[What do you mean by that?]
"You're doing business with me, the Black Gold Gang, and oh, not just us, but also the relatives of those rich kids. You're playing the good guy on every side."
"F*ck, you let me teach them a lesson first, then had Vito detain people for ransom, while you're living off the fat of the land in the middle."
Laughter came from the other end of the phone, unabashed.
The Tie Clip couldn't help but applaud. Since John had discovered him, he no longer pretended, switching back to his business tone to continue speaking.
[No wonder you can get by, John. If you want to maximize the benefits of a single business, you have to make things a bit complicated. Middlemen live off this. Besides, I wasn't trying to screw you over.]
The Tie Clip spoke with confidence.
[I usually keep everyone satisfied. You didn't lose out on this deal, did you?]
"Interesting, you tricked me and expect me to say thank you?"
[John, let's recall, what was the business I discussed with you? Teaching a few youngsters a lesson. And I paid you handsomely, a brand-new Plato technology rifle...]
[Sorry, remind me, did I miss any reward for you?]
The Tie Clip smiled helplessly.
He sighed and continued.
[How to earn money from clients is my business. Negotiation, initiation, timing the entry of actors—all require brains. It's only fair to allocate based on the work done, and it's unreasonable to make me shell out extra money; you are the executor, John. I'm not squeezing you dry.]
"You're quite slick; it's not my first day on the street. Lies will make me lose faith in intermediaries; you shouldn't treat me like a fool."
[I owe you an apology on that point, John. You've exceeded my expectations, and I am willing to invest in outstanding young people like you. Take the motorcycle; think of it as compensation—it's quite valuable…]
"It's certainly not you paying for it."
[That's none of your concern. Anyway, we know each other now. Keep in touch; there are plenty of opportunities in the West District, just lacking capable and smart guys like you. I'll prioritize you for big money deals in the future.]
[See you later.]
The Tie Clip hung up the phone.
The strong men, having received the message, didn't linger—they carried Piotr away, leaving the motorcycle untouched.
A message popped up in front of John indicating the task was completed.
[Task: Social Education (Completed)]
[Reward: Weapon Technology Rifle (with Chip), Extra Compensation, Vehicle Eisenberg-Alloy RCH]
John rode the bike back.
Luckily, the task reminder prompted him to stay, otherwise, he'd have fallen for the Tie Clip's trick.
Middlemen in Eden City aren't simple.
The Tie Clip seems to be someone who has long been mediating between companies and street mercenaries, someone who can deal with the elite class, with a dirty heart, as Genius would say—a demon that eats people without spitting out their bones.
Vito probably hit the mark by mistake.
He casually mentioned the business, which made John realize the connection. After exchanging some information, both parties understood the Tie Clip's little scheme.
But he was right too.
No one lost out; everyone got what they wanted from this business.
That's the Tie Clip's brilliance.
[Eden City-Dan Street]
John rode the motorcycle back to the apartment, only to find several Black Gold Gang members blocking the entrance to the underground parking garage.
He opened the weapon bag, ready for a confrontation.
A guy with dreadlocks, who seemed to be a small boss, noticed John's motorcycle and proactively approached.
He wore an OVERSIZE jacket, imitating a popular rap star, showing off two big gold teeth and handing over an authorization card.
"Park at A31 from now on."
John, a bit confused, took it.
He headed to the underground garage, following the brightly illuminated road towards the VIP A Zone.
The parking lots below the apartment building, club, and casino were connected, and even every parking lot on Dan Street was massive.
John rode the motorcycle through a scanning barrier.
The authorization card glowed faintly, the electronic barrier showing a green light, and the patrolling suit-clad bodyguards nodded and stepped aside.
This is the VIP A Zone. Even the signature graffiti has turned into electronic projections.
Every pillar is edge-trimmed with golden materials, and the garage numbers are embedded in rectangular pieces of alloy, exuding a sense of luxurious technology.
The flooring paint was refreshingly clean.
The cleaner robots and temperature-humidity equipment could operate 24 hours, making even a small tire drift squeak, and every luxury car's engine sound echoed in the underground garage.
It's hard for customers to come and go discreetly.
Revving up tells others you've come back alive or are setting out for big business.
The ostentatious style of the Black Gold Gang.
John reached Garage 31, inserted the card into the authorization panel, entered the key to bind the information, and imported the vehicle data into the backend.
The alloy doors opened, revealing a bright and spacious independent space.
It could easily fit four cars.
The partitions were fully open, with automated cleaning equipment available for a fee, plus vending machines to call for maintenance orders and purchase parts. The accessory wall had common repair tools, convenient for customers to adjust their rides.
John was very satisfied; he parked the Eisenberg inside by launching the control system.
What made him happiest was that the elevator here reached the top floor directly, with sky bridges connecting the apartment buildings, allowing discrete passage back to his home from the VIP floor level.
Though it's still a detour, it's much more low-key.
John was well aware—the Black Gold Gang doesn't give out favors without reason, and there was no reason for them to take care of him without expecting something in return.
The expected happened; he had just finished bathing when he received a call from a real name.
[New Contact Created—Vito Russell]
The call connected smoothly.
A pop-up appeared in the upper right corner of his vision.
Mr. Vito's background was blurred, sitting behind a desk, wearing a bio-fiber custom vest, with an optical stripe breathing cotton shirt, all good stuff with brand recognition.
[Did you receive the gift, kid?]
"It's a bit overwhelming; I almost thought I joined the gang."
John was in the workshop, fiddling with two rifles in his hands.
On the webpage, he was checking information on an underground Eden City trade, searching for the prices and functions of various components for a Zebra BUG.
[The Tie Clip sent me an apology message. It seems you've already demanded additional compensation from him.]
"I think it should be called fraud compensation."
John sneered and voiced his doubt. "I should be indebted to you, so why are you giving me benefits instead?"
[Firstly, it's hush money. Those young people are imprudent, and the Black Gold Gang wants their guardians to cough up money. It's inevitable there'll be some non-cooperators; that needs effort and time. I hope when you brag, you tell a different story, and don't spread this matter—it doesn't do well for the gang or the middlemen.]
The Black Gold Gang has a strong desire to show off.
For instance, regular members love exaggerated and trendy decorations, whereas managers like Vito prefer something with a bit of class.
Vito Russell's dressing and style resemble that of a Godfather; he poured some strong liquor into a crystal glass with angular corners and casually touched his ring. In the frame, he spoke to John.
[Secondly, it's an investment. After all, Eden City churns out a hundred or more new faces every so often, but few can really get things done...]
[I have an important job in hand, continuously seeking the right person. Are you interested?]
"Anything at the right price, what kind of job is it?"
[Your specialty: driving and delivering cargo.]