Chapter 420: Chapter 252: Wanderer in the City

“Ah—”

The Red Falcon awoke in panic.

She looked around in terror, breathing frantically, a deep dull ache emanating from her temples and head.

“Fuck! Where am I!?”

The industrial fan dispelled the lingering scent of disinfectant in the ward.

“Awake?”

A hearty male voice sounded beside her.

The Red Falcon instinctively pulled out the metal plate meant for storing medication but was tightly restrained before she could strike towards the source of the voice.

“Whoa there, little girl, you’ve got some strength.”

Nando and the Red Falcon exchanged a few moves, but it was like an adult bullying a child, leaving her defenseless as he pinned her back onto the hospital bed.

This was also because the Sianweistan had been deactivated during the surgery and not yet reinstated.

“Think it through, breaking things here will cost you.”

Nando smiled, ensuring they locked eyes before releasing his alloy limb which was like a metal clamp, then stepped aside, raising his hands and slowly retreated, maintaining his presence within her line of sight.

“If I meant you harm, why would I wait for you to wake up?”

The Red Falcon breathed heavily, swallowing hard.

“Where is this? Who are you!?”

“West District, City Farm, Damascus Camp branch. I am the Leader of the Wanderers; you can call me Nando.”

He wore a reassuring smile.

“How did I get here, and my… eyes!”

“John brought you here. As an old acquaintance, he asked us to take care of you and get you a ticket out of the city.”

Nando gestured with a cigar, lighting it up by the window at his leisure.

“When you were brought here, you were barely alive. To stabilize intracranial pressure and stop the bleeding in time, we just picked one for you without consulting your preferred color or style.”

He blew incomplete smoke rings with his hand.

“That’s an extra charge.”

Nando said as he placed a box containing a chip of funds in front of the Red Falcon.

The apparent gaps suggested something was missing.

“…That’s quite something; that bitchy old woman actually cleared the balance. And that mercenary didn’t kill me, his name was John, right?”

“Yes, quite a good guy.”

Nando handed the items over.

The Red Falcon looked at the box of chips, let out a bitter chuckle, and thoughtfully traced the golden stripes on it.

For quite a while, until the cigar smoke became impossible to ignore…

She frowned and looked toward the man by the window.

“Does every patient need a leader to nurse them? You came to me because you have something to discuss, right?”

Through this ordeal, the Red Falcon had become cautious.

Nando blinked, having his thoughts guessed, yet seemed eager to put things plainly.

“Do you have any other plans after leaving Eden City? Friends, family, or any other options!”

“…”

The Red Falcon did not answer.

Nando wore an ’I figured as much’ expression, pointing at her from a distance with a smoking cigar.

“Work with me. Damascus can cover you! If you don’t want to shed tears in the city, I can arrange for you to hit the wasteland. Illegal mods, racing, wandering—beer and bullets in abundance…”

He spoke, turning a chair backwards, sitting down to chat with the Red Falcon about life.

This long-missed enthusiastic atmosphere left her somewhat breathless.

“Fuck, can you keep your distance? Stop acting so familiar—didn’t the person who brought me here warn you? I’m carrying big trouble!”

“Ah, things are no longer your concern.”

Nando said as he switched on the room’s news program.

“John said you’ll understand once you see this.”

The screen displayed current events news.

The citywide spotlight on the hovercar crash revealed a new discovery—it wasn’t a gang war terror attack, but rather a malfunction in an undeclared experimental product stored on the Raftaki.

[Currently, Raftaki Group’s representative in Eden City, Haruhiko Raftaki, has yet to respond, but municipal departments have disclosed major breakthroughs in the city council regarding public facility repairs and insurance payouts…]

[The government has announced it will gradually lift the partial martial law…]

[Small-scale gang conflicts have reappeared on the streets, with unforeseen casualty insurance seeing a market boom…]

The Red Falcon stared at the news on the screen, taking a long time to grasp the implications.

Eventually, Nando explained it to her.

Of course, this information had been leaked by John.

Oulos appearing at the negotiation table holding the Red Falcon’s blood-stained eyeball meant that the Eastern People’s subtle manipulation on the hovercar had been noticed.

Although not entirely exposed, it had silenced the Eastern People completely.

The Raftaki Group paid a price.

Jingke Heavy Industry regained the upper hand.

The Eastern People spent money to avert disaster, compensating the city a hefty sum.

As for Oulos?

She wouldn’t be foolish enough to outright reveal the smart eye data—as a middleman holding critical information, naturally, she would find ways to ensure her life safety and seek maximum profit.

These matters no longer concerned John or the Red Falcon.

The information had transferred to those qualified to negotiate.

Who would still care about the life and death of a fringe dweller?

[Eden City – Radiant Dust Farm B75]

Alonna passed John a cold beer as they stood on a platform halfway up a skyscraper, gazing out at the night.

Through the movable bulletproof window, drones could be seen flying past.

The city was awash with neon lights.

Rigid edges skyrocketed into the clouds.

“The red-haired girl woke up; do you want to see her?”

“Forget it.”

John took a swig of cold beer, only feeling the cool liquid flow down his throat, a slight gurgle rising, without tasting any flavor.

His body functions were declining.

John had given the Red Falcon a way out but didn’t know who could save him.

The two leaned against the iron railing in silence.

Neither was much of a talker, but the atmosphere wasn’t awkward.

John’s Silver Rider supercar was being repaired in the Wanderer’s warehouse, with the broken crystal car jacket and lightweight sheet metal needing attention.

This was why he still remained at the Radiant Dust Farm.

“Will the Red Falcon staying in the city cause you trouble?”

“Huh?”

John turned his head, seeing Alonna looking at him earnestly. Her cobalt-blue smart eyes flickering with a gleam, seemingly in a voice call with someone.

She explained.

“Nando asked me to inquire if the Red Falcon intends to join Damascus.”

“Oh, well, she’s fortunate; a chance to start anew is rare.”

John turned, staring out the floor-to-ceiling window at the night scene.

The empty can crumpled in his hand.

“No, she’s just assisting. To gain family recognition and truly be accepted, it will take time and depend on her contributions to the camp!”

“Okay, no need to explain to me…”

“There is, John. You don’t have to trouble yourself. Damascus welcomes you; we’re expanding business inside and outside the city, and we need more hands.”

“…”

John didn’t know what to say, suddenly asking.

“Do you think I’m a good person?”

“Of course.”

“Why?”

“You’re a great driver and saved me, Qiao, Nando, and Talia. Everyone likes you.”

She didn’t know what she was thinking.

“Recent operations haven’t been smooth. Now no one in the camp dares to drive for me. Can you come?”

“…Forget it, let’s talk next time.”

John felt idiotic—how could he think of getting answers from Alonna?

[Side Quest: Middleman (Completed)]

[Reward: None]

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