Cyberpunk: I didn't cheat.

Chapter 101 A Landscape Submerged in the Heart

"Their hackers got in, so I logged out early and cleared the traces."

T-bug's voice rang out in the encrypted channel.

Vito looked across at Romano, who was commenting on the taste of Cissimito.

"So, Romano, you called us here to discard us after we've served our purpose?"

Romano remained expressionless as he took out a money chip and placed it on the table.

"This is not my intention. My father wanted to see you. He arranged this meeting. This money is compensation for my apology."

Vito didn't take the chip; the rich people of Night City in the ditch thought that money could make them play with others at will.

"What's next? Three or five veteran security guards rush in, brandishing the latest weapons and pointing them at my head, then show off how many connections your family has, saying that Lucius Lane is a guest of honor in your house? And then what? Your old man comes out from some hidden corner and wants to take me in as his dog?"

Romano, if you need anything, just give me a request. As long as the conditions are right, I can strangle your father for you, and then you can take over the family business.

Romano's lips twitched slightly as he looked at the camera on the ceiling.

Romano's father looked somewhat gloomy.

"Come back. The fact that they didn't catch their hacker means they were prepared. This thug certainly has a sharp tongue."

He walked out of the secret room and went straight to the oxygen room.

The door swung open, and Romano's father strode over and sat down opposite Vito.

"You're just a lowly mercenary leader, and you don't even have any information. I'm wondering which company's special talent would come to Night City to work as a bar hustler."

Jack remained silent throughout, keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings, ready to fight his way out with Vito at any moment.

Vito opened his jacket and said slowly, "Medical Dispute Mediation Group."

"Where is this company from?"

"I made this up."

The atmosphere became awkward for a moment, and Romano, who was standing next to him, quickly took a sip of wine to suppress his smile.

Romano's father had someone bring him some documents.

"Your mouth is very annoying. Here is your information. See if there's anything you need to add."

Vito picked up the tablet and browsed through it. The information was very detailed, with all the commissioned tasks from the very first deal he and Jack made recorded in detail.

Vito watched, occasionally reminiscing with Jack beside him about something that happened during a mission.

The two of them chatted and laughed as if no one else was around.

[Bug, check out this old man.]

After reviewing the information, Vito put the tablet back on the table.

"These are such wonderful memories. Could I take a copy of the data home with me? I don't even have such detailed mission records myself."

Romano's father was no longer as angry as he had been just moments before.

"I am Tommasino Musso. I have been watching you ever since you took my son's order at the Afterlife Bar."

To be honest, the fact that you managed to lead a gang to this level in just a few months is truly remarkable; you're incredibly talented. I admit I haven't been able to find out which company you work for or where you served in the military.

Vito also frankly told the truth.

"I fell from the sky into Night City, right in the ditch next to the Whole Foods factory."

Thomasino leaned back on the sofa.

"I don't want to listen to your nonsense anymore. You said you'd take on any job if the conditions were right, so do something for my son."

Vito gestured with his right hand toward Tommasino, indicating that Tommasino should speak.

"The biotechnology aspect is not yet comprehensive enough; the fact that their painkillers have problems was already exposed by cyber hackers."

The information you guys got for me shows that biotechnology is conducting human experiments. Everyone's doing this kind of thing, but once it gets media exposure, it becomes a big deal. I'll give you the location of biotechnology's humanitarian lab in Night City; you go and raid it.

Vito pondered the job, or more precisely, the purpose of Tommasino's mission; he didn't seem like the kind of person who cared about the access to medicine for the underprivileged.

"You want us to raid the lab to generate buzz for your son's story?"

Vito shared his conjecture.

Romano looked at his father in surprise.

Thomasino nodded slightly.

"The bigger this gets, the better. I'll arrange for my insider on News 54 to report on the attack, and then push my son's research on biotechnology to me."

Vito thought to himself, "That old man looks respectable on the surface, but he's ruthless when it comes to plotting terrorist attacks."

"You can find people yourself; I believe they are much more reliable than my little wrecked boat."

Tommasino stared at Vito, creating a sense of oppression.

"Aren't you supposed to be so righteous? What, rescuing those who have been captured for human experimentation isn't enough to satisfy your desire to be street heroes?"

Jack clenched his fist as he listened to Tommasino's mocking tone.

Thomasino looked at Jack.

"Save your breath, young man. My son makes fists with me every day too. Is clenching your fists all you do to express anger?"

Thomasino stood up.

"I'm not surprised that a stupid son who keeps shouting to awaken the people and a few mercenaries who play a rescue game would end up together."

You have to do this, whether you like it or not. If you do it, you'll get a lot of money. If you don't, think about the people you know.

[Found out that Tommasino Musso is a shareholder of Zeta Technologies and the head of Zeta Technologies' security subsidiary, but his influence seems to extend beyond what we've found out.]

Vito also stood up.

"I'll arrange the plan after you make the advance payment. After the commission is completed, I need three Zeta individual exoskeleton armor sets."

Thomasino strode out of the oxygen room.

"Your hacking is good. I hope you can do a good job on this mission, mercenary Vito."

After Tommasino had walked away, Romano stood up and said to Vito, somewhat embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, Vito, that wasn't my intention. I'll transfer the advance payment to you first."

Vito pulled his open jacket back in. He ultimately decided against drawing his sword. Since Old Tom was Zeta's man, he would use him to get the exoskeleton armor instead of waiting for Carlo to scramble through the Badlands to get him some dubious stock.

A few days ago, Vito was very impressed with the Grasshopper Armor. He has a plan to modify the exoskeleton armor to make up for his lack of super-heavy firepower.

"It's okay. Getting a few words from that old codger won't hurt you. Zeta Technology, no wonder they went from selling computers to competing with Arasaka and Military Science. They've got some tricks up their sleeves."

Romano remained unmoved as Vito mocked his father.

"Congratulations, Romano, you can now work in the media and be a government official at the same time."

"Vito, what do you mean by that?"

"Your dad wants to build up your reputation so he'll probably let you run for Night City councilor. It's a pity I'm undocumented, otherwise I would definitely vote for my big client."

After saying that, Vito led Jack away from Musso Manor.

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