The cabinet started acting as a broker, according to street rules, there's an extra fee if it's a one-off transaction.

John has a decent reputation.

The cabinet emphasized that the approach was under the guise of personal relations, and it's best to decide future relations based on a successful collaboration.

[Side Quest: Ordinary Person]

[Reward: Subdermal Armor Supplement, Payment (fluctuating)]

A prompt jumped out in front of John, who happily agreed and reminded the cabinet.

"I'm temporarily out of cash, can I owe you, or wait until I gather some funds to settle later... Ah, rest assured, if it's a long-term supply, I can pay on time."

"Damn it! Paying afterward is too stupid. I'll try to get the lieutenant to find you a job to work off the debt."

The cabinet pouted.

"No money? John, use your head a bit. This is a terrible self-introduction, makes you look like a cheap mercenary, and I've praised you as a professional, understand? Don't embarrass me."

After speaking, the cabinet's artificial eye began to flicker.

John paused briefly, and after the information was confirmed, he ordered a prototype of the Black Spider, as a supplement later, and mentioned the transporter situation.

The cabinet was a bit confused.

"Cargo drone? Are you doing delivery, like the city hunter's order mode? Just drive, Eden City's restrictions are far more trouble than you think."

"Don't worry about it. It has to be a drone, and the load capacity must meet certain standards."

John was still thinking about the captain.

Once the Black Spider is checked and the gold digging function restored, a transporter will still be needed for back and forth trips.

The cabinet expressed some difficulty.

If it's just a digging robot, it can be sold on the black market, but large unmanned transport equipment, at least those that can serve in the city skyline, are far more heavily regulated and scarce in supply...

"I can work on it, but it'll take a long time. If your meeting with the lieutenant goes well, it's best to get his help. The ECPD's channels are absolutely valuable, you know what I mean?"

"Alright then."

John noted this matter down.

The goods he ordered this time were also on credit, but the cabinet insisted it was just a cash-on-delivery transaction, appearing very cautious about mentioning having no money.

[Eden City - West District Construction Center]

John arrived on his motorcycle at the bottom of the overpass.

This was the "interview" location arranged by the cabinet.

The sharp-edged heavy cement obscured half the sky, while narrow low buildings formed the other part of the street scene.

A faint mist lingered in the middle.

The gray-blue road had red and yellow intersected lines drawn on it, and everything was covered in dust and strange graffiti.

Buzz buzz.

John planted one foot on the ground and had just parked the motorcycle when he received a new communication invitation.

[New Contact - Barry Kit]

There must be someone waiting around.

John glanced around and indeed found the target:

On the sunlit slope under the overpass, there was a giant exhaust fan, four to five meters tall, embedded in the wall.

An old police car was parked at the roadside directly facing it.

An arm clad in black gloves extended from the window, seemingly casually resting on the car door, holding a traditional cigarette in between.

The driver on the seat was observing John through the rearview mirror. After locking eyes with John from a distance, he leisurely drew the cigarette back into the car, leaving only his elbow outside.

[Contact Barry. (Not Achieved)]

John rode the motorcycle forward.

The police car was well-maintained, an older model, but with a full complement of crash bumpers and armor.

Barry Kit looked coldly at John.

He was fully equipped in tactical gear, with short coarse hair, showing evident signs of service experience and scars.

If a street urchin passed by, they might mistake him for an ordinary police officer taking a coffee break during work hours.

In reality,

Barry belonged to the Special Operations Department of the Eden City Police Station, holding the status of district chief. If divided by jurisdiction, officer dispatch and security management south of Sakura Cross Street would all fall under this bigwig's management.

John seemed to know his value.

He could tell the tactical equipment on the other party wasn't just for show.

For example, the jacket inside the bulletproof vest, an excellent quality all-weather duty outfit, gray-blue in color, designed with cut resistance and fire-proof features—take it off and it could fetch a considerable price on the black market.

"I originally didn't plan on seeing you, at least not in person. Two group leaders from Sakura Cross Street have put a substantial bounty on you and the reward doubles if brought in alive."

"Uh-huh."

John braced the motorcycle beside the driver's seat, looking down.

"Do you want to give it a try?"

His tone was very calm, seemingly encouraging the other party.

Barry took a couple of puffs and flicked the cigarette butt across the street.

"The bounty's been canceled; heard you're making big moves, even dealing with the Eastern People now."

"Are you going to sell me to the Owl Town gang?"

"That would be wasting you. I heard you downed a state trooper, the Internet Surveillance Office Director? Don't show that face, there's over a hundred ECPD officers stationed at Silver Port now, rumors reach my ears too. Impressive…"

The cabinet initially proposed cooperation when Barry thought John was just a rookie. Now he's genuinely interested in assessing what this young man has up his sleeve.

"You're interested in the Armor Supplement, right? Long-term supply is no problem. Instead of using cash, how about working with me to handle some trouble, and I'll secure your future supplies?"

"What kind of job?"

"A case that's of little value."

Barry bent down, opened the glove compartment, asking if John preferred paper files or electronic documents, simultaneously taking out two illicit capsules and popping them into his mouth.

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