Chapter 99: Real-World Mission
Martin cautiously followed behind one of Lionheart's subordinates, his mind replaying Mason's words before he left. He clutched the money in his pocket, trying to bolster his courage.
The dim lighting cast long shadows on the numerous bio-modified individuals, making them look like demons crawling out of hell.
The Blood Source Society members glared at Martin with murderous intent.
"Where's Mad Dog Johnny? Why isn't he here?"
"Was he really killed?"
Lionheart's deep voice carried an immense sense of oppression.
"When Boss Johnny was talking to Michelin yesterday, someone overheard them, and it got back to Donnie."
"Donnie is cunning by nature, so he called Boss Johnny back to base and interrogated him repeatedly. Boss Johnny naturally refused to admit anything, so Donnie locked up Boss Johnny and the others, then announced they'd been murdered, wanting to test how people would react."
Someone next to Lionheart whispered in his ear, "We checked Michelin's communication records—he did talk to Mad Dog Johnny yesterday."
Lionheart nodded calmly, listening as Martin continued.
"Boss Johnny told me to tell you not to act rashly, to wait until things have calmed down before taking action."
"Have you heard Johnny mention Michelin's whereabouts?" Lionheart asked.
Martin paused. "Never heard anything about that..."
A shadow fell over Lionheart's eyes. "Johnny was arrested after talking to Michelin. Could Michelin's disappearance be related to Donnie?"
Johnny wouldn't be stupid enough to reveal everything. The most urgent thing now was to find Michelin.
If they couldn't get answers from Johnny, Donnie would very likely target Michelin—or perhaps Michelin was currently in Donnie's custody!
Thinking of this, Lionheart lost interest in listening to Martin's report and had him escorted out. He then shared his thoughts with his inner circle.
"I think it makes a lot of sense."
"Should we go to Donnie and demand Michelin's return right now!" someone shouted.
"Are you insane? Going to demand Michelin's return now would be openly admitting there's something wrong!"
"Idiot, get our people to search for him!"
Lionheart roared furiously.
When Martin emerged from the dark tunnel, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, as if he were seeing daylight again.
He returned to the Blackwater Street base and recounted the entire incident to Mason. Mason compared the information and roughly understood Lionheart's current state.
He didn't say anything more, gave Martin some money, told him to guard the Blackwater Street base, and then drove back to Donnie's repair shop.
Several days passed, and the Blackwater Street base remained calm. Martin visited twice more, and Lionheart was on the verge of a breakdown. If Michelin wasn't found soon, he might come directly to confront them.
Mason estimated the situation and felt the timing was right, so he began making preparations.
He exhumed Michelin's body, performed some preservation measures, and then secretly transported it to the Blackwater Street base.
Through some discrete channels, Mason learned that Donnie and Lionheart had a deep-seated grudge.
Both of them had risen from nothing, and it was said they were similar in temperament and exceptionally talented, once inseparable partners.
Lionheart's talent was more outstanding. In his early twenties, his physical attributes had already reached the threshold of the first energy level, making him a guaranteed candidate to become an elemental warrior after receiving the energy compound.
While Donnie's physical attributes weren't as exceptional as Lionheart's, his reflexes were lightning fast, and he was an incredible marksman. The two worked together—one close-range fighter, one long-range shooter—earning them considerable reputation.
It was said that a corporation had even considered recruiting and training them.
They were the most famous runners in the entire Lower City, and Lionheart had even undertaken several high-risk escort assignments.
It's important to understand that those who participated in such missions weren't ordinary bottom-tier runners—each one was ruthless and dangerous.
As their capabilities increased, the missions they accepted became increasingly difficult, with higher rewards.
Besides transporting contraband, they occasionally hijacked other runners' cargo.
During one such raid, they found an elemental energy compound in an ordinary container.
This energy compound became the catalyst for their falling out.
Finally, Lionheart—riddled with bullets and nearly shot in the head by Donnie—escaped with his life, but his injuries were too severe, forcing him to inject some kind of modification serum that caused his body to mutate.
Although he survived, Lionheart forever lost the chance to become an elemental warrior. His genes were locked, and his strength was forever confined below the first energy level.
Donnie, on the other hand, used that energy compound to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming the district leader!
Lionheart's hatred for Donnie was irreconcilable, and now Mason needed to lure both Lionheart and Donnie to the same location. With enemies meeting face-to-face, and Michelin's corpse added to the mix, even a hundred explanations wouldn't clear things up.
Luring Lionheart there would be easy, but Donnie was more difficult. He was cunning by nature, and after becoming the Gear Gang leader, he'd basically never left the core area under his control.
To get him to leave his comfort zone and go to a so-called temporary base, Mason had to give him a reason—a reason Donnie couldn't refuse.
Two more days passed, and just as Mason was starting to get impatient, he unexpectedly received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
At Donnie's repair shop.
"Mason, there's something I need you to do right now!" Donnie placed a metal case on the table.
"I need you to deliver this case to this address and give it to a man named Bloom." Donnie pushed the case and a piece of paper toward Mason.
"Alright, I'll find someone to handle it right away."
"No!" Donnie shook his head.
"This is extremely valuable—I don't trust anyone else with it. You must deliver it yourself!"
Mason hadn't paid much attention at first. They transported contraband regularly, and occasionally important clients would make special requests.
But the moment Mason agreed, he suddenly felt a burning sensation in his palm, and a notification appeared on his interface.
Real-World Mission: Please deliver the Elemental Energy Compound to Donolin according to the designated route.
Mission completion reward: 150 System Points.
First time activating a real-world mission—mission reward is doubled!
It's an Elemental Energy Compound!!
Mason had expected the contents of the case to be valuable, but he hadn't imagined it would be this valuable! This level of contraband was something even Donnie, at his rank, wouldn't normally have access to.
For some reason, the image of that arrogant young man he'd encountered flashed through Mason's mind. Could this be for him?
Mason's fingers trembled slightly. For the first time, he felt a strong urge to keep it for himself. His physical capabilities were very close to the threshold of the first energy level. Once he reached that threshold and injected this elemental energy compound,
he would become an elemental warrior!
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