Chapter 976 - 25: Sky-Splitting Project (Part 3) (Double-Length)

In the past, as soon as the Vortex Gang appeared on the subway, they’d scare off a ton of people. This city isn’t as afraid of them anymore.

Plus, their original gang members have started working alongside not-so-crazy regular people...

The feeling is subtle, something they can’t quite describe, but it’s definitely happening.

However, feelings aren’t the strong suit of the Animal Gang or Vortex Gang.

They only know if they can’t complete Lille’s plan, they’re as good as dead:

Assigned to them is the "Steel Spine Project," a strategic plan aimed at providing numerous industrial prosthetics, skill chips, and auxiliary production injectables to boost worker numbers and industrial production capacity.

Such deep stuff is beyond them, but the Vortex Gang has Jostar’s mom, and the Animal Gang has Fiona. They can understand. The reformed gangs are just responsible for maintaining order, so people don’t have to worry about safety issues anymore.

....

In Westbrook, overnight, almost half of the nightlife venues were shut down—

Reformed guards from the Tiger Claw Gang and Mox Gang, wearing graffiti-covered uniforms, chased away all the workers.

"Get the hell out, this place is seized. Hand over any drugs and chemicals you’ve got. Don’t blame us if you get killed..."

"This is tyranny! Burger King will sanction you all!"

"Ha ha, that’s hilarious."

"You can’t do this, we still have to make a living..."

"Look—see that? The city council plans to invest in building a central hospital. You can find work there."

"Medical work? You guys want us for organ harvesting, right!"

"Relax, if anyone’s organ harvesting, Burger King will sanction them... If you’re uneducated, sign up for some classes, the prices are definitely fair."

The Tiger Claw Gang sealed stores while waving knives to scare off these sex dolls.

Seeing that the sight of Burger King couldn’t even scare off the Tiger Claw Gang, the sex dolls were furious:

"But all I know how to do is screw people!"

"Then head to New America or Mexico... Oh, right, group tickets for leaving are still discounted, and you can register online."

"You... You can’t do this! We want to..."

"Want what? Strike or fight?" The Tiger Claw Gang chuckled, their tone and expressions becoming grim, "Strike all you want, we already told you to get out. If you want a fight... start drawing blades now!"

The sex dolls suddenly remembered the days of being exploited by the Tiger Claw Gang—

This time, even the Mox Gang wouldn’t help them. In fact, the leader of the Mox Gang, Su Xi, and the head of the Tiger Claw Gang, Maekawa, stood on a street nearby, watching this massive industry shutdown.

Seeing the scene, Maekawa couldn’t help but sigh: Burger King was right, without the Mox’s somewhat tougher women, a sex doll is just something to be screwed...

Even with thousands of workers, it would be impossible to capture them all in a day if they were pigs. But as humans, they’d flee with just a little gossip, and many smart workers immediately went online to check official info. Honestly, a lot of people only did this because they were forced to make a living; choosing to hook instead of healthcare is just brainless...

In other words, anyone with a bit of sense in this group has already abandoned this identity.

What’s left are all the chicken kings, useless beyond lip service.

Even Su Xi, the head of the Mox, was astonished: "...Honestly, I thought this would be difficult..."

"This is Burger King." Maekawa showed an expression of admiration, "I thought it would be difficult too. So there’s only one truth: his groundwork was too good, his decisions too wise."

Su Xi cast a disdainful glance at this long-time rival: Never realized this fierce man had such a... brown-nosing side?

Maekawa felt no shame, instead continuing, "I think you should be more confident, as Burger King’s subordinate."

"Uh... Thanks, I’m not interested in that."

A colorful-haired girl angrily argued in front of the Tiger Claw Gang, raising a sharp voice for the sex dolls:

"Aaaaaaaaaaah! I’m going crazy! I’m going crazy! Why has the world turned out like this! Su Xi?!"

With that, she stormed over to Su Xi, who covered her face: That shouting madwoman was Judy, the Mox’s former top Super Dream Editor.

("I’m not trashing the character here, there’s actually a lot of game text illustrating her tendencies, like her studio having all the Super Dreams she thinks would sell big and wants to produce.)

"Su Xi! Weren’t you supposed to go to Burger King to speak up for us! But they..."

"Judy." Su Xi wore a half-mask covering her mouth, but even so, the helplessness in her eyes was obvious, "They have better options now."

"Everyone has the right to control their own body!"

Su Xi was getting a headache. Judy used to be the Mox’s prized Super Dream Editor, and the gang thrived on "human rights principles": you could only watch Super Dreams in their shop and only do what you liked if the technician was willing.

The income wasn’t high, but selling Super Dreams could pull through, and the gang could operate...

It’s different now. Both the prospects and pressures are enough to make them transition professions honestly.

As for Judy and her wild ideas...

Su Xi irritably waved her hand, "Then register and get yourself to a place where you can freely sell sex, there’s only one place in the world where that’s not legal—I think Mexico next door is pretty good, there are discounts on group bus tickets now."