Fate! 200 Million Was Too Much to Turn Down.

There was that reason, but honestly, Yu Ye-na wasn't wrong. The money from Yeoeumhoe was short-term at best. And I agreed we had to stop those war-worshipping fanatics before they went too far.

"So, when do we leave?"

"Soon. As soon as possible."

"Then I have Beloah's number, so we can—"

As we stepped out of the consultation room, I glanced toward the office. The lights were still on. Heading inside to check Beloah's contact, I found the employees still there, waiting instead of clocking out.

"Huh? Why hasn't anyone gone home?"

"We heard you were buying a car, boss, so we waited."

"A car? Raichen's into cars too?"

"It'd be nice to have one for trips with Da Jeong."

Couples are such a hassle. Everything turns into "let's go on a trip" with them.

"Ahem. We just decided. It's not a company car—it's mine, so spread the word. None of your business, you uncivilized grunts."

I immediately reinforced the hierarchy, but Yu Ye-na tapped my back from behind.

"You always talk to your employees like that?"

"They talk to me like this too."

"Boss! I saw on NewTube that suddenly splashing big money after a windfall is a straight path to ruin!"

Wisdom from Grandma, who has nothing better to do than scroll Shorts endlessly. Not wrong, but who walks everywhere their whole life?

"Sigh. Look, Renea. What's my dream?"

"An apartment! Every time you drink, it's nonstop mumbling. Acting like some old geezer, repeating the same crap over and over—"

"Ahem! Right. An apartment. But don't you need some minimum qualifications to even get in? Like my dream car, the Argent S."

"......Is that how it works? This lady didn't know much about apartments, but you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠need a car to live in one?"

"Yep."

Yu Ye-na tapped me again from behind.

"Come on. This is dragging on."

"It deserves to drag. This is important."

"Haa......"

Renea, having heard from Kim Yang that it was a lie, leaped forward and rammed a headbutt into my gut just like Kim Yang does.

"You said it's not necessary!"

"Think of it differently. Say I buy the apartment."

"Like hell you will. Looking at you now, you'll live next door to me forever."

"Whoa, chatty today, aren't we?!"

Irritated, I picked up where I left off.

"I buy the apartment, but I've worked so hard my legs are wrecked. End up wheeling into the place, right?"

"......"

"Even in an apartment, you've gotta stay healthy. The Argent S keeps my legs in shape."

I patted my thighs, smiling benevolently like now do you get it?—

"What bullshit is that?"

Renea crossed her arms, responding with utter bewilderment.

"This lady climbed trees for 1,900 years and her legs are still solid. If a few years of walking breaks yours—"

"Ah, fuck. Aren't you going home?!"

I lost.

The next day. Instead of heading to Meracle, I was off to meet Yeoeumhoe. In other words, to earn that 200 million.

I told the employees I was taking a day off—but—

The staff's wails flooded the group chat instantly. With things especially busy lately, announcing a vacation the day before? Kim Yang grilled me over the phone for a full hour about what kind of bullshit that was.

I was standing at the entrance road to the Tower. Could catch a bus from here.

"Boss......!"

A woman with striking dark circles hurried over with quick steps—Beloah, clutching a book to her chest like it was her heart.

She'd agreed to help meet Arachino of Yeoeumhoe, so we were going together today.

"Got a lot of luggage, huh?"

I pointed to the large modern backpack on her back, and Beloah fidgeted.

"Um, books to read back at the library."

"Ahh......"

The library must have plenty already. No idea what she bought, but the bulging, angular bag suggested it was stuffed tight.

"Not too heavy? Want me to carry it?"

"Y-Yes......"

"Where's Ye-na, though?"

I immediately called Yu Ye-na. She said she'd pick us up, but showing up late herself?

"Boss? You said you'd carry it......"

"Hello? Ye-na? Oh, not you."

"Um, boss......"

"Hello? Yeah, Ye-na! Oh, what. Just hold music. Not picked up."

"Boss—"

"Ye-na! Finally picked up!"

Ignoring Beloah tugging my sleeve, the call finally connected. But the background was noisy.

"Hey, Yu Ye-na. Where are you? You set the time earlier."

"......Huh?"

"What about us?"

"Road to the Tower, bus stop."

Call ended. I gave Beloah a quick rundown.

Moments later, a van pulled up.

"Kim Juseon? Beloah? That's you?"

"Yes."

"Telimen from Tower Management. Let's go."

Black suit, sunglasses—textbook look. But something off about his origins. Could be 3rd, 4th, or 6th floor. That ambiguity rubbed me wrong.

I pushed Beloah's bag from behind as we boarded and sat. The vehicle glided smoothly. VIP lane bypassed the toll, and soon the ocean appeared.

Familiar sight after all these times, but the shift from Seoul streets through the gate always felt surreal. Salt air tickled my nose as I gazed out—Beloah caught my eye.

She squirmed, pulled out a book, and started reading. The cover's anime character and title jumped out.

What the fuck is that. Title like it starts by slapping the reader. I checked my teeth weren't falling out.

"Fun?"

"P-Pardon? Oh, yeah...... Want to see?"

"Nah. Carsick reading in vehicles."

"The library...... doesn't have stuff like this."

She grumbled softly and dove back in. Quick focus meant it hooked her.

We arrived at the Tower. As we got out, I beckoned the driver Telimen.

"Come carry the bag."

"......Got it."

Telimen grabbed Beloah's bag with a reluctant face.

"Still some time? Gotta hit the bathroom."

I ditched him and bolted to the restroom. No way was I lugging that for real. Not marching to war.

Inside the men's room, a panda beastkin was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠washing up. I greeted with a friendly smile.

"Hey."

"Huh? Oh...... hi."

"Sorry, could I borrow your phone real quick? Left mine."

"Pardon? Uh, sure."

He handed it over hesitantly. Thanks given, I dialed Yu Ye-na's private number—memorized from our dating days.

Uncertain voice from unknown number. No background noise this time.

"Hey, Ye-na. It's Kim Juseon."

"Yeah, you sent someone ahead. They called pretending to be you, got us in another ride."

Strange from the sudden time change message yesterday. And Yu Ye-na talking amid heavy static? Too like radio tricks.

"Tower. Playing along for now. Departing soon."

"Yeah, figures."

I shrugged, and she continued calmly.

"......"

"True."

Clever setup. Stir 1st-floor undead and inter-floor war, but if I power up, 7th floor descends—more war.

"Fine. Beloah's here, and I can call backups."

Hung up, smiled at the panda beastkin, asked for one more call. Signal lagged—different floor.

That thick, oily voice brought odd fondness. I called out to him.

"Deokgu, whatcha up to? Let's catch up—been ages."

Same time. Dark, dank back alley in Cyber City.

Dead Packet members and Ryu Seram caught their breath, fugitives from Cyber Police.

"Haa! Haa! Damn it!"

"Knew it was risky, but when it's life-or-death, I'm about to piss myself."

"I'm lowkey scared."

"Explains the piss smell."

Dead Packet shared self-deprecating laughs. Ryu Seram had saved them from near-death multiple times. Half thought they were goners already.

"Anyone connect to the net?"

"Nope....... Fuck, can't even post in Cyber City now."

All devices and accounts blocked. Like chimps in a tech-superior city.

Ryu Seram watched Cyber Police pass the alley mouth, rolling her shoulders.

"Phew, no hideout?"

"We stick to ourselves."

"Anyone linked to us is already swept by Cyber Police."

"Yeah, figures for net-bound nerds."

Ryu Seram herself glued to baseball stadiums, but no one dared comment.

Need a spot to hole up anywhere.

Alleys ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like this offered no real rest. The chase since yesterday dragged endlessly.

I'm fine, but these guys are at their limit physically.

Mid-thought, presence at the alley entrance.

"Shut it, all of you."

Silenced Dead Packet, clenched her fist. Alley encounter meant fight unavoidable. Steeled herself, stepped forward—

"See! Little sis! Told you! Father's always praised my aura sense!"

Little sis?

Familiar voice. Cyber City garb, but ancient martial speech and look. Faces emerged from shadows closer—

"Oh, for real. Thank goodness."

Jessica and Namgoong Yeon, hands clasped tight, stepped from the dark.

"How?"

Ryu Seram blinked, stunned they'd found her. Jessica smiled, explained.

"Wanted poster came to the office this morning. You were on it."

"So we came searching. Namgoong Clan never forgets favors—must repay!"

Namgoong Yeon bowed in fist salute; Jessica blushed, adding,

"I'm...... part of the Namgoong Clan now too."