As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a dim golden glow across the sky, the city felt like it was holding its breath. The day's last light faded, giving way to the cold, sterile silver of the moon that would soon rule the night. The factory grounds, now draped in the dying light, seemed even more ominous—like a forgotten ghost waiting for the shadows to claim it entirely.
On a nearby rooftop, Hiro lay prone, his Nekomata sniper rifle aimed at the factory courtyard. Through his enhanced scope, he surveyed the Scavs milling below, their twisted laughter and careless movements making him sick.
The courtyard buzzed with a strange, unsettling life. Groups of Scavs gathered around flickering oil drums, their faces illuminated by the orange glow as they warmed their hands. The distant thrum of crude music echoed through the industrial zone, a haunting contrast to the silence of the surrounding city blocks.
Hiro shifted slightly, his muscles stiff from hours in the same position. He wasn't a professional sniper—the precision of the Nekomata rifle took its toll. Unlike seasoned killers who could wait silently for hours, Hiro aimed for efficiency, not perfection. His shots wouldn't kill in an instant. He aimed to cripple—hands, legs, torsos—leaving his targets writhing in agony, begging for an end.
Beyond the factory, the streets of Northside Industrial fell quiet, swallowed by the impending night. This far from the heart of Night City, no one would be wandering the streets by nightfall.
"Lin Mo, is your backup here yet?" Hiro asked, casting a glance at his partner.
Lin Mo sat casually on a clean patch of rooftop nearby, watching the horizon as the last rays of sun slipped away. His white jacket gleamed faintly in the fading light, the crimson wolf on its back appearing almost alive. His hair fluttered in the soft breeze, and the wolf's eyes seemed to glow, mirroring Lin Mo's own calm, calculating expression.
"They're arriving now," Lin Mo replied with a faint smile, his eyes flickering with anticipation.
Hiro followed his gaze, spotting two sets of headlights cutting through the darkness. One belonged to a sleek black Emperor 720, and the other to a flashy purple Quadra Type-66 640 TS.
"Those guys again?" Hiro muttered, raising an eyebrow in recognition.
He had seen this same Edgerunner crew—a group of six—during a job last week. The same cars, the same crew. At the time, Lin Mo seemed on good terms with them, but Hiro hadn't expected to see them again so soon.
"How did you get them to back us up?" Hiro asked, still trying to wrap his head around it.
Lin Mo chuckled softly, eyes never leaving the approaching vehicles. "I made a call to Wakako."
"Yeah, but Edgerunners like them don't risk their lives for free," Hiro said, clearly skeptical.
In Night City, nothing came without a price. Trust was fragile, and loyalty even more so. Every job was a dangerous game, and no one threw themselves into danger unless the payout was worth it.
"No one works for free," Lin Mo replied with a knowing smile. "I paid them."
Hiro stared in disbelief. "How much did you offer?"
Lin Mo shrugged casually, the words slipping out like they were nothing. "Eight grand."
Hiro blinked, stunned. "Lin Mo, we're working together now, and I feel like I need to give you some advice..."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Just because you have money doesn't mean you should throw it around."
Eight thousand eurodollars for a single job was more than excessive. Hiro knew Lin Mo had deep pockets, but this? It felt like he was watching a rich kid burn through his fortune without thinking twice.
Lin Mo smiled, unfazed. "It's not a waste, Hiro. Trust me, it's worth every eddie."
"How do you figure that?" Hiro asked, brow furrowed in confusion.
Lin Mo leaned back slightly, watching as the two cars pulled closer. "Wakako didn't know the Scavs here would be in the dozens. She sent us in with a three-grand payout to clear out this mess and rescue a hostage. But three grand? That's not nearly enough to cover the risk."
He glanced at Hiro, his smirk widening. "We could just gather intel and walk away, but that's not my style. I want to make a statement. And making a statement requires going big. That means spending big."
Hiro, still processing Lin Mo's logic, pointed out, "But we're not even making a profit on this. You're paying more than we'll earn."
Lin Mo shrugged again. "It's not about the money. It's about building reputation, making connections, and gaining experience. The cash will come later. Right now, I'm investing in something far more valuable."
Hiro sighed, realizing Lin Mo was impossible to sway. "You do realize reputation bought with cash isn't reliable, right? People are going to think you're just some rich kid throwing money around."
Lin Mo stood up, brushing the dust off his jacket. "Let them think that. Let them underestimate me. It's all part of the game. I don't care what they think, as long as it gets me where I want to be—like at the doors of Afterlife."
He paused, casting a glance back at Hiro. "Besides, this face of mine? It works to my advantage. People see me as some kid and let their guard down. That's exactly what I want."
Hiro's eyes widened as he connected the dots. Lin Mo's youthful appearance was more than just a façade—it was a weapon. A lion hiding in the skin of a lamb.
"Wait... are you planning on recruiting them?" Hiro asked, suddenly realizing Lin Mo's bigger play.
Lin Mo's grin widened. "Exactly. They're talented, and I don't plan on letting them slip away."
As Lin Mo and Hiro descended the stairwell, the two cars pulled up to the building, engines cutting off in unison. The Edgerunner crew emerged, armed and ready for whatever lay ahead.
Lin Mo's eyes glowed faintly as he communicated his plan to the team, his mind already working several moves ahead. Meanwhile, Hiro trailed behind, deep in thought. He had underestimated Lin Mo before, but now the picture was clear.
Lin Mo wasn't just some kid throwing money at problems. He was building something far bigger. And by the time the rest of Night City caught on, it might already be too late to stop him.