[Mercer: The top suites and high-level compartments are probably still left for the big shots outside. Don't be fooled by Dog Town's rundown appearance; there are quite a few wealthy people gathered at Gem Cyan.]
I estimate that its monthly income must be calculated in millions of Euros.]
[V: So rich? Damn, no wonder each of these guys has bulletproof vests made to order...]
[Mercer: That's for sure. Look at the Bulldog robots patrolling the street. Each one costs hundreds of thousands of Euros, and they are in high demand.]
[V: Tsk tsk... When do we rob them?]
[Mercer: We're civilized people, don't always think about robbing.]
Mercer and V exchanged messages in their heads using a chat software, and at the end, they exchanged a glance and chuckled.
Bennett had been observing the two's actions, noting their audacity. Surrounded by Netherworld Dogs, they still looked calm and even amused, which gave Bennett a preliminary judgment of them.
No wonder they could play around with biotechnology, military science, and Arasaka — this mercenary squad couldn't be more daring.
After crossing the hall, they entered a room where Mercer immediately saw Hansen sitting on the sofa. At the same time, his eyebrows slightly raised, as he suddenly found the place familiar.
This... seems to be the place in the game DLC where Hansen stored the Little BeiDou device, right?
A bar counter, sofa, large glass window, and beyond the window, a sunken and open space. Looking closely, there were many pieces of equipment inside, and Mercer glanced quickly, mostly manufacturing and research equipment.
At the moment, many people were busy inside, most presumably technical experts — it seemed this was where Hansen was working on weapon designs.
It was only after he hooked up with Lark and dug out the military science's Little BeiDou project that he moved the device restraining the Little BeiDou AI to here for Lark to continue researching it.
Seeing this situation, Mercer was finally able to confirm Hansen's objective, considering the standardized equipment of the Netherworld Dogs he had just seen were all wholesale from Military Science...
Retracting his gaze, Mercer and Hansen looked directly at each other, sizing each other up.
Hansen, wearing a tight black short-sleeved shirt, looked very much like a soldier, with his rugged features and demeanor.
He was the type that, at first glance, seemed authoritative and not to be messed with.
But Mercer looked at him calmly for a moment before proactively speaking, "Colonel Kurt Hansen, it's a pleasure to finally meet."
"Is that so?"
Hansen responded coolly, sitting on the sofa with a calm expression, speaking meaningfully:
"To be honest, your contact did surprise me a bit... I thought, in your eyes, Dog Town was Mr. Hans' territory."
"I just hadn't figured out how to approach Colonel Hansen before." Mercer was completely unaffected by the atmosphere, walking steadily toward him and sitting on the opposite sofa.
Seeing his demeanor, Hansen's expression didn't change much, but his fingers subconsciously rubbed, showing a hint of impatience.
He didn't quite like Mercer's composed attitude. In his eyes, the other party should show more respect towards him.
"So, have you figured it out now?" Hansen's tone remained leisurely.
"Indeed, to blend in Dog Town, one must pay a visit...
I hope Colonel Hansen doesn't misunderstand anything. The reason I'm only coming now is mainly because I hadn't made a name for myself. Even if I wanted to meet you before, I'm afraid Colonel Hansen wouldn't have spared the time."
Mercer chuckled as he spoke.
Hansen sneered lightly and then said with deliberation: "Now you've met me... So, tell me, give me a reason to let you stay in Dog Town."
"I thought Dog Town was open to everyone... Isn't that why it's doing so well right now?" Mercer retorted.
But Hansen simply watched him and said: "Those who come here either pay me taxes or make money for me. Which category do you fall into?"
"That depends on what Colonel Hansen wants."
Mercer replied calmly: "If Colonel Hansen just wants protection money, I can pay regularly following the standards of other gangs, in exchange for the protection of the Netherworld Dogs.
And if Colonel Hansen is interested in making money with me... I do have some capability to make us both wealthy."
Hansen was silent for a moment, staring sharply at him, then suddenly laughed.
As he laughed, he waved for someone to bring over a whiskey bottle and glass.
"Very good, it appears you truly thought it through before coming, not wasting my time. So, let's talk about the second option."
Hansen got straight to the point, leaning slightly forward as if pressing Mercer: "But before that... I don't like dealing with people who wear masks."
Mercer didn't waste words and removed his mask, revealing his face.
Hansen was initially stunned, then couldn't help but laugh, his laughter growing louder: "This is truly interesting, Military Science, Arasaka, Biotechnology, Faraday... a bunch of people being played by a kid."
"I thought your registration information was a joke... Honestly, kid, have you even come of age?"
V looked somewhat displeased, but Mercer smiled calmly, saying, "Eighteen should be considered an adult, right?"
"Hahaha..." Hansen continued laughing, with a slight contempt in his smile.
But Mercer remained unaffected, revealing a subtle smile, pushing aside the glass in front of him: "But everything else can be negotiated, could you switch my whiskey for a coke? A small can of Coke, with ice."
As soon as he said this, apart from Hansen, the other Netherworld Dogs also laughed, a sound that V found particularly grating as she scanned the surroundings.
Until Hansen waved his hand, the surrounding quieted again.
"Listen, here in the United States, we drink Sirius Cola... But I suppose I can make an exception for you. Go, get him a can of Coke."
Hansen said.
A Netherworld Dog turned and left, and Mercer spoke up again as a reminder: "It has to be an original can, no funny flavors."
He appeared completely unfazed by the laughter surrounding him.
Seeing this, Hansen maintained a facade of disdain, but inwardly, he increased Mercer's danger level.
Not every young person can remain calm in such a situation, especially a young, talented, and confident hacker.
Hansen knew all too well about the temperaments of such genius hackers.
After all the laughter and probing, Hansen got straight to the point.
"Tell me, how exactly do you want to cooperate with me?"
Mercer straightforwardly replied: "I can help you make guns."
This made Hansen narrow his eyes slightly.