Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: How to Survive in Fusion Punk
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The next day, there was a get-together.
It was a celebration for their safe return from that hellish tunnel.
The meeting spot was Drandre's office.
Jin pushed the door open with his shoulder, clutching a box of snacks to his chest. The Linker, who had been chattering away excitedly, whipped his head around and welcomed him with arms flung wide.
"Jin!"
Then Hooker came rushing over, shouting, "Welcome, boss!" as he took the box from him.
Greg offered an awkward handshake too.
For reference, Greg was the name of the failed merc. Over the past three days, his mind and body had stabilized a lot, and his complexion looked worlds better.
Word was he'd even signed a contract with Drandre in the meantime.
"...You didn't just stamp his seal while he was out of it, did you?"
"W-what're you saying? You think I'm some kinda bastard?"
"Why're you getting so defensive?"
Jin snickered as he teased Drandre, then shifted his gaze to Greg.
"What's your Solo level?"
"1. Starting from scratch."
"Why? You've got merc experience. Don't they credit all your activity records?"
"I was with a PMC—private military company. Most of what I've handled so far was team ops, so I never got a chance to take the lead solo. Back then, I had to be the perfect cog for the team. But as a Solo now, personal ability matters way more, so I'm gonna relearn it step by step."
"...You're weirdly eloquent now. It's throwing me off."
Jin blinked.
Was this guy always this normal?
Delirium symptoms really are scary.
"Anyway, glad it worked out."
"Thanks. You saved my life."
After that, the three humans plus one android settled in, chatting amiably. Then, before they knew it, Maximo and Natasha showed up together.
They'd met out front and exchanged greetings with everyone just like Jin had, making their way inside.
In the process, Natasha jabbed her elbow into Jin's solar plexus. He played it up like it hurt and apologized for ditching their plans out of the blue.
"Sorry, but something really came up."
"Yeah, I know. You told me yesterday."
"Then why'd you hit me?"
"'Cause I felt like it?"
The conversation cut off there. Hooker had sidled up and bent at a perfect right angle at his waist.
"First time meeting you! Ma'am!"
"Oh. You must be Hooker."
The group kept up the lively banter for a good while after that, eventually plopping down on the old sofa and cracking open beers.
Amid the clinking cans held up in the air, one cola stood out.
Jin downed his in one go, let out a satisfied belch, and Maximo giggled at the sight.
"Seriously, why do you hate booze so much?"
Suddenly, he clapped his hands with a smack!
"Oh right, I had something to tell you guys."
He rummaged in his bag and pulled out... antiques? They piled up neatly on the table, making Jin tilt his head.
"...What's all this?"
"Picked 'em up rolling around in the tunnel. Thought maybe they were relics from the ruins."
"You had time for that?"
Maximo shrugged at Natasha's question.
"Think I'd be a scrapper for nothing? Anyway, gonna get these appraised. If they turn out good, your tabs are cleared—no charge."
"Jeez."
Jin chuckled in disbelief.
They'd been running, fighting, escaping the whole time.
When the hell did he snag these?
Guy must have a nose for money like a damn ghost.
"Impressive in all sorts of ways."
"Can't believe I didn't snag an artifact. Something like Eternal Dawn or the Eye of God would've changed my life for real."
"...Eternal Dawn? Rings a bell."
"The artifact the Marjie family’s been hunting for centuries. Legend says whoever finds it gets the heir position...!"
Jin eyed Maximo, who was gesturing dramatically with palms up like holding the sky.
"So why'd they lose something that precious?"
"You don't know?"
Maximo tsked his tongue, like You really are a purist in the weirdest way, and glanced around.
"......"
Sensing from everyone's stares that it was story time, Maximo set down his beer and lowered his voice.
"It was 700 years ago... the tale of the ice sorcerer who froze the last black dragon...!"
The drinking really kicked off then.
Empty cans and bottles piled up naturally.
Someone tossed out an interesting topic, sparking heated chats—but more booze went in than words came out.
Tongues got sloppy fast, spilling nothing but hot air.
Random stories swirled around the table like potent appetizers, someone scarfing them down only to regurgitate more. That kind of evening.
At some point, Jin quietly stood from the sofa where the group sprawled limply.
A voice drifted to his ear.
"I've really... lived my ass off... but no matter how hard I try... nothing pans out... it's just... fucking exhausting... but lately... feels kinda... proud..."
Jin gave a wry smile at Drandre mumbling through smacked lips, then started tidying up. Hooker jolted awake and rushed over.
"Boss! I'll get it!"
"Nah. Eater cleans up."
Once everything was spotless, Jin stretched and turned.
"I'm heading out."
"Take care."
"......"
Jin stared at the android bowing crisply, then spoke.
"Tell Drandre I'll drop by sometime."
"Even if it's not for work?"
"Yeah, even then."
"Whoa! He'll love that!"
Jin waved lightly at the wide-eyed Hooker and turned the doorknob.
Stepping out of the rundown building with no elevator onto the main street, cool night air kissed his forehead.
He glanced up idly at a sky choked gray with clouds.
The silhouettes of buildings blotting it out loomed like a monster's gaping maw.
Staring too long made him feel like he'd get swallowed.
Jin wrinkled his nose and looked down, stepping off.
Walking the damp asphalt, someone scanning the roadside suddenly scurried up and thrust out a bony arm.
A scrawny boy.
His tattered paper cup, proffered with servile deference, held a few dull coins at the bottom.
Not even enough for bread.
Jin looked up silently, taking in the boy.
The face clinging to life on others' charity was blotched with bruises.
Anxiety, gloom, resignation filthied it up inside.
"Hold on."
Pants to jacket lining.
Jin emptied every pocket, pulling bills indiscriminately.
He crumpled them lightly, stuffed them in the boy's pocket, and said,
"Don't carry it around long. Spend it quick as you can."
"Th-thank... you..."
Too stunned to speak fully?
Jin palmed the boy's back gently, nudging him away.
"Save the thanks. Now scram."
He averted his eyes first from the dazed stare and kept walking.
Neon signs flickered intermittently, trash heaps piled on streets, acrid burnt electronics stung his nose.
As if mocking the Jin who'd just been laughing it up, the city shoved its gloomy mug in close.
Jin showed no reaction.
Just hands jammed deep in pockets.
Walking alone down the shadowed alley.
As always.
About two months until the clan rotation in June.
He had a goal now, sure—but he couldn't just twiddle his thumbs till then.
So Jin started knocking out simple gigs to kill time.
Simple in name only, though.
Plenty were risky enough most Solos avoided them.
But who was Jin?
A level 4 Solo, no less.
"Average Solo" didn't apply anymore.
Hell, level 4 undersold him big time.
The line between level 5 and below was basically second hierarchy or not.
Jin was practically a level 5 called level 4.
Made sense, then.
Lately, logging into the Solo intranet meant love calls to team up, gigs galore.
Messages endless, scrolling forever.
Even a full day reading couldn't clear 'em—next day, full again. Felt like a celeb.
His fix? A short note in his profile.
[R&D Ambassador. Can't check DMs.]
Good enough.
Dunno what, but Jin was satisfied.
No choice.
Tons of takers, one body.
Desperate? Come find me.
Time rolled on.
Nice stuff kept coming Jin's way too.
First: He got a place!
Strictly, a rundown warehouse—but hey, his own space!
Parked the Manticore right away.
Brought in essentials like bed, table. Paid Poh his fee for the hassle, and poof—the 100 mil from the colonel was gone.
Jin didn't care.
Pockets lighter, sure—but no more street rat in Downtown. Pride indescribable.
Second nice thing?
Wonder hit him up.
[Hope you're well?]
"Doing great. Voice sounds good?"
[Thanks to your efforts, sir. Even that note on the intranet. Truly grateful.]
"Nah, least I could do after what you gave me."
Short well-wishes, then the pitch.
[Planning to provide one of our products again. Name what you want—we'll consider it for selection.]
"Hmm."
Lounging on the bed, Jin pondered, eyes flicking to...
The holster on the table. He spoke.
"Can you upgrade existing gear?"
[Gravis 707, I assume.]
"Yep."
Weapon he was attached to.
Miss it if gone now.
But to keep as main, needed buffs. Jin's honest take.
Wonder's voice returned after a quiet spell.
[Luger’s final work... Excellent. Signature weapons make great material. We'll send someone soon—trust us.]
"Got it. Thanks."
[Until next time.]
Wonder's guy showed before half a day passed.
Corporate efficiency—sharp as a blade.
"Please take good care... It's my favorite."
"...Sir. Could you loosen your grip...?"
Jin finally pried his hand off the Gravis.
Today, his heart felt oddly empty. Like parents sending their kid to the army.
Tossing on the bed a while, Jin sighed and got up.
Times like this need talk.
Drove the Manticore straight to Anecdote, flung the door wide.
"Hey!"
The booming greeting made Kalifa and Poh exchange startled looks.
"You call him?"
"No, thought you did, boss."
Jin cocked his head at their chat.
"Talking about me?"
He claimed a table spot.
Poh naturally set a glass of water down and spoke.
"Yeah. Perfect gig just came in."
Jin turned to the wall clock.
June 24.
Two weeks to the rotation.
Festival in the 10s zone—travel time made it iffy.
Shaking his head,
"Tough. Timing's off."
Kalifa slid into the opposite seat, elbows on table.
"For the rotation?"
"Yeah."
"Leaving ten days early?"
"Something like that."
"No issue. This gig wraps in a day."
Jin wet his lips with water, asked back.
"One day?"
"Half a day, even. Just bodyguard duty."
"Bodyguard? Sudden."
"Yeah. Concert in Downtown two days from now. Huge celeb. Agency's desperate to cancel over risks, but she's all 'artist' and insists on the tour."
Kalifa waggled her brows, adding,
"Sky-high fee draws that. Hiring every nearby Solo they can—level 4 minimum. Overkill, but this hood looks that dangerous to them. Interested?"
With her question, the quiet status window over a month popped up, blocking his view.
Art in the Slums
📍 Objective: Escort Elina Vincent.
🎁 Reward: Perk XP 12,000
Jin eyed it calmly, then told Kalifa,
"That concert's gonna flop."