ccnovels Chapter 519 337: Server
Chapter 519 337: Server
Crash.The black revolver cylinder flew out from the second floor, fell into the ruins, and landed in the mud.
Saw withdrew his gaze from the gun, examining John, while reaching out to feel the blood flowing from his neck.
[Mission Objective Update:]
[Talk to Saw. (Unachieved)]
"You just mentioned Vito..."
Saw's voice was very hoarse.
When he opened his mouth, it exuded the scent of old-school gangsters, no menacing appearance, yet evoking cruel imagery.
"Vito has nothing to do with me being here."
John interrupted him, "Where's the stuff that Jingke Heavy Industry lost?"
"... Oh, you're working for the company."
Saw's wrinkles and stubble clustered together as he slumped beside the shattered steps.
The wound cut open on his shoulder had stained his clothes dark, yet he nonchalantly pulled out a cigarette, fitted it with a copper filter, and held it between his teeth.
As soon as the smoke was exhaled, John knew.
This was an old man who had seen blood and wasn't afraid of pain.
John wasn't a greenhorn, nor one of those impulsive street kids—if Saw really wanted to commit suicide, he wouldn't have created such a troublesome mess.
"I'll just sit here watching you die... then tell the company that the lead's gone cold."
"Wow, you're pretty good, kid."
Saw's facial muscles were unnatural, and the exposed skin bore old scars.
"The goods aren't on me, they're hidden in a long-term rented idle apartment, with tens of thousands of screening conditions, let the company sift through them slowly."
"Good."
John nodded, suddenly drawing a knife, and stabbed it into Saw's side along his ribs.
Saw instinctively clutched the wound.
The maturity and calmness on his face completely vanished.
John, however, nodded expressionlessly.
"Call in the emergency team."
"Ward..."
Faced with life slipping away quickly, Saw was more shocked by John's reaction. "What if I lied? What if the goods aren't in the apartment?"
"That's between you and the company, it's just a botched deal at worst."
"The middlemen will kill you!"
"Hm."
John squatted down to look at the knife wound.
Blood poured out like a sluice, its dark stain visibly expanding.
"Then it depends on whose time between us is more precious."
"..."
Saw spat a bloody foam onto the ground.
"I had someone hide the goods, without handling it myself. Even if the company drains my memory into a Super Sensing Chip, they won't find anything."
He noticed the change in John's eyes.
"Let's go to Habitable Rental Company, I'll enter the access code, whether we get someone's authorization or use hacking methods, as long as we breach the system, you'll get the exact location of the weapons."
[Mission Objective Update]
[Obtain Weapon Coordinates. (Unachieved)]
Habitable Rentals, huh.
Didn't expect to head back right after coming out.
John didn't show it, but he pulled Saw's arm, picked up the revolver downstairs, and placed him in the passenger seat of the Silver Rider 577.
Over the past few days, he recuperated in the Dan Street Apartment, leaving some injectables and emergency supplies in the car.
John didn't bother with Saw, tossing him the items to handle his wounds in the passenger seat himself.
Saw's cybernetic enhancements were extensive, and industrial organs weren't as fragile as organic ones.
But if left untreated, he would surely die.
At least things were progressing.
John owed Raphael money and a favor; killing the sole person with knowledge would ruin everything, no way to report back.
[Mission Objective Update]
[Seek Hacker Assistance. (Optional)]
[Contact Jilead for Help. (Optional)]
No need for mission hints, John instinctively thought of Jilead.
The guy managed Habitable Rental Company and was keen on this batch of goods, just a phone call would solve the problem.
But John hesitated.
Saw sat in the passenger seat watching him, tossed some blood-red disinfectant gauze out the window, then asked.
"Aren't you on good terms with the New Faction?"
"Shut up."
John had no interest in chatting with Saw.
Saw curled his lips.
This muscular black man with wrinkled skin tidied his disheveled clothes, even when being a hostage, he adjusted himself to look imposing in the passenger seat.
Saw turned his gaze out the window, staring unblinkingly as his expression slowly became solemn.
He really did resemble Vito, had that aura.
The whole car was enveloped in a certain inexplicable atmosphere.
Saw's silence didn't last long.
Unlike the ruthless image in rumors, he was more eager to converse than John imagined.
"I've heard about you, John, and I know you were involved with Ariani."
This name made John glance at him sideways.
Saw showed a triumphant expression, nodding.
"Yes, Angelica."
She was Vito Russell's daughter, born Ariani Russell, severely burned and spine fractured during the Black Gold Gang's war in the West District.
Jingke Heavy Industry wanted to control the streets, so they took her away, healed her, and implanted a block program in an artificial spine, as one way to coerce Vito to ensure gang and company walked the same path.
"Back when she and Hao were taken away, I was right beside the Godfather, what a pity, should've shot those damned board members right in the head!"
"Wait, who's Hao?"
This time John couldn't hold back.
"Ariani didn't tell you?"
Saw raised an eyebrow, then curled his lips.
"Vito had two children, Jingke Heavy Industry only returned one; Hao Russell was left at the European Headquarters, and... heh, became industrial waste."
He clearly disliked that name.
The sign for Habitable Rental Company was already visible.
Saw turned to ask, "Mercenary, what's your plan?"
"Going to mess with the server."
"Alright, I'll follow you. I'm just curious—aren't you supposed to have friends in the New Faction? Why don't you want to make a call?"
Maybe because of Angelica, John remained silent for a few seconds, then said.
"I've been away for four months, some friends have become... quite unfamiliar, I don't know, it's like suddenly pulling a timeline, I don't know what he has gone through, nor can I keep up with his emotions."
"Oh~ ahaha."
Saw's throat had surgical scars, his laughter sounded gritty.
"That's normal, John, cities and gangs are alike, they change faster than imagined, don't think you're returning to the same old place."
"Aren't you a gang legend?"
John also struck back at him.
"Maybe I'll take you to show your face, perhaps someone will happily lend a hand?"
"Hahaha!"
Saw picked up on John's sarcasm and wasn't evasive.
"What's a legend except a relic stuck in time... the company wouldn't directly kill me, but they would, I know what gangs are like too well."
A relic that has seen times.
They enjoy using their seasoned tone to tell stories that would amaze and garner respect from the young.
Then what?
Saw began teaching the ropes.
He guided John adroitly past street patrols, hidden in alleys, discerning the signal transfer stations through gaps between municipal and commercial buildings.
Saw was patient teaching John:
The habits of gang members and company dogs.
Where vehicles were hidden to facilitate their escape.
Saw took care of theory; John took care of the work.
The two navigated through the hot, humid buildings, climbing gaps to avoid electrified zones, knocking out lone unfortunate souls.
Saw could only talk.
His stomach was stabbed and he couldn't move his hands.
Plop.
The closer to the server, the denser the people.
John knocked out another goon, causing too much commotion, surrounded by people, had to burst through with Sianweistan and knock out both in the room.
Saw eventually strolled over, showing disdain for the several youngsters on the ground.
"I told you, Bone Shards produces nothing good, bought with money, not like our days, the quality sifted through bullets."
He expressed recognition for John.
Being a long-term mercenary brings familiarity; Bismarck was similar back then.
Both him and Saw were relics.
In extremely disadvantageous situations, they would cozy up, as if they were not hostages and captors, but old friends, comrades with shared interests.