Chapter 69: Divine Doctor? Divine Loyalty! (3)

Just because his stage of operations had shifted to the upper district didn’t mean his base would change.

Lee Taebaek had planned all along to keep relying on Silver Nose Bar. Partly because it was familiar, but…

In the end, it boiled down to practical realities.

Lake City was already notorious for its sky-high prices. Scraping by in the lower levels was back-breaking enough, but upper district prices crushed your spine outright. They were downright murderous.

“If I’d known, I would’ve set it to ‘high prices’ instead of ‘ultra-high prices.'”

Even the 1st through 4th Battalions, who mainly operated in the upper district, mostly lived in the lower levels. Their commanders were no exception. The Resistance wasn’t some profit-chasing outfit. To put it bluntly, even the battalion commanders were dirt poor.

Long story short, there was basically nowhere in the upper district he could afford to stay.

The upper district was the city government and megacorp’s turf anyway, unlike the relatively spacious lower levels.

Once you set foot up there, you couldn’t avoid their eyes. Stretch out comfortably, and they’d slice you off at the ankles.

“Hmm…”

He couldn’t keep coming and going from Silver Nose Bar every mission. There weren’t checkpoints between upper and lower districts. But…

They were geographically far apart.

Way too far.

Even with Red Hare, it was the same.

At top speed, it’d still take two hours from District 31 to District 19, right on the upper district’s doorstep. Four hours round trip for commuting? Even Seoul would call that crossing the line.

Due to these headaches, he needed a relay base bridging upper and lower districts.

And apparently, he wasn’t the only one who thought so—the Commander-in-Chief’s side reached out first.

The day after Tang Jihye left, Kang Hyeonseong showed up.

“How’ve you been, Taebaek?”

“Anyone’d think we hadn’t seen each other in ten years.”

He laid the groundwork, saying he’d been swamped with aftermath from the war on crime for days. Guess he felt a bit awkward.

“Heard from Tang Jihye. Taebaek, not just you—our whole 9th Battalion’s main ops zone is shifting upper district. Damn, finally stepping on some oil-rich soil.”

Diving straight into it, Kang Hyeonseong spat curses from sheer excitement. Seemed he’d bottled up a lot.

The 9th Battalion, treated like a junkyard rejects club, was suddenly booming thanks to Lee Taebaek. Enough to make anyone emotional.

“But there’s a problem.”

“I can guess. Routes between upper and lower are a mess.”

At his words, Kang Hyeonseong looked mildly surprised. He’d nailed his exact worry.

‘As expected.’

Lee Taebaek’s potential wasn’t limited to combat prowess. His insight was top-tier too. Martial achievements shone so bright it overshadowed, but his brilliance stemmed from brains.

Suddenly recalling the mission: Lee Taebaek instantly devising a plan and acting on it was impressive even in hindsight. No thoughts of overstepping. If anything, pride swelled the more he proved his worth.

From a death row inmate awaiting the end in Brain Prison, he’d adapted to the city faster than anyone and become the 9th Battalion’s second pillar.

A brief wave of感動 washed over his chest. Kang Hyeonseong nodded and said,

“We need a solution. Commander-in-Chief’s leaving it fully to us 9th Battalion. Promised material support within reason. Said it, but…”

“Resistance finances aren’t great post-crash. Stock market meltdown fallout, right?”

“Spot on. Funding’s tight. Building a base upper district? Unrealistic. Border zones ain’t cheap either. Housing market’s insane lately. Well, when isn’t it?”

Sudden gripe session underway. Lee Taebaek, listening quietly, smiled faintly.

“Border’s got that empty building, perfect timing.”

“Empty building…?”

Kang Hyeonseong blinked repeatedly, then his eyes widened. He’d caught on.

“You don’t mean—!”

Lee Taebaek’s grin deepened. He propped his feet alternately on an idle chair, cradled his head with clasped hands, and drawled,

“Magnostrom base was prime real estate, right? And now it’s vacant, no tenants. Can’t think of a better spot.”

“…True, but.”

Definitely. Ideal location, tailor-made. Perfect follow-up to Hundred-Fold Sect Branch 1 as Branch 2—signage alone would look legit.

A few days back, ninjas had hit Branch 1, but Kang Hyeonseong and Yu Dahui handled it. That’s why he’d arrived late at Silver Nose Bar.

They brainwashed the ninjas’ memories—security was lifeblood for Resistance, so procedures were advanced. Then sent them back. Killing them outright risked city government suspicion. Better to release with false intel for multiple gains. No major hurdles for a while. He’d put real effort in.

Anyway. Point was, Lee Taebaek’s idea was genius. Perfect timing. But…

“That area’s borderline city government turf, unlike the lowest levels. Means frequent surprise inspections. Hundred-Fold Sect sign might fly short-term, but… You know city gov and megacorps are X-like persistent. Risk of kids vanishing mid-way.”

Kang Hyeonseong trailed off awkwardly. Wetting his throat with water, he elaborated,

“And… Feels like spitting upward lying down, so I didn’t say, but… Capital for full reno on that huge building? Permits? Dicey. Even with Commander-in-Chief’s promise, Resistance ain’t just 9th Battalion. Eight others… Could push for funds, but—”

“Ethically dicey.”

Not to mention tanking 9th Battalion rep.

“Hah, gets more pathetic by the word. Damn. Group made to fight megacapital, and Resistance boils down to needing money. Life’s empty.”

Kang Hyeonseong looked ready to slump to the floor in sighs. Lee Taebaek twitched his crossed foot atop the chair, pondering, when inspiration struck.

His hand naturally dipped into his inner pocket, grasping something round and hard.

“Time to reunite with an old friend.”

Lee Taebaek muttered with a wicked grin.

Kang Hyeonseong nearly protested the bad omen but shook his head instead. No point stopping him.

District 31 Branch Leader Jin Sobang.

“Ugh.”

He was suffering from overwork.

Due to an unsavory incident in the Beggar Clan—specifically, the Blue-Robed Faction.

‘Xing bastards.’

Shouldn’t Beggar Clan uphold the Way?

Yet some members—branch leaders, no less—eyes turned from the Way (道) to money (₩).

They’d shown suspicious signs early, but only revealed true colors recently.

After megacorps—blue chips—took a massive hit, the whole market shook. Simply put, frozen funds started flowing.

People panic with unstable markets, withdrawing from banks.

Megacorps immediately ordered city government: Hike bank rates now. To stop withdrawals.

Worked in upper district. Residents there cheered—wealthy, they used banks for investments/savings.

Lower levels? Endless wailing. They frequented for loans, but rates skyrocketed, snowballing debts. Those debtor banks were mostly Blue-Robed Faction turf.

Sensing doom, they bypassed clan higher-ups, contacting megacorps instead.

Caught red-handed. Tattered-Robes had eyes in the back of their heads. Launched probe, purged all colluders.

Ripple effect: Districts 32-39 branch seats vacant. Higher-ups decided Jin Sobang doubles up for now. Great Existence Dragon Head Chief ordered personally—no defiance possible.

“Better dead than suffering.”

Dead from suffering.

Ah, screw it. Gonna die for real.

Wake up in morgue mid-IV drip?

Fatigue gnawed daily at Jin Sobang’s liver. Once chubby-cheeked, now gaunt true beggar in days. Lee Taebaek’s impression upon sudden visit.

“Hundred-Fold Sect Branch 2’s opening soon.”

“Impressive.”

Jin Sobang wrestled papers, not sparing a glance. Quill pen flicked lightly.

“Lend a hand.”

“……”

Thud! Dropping the quill, he pressed sunken eye sockets. Sunken deep from lack of flesh.

“Hey, friend. Do I look idle?”

“You look swamped.”

Jin Sobang cracked a fractured smile. Faded quick. Frowning, he yelled,

“But! This guy! Bursts in demanding help for Hundred-Fold Sect Branch 2!? Humanely, too much, right? You call yourself human after this?!?”

Lee Taebaek was Robber (True).

“Heard stock crash was your fault, Imugi! Seo Punggae spilled!”

“Promoted, yet bitching. Thanks to me, doubling 31-39. Ooh, law elder soon? Better butter up.”

“…Haa……”

Fuming to standing, Jin Sobang slumped weakly. Sobbing-like, he opened,

“Don’t pull Hyeopjeon. Won’t change. Money? Fine, give. But manpower’s limited even with funds. Hitting limit now.”

“Why.”

Jin Sobang gloomily explained.

Beggar Clan manpower shortage tied to corrupt beggar revolt. Followers ditched too, massive cuts.

Thus, higher-ups prepping beggar hunt for traitors. Want external hires, but no org as mobile…

“Hold, repeat.”

“…What.”

“No org as mobile as Beggar Clan for search, right? If equally fast externals? Even non-beggars?”

“Borrowing midget hands now. Higher-ups dislike outsourcing usually, but urgent. Time race. Plus, Beggar Clan more open than Resistance—beggars by trade, less stigma.”

I see.

Lee Taebaek whipped out his device, dialing. Jin Sobang baffled. Intruding midnight enough to boil blood, now ignoring him?

Chum with Sword Master means squat?

“……”

True. Squat.

Still, no.

Steel prosthetic whirred like voicing owner’s mood. Vibration toppled inkwell, ruining desk.

“Yah—!”

About to explode. Lee Taebaek’s gaze slid over; Jin Sobang shrugged like never mad.

“Found ’em.”

Lee Taebaek said.

“…What?”

Switched to speaker. Unfamiliar voice flowed.

“Who…?”

Overly polite, burdensome tone.

“Ah, uh, no.”

Tattered-Robes hadn’t even yet, but this org did in minutes? Real?

Dead serious—

Lee Taebaek’s eyes deep, void of lies.

Jin Sobang groaned at Lee Taebaek, then leaned close like kissing the device.

“Can you share that intel? Paid, of course. If legit, full value. Doubt it? Send this recording to clan higher-ups.”

“B-but?”

Not even faces met, yet Kim Changsik’s face vividly imagined.

Haggling, huh.

Like this viper bastard.