Forcing Their Rage-Quit
I have no idea what Yoo Sena's crew really wants. But one thing's crystal clear—they crave Eden in their iron grip. So, what do I do about it? Where do I start to smash their plans, throw sand in the gears? Stopping some shadowy group's scheme when their name and very existence are ghosts sounds like a nightmare. But in truth, it's a cakewalk.
Back in games, when the enemy spits out "you're playing like shit," that's high praise, right? Music to my ears. I'd grind competitive matches just to hear it. Nothing beat making opponents rage-quit by blocking every move, turning their game into a dumpster fire. And that thrill? It translates perfectly to reality.
Preempt their plays, flip them to our advantage. First up: toppling Lü Cheon. Followed by rebuilding it—under new management. A whole different beast, with a fresh face at the helm. Name change optional. Doesn't matter. The new boss will run it better than the old guard, twisting it into something that spits in the face of our mystery foes' blueprint.
Skeptical? No hard proof—just faith. In Eden, you can't nitpick every detail or nothing gets done. High risk for high reward? Standard deal. If it flops? Cross that bridge when it burns. Wrecking it once means twice is easy.
"Wolha slots under Lü Cheon as a subsidiary. We'll handle the setup. After that... yeah... I'll fill you in later."
"Even if that's doable, 'later'? Wait... your plan's not even finished?"
"Yeah."
Yoo Sena's jaw dropped.
"I-I don't wanna die!!"
"You won't. Hiding under Lü Cheon is your lifeline."
Absurd. She knew better than anyone what happened to fools caught screwing around under a megacorp. Her dad was exhibit A. She steeled herself to argue—
"That mystery group playing savior to Wolha? Way more dangerous."
"...Huh?"
No argument came. Yoo Sena froze, speechless.
"...H-How... how do you...?"
"Mm... Wolha dips from security into interiors, so next up: construction?"
Materials sales are small potatoes.
Soo grinned. Yoo Sena went ghost-white.
"But construction's carved up between Zailek and Neonic, so you targeted some outsider firm to swallow and bulk up. Botched it."
"Uh... ah...?"
"More precisely: they sniffed out your takeover plot."
Inevitable. Security, interiors, construction. Follow the money—construction drowns in it. Big cash means big profits, big power in Eden. No way minnows gobble that whale. Especially when builders are tangled with Eden's elite.
Caught nipping at a heavyweight? You're cooked. Growth stalls, Eden's too small to run, so grab an ally. Enter the mystery group, lifeline dangling at the perfect moment. Something juicy handed over, no doubt. Wolha had no choice—grabbed it, swallowed the dread.
What'd they get? What'd they promise? Ancient history now. Before payback hits, Wolha ducks under Lü Cheon. A massive gut-punch to the shadows.
"Get why Lü Cheon now?"
Explanation done, Yoo Sena could only nod. Spot-on. Wolha had eyed construction, aimed to swallow an off-grid firm for scale. Plan leaked, backfire imminent. Then shadows swooped as backers...
"No way..."
"Yep. They rigged it to corner Wolha."
"Insane... truly fucking insane..."
She'd nearly waltzed into the trap. Sure, she'd weighed risks, prepped contingencies. Or so she thought. Swallow that firm? What price tag? Would she even have anything left to pay? Total strip-down? Hell, even her sister at risk...
"Ugh..."
Breath caught, vision bleached white, knees buckled. Then apple candy sweetness snapped her back. Perfect timing, like scripted.
Yoo Sena swallowed, eyed Soo. That lazy smile hung on her lips.
"Under Lü Cheon, right?"
*****
By the time Enoch, Angela, Miki, and Yoo Seung-ah returned, Soo lounged chummily with Yoo Sena. Well, atop a "burger" of guards, and Sena looked shell-shocked—eerie vibe. But Soo-made? Made sense.
"Talks over?"
"Yeah, thanks."
"Know it, do it right."
"I always do."
Enoch scowled; Soo ignored, pressed on.
"Angela, anything off?"
"Nah, these guys were clean. No wipes, no traces."
Probably sharing Neonic IPs for comms—hands tied. Angela held back; Soo read her eyes.
"Good."
"Yeah. Still, check other staff? Just in case?"
Soo shook her head firmly.
"Could endanger the boss."
"Better to keep 'em now. Wolha's folding into Lü Cheon soon."
Jaws dropped. What? Mid-thought detour to Wolha absorbed by Lü Cheon?
"Angela, Enoch—deets later."
Soo hopped off the guard pile, dragging dazed Yoo Sena.
"Miki: Topher-pleasers only. Seung-ah: Sena fills you in."
Soo toddled up, shoved Sena's hand into Seung-ah's, beamed.
"Quest complete."
"...Pardon?"
"Can I spill the request?"
"N-No! That's... problematic...!"
"Mm... Anyway, Wolha-to-Lü-Cheon takes time, but everything Seung-ah asked? Done."
Sena's wits flickered back. She eyed Seung-ah, trembling. What request? Why storm in, neuter guards, drop that bombshell threat—er, offer? And why hush here? Did sis sacrifice again for her?
"...Sis?"
Seena pleaded. Seung-ah missed it.
"It's... complete?"
"Yeah. Details from Sena. Family sticks together."
Soo eyed Sena. That familiar gaze. Sena met it slowly.
"Right?"
"...Y-Yeah."
"So apologize for the harsh words earlier."
"...Apologize? Here, now?"
"Yeah."
"I'm Wolha's CEO?"
"Yeah."
"B-But—"
"Won't?"
Soo's stare pinned her. Fangs at throat vibe.
"S-Sor... sor... "
"You crazy bitch, you started it. Ignore my invite, show late? Not cool, right?"
"Ah."
Soo tilted her head, lazy grin.
"Gonna say it?"
"Sorry, sis."
Seena bowed quick to Seung-ah. Curiosity nagged—what fallout?—but no guts to test.
"Get along from now on. You like Seung-ah, really."
"Y-Yeah...! Totally!"
"...Seena?"
"Uh, well, ngh... S-Sis..."
"Just now..."
Eyes darting, Seena squeezed shut, yelled.
"It's true! All this time... sorry!"
"Sorry...?"
"Why! Can't you get—hic... N-No, not yelling. Sis, I... snapped at you a lot... sorry..."
"No need to apo—"
"Everything else... later, after others leave. Been... too long."
"Seena..."
Seung-ah couldn't process. Tough request, crushed how? Wolha under Lü Cheon—riskier? Why complete? And sis likes her? After all the hate?
Last one stung deepest. ECPD investigator, team lead grind, this gig—all for Seena's happiness. Despite the loathing, Seung-ah wanted to shield her.
Truth: she craved sisterly bliss, like pre-dad's death. Impossible merc job—hearts defy control.
Yet here, true wish granted. Soo nailed surface gig and unspoken dream. Saw through her? Luck? No need to dwell. Soo skipped prying; Seung-ah would too.
Sounded cooler that way.
"Soo."
"Seung-ah."
Gratitude ready, Seung-ah stepped back—Soo closed in. Stunner, every glance. Close up, flaws should show. None did. Overwhelmed, like facing flawless art.
"...Y-Yes?"
"Get along with sis."
"Of... course."
"Long time no see—chat deep."
"Naturally."
Heart stabbed, tears welled. Not fixed yet, but dam breaking...
Soo rummaged her pocket, pulled crumpled paper.
"Now, settlement time."
Seung-ah and peanut gallery's shattered.