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Tobacco Road Cake – Part 01

Wonder Girl Episode 7

Illustration & Story by Bon & Coup

Comic Manhattan, July 1929 Issue

“Lord Grim Reaper!”

Descending from the skies of Babylon City at night like a bird, they entered the Grand Station, located in the center of the city, and listened closely to the ominous sound of the subway rumbling two floors below. And even further below that, hidden beneath the earth, lay the Dagon Temple, a place unknown to the newcomers of the city.

In the ancient underground temple, constructed of mud and stone and long forgotten, torch flames flickered eerily.

The vibrations of the human-made subway were transmitted to the dirt-covered ceiling endlessly. It was because of the modern sounds and vibrations that the ancient dark god had been awakened.

Sitting on an old throne made of stone, wearing a skull mask and clad in black garments with a deep crimson cape, was a figure whose gender could not be discerned. At their feet, men dressed entirely in black, seeming like immigrants, bowed their heads.

“Lord Grim Reaper!” they chanted in unison, extolling the demonic being.

“Ancient god resurrected! The destroyer of Babylon City! Our god of death!”

“Lord Grim Reaper!”

“Lord Grim Reaper!”

“I am indeed the god of death. The dark power awakened by the hustle and bustle of Neo Babylon. I am the descendant of the ancient gods of history.”

“Lord Grim Reaper!”

“And now, having awakened at last. I will crush the meager happiness of the people of Babylon with these hands. I will wash away the bright future of the city with a torrent of destruction and sorrow. Yes, the more you dream and strive forward, the closer you actually come to me—to the reaper! Hahaha!”

One person lifted their head. “But milord, there are forces opposing our destructive activities!”

“What?”

Others quickly joined in, explaining the rumors of a small girl in a blue costume. One person pretended to be the girl and darted or flew around, while another person mimicked Linlin’s actions, lending his assistance.

They enacted scenarios such as a defeated robber and a grateful shopkeeper being rescued, moving and gesturing like a troupe of street performers, effectively conveying the situation.

Grim Reaper grimaced. “Do you know the name of this person? Wonder Girl? A girl from another planet? So, there’s a troublesome pest lurking around.” He pondered for a moment. “Let’s sneak into their vicinity and find their weakness. This could be quite an entertaining turn of events! I’ll put some effort into this!”

Grim Reaper burst into a gleeful laughter. His subordinates joined in.

“Have you ever danced with Death in the dark of night?” the villain said.

Underground of Grand Station. Beneath the vibrations of the subway, a chorus of low laughter echoed. A lone elderly person, sitting on the platform, reading a newspaper and waiting for the next train, suddenly looked up. He glanced around uneasily.

Grim Reaper makes his appearance!

To be continued!

“Victorique?!”

Kazuya pushed the elevator button repeatedly, but there was no response. He bolted up the emergency staircase, bounding up the dark stone steps, two at a time.

Coup de Grâce trailed behind. “Hey, Troll! I’ll deal with you later! Stay away from the Miracle Car, got it?!” He directed his warning at a diminutive gentleman.

Nimbly, Kazuya ascended three flights of stairs in a flash. He opened the heavy door and burst into the first-floor foyer. Coup de Grâce caught up moments later.

A staff member at the reception desk was engaged in a frantic phone call, while other staff huddled nearby.

“What happened?!”

They all looked up in unison.

“There’s been an accident. It’s on the top floor, but please evacuate outside just to be safe!”

“The top floor… The party venue?” Kazuya paled.

Coup de Grâce trembled, whispering, “Bon…” before falling silent.

The staff appeared to be conversing with someone on the top floor. “An explosion? No, the elevators aren’t functioning from here either. How about evacuating via the stairs? What? The doors are locked from the outside? H-How are you supposed to get down? Anyway, the guests are calm, right? Huh? Grim Reaper? What are you talking about? That’s the villain from the comics, right? I read it, too.”

“What’s happening?” Kazuya asked. “My companion’s on the top floor.”

“My partner as well,” Coup de Grâce added. “And what’s this about Grim Reaper?”

“I came to the party alone,” said a laidback voice.

Kazuya and Coup de Grâce turned to the space between them with a start. Standing there with an oddly serious expression was the small gentleman from earlier.

“But a star does not feel lonely,” he remarked to no one in particular.

Kazuya wondered what this man’s deal was, then collected himself. “The elevator doesn’t work? What about the stairs?”

“It’s no good. Apparently, the top floor have been mysteriously locked from the outside,” said the staff. “Wh-What?! Oh, the NYPD is here now! The fire department has also arrived. Just hold on. Help is on the way.”

Kazuya and Coup de Grâce turned around. Through the opulent glass entrance, they spotted a convoy of police cars and fire trucks arriving outside the building. Kazuya and Coup de Grâce rushed out.

Police officers and firefighters poured out onto the red carpet. Curious onlookers gathered around, pointing.

“Hey, isn’t that Linlin?”

“Where’s Wonder Girl?”

Kazuya gazed up at the night sky. Apocalypse towered high into the heavens like a sword, its golden sphere atop glowing. Faint flames flickered above. He couldn’t tell what was happening up there.

“Please rescue them quick. Please!” Kazuya urged. “There’s been an explosion in the elevator, and there might be a fire on the top floor.”

“It’s not possible.”

“What?”

“Not when we don’t know the cause. Plus, special clearance from the police chief is necessary for such operations. But we’re unable to reach the chief.”

“So where’s that damn chief?! Fooling around at a time like this?!” Coup de Grâce voiced his frustration as well.

The officer shrugged nonchalantly. Wearing a playful grin, he gestured towards the golden sphere atop the building.

“All the big shots from New York are up there tonight.”

Kazuya and Coup de Grâce exchanged silent glances. They nodded to each other.

Coup de Grâce escorted the officer to the reception desk. Kazuya seized the phone, attempting to establish contact with the police chief on the top floor.

“Well, we still don’t have a clear understanding of the situation. Of course, we’ll devise a plan promptly.”

A second tremor rippled through the building.

Kazuya dropped to the floor, then swiftly rose to his feet and bolted outside. He looked up at the building. Onlookers grew noisier, and sirens blared, but they remained unaware of the events unfolding in the sky above.

The window glass had shattered, and shards of various sizes rained down like snow, sending people into a panicked frenzy, scattering in all directions.

Kazuya dashed over to the firefighters in their red uniforms, seeking information on rescue procedures. But he was met with uncertainty.

“We need a plan of action first. We can’t do anything until we understand what’s happening up there,” one of them remarked.

Among the firefighters was a young woman with long red hair tied up in a ponytail, and another, petite and reserved. Both wore stern expressions as they surveyed the sky.

Kazuya shook his head. We’re still in the dark about who’s doing what and why. The elevator’s out and the emergency exit’s locked from the outside.

He swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the towering skyscraper.

“Someone has to get up there and unlock the door from the stairwell side, or the guests won’t be able to evacuate.”

At the sound of his voice, one of the female firefighters turned sharply. It was the tall redhead. She was staring grimly at Kazuya.

Kazuya raced back to the entrance. He asked the staff about the emergency exit key, and they gave it to him. He then threaded a string through the key and hung it around his neck.

“Hey, Chinese guy, what are you planning to do?”

Kazuya responded, “I’m going up to the top floor!”

“What? Hold on. Looks like there’s a fire starting halfway up. It’s dangerous. Plus, we gotta wait for the chief’s orders before we rush into the rescue.”

Kazuya raised his head defiantly. “My friend is up there!”

“That’s enough, Easterner! Just wait patiently for our help. The audacity. Leave this to the professionals. Give back the key!”

“No, I won’t!” Kazuya stared hard at the officer. “I have to do something.”

Silence. His voice reverberated through the entrance.