nine big ones split the territory now.”

The upper layers were under City Government control, the lower under Jianghu forces, and the lowest under the Gang Alliance.

Megacorps were the exception.

They’d privatized the laws and systems of all Lake City. In short, off-script anomalies.

Anyway.

The Gang Alliance’s influence was no slouch here in the lowest layer, at least.

Their leader was a mid-game mid-boss type powerhouse.

Not quite Ten Wings or Resistance Commander-in-Chief level, but enough to claim dominance in the depths.

A boss styled like a biker gang leader, with his bright red bike as his trademark. They’d put real effort into modeling him.

As an aside, the bike’s nickname was “Red Hare,” capable of 400 km/h. In the game, they’d made it explode with the boss to avoid shortening playtime too much.

If the game’s become reality, maybe I can make it mine.

After dealing with half-assed public transit, a personal ride felt essential.

Especially the Red Hare. Speed-wise, it was SSS-rank.

Suddenly, a scene from childhood SF anime flashed by.

Taillights fading into the neon haze. Pure romance. If you can’t relate, rip that thing off your pants.

Awesome.

This got his blood pumping. The sensual red-light vibes? Not his concern.

His stubborn personality had always made Team Leader Seo and the team groan whenever they looked at him.

– Team Leader Seo, can someone like Lee Taebaek ever date?

– That’s incredibly rude.

– Huh?

– It’s rude to the hypothetical person who’d date Assistant Manager Lee.

– Ah, classic Team Leader!

Something like that had happened.

– Don’t you date, Assistant Manager Lee?

Team Leader Seo had once asked while smacking his cheek with a canned coffee. He’d countered:

Do I have to? People think dating’s a must, but not me. Waste of money and time. Better spend it on work or self-improvement.

– Nice textbook solo explanation.

…….

– Coffee covers the tutoring fee. See ya~

While Lee Taebaek spaced out briefly, the guide-gangster rambled on about the nine-Gang Alliance.

“Good talker.”

He nodded along appropriately.

The gangster grinned dopily, so Lee Taebaek jabbed deep into his side with the Para Blade’s tip.

“You called me ‘possible’ with that tongue earlier, right?”

“Th-that…!”

Before the tongue could wag further, he cut it off.

“Head to that dark building and turn left.”

“Y-yes…”

Lee Taebaek observed the crowds as they walked.

Some failed negotiators dotted the scene. As the gangster said, mostly non-martial folk.

Thud, thud.

A woman’s seductive voice became invisible fingers tickling his liver. He wanted to rip off the mask and scratch furiously.

Show this face, and it’s game over.

Objectively handsome. Not subjective—straight from others’ mouths.

Startles me every time I look in the mirror.

He’d borrowed the mask from Jin Sobang’s subordinate because his looks were too flashy. At this level, women would swarm.

Plus, running into an acquaintance would be awkward for both.

“Eeeek! Oppa~ Everyone can see~”

“Bet my girl’s not washed up today, huh?”

Laughter and moans scattered everywhere.

No one spared a glance at the half-dead gangster. In this world, a life cost less than bedsheet drama.

“Couldn’t even sell this place as DLC.”

“What’s DLC, boss?”

“Shut up and walk.”

Lee Taebaek snapped coldly.

“When did I become your boss? Your bosses are at King Yama’s judgment right now.”

“Sob… Where’s the afterlife?”

“It exists if I say so. Keep walking. To that empty spot.”

As the humid, musky scent thickened, the gangster’s tears grew fatter. He sensed the end was near.

Brothers, how could you leave little bro behind!

Then, raindrops pattered into the gangster’s ear.

We’ll reunite soon. No tears.

His departed brothers grinned like demons.

Slit-Eyes returned to the office.

“Branch Leader… I’m back.”

“Good work. What about the mask?”

“Well… things happened.”

“Ah, ah, ah…”

Slit-Eyes drooped the corners of his eyes. Jin Sobang groaned, grasping the gist.

That robber bastard finally…

Stealing others’ stuff like it was breakfast!

Hah!!!

Chronically nabbing possessions—a heavenly incarnation of greed.

Wasn’t Lee Taebaek on death row for robbery? Reasonable suspicion.

Slit-Eyes wore the face of a virgin robbed of sympathy in the Red-Light District.

Jin Sobang glared wide-eyed at the gloomy expression, but it didn’t last.

Better die than suffer.

Anyway, he’d promised Seo Punggae to support Lee Taebaek materially and morally. Truth be told, no guts to press the issue.

“Invoice the mask cost. I’ll get you a better one.”

Jin Sobang set down his fountain pen with a sigh. Slit-Eyes nodded quietly.

“Um, Branch Leader.”

Slit-Eyes hesitated, mouth working, before speaking.

“One question.”

“Can’t skip it?”

“Pardon?”

“Kidding.”

Didn’t sound like it. Still, Slit-Eyes steeled his gaze and pressed on.

“Why give Lee Taebaek that device under the name ‘Imugi’?”

“Ah, that.”

Jin Sobang clamped his mouth shut.

A secret from Elder Seo Punggae. Was it okay to spill?

Needs to know as contact point.

Plus, his most trusted subordinate.

When he’d switched to Blue-Robed Faction amid scolding, he’d followed without complaint.

Sleazy looks led to misunderstandings, but loyalty overflowed.

Closing his eyes briefly to collect thoughts, Jin Sobang opened them and spoke.

“He’s an escaped death row inmate from the Gaol.”

“……!”

Slit-Eyes’s eyes popped open. Buried in lids usually, but damn, they were big.

“Elder Seo Punggae said the Megacorps are hunting him via City Government.”

“E-Elder Seo Punggae? Knows that robber—no, him?”

If Great Master was Beggar Clan legend, Seo Punggae was their hero.

Ten years ago, “that incident” vaulted him from three-knot Branch Leader to six-knot elder. Mythic tale in clan lore.

“Connected to the robber through the elder. Asked me to watch his back.”

“…How’s that link to the ‘Imugi’ alias?”

“You know Commander Rahankel?”

“Who doesn’t? Ninja clan chief. City’s lapdog now.”

“Megacorp’s frontman, precisely.”

Jin Sobang propped his chin on clasped hands. His gaze on Slit-Eyes darkened.

“He’s been stirring the lower districts lately. Asking about a guy with MK5 Python.”

“Python.”

…Python means.

Jin Sobang added,

“Boa constrictor.”

“So Imugi. Snake, surname ‘Lee’. I thought differently.”

“How so?”

Slit-Eyes hesitated, then spoke.

“…Ten Wings each have animal symbols. Rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig. Zi-chuk-in-myo-o-mi-sin-yu-sul-hae…”

Rabbit, sheep, rooster: Myo-mi-yu, the Three Calamities.

Remaining seven animals: Seven Masters.

“Hmm.”

“So I wondered.”

“Who knows.”

Jin Sobang unclasped, shrugging.

“Maybe.”

A bit later, Lee Taebaek and the gangster reached the Red-Light District’s edge. One more alley, and a dead end.

“Really, really sorry. Never again.”

Thud! Squish!

Lee Taebaek shoved the corpse-like gangster in with his foot, checked behind, and followed. Their shadows merged into darkness.

Perfect spot for a killing. Ideal divorce from the district.

Fuck.

Then it hit the gangster.

His usefulness spent, only death remained. Clutching his pounding heart, he rallied.

Even in a tiger’s den, stay sharp and survive. Dead end or not, wits could save him from this pretty psycho.

The gangster clenched his fist. A skewer pierced his flesh. Cheap drunk implant, but timely.

“Aigoo, so sorry. Truly heinous crime. How could I say ‘possible’? Should’ve screamed ‘impossible’!”

He dropped to his knees, begging shamelessly. Eyes welled like he wore goggles.

Words wouldn’t sway him—learned that the hard way. Better grovel and bide time.

Shing.

Lee Taebaek pressed the blade to his nape.

“Why’d your bosses die?”

“Th-that…!”

The gangster’s pupils gleamed.

“For not killing you first!!”

Roaring kiai, he sprang up.

Thorns sprouted in his palm, aimed to split the throat. Ankle thrust for propulsion!

But.

Huh?

The blade sliced falling raindrops. A flash grazed the neck, flipping the gangster’s view.

Clunk, clunk.

His head bounced emptily a few times, rolling to smack the dead-end wall.

“Meant to just cripple you.”

Lee Taebaek furrowed his delicate brow.

The gangster’s clenched fist bloomed like a bud, revealing the stiletto. “What can ya do. You’re bugs by birth.”

[You have acquired 8,764 EXP.]

[Taebaek’s level rises from 4 to 5.]

[Name: Lee Taebaek]

Clunk, clunk.

Life: 16 Mind: 19 Strength: 13

His head bounced emptily a few times, rolling to smack the dead-end wall.

[A 50% EXP bonus event has occurred.]

[Applies to the two lowest stats.]

[‘Strength’ rises from 13 to 15.]

[‘Faith’ rises from 15 to 17.]

“No remnants, so no Operator Points, I guess.”

Lee Taebaek muttered and closed the notification window. He’d only grumbled for show; he was in a good mood.

Thanks to the Operator buff, even at a single-digit level, all his stats were close to 20.

If he used the restrictions well, even 30 in a stat—the gateway to superhuman status—was worth aiming for.

Lee Taebaek frowned delicately.

That was arrogance, but it was enough to gain the upper hand in a fistfight with a mid-sized gang boss. Having just arrived in the roughest bottom tier, this level-up was worth more than ever. Like a timely rain.

Lee Taebaek opened the umbrella again. He washed the blood off his hand outside the umbrella.

That aside, how was he supposed to find the cult’s believers in this packed cauldron of a place?

Should’ve gotten a description before sending them.

“And how do you hand out relief rice and condoms and sex, whatever? You drag a cart around?”

Did he kill him too hastily?

“What can ya do. You’re bugs by birth.”

Tududududu!

No sooner had Taebaek grumbled than a roar of air being torn apart pressed down everywhere.

It was a sound that heightened emotion. It was exactly the sound just before a helicopter lands.

People all at once lifted their heads. Those inside buildings stuck their heads out the windows.

“It’s angels!”

Lee Taebaek looked in the same direction. His gaze stopped in the sky.

Freaks wearing wing suits on their backs flew over the red-light district. The sight of steel wings tearing through the clouds burned into his vision.

“No way.”

Nah, no way, right?

But there’s an unwritten rule about saying ‘no way.’