Approximately 30 minutes after Leon, Daren, Rex, and Kain returned, Talia and Ghostwire also returned to the inn.

Talia finally retrieved her dagger as she paid for the 2 pounds, 8 cents bill that she had with the inn.

She also paid for 2 extra nights in the inn.

"Where did you guys get so much money? And if you have the money, why didn't you just pay for another room so each of us will have our own bed?" Leon was genuinely perplexed as he looked at Talia.

The Geneform smirked. "Are you really asking a NetRunner where she got money when I literally just returned from hacking a gang base's network?"

Leon frowned, unable to follow her thought process.

"Of course I transferred money into my account". Talia smiled. Since she promoted and became E Rank, she was no longer fully hiding behind a mask like before. She smiled more and revealed more emotions now.

Leon's eyes widened as he became excited. "That means you managed to break the net that they used to isolate the network! But wait, your account?" Leon quickly became alarmed. "Can't they trace it?"

For a moment, he felt his scalp tingle as he felt the paranoia that Parasite and his gang already surrounded the inn.

Talia was amused by his reaction. "For your first question, yes, we managed to break out of the network. The message has already been sent out".

Kain visibly heaved a sigh of relief.

"As for your other question," She continued, her face turning strange like Leon asked a stupid question. "Do you really think I'll transfer money from an enemy base to my personal account after hacking their system?"

"That's foolish".

Leon froze, then he forced a smile.

Talia didn't react to his smile. "It's basic instincts for a NetRunner to always cover their tracks while hacking a system".

"I have a series of dummy bank accounts registered with different factions that I use for activities like this. It can't be traced, and even if they're traced, they'll just end up leading to dead ends".

"Just like a thief never steals unprepared, a NetRunner never hacks an account unprepared. It's just like going to rob a bank with no gun and no mask".

Leon was enlightened, then he asked. "How much did you get?"

Talia smiled, then relaxed against the wall of the inn on the bed. "128 Neo Credits".

"128…" Leon felt dizzy.

Having just learned the value of a Neo Credit, to learn that the leader of the crew that he just joined managed to steal 128 of that currency just like that left him stunned.

Leon felt a chill run down his spine. 'NetRunners are devious and devilishly insidious… I can't believe a mellow-looking person like her can do something like this without batting an eye'.

'That's theft!'

'I know it's against an evil gang, but still, it's just…' he sighed. 'I better be careful of NetRunners in the future'. He subconsciously protected the pocket of his black joggers like he had a wallet there.

Talia wasn't done though.

She casually added. "I would have easily taken more, but I feel like taking any more than that would have really angered Parasite and made him send his minions to go on a violence spree through the community searching for us".

"Us?" Kain keenly caught on to that key word.

Talia nodded indifferently. "We've dealt with him before. I don't believe Parasite is a fool. There are not many people who have the means and the motivation to dare making an enemy out of him and his gang".

"He may not yet know that I'm E Rank, but he should have guessed that it was me already. Afterall, they will be able to trace the recipient of the message".

Rex shifted, then he cautiously asked. "Are we in danger?"

"I can't be sure, but I doubt". Talia shrugged.

Leon frowned again. "But you just stole 128 Neo Credits from them, and you said they know that it's you. And from what I've seen, this is the only inn in the community, so won't they…?"

"Not the only inn," Talia interrupted Leon. "The only inn with the standards to host travelers, adventurers, and Ascended".

"Is that not the same thing? Won't they just find us here then? Afterall, we now have the money".

"It's why I didn't pay for another room". Talia looked at Leon. "In these parts, you've seen for yourself, people struggle to live and survive. Despite this, travelers and adventurer teams regularly travel through the Wastes".

"It's normal for a competent adventurer team to have the money to rent a room in Henry's inn despite their size. That won't attract much attention; what will attract attention will be renting two rooms because adventurers would rather spend their money at the pleasure motel".

'Adventurers seek pleasure rather than comfort'. Leon silently interpreted in his head. He wanted to say something else, but Talia smiled and continued.

"Besides, it's a game of wits. After stealing so much money from them, a smart operative of the Freegrid Collective won't rent a room in Henry's Inn. Instead, she'll be in hiding".

Leon's eyes finally lit up in understanding. "Reverse psychology".

Talia nodded. "When dealing with intelligent people, this is one of the proven ways to always stay ahead of them".

"But it's risky".

"I know," Talia nodded calmly. "Trying to go against Parasite and the Zmer gang to rescue those slaves is also risky".

"I understand".

Only at that moment did they relax as they finally feasted on the additional food that Talia paid for and bought in the inn.

Talia finally looked at Kain. "How did it go?"

The Synth Mechanist with silvery gray metallic skin quickly explained how the day went for them, including how they were able to set up a mechanic shop and how they also managed to get their first customer.

"You got a customer on the first day? That's lucky".

Leon grinned. "The credit has to go to my artwork. If not for the eye-catching signboard, I doubt we'd have gotten a customer".

Kain stared at him in disdain while Talia nodded. "Maybe you're right".

With that, Talia also narrated her and Leroi's experiences during the day.

When Talia described the hidden tower base of the Zmer gang and also confirmed that there was a NetRunner truly there protecting it, the expression of the others turned serious.

At this point, Talia finally frowned. "The presence of a NetRunner is expected, but what I didn't expect is the technology used to hide the base".

"That is an advanced application of Ghost Line," her frown deepened. "Even at my current rank, I don't think I can create something of that level. I think that was created by a D Ranked NetRunner".

Leon almost jumped up in fright. 'Eh?'

Talia nodded seriously. "We may have underestimated Parasite's network. His sponsor may be stronger than we imagined".

At that moment, Leon began feeling some slight regret for joining this crew. '4 days in and I'm already getting in contact with a D Ranked powerhouse? The heck?'

But when he thought of the slaves, he calmed down as his expression became serious.

Brick finally entered the conversation.

The Synth cleared his throat before speaking up as he looked at Talia. "Just as you ordered, I looked around for information and I learned something".

All eyes in the room instinctively turned to look at the towering Synth.

"I heard that the Zmer gang is looking to recruit new gang members. I've not verified it yet, but if the information is correct, that means the Zmer gang is likely planning something big".

Talia nodded seriously. "You have to verify this information".

Brick agreed.

At that moment, Kain added. "I also discovered something".

"The customer that patronized the mechanic workshop, I think he's an Ascended. I know it's normal to run into an Ascended here and there, but due to what Brick said, I think we should pay more attention to this".

"My gut tells me that he belongs to the Zmer gang. It may just be my paranoia speaking, but years living as a rebel has taught me to always trust my gut instinct".

Talia looked at him. "If he comes to the mechanic workshop again, pay more attention to him, but don't do anything to tick him off or agitate him".

"Yes boss". Kain nodded seriously.

'Huh? That smiling man is part of the Zmer gang?'

Hearing them talk, Daren finally realized that a potential clash against the Zmer gang was not as far away as he thought.

This Cyber Gladiator's face immediately turned solemn.

He hesitated for a few seconds, then he said. "From all that you guys are saying, I think we need to be prepared for a potential battle at any time. I don't think we're prepared".

Daren looked at Talia. "Back in the fringe, not only did one of my gauntlets get heavily damaged, I also lost my deathbag".

"I need repair and replenishment to get back to my peak combat state in preparation for a possible Ascended battle".

"Brick too," Daren looked at the towering Synth. "In that battle, his body was battered a lot. I believe he needs a lot of replenishment, maybe recovery pills".

Brick didn't react.

Talia nodded again. "You're right". She looked at Leon. "Do you have what it takes to repair Daren's gauntlet and to create a deathbag?"

Leon thought seriously before he replied. "With the right resources, I'm confident in fully repairing Daren's gauntlet. As for a deathbag, I don't yet know the technology to create energy shields".

"I heard from Kain that the Freegrid Collective sells Mechanist knowledge like this. If you can get me the corresponding technology, I may be able to create a deathbag".

Talia shook her head. "There's no time".

"Besides, the LAN isolation is still active. All I did was hack and briefly breach it, I didn't bring it down. If I want to purchase a Mechanist knowledge, I'll have to connect my Freegrid interface to the global Freegrid network, but I can't due to the LAN isolation".

"And I can't go back to attack that base again, at least not now. After that attack, they must have buffed up their security".

"I think they must have even set up an ambush there for me, so if I go back again now, it may be equivalent to committing suicide".

Talia rubbed her chin in thought. "I'll check around the community and see if there's any deathbag for sale".

"That confirms it," she looked at Leon. "You will be in charge of repairing Daren's gauntlet. I'll try to get you the resources needed tomorrow or within the next few days".

Leon interjected. "I also need resources. Just give me whatever you can, I'll try to properly equip the crew alongside Kain and Rex".

Talia nodded, then she looked at Brick. "I'll see if I can find recovery pills. Not just for you, but for the whole crew. We need it".

"For the next few days, I want all of you to stay alert and watch out for the Zmer gang. Don't withhold any information no matter how insignificant, report everything to me".

"We have to stop Parasite". Her eyes gleamed.

…

That night, Brad received a visitor.

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