"So, how about this Gig? Not bad, right? Just a small group of Scavengers—easy work. Honestly, we don't even have to take them out. As long as we can steal the transaction data inside, the job's done."
Pilar twisted in his chair, spinning it around to face the two behind him.
After reading through the details, Lucy quietly nodded, offering no objections. Seeing this, Pilar turned his attention to Rebecca.
"Why're you staring at me? Let's just take it. The payout's decent anyway. Split three ways, it's pretty good."
"Should we bring in more people? Enough to form a proper small team."
Lucy thought for a moment before speaking.
"Hmm… that's actually not a bad idea."
Pilar rubbed the stubble on his chin. After all, this Gig was meant to help them sync up as a team, not to make money.
Ideally, they should fill out the roster. They already had a frontline gunner, a netrunner, and a tech/repair specialist. What they still needed was another frontline fighter and a reliable driver.
If possible, they'd find a driver first, then two more frontline fighters, plus someone who could handle long-range support.
That would be perfect.
"I do know a trustworthy driver, but he might not want to team up with us. He hates babysitting."
As he said that, Pilar shot another glance at Rebecca and Lucy.
"Pft—!"
Rebecca planted a kick squarely on his face.
"Asshole! I'm not some clueless rookie! Don't treat me like a sniveling kid!"
Lucy couldn't help smiling at the chaotic scene. Honestly, she also wanted to say she wasn't new to this either. After wandering the streets for so long and still being alive, that alone proved enough.
Once the noise settled, Pilar rubbed his now-reddened cheek.
"Alright, alright—I'll go ask him. You two see if you can find anyone dependable."
Recently, with no major incidents happening and PROJECT's cooperation with Moore Technologies progressing smoothly, Roland had more free time. Which meant he had more chances to keep an eye on these three.
And he soon realized this was the perfect opportunity—time to slip Jackie into the group.
...
Two days later, while Rebecca was scrolling through her contacts,
a notification chimed. She froze, then blinked in surprise when she saw the sender's name.
She hurriedly opened the message.
"Heard you've started running as an edgerunner and are looking for team members?"
"(╬ಠ益ಠ) So you can talk, old man—I thought you were just a decoration!"
Seeing Rebecca's reply, Roland chuckled. Right now, he was contacting her through Jhin's comms.
"Haha, no worries. I'm here to recommend someone—someone trustworthy. Used to be with the Valentinos. Strong, loyal, just a bit unlucky."
Rebecca's expression shifted into genuine interest. After all, anyone praised by Jhin—now considered a rising legend—should be solid.
"Send me the contact!"
A moment later, a string of numbers arrived in her inbox.
After chatting with Roland for a bit longer, Rebecca grabbed the email and went to find Pilar.
"Someone recommended by Jhin? Damn, that's a huge opportunity. Hey, looks like that guy's pretty interested in you—why don't you recruit him into our team?"
Pilar raised a brow at the story, then gave Rebecca a sleazy look—until her eyes turned threatening.
"Ahem—kidding, kidding. I'm heading out! House is yours!"
He bolted from the room, leaving a spinning chair behind.
"Hmph."
Rebecca took out the gun Jhin had gifted her, looked it over, spun it in her hand, then tucked it back into her pocket.
...
"What, you really not planning to join us? We've got real potential, you know~"
Pilar downed his drink with a satisfied sigh, then slung an arm around the shoulder of the man beside him.
"Forget it. If you want me onboard, at least make a name for yourself first. Right now, the payout from your Gigs probably can't even match a single race I run."
Falco rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his drink.
"You're driving and drinking?"
"Gotta get a little buzz going."
Falco laughed, gave him a thumbs-up, and lit a cigarette.
"Seriously won't join? I could… persuade you…"
Pilar wiggled his eyebrows and moved his hand suggestively.
"Fuck off."
Falco barked a laugh, then kicked Pilar in the ass.
"Guess I'm not getting lucky this time. But at least help me look into someone, yeah?"
Pilar let out a dramatic sigh, then looked over at Falco with a serious expression.
Falco paused, then nodded. "Say it."
"A guy named Jackie Welles. Used to be with the Valentinos. See what you can find out about him."
"Never heard of him. Probably nobody special. Why're you suddenly digging up his background—planning something shady again?"
Falco shook his head—didn't know the name. But the second half of his sentence clearly meant he'd take the job.
"A bigshot who's been really active lately recommended him to my sister. So of course I need to check him out."
Pilar shrugged helplessly.
"Oh? You've got those kinds of connections? Rare. If you manage to bring him in, I'll follow you on the spot."
Falco leaned in, eyes bright.
"Please, as if I'm that capable. If I were, I wouldn't need you."
Pilar smacked him in the face lightly and pushed him aside.
"Fair enough. I'll send you the details tomorrow. Today, just relax. And hey—did you even wash your hands?"
"How'd you know I didn't?"
"...Are you being serious?"
"Kidding! Kidding! Calm down! Put the gun away—no roughhousing in here!"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser