Bero has physically recovered from the beating at the Twice Lucky, but his face healed crooked and he now limps when he runs. These injuries keep reminding Bero of the Maik brothers' violence, Hilo's contempt, Lan's pity, and especially the brief experience of possessing jade before losing it.

Sampa, terrified by what happened, has abandoned crime and taken a job as a bike courier. Bero resents Sampa's attempt to go straight, and when Sampa ignores Bero in the neighborhood, Bero slashes Sampa's tires, causing Sampa to miss deliveries and lose the job.

Bero lives on the floor of his aunt's apartment while his aunt works long factory hours. Through his aunt's dockworker boyfriend, Bero hears about Mudt, a man who fences stolen goods from a discount store in Junko and is rumored to have jade, false papers, access to shine, and connections to the Mountain.

Bero visits Mudt and asks for work. Mudt tests Bero by asking whether Bero can drive and handle a gun, then reveals a jade stud pierced through his tongue. To Bero, Mudt represents proof that someone outside the traditional Green Bone families can seize jade and power. Hungry for that chance, Bero tells Mudt he wants to work for him.