Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 903, page 113. Right.
KK is a surprisingly easy person to talk to, contrary to rumors.

These were the thoughts that popped into the minds of every former Ghost Hound representative after a brief conversation with KK.

Although KK only asked each person a few questions, his words were very gentle.

Lacking the imposing presence and seriousness of Kurt Hansen, the former king of Dogtown, and devoid of the arrogance and indifference of company personnel, KK spoke with earnestness and a calm demeanor.

When he asked each person a question, he looked into their eyes. In those eyes, which held no harshness or threat, but only a quiet listeningness, each former Ghost Hound who had been questioned gradually lost their tension.

Even the former captain of the Ghost Hound squad who had contact with KK was no exception.

He had sensed from KK in the past that KK was different from the rumors, but now, after having a proper conversation with KK, he felt a different kind of emotion from KK that could only be felt through a proper conversation.

KK was watching him, communicating with him as an equal.

This idea is strange.

In terms of strength, influence, status, money, and other factors, KK has no reason to talk to them as equals. In fact, their arrival today was to swear allegiance to KK. However, when talking to KK, they still feel a sense of equality.

Just as KK was indeed listening to them very seriously, responding carefully to the information in their words, and truly treating them as equals in the dialogue.

This was something these former haunted dogs had never experienced before.

From the moment they were born into this world, they have never experienced such equality.

From childhood to adulthood, it seems as if there are always people who should be superior and others who should be unequal to them. From childhood to adulthood, groveling has become natural, and smiling and flattering has become a habitual action. Under this "natural" and "habitual" condition, they no longer feel that there is anything wrong with the hierarchy in their attitudes.

They have come to accept that their superiors can vent their anger on them for no reason, and they have learned that they should take it for granted to obey the orders of company dogs and people in positions of power.

However, in this situation where they should be bowing their heads and looking up to answer questions, they are instead facing a conversation that resembles casual chatter.

The other person's attitude carried a sense of pure curiosity and understanding, as natural as ordering a drink for someone in a bar and striking up a conversation.

This feeling is unprecedented.

Not to mention Mr. KK, who really treated them with the attitude of ordering drinks and striking up conversations.

"Okay, everyone, please sit down first. Although there are only some dirty chairs and such due to the emergency, you should have taken off your clothes and changed anyway, so don't worry about it."

"I'm sorry, I've been busy all day. I called you all over, and you haven't had a break either. Please have something to eat and drink first."

The hounds were somewhat surprised by the hospitality they received. After being asked questions, they were all seated in chairs that had been brought over, and each was offered a decent meal and drink.

The former captain of the Ghost Hound squad looked at the hot dog in his hand and his favorite drink in his other hand. Besides marveling at KK's remarkable intelligence gathering skills—knowing their preferences in such a short time—a sense of calm welled up within him. It was a calm that allowed him to remain composed, even knowing how quickly the other party had discovered his tastes, without feeling anything was amiss, even finding it reassuring.

"This hot dog is delicious."

As he said this, KK, who was eating the same hot dog as them—even one taken from the same crate that had been brought over—casually took a bite of his hot dog right in front of them, chewed it a few times, swallowed it, and said:

"This is the Old William hot dog that almost everyone in the NCPD loves. I like it too. After learning about the Dogtown incident, the stall owner made a special trip to make it for us and the NCPD."

If you don't really like hot dogs, there are energy bars on the side, but they're not very tasty. If they suit your taste, I'd really appreciate it if you could help me use up the leftovers, since I have plenty more.

Speaking in a casual, conversational tone, KK seemed to be genuinely just eating because she was hungry, chatting with them in a rambling, even somewhat long-winded manner.

However, this does fit the impression that the former Ghost Dogs had of KK.

Because in their understanding, V in the KK team was the one who basically didn't talk when he killed, and he could act as quickly as possible, as if he couldn't wait to finish this matter and move on to the next one.
KK seems to talk a lot, to the point that some of the cyberpsychotic clips about him use his rambling as a sign of a psychotic episode.

However, listening to KK's casual conversation, the former Ghost Dog unconsciously relaxed. Soon, the tension brought about by his defection turned into occasional conversations and corrections.

While the other former Netherhounds were talking to KK, the youngest former Netherhound, who had only come as a follower, was sitting in the far corner. At that moment, he was both the least popular and the most popular among the former Netherhounds.

He was considered the least popular because KK didn't say much to him during the chat, and didn't say a word after sitting down, instead trying to chat with other people. He was considered the most popular because...
"Hey, it's been a long time since we last met."

Oliver and Jack each draped their arms affectionately over one of the former hound's shoulders.

Oliver and Jack recognized this kid. When they first entered Dogtown through the gate, he chased them around, calling them country bumpkins and beggars. Oliver and Jack combined couldn't out-argue him. Now that they've finally met, they should at least say hello.

Faced with two men flanking him from the left and right, the former Ghost Dog sat upright, genuinely regretting that he had come today and also regretting his past foul mouth.

KK doesn't care about his past and doesn't hold grudges, but he still has two petty people in his heart.

Oliver looked at him with a smile, his face full of friendliness.

"You used to send me to Dogtown to beg for food, and I didn't care about you. Now what should you call me?"

After a moment of silence, the former Ghosthound finally learned a bit of his brother-in-law's cleverness and whispered, "Mr. Oliver and Mr. Jack."

"Yep."

Oliver's face was filled with the smug satisfaction of a petty person who had succeeded.

(End of this chapter)