Chapter 36: The Mob

Seeing their leader meet his end, the remaining gang members glared at Lin Mo, their eyes filled with hatred.

Having spent years on the streets, they understood one thing very well: this violent youth would never spare them!

Their willingness to drop their guns and cease resistance had been driven by a slim hope of surviving—of maybe, just maybe, finding a way out.

But now, with that hope shattered, they no longer cared about the situation where they were targeted by countless guns. One by one, they lifted their weapons from the ground, attempting to fight back.

"Kill them all!"

The youth's voice was as cold and ruthless as a tyrant's, and the order to massacre came without hesitation.

As those blood-soaked words fell, the machine guns on the three Chevillon Emperor 720s on the street began to rotate, like angry dragons lifting their heads, spewing searing flashes of light from their barrels.

The gang members could only stare, powerless. High-caliber bullets tore through their bodies. Under such powerful fire, human flesh was frail. Blood and limbs splattered everywhere.

Even a few of the quicker gangsters, who raised their weapons to shoot, never got the chance. Snipers hidden somewhere picked them off one by one, landing headshots with precision, killing them instantly.

It was a scene of hellish carnage, blood and severed limbs painting a grotesque image, marking the entrance of the alley as a gateway to the dark abyss.

The gunfire soon ceased. No gang members remained standing.

The security team moved in formation, each soldier holding a rifle, executing perfect tactical maneuvers as they walked into the alley. When they found bodies that were still intact, they stepped forward to finish the job with a shot to the head.

Lin Mo took a deep breath. The air was thick with the stench of blood, and all he could see was a sea of red. Those with weak mental fortitude would surely vomit at the sight.

If only it would rain right now...

But then again, the rain in Night City was probably acid rain.

The security captain, however, was unfazed by the brutality. He walked up to Lin Mo with a smile, his tone dripping with flattery.

"Mr. Lin Mo, you've made a significant contribution to the stability of Night City tonight. These dangerous terrorists should have been dealt with long ago. If the NCPD gets word of this, they will surely award you."

"No," Lin Mo replied coldly. "I'd prefer you keep this action under wraps."

"Don't worry," the captain assured, "according to the contract, unless you give permission, your identity will not appear on any media or broadcasts. Even if it's reported, it will only be described as a bloody gang shootout."

"Additionally, we've already contacted the NCPD. They won't be sending officers here for now. Once you're safely back, they'll come to clean up the scene."

The captain nodded repeatedly.

"Good." Lin Mo responded with satisfaction, then shifted his tone, adding, "Also, if there's nothing else, you're free to leave now."

The captain frowned, looking slightly uncomfortable. "According to the contract, we must escort you to a safe place before we can return to the company."

"That's unnecessary. It's fine to head home early and be with your family. I'll explain everything to the company."

Lin Mo glanced at the captain, particularly at the pendant around his neck. Inside was a small photo—likely of the captain with his family.

The captain hesitated, silently reflecting. It was the first time he had encountered a client like this.

"Thank you for understanding, Mr. Lin Mo," the captain said, shaking his hand. "I hope you never have to face this kind of trouble again."

The security team, having been instructed to monitor their surroundings, quickly boarded their vehicles, moving with the same efficiency they had shown when they first arrived.

Before leaving, the captain approached Lin Mo again and whispered:

"By the way, Mr. Lin Mo, there's a six-man edge-runner team observing the situation from the other side of the street. Do you want me to make them leave, or do you know them?"

Edge-runners, as a rule, were only after money and other benefits. They generally avoided killing innocents unless necessary. Killing bystanders was a major taboo in their line of work. After all, if you tarnished your reputation, no one would tolerate you.

The captain wasn't worried about them being a threat; he was just making sure Lin Mo was aware.

"Go back for now," Lin Mo said, having already noticed the two cars parked at the end of the street.

He recognized the Chevillon Emperor 720 and the meticulously dressed hacker. Though their faces were obscured during their holographic call, their outfits were familiar.

If nothing else, this was likely the new recruit squad from Afterlife Bar that Wakako had mentioned—Maine's team.

"Alright, goodbye, Mr. Lin Mo." The captain nodded and climbed into a Chevillon Emperor.

With that, the entire security team departed, leaving the gang members who couldn't even manage to injure them.

Lin Mo looked back at the alley, taking in the horrific scene, and sighed quietly.

If he had known, he would've asked the security team to help collect the remaining items from the scene.

Noticing Lin Mo's gaze, Kitagawa Hiro, who had finally snapped out of his shock, quietly walked over and asked:

"Lin-kun, are you planning to loot these guys' gear?"

Lin Mo waved a hand, sighing. "I think I'll pass. There's too much stuff. Aren't you short on money? If you want to sell it, feel free to take what you need."

Kitagawa bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Lin-kun."

"Anything else you want to ask? Those six guys are heading this way."

Lin Mo casually asked, his eyes scanning the other end of the street. The situation here was winding down, and the edge-runner team was slowly making their way over.

He knew Kitagawa must have many questions. For example, who he really was, why he could command a security team, and why, with his status, he was still involved in edge-running.

But Lin Mo had already decided he would deal with these questions later.

Now wasn't the time to be completely open.

However, much to his surprise, Kitagawa only smiled and asked:

"Lin-kun, do you think I'm going to ask about your identity?"

"It's the most reasonable guess," Lin Mo said.

Kitagawa shook his head, his face serene. "No. When I decided to follow you, all those questions stopped mattering. If you want to share, you can. If not, that's fine too."

He looked up, gazing at Lin Mo with a serious expression. After a long pause, he finally spoke:

"Tonight, the only question I have is: Lin-kun, what is your view on killing these gang members?"

Kitagawa's gaze was steady, his expression as hard as stone, awaiting Lin Mo's response, as if listening for the last words of a close friend.

Lin Mo was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected Kitagawa to ask such a question.

After a brief pause, he sighed and answered:

"I won't justify my actions. What's done is done, and there's no point in making excuses. If I needed a reason, I'd say I'm just not strong enough to forgive them yet."

"Even if I didn't issue the order, someone else would've. But this bloodshed started with me, and it should end with me. I'll carry the burden of this crime. If you're asking if I feel guilty, I can only say I don't."

"Things are what they are. Once you commit a sin, don't waste time on regret. Regret won't fix anything. If you really regret it, go and do something to make up for it. Doing good deeds doesn't magically earn you merit. I value life, but only to a certain extent."

"Does this upset you?" Lin Mo asked, smiling lightly.

Kitagawa silently shook his head, his expression suddenly breaking into a smile, as if he had received the answer he had been waiting for.

"No, I just wanted to know the path you follow. As your companion, I'll walk that path too, whether it leads through hell or into the abyss."

He didn't mention if the road would eventually lead to paradise. He knew deep down, no paradise would welcome people like them—those whose hands were stained with blood.

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