Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: How to Live in Fusion Punk
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Jin was in quite a good mood.
Not for any special reason.
He just took a liking to Drandre.
It's fun, isn't it?
Bumming around in a rundown office with a weird android, working alongside mediocre solos.
Yet dreaming of climbing higher as a linker.
The key point was that he was a linker.
Not some third-rate thug who got off on being fawned over with "big bro" talk.
Besides, Jin could feel in his bones how hard Drandre was trying to impress him.
So Jin slipped an invisible collar around Drandre's neck.
Passed!!
In truth, Jin wasn't the type with sky-high emotional walls.
If someone approached him sincerely just wanting to get along, anyone could hop over it easily—so calling it a wall was an overstatement. More like a flimsy hurdle.
Drandre had unwittingly cleared that loose, subjective bar of Jin's.
What did that mean?
Even without the status window's nudge, he would've gladly accepted the offer. Something like that.
It might seem trivial, but it was truly important to him.
Not doing it because the status window forced him to.
But because he wanted to—and you're just along for the ride. A mental victory like that.
It might sound like wordplay, but Jin was dead serious.
Juvenile or not, it made him feel way less crappy.
So next time, read the room.
Just then, as Jin glared at the status window sliding away...
"...You're going into the tunnel?"
Drandre echoed blankly.
"You're saying you'll use my info? For real?"
"Why would I lie about something like this?"
"Oh, oooh! Ooooh!!!"
Drandre let out a barrage of exclamations.
It was just like that judge in Cooking King Biryong taking a bite of scorched rice soup.
Supreme bliss!
Jin chuckled to himself as Chinese-style BGM auto-played in his head.
Meanwhile, Drandre finally snapped out of it and said,
"Th-thank you so much. I never even dreamed..."
Jin shrugged it off with his usual laid-back expression.
"No need to thank me. Besides, this isn't a commission or anything—you're the one handing info to me one-sidedly."
"...True."
"So what do you want? You said this was premium intel. You must have something in mind since you're sharing it."
Jin wondered as he asked.
Maybe asking me to grab some treasure from the underground ruins?
But the answer was totally out of left field.
"Let's contract with our office. Not even a long-term deal—just one commission."
Drandre held up a single finger stiffly and added,
"If you like the next job I bring you, we extend it. If not, you bail, no hard feelings. Of course, even if you refuse later, this one doesn't count against you. No obligations."
It was an "eul" deal—a super submissive one at that.
But Drandre was fine with it.
Because he had no intention of actually bringing Jin any commissions.
He was just humbly parking a shiny prospect in his ragtag squad.
Dream of poaching him elsewhere? Not a chance.
Word would spread on its own anyway.
'Heard Jin Evernight signed with your office? True?'
Someone asks.
'Grateful for it.'
A plain answer sufficed.
Let imaginations run wild from there.
Questions breed speculation, after all.
Drandre seemed sharper than expected. Maybe he's got some real chops? Hmm...
Once positive buzz circled Downtown, wouldn't more solos drop by the office?
Not the cheap punks who caused incidents, botched jobs, dumped cleanup on them.
Then terrorized the place when contracts ended over ethics.
Real-deal solos.
Low level? Fine.
They'd grow. Just hot-blooded types charging toward the top together...
And right now.
The being to kick off that grand plan stood before him.
"......"
Drandre pressed his clasped hands to his lips like in prayer.
A flat voice slipped into his ear.
"Do whatever."
"...Oh, oooh!! Ooooh!!!"
Jin's gray eyes stared blankly at the freaking-out Drandre.
Why's he so thrilled? You'd think he hit the lottery.
Jin, as chill as ever.
Actually, he went further—
Watching Drandre beam over a single short-term gig, Jin reflected: Have I been missing out on life's little joys?
A precious moment of self-reflection.
Of course, this pure reaction came from not knowing Drandre's ulterior motives. Even if he did, nothing would've changed.
Leverage my name to draw good talent? Sure, go ahead. Post on the Solo Intranet or something?
I'll even promote you.
No thoughts of shaking down a linker over it.
"Your big bro's still out of it."
Jin smirked faintly and turned to Hucker.
"Guess you'll need to bring the contract."
Contract neatly signed.
"Load up whatever you want!"
Drandre, ordering a mountain of delivery for the office to celebrate.
An unexpected feast, but Jin joined in.
He chomped into stacked pizzas like a hippo, cheeks bulging as he chewed away.
Right in front, hyped-up Drandre boldly promised Hucker new synthetic skin.
Watching that, Jin felt a buzz from his pocket and pulled out his comms device.
Unsaved number.
But he knew who it was.
As soon as he hit call, he greeted warmly.
"Hey, Kalifa."
"...?!" "...?!"
Drandre and Hucker flinched in unison.
From the speaker, the name's owner let out a hollow laugh.
[Why so chipper? How's our solo doing?]
Chill vibes hit the air. Drandre and Hucker gulped, heads crammed near the device.
Jin mouthed 'What're you doing?' at them, leaned back, and said,
"Talking to you puts me in a good mood."
[Can't even lie properly.]
"Sorry for ghosting. Comms broke again. This time, blown to bits—no trace."
[Bragging about that?!]
The nagging began.
Device breaks and that's it? What've you been up to for three weeks? Borrow one and call—gotta keep tabs here.
Fine, say you were slammed. But Fenrir calls first? Five days ago, he said you headed Downtown two days prior. Asked if you hit Anecdote—I had nothing.
Words hammered his ear nonstop.
All spot-on, so Jin just nodded along sheepishly.
Even he admitted it was thoughtless.
Listening politely to her continued scolding,
Kalifa—who'd been rapid-firing like a machine gun—suddenly softened.
[...So you parked the bike out front and vanished where?]
Drandre shook his head furiously, but Jin ignored it.
What's the big deal? Didn't do anything wrong.
"Ah, well—"
Jin started explaining.
Meeting Drandre to contracting with him.
The rundown, brief.
[...A contract?]
"Yeah. Kinda happened."
[That guy finally sweet-talked you. He nearby?]
"Yeah, uncomfortably close. Switch?"
[Please.]
Jin grabbed flinching Drandre's shoulder and shoved the device to his ear.
"...Why me."
Drandre took the call tensely and started talking.
"Not grilling him or anything. No plans."
"Valuable to me too. Think you're the only one?"
"I know, I get it. I'm not that unethical."
"The tunnel? Wasn't me—Jin went himself..."
"No, for real. On my dead mom's honor..."
Some back-and-forth ensued.
"Hey, hey. Jin. Your turn."
Sulky-faced Drandre handed it back. Jin, mid-chicken, reached out.
"Yeah, what."
[Jin, you're really going into the tunnel?]
"Yep."
[Why all of a sudden?]
"Something I wanna check out."
[......]
Kalifa didn't pry what.
Good thing.
Jin didn't even know himself.
Why else would the status window show ???
Non-skippable quest.
Massive EXP plus promised bonus.
(Unknown) in progress.
Hard to pass up.
Yeah. Gotta grab what's mine.
As Jin thought that,
[Listen up, Jin. Shady incident in a closed group. Mercs and solos teamed up to dive in. Only insiders know what's happening. Dangerous? No need to say it.]
Kalifa's voice suddenly carried a smile by the end.
A mix of exasperation, but not unwelcome. He could picture it.
[You're doing it anyway, right?]
"Planning to."
[Good. But not solo.]
"Huh? Then?"
[Newbie at Anecdote. Used newbie, solid skills, chill personality—I like her. And you know her?]
"...? Who?"
[See? Another person you'll disappoint. Quite the player.]
Tsk tsk. Kalifa continued.
[Anyway, pairing her with you. Dangerous spot, so I'll check, but from her vibe, she'll jump in.]
"Uh... Got it."
[Call when date's set. Show your face before. Bye.]
Call ended. Jin shuddered like he'd been waiting.
"Ugh! Back off a bit."
Drandre, ear glued to the device, coughed and stepped away.
"Was curious."
He wiped his nose and asked,
"So Anecdote's sending backup?"
"Seems so. Wonder who..."
Too many events lately— no face popped to mind clearly.
A nagging itch, like on the tip of his tongue. Jin furrowed his brow.
"If you're cool with it, wanna add one of my solos? Any thoughts?"
"Hm?"
Jin tilted his head at Drandre's pitch, snapping out of it.
"Aren't they shit?"
"Ow! Said one good one. Level 3, like a Level 4."
"Don't they ignore you?"
"...Yeah, but. Wait, not the point! First thing when I heard about the tunnel, I asked him. He flat-out refused—too risky solo. But now? You, Kalifa's solo. Two Level 3s min. He'll bite."
"Huh."
Jin mulled it, lips twitching.
More muscle never hurts. No clue what's inside.
"Fine, call him. But I'm heading out latest tomorrow—heads up."
"On it."
Drandre shot up, face flushed.
A chance to join a Level 3 solo op.
Leagues beyond back-alley thug scraps.
Heart-pounding commission.
...Might even look pro?
"Hey, hello? Drandre here."
This moment.
Drandre was just happy.
Goal set? Act.
That was Jin. Re-outfitting before the tunnel dive.
First, gun shop for Gravis mags.
Could ping Wonder, but after last haul, begging for mags felt lame.
Plus, gotta visit our porn-loving geezer regularly.
"Gramps! Mags!"
Jin kicked open Good Neighbor's door, as always.
Sure enough.
Brof stared wide-eyed at his comms.
Jin grinned mischievously.
"What genre today?"
Snatching the device from Brof's hand.
Last time, same setup: human man and beastwoman's doomed love.
What's today? Screen showed—not flesh, but a warhead slicing air, massive blast.
Overwhelming flames.
Devouring inferno.
Text rising: ?
Borg Series. Overwhelming Destruction!
R&D, Faust α!
"Ah?"
Jin dropped the device blankly.
Brof slowly looked up.
"...You blockhead. What the hell have you been up to?"
"Edits are like that?"
Voices overlapped.
"...Luger & Dolman's stock jumped over 10% today. Had this source, tip me off!!"
"Shorts format? Kinda embarrassing."
Brof trembled all over.
Jin scratched his cheek, added hastily,
"Mags first. In a rush."
"No. Explain! What's with Luger & Dolman? Huh?!"
"Later. Hurry."
Ignoring the old man's badgering, Jin grabbed mags and bounced.
"Come baaaack!!"
Ignoring the wail, Jin hit Anecdote—greeted by Kalifa's palm smacking his back.
He laughed it off.
"Cool off."
"Saw the vid. Set on ditching life?"
"Ambassador gig."
After sheepish reply, Jin handed Poh a tote with 100 mil.
"Take care."
"No worries. Will scout good pieces 'til you return."
"You're the best."
Thumbs up. Jin flopped on the sofa, relaxed.
Waiting quietly for his tunnel team.
Ding-
Clean bell. Someone entered.
"Ah."
Spotting Jin, lips curved—not a smirk, a dimpled grin.
Jin recognized her too.
"Aah?!"
Blonde in shades, perfect fit.
Highway hitchhike day flashed back.
"Natasha?"
She spoke simultaneously.
"Martinis are tough to drink, huh?"