"..."
John was silent for a long time.
Nando showed a regretful expression. He could see it too—this hesitation was a prelude to refusal.
Sure enough, John smiled and shook his head.
"I might risk my life for some things, but definitely not for everything. The family's choice is not necessarily my personal choice. I don't want to betray any trust, so... you know."
"Ah."
Nando sighed, shaking his cigar. "Remember to have your employees clean off their Damascus tattoos."
This wasn't distancing, it was protection.
A family tattoo is a target.
It would attract corporate discrimination, closeness or distance from black market vendors, and even vendettas from rival gangs or families.
Nando promised to help John with the reconstruction project.
While it would be charged at market rates, the work would be completed surprisingly quickly. Considering the transportation of equipment and materials, the reconstruction would only take two weeks.
This was a combination of business and personal relationships.
Nando left.
Only then did Alonna hand over a chilled beer.
John took it and poured it into his parched throat.
Alonna wore a gray tank top, tactical pants, seemingly having adjusted muscle groups to look a bit more toned.
John felt he should express his gratitude.
"I heard you went to the restaurant."
"If you get into trouble and I can solve it, maybe you'd want to join Damascus."
"... Damn, Alonna, tell me."
John turned to look at her. "Why are you so set on making me a Wanderer? Did Nando brainwash you?"
"You're an excellent driver. If you join the camp, fewer people would die when we handle jobs. Strong, friendly, the camp needs those great traits, and a Lone Wolf can easily die. It'd be such a waste if you died; if you were in the clan, I could offer protection."
Alonna's face was expressionless as she said this.
She was always sincere.
Most people in this city are busy burying you in the dirt.
A few will hand you a shovel when you climb out.
Today was the latter.
"We're not family."
John smiled and shook his head, not seeing disappointment on Alonna's face, and then he handed over the bottle, finishing his sentence.
"But we're friends."
Alonna raised her beer bottle and clinked it with his at the rooftop of the tallest skyscraper in Eden City, producing a crisp echo.
[Mission: Old Place [Completed]]
[Reward: Bonus [Black Market Anonymous Chip], Silver Rider 577 [Kaufuglanton Modified Model], Alloy RCH, Gang Insured Property [Dan Street Apartment E013], Business—Chavez Restaurant [Under Reconstruction], Custom Weapon—Sora [Close Combat].]
John enjoyed a lunch at Radiant Dust Farm.
They even served Mexican barbecue. Compared to industrial synthesized seasonings, the plant-extracted composite materials had a unique flavor.
After all, Radiant Dust Farm was in the fresh produce business.
Their stores were spread across the city, reaching a diverse range of consumers. The recipes they collected were certainly more plentiful than John's small restaurant.
John asked the Wanderers for recipes and wanted to recruit a chef.
Gerry and Maya could cook, but only at small stalls. Building a restaurant's reputation would be difficult, and with the restaurant's expansion, there were many busy tasks. More than a chef, he needed to bear the responsibilities of a manager.
[Street Reputation Increase↑ New Social Relations Unlocked.]
The Wanderers were willing to help John, though ready-made recipes were scarce and required creation and organization.
He needed to recruit a chef.
Radiant Dust Farm mainly recruited from the smugglers, and to find a chef familiar with local tastes and willing to stay in the city, he'd have to look for a mediator.
[New Contact Added: Nando Brahimi]
[New Contact Added: Alonna]
John reconnected with the Wanderers and entered a rare period of rest.
He really drove his employees to the East District underground market.
To that familiar tattoo shop to wash off the Wanderer mark, and also to recreate the parts of the vacuum tube that hadn't been replicated—the tattoo designed by Kenichi Sora.
This life was given by AI, and John wanted to commemorate it.
On the third day after going to Radiant Dust Farm, John received a call from the Wanderers.
The caller introduced himself as [Old Harper], responsible for the restaurant reconstruction.
An experienced senior from Damascus, he previously ran cross-city transport and had returned to the wasteland two months ago. He hadn't taken on new jobs, but had heard John's stories and evaluations, and this was the first interaction.
Old Harper wanted John to leave Dan Street Apartment to meet and suggested the restaurant ruins, ensuring to stay away from Black Gold Gang territory.
John was a bit puzzled.
He currently carried a knife and brought a rifle.
[Shop—J. Chavez Restaurant [Under Reconstruction]]
Silver Rider 577 drove into the parking lot.
"Finally, I see the living legend, huh?"
A man in a flat cap leaned against the modified armored vehicle, put out his cigarette, walked over, and extended his hand with a smile while explaining.
"I'm Harper. I've seen the restaurant design you sent over. It's a finely crafted little cage. No offense, but we Wanderers usually handle large construction sites, so we don't often deal with small buildings like this."
"Can you do it?"
"Of course, it's reliable. After using heavy machinery for so long, swinging around a little hammer is a nice change. Rest assured, every penny will be well spent."
"Why did you ask to meet outside?"
"Ah, you don't know yet? Two tigers can't share a mountain. The West District territory is just this small. Radiant Dust Farm can't possibly pay protection fees to Black Gold Gang."
"Can't the fresh produce business collaborate?"
"Ah, I forgot you weren't in the city. This matter, well..."
Old Harper used his middle finger to tap his left eyebrow.
John also noticed that strong, multifunctional arm with multiple expansion platforms and slots able to connect with most industrial systems on the market.
[Prosthetic: Industrialist Arm Kit [Hemingway V Edition]]
Old Harper said that during John's absence, they and Black Gold Gang had tried engaging in the fresh produce business, supplying companies and high-end service places.
But as Radiant Dust Farm expanded, the situation became more delicate.
"Oh, did Nando tell you?" Old Harper's tone was proud. "During your treatment, we annexed a whole food company, making them 'voluntarily' withdraw from the Eden City market while retaining their supply chain and logistics."
Now, anyone in the city wanting fresh meat must deal with Radiant Dust Farm.
With the West District having only so much territory, the farmer refused to pay protection fees to Black Gold Gang and didn't engage in gang wars, even maintaining several high-end clients from East Asia.
This rendered the situation between both sides quite delicate.
"Those black... Sorry, you seem to get along with them. Gangs are only good at running casinos and sex doll clubs. Business is out of their league. Occasionally, we have procurement business, but cooperation and storefront are thoroughly stratified now."
"Are you afraid of trouble meeting in the West District?"
"Can't hurt to be cautious. The farmer's a redneck, an old-school stubborn guy. He's bound to clash with Black Gold Gang. If we're fighting in the West District, who would you help?"
Old Harper asked.
He was an old fox, staring at John's face, and before the mercenary could answer, he burst out laughing on his own.
"I'm just kidding."
