Chapter 3: Want a Fight? Bring It On!
Johnny Silverhand nodded thoughtfully. That was an interesting statement. If Li Ang dared to make such bold promises, it at least showed he wasn't afraid of after-sales issues.
"This guy is probably a middleman from Dogtown, maybe backed by Militech. No way an ordinary gun shop would have goods like these!" Johnny thought to himself.
But... what did that have to do with him?
He was here to buy a gun, and it didn't matter if Li Ang was with Militech, Arasaka, or even wielding an old Japanese Type 38 rifle. As long as Johnny had the right tool, he could take care of any enemies.
"Alright, how much for the gun? I'll take it." Johnny casually reached into his pocket, ready to pay.
"The original price is 300 Eurodollars, but since we seem to get along, I'll knock off 50. You just need to pay 250 to take it home."
Li Ang offered Johnny a friendly gesture. After all, Johnny Silverhand was a legendary figure in Night City. If he could get Johnny on his side, it would surely benefit his business.
Not to mention, Johnny's girlfriend, Alt Cunningham, was a super netrunner, capable of creating the Soulkiller Relic chip. A powerful ally, indeed.
Although Li Ang could unlock Relic chip technology using his corporate funds, he couldn't let Cunningham be captured by Arasaka. The thought of Saburo Arasaka gaining immortality with this technology was intolerable.
"Thanks, but I don't like owing people favors. If you need contraband, I can help you source it."
Johnny paid decisively and spoke plainly. He was beginning to feel some goodwill toward this Asian shopkeeper.
"I don't need contraband. What I lack is manpower. If you're ever available, you could lend a hand here. I guarantee your pay would be no worse than any corporate job."
Li Ang extended an olive branch to Johnny.
"Haha, I'm used to a free and easy lifestyle. But I'll think about it. Now, hand me the gun already—any more talking, and it'll get cold."
Seeing Johnny reject his offer, Li Ang wasn't upset. He knew Johnny would be back sooner or later.
After taking Johnny's money and having him fill out a firearm purchase agreement,Li Ang watched him leave the store.
His first arms deal was successfully completed, and with none other than a future Night City legend.
There was something surreal about it—interacting with characters from the game felt both thrilling and satisfying.
As Johnny's figure disappeared down the street, Li Ang couldn't help but recall the LA Company's slogan:
"In the land of the free, every citizen deserves their own 'Gun of Freedom'!"
Although Li Ang didn't know what Johnny planned to do with the gun, he was certain that the M-76E Omaha would soon become famous in Night City.
Perhaps by tomorrow, he'd see Johnny Silverhand's handsome face on Guns and Chrome. Or more likely, the gun itself would make waves in the city's gang wars.
In this city of sin and wealth, who could refuse a powerful, well-crafted weapon?
After all, in Night City, survival depended on having the right tools. A slow trigger finger meant a quicker trip to meet Death.
---
Watson District, Afterlife Bar, Private Room
A furious roar and the sharp sound of shattering glass echoed as Chen Tao kicked over the table in front of him.
"Damn Tiger Claws! How dare they cause trouble on my turf again? How many times has it been this month?!"
Grabbing one of his lackeys by the collar, Chen Tao looked ready to storm into Kabuki and start a war.
As the heir to the Triads, the largest Chinese gang in Little China, Chen Tao ruled the area like a local king. Yet trouble seemed to keep finding him, particularly from the Tiger Claws.
Supported by Arasaka, the Tiger Claws had grown into a massive criminal organization in Night City. The Triads, with their small-scale smuggling and illegal dealings, were no match for a corp-backed gang.
"Damn those bastards! They want a fight? Bring it on!"
With those words, Chen Tao ordered his men to gather their forces. Every hired merc, thug, and hitman they could get their hands on would join in a raid on the Tiger Claws tonight.
---
Half an hour later, a convoy of vans parked outside a brothel in Kabuki.
Dozens of armed men kicked down doors, shooting any Tiger Claws with tattoos on sight. Among them was none other than Johnny Silverhand.
Johnny was particularly ruthless, not only because the Triads paid well but also because he despised the Tiger Claws. He attacked without hesitation, taking out as many as he could.
After all, once this job was done, he'd retire for a while. He might as well take out a few more Tiger Claws to vent his anger.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Under the neon glow, gunfire shattered the Tiger Claws' peaceful night. Before they could react, bullets had already carved bloody holes through their bodies.
When reinforcements arrived, Johnny led a small team to intercept them. Despite being outnumbered, Johnny's firepower gave his side the upper hand.
The M-76E Omaha wasn't an ordinary handgun. Equipped with an electromagnetic rail system, it fired solid metal projectiles instead of standard bullets. Each pull of the trigger unleashed three dewastating projectiles.
As these deadly rounds tore through Tiger Claws, even the mercenaries and thugs working with Johnny were stunned.
"Is that gun modified from an AK-74? The power's insane!"
"Dude, why does it shoot three rounds at once? Is this some kind of gun-fu?"
"Bro, where'd you get that gun? Hook me up, and I'll make it worth your while!"
When the dust settled, Johnny stood amidst the carnage, lighting a Marlboro and taking a long drag.
The job was done.
Soon, he'd collect his pay from the fixer and head to Heywood to lay low.
As for the curious questions from his companions, Johnny brushed them off with vague answers, claiming he'd picked it up on the black market. He never mentioned Li Ang
Just as Johnny was about to leave, the Triad leader Chen Tao called out to him.
"Hey, you with the shades! You're pretty efficient. Got a grudge against the Tiger Claws? If you're interested, I could use someone like you. The pay's good."
Chen Tao's words seemed casual, but his eyes never left Johnny's gun. Clearly, he'd noticed its exceptional quality.