Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 731, Section 145: Never Failing
After sighing at the current situation, Mingzhi's gaze swept across the dimly lit temporary base, finally landing on the hacker girl huddled in the corner. She was sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest amidst a pile of messy equipment, the blue light from the holographic screen casting shadows of varying depths on her dusty and grimy face.

"What's the situation outside?" Mingzhi walked to her side, deliberately lowering his voice. "Can you find a line to listen in on their conversations?"

Upon hearing Mingzhi's voice, the girl, who was struggling with something and feeling confused, suddenly raised her head, a hint of panic flashing across her dirty face.

She bit her lower lip, her fingers unconsciously tapping the computer in her hand: "I... I really want to show Your Excellency my abilities, but... I can't deceive you."

Her voice grew softer and softer, almost drowned out by the sound of gravel sliding down in the distance. Her face, which had been arrogant and proud because of her outstanding abilities, was now filled with shame.

She slightly flipped the computer that she had been placing between her knees and body. Dozens of failed connection records were flashing across the holographic screen, each red warning sign seeming to mock her incompetence.

"The Netherhounds must have hired outside help." The girl's voice trembled with suppressed emotion, as if she were ashamed of her incompetence in front of Mingzhi, the kind of incompetence that Mingzhi had previously described as trash.

“The current network is completely different from before. In these nine minutes, I tried to connect and perform port scans forty-three times.” She suddenly choked up, as if ashamed to continue this report of failure. “Not only was it impossible to obtain any intelligence, but we were also almost traced back. This level of encryption and countermeasures is definitely not something an ordinary hacker can do.”

The hacker girl knew that her words sounded like she was making excuses for herself, implying that her opponent was too strong rather than her weak. She also knew that saying such things was a huge test of her confidence and self-esteem, but she said it anyway.

This is not to say that she really wanted to exonerate herself, but rather that she clearly understood the gap between herself and that mysterious hacker, and in order to ensure that Lord Mingzhi could fully understand the current situation, she reported the facts truthfully.

Even if this reveals my lack of ability and incompetence, it doesn't matter. It's my own fault, and there's nothing wrong with admitting it.

'If only I were more capable, if only I were more skilled.'

The girl was deeply ashamed that she had failed to contribute to Akechi's cause, and she was prepared to face Akechi's reprimand.

"No need to rush." ​​But unexpectedly, there was not a trace of blame in Mingzhi's voice. He even patted the girl's shoulder gently. "You are our best hacker, aren't you? I believe you can do it. The problem now is just the time and equipment limitations. And it was me who made you give up the equipment. It's my responsibility."

'To actually claim it's your own responsibility, Your Excellency Akechi.'

Seeing that Mingzhi naturally took the blame upon himself, the hacker girl felt even more ashamed.

Because she clearly understood that this was not a matter of equipment or time.

Even if she were placed in the most comfortable environment in Arasaka Tower, with access to the best equipment, and given several times more time to fight, the girl would not be confident that she could contend with her opponent.

Because they were both hackers, she understood the chasm-like gap even more. Her opponent effortlessly defused all her probing attempts, and every counterattack was as precise as a cat playing with a mouse. Those connection points that she desperately gave up, her opponent could have easily tracked and hacked long ago. This overwhelming gap in strength could not be bridged by equipment or time.

Even so, Lord Akechi should have known this, yet he…
The hacker girl's feelings were extremely complicated, but Akechi didn't care about her current thoughts.

He turned around and frowned.

'Hackers, hackers, it seems like everything's been going against hackers ever since the president's plane crash. First, hackers broke in, then they blocked things. How come I didn't know Hansen had such a powerful hacker by his side? Or is this a top-tier hacker sent by those opposed to Miles to support Hansen? Or did Hansen really hire a super-powerful hacker to assist him?'

As he wisely considered the current situation, his hand unconsciously went to his pocket. This wasn't an instinctive urge to reach for his gun, but rather a way to replenish his mental energy.

To put it simply, he plans to eat something.

But after he put his hand next to his pocket, he realized something.

That is, during the previous relocation, they seemed to have abandoned the food as well.

This makes perfect sense. When transferring or moving equipment, you can only take the most important devices. Even hackers only take the most critical devices, let alone other people.

Medical and technical supplies are essential, as they are crucial for the continuation of operations and minimizing injuries. Next comes weapons and ammunition, and finally, food, which is relatively easy to obtain in a normal city.

It was based on this crucial principle that the squad immediately abandoned their food supplies. Originally, the Akechi Squad, operating as a team, didn't carry much food, and their initial focus was solely on the investigation mission. However, the current situation...
While it's true that missing a few meals won't kill the Arasaka elites, not starving and having the stamina are two different things. In intense battles, if even food supplies can't be guaranteed, the body will only become more and more exhausted the more it moves.

'Isn't everyone Adam's hammer?'

Rather, even Adam's hammer requires supplies to support his activities, only it's different from what ordinary people have.

The Mingzhi Squad still has some energy left, but that can only deal with the situation temporarily. With almost everyone injured and even Mingzhi bleeding from his hand, in addition to medical treatment, supplies are essential for recovery.

They had to obtain supplies amidst the overwhelming patrol network of the Ghost Hounds, while also evading the electronic blockade imposed by the mysterious hacker.
Mingzhi's fingertips unconsciously tapped on the rusty pipes in the underground parking lot, making a soft 'thump-thump' sound. In the distance, the roar of an armored vehicle engine could be faintly heard, and the beams of searchlights swept around from time to time, like gleaming guillotines.

Patrol teams, drones, armored vehicles, and hovercraft
The knocking sound on the metal pipe suddenly stopped.

Even in the dim basement, a wise eye remains bright.

'It's not difficult.'

I am wise, I will complete this mission. My mission never fails.

As Akechi made up his mind, Kenichi Shiro, in a high-rise building where the view of the sky was blocked, watched the patrolling ghost hounds and determined where the trouble had occurred.

'Was that where the gunshot just now coming from?'

Kenichi Shiro's eyes flickered.

It's not hard to find.

(End of this chapter)