◈ Episode 025.

In the meantime, Metro City Station has undergone major changes. Not only is it off-limits to the general public, but the inside of the station has also changed beyond recognition.

Cover installed on each floor. A warehouse filled with ammunition. A sniper's firing point. Supply of supplies was also easy with the use of escalators and elevators.

'… … This is a bit more than I expected.'

There was no separate fortress. The nine layers, solid yet perfectly separated, were suitable for strategic use.

"I survived because the National Assembly took active action."

"That's right. Wasn't your basic stance 'underground business stays underground business'?"

"I guess it's time to start cleaning up. It looks like they're focusing more on the Outlaws than the Legion."

It was a conversation between Bryce and Pep.

A total of ten people, including Kim Yi-Hyeon and the three who had been missing from the previous operation. The remaining White Fang members were gathered on the 7th basement floor.

"The reason doesn't matter. It's reassuring to see you preparing so steadily… and I feel proud, too."

"Why are you happy?"

"Hey. Didn't I contribute something too?"

Pep and Jenna were looking down the railing to the lowest level, talking. Just then, a group of crab-like drones passed by on the tracks.

"How much would one of those cost?"

"Why? Are you buying it?"

"It's cute. I want one for my house."

"I'll crawl around like that, so give me money."

"Fuck. Disgusting."

Dozens of aircraft have already been deployed over the past few days. Based on the destroyed reconnaissance aircraft or the footage captured, Metro City Station is put into combat readiness.

It is a messenger announcing the start of a battle.

Then Bryce said.

"This will be White Fang's last."

"Is that so."

"We've only dealt with Outlaws underground so far. If the underground business shrinks, we'll just be a bunch of crickets that require a lot of maintenance."

To be exact, it wasn't a reduction. As outlaws decrease, the risk also decreases. Then, you can find a different way to make money than before.

The uses for the underground are endless. It's just that mercenaries with guns become useless.

"The higher-ups are of the opinion that rather than replenishing the personnel and using them again, we will disband them and send them to other platoons. There will be jobs, so don't worry."

"What do the other platoons do?"

Bryce answered Kim Lee-hyun's question.

"It varies. For example, protecting a person or transporting a truck to a foreign country."

"That would be boring. I wonder how I used to do that before I joined White Fang."

Balding Robben grumbled, chewing his gum.

"Was the underground work fun?"

"No, it was shit. Monsters would pop out when they were bored, Outlaws would act like bounty hunters and hit you in the back of the head… It was just a bunch of assholes."

"Haha. Then isn't that a bad thing? We've been rotting underground for too long. It's time to see the light and meet some decent people."

A sentimental atmosphere was naturally formed. The talk of disbandment had just come up, but everyone had already guessed it.

"I'm planning to get married."

"Is there anyone who can do it?"

"No? But if it's my face, it will appear right away."

"염병."

Kim Yi-hyeon was very angry at the story going around. Jenna giggled, wondering if the reaction was funny.

"what's the matter?"

"...Pep, keep an eye on that kid. He might get shot in the head if he keeps messing around."

"Why are you saying such bad things?"

Kim Yi-hyeon shook his head. He couldn't understand why people who were about to die all talked about the future.

To be honest, I wasn't sure that all of White Fang would survive. Eventually, a battle broke out and many people died.

There might be some friendly players among them. There might be Pep or Bryce. This was something that Kim Hyun-i couldn't do anything about.

'Because I won't have time to worry about each and every one of them.'

To borrow Snowfield's expression, Kim I-hyeon also had a role to play. He didn't need to be very active. He just had to make one move accurately.

All preparations are complete.

Kim Yi-hyeon has staked his life on this. He has decided to use all the cards he has in his hand. If he fails here, his future will be bleak.

'You have to approach it calmly.'

No egregious mistakes are allowed.

Kim Yi-hyeon chewed on the tension and let it out with an exhale. There was still some time to spare. There was no need to ruin the mood.

"If you have nowhere to go later, tell me."

"Can you introduce me to someone?"

"You never know. I might hire you."

"Oh. Our ransom is not just a penny or two."

"When did you save up so much money?"

At Pep's words, Kim Hyun-i thought about his account balance.

"I didn't save much. I must have had a lot of expenses here and there. But still, money is something that happens sometimes, sometimes not, and sometimes appears."

"Haha. I don't like employers who say things like that."

That's true.

"But Hyun."

"응?"

"Was it really okay to bring that girl here?"

Kim Hyun-hyun followed Bryce's gaze and looked back. There was a cargo warehouse owned by the Lotus Company. And a person's shadow was wandering around the warehouse anxiously.

"...That's right."

Kim Yi-hyeon didn't want that either. For now, at least, he didn't want to make her do something bloody.

'Is it overconfidence to even think that way?'

In the end, it wasn't enough to just give up one's humanity. There were too many things one had to sacrifice in order to survive in Polaris.

* * *

People tend to get used to anything quickly.

Snowfield suddenly had that thought. The damp, dark, and echoing basement no longer felt unfamiliar.

She was not at ease. It had been a long time since she had felt comfortable. She had traveled all over the continent, but she was a stranger wherever she went.

Snowfield closed his eyes. Old memories came flooding back behind his eyelids.

A clock tower seen over a hill. A church covered in snow. Children running through a snowy field, their faces stained with dirt and their breaths puffing out.

That was the only place where she could take off her armor, feel the wind freely, and leave footprints with her bare feet.

The day my hometown burned down.

That day, Snowfield thought he had poison in his body. The lid never opened. It was a poison that had no use.

The cause of the disaster is unknown. There may be no cause. It may not be anyone's fault, but it may just be something we have to accept.

'...flow.'

The disaster that began in earnest about 40 years ago was undoubtedly a great current of the times. It was a high wave that swept away all life on the continent.

What kind of flow could the legion have?

― … … You little bastards. I'm going to kill you all… …

- If you go up… from…?

― … Okay. Anyway, I need …

― Haha! What are you… doing? Outlaws… all have… the same eyes…

― … Up to me … … That's what I'm saying, … Foot!

The sounds of dirty talk lingered in my ears. They were vulgar words. The Outlaws were beyond excited to return to the sun.

They were the dung beetle. The firewood for the beacon fires on the continent. Even though they were ugly and dirty trees, they were an indispensable resource.

Snowfield herself was no different. The cover that had sealed the poison had become crooked. The poison that had leaked out caused her to throw herself into a new torrent.

There were footsteps approaching.

"Snowfield. We should get moving soon."

"Are you ready?"

"Yes. Just waiting for instructions."

A man with a crossed leg let out a loud voice. He was wearing a poncho that reached down to his ankles. Behind him stood a dozen or so people.

They all looked similar. Except for the man, I couldn't see his face. That's because he was wearing a gas mask with holes only for his eyes.

Snowfield looked around them in silence. After a moment, the man in the lead snorted.

"Is it because I've seen them before? Even though they're wearing helmets over their heads, I can tell what they're thinking. 'Those annoying guys.' Am I wrong?"

"...."

"You seem to fit in well. We don't like you very much either. I'd rather have Shadower. He was gloomy, but he had a spirit."

The man's face grew increasingly cold. Even though I said this, there was no reaction. He might have been frowning inside his helmet.

'I wish it were so.'

There are some people who are sometimes attracted to the aloof and fleeting atmosphere of Snowfield, but it was difficult for him to understand.

"Snowfield, didn't you personally request that I participate in this? To take the place of the enthusiastic Mithril. Take full responsibility."

"Am I not attractive?"

The man lowered his gaze. He looked at the hanging longsword and swallowed hard. Even in the dark underground, the blade's chilling aura was still there.

"I don't doubt your abilities. It's just that we are risking our lives for you. Even if the plan fails, please don't think, 'Why didn't Mithril come?'"

"Unfortunately, I've never compared myself with him. But, I see."

Snowfield began to walk away with the sound of metal clashing. As she passed him, the man felt a cool breeze.

"I don't think I'll fall behind."

"...I guess so."

The man covered his face with a gas mask, just like his subordinates. He followed Snowfield, and a vast underground passage appeared.

There were countless outlaws there.

The ranks were a mess. They were fighting each other, and some were knocked down after getting hit. There was even one who was foaming at the mouth and convulsing.

Those who were no different from wild beasts lowered their voices when Snowfield appeared. There was a way to tame even beasts.

There was no one here who did not fear the snowfield.

There is no need to explain how much blood was shed to get to this point. Today was a blessed day for the man in many ways. He could finally say goodbye to them.

There were no lengthy speeches before departure.

"Let's get going."

After saying a word, Snowfield started to move forward. The Outlaws started to murmur, and someone shouted.

The footsteps fell one by one. It was an ugly and ungainly advance, with people pushing each other.

* * *

Bam!

The blade protruded from the iron-plated shutter. Frost had settled on the sword. In an instant, the cold air spread throughout the entire wall.

Gigging.

The knife went back in with an unpleasant metallic clank. The bounty hunter, aiming his gun from behind cover, swallowed dryly.

For a moment, silence flowed.

-Kaaaang!

The barrier that divided the tracks was cut away. By a single sword. They appeared in the empty passageway.

Legion and Outlaws.

They were what the council called 'the mob'. At the head of the armed mob stood a knight in snow-white armor, holding a cold weapon.

"Kill them all without leaving a trace."

LW-It was the start of stage 6.