Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 636, Section 50: Intermediary Contact

"What a unique combination."

The sight of Wayne, Oliver, and Carl sitting at the bar not only amazed the various guests, bodyguards, and bartenders of the afterlife, but even Queen Roger of the afterlife remarked on the trio's combination when she returned.

"Rogge, the things are already over there."

Wylan noticed Rogge's arrival. After drinking a few glasses of wine, he remained completely sober thanks to the prosthetic detoxification device of his immune system and gestured to the location where he had retrieved the items for Rogge.

“I know, Claire already told me in the message.”

Roger nodded, walked over, sat down next to Karl, and glanced at the cup in Karl's hand.

"Still sweet tea? I don't think I've seen you drink alcohol much, Carl."

"I'm used to it. When I'm out with friends, I'm always the one who stays awake, because this isn't home."

Carl sipped his ice-cold, minty sweet tea and responded to Roger's words: "After all, the flow of information in this place is too fast. I don't want to be ambushed on the street by a group of people who want to take advantage of our drunkenness shortly after we left home."

"You're scared by some petty thieves who just arrived in the city and are trying to make a name for themselves?"

Hearing Roger's somewhat teasing words, Karl smiled and said, "It's just less trouble. After all, nobody wants to have a good time drinking and eating, and then go home for a nice night's sleep, only to have some annoying guy delay them."

The drunken KK team might give some unsuspecting newcomers the wrong impression, making them think that they can use the KK team as a stepping stone to fame. Even if only one member of the KK team is sober, it can still make those newcomers think twice before acting in the heat of the moment.

When people act impulsively, it's only for a moment. Once the passion passes, they calm down. Although there are always some people who remember them, they are ultimately only a minority.

"Not giving them a chance? That's a very cautious approach. I've watched you guys grow to where you are today over the past two years, and you're still as cautious as you were two years ago. That makes me very happy, Karl. If a mercenary as capable as you were to die due to some accident, I think every middleman would feel troubled and in a difficult situation, not knowing who to give the most troublesome task to."

"Got Roger."

Carl figured out that Roger must have something on his mind, otherwise he wouldn't have been chatting with him for so long. The Queen of the Next Life was very busy: "Do you have any work you need someone to do? You can just make a phone call. Why did you have to test me for so long? I haven't left the house for four days, but I can take on jobs. Oliver is here too. We're both available. Just tell me if you have any work."

Is Oliver alright now?

Roger looked at Oliver, who seemed a little drunk and had a ruddy complexion, and said this on purpose.

“How hard can it be to sober up? My hearing is still good.” Oliver glanced at him sideways. “Just say what you need to say, Roger. But it’s best to send a message with the details—” He raised his chin slightly, gesturing to the swaying shadows around him, “There are too many eyes here.”

"It's not something that needs to be said in such secrecy."

Roger looked at Oliver: "Badlands, you all know that place very well, don't you?"

"Actually, if we're talking about familiarity, V is probably more familiar, but it's about the same."

Carl said, "What, you've gotten your hands on the Badlands? There's not much to gain in Dakota-Smith's territory, is there? You, the Queen of the Next Life, are so busy, do you want to try your luck over there?"

"Stop being sarcastic." Roger tapped the metal tabletop with his fingernail. "Since you came with Weyland, you should know that he went to Wakako's place to pick up a small gift for me."

She chuckled. "Same this time—get a package from Dakota, and make sure it's as perfect as when Weyland met you." "The King of Middlemen contacts one middleman after another."

Carl looked at Roger, now somewhat confused about what Roger was planning: "Shouldn't we convene a roundtable meeting of all the middlemen next?"

"Just asking about some things. After all, locals are always better at knowing the details."

Roger said, "I've already spoken with Dakota Smith. Online transmission isn't very secure, so she's put what I need in a certain location for me. I'd like you, Oliver, and Wayland to go with me and retrieve it intact, just like Wayland did when he encountered you. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

"It's not difficult, it's not difficult, but it's just this kind of thing."

Oliver muttered, "It doesn't seem like we need to go. One person can handle this. Didn't you send Wayne to get that thing by himself? In fact, I'd say it was a waste to send Wayne. If you want us to go together, let me make this clear: we're not cheap."

With the increasing number of jobs KK Squad has done, the team members have generally developed a pricing system and understand what the price range should be for each job. For small jobs like retrieving goods, unless it involves large and dangerous items, KK Squad really doesn't need to be involved. It's not that they can't be involved, but these small jobs can be easily assigned to any capable mercenary. There's really no need to spend a lot of money to hire KK Squad; it's not cost-effective.

Moreover, Rogge still has Weyland, the most capable mercenary from his past life. Weyland has already retrieved something for him, so it's just a matter of repeating the mission. There's really no need for all three of them to go.

"Since you were all here, I just wanted to give you some work to do so you could stretch your legs, after all."

Roger glanced at Carl: "Some people haven't left their homes for four days."

"I don't think it's anything particularly strange that I haven't left the house for four days."

Carl grumbled, starting to wonder if Roger had just seen them and, since they were already there, had simply assigned them tasks.

This kind of extravagant spending isn't really in line with Roger's personality.

It's not that Roger didn't have the money, but according to Roger's calculations, she could understand that it wasn't worth it.

"There might be some unexpected developments."

Roger said, "After all, this matter involves some things that will happen in the city later. Are you interested?"

"What happened in the city afterwards."

What could possibly concern someone of Rogue's stature after Night City?

Carl seemed to understand something.

"It seems that getting this money wasn't so easy after all."

“I was a little worried about sending Wayne alone, but I didn’t have anyone I could trust too much. You and Oliver’s arrival is just in time.”

Roger stood up as he spoke: “Online communication.”

She could tell that Carl had agreed.

(End of this chapter)