Mercer couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement, "Are we really that famous now? Even a gang leader has to come out and greet us personally?"
"Of course! While you were being a homebody for a few months, the rest of us were not idle, we beat up the Tiger Claw Gang, Sixth Street Gang, and the Vortex Gang, now wherever I go, new faces call me Sister V and barely recognize me."
V boasted proudly, saying, "Last time I went drinking at Wild Wolf Bar with Jack and Mann, a few girls from the Valentino Gang approached me, saying I was their idol."
"Ha, and then you stupidly spent money to treat them to a free night of drinks?" Mercer glanced at her and then read the answer from her expression, letting out a chuckle, "You're so easy to fool."
"Screw you! Offering a few drinks means I'm fooled?" V glared at him angrily, while Mercer just shrugged and said, "Who knows? I only know that normally, it's the fans who spend money on idols."
The two started bickering again, while Rebecca silently snuggled up to him, gulped down a few shots of whiskey, and then, tipsy, began to touch him here and there, occasionally bursting into a somewhat eerie chuckle.
Mercer had gotten quite used to it—if one day he went out without a warm, soft girl clinging to him, he'd probably feel uncomfortable.
He had grown quite a bit taller, now estimating at about 1.78 meters, while Rebecca was tiny, nestled beside him like a big puppy, surprisingly cute.
They chatted and laughed, waiting for only a dozen minutes or so before a woman with a delicate face and short blue hair elegantly walked in.
She was dressed splendidly, in a pink fur coat and adorned with jewelry around her neck, an uninformed person might think she was some celebrity.
But V just gave her a glance before looking away, clearly fake—and she wasn't just talking about the clothes.
Then, the woman just glanced around and immediately saw Mercer wearing a mask, sitting on a sofa with Rebecca, drinking cola, looking out of place.
She approached with a bright smile, "Sorry, sorry, didn't expect you'd come so early."
"Sit." Mercer gestured for her to take a seat and introduced the people around him: "Evelyn Parker, not long since she switched from Liz's, the current top at Clouds."
"Not the top, just starting to gain some reputation." Evelyn spoke humbly, but the smile on her face appeared a bit more genuine.
Mercer just chuckled softly, "Spark Team, V, Rebecca, Pira."
Mercer gave a brief introduction, while Pira's eyes had long gone glazed, quickly offering her a seat next to him.
Evelyn just smiled and sat in an empty seat across from him, putting her bag aside, her voice gentle, "It's rare someone asks to meet me formally for business... honestly, I'm a bit nervous.
I know you all are big shots, and I'm just a small sex doll, so..."
She looked at Mercer tentatively, speaking cautiously, "What exactly do you want me to do? If it's just my old trade, I have no problem, but if it's anything else... I'm not very brave, really."
If you're not brave, then there aren't any brave sex dolls around these days.
Mercer knew well this woman was typically greedy and foolish, don't be fooled by her cautious demeanor, it was just an act.
So, Mercer smiled, "I want to connect with a big figure, so I need someone to help me get close, to make the connection."
Evelyn immediately understood his intentions and smiled, "I see, I can probably handle that, but... who is your target?"
Mercer calmly replied, "A company executive."
"Uh, any specific identity?" Evelyn did not want to walk blindly into a trap.
But Mercer only said in a low voice, "You don't need to worry about the client. What you need to do is install the Sex Doll Chip, and we'll arrange for you to be placed beside the important client. When alone, just activate the chip."
"...No way, I know you're a hacking expert. Once the chip is activated, I'd have no control over my actions. What if you intend to use me for assassination... I don't want to die!"
Evelyn immediately refused, warily watching Mercer.
But Mercer remained calm, "A commission fee of 300,000 Euros, plus, we'll turn you into the real star of Night City, the top figure in Clouds.
You should know not every sex doll earns the chance to be on the recommended lists of famous agents, but I can pay to get you there."
"I... if I'm dead, what use is any of that?" Evelyn said, but V laughed.
She mocked slightly, "Come on, girl, if you really didn't want to do it, you would have walked away by now."
Evelyn looked a bit embarrassed as she glanced at V.
But Mercer just remained calm, "I can assure you, our goal is merely to have a conversation with that big figure. Of course, there's an inherent risk for you as well.
But without risk, where would 300,000 Euros come from, or people supporting you?
We guarantee not to use you for any assassination, merely to borrow your body, to speak face-to-face... since you decided to come to Mox, we can find someone you trust to vouch for that."