Apple City of Chaos and Carnage, Robbery

Merlin's Custom Shop was still in a somewhat remote location, and with the police shutting down more and more Car Kings and weapon shops, the gang life that had been earning steady money was thrown into chaos.

Add to that Merlin occasionally broadcasting tasks in bulk, and many participating merchants also posting jobs, so the whole of Hell's Kitchen started getting chaotic again, severely hampering the Apple City police's operations.

It would be a long while before they traced anything back to Merlin.

With the influx of players, many merchants joined the platform to post tasks—things like search missions for DR, the founder of West Coast G-funk gangsta rap, bounty missions, car theft jobs, heist planning, burglary, herb trade...

Plenty of people saw the power within the platform and jumped in, and the active assets on the Game Platform grew accordingly.

As long as the R Star Subsystem and bunker research weren't tracked, the police had no way to stop the platform's growth.

Not to mention that Apple City had no shortage of planners like Pavel and Lester.

"Speaking of which, I haven't heard much about you lately." Merlin finished his cola, tossed the can into the trash, and continued modifying the railguns for Arcee and the others.

"It's a mess out there—all kinds of scum mixed in. I can't even find a target, so I'm taking a break for now." Frank walked over to the sofa and sat down, looking around the empty shop. He suddenly asked, "Are you planning to hire anyone? I want something to do."

"You know how to mod cars?" Merlin turned back in surprise.

"Not cars, but I'm decent with weapons." Frank pointed toward the armory in the back.

"Alright. I'm not in the shop much anyway, so you watching the place works for me—just don't kill my customers in here." Merlin thought it over and agreed, but added a warning.

The people coming to buy weapons from him were a mixed bag too, and he was a bit worried Frank might off some familiar faces on sight.

"Don't worry. If I want some quiet, I won't stir up trouble." Frank promised.

"You don't have to hold back too much. If some customer pisses you off, kill 'em. There's no 'customer is king' here."

"Doesn't sound like you're too heartless." Frank couldn't help but tease.

Every time he worked with Merlin, the guy charged a fortune—too greedy. But his planning and hacking skills were worth the cut.

He'd even clear your police bounties now and then.

"If you don't want the pay, I won't mind." Merlin rolled his eyes.

"Then I'll go find Daredevil. I hear his friend's good with that kind of legal trouble."

"He doesn't have time lately."

Daredevil—Matt—had been focused on the Hand's affairs.

Hearing that, Frank realized he hadn't seen any news about Daredevil in a while.

"Alright, let's go. To Merlin Aviation." After finishing up with Arcee, Merlin let out a long breath.

"Merlin Aviation?"

"I leased an aircraft manufacturing plant. Helicopters and fighter jets are built there."

"You didn't think I could make a fighter jet out of this little custom shop, did you?"

Frank: "..."

Brooklyn District, Perito Bank.

"Bang!" A crisp gunshot rang out on the noisy street, and the surroundings fell silent for an instant.

"AAAAHHHH!!!" Suddenly, a woman's sharp scream cut through the silence like a chain reaction. People on the street started screaming in panic, then ducked and fled the area around the bank as if they'd done it a hundred times.

"Bang!" A group of robbers in black ski masks kicked open the bank's doors, raising their bullpup rifles and shouting.

"Everyone on the ground! This is a robbery!"

"Folks! Today you've got a choice to make!"

"Everyone on the ground! Now!"

One robber strode into the lobby and headed straight for the counter, using his gun to force the bank staff out.

"You, and you—come out from behind the counter. Like that. Hands up!"

"Ring ring ring..."

"AAAHHH... Please, don't shoot..."

The bank alarm, terrified screams, and the robbers' rough threats blended together. The once-quiet lobby erupted into chaos.

"Shut up! Anyone who speaks again is meeting God!" Annoyed by the noise, one robber fired a burst into the air. The sharp gunshots silenced the crying people on the floor like a switch had been flipped, leaving only terrified faces.

"Mike! Keep an eye on them. We're grabbing the cash and gear—this is our first job, and we're doing it clean." The lead robber nodded in satisfaction at the quiet crowd, told his partner codenamed Mike to watch them, then headed for the vault with a welding torch and explosives.

"No problem. But hurry—cops'll be here soon."

"Got it!"

"Boom!"

Merlin, riding Arcee, and Punisher stopped on Brooklyn 8th Avenue. From the Perito Bank ahead, a sudden explosion roared out.

The road ahead was temporarily blocked. Rows of police cars lined the street, sealing off the bank's exit completely.

Merlin and Punisher could only wait on the periphery.

"Speaking of which, as time goes on, more and more players are taking on heist missions," Frank said, looking at the scene ahead.

"Probably made some money and geared up."

"And right now, the fastest and most thrilling way to make cash is robbing banks."

"Everyone wants to go big or go home." Merlin leaned against Arcee as he replied.

All along the way, Brooklyn's sirens and the roar of helicopter rotors overhead never stopped.

Police cars, police choppers, ambulances, fire trucks... their shadows could be seen on nearly every street.

In the sky, people flew around on Tyrant MK2s, while others pulled off stunts with Superburn, slapping on Red Bull logos and causing chaos across the city.

But whether due to lack of skill or practice, one eventually slammed into a building and exploded into a fireball.

The firefighters were still putting out the flames over there.

Meanwhile, Ratchet was nearby, tending to those injured by the blast.

At a traffic jam at an intersection, one person drove a Bevel Magic Treasure and another a Spike Phantom, turning the street into a demolition derby.

The sight of cars being flung into the air one after another was truly spectacular.

The police weren't backing down either, chasing after them in Vigilantes and Decepticons.

Mm... some of them were players too.