Chapter 60: Ripples on the Lake (3)

Lee Taebaek arranged a meetup with Kim Changsik. No putting it off—the date was today.

His body and mind felt so drained he might topple over if someone nudged him, but as the saying went, rip the iron horns off while they’re hot.

Besides, once word of his clash with the Sword Master spread through the organization, he’d lose his freedom for a while. Resistance members would be lining up to see him.

So today it was. If he felt like he was on the verge of collapse, he’d grab a Linga or something before heading home. That’d clear his head. Clear as the sky right now.

To be honest, now that he’d scored the Red Hare, he wanted to test-drive it a bit more and get a feel for it. He hadn’t had the chance to properly enjoy it earlier.

Vroooom…!

He blasted down the elevated highway. Pedestrians turned their heads at the roar of the engine, but by then, Lee Taebaek was already gone.

No one could track a bike hitting 400 kph with the naked eye. This must be why trust-fund kids drove sports cars.

The envious stares felt electric. He could get addicted to this.

Thanks to the near-supersonic speed, he arrived in no time. District 33, the address Kim Changsik had given him.

“Gotta park it around here.”

The neighboring district meant similar street vibes. Lee Taebaek dismounted the Red Hare and wheeled it along by hand. From here, he’d go on foot.

He entered a dimly lit alley. Pulling out his device, Lee Taebaek sent Kim Changsik a message.

“Thanks for coming all this way!!”

It didn’t take long for footsteps to approach. Kim Changsik came running with a friendly smile.

“We saw each other a few hours ago.”

“Those weren’t ordinary hours, were they? After clashing with that Sword Master—”

“No fuss. And stop smiling. It’s creepy.”

Kim Changsik trailed off with a sleazy grin. Whatever his intentions, the guy always came off that way.

“Getting attached is a good thing, isn’t it?”

This punk, seriously.

“That’s the kinda creepy cult talk that gives me chills. Don’t even joke about it.”

Kim Changsik flashed a bright smile and turned. Unlike usual, no wing suit on his back. Guess he took it off sometimes.

“Hmm.”

He glanced at the Red Hare. Didn’t seem jealous. Made sense—he had a wing suit.

“Right this way. I’ll escort you to the Order comfortably. Just five minutes on foot.”

Kim Changsik led the way. Normally, Lee Taebaek would’ve been fiddling with the Para Blade’s open/close button. Ever since arriving in this world, he’d suffered from chronic distrust of people.

‘He’s not that shameless.’

Don’t trust Kim Changsik the person. Trust the actions he’s shown, Lee Taebaek.

Whatever his inner thoughts, the help was real.

Planning to stab him in the back? That clash with the Sword Master was the perfect chance for him.

Yet Kim Changsik, the Lilith Order—they’d cooperated with Lee Taebaek. By raw power dynamics, betraying him would’ve been the smart play a hundred times over. No upside to crossing the Ten Wings.

As the saying went, the Lilith Order was on his side.

So he could at least show some reciprocal attitude. A voice bubbled up from the corner of his heart.

“Smells kinda fishy all around, though…”

“Pardon? What was that, Taebaek?”

“Nothing.”

Lee Taebaek shook his head lightly.

“While we’re on the topic, can I park this bike inside your building? Can’t ride it in to meet your Cult Leader.”

“No worries. Plenty of space. If you like, why not have our mechanic check it over?”

“Don’t wanna hand my baby to a stranger.”

Kim Changsik half-turned to look at him.

“You got it from someone else anyway.”

“…”

“Who knows. That madwoman might’ve slapped a tracker on it, claiming it’s her bike. Hmm, come to think of it, that’d expose not just you but our security too—”

“Fine, fine. Leave it to them. But your mechanic better be good. This ain’t your average ride.”

Kim Changsik grinned so wide wrinkles formed around his eyes. He said smugly,

“Our mechanic’s top-notch. Even handles the wing suits.”

“Wing suits…?”

“Yeah, ex-Daesung Group. Got inspired by the Chaos Goddess mid-job, quit, and joined us as a mechanic. Now he’s our most devout believer.”

Daesung Group mainly dealt in white goods megacorp stuff. Their skills were so elite that despite being Korean—not G7—they’d broken into the City as a megacorp.

Sure, bottom of the barrel, but hey, that was something. Truckloads of firms backed by superpowers couldn’t even lick Daesung’s soles.

For the record, Daesung Group was a in-story creation from national pride marketing.

Couldn’t have Korean games filled only with English or Japanese megacorps. Needed some native flavor.

Might as well aim for patriotism while making it Korean—that was Lee Taebaek’s idea. Team Leader Seo had given him a ‘Didn’t know you were that tacky’ look, but…

– Fine, okay…

She’d relented. People might mock ‘Again?’ but its absence would feel empty. That was national pride.

‘Daesung Group was the only megacorp without a Ten Wings member.’

Why they ranked at the very bottom. Great tech and funding, but couldn’t recruit elites. Probably other megacorps sabotaging them.

Long story short: Daesung led electronics, and one of their star talents had joined the Lilith Order.

So entrust the Red Hare worry-free. Lee Taebaek nodded as if convinced.

“Daesung Group creds? That inspires confidence.”

“Exactly.”

Kim Changsik responded enthusiastically.

“Other megacorps are ruthless cutthroats. They preach order but it’s just an excuse for total surveillance. Daesung’s the most decent of the pack. That’s why we took our mechanic.”

The least bad.

Even the City’s conscience, Daesung, lacked a Ten Wings. As a Korean, Lee Taebaek murmured unconsciously with quiet regret.

“Daesung’d be perfect with just one Ten Wings.”

“Haha, tell me about it. Shake up the megacorp stalemate! Music to our ears. Random thought, but if Daesung recruited a Ten Wings, who’d be a good fit?”

Quite the intriguing question. Lee Taebaek chose his words carefully before speaking.

“Sword Master Muyachi. He’d do nicely.”

Kim Changsik nodded in agreement.

“Funny, I was thinking the same.”

Ripples began stirring on the lake.

The Lilith Order’s building was surprisingly upscale. Neat sign, fresh paint.

Seemed a waste for folks peddling contraceptives.

“Hey, what exactly do you guys do in a place like this?”

“…Well, various things.”

Kim Changsik rubbed his nape. Weirdly bold in that department.

As an executive, did he lead the condom distributions? Why join the Lilith Order then?

Reading Lee Taebaek’s suspicions, Kim Changsik elaborated.

“I know what misconceptions you have about our Order. I’d think the same. But once inside, you’ll see. We’re not just about ‘that stuff’.”

“Doing that crap in a sacred temple ain’t normal, no matter the doctrine.”

“Ugh…”

Kim Changsik groaned like he had constipation. Then he quickly pushed open the door to change the subject.

The interior was spotless.

Too spotless.

It evoked a wedding hall. Felt sinful just wheeling in the bike.

‘Wouldn’t complain if it was a brothel.’

Kim Changsik made a call somewhere. Moments later, a woman appeared, her face smeared with grease like camouflage cream.

Thud, thud.

Goggles perched on her forehead, sloppy tank top, beefy forearms. She was the Daesung mechanic.

Lee Taebaek was surprised inwardly. Hadn’t expected a woman.

‘Sex cult with a female mechanic.’

Stimulating imagination. Could make a decent NTRP novel.

Prejudice, sure. But he didn’t care about political correctness in Reycons.

“Yes, Executive? You called?”

“Sorry to bother you when you’re busy, Miss Choi.”

Miss Choi greeted Kim Changsik. She wiped her hands on the towel at her waist, glanced at Lee Taebaek, then shifted to the Red Hare.

“Ooh.”

She pursed her lips into an O. Kim Changsik continued.

“This is Taebaek. About to meet the Cult Leader. So, Miss Choi, if you’re not too busy, could you watch his bike while he does? Would that be okay?”

Miss Choi was already crouched in front of the Red Hare, shifting angles for a close inspection.

“Specs are top-tier. But it’s been neglected so long, output’s not hitting full potential.”

She said standing up. Impressive. 400 kph wasn’t even max?

Red Hare, you got a bad owner. Like its true master Lü Bu, who met an early end from rotten subordinates.

“Peak potential wasted like this… Taebaek, right? Sorry to be rude on first meet, but this one’s been mistreated.”

“Wasn’t mine till yesterday.”

“Then?”

“Stole it.”

Miss Choi choked at his bold confession, then nodded.

“Fair enough. Stealing’s no biggie in this city. Alright. While you see the Cult Leader, I’ll tune this beast to its limits. No charge for a VIP guest.”

Miss Choi wheeled the Red Hare toward the garage. Lee Taebaek watched her go, then followed Kim Changsik.

They passed a corridor into the hall. Flickering candles lit the way. An ornate door loomed at the end.

They stopped before it. Kim Changsik whispered low before entering.

“I’ll wait outside. Only you can go in from here.”

Kim Changsik backed away opening the door. Beyond was far darker than the corridor.

As Lee Taebaek entered, the door shut behind him as if waiting.

Pillars held up the ceiling. The ceiling height differed sharply from the corridor.

Sharpening his senses, a moan pierced his ears.

“Hnnngh.”

A bed sat at the hall’s center. A sleek leg slipped out from behind the curtain.

“I’ve been waiting.”

The woman’s voice dripped like honey. A velvet veil hid her face.

“Master of Chaos.”

She clutched her skirt, bowing low. Her top slipped perilously low.