Chapter 10: Before Sunrise (1)

“Veles” was the codename of the intermediary who controlled the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Districts.

As for this man’s real name, nobody knew, and Bres didn’t care to ask.

As an intermediary, Veles controlled the intelligence networks and underground channels of his districts, using them to maneuver and profit among mercenaries and various underground professionals.

Over the years, several batches of mercenaries under his command had come and gone, but he still held his position—at least longer than Bres had been in this district.

“Hehe, naturally it’s because I have a favor to ask of you.”

Veles elegantly crossed his legs and sat down on the sofa.

A sofa covered in worn leather and scratches somehow gave off the aura of a throne under him.

“After receiving the commission, I thought it over for a long time. After much deliberation, you, Mr. Bres, are the most suitable person.”

“…For now, let’s assume that’s the case. Tell me, what’s the commission?”

“Mm, I really appreciate that about you—you get straight to the point, and I can skip the small talk.”

Veles’s voice carried a sticky quality that made one frown.

“The client’s name is Goliath—of course that’s not his real name, but it doesn’t matter… The objective is to go into Giant Gang territory and install a backdoor in their network.”

Bres frowned.

“Giant Gang?”

In his memory, this was originally an obscure small gang with only a few members.

There was absolutely no need to go through the trouble of hacking them.

Veles seemed to guess what he was thinking and began to explain.

“Yes, for the past few months it’s been a negligible new gang. I also thought it would get beaten to pieces in some street shootout.”

“Then why hasn’t it?”

“That’s precisely the curious point. In recent months, the Giant Gang has won consecutive victories in shootouts, their territory has grown, and their numbers have increased.”

Ignoring Bres’s slightly disgusted look, he lit a cigarette and took a drag.

“At this rate, one day they might grow big enough to swallow us whole, hehe…”

“So the client wants someone to scout out the situation and find some leverage?”

“Yes, though I shouldn’t casually guess the client’s identity, but in my opinion, it’s probably the Forest Gang—or some other gang worried about their piece of the pie.”

Veles took the still-long cigarette butt out of his mouth, and Bres promptly pushed an ashtray over.

Veles looked satisfied and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.

“Sounds reasonable,” Bres said.

“That would be excellent. Now, let’s discuss another key part.”

Bres walked to his desk and pulled out a document.

“What about the compensation?”

Veles named a number, and Bres’s eyes lit up.

“Not bad.”

“Of course, how could I shortchange you?”

“…”

“Then it’s settled?”

“Pleasure doing business.”

As he spoke, Veles subconsciously reached his hand toward the back of his neck, but quickly caught himself.

“Look at my memory.”

He laughed and took the pen and paper Bres offered, signing his name with a flourish.

Bres took the contract with satisfaction, carefully folded it, and put it into his desk drawer.

“Almost forgot—the location is the Third District. Here’s the position of their hideout, as well as intelligence on some known members.”

Veles scribbled something else on the paper.

“Thanks.”

Bres took the paper.

“You’re still the same, Mr. Bres. Are you sure you don’t want to consider getting an implant? It’s convenient and good for daily life.”

As he spoke, Veles tapped the back of his neck again.

An implant was buried there.

In today’s Nightless City, these things were practically standard equipment.

“No need. I don’t have the habit of stuffing random things into my body.”

Bres shook his head.

“Take the easy way out this time, and there will be a bigger trouble next time.”

“Understood. I respect your choice.”

Veles stood up and shook hands with Bres to say goodbye.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Veles left the office.

The office fell silent.

A few seconds later, Qiao Anni poked her head out from the restroom, checking the situation outside.

“Gone?”

“Mm.”

“Got a job this time?”

“Sort of, but…”

Bres took the contract out of the drawer and examined it closely.

“…I feel something’s off.”

“Off… what do you mean?”

“After all, the fact that Veles specifically came to me for this job is already suspicious.”

Bres tapped the contract with his knuckles.

“You know, he’s never really liked me. In the past, even if there was a commission, he’d usually leave a message or call. This time, he came in person?”

“Maybe because it’s an important commission, he needed to explain in person?”

Qiao Anni asked.

“That’s not possible either.”

Bres gave a negative answer.

“This doesn’t look like something particularly important that absolutely requires me. Finding a hacker or a slightly more experienced mercenary would also work.”

Breaking into the enemy’s base and installing a backdoor sounds like a pretty high-end job, but in reality, it’s just implanting a program into their computer.

And the computer firewalls of these gangs are usually no different from the public restrooms on the street.

If you exclude the possibility of armed gang members around the computer, this commission actually has little technical difficulty.

Veles must have hidden something—maybe about the personnel arrangement, maybe something else.

But what exactly, Bres couldn’t tell.

“Now that you mention it, it is a bit suspicious. So why did you take it?”

“Because I have to pay the rent, and your medical bills.”

“Such a realistic reason.”

“This is the adult world… What are you laughing at?”

“Pfft… Nothing.”

‘The way you pretend to be profound is really ridiculous.’

But Qiao Anni didn’t say it out loud.

Bres put his coat back on and firmly fastened the holster around his waist.

He drew his pistol, pressed bullets one by one into the magazine, and after confirming it was stuffed full, tucked the pistol back into his waist.

“Going out?”

“Mm, I’ll go check the situation. If there’s a chance, I’ll try to get it done tonight.”

Bres grabbed a few packs of clothes from the closet.

“So I might not be back tonight. If you’re hungry, find something to eat in that cabinet. The restroom… use it as you wish. Don’t open the door to strangers, okay? And don’t open it for Olivia either! When we have time, we’ll get our stories straight again!”

“Okay—”

Qiao Anni replied, drawing out her tone.

After briefly giving his instructions, Bres left the office.

Just as Bres stepped out the door, Qiao Anni called him back.

“What?”

Bres turned around.

“Take care.”

Qiao Anni smiled and waved.

Bres was taken aback for a moment, then raised his hand as well.

“Mm… See you tomorrow.”

He closed the door.