chapter 110

Coincidence

As Karl waited for Jack and Oliver to start stirring up trouble in the bar, his attention shifted to the parking lot behind it. There, he noticed new guests arriving.

When he saw the man stepping out of the car, Karl straightened slightly, his previously relaxed posture against the Quartz vehicle now more alert.

Karl: "I just spotted a good target heading into the bar. You two might want to pick a fight with him."

Oliver: "A good target? What makes him so special?"

Karl: "He's already inside. You'll see for yourself."

At that moment, Oliver saw the man Karl was referring to—a large figure adorned with the unmistakable fluorescent tattoo of the Tiger Claw Gang.

Tiger Claw members were easy to identify. Their signature tattoos weren't just decorative; they were prosthetics linked to their optical implants, providing real-time weapon data and enabling smart-weapon targeting.

When Oliver spotted the gang member, he understood Karl's point.

Oliver: "Hiromi Sato. What a coincidence. Looks like payday came to us."

Karl: "Not really. This bar appears to be a regular hangout for the Tiger Claw Gang, not just a front for Arasaka Academy's shady dealings. Hiromi showing up here is just timing working in our favor."

The presence of Tiger Claws in a bar connected to Arasaka wasn't surprising. After all, the Tiger Claw Gang operated as a corporate enforcer for Arasaka, much like the Maelstrom Gang did for Militech. It made sense for them to frequent a place like this.

Jack: "Still, it's a lucky break. Of all the bars these Tiger Claw dogs own, we walked into the one with our target."

Karl: "Don't get too cocky, Jack. From what you said earlier, there are a lot of Tiger Claws in there. Don't make a mess of it."

Jack: "Relax, Karl. We've got this. Wait for our signal."

Karl didn't respond to Jack's overconfidence, keeping his own thoughts to himself.

Clicking open his All-Night pistol, Karl checked the chamber to ensure everything was in working order before making his way toward the bar.

Hiromi Sato's appearance was a stroke of luck, providing perfect cover for their true objective.

Originally, the plan was to pick a fight, cause chaos, and use the distraction to extract information from Maxim and wipe his memory. But now, Hiromi's presence gave them a cleaner narrative: a mercenary crew attacking a Tiger Claw Gang member for a bounty.

This scenario would cover their actions, making Maxim and Katsuo Tanaka appear as random, unrelated bystanders caught in the crossfire.

Hiromi Sato's involvement made the situation far more plausible. To anyone looking into the incident, it would just seem like the mercenaries were hired to take down a Tiger Claw member. Any connection to Katsuo or Arasaka Academy would seem purely coincidental.

Oliver: "What's the plan? Take Hiromi out now, or keep him alive?"

Karl: "Keep him alive. Tie him up and throw him in the trunk. The priest mentioned there's extra cash for bringing him in alive and learning why someone put a bounty on his head. Maybe the kid can even take revenge himself."

Jack: "Works for me. Revenge is always sweeter when it's personal. I'll kick things off. Karl, be ready."

Karl positioned himself by the back entrance of the bar, keeping his All-Night pistol ready. He waited a few seconds before hearing the commotion inside.

The first voice he heard belonged to Jack.

Jack: "What are you looking at, huh? Got a problem with me?"

Classic Jack. Of course, he'd pick a fight in the most stereotypical way possible.

A voice, probably Hiromi Sato's, answered, filled with disbelief and irritation.

Hiromi: "What the hell's wrong with you? Of course, I'm looking at you. You're hard to miss."

Jack: "Wanna try saying that again?"

Hiromi: "Sure. Let me—"

Before he could finish, the sound of Jack's modified pistol, the Golden Bitch, cut through the air.

Without hesitation, Karl rushed into the bar, his All-Night pistol raised.

The bar's colorful lights assaulted his eyes as he scanned the scene. Civilians, clearly familiar with the chaos of Night City, were crouched under tables, hands over their heads.

Eight Tiger Claw members, along with three bartenders armed with hidden weapons, had already drawn their guns, aiming at Jack, who stood at the bar.

In front of Jack, Hiromi Sato was stumbling back, clutching his abdomen. He looked stunned, clearly unprepared for the force of Jack's shot.

Jack had aimed for Hiromi's abdomen, knowing the gang member likely had subdermal armor. Still, his heavily modified pistol had easily punched through. The armor would probably save Hiromi's life but wouldn't stop the pain.

Karl wasted no time.

With practiced precision, he raised his pistol and took aim.

Enemies: eleven. Allies: three.

Karl pulled the trigger, the shell ejecting from the All-Night pistol as it drew a golden arc in the air.