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

The others were not so calm.

Sasha: What the hell? I've seen undocumented immigrants before, but none this black. Did they smuggle themselves in from outside Night City?

Logically, anyone who enters through legitimate channels should be marked with an identification tag and have their basic information entered by border control personnel.

Without even this, you'll find it impossible to get by in Night City; you won't even be able to rent a proper apartment.

Lucy: I've been in Night City for two months and I've never seen anyone like this before. There's definitely something wrong with him.

Leo: Calm down. We came here precisely because they have problems.

After calming his friends down, Leo turned his attention to the private meeting.

Just then, they started talking about their secret code.

The unknown woman, dressed like a company employee, spoke first: "What did the Wolf Father say to the Moon Mother when she descended to Earth?"

Royce lowered his voice and replied in a muffled tone, "I protect the realm of humanity and shadow, but today, tyrants have once again raised their swords, wanting to stain the earth with blood."

The unknown woman, with one hand on her hip and the other supporting her chin, took two steps closer: "The truth is still unclear, and all living beings are lost in the thick fog."

Royce turned his head to look at a female subordinate and nodded silently.

A female member of the Vortex Gang handed a small, well-sealed box to an unknown man who was also dressed as a company employee.

V's prosthetic eye automatically zoomed in to examine the contents of the box—a high-end-looking discrete chip.

After handing over the items, Royce continued, "Lilith concealed the Tenth Holy Grail from the eyes of our ancestors. The judgment of the gods descended swiftly."

The unknown woman abruptly changed her language: "Carpenoctem, lamia."

Reus responded in the same language: "Decetdiemexsecrari".

After they finished speaking, the two sides nodded to each other, ending their brief private conversation.

In the game, this is where V should step in, eliminate both sides, and seize the mysterious chip.

But Leo didn't need to risk alerting the enemy, as he already knew the contents of that chip—the project: Oracle Command Execution Plan.

He was quite interested in this plan, which seemed to be an attempt to replace human leaders with AI and secretly control Night City and even human civilization.

The soul imprint is uploaded to the internet to become an AI-like consciousness, and then downloaded into a suitable "body" to complete the possession, thereby achieving "digital immortality".

What the Moon Mother is pursuing may very well lead to the same goal as Arasaka's RELIC biochip... No, perhaps they actually share the same origin!

They all use Ultraman's "Soul Killer" program to complete the first step of transforming a human into a consciousness, and then attempt to be resurrected in a new body.

Immortality... one of humanity's eternal pursuits, especially for the big shots who have everything and indulge in pleasure, they are particularly attached to this "wonderful" world.

Ultraman, Night Corporation, and the Whirlpool Gang must have some kind of connection. It may not be a superior-subordinate relationship, but could also be a relationship of control and cooperation.

Of course, it could also be a collaboration with ulterior motives, after all, "Moon Mother" Lilith has kept the "Tenth Holy Grail" from the eyes of the "Ancestors" and plans to cause trouble in Night City.

The mystery has not yet been fully solved, but a glimpse of the truth has already been revealed.

Leo seems to understand Miss Valerie's hobby; the process of solving the puzzle is indeed very interesting, especially when positive results are achieved.

Sasha: Why did they suddenly switch to a foreign language? Let me use a universal translator to see what they said…

Pure White: No need, I've already translated it. The last two sentences are in Latin.

Chapter 348 Pure White's Mistake Leads to the Discovery of a Roaming AI!

"Pure White: A direct translation of those two Latin phrases would be—'Under the cover of night, ghosts.' and 'Curse the day.'"

Sasha: I understand, but I don't really understand. Isn't this still just talking nonsense?

"Pure white: Not so, Carpenoctem. This phrase has a figurative meaning in Latin, similar to a Chinese idiom. If we retranslate it according to its figurative meaning, it actually means—life is short."

Sasha: Uh... is there a difference?

She didn't quite understand. Wasn't this just the pointless ramblings of cult members? Or was it some kind of coded language that only they could understand?

"Leo: Seven-foot ball is the umbrella I'll answer. This sentence actually refers to—that is, [life is short, so take action].

This is one of the Night Corporation's top secrets. I can't tell you the specifics yet, but it's several levels more dangerous than this upheaval in the eastern suburbs."

"Lucy: Next time you talk about classified information, could you kick me out first? I really don't want to hear this kind of potentially deadly information..."

Leo: Objection overruled. Get your status as a prisoner clear!

Lucy: Wasn't I a reserve player? I got demoted just for complaining?

V: We're on a mission, don't chat! They're getting in the car and about to leave, tell me what to do next!

Leo: Let them go. Pure White will use the city's traffic monitoring network to track their location. We'll stay far behind and see where they go.

"Never mind the people from the Night Corporation for now. Let's follow the Vortex Gang. Since they say God's judgment is coming swiftly, they might have other plans tonight."

V: Okay, I'll come back after they leave.

Having learned part of the truth, the members of the Immortal Squad felt their trip was worthwhile and looked curiously towards the alley exit.

Two minutes later, the two cars left one after the other, heading in different directions.

The Ye Company's car headed south, probably towards the city center.

The Vortex Gang's car headed north, remaining in the Watson District.

That direction is...

Leo quickly opened the official map and glanced at it. It seemed he was right; a little north of Charter Street was exactly where the "Whole Foods Factory" was located.

The location of the first major battle in the main storyline, and also the starting point for V-Zhentian's legendary journey.

Fate brought him to this place once again.

interesting…

As he was pondering, the car door beside him was opened, and V, who was bundled up tightly, plopped down next to him, casually wrapping her left arm around his neck.

"This is pointless. Can't we just give them a few shots? My gut feeling tells me none of them are good people."

Leo stopped thinking, grinned, and hugged her back: "There will be opportunities in the future. I'll deal with those crazy bastards from the Whirlpool Gang sooner or later, and even scatter their ashes."

He turned to the front row and said, "Vera, drive. We'll just follow from a distance."

"Let's go~"

Vera gently pressed the start button, and the vehicle started smoothly without the passengers feeling even the slightest bump or push.

They remained hidden, following the Vortex Gang's vehicles at a distance of at least one traffic light.

After following for several hundred meters, I watched as the car turned into the gate of the whole food factory.

Immediately, all five men got out of the car, greeted the gang guards, and swaggered into the factory.

Five minutes passed, and there was still no movement…

Ten minutes passed, and there was still no movement…

Leo couldn't sit still any longer: "They clearly said that God's judgment would come swiftly, so why haven't they acted yet?"

Jack's voice came through the loudspeaker: "Mano, the Vortex Gang has at least a thousand members. I remember the leader is a fairly well-known boss, but he doesn't need to do the dirty work himself."

Leo was taken aback, realizing that was indeed the case.

Those who can participate in secret talks must be at least some influential figures; let their underlings do the dirty work…

He realized what was happening and checked the information he had prepared beforehand again.

The statement "Lilith concealed the Tenth Holy Grail from the eyes of her ancestors" actually led him to another clue—

Witnessing Cyberpsychosis: A Bloody Ritual!

"Attention all personnel! Turn around immediately, heading towards Martin Street. Prepare for battle. The second operation will take place in the area between Martin Street and the docks."

He did not disclose the source of the intelligence, but only gave instructions.

Fortunately, everyone had long been accustomed to his "super intelligence capabilities," and this actually fits the way middlemen and mercenaries interact.

The two cars quickly made a U-turn and headed towards their destination.

A few minutes later, the vehicle crossed the boundary between Kabukicho and Kita wards and continued northwest.

A thin layer of frost condensed on the car window in the cold evening breeze.

The number of pedestrians and vehicles on the road also decreased rapidly, as if they were avoiding the "night" of the Night City.

Bad things always happen in the dark...

While Leo's thoughts were still lingering on past memories, his unspoken jinx took effect—

"Pure White: Watch out, my hacking has been detected by the enemy!"

Sasha: Huh!?

Sasha thought she had misread it.

Pure White's hacking skills were ridiculously strong; in her memory, this was the first time she had ever failed!

V: What?!?

V was even more shocked than Sasha—she had long suspected that Pure White wasn't human, but a wandering AI. What level of hacker would be capable of making her suffer such a setback?

No, the other party might not be human either!

Leo also realized this and anxiously asked in his mind: "Are you alright? Is the other side also an AI?"

Pure White's tone remained calm, even carrying a hint of excitement: "[It's a hacker team, but there was indeed a skilled AI that blocked my attack for them. Looks like we've caught a big fish this time!]"

Don't do anything reckless, safety first!

I know my true form resides in the singularity space. Even if I can't defeat it, it can't trace my origins. In other words, I'm already invincible! I'll go and meet it, ta-ta-ka!

Their conversation was kept secret from outsiders, and their friends were still worried about Chunbai's safety.

Sasha: Pure White? Are you alright? Bring me in, I'll help too!

"Lucy: My implant isn't very good; at best, it can only provide you with some computing power..."

"Pure White: No need, it's already over. The other side had preemptively taken control of the surveillance equipment in this area, and it seems they also have very high internal privileges. I was discovered as soon as I hacked in."

It's a draw now; I couldn't stop them, and they got away. But I didn't lose out either; I turned off all the nearby security cameras, so we're all blind.

"Leo: Since we've been discovered, let's face it head-on. Combat drone squad, move out. Everyone else, check your camouflage and make sure you conceal your identities. Jack... you're too fast, just drive properly."

Jack: Ah... I... oh dear, I built this big guy to be a better fighter, but it's backfiring...

"Leo: That's how secret operations are. We'll send you to the front lines later."

Jack: Quulata! (How annoying!)

Chapter 349 Witnessing Cyber ​​Mental Illness: Bloody Ritual!

On the deserted street, two unremarkable family cars drove smoothly.

Suddenly, the trunks of both cars popped open automatically, and eight "bipedal dragon" drones produced by military technology flew out.

Under the night sky, the drone squadron quickly ascended to altitude and began aerial reconnaissance.

"Pure White: The enemy has been attacking the ICE drones. I can hold them off, but the massive data exchange that follows will overload and paralyze the drone motherboards. Time is of the essence; we must find the Vortex Gang's location as quickly as possible."

"Leo: Everyone, prepare for battle. We must end the battle before enemy reinforcements arrive and gather useful intelligence."

"receive!""

Click—click—

The sound of gun safety being released echoed in the carriage, and everyone gripped their weapons tightly.

Leo also pulled out the Yinglong intelligent submachine gun, intending to fire a few shots and get a few kills.

One minute later, Pure White marked a location in everyone's psychic eyes:

"Found it. Turn right ahead, then left. There's a small path leading to a closed-off plaza. The Vortex Gang's guards have blocked the road with the wreckage of three burning vehicles. We have no choice but to fight our way through."

"Received, start accelerating, everyone hold on tight and sit down."

Vera turned the steering wheel, changed lanes with a graceful descent, and drove onto the side road.

Jack mimicked Jack's action and swerved the steering wheel, causing the front wheels to hit the curb and nearly sending the two hackers in the back seat flying.

"Don't try to drive like Vera!" Sasha screamed. "I almost dropped my laptop!"

"Sigh... It was an accident, purely an accident..."

Jack switched back to normal driving mode, which made him a beat slower.