Chapter 667 - 638 Tarot Cards (A Small Repayment)

As Lille had mentioned earlier, it was time for Hansen to pick a side.

The consensus in Night City was too unified, which greatly reduced the room for conspiracy and manipulation: If both the aboveground and underworld of Night City had no space for corporate meddling, what company would keep pouring money into this place?

Corporations surely and certainly would start probing and even preparing preliminary work: Lille was sure and certain that the EBM Stadium explosion was a move by certain corporations.

And as for Dog Town, maintaining the status quo was beneficial for everyone involved.

But on the other hand, Netherworld Dog was a Military Technology Forces unit, and the biggest trade of Blue Gem wasn’t high-tech equipment or technology, it was military equipment—

"Phantom: I know that guy, a terrorist leader from Europe, wow, he’s come a long way. Probably here to buy anti-ship missiles, there’s been news about their situation over there recently."

Without showing any signs, Lille glanced at a few people by the windowsill. They stood by the window, smoking and discussing business.

If what Phantom said was true, then this scene truly was somewhat miraculous: because if he was a terrorist active in Eastern Europe, coming here to buy anti-ship missiles, then the man in the booth with a wide-brimmed hat Phantom mentioned just now could possibly be their direct "person in charge".

The anti-ship missiles obtained by the terrorists might even have been sold by that guy with the wide-brimmed hat.

"...Anti-ship missiles?" V’s expression changed slightly, but he controlled it well, and only discussed quietly next to Lille.

Lille sighed, "Yeah, anti-ship missiles, as well as submarines, tanks... This is a war zone, darling, don’t be too surprised. Let’s have two glasses of Centurion Tequila... Make it three, my bodyguard deserves some relaxation too."

Jack inwardly groaned but shook his head very professionally, "No thank you, Mr. Perares, I need to stay focused to ensure your safety."

"Suit yourself."

Lille swirled his glass, shared a smile with V, and downed his drink in one gulp.

As they waited for Hansen and his "business partner" to finish their negotiation, a very... very unexpected guest approached.

Jack hadn’t had a drink and was playing the role of a bodyguard, so he was the first to see this unexpected guest:

It was that flamboyant Kerry Eurodyne!

Jack shifted his stance slightly, and Lille raised his hand, signaling Jack to step back, which allowed Kerry to take a seat—

"Mr. Perares—you’re quite different from the last time we met!"

Kerry was a flamboyant rock musician: white short hair, thick eyeliner, a coat so full of ornaments it was almost blinding, longer than V’s dress.

Lille could clearly feel his emotions were quite complicated, generally speaking, somewhat excited.

He seemed convinced that this Perares was a fake.

Lille smiled, "Can’t help it, sometimes fighting against the evil forces of Night City comes at a cost."

"Evil forces? Fuck the evil forces. You know, I didn’t come here for the money. I haven’t done a show in a long time, no new albums... missing passion, you know? I feel like you definitely wouldn’t understand."

Kerry sat in the chair and poured drink after drink into his mouth. After he finished, he slammed the glass onto the table with a bang. "But now I have inspiration! And I have passion...

Do you know about Johnny Silverhand? You must know, recent events in Night City remind me of the past, they remind me of..."

He suddenly raised his head and said, "But the outcome in the past was not good, we all know that."

Lille was a little confused by this guy: His emotions were too complex, Negative Energy could sense people’s emotions, but this man was overly conflicted.

"Yeah, Johnny Silverhand, the notorious terrorist of Night City, what exactly do you want to say?"

"I want to say, I..." Kerry glanced at Lille, then at V next to him who was equally confused about the situation, and at Jack, standing ramrod straight as if he was choked up—

This place is Burger King, but it’s not Burger King; he had a lot to say, but this was not the right occasion.

So he swallowed his words: "...I’ll save it for my performance, to let off steam. Let’s talk about something else... You two have such a good relationship...

Some people say that in society, a person is like a puzzle piece, finding the other half means a perfect fit between the two, creating a perfect circle...

Do you think that’s how you are?"

"Of course," Lille said, holding V’s hand, "Isn’t that obvious?"

V felt his heartbeat miss a beat: although he knew this was all part of the act, it still missed a beat.

"Heh... then you really have to hold on tight, because sometimes... sometimes just missing that little something means losing passion, losing inspiration... making it... impossible to keep going."

Lille perhaps understood what this rock legend’s situation was:

Kerry had been active in Night City since 2020 and was good buddies with Johnny Silverhand, who was part of the same band and involved in the nuclear blast at Arasaka Tower.

However, Johnny Silverhand chose to blow up Arasaka Tower to do what he wanted, while Kerry chose to leave the band to make music instead of becoming a terrorist.

Upon leaving, his talent still managed to flourish, and with the development by the record companies, he became the rock legend he is today.

But inspiration comes from life, from emotional fluctuations, from reality—

His reality was too smooth, completely void of that past passion, lacking inspiration, the longer he lived, the more he longed for the past.

Perhaps his own "terrorist acts" awakened his nostalgia for his former terrorist friend, kindling one of the few passions he had, which is why he came to perform in this place: Hansen indeed offered him a hefty performance fee, but Kerry was past the age of desperately earning performance fees.

Thinking this, Lille said, "Why does it have to be perfect to go on? If imperfection means you can’t go on, doesn’t that mean without someone else’s help, you’re stuck there for life, ready to just commit suicide on the spot?"

Kerry was taken aback for a moment, then laughed at himself.

"You’re right, if I stopped moving it’s not because I lacked someone else’s help, it’s my own reason, but it’s really hard... very hard to go on alone.

I need to get back and prepare for the show, Deputy Mayor Perares."

Kerry stood up, paused again, and looked at Lille, saying, "’Never Fade’— it was actually dedicated to you."

After saying that, he left.

V said, "’Never Fade’... a classic old song, huh? Feels like something that only plays in another life occasionally, is it appropriate to have a rock song here?"

Lille shrugged, "Don’t know, maybe it’s been rearranged?"

At that moment, Jack bent over and whispered to Lille, "Mano, Misty drew Tarot cards for us."

The cards were: Positive Strength, Upright Hanged Man, Death.

"Misty didn’t explain to me, but they’re all upright, that means they’re good cards, right?"

Lille shook his head, "All very complicated cards, I guess they’re good."

[Hansen: I’m ready, let’s talk.]

[Little Octopus: Big bro, President Barnes sent you an invitation, inviting us to the inauguration ceremony.]