Chapter 28: Priest

"So this is our next mission?"

Looking at the so-called mission file, which barely contained more than a hundred words, Arasaka Yuto couldn't help but feel he may have joined this team a little too early.

Anthony Gilchrist. Male. Militech is offering a 500,000 eddie bounty.

Last seen at an abandoned factory two weeks ago.

Photo attached – authenticity unverified.

That was all.

"With Lena Fox absent, how are we supposed to gather any solid intel?" Yuto asked cautiously, glancing around at the rest of the team.

"This is a test from the Captain," Lily Cross replied calmly. She was the one who had accepted the mission and clearly understood the deeper intent behind it.

"Do you really think you're already part of the core?"

Her words made both Ethan Cross and Arasaka Yuto fall silent. Integrated? Maybe. They were included in missions, got equal shares of the rewards, and were never left behind—but day-to-day? They barely knew Leon Black's habits, thoughts, or true power. They followed his rules like obedient juniors, but that was it.

Life was smooth, yes—but were they irreplaceable?

Not quite.

They were good—better than most—but only in comparison to ordinary mercs. Like standout students from a small-town school admitted into a top university, they found themselves average at best. Talented, but outclassed.

Leon Black didn't just make them look ordinary—he made their best seem trivial.

Before joining, Ethan, Lily, and Yuto each believed they were capable of leading a squad. But on day one, Leon crushed those dreams.

"Two-thousand-meter sniper record? That's it?"

"You can't even beat a neuro-hacked bot in a net duel?"

"You need a manual to fix a car you've never seen before?"

Leon had scoffed and said, "Barely better than trash."

It stung. But they couldn't argue. He was right. They lost in every comparison—combat, tech, tactics.

That's why they didn't join Leon and Lena's daily missions. Most of the serious gigs went to them, while the others tackled the smaller ones.

The newcomers were being trained—not trusted with critical work. But this million-dollar bounty was different.

This was Leon's first step in recognizing them.

"If we can prove ourselves under pressure, it means we're ready to grow," Lily said seriously. "Only then can we be trusted with more than scraps."

Everyone nodded thoughtfully—everyone but Mike Taylor. As the third member to join Leon's team, Mike kept his distance. It was partly his personality, but also disdain.

He didn't think much of the newer recruits.

Back when it was just Leon, Lena, and himself, they never had a break. Missions were constant—nonstop. There were days they worked until clients ran out of jobs.

That's how they racked up so much money and notoriety. Leon, with his semi-OCD gamer mindset, treated every side mission like a completionist—clearing everything before touching the main story.

It was one reason the underground community knew him so well.

Now, with a larger crew, Leon deliberately slowed down. He rested between jobs. He analyzed each mission with the team. Before, he just did the job. Now, he was training.

"We used to target low-tier gangs or do recon. Now? Biotech, Militech—we're on their radar," Lily said slowly. "That says something."

Yuto kept quiet. He knew there was another reason for this shift: Arasaka's internal crisis.

Leon hadn't told the rest of the team about it. In his eyes, they weren't yet capable of navigating corporate wars. If Yuto hadn't been involved directly, he wouldn't know either.

Yuto didn't know why Leon kept it hidden, but he understood: Leon hated disobedience.

"Tuo Hai. Yuto. You two are handling this," Lily said, referring to the newest members.

Both had versatile skill sets—jack-of-all-trades types. But Leon's brilliance still eclipsed theirs.

"The contact in this district is called Priest. He's known for managing contracts and information brokering," Yuto said, checking his terminal.

"Perfect. Let's prove we're more than sidekicks," Lily said. "Let's show we've grown."

---

Heywood – Valley District – Underground Black Boxing Ring

The atmosphere was electric. Two fighters stepped into the octagon from opposite entrances—one a hulking brute with skin like armor, the other lean and agile, eyes sharp as daggers.

No introductions, no rules, just bloodsport.

The bell rang.

Cheers erupted as fists flew. The heavy fighter pounded the smaller one like a battering ram. Each hit echoed like steel against flesh.

But the lean man was quick. He slipped and weaved, waiting for his chance. Blood painted the mat as both grew tired, their bodies battered and bruised.

Then—an opening.

The brute exploded with a final flurry. His fist landed square on the other's temple. The smaller man collapsed, twitching before going still.

Roars erupted. Fireworks went off. Bets were cashed. Losers cursed. The ring crew dragged the loser offstage like garbage.

Sitting nearby, Sebastian Ibarra—known simply as Priest—took a long drag from his cigarette, smoke curling from his lips.

He glanced sideways at Arasaka Yuto, who had been waiting quietly.

"Well, kid. What can I do for you?"

Yuto bowed slightly. "Father, we'd like to request your help. If you're interested."

"Oh?" Priest didn't mind being approached after a good match. "Go on."

Yuto handed him a photo. "This man—Anthony Gilchrist. We're looking for him."

Priest narrowed his eyes, studying the image. "That's not just anybody."

"Which is why we've come to you."

Priest tapped the table. "Fifty thousand."

Yuto's expression stiffened. "You're kidding."

Usually, info like this cost a couple thousand—maybe ten at most. This was extortion.

"I'm not joking," Priest said firmly. "Corporate personnel data doesn't come cheap."

"It still doesn't cost that much," Yuto said sharply. "Don't try that with me."

"Kid, I've been around longer than you've been alive. And trust me—this guy? He's worth it."

Yuto hesitated. Then said, "Thirty thousand. But I want current information."

"Deal!" Priest grinned.

Yuto blinked. He fell for it. Priest had baited him like a pro.

"I hope the intel's worth the con," Yuto said, handing over the cash.

"Relax, it's good," Priest said. "But you're too late. Meredith Stout—Militech's field op director—already caught him."

Yuto frowned. "I see. Thanks."

He turned to leave.

"You interested in a job?" Priest called out.

Yuto paused. "Depends."

"There's a guy—Gustavo Orta. I want his head."

"What's the reason?"

Priest raised an eyebrow. "Does it matter?"

"It does to me."

Priest exhaled slowly. "Gustavo's from the Valentinos. He was dating a girl—Martha—whose father's from the Six Street Gang."

Yuto chuckled. "Romeo and Juliet, huh?"

"Exactly. No one approved. Then she got caught in a gang shootout—now she's in critical condition. Her father blames Gustavo."

"A revenge hit. Makes sense."

"Client's name is Nolan. He paid upfront."

"Send the details," Yuto said.

Priest nodded. "Just don't take too long. Gustavo only has one head."

Yuto left.

Priest waited a moment, then took out his phone.

"Someone's sniffing around Anthony Gilchrist," he said into the receiver. "Here's the contact. Might be corporate."

He hung up and turned back to the ring. A new match had begun.

---

Back at the hideout, Yuto found Lily deep in thought.

"How'd it go?" he asked.

Her eyes met his. The question was: Can Priest be trusted?

To ordinary mercs, middlemen were sacred—neutral, professional, reliable.

But Leon Black had drilled it into them: Never trust outsiders. Never.

"The intel sounds solid," Lily said. "But it's bad news. Gilchrist's already been caught—no bounty."

Still, Priest offered them a consolation job: an assassination.

This, at least, was something they understood. Contracts. Hits. Clean jobs.

"Let's drop the Gilchrist job for now," Lily decided. "Let's do the hit first."

She looked around. "Is this the first time only four of us are working together?"

Normally, Leon and Lena were always present. With both absent, the rest had to step up.

"Let's move," Yuto said. He sent the job specs to the team's shared channel.

Target: Gustavo Orta – Minor Valentinos Leader.

Nothing they couldn't handle.

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)