Rescue
In the Back World, there was no such thing as law. Not surprising, since everyone there was a criminal. In a place full of guys like that, laws were pointless anyway. But even without formal laws, there were unspoken rules everyone followed. Lines you didn't cross, even if they weren't drawn in stone—you just knew to watch yourself.
Anyone who broke those rules ended up like the scum from Cheondaeyeok that I killed, or they just vanished without a trace. And one of those rules was the kind that got you shunned by pretty much everyone in the Back World if you ever slipped up.
"……Kids are off-limits, right? That's what everyone's saying."
Don't touch kids. Even the criminals in the Back World were human first, assassins second. Touching kids was crossing the bare minimum line of decency. So what the hell was this scene right in front of me?
Five kids tied up inside a van, the stench of rotting corpses filling the air.
"Looks like you've done this more than once or twice."
No way this was their first time—it was way too practiced. I clicked my tongue and spoke to the kids on the verge of breaking down crying.
"Close your eyes and hang tight. It'll be over soon. I'll get you out, so just hold on a bit."
They nodded and squeezed their eyes shut at my words. Seeing that innocence made my blood boil hotter. I carefully closed the van door.
Turning around, I faced the thugs with their ugly mugs.
They stared at me like I was insane. "Well, look at the big damn hero. Who the hell are you? Butt in out of nowhere and start shit?!"
"You blind or what? Can't you see?"
They narrowed their eyes, scanning me up and down. When their gazes hit the Baek Ya-seong logo on my uniform, their faces stiffened for a split second.
But it didn't last. They smirked like nothing happened. "Oh, Baek Ya-seong, huh? Then mind your own business and fuck off. We'll clean up and go."
"Someone might think you're the boss here. Starting a ruckus on a street full of civilians and calling that 'cleaning up'?"
"Ha, you gonna leave nicely or what? Cops ain't here yet—think you can hold out alone till then? We'll make you end up like that loser next to you?!"
They were yelling, veins bulging, figuring their numbers gave them the edge and I'd back down. Fat chance.
"That all you got to say?"
"You bitch, we're not do——!"
Before the guy could finish, I kicked off the ground and charged. Pakak—!!!
My knee smashed right into his face. He crumpled without even screaming.
The other three finally reacted, drawing daggers and rushing me. Looked dicey at a glance, but guns? Nah, just knives. And this close? No need for Bullet Time.
Ppeok—!!! "Guhk?!"
I threw a punch at the front guy; his jaw shattered before he could react. As his head snapped back and the dagger slipped, I snatched it mid-air and hurled it at the last one bringing up the rear.
Puk—! "Aaaak!!"
He screamed, collapsing with the blade in his knee.
The final guy swung wildly. I just leaned back to dodge.
"You fucking bitch!"
He gnashed his teeth and swung again. But my kick landed first.
Ppeokak—!!!
I drove my leg straight up; bones cracked as he flew into the air. He hit the ground with a dry thud.
I finished the knee-stabbed one with a jaw-crushing strike, then exhaled calmly and turned away.
About five minutes after Baek Se-rin left, Jin Yeon-ah, surrounded by guards, looked up at the familiar footsteps.
"Se-rin, back already?"
"Yes, miss. I took them all down."
Baek Se-rin pushed through the guards. Lee Seon-hwa gaped in disbelief at her return in just five minutes, but neither Jin Yeon-ah nor Baek Se-rin paid her any mind.
Instead, Jin Yeon-ah listened as Baek Se-rin approached and spoke first.
"But miss, the situation out there's not great. Mind if I explain first?"
Unlike her usual deadpan, Baek Se-rin's face was slightly scrunched.
Jin Yeon-ah nodded at the mention of an unpleasant situation. "Yeah, tell me what's going on."
"Well, about those thugs causing chaos outside……."
Baek Se-rin's rundown of the outside didn't take a minute to get Jin Yeon-ah moving.
After hearing the report, Jin Yeon-ah dragged me straight out of the Baek Ya Department Store. Lee Seon-hwa and the store guards followed, filling the street in seconds.
Jin Yeon-ah spotted ambulances and cop cars approaching along the sidewalk. "Guards, help the paramedics move injured civilians. The rest of you, stand by—you'll just get in the way."
"Yes, got it!"
Lee Seon-hwa nodded sharply, directing the guards. As Jin Yeon-ah gave orders, people poured from the parked vehicles.
"Hang on! We'll get you out soon!"
"Over there first!"
"Heavy injuries here too!!"
Paramedics scattered with stretchers toward the civilians. As we headed for the van, cops approached with pistols drawn.
"Excuse me. Hongdae Precinct Sergeant Choi Tae-hyun. You're Baek Ya-seong, right?"
"Yes. This is Jin Yeon-ah, the third daughter of Baek Ya-seong. And I'm her exclusive assassin, Baek Se-rin."
I stepped forward, introducing us. Choi Tae-hyun saluted in shock.
"An honor to meet you! But what brings a direct heir of Baek Ya-seong here……."
Baek Ya-seong's rep wasn't just in the assassin world. They were one of Central's most trusted corps. In this dystopia where Central ruled everything, that put them above most orgs and companies.
I glanced at Jin Yeon-ah before answering his cautious question. "We were just shopping, but trouble started outside, so I handled it."
"You took down five thugs alone?"
"Yes. More importantly, the miss wants to check inside the vehicle—mind stepping aside?"
"Ah, yes! Of course!"
He backed off quick at my sharp tone. Only then did Jin Yeon-ah approach the van door.
"Miss, the stench is bad—brace yourself before opening."
"Got it."
She nodded and slid the door open. Druruk—!
Jin Yeon-ah wrinkled her nose at the smell but peered inside. The kids were still bound, untouched. Her face twisted into something fierce.
But she turned away quick, speaking to the trembling kids. "We'll take these kids. Se-rin, untie them first and call for more vehicles."
"Yes, miss."
I went in, snapping ropes by hand to avoid scaring them with a knife, and led them out.
As I did, Jin Yeon-ah pointed at the downed thugs. "We'll take these guys too. Need them to figure out exactly what happened."
"Guess we'll need backup from the store guards then."
I nodded, and Choi Tae-hyun, who'd overheard, started sweating bullets. He couldn't go back empty-handed, but we were claiming them.
Jin Yeon-ah waved over the store guards. "We'll let you know after our investigation. Head out for today—tell your bosses I took them."
"Ah…… yes, understood."
He retreated, no choice against her firm tone. Meanwhile, I started herding the kids from behind her.
"Alright, everyone, we'll take you somewhere safe. No worries."
To move the kidnapped kids—and the thugs—to Baek Ya-seong Headquarters.