The guide was a golden mechanical being, scanning the invitation, with the indicator light behind the ear flashing rapidly.

The security, stern but polite, requested John to hand over his weapons.

John exchanged a look with Ouro and the others, then placed the equipment bag he was holding onto the inspection table.

Clang—

The sound of metal frames and ammunition colliding came from inside.

The security lifted it expressionlessly, and the scanning equipment confirmed there were no items like bombs that required separate storage.

"Darling."

Oulos flicked her hair and came in front of John.

"The weapon storage lockers are downstairs at the banquet level, the area we just walked through. There's a hollow holographic projection between floors, so don't fall while leaning on the stairs~"

She used a teasing tone, hinting at something.

"To retrieve the weapons, just scan your biometrics."

Oulos blew a kiss, winked, almost openly indicating that he should find an opportunity to get the weapons back.

Two men in suits stopped John again.

"Sorry, sir, we also need to lock your prosthetic body."

Weapons are not allowed at this socialite banquet.

In the Cyber Era, apart from normal guns and bombs, secondary weapons like Mantis Blades, Single-Molecule Blades, and stray bullet barrels can be added to prosthetics, not to mention various small gadgets installed in bodies.

[Device Management Authorization/Default]

A notification from Black Light flashed before John's eyes.

This offline locking program was meaningless in front of Black Light.

John accepted the customized program to lock down the prosthetic body, like when participating in underground boxing matches, but he could lift the restriction anytime he wanted.

"This is damn ridiculous!"

Kuang Xin passed through the checkpoint and came beside John, complaining.

"Sangma Rebi Pool, damn strict, those two idiots with brains full of bubbles actually thought my big cannon is a restricted item!"

"...Actually, I understand him."

"Hey, John, what about our friendship?"

"Although I've never attended an upper-class banquet, well... a small nuclear impact drill is really dangerous."

John joked, suddenly noticing Oulos's departing figure.

"Isn't she coming with us?"

"This is a social occasion, John. Can't you handle without Oulos? Don't act like a kid buying BYT for the first time."

Kuang Xin patted John's shoulder as they climbed to the second floor.

He casually grabbed a drink from a passing mechanical tray.

"From here, you can overlook the banquet hall. If you're interested in proper venues, this is pretty much the standard size for upper-class banquets. Ah, if you're into the no-clothes type, let's talk privately..."

John ignored his lewd joke and turned around to lean on the railing.

The banquet hall was large.

The scene wasn't glaringly bright; it even felt dim, very fitting with Kuang Xin's "social security" feeling. Similarly, the music was strong in ambience, yet not overwhelming the close conversation.

"I should be standing there."

As the head of public relations, Kuang Xin excelled at establishing and maintaining his network in this kind of high-profile social setting.

The crystal chandeliers hung at varying heights.

The bars around the pillars were filled with a dazzling array of premium liquids.

The socialites talking here were smiling brightly.

They weren't afraid of cameras and gazes, their makeup exquisite, clothes colorful, and expressions so infectious they seemed plastered onto their faces.

John scanned the room.

All familiar faces from variety shows, advertisement spokespeople, even famous actors with Super Sensing Chips.

"Why do these people look exactly like they do on TV, I mean, even wearing the same clothes?"

"They... haha."

Kuang Xin stopped short.

His agape mouth froze, closed tightly, turning into a meaningful smile as he slowly explained.

"Costumes, voices, even appearances and personalities, are the trademarks their characters survive by. Who's under the mask is unimportant to the company or even themselves."

"Too profound."

John shook his head, giving up on thinking.

Kuang Xin patted his shoulder.

"After this banquet, help me solve some small trouble. Don't worry, I'll pay you according to market rates, it won't be for free."

"You just need a workhorse."

"What are you talking about? It's Oulos who wants me to introduce you to high society. Mercenaries broaden their horizons through work."

Kuang Xin held the whiskey glass with both hands.

"Did you notice? Socializing is about clustering, with different identities, positions, circles... the places where people scatter and gather all have their own significance."

The recessed hall is surrounded by small steps outlined with light strips.

Green plants and wall-adjacent staircases divide the space, with seating near almost every corner and light source—European minimalist rectangular booths, hard-bottomed soft-cushioned waist-high tatami, high-end curved leather sofas snug against obstacles...

This is the domain of different social spheres.

Red alert lines are raised.

Men and women in sunglasses stand in front, filling their shirts with muscles or advanced prosthetic bodies; even if the boss tells the most vulgar jokes, they have to keep their faces tightly composed.

John follows Kuang Xin's direction and looks over:

Oulos is sitting on a bar stool at the gambling table with her legs crossed.

A glass of untouched red wine sits at her side.

The table is filled with famous intermediaries or corporate suppliers, all with transactional needs among each other.

John accepts a drink from a passing waiter.

He is about to nod in acknowledgment when he realizes it's a highly humanoid smart butler robot in front of him.

Her entire body is dark gold, with gleaming light flowing between the seams of her facial armor.

[Device: V8 Butler Intelligent Machine]

[Manufacturer: Jingke Heavy Industry]

Kuang Xin continues introducing the guests visiting:

The director of the ECPD, a councilor with ties to the West District, even diplomats and top military personnel managing the Border Wall...

He points with his chin towards the core area at the back of the banquet hall.

There, a specially equipped internal elevator guarded by corporate soldiers is in place, accessible only to clients with an invitation number below fifty.

These clients are Jingke Heavy Industry executives, Black Gold Gang bosses.

"I've already observed, the councilor and mayor are not present, and a few other big shots in Eden City should have gotten the news as well."

Kuang Xin raises his wine glass, adjusting his flamboyant suit shirt.

"The guiding task Oulos assigned to me is complete; now I need to find a few familiar clients to discuss business."

He smiles while saying goodbye to John, departing from the second floor.

[Task Objective Updated]

[Contact Bone Shards in the core area of the banquet. (Not Achieved)]

"Oh f*ck."

John curses under his breath.

He takes a chance and heads towards the core area.

There's a second round of checks here.

Jingke Heavy Industry's soldiers block the way.

They are donned in standard weapons, complemented with exoskeleton attachments, muscles bulging and hard under their gear, their mere presence imposing.

John presents his invitation for scanning.

Sure enough, he passes through smoothly.

[Squad Channel Invitation: Oulos Grenada]

[How did you get in?]

"Bone Shards arranged for me to work in the inner area, but I have no idea what this bastard wants me to do yet."

John weaves alone through the flow of guests at the banquet.

[Stay in communication with me, I've just gathered some news; Raqi Group's elite soldiers might infiltrate the banquet.]

"They're joining in the fun too?"

[Understandable, right? The AI matrix hit the Eastern People hard, now Vito has a second one, which means the Black Gold Gang can come again. Do you think Raqi Haruhiko will just sit and wait for disaster?]

John laughs cynically without saying a word.

Making private phone calls is quite normal at the banquet.

Some media professionals are even voice broadcasting live; as long as they're not running around with cameras, it's generally tolerated.

Most guests in the inner area come in pairs.

Clients with sensitive identities usually bring bodyguards, international superstars with managers and accompanying nannies; social butterflies like Kuang Xin might show up with a sexual partner or an aspiring newbie eager to climb the social ladder.

"Why is someone allowed to bring weapons inside?"

[They are arms dealers, and there are some... well, folks with simply more power and money. Business competition can be life or death, and the host understands that.]

"F*ck, it's really unfair."

John passes by a high-level executive from Jingke Heavy Industry.

Next to him stands a security robot.

This hunk of iron is full of high-tech, black gun barrels, smart ammunition, its lens-like red perforated sight flashing data.

"Feels like a weapons expo or something."

John is in the middle of complaining when he suddenly receives a call from Bone Shards.

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