Chapter 90: Chapter 74: Chrysanthemum, Blade, Phantasm_2
Fujimura Takeshi denied it.
He turned his head. "You’re John, right?"
"Is my name written on my face? Anyone can just say hi to me."
"I make it a point to know any adversary with ties to the Owl Town gang, even if he’s a nobody. When I heard about how you turned the tables on some underling seeking revenge, I started paying attention to the name. I imagined the man called John to be a formidable warrior."
John frowned, a chill running down his spine for no apparent reason.
"Disappointed?"
"A bit. I saw firsthand there’s a very fragile part in you, a fatal flaw that reminds me of myself."
Fujimura Takeshi spoke in an even tone.
This monstrous figure, towering two heads above John, recounted childhood trauma in an emotionless voice.
Whenever he was abused and beaten by his parents, he would be locked in a tiny storage room.
Next door was a United States corporation’s factory.
His bruised eyes couldn’t make out the cracks on the other side.
But he could faintly hear...
The sound of a TV from the factory’s office, where a female host would gently report the weather and international news.
Fujimura Takeshi couldn’t grasp politics or understand his nation’s role in the corporate wars of the Cyber Era.
But that voice was the only sense of calm he ever felt in his barren and violent world.
"People die in Eden City every day, but I won’t lose myself in the slaughter."
"Sounds pretty twisted, man."
John couldn’t comprehend the point of this conversation.
"I know you’ve captured more than one person. Think of other girls and those poor souls who’ve been turned into illegal chip recordings. What’s this... gentle killer?"
Fujimura Takeshi pointed towards Courtney.
"I’ve never denied my killings. You’re strong, John. The strong have the right to please themselves."
"That’s it?"
John asked. "You didn’t off me because you acknowledge I have some skills?"
"Because you didn’t kill anyone today. If you crossed the line, I’d have to go after you according to our gang’s rules. As for other grudges, who can say? Letting you go today means we could do business with the Owl Town gang in the future. I’m quite looking forward to discussing work with you."
Fujimura Takeshi waved his hand.
"Tell you what, go ask her once more. If she agrees, you can take her away yourself. Meanwhile, I’d like Miss Courtney to help me record a voice chip."
He turned to face the fake courtyard.
The scars on his skin were silent in the shadows.
"Her voice is the closest match."
"F*ck... alright, that’s nuts."
John was at a loss for words, tormented by the bizarre atmosphere.
He got up to find Courtney.
She still refused to leave.
"Hey, girl, Clafu won millions in the Euro lottery, and he thought of finding you first. Fresh rice, raw meat, caviar—you can still have all that outside. No point staying here."
"The lottery!?"
Courtney suddenly realized and explained.
That lottery ticket was actually bought by her, and according to the rules, redemption required her own biometric information.
Which means...
If Courtney was detained by the Owl Town gang, the lottery ticket would be worthless.
Clafu, as she described him, was not a loving boyfriend.
He owed debts to the Owl Town gang and didn’t consider his closest folks when he fled. He even had a history of drug use, drinking, and long-term domestic violence.
John pressed his lips together.
He felt thoroughly played.
Courtney gathered all her savings, plus the pocket money Fujimura Takeshi gave her...
And transferred it all to John.
"You should go, mercenary sir."
John didn’t reply to Fujimura Takeshi and directly left through the tatami corridor.
He passed by the filming set again.
Actors struck poses, bodies sinking into the abyss of desire in the recording equipment.
The smoking area was engulfed in haze.
The actors watched John leave, showing no envy, not even any expression.
John walked out the door.
He lit a cigarette for himself.
At the moment of numbness and pain scorching his lungs, he felt a sense of emptiness and numbness.
Black Light hacked into the studio’s system.
While gathering intelligence, he found out:
Fujimura Takeshi had kept more than one "broadcast girl" like Courtney. When they no longer solace the heart of the killer, they become casualties in the city’s corners.
Courtney must have known too.
She was merely a pure Stockholm syndrome sufferer.
If no one forced her to do something, she’d be completely lost, like a floating entity nesting near a powerful being.
Even if devoured at any time, she needed to find something to hold on to.
[Mission Objective Updated]
[Get back to Clafu. (Not Achieved)]
Eisenberg Alloy RCH roared down the street.
John couldn’t describe his feelings.
[Unknown Contact. [Voice Call]]
Clafu’s voice came from the other end of the phone.
John’s bellyful of rage ignited instantly, but he held back from lashing out and said calmly.
"It’s settled. Let’s meet and talk."
John intended to make this conman pay.
Clafu was extremely excited. From the other end, he could hear Clafu gnashing his teeth, controlling his urge to cheer, repeatedly gasping, and he quickly sent over the address.
He was going crazy!
John received the coordinates.
Something suddenly felt off on the other end.
First, there was a brief altercation, then a scream, followed by several clear gunshots ended the call.
"F*ck!"
John revved up the throttle, speeding through the streets of Eden City.
[Eden City West District - Homeless Shelter]