"Boss, the plan failed."
"Is that so? I understand."
Bukit replied calmly, puffing on his cigar.
Hanging up the phone, Bukit casually placed the cigar on the cigar stand, gazing out at Night City through the window, lost in thought.
Jotaro, that young hothead, had still gotten a step ahead.
The war, after all, had begun inevitably.
So be it.
Now, let him see if this war can end as that kid Jotaro wishes.
As a seasoned gang leader, Bukit knew when to lie low and wait for the next opportunity... "Since the Tyger Claws have chosen to declare war on us, it's only polite to return the favor. We must send them a suitable gift."
Berry's face was as cold as frost. Her eyes swept over the holographic projection of Night City, marking the entire Westbrook District in red.
"Hey, Rogue, I need all intelligence on Tyger Claws establishments. Name your price."
"Berry? Why the sudden mention of the Tyger Claws? Did you two have a conflict?"
"Yes, a small conflict. I'm just about to return it."
"..."
"If you've forgotten, let me remind you, I'm a Fixer. I can mediate your conflicts. I believe the Tyger Claws will give me face."
"I'm grateful, Rogue, truly, but this matter is beyond mediation."
"Hmm… alright."
Rogue transmitted intelligence on several locations.
"These are some of the Tyger Claws' most profitable establishments, but I hope you'll reconsider."
"Going up against a behemoth like the Tyger Claws isn't a wise choice."
"Consider this intelligence a gift from me. I still hope you'll reconsider."
"Thank you, Rogue, but… no."
Hanging up the phone, Berry checked her ammunition and holstered her revolver at her waist.
V and Viktor dared not dissuade Berry in this state; they understood the profound anger within her.
But, would this truly work?
Once they attacked a Tyger Claws establishment, it would mean all-out war between the two gangs.
Could the moderately successful Hive Tower survive such turmoil?
Even Viktor had no answer.
Perhaps there was one, but that answer definitely wasn't the Hive Tower's victory.
For decades, there had been no shortage of emerging organizations attempting to challenge the Tyger Claws, but given the Tyger Claws' continued dominance, it was clear that none of those challengers had survived, without exception.
"Berry, I know you're hurting, but rushing into this, perhaps the Tyger Claws are waiting with a trap?"
V was genuinely worried.
Feeling the warmth of V's hand reaching out, Berry sighed and shook her head.
"No, the Tyger Claws won't."
Although Berry's mind was currently clouded by hatred,
she hadn't lost her reason.
The Tyger Claws' arrogance wouldn't allow them to treat the Hive Tower as a true enemy.
Arrogance—the Tyger Claws certainly had the confidence for it.
But this was also their biggest weakness.
In their eyes, kidnapping members of the Hive Tower and killing its Mercenaries would surely scare their small organization of less than two hundred people into disbanding on the spot.
How could such people seriously guard against an attack from the Hive Tower?
However, they were wrong, ridiculously wrong.
Because they were up against Berry, not just anyone.
She would shatter the Tyger Claws' arrogance, win this war, and make the Tyger Claws the outcasts of Night City.
"I'm coming with you. Let me wear the armor."
Berry's words made sense, but V still wanted to accompany her.
No matter what happened, she wanted to be by Berry's side.
"Alright, V."
The worry on V's face comforted Berry. She lovingly stroked V's cheek and nodded in agreement.
"But you can't wear the armor."
"Huh?"
The thunder hammer armor squad was arguably the Hive Tower's only trump card right now.
Berry didn't want to expose it so quickly.
In the war against the Tyger Claws, her armor squad would be a sharp blade, piercing directly into the heart of the Tyger Claws' vital points, becoming the key to victory... Berry gathered a dozen people.
Surprise attacks require precision, not numbers.
These Mercenaries were all retired veterans; their combat ability was unquestionable, and more importantly, they had a strong willingness to fight.
Berry's act of avenging her brothers seemed to have earned their approval. They held their firearms, silently awaiting orders, ready to launch the most brutal retaliation.
There are no fairy tales in Night City.
Here, there are only guns and fireworks.
Passing through the secret passage in the basement, they emerged from a sewer outlet in a derelict junkyard, boarding the disguised vehicles that had been prepared there.
Although she assumed the Tyger Claws would be unprepared for their sudden attack, Berry still ensured everything was foolproof.
If anyone were monitoring the Hive Tower now, they would receive a false signal.
Everything at the Hive Tower was calm.
"The mission target is an Illegal Braindance processing plant. It's not large-scale, but the products it churns out are 'boutique,' and a lot of money circulates around here."
"Most importantly, it's a Tyger Claws establishment, and it's well-staffed."
"But unfortunately, they've run into us."
"The mission is simple: eliminate every Tyger Claws member. No mercy, no survivors."
Berry held her revolver, her eyes cold.
She had had enough.
People around her getting hurt one after another.
This city, this world.
It was all terrible.
And she wasn't going to compromise anymore.
For a moment, she even thought Saburo Arasaka was right; this world didn't need saving, but a whipping.
Night City is a metropolis of seven million people.
Now it seemed, there were perhaps a few too many people.
"Berry, remember, I'm always by your side."
A warm, moist breath came from her ear; it was V's sincere words.
In the dimly lit car, V put an arm around Berry's shoulder and kissed her forehead.
Logically, this occasion was not suitable for such an act.
But she didn't know why she still did it.
Perhaps for a moment, she felt that Berry, so close, had suddenly become a stranger, as if she was about to leave her.
"I'm fine, V."
Feeling the warmth pressing against her, Berry was forced back from her thoughts, managing a smile, feeling a rare calm in her heart.
Yes, even in this world rotten to the core, such a precious soul as V could still be born.
Perhaps hope still existed in the world after all.
It's just that there might be too many bad people, and they needed a good clean-up.
Berry looked at the gun in her hand, firming her resolve.
The car arrived. When the door opened, turbid air rushed in.
Berry saw the dilapidated factory building in the distance.
She knew this was just a disguise; inside, there were Illegal Braindance production lines working overtime.
Turning to her subordinates, Berry placed her index finger to her lips.
"Remember, no Japanese."
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