The Scoundrel Himself
It was a somewhat shocking statement. Kang Chae-ryul, the leader with the delinquent girl concept who had nearly been raped by Gomuyeol, bristled.
"W-what the hell do you mean?! Tribute?! You call that—"
"We all knew this industry was dirty from the start. Honestly, what's the big deal?"
"What?!"
"It's not like it wears out from getting fucked, and thanks to it, we make tens or hundreds of billions and keep performing. Tribute's the right call."
For Kang Chae-ryul, it was an unacceptable remark. After that day, pinned under Gomuyeol's body, how many nightmares had she endured? How much mental anguish? Just accept it like that? And her mom, the CEO, had fought so hard to keep them from sexual favors. That was why Nokono-go had stayed a small agency all this time—sticking to the straight path instead of the easy one.
But now... just offer up and perform? It was practically an insult. Utterly incomprehensible, and shouldn't be comprehended. Money was great, but how could they say that?
Unfortunately, she was the only one thinking that way.
"Um... h-honestly, I... I kinda agree with Mina..."
The gal girl cautiously raised her hand, siding with her. Then the mafia girl and the gang girl subtly nodded in agreement.
"Y-you guys...!"
Kang Chae-ryul stared at her members in shock. Her mind went blank, mouth hanging open. These girls... had been thinking like this all along...!
"This chance we barely grabbed... it'd be such a waste to throw it away and run."
"I don't wanna live normally... I wanna live as a successful idol."
"Who knows if we can make it in America..."
"We're number one for four weeks straight...! Our dream's finally coming true. I don't wanna give it up for that reason."
"..."
The members seemed set on their opinion.
'N-no way... did they discuss this behind my back...?'
Shock, betrayal, and fear washed over her. Kang Chae-ryul trembled.
"Let's go back and tell the CEO. Okay?"
"N-no... you guys don't get it... you don't know that feeling... being pinned down, helpless...!!"
"Chae-ryul!"
Chae-ryul screamed desperately. No matter how good the money and success, go back to him? Lie under him meekly and get raped?? Absolutely not. Never!
"...Fine, we'll do it without you."
"!!"
"Yeah. You sit it out, Chae-ryul. Four out of five should be forgiving enough for him."
"So let's go tell him."
"!! Y-you... all of you..."
This far...? Their resolve this strong?!!
"If you hate even this—"
That was when it happened. The car lurched to a halt with a screech.
"Kyaaak!"
The sudden stop sent the members tumbling to one side.
Clunk. The partition from the driver's seat slid open, revealing the manager's face.
"You girls okay?!!"
"S-sis...!"
"What happened??"
Thankfully, no one was hurt. They clutched their pounding chests, steadying themselves. The manager let out a sigh of relief.
"Whew... I-I don't know what happened. The car just stopped suddenly..."
Of course, she was only in the driver's seat for emergencies; the AI handled all driving. With top-tier AI in every aspect, accidents like this were virtually nonexistent. Yet it stopped? And switching to manual didn't work. Word was the escort vehicles had the same issue.
'N-no way...!'
The manager had a bad premonition.
+++
"Those are the vehicles."
"Perfect spot. Start."
"Yes."
Late at night. Sua stretched as she eyed the vans cruising a quiet road. One main van presumed to carry Nokono-go Girls, four escort vans with guards. Seemed excessive, but considering Goryeo Group's grudge, it was actually light.
'Why bother resisting? Idiots.'
Personally, she couldn't understand. Did they not know Goryeo Group's power? Or just clueless about the world? With those faces and bodies, they'd spread their legs eventually. Realize their place early, offer their pussies, and reap unimaginable rewards.
Why resist? Or run away sooner. How bold to keep performing after pissing off the young master.
"That's why people need metacognition."
She fitted silencers on her two pistols. Four escort vans meant at least twenty guards. Some with implants—back in the day, it'd be a tough fight, maybe a loss. But...
'Not now. I can't lose.'
Upgraded via Goryeo Militaris, plus nearly the full Red Team. No losing, even if she tried. Not to mercs a tiny idol agency could hire.
"Snipers in position?"
- Beta One, deployment complete.
- Beta Two, deployment complete.
"Signal and take out the heavies first."
- Roger.
- Yes.
"Assault team, ready?"
- All clear.
- All done. No issues.
"No problems~."
The assault team diving into the heart: Sua and four others, including Levi—Red Team leader and Gomuyeol's guard from Min Ji-ah. Overkill, really.
"Operation start."
"Taking vehicle control."
The ponytail woman tapped the transparent tablet.
Tap. Screeech!!
All five vans halted simultaneously, piercing the silent night with chilling tension.
"W-what's happening?!"
"...Emergency! Everyone to positions!"
Well-trained guards—they leaped out, combat-ready. Six per van, total 24. Four heavies: two-meter frames in thick reactive armor, heavy portable railguns on both arms. Terrifying enough to make most foes surrender on sight.
"Protect the target! Contact the CEO."
Ten surrounded the girls' van. The rest spread out, watching all directions.
Sua climbed the rooftop railing. Straight shot: nearly 200 meters. Height over 50, but no issue. She crouched, then—thwoom—launched like a bullet.
Signal given, assault team infiltrated via implants. Snipers fired anti-tank rounds at heavies. Overkill for chicks, but whatever.
Slender tracer streaked—splat! Two heavies' helmets shattered heads simultaneously.
"!!!"
"Sniper!!"
"Shit, one-shot?!!"
No panic, though. Pros—they took cover, scanned. Nothing pinged, but instinct screamed: enemies incoming!
Thud. Sua landed first—in a pose she thought cool—biting back a groan.
'O-ow...!!'
Despite shock absorbers everywhere. Jumping from buildings was still rough. Or not used to it yet.
"!! That—"
No time to feel it. She snapped up her gun, put rounds in the nearest two's heads. Pfft!
"You bitch!!"
They spotted her, raised weapons. Pointless. Whirr—!
Neural accel: brain time x3. Bone implants: reaction x3. Specs allowed x10, but training showed brain couldn't handle. x10 burned like fire, unusable. x5 same. x3 was her limit.
'All so slow.'
Disaster for them.
"Behi-hi-hi-hi-hind y-y-y-youuuu."
"What're you saying."
Slowly raising gun—jam barrel under jaw, fire. Splat! Backflip five meters, fresh round between gaping shocked brows. Like that, full circle in a second.
Deactivated—bodies finally slumped.
"Huff,"
Sua clutched her chest, stopped. 'A-amazing...! All in a moment!'
Not fully trained—body strain signals flickered. But worth it.
'If I master x10...?'
Knight-level? No, but close. Thought interrupted—still in combat. No slacking—
"Targets neutralized."
"...Huh?"
Done? Looked around. Her six down, rest neatly bisected.
Swish. Levi wiped her long blade on white cloth. Blood and oil beaded, absorbed.
"Recommend sword next time, ma'am. Guns are too slow."
"Crazy."
What was she? A knight??