“Taebaek, wake up.”

He forced his fluttering eyelids open. Through his bleary vision, he spotted broad shoulders. It was Kang Hyeonseong.

Taebaek picked at the gunk in his eyes with his thumb and quickly scanned his surroundings. Kang Hyeonseong let out a low whistle.

“You’ve got some nerves on you. How do you sleep so soundly in a car you’ve never ridden in before?”

He chuckled softly.

“Well, makes sense. A guy who survived the electric chair. Plus, it shows how confident you are in your skills.”

“…”

Taebaek didn’t bother correcting Kang Hyeonseong’s misconception. Instead, he focused on shaking the fog from his mind.

When the hell did I fall asleep?

Taebaek strained his eyes to fight off the drowsiness. His paranoid vigilance could be summed up in one word: Lake City.

State-of-the-art. The best. Pinnacle of science.

The labels were flashy, but Raken’s ecosystem was no different from a jungle. Let your guard down, and you’d get eaten alive.

Even if it was an anti-government group, they were born and bred in Lake City. Their sense of ethics would be worlds apart from Earth’s.

The Resistance wasn’t a volunteer organization. Nor was it some benevolent group.

Of course not. They were the main antagonistic force that had tamed the underworld and was now facing off against the City Government.

The underworld was a world where dignity was distant and violence was close at hand. The Resistance wasn’t any different—in fact, it was probably worse.

United under the banner of rebellion, every member was a rebel at heart. In other words, they were all hot-headed types.

Kang Hyeonseong, Yu Dahui, and Fumito were prime examples of the Resistance rank and file. And that Rock guy? Didn’t even need to see him to know.

Good thing nothing happened.

Taebaek sat up with a quiet sigh of relief.

That’s when he noticed something odd. His body, which had been utterly wrecked before he dozed off, felt refreshed and full of energy.

Tough as nails. And it didn’t seem like they’d implanted any prosthetics.

“The squad members went ahead to wait. Me and them, we didn’t want to wake you while you were sleeping so soundly.”

With that, Kang Hyeonseong jabbed Taebaek in the side with his elbow.

“But the Commander-in-Chief called for me, so I had to wake you. Get some proper rest once we’re inside. For now, let’s move, Taebaek.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Taebaek climbed out of the trunk with Kang Hyeonseong.

“Ugh!”

“Heh. Air’s got a little bite to it, huh?”

“A little? You call this a little?”

“Get used to it. Only one way through here.”

A dizzying stench assaulted his nostrils, like something lodged in his throat, making him hack up phlegm.

Rumble!

A massive hole belched out bubbling green sewage.

The tunnel, easily twenty meters wide, exuded raw intimidation on its own. Its mouth swallowed darkness and wind like a monster’s maw.

The ladder next to the sewer trembled faintly. It must lead to another passage at the top. Yeah, he got that this was the sewer, but…

Why the hell is the headquarters in a sewer?

Wasn’t this supposed to be the Resistance HQ? Taebaek hesitated in shock, only for his heel to squish something soft and squelchy. Rat.

Fuck.

Taebaek scraped his sole on the ground and fell back in step with Kang Hyeonseong. The stench clung to his ankle.

“No way, right?”

No, even so—this couldn’t be where he’d be crashing for a while. A sewage treatment plant? No shot.

“Yup.”

Kang Hyeonseong scratched his eyebrow.

“For real?”

“Yeah. Resistance headquarters.”

“Why?”

The Resistance had tamed the underworld, at least to some extent.

Even Lake City’s poorest didn’t live in the sewers—they stuck to the lowest districts.

This wasn’t just a sunlight-deprived blind spot. It was a life-rights black hole.

“Why do you think? The founding Commander-in-Chief set up shop here. Oh, and heads up: climb the ladder one at a time. It collapses otherwise.”

Wrong choice of spot, you idiot! Taebaek slapped a hand over his eyes.

“Come on, let’s head in. Looks rough on the outside, but inside? Top-notch facilities. It’ll blow your mind.”

Couldn’t spit on a smiling face, after all.

Taebaek swallowed the urge to retort.

“…Yeah, sure. Whatever.”

“At least pretend to listen when people talk. And you heard about tonight’s dinner from Fumito, right? Kimchi stew! Man, it’s been forever. Our cafeteria lady’s cooking is no joke.”

Honestly, kimchi stew did sound tempting. If it weren’t for the location, his jaw would’ve been watering.

“Anyway, follow close.”

Kang Hyeonseong took the first step, then climbed the ladder carefully, demonstrating for Taebaek.

Squeak-creak.

It was tense just watching. The ladder’s condition was precarious.

“Come on up!”

Kang Hyeonseong poked his head over the top and waved. Now it was Lee Taebaek’s turn.

He gripped the supports and started climbing. Paint flakes rained down with every step.

Squeak-creak.

The trials of the Gaol were just the prologue. This was the real start. He’d finally entered the main stream.

Squeak-creak.

I have to deceive the Resistance.

Squeak-creak.

The Resistance was a stepping stone for what came next. This rickety ladder was a pretty apt metaphor for his current situation.

“Grab on.”

“Buzz off. I’m not a kid.”

Kang Hyeonseong offered a hand, but Taebaek waved it away.

Sorry, Hyeonseong. I appreciate the save, but I’ll be ditching the Resistance soon enough.

He didn’t think Kang Hyeonseong’s kindness was pure charity. In Lake City, people were judged by value and proof—those two metrics.

We’re just using each other anyway. No need for pointless guilt.

The two entered a narrow tunnel. Hunched over due to the low ceiling, they shuffled forward.

In the pooled darkness, Kang Hyeonseong led, with Taebaek following. It revealed the power dynamic: Kang Hyeonseong trusted Taebaek enough, at least somewhat, to show his back.

Splash.

Sewage splashed up to their knees. Unpleasant, but after the Gaol, Taebaek had built up tolerance. Manageable.

Just as his sense of smell went numb…

Kang Hyeonseong stopped. He groped the wall until his hand sank into a spot.

Whirr—

A web of pale green light spread from his palm. Then—

A grid-like net spread across the entire tunnel wall before retracting. A gap formed, and the wall slid back with a smooth shrrk.

A side door materialized where Kang Hyeonseong had pulled his hand away. Soft light leaked through the crack, slicing the darkness.

Kang Hyeonseong half-turned his head. A meaningful smile played on his profile over his shoulder.

“Let’s go in.”

Kang Hyeonseong entered first, followed by Taebaek. Taebaek blinked at first, then his pupils narrowed sharply.

Beyond the door was a blindingly white, refreshingly clean space—as if the previous scenery had been a lie.

“Told you. Inside’s nice.”

The long hall had floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides. Beyond them, holographic 3D maps rippled in every direction, reflecting Lake City’s every corner in real time.

A bit farther in, mechanical arms descended from the ceiling, delicately operating futuristic devices.

“You’re back?”

Yu Dahui tossed out the casual greeting. Her hair was damp, and she gripped the ends of the towel around her neck. She’d come straight from a shower to greet them.

“Commander-in-Chief wants you, Hyeonseong. Sorry to spring it on you right after getting back, but the report’s wanted ASAP.”

Yu Dahui shook off the water droplets as she spoke.

“Figures. No rest for the weary. Though I guess I dragged my feet by not heading up right away.”

“The Commander looked pretty pleased. Who knows? Might even hand out bonuses to the 9th Battalion. Go on. Taebaek, I’ll show you to the cafeteria.”

“Thanks. Taebaek, head to the cafeteria with Dahui. The rest of the team should be there.”

Kang Hyeonseong left with those words. An awkward silence filled the void he left. As Taebaek’s lips parted to speak, Yu Dahui jerked her chin curtly.

“This way.”

Taebaek matched her stride. They walked in silence, no small talk exchanged.

Fine by me. Better than awkward chit-chat.

Midway down the straight corridor, footsteps approached from ahead. Who was it? The other party lit up first.

“Dahui!”

The voice’s owner hurried over. A handsome blond with perfectly balanced features.

“Tch.”

Normally, a greeting from a guy like that would make anyone swoon, but Yu Dahui just clicked her tongue.

“How was this mission? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Sorry, but we’re heading to the cafeteria. Mind stepping aside? 8th Battalion Deputy Commander.”

“Ah, apologies. Didn’t mean to block the way!”

As Yu Dahui openly showed her annoyance, the flustered man’s gaze shifted to Taebaek.

“…And who’s this?”

His tone dripped with suspicion.

“Oh, someone our Battalion Commander Hyeonseong personally scouted on this mission.”

The blond eyed Taebaek up and down with narrowed eyes, then let out a deflating scoff.

“Even with the 9th Battalion hurting for manpower, I didn’t expect you’d bring in someone so… delicate.”

The guy had a talent for spouting utter bullshit with a smile. Guess it was true what they said—men turned childish around women they liked.

Taebaek clenched and unclenched his fist. It wasn’t like him to feel violent urges.

But right now, he itched to throw a punch. He held back only because he didn’t want to stir up needless trouble.

Lake City drew clear lines between predators and prey. The Resistance was no different.

Letting this slide in silence would botch the first button of value and proof.

Prove my worth without violence… Let’s try it.

Perfect timing for a test subject. As Taebaek pondered, the blond flashed a sly grin.

“Well then, excuse me. Catch you later, Dahui.”

As the blond brushed past Taebaek, their shoulders collided—deliberately, without a doubt.

That was when it happened.

The blond was suddenly overwhelmed by an indescribable weakness. His body lurched violently, then toppled sideways.

His knee slammed into the marble floor.

“Wh-what the…?”

His wide blue eyes snapped up to meet the gaze of the one who’d brought him to his knees. Cold black eyes.

Lee Taebaek, with incandescent lights haloed behind him like a halo, opened his mouth.