Unexpectedly for Bismarck, when John heard the news, he showed no extra reaction.

He first encountered Serum at Silver Port, presented in pure data form, initially thinking it was a hacker technique, not expecting it to be the entity's true form.

"You've been a mercenary for too short a time, lacking common sense; roaming AIs are dangerous for anyone..."

The person who said this was Gino.

The Wanderer Alliance had been under Serum's care for many years.

The protection covered everything from living to cyberspace; suddenly, an absolutely trusted guardian had turned into an unfamiliar nuclear weapon.

That disparity made people feel disoriented.

"Wait a minute."

John keenly noticed a problem.

"I've seen photos of Serum. Can a roaming AI operate within a human body?"

"..."

The question was a bit creepy.

Neither Bismarck nor Gino answered.

"Once you finish this job, remember to ask Serum."

With one sentence, the topic was dismissed.

Everyone in the room fell into their own thoughts.

Until Woolly Rope woke up slowly.

"Idiot, I knew you'd screw things up!"

Gino burst out cursing.

"...Sorry, I thought... well, never mind."

Knowing he was in the wrong, Woolly Rope slipped off the hospital bed, following Bismarck to his office.

All the interruptions had made everyone lose interest.

They only wanted to quickly obtain the [project key] Serum needed, then leave the Source Equation and return to their familiar territory.

Bismarck's office was located on the upper level of the dome structure.

Through the curved floor-to-ceiling window, one could overlook the desolate nightscape, see the solar farms connected like a sea, and the arrays of signal towers.

Eden City's silhouette lay in the deepest part of the background.

Spectacular yet indifferent.

Bismarck sat at the terminal extracting information.

Woolly Rope wandered around aimlessly.

Gino leaned against the wall, saying nothing.

John withdrew his gaze from the floor-to-ceiling window.

Bismarck unplugged the data cable, holding a mobile terminal, he said.

"The project key needs someone to carry it, a job for a hacker, you can't handle it. Which of them will do it?"

[Task Progress Update]

[Let Gino download the project key. (Optional)]

[Let Woolly Rope download the project key. (Optional)]

A prompt appeared in front of John.

Whenever he looked back after completing a task, he always felt that if he had chosen differently, things might have developed in another direction, and the outcome might be slightly different.

"Gino, can you do it?"

John chose to trust his own people.

Woolly Rope had just caused trouble, so it was normal for him to be disregarded.

So Gino sat in Bismarck's seat, connected the data cable, and started operating without needing guidance.

"Your speed is impressive; you're better than many of my employees."

"Don't compare me to those idiots."

"Hehe, alright."

Bismarck folded his arms, his pupils gleaming slightly, seemingly performing an identity scan on Gino.

Gino gritted his teeth and turned around to give the middle finger.

She was focused on operating the terminal, unable to respond.

"Did you graduate from a public school with a major in Network Engineering? Why not enter the corporate world?"

Bismarck continued to ask.

He seemed oblivious to Gino's clenched fists and the pistol half-exposed at her waist.

John walked over to stand in front of Gino.

"What about Macao?"

Bismarck ignored the warnings and said a fatal word.

John stepped forward, grasping his neck, turning his head to look at Gino—she was glaring, seemingly ready to pull the data cable and draw a gun to kill the despicable corporate dog in front of her.

"Kill... me... how do you... leave?"

Bismarck tore away the facade of the "perfect hostage."

Despite the severe pain in his throat, he addressed Gino with a soy-colored face.

"I can save... him... you... know it..."

The tension in the room was palpable.

"...Let's call it off, John."

Gino finally spoke.

She frowned deeply, pausing her actions.

"Cough, cough, cough... Damn it!"

Bismarck was thrown to the ground by John, gasping painfully, but continued to speak.

"You've seen the power of Source Equation. The complications from slow-release fluid infections are curable—organ replacements and blood cleansing are a matter of words for us!"

"What's the cost?"

Gino did not turn around.

"Hah, a part of employee benefits. Join my project team, get full quarterly bonuses and insurance packages. As long as you join, Macao's treatment can be arranged within two hours!"

"..."

Gino said nothing, her brow furrowed, and continued operating the project key.

"That's enough!"

John stopped Bismarck, who wanted to approach.

He wasn't sure what Gino thought but wanted to leave the Source Equation safely; otherwise, he would have ripped Bismarck's tongue out—a project key was already in hand, and Serum never said to spare his life.

"Hah. You've had it too easy, John; you've never suffered, have you?"

Bismarck sneered at John.

"Do you know how high the rent for shops and public university fees are? Do you know how stifling the interest rates on commercial loans are? When street hackers use cheap devices to the max, is it something to be proud of or heart-wrenching for a mercenary driving an Eisenberg supercar to understand?"

He stared at John, though every word stabbed at Gino's heart.

"Don't you see how street kids and third-rate hackers shout 'corporate dogs' every day, only to scramble when a company puts out an offer? This is a genuine opportunity to transcend class and change fate!"

John turned to look at the silent Gino, then looked up at Woolly Rope, standing with his arms crossed against the wall.

The latter instinctively avoided eye contact, seemingly acknowledging the viewpoint.

Bismarck sneered again and reached out to push John.

Of course.

He didn't push.

Bismarck pursed his lips, showing a thick-skinned expression.

"Why should idiots ride hovercars, live in luxurious apartments, enjoy medical benefits, and use the most advanced equipment for nothing? Do you know the Network Security Department was allocated Argos XS deep diving suits last quarter, and what equipment are you using now?"

"..."

Gino was silent for a long time, just softly telling John one thing.

"Take this jerk-out, don't let him bother me."

"Hey, alright, I've seen what you're capable of, Gino. If you make up your mind, you know how to contact me..."

Before Bismarck could finish speaking, John dragged him away.

As they passed Woolly Rope, Gino's voice came from behind.

"Take the other fool with you too!"

"...F*ck."

Woolly Rope whispered a protest, shifting his butt away from the wall and obediently trailing the two men.

Thus, the three men stood staring blankly in the hallway.

John and Bismarck didn't care.

The project supervisor seemed to adapt to any environment, able to get along with any social class.

He took a look at the mercenary and hacker standing beside him, then pulled out a box of traditional cigarettes from another pocket, and then took out an electronic cigarette of a golden apple from his suit pocket.

Both of them refused.

Bismarck lighted up himself.

Woolly Rope had extreme social anxiety and was restless, with nowhere to go, dawdling for a long time before forcibly starting the conversation.

"Is the 2073 Summer Catgirl Kit your work?"

"..."

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