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Chapter 225 c
🕑 Added 2025-05-14 15:01:02 +0000 UTCChapter 225 c
Only countless rogue AIs roamed inside.
Back when she was still at the Arasaka facility, she and other children raised under Arasaka training had been forced into the Old Net.
If the Badlands above were already riddled with dangers, then the Old Net was its cyberspace equivalent, only deadlier.
In the Badlands, if you wanted to cross safely, you could hire mercs, rent armored vehicles—these things significantly increased your chances of survival.
But nothing could improve your odds in the Old Net.
Even NetWatch had been so helpless in the face of rogue AIs that they’d constructed the Blackwall to isolate them completely.
That’s why Lucy couldn’t understand what kind of lunatic would willingly watch a Black Braindance showing someone entering the Old Net.
"Anyway, based on environmental analysis from the Black Braindance, I suspect their hideout is at the old Charter Hill power plant."
Judy looked at Leo expectantly. If she were alone, she had no chance of snatching Evelyn back from the Black Braindance crew.
Fortunately, Leo didn’t disappoint her.
"Good. No time to waste. Let’s move."
The van roared to life, carrying them all toward Charter Hill.
…
As the scenery changed from skyscrapers to low-rise buildings, Leo knew they were close.
They had just crossed a bridge and were now driving along the road between Charter Hill and the Glen.
There were no neon signs, no giant holographic ads here.
Pedestrians and traffic had grown sparse.
The van slowed down.
To avoid being spotted, Judy didn’t drive it straight up to the power plant. Instead, she parked a short distance away.
"We’re here."
From inside the vehicle, they could clearly see the glowing signage on the power plant wall up ahead.
Leo began assigning roles to the group.
"V, you stay here and protect Judy. Jackie, Lucy, you’re with me."
"No way. I’m coming with you," Judy said, pulling out a pistol and skillfully removing the magazine to check it. "I don’t use this much, but I know how to handle myself. Just editing braindances won’t get you far in a city like this."
With her attitude, Leo knew even if he stopped her now, she’d sneak in on her own.
"Fine. If you're set on it, I won’t stop you."
Everyone got out of the vehicle.
Leo scanned the area using his tactical goggles before taking the lead.
"This way."
The power plant was right next to a half-demolished apartment block.
The ground floor had been sealed off by Scavs with iron fencing. There were no stairs to the second floor either.
But that wasn’t a problem for Leo.
With a light leap, he landed on a platform on the second floor.
The others didn’t need help, except Judy.
The lights from the power plant cast long shadows over the ruins, illuminating parts of the half-demolished building.
They all hid in the darkness, waiting for Leo’s orders.
"From this point on, everyone crouch and move quietly. There are Scavs below. I’ll send you their locations shortly. V, Jackie, Lucy—we each take one. Keep it clean, and don’t make a sound."
"And you, Judy—you stay here."
Judy frowned.
"I told you—"
But this time Leo didn’t back down.
"Yes, you did. But I agreed to bring you here, not to let you join the fight. Stay hidden and don’t cause trouble—that alone helps us a lot."
Judy bit her lip.
She knew Leo was right.
Even if she could pull the trigger, the people here were professionals when it came to killing.
If she tried to get involved, she might make noise or fall into danger and need rescuing.
"I got it. I’ll wait here. When you’ve cleared them out, I’ll come in."
Leo gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, then the others began moving.
He shared his tactical feed with the team.
The other three nodded and silently moved into position, waiting for Leo’s signal.
…
In the open space between the power plant and the half-demolished building, a few Scavs stood around smoking and chatting.
"Someone’s asking about our studio over on Jig-Jig Street. Either we’re up for some award, or someone’s planning a hit."
"They’re asking because our product’s strong. The word was bound to get out. If someone wants to get violent, let them. I want to see who’s got the balls."
"We should double the gate security at least. No one’s barging in here for ‘autographs.’"
"Hey, you done resting? That’s like your fifth smoke. Get back to work before the sun comes up."
Right then, the lights suddenly dimmed.
The streetlamps outside were still on, but the open area fell into complete darkness.
The Scavs began to panic.
"What the hell?"
"Relax—it’s probably another short."
"Hey, what’s happening on your side—"
In the dark, the sound of blades cutting into flesh and necks snapping echoed sharply.
When the lights came back on, the ground was covered in bodies.
"Judy, you can come in now."
From her hiding spot, Judy stood up cautiously and looked down.
Scav corpses were strewn across the ground.
Some were decapitated with a katana, some had their necks broken, others had been stabbed through the heart with tactical knives.
Judy had seen Leo’s team in action before—when they attacked the Phoenix Casino and took down Jotaro Shobo—but she still couldn’t help feeling a chill at their deadly efficiency.
"Heads up. There are more Scavs in the building. I’ll handle the ones upstairs. You three take the ground floor."
Leo pulled out a silver case.
In seconds, he equipped his Falchion combat gear and activated optical camo.
His figure blended seamlessly with the environment.
He pushed off the wall and vaulted to the second floor.
A Scav leaning on the railing didn’t even react before Leo gripped his skull and snapped his neck in one smooth motion.
Seconds later, another Scav upstairs met the same fate.
After clearing the second floor, Leo deactivated the camo and came back down.
V and the others had also finished off the ground floor guards.
"We’ve checked every room. No sign of Evelyn. Could we have the wrong place?" Jackie asked, looking at Judy.
"They definitely filmed the Black Braindance here. I’m sure of it."
"They’re hiding underground. I found the entrance. Group up on me."
…
Inside a dimly lit room—
"We’re out of methionine for tonight."
"No worries, just mix in some RTL. It weighs the same anyway."
"RTL?"
"Erythritol. Basically sugar for grown-ups."
"That stuff won’t make people foam at the mouth, right? We still need our customers."
"Do you even know what we’re making? It’s propyl methionine. Even the Animals piss themselves on it. A little synthetic sugar won’t hurt."
"I don’t get why anyone would take this shit."
"No one buys it for fun—except maybe psychos."
"Then who buys it?"
"Duh, corpos. Are you dumb?"
"Corpos? What the hell would they want with it?"
"Jesus, are you stupid or just acting? I swear, we work for corpos who need people running nonstop twelve hours a day, all year long. There’s one company, can’t remember the name—"
