In the grim, forsaken depths of the city, finding a set of worn, discarded clothes was the least of Lin Mo's concerns. The garments were tattered, likely stripped from some poor soul. Who knew what filth clung to them? Still, they were enough to cover Kawako in a pinch.
Lin Mo didn't care much about modesty. If not for the fear of being accused of mistreating a hostage, he might've just used his Sandevistan to sprint a hundred meters, carrying her to the car in the blink of an eye. Moving at that speed, no one would've noticed anything, let alone worry about privacy.
Despite the stench clinging to the clothes, Lin Mo forced them onto Kawako, ignoring her quiet protests. Her small frame was now decently covered, and that was enough.
But with that settled, another issue arose: who would carry her?
The medical injection had saved her life but did nothing to restore her energy. She was too weak to walk. After just a few steps, she was sweating and wincing in pain from the surgery scars.
Sasha, ever practical, immediately declined the task with a smile. "I'm an infiltrator, not a bodyguard," she said, her petite frame making it clear she wasn't fit to carry anyone.
With no other option, Lin Mo hoisted Kawako onto his back and began the trek back with Sasha by his side.
Surprisingly, the return journey was smooth. Too smooth. Even Sasha, a seasoned netrunner, hadn't expected it to go this well. They'd encountered only a few Scavs and remained undetected throughout.
Sometimes, timing was everything. Picking the right moment to slip in quietly could be far more effective than going in guns blazing, even if most players would prefer the latter.
When they finally reached the extraction point, Rebecca was lounging atop a shipping container, boredom written across her face.
Below her, Pilar was juggling grenades between his mechanical hands like some circus clown, making ridiculous sound effects with each toss.
The moment Rebecca spotted Lin Mo carrying Kawako, her eyes lit up, and she leapt down with practiced ease, her pale legs hitting the ground in a graceful landing.
"Lin Mo! You're back! How'd it go?" she asked, voice brimming with energy.
Pilar stopped his juggling act, stowing the grenades as he looked over.
"We got her out. Mission accomplished," Lin Mo said calmly.
Rebecca groaned. "Ugh, that's so boring."
She had been itching for a bloody fight, only to spend the last half-hour watching her brother act like a fool.
"Wanna join the Scavs and party with them?" Pilar teased with a smirk, prompting Rebecca to shoot him a death glare.
"No blood, no fight—that's the best outcome," Sasha interjected as she made her way toward the fence where they'd entered the compound. "See you all on the other side."
With a casual flip, Sasha vaulted over the fence.
Pilar followed, using his elongated cybernetic arms to swing over with ease, cackling as he did.
Rebecca watched him show off, clicking her tongue in annoyance.
Lin Mo, carrying Kawako, prepared to follow but felt a tug on his sleeve.
Rebecca stood there, an uncertain expression on her face, something between hesitation and determination in her eyes.
"Hey... you'll carry me over too, right?" she asked, her voice uncharacteristically unsure.
Lin Mo blinked, taking a moment before nodding. "Wait here."
He vaulted over the fence with Kawako on his back, setting her down gently on the other side. After handing her to Sasha, he turned back. "Watch over her for me. I'll be right back."
Sasha smiled, holding Kawako securely. "Don't worry, I got her."
Lin Mo leapt back over the fence to fetch Rebecca.
"Kid's really underestimating me," Pilar muttered as Lin Mo landed.
Sasha chuckled softly but said nothing.
"No, it's not that I underestimate you," Lin Mo's voice came from the top of the fence, "I just know you too well."
With Rebecca clinging to his back, Lin Mo jumped back over, setting her down gently on the other side. Her face lit up in delight; clearly, the leap hadn't bothered her.
"We shouldn't linger here. Someone message Maine, let him know we're clear. Then contact Wakako—time to call for the pickup," Lin Mo instructed.
Everyone nodded, though Rebecca still looked slightly disappointed.
When Maine and Dorio got word, they regrouped with the team at Falco's car.
"Can't believe how smooth that went!" Maine laughed, slapping Lin Mo's shoulder. "Didn't you waste your money hiring us, kid?"
They'd all expected a bloody fight. Maine had even prepared for one, figuring there was no way an infiltration job would go off without a hitch. Instead, they'd just stood guard, doing nothing. Easy money.
"So, we just wait for Wakako's car?" Falco asked, leaning out of his window.
Maine nodded, but noticed Lin Mo was deep in thought. Assuming the young merc was brooding over the cash spent, he gave him another hearty pat. "Hey, if you're feeling like this wasn't worth it, talk to Wakako. After all, you and Sasha did all the work. We barely lifted a finger."
Maine looked at his crew. "Anyone got a problem with that?"
Falco shrugged, Sasha smiled, and Rebecca pouted but said nothing. Dorio and Pilar gave nonchalant nods.
"Thanks, but no need. Wakako gets full payment," Lin Mo replied, shaking his head. "I'm just thinking about something else."
Maine raised an eyebrow. "Something else? You disappointed like Rebecca?"
Lin Mo chuckled. "No, it's not that."
He was thinking about how the simulator had hinted at a fight, yet they'd gotten out without a scratch. He couldn't help but reflect on how unreliable it could be, despite all its predictive capabilities.
After about thirty minutes, Wakako's car pulled up.
As Lin Mo helped Kawako to the vehicle, he noticed her face was troubled. Even after being rescued, something still weighed heavily on her.
Just as Lin Mo was about to shut the door, Kawako hesitated. "Sir... there's still another friend of mine inside. I think she's still alive."
Lin Mo paused. "But you saw for yourself. No one else was in that room."
Kawako lowered her head, her voice wavering. "She was the one who took care of me while I was unconscious. I wouldn't have survived without her. They took her away not long ago... there's another room deeper in the basement, I think."
More prisoners? Lin Mo's eyes narrowed, but his voice remained cold. "Without her, you wouldn't be here."
"She... didn't mean for this to happen," Kawako whispered, her words laced with guilt.
Lin Mo stared at her for a long moment. The job was done. He could walk away now, mission complete. But the horrors he'd seen in that basement tugged at him, the dead pulling him into a moral quagmire.
Maybe he wasn't cut out for this world after all.
But running away with righteous anger still burning inside him—how could he live with himself?
He sighed. "I can't guarantee she's still alive. Don't get your hopes up."
Kawako nodded quietly, biting her lip.
"However, we can make sure the Scavs don't get the chance to do this again. But I need you to make it official. Call this number and place a contract." Lin Mo sent her Wakako's contact.
Kawako looked confused. "But... I don't have money."
"You won't need it. Just say the contract fee is one eurodollar."
"One eurodollar?!" Kawako's eyes widened.
Lin Mo smiled. "I'll handle the rest."
Her eyes welled up, disbelief written all over her face. After a moment of hesitation, she made the call.
Soon, Wakako rang Lin Mo. "Are you insane, child? A contract for one eurodollar? Is this a joke?"
"No joke, granny. Consider it a favor."
"Serious? You're going to carry this out yourself?"
"Yes."
"What's the reason?"
Lin Mo's expression darkened. "To kill."
Silence.
Finally, Wakako sighed. "Fine. I'll make sure this gets handled by none other than Mr. Shadow himself. That work for you?"
Lin Mo smiled. "Yes. Mr. Shadow will handle it."
"Good luck," Wakako said before hanging up.
Lin Mo turned back to Kawako, offering her a slight bow. "Please await my good news, Miss Client. I will fulfill your request... and wipe out every last one of them."
...
As Lin Mo rejoined Maine and the crew, he said calmly, "We've got more work. We're heading back to finish this."
Maine frowned. "But our contract's done."
"I'll pay you. 80,000 eurodollars."
Maine grinned, slamming his metal fists together. "Now you're talking, kid!"
Rebecca whooped with excitement. "Hell yeah, more action!"
Lin Mo watched them gear up before reaching into his belt pouch. The mysterious box from his simulation rewards opened effortlessly. Inside was a small black shard.
When he touched it, it expanded into a sleek, metallic mask covering the upper half of his face, leaving his sharp features visible. The mask was shaped like a fierce demon, with the character "墨" (Mo) etched into the forehead.
Half-angel, half-demon.
Lin Mo... or rather, Mr. Shadow.
"Hello, Mr. Shadow," Lin Mo whispered, a wry smile on his lips.