Chapter 48: War on Crime (4)

Anyway, Tang Jihye’s words were positive in intent. No sarcasm. It had to be sincere.

You know those people who never say anything they don’t mean, even on their deathbed? That described Tang Jihye perfectly.

‘Not bad. Her character’s starting to take shape.’

On top of that, Lee Taebaek referenced Tang Jihye’s backstory, known only to him. Sure, blind trust in people was a bad idea, but right now, he could be confident.

Besides, in Lake City, suspecting someone wasn’t something you’d get flak for. It often earned you praise, like now.

What had been Kang Hyeonseong’s decisive reason for scouting Lee Taebaek? That prickly personality of his.

If he’d worn a friendly smile instead, winning Kang Hyeonseong over would’ve been tough. In this city, backstabbers usually had faces just like that.

‘He’d get a knife to the face before anyone called him a con artist’s mug.’

Unfortunately, human relationships here were as shallow as plastic.

‘No eternal enemies.’

No one took pure goodwill at face value. Yesterday’s enemy becoming today’s ally was commonplace. And vice versa, just as often.

There was even a new religion preaching “Paradise of Distrust, Hell of Faith.” Lee Taebaek, you bastard—what kind of world did you create? This was a straight-up demon’s den. It was driving him mad.

‘Dystopia and apocalypse are a thin line, but this is overkill.’

Now, he sighed inwardly without surprise. By now, he should’ve been sick of it…

His mind wandered as Tang Jihye rubbed her stiff neck.

“…….”

“…….”

Their eyes met briefly. Tang Jihye silently sealed the broken thread of conversation.

“Right. I was the one who stepped up to torture Pin. I could’ve changed my mind midway. Or who knows, maybe I volunteered just to shut Pin up.”

“Not something someone proving their innocence would say.”

There was bite in Lee Taebaek’s words.

Yeah, he’d overdone it. She was getting under his skin.

Tang Jihye chuckled anyway.

“See? You’re not fully adapted yet. One bit of advice: in this city, innocence boils down to power.”

She lowered her voice with a sharp glint in her eyes.

“Get what I’m saying? What a powerful person says is always right. Innocence? You think corps grovel to megacorps for their money?”

“Money, obviously.”

“To be precise, it’s power, not just money. If megacorps were only flush with cash, dozens of mid-tier firms could’ve banded together and flipped the table. But they can’t. They lack the power.”

Spot on.

Lukaken Junior, CEO of Lukaken Pharmaceuticals.

That’s why he’d tried allying with Haiyen of the Triad Gang.

Even risking megacorp backlash.

High-tech cities and primitive jungles were two sides of the same coin. Peel back the layer, and the core was identical. When equal forces clashed, it came down to raw power.

In this era, power mattered as much as money—especially higher up, where might often crushed wealth.

“The Resistance is the opposite.”

Tang Jihye crossed one leg over the other, slouching casually as she continued.

“Our money doesn’t touch megacorp scraps, but we’ve got our own power. The Commander-in-Chief goes without saying. Hate to admit it, but Kang Hyeonseong helped too.”

“One-Man Thousand Kill…….”

Lee Taebaek muttered unconsciously, and she snorted unconsciously in response.

“If I had that moniker, I’d bite my tongue. But on that blockhead Kang Hyeonseong? Fits him like a glove.”

“Guess you and Kang Hyeonseong aren’t as at odds as I thought.”

“Not really? We’re not buddies, but we don’t butt heads either. If we did, we’d have thrown down already. The reason I fought him was because of you, Lee Taebaek…….”

Because of me?

“…Never mind. Forget it.”

“Don’t dodge. Stopping midway is the worst.”

“Argh, fine! Yeah, there is a reason! How’s a lowly squad member like you keep yapping back at your battalion commander?! Is that what Kang Hyeonseong taught you?!”

“Self-taught.”

“You little—!”

Tang Jihye’s tongue tripped, and she flared up instantly. What a thorny woman.

Maybe that’s why it was fun poking her. Her reactions were so rich. Guess he’d grown fond of her.

“Tang Jihye, you just said it: ‘A powerful person’s word is law.'”

“Wow, using my own words against me? And from your side, it sounds like you’re stronger than me.”

Lee Taebaek smirked inwardly but kept a straight face, lifting his chin.

“My blood’s still pumping. We could settle this here.”

“You’re totally gone. Look at you, full Lake City resident now.”

Tang Jihye clicked her tongue and glanced sideways.

“I’d love to flatten that smug nose, but go home today.”

She dusted off her coat and stood. The pristine white fabric billowed softly. Roman numeral III gleamed sharply on the wrinkled back.

“Uninvited guests… nah, someone exhausting to deal with is coming soon.”

“Who?”

“The corpse cleanup crew.”

She swept her bangs back, revealing fierce eyes.

“And the top suspect for traitor.”

He’d wanted to see the traitor’s face since she seemed dead certain, but she shut him down hard.

Tang Jihye roasted Lee Taebaek like stir-fried beans.

She nagged him to go home so much he finally gave up.

From here on, it was battalion commander territory, she said, throwing rank around. Push further, and it’d be insubordination.

Lee Taebaek sighed. Either way, they’d spent the long day together.

‘No need to clash.’

Plus, with tension easing, his body slumped like overcooked tofu. Fatigue must’ve piled up.

Then Goeun, who’d been statue-still like a golem, stirred. She suddenly offered, “I’ll escort the kids home.”

Her gaze on Lee Taebaek brimmed with unspoken thoughts.

When their eyes met, she flinched and looked away.

‘What?’

He dismissed the odd look. Too drained for trivia. The day had been endless, after all.

‘But the gains were huge.’

Screeech.

Outside was twilight’s tail end.

Towering buildings shrouded sluggish storm clouds. The mood made even the nightscape feel ominous.

“……!”

At Lee Taebaek’s presence, the kids whipped around like meerkats and rushed him.

“Thank you, Founding Patriarch!”

“Hundred-Fold! Hundred-Fold! Hundred-Fold! Hundred-Fold!”

They tearfully poured out thanks—a total frenzy.

Tang Jihye stuck out her tongue. Way worse than on arrival?

“Seriously a cult leader…….”

She shook her head in dismay.

“Forget today happened. Go home, wash your feet, and sleep.”

“Already forgotten. What happened today?”

“Huh…? Why the tears?”

“Don’t overdo it.”

“Hundred-Fold!”

Meanwhile, Lee Taebaek slipped away, promising next time. The kids stood frozen even after he vanished beyond the scenery.

Goeun arrived late.

“Attention.”

She divided them into groups and escorted.

Kids from rough areas got her personal drop-off. Then she left too.

Silence fell over the Hundred-Fold Sect branch. It didn’t last long.

Crunch, crunch.

As Tang Jihye chewed gum lazily, footsteps approached.

“You’re here?”

Three entered through the open door.

Corpses littered the floor, but their faces were unchanged.

“Long time no see, 3rd Battalion Commander.”

“How have you been, Tang Jihye?”

“Put some spit on your lips before asking after me. Makes me awkward.”

The two flanking her bowed briefly to Tang Jihye, peeking up slyly.

That was their greeting. This battalion never sat right with her.

“Still…….”

Compared to their boss, these two were saints.

The man sandwiched between ignored her, rolling his shifty eyes.

8th Battalion Commander, Doctor Pepper. His body language screamed he was searching for someone.

“Hey, Sugar Water.”

Tang Jihye spat at Pepper, blowing a bubble.

“Kid you’re looking for? Gone home. Stop the eye workout and do your job. You’re good at corpse-grubbing.”

“…….”

Pepper shifted his gaze. He stared with dry, withered eyes.

“Bastard. Don’t eye my people so obviously.”

She snickered. Pop—the bubble burst, covering her mouth.

“Lee Taebaek’s been in 9th Battalion forever. Still drooling? Live up to half your name. Sweetest name, sourest acts.”

“Keep scratching. No damage.”

Pepper shot back slyly.

“And you, Tang Jihye? Shady as hell. Blood tells. Everyone knows orthodox sects are hypocrites. Tang Clan fits right in—black path inside, white path facade.”

“…Wanna die?”

Lava boiled in Tang Jihye’s eyes. Even the white gum darkened. Pepper pressed on undeterred.

“I’ve rifled enough corpses. Yeah, I was looking for Lee Taebaek. But I checked all bodies too. Saw you torture that Monterey Mountain exec, Pin.”

“…….”

“High-and-mighty Tang Clan lady doing torture herself. Desperate for the super rookie’s heart? He’s another battalion’s squad member.”

Tang Jihye’s brow arched gracefully. Pepper’s lip twitched, wrinkles folding.

“Not what you should worry about now.”

“I know. Just playing along with the picky 3rd Battalion Commander’s scratches.”

“Then you know what I have to say. Intelligence battalion commander Doctor Pepper.”

“Roughly.”

Pepper nodded to his subordinates alternately. The two flanking him nodded silently.

“Honored to meet you, 3rd Battalion Commander.”

“Good luck.”

“Yeah, yeah. Tough working under Sugar Water. If he croaks, 3rd Battalion’s got spots.”

They bowed briefly to Tang Jihye and exited.

Thud.

Door shut. Just two commanders left. Pepper tossed his coat aside.

“Not the time, but I’m no traitor. I look the part, sure, but I align with the Resistance’s cause…….”

“Innocence.”

Tang Jihye cut him off, grinding her gum under her shoe.

“Prove it with strength.”

She lunged like lightning.

The next day. Kang Hyeonseong called Lee Taebaek at dawn, shocked. His stunned voice pierced the phone into his ear.

[You punk! If something like that happens, hey?! You tell your battalion commander—me! Tang Jihye came by? Your boss is 3rd Battalion Commander, not me?!]

“Was gonna call. But yesterday was chaos.”

[Don’t say that. My heart drops if your day’s chaotic. Already uneasy—Commander-in-Chief called at dawn saying Tang Jihye and Sugar Water vanished.]

“3rd Battalion Commander? Why.”

[If you from yesterday don’t know, how would I? Anyway, wait there. Finishing something—coming right after.]

Call ended. Black screen mirrored its owner’s sour face.

“House owner must’ve come back too.”

Fell asleep on arriving home, so unaware. They weren’t the type to confirm arrivals anyway.

After brief thought, Lee Taebaek headed to Eunko Bar’s 3rd floor. Or tried to.

Rumble rumble rumble.

The square window by the stairs rattled. Vibration drew his gaze.

“What the…….”

His pupils widened in shock. Steel wings gleamed against morning sun, slicing dull clouds—heading straight for him. No one else.