Chapter 55 : I, Descend (5)
Chapter 55: I, Descend (5)
Rows of lights stretched toward the vanishing point.
The orange dots linked together one after another, carving two streaks of light across the crimson hood.
Vroooooooom!
Red Hare tore through the tunnel.
Lee Taebaek took the raging wind head-on.
He lowered his body.
Reducing wind resistance as much as possible.
Fortunately, Red Hare had been built with a long, slender frame, minimizing its frontal profile against the air.
Thanks to that, despite the tunnel's razor-sharp gusts, it blasted through in an instant.
The lights that had crawled across Red Hare's body vanished.
The damp night air swept through his hair.
He had exited the tunnel.
As soon as the surroundings changed, Lee Taebaek glanced between the handlebars.
The speedometer needle trembled, while the digital display climbed at a terrifying pace.
The speed had easily exceeded 300 kilometers per hour.
It was already approaching 400.
Whenever the frame rattled, his hips lifted slightly, making it feel as though he were floating.
He was, of course, speeding.
By roughly 200 kilometers per hour over the limit.
He had almost been stopped at a checkpoint along the way.
The police spotted Lee Taebaek and immediately gave chase with their sirens blaring, eager to hand him a hefty ticket.
Only to give up on their own.
There was simply no way an ordinary patrol vehicle could catch a motorcycle racing at nearly the speed of sound.
All they could do was stare helplessly as he disappeared into the distance.
‘Faster.’
Lee Taebaek's gaze wasn't fixed on the speedometer inches before him.
It reached all the way to the horizon.
There was only one reason he was in such a hurry.
One of The 10 Wings.
Dojon.
Also known as the Mercenary King.
‘Muyachi.’
According to the original scenario, he wasn't supposed to appear until the very end.
True to his title of Mercenary King, he sold violence for money.
His usual clients were mid-sized company CEOs and MegaCorp Executives.
Yet for some reason...
He had come all the way to the Lower District.
A five-billion-won advance payment was nothing more than pocket money to Dojon.
There was no way he'd cozy up to a gang for something so insignificant.
Which meant...
He had another objective.
But I had no idea what it was.
Even in the world of Reicons, where eccentrics were considered normal, Dojon stood alone.
He stubbornly wandered from place to place without ever belonging to anyone.
Why?
Because I thought a character like that would look cool.
That was literally the entire reason.
Anyway.
If I had to describe Dojon in a single word...
It would be 'mercenary.'
His sole principle in life was money.
Nothing else.
‘Should I just buy him instead?’
Probably impossible.
Dojon was utterly ruthless when it came to money.
But once he accepted a contract...
He always fulfilled it.
No matter how much money someone offered him, he would never betray an existing contract.
Besides...
Even if it were possible, I didn't have that kind of money.
His fee started at six billion won.
Started.
And the Resistance's finances were even worse than the Ten Gang Alliance's.
We were broke.
Which was why we lived in the sewers.
A flawless three-step argument that left no room for rebuttal.
‘Damn it.’
A cold breeze brushed the back of his neck.
It felt like Death itself.
‘The only ones who can keep one of The 10 Wings in check are others of equal...’
Lee Taebaek shook his head.
He immediately dismissed the idea that had crossed his mind.
The first member of The 10 Wings who came to mind was the Beggar King, Leader of the Beggar's Union.
But what would be the point of bringing him into this using Cooperative Battle?
Cooperative Battle only worked on those below the Realm of Ascension.
Throwing a bunch of beggars into this fight would only get them massacred.
Besides...
Using Cooperative Battle like that would only make an enemy of the Beggar's Union.
And on top of that, from the perspective of Korean values, sending people on a suicide mission was unacceptable.
His thoughts spread like a spider's web.
He needed a way to resolve this disaster.
Lee Taebaek.
Expand your imagination.
However you have to.
“...Looks like I'll have to step in myself.”
Fortunately...
Dojon was fundamentally neutral.
To put it another way...
Lawful Evil.
He despised anyone violating the rules he had established.
That was what Lee Taebaek intended to exploit.
It was also why he had asked Rock for a favor.
Whether that plan would actually work...
Was another matter entirely.
Creak.
He unconsciously tightened his grip on the handlebars.
The speedometer needle leaned nearly sideways as the speed skyrocketed.
The icy wind sliced across his skin.
‘An ordinary person would've broken down by now.’
But despair couldn't break me.
Who the hell do you think I am?
I survived the electric chair.
Plenty of things happened after that.
But every single time...
I clawed my way through.
Whenever dark clouds gathered...
I poured every available resource my brain had into finding a solution.
There was exactly one thing I liked about ending up in this world.
It had filled me with courage.
Even I was surprised by how resilient my mind had become.
Was it one of a Possessor's privileges?
Or had constantly buffing my Mental stat simply knocked a few screws loose?
He thought of the current situation as a boss raid.
The first prerequisite had already been secured through Rock.
But that was only the groundwork.
To begin the actual battle...
He needed another party member.
Not someone to charge in beside him.
If he were to compare it to party roles...
What he desperately needed...
Was a support.
The operation itself was already planned out.
Now...
Time to contact the support.
“Changsik.”
[Ah, Mr. Lee Taebaek. I've been waiting for your call—.]
Kim Changsik, an executive of the Lilith Cult, had once told him—
“I need a favor.”
[Anything at all, Mr. Taebaek.]
The Lilith Cult would gladly provide any assistance Lee Taebaek requested.
Because...
That was the command of the Cult Leader they worshipped.
The standoff between the Supreme Commander and Dojon was solemn.
Neither moved.
Both stood as immovable as stone.
His neatly combed hair.
His thick necktie.
Even beneath the carefully pressed trouser hems, his ankles were visible.
At first glance...
He looked exactly like an ordinary office worker.
Yet...
One look into his eyes told the truth.
That...
Was a monster.
What other word could possibly describe him?
His dry, sandpaper-like gaze seemed capable of grinding away one's soul.
Even the Zanbatō hanging casually in his hand felt as though it were already slicing through flesh and bone.
Most terrifying of all...
There wasn't the slightest trace of his presence.
Even the Supreme Commander—
Who concealed his presence even while sleeping—
Had only noticed Dojon's approach at the last moment.
And even then...
Only because Dojon had deliberately allowed himself to be noticed.
The sheer absurdity of it made everyone forget to wonder how Dojon had appeared in the first place.
Only after feeling his knees hit the ground did one battalion member realize he had actually come face-to-face with Dojon.
His lips trembled.
Well now, what a rare face to see in the Lower District. I've heard plenty about you, but this is our first meeting.
The Supreme Commander spoke first.
As he did, he spread both arms wide like a stingray, opening the sleeves of his robe.
He wanted Dojon's attention focused solely on him.
You're obviously not out for a casual stroll. And considering you brought your weapon out at precisely the time we'd arrive, this definitely isn't a coincidence.
As he spoke, the Supreme Commander glanced to the side.
The squad leader lowered his head in shame.
If you had complaints, you could've just talked to me. I thought we were at least close enough for that. Guess I was wrong.
“...I'm sorry.”
The cheapest thing in this City is an apology.
“...If only you had paid a little more attention to us, Supreme Commander... none of this would've happened...”
The excuse drew a muffled laugh from the Supreme Commander.
Like I said earlier, don't project your own inferiority complex onto the rest of the 0th Battalion.
“I—!”
If I lose here, everyone in the 0th Battalion dies. Well... I'm sure you managed to secure a promise. Kill only me and spare the others. But do you really think that came from your concern for your comrades?
Betrayal wasn't unusual in the City.
People sold out even their own blood relatives for profit.
So betraying a superior they'd secretly resented all along...
Was hardly surprising.
No, isn't it just selfishness? You wanted everyone here to share the burden of your betrayal.
“......”
What the Supreme Commander pointed out...
Was ugly hypocrisy.
The squad leader had desperately tried to dress his betrayal in righteous justification.
If you truly cared about your subordinates, then even if you chose to betray me... you would've asked for their opinion first. But judging by their reactions...
Doesn't look like you did.
The squad leader looked toward his men.
The trust that had once filled their eyes had been replaced entirely by contempt.
“We're disappointed in you, Squad Leader.”
“Y-you all—!!”
The squad leader stumbled backward in panic.
Only to trip over a rock and fall disgracefully onto his back.
“I don't wish to hear another word from a traitor.”
The battalion members turned away from him and drew their weapons.
Dojon unwound the bandages around his arm before wrapping them tightly around both his hand and the sword's hilt.
The battle was imminent.
“We'll fight alongside you, Supreme Commander. We'll do everything we can to secure your escape route.”
“I'd love to tell you to run without ever looking back... but I'm sorry. Against anyone else, maybe. But this is one of The 10 Wings. The moment you show your back, assume you'll die standing.”
“Yes.”
Then...
A voice interrupted.
Dojon.
Who had remained silent until now.
“The name you mentioned just now.”
He tugged the bandage tight with his teeth, securing the knot.
His hand and sword became one.
“Lee Taebaek, was it?”
Well, this is unexpected. The great Mercenary King actually remembers someone else's name.
The Supreme Commander replied sharply.
Dojon tilted his head.
He didn't understand emotional nuance.
“The only reason I accepted such a cheap contract... was because of him.”
...What?
“Not long ago, I happened to run into the Heavenly Demon. The fool said something amusing. Apparently, he'd had a prophetic dream one day... where he was defeated by some black-haired Korean.”
A demigod like the Heavenly Demon having dreams like that? How pathetic.
“I thought the same. But his dreams usually become reality.”
Dojon lowered his sword in front of him.
“I became curious. So I looked into it myself. It wasn't difficult. There were rumors everywhere about a black-haired Korean escaping the Brain Prison recently. Then I heard he was hunting gangs alongside the Resistance, so I decided to come see his face.”
Our Taebaek sure is popular. But too bad. I have no intention of setting him up on a blind date with a monster like you.
“It doesn't matter if I never meet him.”
Dojon smiled dangerously.
“Simply seeing the ability of the Resistance's Supreme Commander... the man who exchanged around ten moves with the Supreme One several years ago... will satisfy me.”
The air pressure changed.
The moment Dojon released his killing intent...
Two battalion members collapsed unconscious, drooling.
And that...
Was perhaps only a quarter of his true power.
Using everything he had simply wasn't cost-effective.
If this continued any longer...
Everyone except the Supreme Commander would collapse.
One battalion member forced strength into his trembling legs and charged forward.
At the exact instant Dojon's shoulder blurred—
Vroooooooom!
The engine roar that had echoed faintly in the distance...
Became a deafening explosion in an instant.
The 0th Battalion members and Dojon remained frozen in their attack stances, lifting only their eyes.
A crimson figure soared over the curved roof of the greenhouse.
The next instant—
A shockwave erupted.
Red Hare's side skimmed so close to the ground that it nearly scraped it.
Wrapped in the night wind...
Lee Taebaek burst onto the battlefield.
The expressions on the faces of the 0th Battalion members were priceless.
Only Dojon and the Supreme Commander remained almost completely unfazed.
Perhaps...
Just slightly surprised.
‘Now.’
‘This is the moment.’
He pressed the switch.
Static crackled, drawing everyone's attention.
Then a conversation began playing.
=I'm seriously not joking. He's ridiculously fucking strong. Burp Ahem. Anyway... it's around ten o'clock now... so the Supreme Commander and Dojon should be meeting any moment.=
It was Levi's voice.
Rock had recorded it from Kang Hyunseong's perspective.
=So, Levi... the reason you sent Magno-Strom's elite forces away was because you intended to target Dojon after he'd already fought the Supreme Commander. Since with the Supreme Commander's 'ability,' you'd be able to capture Dojon eventually.=
=Exactly~! Baektae, you're pretty smart, huh? I'm in such a good mood! Maybe I'm telling you too much because I'm drunk, but Baektae, you're getting promoted! As a promotion gift, I'll grant you one wish. Alcohol, cigarettes, women...=
Beep.
Lee Taebaek mercilessly cut the recording short.
It almost felt as though inaudible protests rained down around him.
“Dojon.”
At that moment...
He spoke the line he had prepared.
“I came to make a deal.”
[Buffing the Operator's Mental stat.]