From Gotham to Night City, my infamy is known to all.

He was naturally thinking of "characters from the story," but he needed to think carefully about which one specifically.

"Alright, that's enough for today. We're pressed for time, we can't just sit around in the tavern doing nothing."

Leo stood up as he spoke.

"Jack, rest and recover. V, come with me, we're not done with today's schedule yet."

Nobody: Chapter Twenty-Five V: "Damn rich people..."

"Oh, right, Jack."

Leo stopped and turned around—

You are transferring funds to an unknown account. Please confirm that this is your operation.

【confirm. 】

[Transfer amount: 10000 euros, awaiting confirmation from the recipient...]

Jack was baffled by his actions: "What does this mean, Mano?"

"Here's an advance on your salary—use it to treat your injuries with good medicine, and if you have any left over, you might as well buy a bulletproof vest or some handy gadgets."

"The rich have a different style... Advance payment, that's a new term. Middlemen usually only pay after the fact, if the mercenaries survive."

Jack hesitated for a few seconds, then chose to accept.

"Okay, I appreciate your kindness. But I'm really short on cash, so I won't be so concerned about saving face."

[Transfer successful. €10000 has been withdrawn from your personal account.]

Without saying a word, Leo took V and left.

My wallet has shrunk to 11.15, but it doesn't matter—money is a bastard, you can earn it back after you spend it.

Even now, in 2076, talent remains the most important thing.

Unreliable people are everywhere in Night City, which is why reliable guys like Jack and V are so precious.

With such capable assistants by his side, he felt a little safer.

After greeting Mrs. Wells, who was patrolling the bar, the two left the Wolf Bar.

The pungent smell of smoke and the strange odor of some unknown spray were locked behind him by the iron gate, and the relatively fresh air invigorated him.

"What's your next itinerary? Tell me and I'll help you figure it out."

V's right hand rested on the gun handle at his waist from the moment he stepped out, deterring the unfriendly stares of passersby.

Leo thought for a moment, then realized that safety was the most important issue: "I need weapons; I see all the children here carrying guns..."

"You mean Watson District? Heywood area... well, never mind, let's not embellish it, it's pretty much the same here."

V wanted to say a few good words about his hometown, but Night City was a complete mess, so there was no point in saying nice things.

"Have you chosen your target? Which gun shop? Which weapon?"

Three questions, one answer—Leo shook his head.

"Haven't thought of anything yet?"

Leo nodded.

"I give up..." V was speechless.

"Isn't this a testament to your skill?" Leo smoothly deflected the blame. "Ms. V, as a local expert, please offer some valuable advice. I've never used a gun before, to be precise, I've never fired a single shot."

"Is it that safe over there?"

V was somewhat surprised. She knew that the East was safer than the chaotic Night City, but it couldn't be so safe that ordinary people didn't even have weapons...

However, when she thought about how her employer was super rich, she seemed to understand a little better.

It must be a detached villa area where outsiders aren't allowed in freely, those damn rich people...

Leo shrugged. He had no idea what the East would be like in 2076; he'd have to ask someone from Kangtao.

"Ah, okay, let me think... If you don't know how to use a gun at all, then you're suited for smart weapons—idiot-proof operation, just aim at the enemy and pull the trigger, and the weapon will handle the rest."

The downside is that the weapons and ammunition are very expensive; firing them is like throwing money away. But since you're rich, you probably don't care.

Leo thought she was right.

He recalled that Comto's main business was intelligent weapons. They had the best chip manufacturing processes and the most advanced intelligent neural network technology.

Trauma teams appear to have made extensive use of Compaut's smart weapons.

but--

"I haven't installed the smart connection prosthetic body yet."

"..."

V was very upset. She had to repeatedly remind herself that the person next to her was her employer, not a useless teammate, in order to barely suppress her anger.

"I...I...okay, you need a beginner-friendly weapon, the simpler the better. How about an old-fashioned kinetic pistol?"

"I have no opinion."

"Yes, this kind of gun is the most common; you can find it everywhere."

"Ideally, there would also be a shooting range so I can practice."

"You have so many demands..."

After much deliberation, V actually found a place she was very familiar with that perfectly met Leo's requirements.

The problem is... that place isn't really suitable for him.

Seeing the conflicted and troubled look on V's face, Leo stared at her curiously.

V's fists hardened, but she couldn't very well beat up her employer for a reason like "What are you worried about?"

In the end, she compromised: "There's a gun shop in the skyscraper where I rent in Watson District, and there's a makeshift shooting range there, which would be perfect for a beginner like you."

Skyscrapers?

Leo's heart skipped a beat: He must be talking about the "ant nest," the initial dwelling place at the start of V.

good chance!

Maybe we can also stop by Night City's famous landmark—V's cozy little home!

“Okay, let’s go there.” He took two steps forward, then suddenly stopped. “How do we get there? Do you have a car?”

V rolled her eyes: "Do I look like someone who can afford a car?"

Since she had said that, Leo had no choice but to comply and look her up and down.

Wearing a slightly worn leather jacket, sweatpants, a black shirt, and a metal belt, V, a street style girl, has a very street-style vibe.

In other words, it's very simple...it looks like someone who's poor.

"Your gaze is very impolite..." V clenched his fists so tightly they cracked.

Leo immediately looked away and said amicably, "Alright then, I haven't had time to buy a car since I just arrived in Night City, let's take a taxi."

He easily hailed Dellaman's car.

V gripped the gun handle, scanning his surroundings warily, displaying the professionalism of a bodyguard.

This time, Mandela's car arrived in just two minutes.

Leo opened the car door and gestured for V to enter.

The latter was unmoved and pushed him inside: "You go first. Can't you see that everyone around here is looking at you, not me?"

After the two were seated, she slammed the car door shut and knocked on it.

clang clang.

A dull metallic clanging sound.

"This thickness... bulletproof... bulletproof taxi?"

The combination of these two words feels inexplicably out of place.

V remembered the 18-times-old Hera EC-D I360 he drove before leaving Night City. That car was actually pretty good; he sold it for 200 euros from the scrap yard, enough to buy a door handle for this taxi...

"Yes, dear customer, the Delaman limousine is fully bulletproof and equipped with puncture-proof tires, ensuring your safe arrival at your destination even amidst gunfire."

"Choose Delamain and leave your worries at the door."

The bald man in a white shirt and tie reappeared on the car's display screen.

"Dear valued customer Mr. Leonardo, I hope you haven't been waiting too long. I have temporarily changed another customer's order and will send the nearest car to you first."

Leo glanced at V smugly and said calmly, "Yeah, well done."

"Thank you for your compliment. Please verify your identity and confirm your destination with your companion."

Anonymous: Chapter Twenty-Six - Life is tough, Female V sighs.

"You treat a taxi ride like a VIP?"

V's stereotype of employers being wealthy has been reinforced.

They're incredibly wealthy, with money they don't know what to do with...

Leo was secretly pleased, but on the surface he still had to maintain his composure: "Delaman Chauffeur is an AI-driven driverless taxi. I personally think it's much safer than a human-driven car."

"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Leonardo."

Delaman thanked him.

V thought for a moment, but the words that were on the tip of his tongue turned into a nod—that was really true. If an ordinary taxi driver saw a customer as a "fat sheep," he might just step on the gas and rush into a gang's stronghold and sell the customer out.

After the two completed their identity verification, Leo casually set the destination as "Ant Nest".

But V stopped him—

“Wait a minute, I suggest you go home and change into something more ‘Apple’ style. Wearing this conspicuous suit to Watson District is like yelling, ‘Come and rob me!’ I’m all alone, and I’m not confident I can handle a group of enemies.”

"You are too modest..."

Leo paused, suddenly remembering that she wasn't yet the invincible V-Shock.

"But what you said makes sense. I'll go home and change my clothes first."

He changed his destination from the bottom of his heart.

Eight minutes later, Mandela's car returned to his apartment, even parking in the same spot.

Leo didn't rush to pay the bill: "We're going to another place later, could you wait here with your car for a bit?"

“That doesn’t align with the principle of efficiency,” Mandela initially refused, then changed his tone, “but you are my most distinguished VVVIP, and your needs will certainly be met. Within half an hour, there won’t even be any extra fare.”

Leo was slightly stunned, while V was speechless.

It's still reading aloud in praise; this AI has evolved to the point where it can understand human nature and flatter people!

"Thank you very much. We'll do it as soon as possible."

Leo nodded his thanks to him and led V into the upscale apartment.

Entrance hall.

Two security personnel approached seemingly unintentionally, separating Leo and the somewhat distracted V.

"Mr. Leonardo, you weren't coerced, were you?"

The lobby manager looked at V with suspicion, as if he intended to take V down at Leo's command.

Leo turned around, looked at V, whose face was slightly flushed, and grinned: "No, this is my bodyguard. He'll be coming and going here often in the future."

"Okay, then please have this bodyguard register your personal information. We must ensure the personal safety of our esteemed residents."

V realized she was being treated as a "robber" or "kidnapper," but there was nothing she could do about it.

Her current outfit is definitely out of place in this upscale apartment.

After verifying personal information once again, the security personnel stepped aside.

Leo led V into the elevator and pressed the button for the twelfth floor.