Driver No. 25

In the broadcast feeds set up at every preparation point and viewing area,

a scantily clad female host passionately announced that the race was about to begin:

"Guests of Detroit, welcome to the Coastal Neon Unlimited Racing Competition, fully sponsored by the Fals Merchant Guild."

"The destination of this race is:

the highest point of Neon Sea Cliff. Two hundred meters below that highest point lies Leisangton Company's seaside factory."

"This time, who will fall into the sea and become shark food?

Or who will speed all the way along the coastline and become the king of underground racing?"

"Will it be the Carnival Convoy's Brass Buffalo? Or the scavengers' Westerly Harvester? Please wait and see."

Listening to the increasingly heated clamor from the broadcast speakers,

Su Wen put on his goggles.

To increase viewership and entertainment value,

the first rule of Fals's underground races was: no modifications were prohibited.

But Su Wen did not care what the other teams had modified their cars into.

After all,

the high-end mechanical components stored in his Storage Box

could each, assuming they were brand-new,

buy every modified race car in the adjacent parking lot that was currently roaring with an earsplitting din.

Modular Combination

Beginning construction of a three-dimensional simulation model

As invisible electromagnetic fields repaired and linked together,

in the most remote area,

a "high-tech," "luxury tycoon" race car beyond the imagination of both competitors and spectators was being manufactured at a speed no technology company could observe.

And yet,

this car's operational lifespan

was at most: thirty minutes.

The preparation time quickly passed.

Su Wen drove this now more understated-looking "gray-black old race car" out of the most remote preparation area, No. 25.

At the race site,

on the host platform beneath flashing neon lights,

split screens marked with each car's initial condition gradually began to display footage.

After discussing the "favorites to win,"

the host shifted her attention to the spot at the very edge:

"Oh, dear viewers.

If you hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't even have noticed that there was a stylish gray race car in the corner.

Look at those rugged streamlined curves, and those upward-pointing exhaust pipes on both sides. They really remind me of the farm tractor my grandfather drove at his rural ranch in Texas."

Su Wen had not forgotten that his role in the game was "bartender."

But,

unfortunately,

before he had even gotten the chance to touch a silver cocktail shaker,

he had become known throughout this City of Chaos because of racing.

"Let's connect with Driver No. 25 and ask how he feels."

The communication channel connected.

She continued asking:

"Driver No. 25, as a racer from Freezing Point Bar with no racing experience whatsoever,

did you perhaps purchase a massive medical insurance policy from Aseia Life Technology a few days ago?"

After the host asked that question,

the spectators in every viewing area burst into knowing laughter.

As a racer whom everyone believed had come here on a Death Wish, you successfully gained the malicious attention of the other unfamiliar factions present. Favorability with unfamiliar factions: +5

You successfully drew the attention of the entire audience.

Progress for the City of Chaos's great legend, S-rank hidden mission: 10%

After all,

the fatality rate of the underground coastal race held by the Fals Merchant Guild was as high as 54%.

And that was with multiple safety measures in place, including protective gear, airbags, and crash-resistance testing for the race cars.

For a junk car to dare enter a race like this

was indeed incredibly brave.

Su Wen accepted the communication channel.

Then he turned on the microphone and, with an extremely gentlemanly and confident smile, said to both the host and the entire audience:

"I've bet everything on myself.

Everyone, if you think I'll die halfway through, why not bet everything on the other side?

Only then can I admit this race is at least somewhat interesting."

Seeing that he could still maintain such an attitude,

many gamblers in the venue truly began placing their racing bets against Su Wen.

"Very confident. I really like racers like you."

The female host said with a smile,

"If Driver No. 25 can make it back alive, I'd really like to have an in-depth discussion with you about 'racing techniques.'

Unfortunately, I bet against you as well.

May I ask what your race car is called?"

"Blue Margarita, a cocktail best suited for late nights anywhere in the world.

It represents this:

Tonight, every one of you will remember my name."

The race officially began!

A total of seventy-nine heavily modified race cars of all kinds converged from their respective waiting areas onto the same platform, then shot forward in an instant.

Closest to Su Wen was an orange-yellow modified car.

Around its body, high-speed saw blades shaped like canine teeth emerged.

Then,

the driver of that orange-yellow race car actually controlled it and charged straight at Su Wen.

At the same time,

Su Wen noticed the scene as well.

He said indifferently:

"Very good. You're the first one here to deliver yourself."

Just before the collision, Su Wen directly switched the speed limiter lever, then slammed down on the accelerator.

He actually chose to accelerate again!

Pale blue data-like patterns gradually appeared across the gray-black race car.

The next second,

the two cars emitted a tremendous tearing screech as they collided.

Under the high-speed friction,

one of the cars was sent flying into the air.

"The Vicious Butcher from the Carnival Convoy has launched another attack.

Poor No. 25, he didn't even last a minute."

The host commentated.

In an instant,

when the image reappeared, she gave an incredulous commentary:

"Wait! Driver No. 25 just... actually crushed the Vicious Butcher's collision saw blades!"

That was right.

The car that had flown into the air was not Race Car No. 25.

It was the orange modified car that had chosen to attack.

And now,

that car had been completely reduced to a pile of Scrap Iron.

In the viewing stands,

York, the fat president of the Fals Merchant Guild, narrowed his eyes again as he watched the scene.

Meanwhile, Vern stood fully armed in a corner. He spoke to Gore through the channel in his right-ear Bluetooth earpiece:

"The moment the race produces its first champion, use the hidden-door access to overload Leisangton's circuits."

"Even if you only overload them until there's a brief outage, do you think you can get in and kill them?"

"I have to do this."

The White Hound watched the race car on the screen grow faster and faster amid azure light.

For some reason,

he suddenly thought of the plan Su Wen had just confirmed with him.

It was:

a shocking feat that even the craziest Cyber Psychos would find difficult to accomplish.

The former head of Leisangton security continued:

"If it's now,

that plan probably has a one-percent chance of succeeding."