Chapter 5: A Club Burdened with Secrets

“Heavy Hearts”

The club’s ornate English sign looked somewhat fragile, as it was not yet nighttime to truly radiate its charm.

“Heavy Hearts” was renowned for its exterior resembling an ancient Egyptian pyramid and its green beam of light illuminating the night sky. Its security was equally brutal.

No one could quite explain why this building dared to become one of Dog Town’s few landmarks alongside “Gemstone Blue.”

Perhaps it was because Mr. Hans’s workshop was located on the upper floors of this luxurious edifice?

After all, someone had to manage the affairs in this lawless place.

The two guards at the entrance inspected the kinetic rifle on Lin Yue’s back. “Sorry, you have to follow our rules here. Leave this piece to me for now.”

Lin Yue shrugged unresistingly. “Alright.”

One guard pressed the communication button behind his ear. “He’s here.”

It was likely Hans. The small pistol at Lin Yue’s waist was generously returned by the guard; perhaps Mr. Hans didn’t think anyone in Dog Town could threaten him with a pistol.

After swiping the access card, the guard opened the door. Lin Yue composed himself, cleared his throat, and awaited his first meeting with this “big shot.”

No matter who it was, it was acceptable to show little respect to ordinary middlemen.

But for someone like Hans, an already established middleman, one careless remark could ruin all goodwill. Beyond the facade of the Netherhound gang, if Lin Yue wanted to survive here, Mr. Hans of Dog Town was the first gatekeeper.

Of course, if Lin Yue wanted to be some gambler outside the black market, fainting under the neon lights, he wouldn’t bother with such complexities.

With the colonel still looming overhead, he had to be at his absolute best.

Ding~

Heavy Hearts wasn’t a tall building; the three floors were lined with plush carpets and classical luxurious corridors leading to Mr. Hans’s office.

Lin Yue arrived at the door and gently knocked on the electric door that emitted a faint scent of wood.

“Come in, my friend. No need for such formalities.”

Hans’s real voice was stronger than it had been over the holographic phone. Lin Yue pressed the button to open the door.

The interior resembled a finely decorated European-style guest room with a sunken seating area in the middle. Mr. Hans sat quietly on the sofa, reading a book.

“Mr. Hans,” Lin Yue greeted softly, standing obediently by the sofa, ready to accept Hans’s assessment.

[Character: Mr. Hans]

[Affiliation: Dog Town, Pacific Continent]

[Favorability: -10]

[Development Value: Extremely High]

[Stage Reward: Favorability to 0, Gain Physical +2, Obtain Epic ‘Tech Sniper Rifle: Nekomata’ Manufacturer: Tsunami]

Well, the status panel indeed showed no further hints. His rookie benefits had finally come to an end.

Despite his complaints, Lin Yue carefully examined this “unfamiliar” middleman. He didn’t understand why Mr. Hans’s favorability toward him was so low.

Could it be that Mr. Hans had investigated the disgraceful past of the body Lin Yue now inhabited?

Nonetheless, the stage reward was quite tempting.

After all, beyond epic weapons, only the [Immortal Legend] class remained. The Tsunami-manufactured tech sniper rifle was cost-effective.

Mr. Hans closed his book and glanced at Lin Yue’s arm. “It’s hard to believe that such a crude modification belongs to Hansen’s ‘trusted aide.’”

Well, once again, Lin Yue’s prosthetic was being disparaged.

As for Hans calling him the colonel’s confidant, Lin Yue was puzzled.

Shouldn’t a confidant be the Netherhound leader, who spent every day partying in “Gemstone Blue” with endless connections?

He himself was just kicked out of the Netherhounds yesterday—this claim was unreasonable.

Mr. Hans stood up and spoke leisurely:

“Have you ever heard a story? The wild buffalo on the African savanna are very strong. Though lions are the kings of beasts there, they dare not recklessly attack a herd of buffalo. Instead, they stare each other down with all their might.”

“And you, my friend, are the lion I’ve been set loose to contend with.”

Lin Yue was sharp and didn’t want to deepen the other’s dislike on this matter:

“I think the colonel just can’t swallow the humiliation of being swallowed up, as you know, Mr. Hans. In Night City, the Netherhounds can’t just swagger around and investigate.”

“As for me, I’m just a helper, not a ‘lion.’ I’ll follow your orders.”

Mr. Hans didn’t expect such a smooth deflection of his challenge. His friendly smile reappeared.

“Very good. You really are a likable young man.”

“There’s no clear plan yet on what Hansen wants to do, but you need to tone down that military style.”

“Here, you have to learn to deal with Fixers and cyberpunks. Follow me and let’s see how things go.”

Lin Yue nodded, successfully smoothing over their first encounter.

Sitting on the sofa, Mr. Hans clasped his hands and leaned forward to look at Lin Yue. “I’m different from you young folks. I have a family, a daughter—some things you must handle cleanly and efficiently. Unnecessary trouble must stop at Dog Town’s gates.”

“Especially considering your and Colonel Hansen’s identities.”

Lin Yue replied, “Mr. Hans, I understand.”

“Good. You listen and adapt. Now it depends on whether you can get things done.” Hans’s eyes lit up. Lin Yue knew he was sending him something. Sure enough, words began flashing in Lin Yue’s eyes.

“We have some old friends—those cyberpunks in the city don’t intend to let this matter slide.”

“But everyone here just wants to earn their keep, no need to make things difficult. After reviewing the materials, you’re responsible for handling this.”

Lin Yue stared blankly at the hacker’s dossier transmitted directly into his eyes.

[Name: Sasha Yakovleva]...

It turned out that by 2075, this united and resilient cyberpunk squad had already made some name for themselves in this city.

“Do you know her? An old friend?”

Mr. Hans’s insight was extraordinary; he easily caught the subtle flicker across Lin Yue’s expression.

Lin Yue lied and denied it, slowly shaking his head. “Just surprised that such a young girl has over a dozen criminal records with the NCPD.”

“These hackers don’t care about age. Young minds are quick, and those dressed in black are always troublemakers.”

The dossier showed Sasha smiling sweetly, even flashing a “Yay” sign in footage intercepted by the NCPD.

“As for whether you know her, that’s your secret. I don’t care.”

Mr. Hans didn’t intend to probe further.

“Go find a hacker friend I know in Dog Town. That guy knows some offense and defense techniques. Just make sure nothing traces back to you or Hansen, and everything will be fine.”

“If there’s no gain, this squad will naturally give up.”

Lin Yue received another contact from Mr. Hans. All mission details were in the briefing chip handed over.

“By the way, my ‘lion,’” Mr. Hans joked, “take a look at the Neuro Dream on the coffee table. Have some idea in your head; at least you should understand what the colonel wants you to watch out for.”

Without hesitation, Lin Yue picked up the Neuro Dream headset. With a flash of dazzling light, his sensory perspective quickly plunged into another reality…