Black Rose 4 - Pepperoni Cult Takes Over Seoul
I'm out on delivery right now, and these huge dudes are swarming around in a group, bowing whenever they see a pizza shop supply truck. Thought they were trying to shake me down at first and got scared, but then they bowed 90 degrees to the truck driver and started chanting "Blessings for pepperoni's well-being! Loyalty!" before leaving. What kinda new cult is this? They had skull patterns and moon designs on their clothes—Red Skull and Black Moon, right? But why are they escorting pizza trucks?
Seoul outskirts, underground bunker in an abandoned factory.
"Uwaaaaaah!!"
A guttural roar shook the underground bunker as if it might collapse. It sounded like dozens of monsters thrashing in frenzy—a chilling scream that sent shivers down the spine.
Purple hair disheveled, the empire's genius mage rolled across the sofa in agony. Adel von Kraiber's wail.
"It's gone! Gone, I tell you! That salty tang on the tip of my tongue! The smoky aroma! My veins are running low on pepperoni!"
Adel gnawed viciously at a cushion, thrashing about.
"Withdrawal symptoms... This is straight-up withdrawal! Look at my hands shaking! My mana feels like it's gonna backflow! Uwaaaah! Give me pepperoni! Before I kill everyone!"
Her state was like a kid with a nuclear bomb switch, demanding snacks. Before this terrifying scene, dozens of burly men trembled in fear.
"A-Assisant 1! What do we do? Sis is gonna blow up the factory for real!"
"Shut up! I'm shitting bricks too!"
Assistant 1—former Red Skull enforcer Dokki—sweat poured down his face.
"Step aside, you illiterate thugs."
Men in black suits emerged from the shadows. Survivors from Black Moon's 1st Branch at Heukbaek Food Factory. Elites who had volunteered to join Adel's Magitech Slave Team 2.
Kim Sil-jang, the de facto leader of 1st Branch, wiped his glasses on his lapel and shoved Dokki aside.
"Disturbing Lady Adel's mood is your fault for not serving her properly, you brutes."
"What? You junkie pricks lost your minds?"
As Dokki grabbed for his collar, Kim Sil-jang thrust out his chin defiantly.
"Hmph. We're 1st Branch—the brains and wallet of the organization. Only we truly understand Lady Adel's noble hobby."
Kim Sil-jang stepped forward to Adel's treasure: the Desolatus limited-edition figurine display case. He pulled out a microfiber cloth and polished the glass like a holy relic.
"Behold. This delicate touch. Not a speck of dust tolerated. Only 1st Branch has the qualifications to manage Lady Adel's figurines."
"Bullshit!"
Dokki raised his twin axes.
"Red Skull are the bosses here! Rolling stones don't displace the originals—who do you think you are, questioning hierarchy?"
"Hierarchy? It's based on skill. Do muscleheads like you understand figurine joint angles? Desolatus's tail needs to be at exactly 45.8 degrees to catch the light best!"
"You bastard—we're the ones who held back earthquakes with our lives! Hey! Guys! Grab your tools! Time to school 1st Branch today!"
"Ha! Red Skull? We'll turn you into bones! 1st Branch, battle stations! No—cleaning stations!"
A bizarre standoff unfolded in the factory center. One side: gangsters wielding dusters and brooms. The other: elite junkies with microfiber cloths and glass cleaner.
Their singular goal: Catch the rampaging Adel's eye and eke out a sliver of comfort in this hellish slavery.
"Uwaaaah! Shut up! All of you!!"
Adel shot up from the sofa. Her hair stood on end like she'd been electrocuted.
"My stomach's empty—what good are figurines! Pizza! Pepperoni pizza! Now!"
"L-Lady Adel! Thing is, nationwide stock's run dry..."
"Then make it or steal it!"
Adel's eyes rolled back.
"Yeah, robbery. We gotta rob. Pepperoni's hidden somewhere in this world. Or canned pepperoni at least."
Madness spilling from hunger-crazed lips. The two factions, blinded by loyalty rivalry, interpreted differently.
Robbery!
Dokki's eyes lit up.
Yes! Sis is testing our wild side! Useless if we can't snag even one sausage!
Kim Sil-jang's glasses flashed.
As expected of Lady Adel. Scale's different. Not buying—plundering. Show Black Moon's brutality!
"Let's go! Show Red Skull's might!"
"1st Branch, mobilize! Requisition all ham in Seoul!"
"Woooo!!"
Dozens of villains charged out clutching shopping baskets. Their backs looked like knights on a crusade.
Rumble rumble rumble.
From the second-floor railing, I crushed a can of beer watching the spectacle.
"...Ha."
A deep sigh escaped me.
"Lee Han-ssi. Shouldn't we stop them?"
Black Rose, watching beside me, asked incredulously.
"They'll hit the news headlines like that. 'Lee Han's Crew Forms Sausage Heist Gang' or something."
"Let 'em. They're gonna cause trouble anyway."
I leaned on the railing, gazing at Adel. Exhausted from gnawing the sofa, she sprawled on the floor.
"Pepperoni, please... I'm dizzy..."
The empire's archmage turning into a withdrawal-ravaged wreck. But it wasn't something to laugh off.
This is dangerous as is.
Red Skull and Black Moon 1st Branch—natural enemies forced together, friction inevitable. Suppressed now by Adel's absolute force and terror, but resentment brewed inside.
Plus, Adel's dip in condition meant lost firepower. She needed to be sane to build magitech weapons or hit the next elder.
"Need a fundamental fix."
"Fix?"
"Yeah. Buying a few won't cut it. Stable supply chain. And something to pour their excess energy into."
I turned to Black Rose. At my gaze, she flashed a sultry smile, sweeping back her hair.
"Whatever you want, just say it, my king. I'd rip out my heart for you."
She sidled closer slyly. Thick rose scent.
Desolatus's Pheromone Side Effect activates.
[Rejection of rational contact triggered.]
"Ugh."
Even reflexively pulling away, goosebumps erupted.
"Please talk from a distance. Gives me the creeps."
"Aw, getting shy?"
Black Rose interpreted my recoil as bashfulness—positive thinker.
Undeterred, her eyes sparkled.
"So, what's the plan?"
"We go overseas."
"Overseas?"
"Domestic's screwed since Heukbaek Food blew. Time to hit the source."
I pulled up a map on my smartphone. Destination: United States. New York.
"Guy there can open a pepperoni supply lifeline. Nail the deal, plug Adel's mouth, and grab domestic distribution rights to boot."
"Oho, not just food for Adel—business takeover too?"
"Need money to save or conquer the world. Plus, jobs for these idle hands."
Plan set.
"Pack your bags, Rose. Business trip this time."
"Just us?"
Black Rose's eyes turned predatory.
"Aw, a date proposal?"
"Interpreter and secretary. Don't get ideas."
"Hehe. Label doesn't matter. Hotel? Same room, right?"
"Separate."
"I'll book one with thin walls."
No reasoning with her. I shook my head and headed downstairs to Adel.
"Hey, Adel. Get up."
"Ugh... Mommy... sausage side dish..."
"Going to the US. Real-deal New York pepperoni."
At those words, Adel's dying eyes snapped open.
"US? New York? Real pepperoni?"
"Yeah. Be good while I'm gone. No trouble, manage those guys."
"Go!! Hurry! Right now!"
Adel shoved my back. Life returned to her eyes.
"Don't forget my souvenir! No cheese crust, no re-entry!"
Incheon International Airport. Amid the crowds, one couple stood out.
"Honey~ Say it."
"...Don't."
Tall man in sunglasses, arm linked with a glamorous beauty shooting honeyed glances. Any onlooker would peg them as newlyweds on honeymoon.
Except the man's face looked like a cow headed to slaughter.
"Honey~ Loosen up that face. We're going with the newlywed concept."
Black Rose whispered in my ear, hugging my arm tighter. Each press of her ample chest triggered system alarms in my head.
Disgust level rising!
"Ugh..."
I gritted my teeth, enduring.
This is work, work... I'm a rock...
Reason for the charade was simple. I was wanted; Black Rose faked dead as a villain. Normal routes impossible.
Fake passports and magic identity wash from Black Rose made it work.
"Names: Kim Cheol-su, you're Lee Young-hee. Ordinary, right?"
"Naming sense though."
Adel's perception-hindering spell masked our faces. To others, just average newlyweds.
"But do we have to stick this close?"
"Obviously. Magic sustain condition is [maintain physical contact]. Let go, and the security gate beeps."
Black Rose lied shamelessly. I knew Adel's spell had no such condition.
"Sigh... Let's just go."
Arguing would just cause a scene. Half-resigned, I let her drag me through customs.
On the plane. First class.
Black Rose sipped champagne, gazing soulfully.
"Nice. Just us on a flight. Feels like eloping."
"Not eloping. Business."
"Don't be so stiff. Rough stuff ahead—enjoy the ride."
Her finger trailed my thigh.
"Stop."
"Tch. Iron wall."
Black Rose pouted but kept teasing. I stared at clouds outside, lost in thought.
Antonio this time. Italian bigshot who profited supplying food and gear during New York Gate. Info broker gripping underworld nets, black market hunter gear kingpin.
But his real fame? Diehard Isha von Estel fanatic.
Exploit that.
During New York Gate, Isha descended alone, saving countless. Antonio's granddaughter was there.
Since, he revered Isha as savior, praying daily before her photo in his shop.
To win him over, need the saintess's clout.
Problem: I'm the enemy who killed her pet. If they knew, no deal—just beehive.
"This'll be fun."
I had an ace to flip the negotiation.