Beginning in Night City

Peppy was startled to see V with Su Xiao and Jack.

He tried to act like nothing was wrong.

"How did you guys end up together? Where did you meet?"

Jack crossed his arms. "Stop pretending, Peppy. I know everything."

Peppy looked at V in shock. "Did you tell Jack everything?"

V shrugged.

"No, I just briefly explained why I'm working for Kirk."

Jack was furious. "What's wrong with you, Peppy? How dare you deal with Kirk? Everyone in Heywood, even the informants, knows he's a scumbag!"

Peppy said helplessly, "My brother just got out, I had to celebrate."

"Then why didn't you come to me when you needed money? Do you even see me as a friend anymore?"

"Damn it! Jack, your mom already gave me a job, so I, a grown man, wouldn't have to scavenge like others or join a gang like the rest of Heywood. How could I possibly ask you for more money?"

After his emotions cooled, Peppy's tone softened, and he lowered his head. "I know I was foolish."

"Good that you know. Next time you're short on cash, just ask. Your mouth is on your face for a reason, isn't it? To ask for help when you're in trouble?"

Jack patted his chest. "Alright, leave this to me. I'll handle Kirk."

When night fell, Kirk walked into the Wolf Bar and found a young man he'd never seen before standing behind the bar instead of Peppy.

He couldn't help but feel confused.

"Hey, tell me, where's the bartender who was here before?"

Su Xiao shook his head.

"I don't know. It's my first day, I don't know anyone else."

Kirk understood.

That guy Peppy had probably gone into hiding.

He had originally told V that he would wipe Peppy's debt if V could get him that supercar.

But the supercar was still there, parked in the underground garage of Ember Nightclub.

In other words, V had failed.

So Peppy's debt couldn't be cleared.

And he'd have to add today's interest.

Kirk wasn't in a hurry.

He knew Peppy could hide for a while, but not forever.

Peppy was a good person.

He was born in Heywood, yet unlike others, he didn't join the Valentino Gang.

Despite his imposing build, he was timid and afraid to hurt others.

What a waste of all that muscle.

Peppy couldn't survive out there.

So Kirk estimated that Peppy would at most hide for a few days before returning.

It wouldn't be too late to collect both the principal and interest from Peppy then.

Kirk ordered a bottle of wine and took it to the second floor.

As soon as he reached the second floor, he saw two people sitting in his usual window seat.

He took a closer look.

They were two acquaintances.

It was clear they were waiting for him.

Kirk pretended to be nonchalant and walked over.

"V, why didn't you get the supercar? And you caused such a stir?"

V irritably threw the unlocker Kirk had given her at him.

It was this thing. Although it bypassed Rfield's system authentication and unlocked the car, it also triggered the alarm, which brought the NCPD.

"It's all your damn fault. You almost got me killed."

Kirk, of course, wouldn't admit it was his problem.

"It must have been your mistake, don't blame me."

"We had an agreement: you get me the supercar, and I'll clear Peppy's debt. But I don't see the supercar, so naturally, the debt..."

Jack, sitting beside him, let out a heavy snort.

Kirk seemed to notice Jack only then.

"Hey, isn't this the pride of Heywood, the prince of Wolf Bar, Jack Wells? What wind blew you, a big shot like you, over here?"

Jack rolled his eyes.

If it weren't for Peppy, Jack wouldn't even want to deal with Kirk.

People like Kirk were a bottomless pit.

Who knew how he'd managed to stay alive this long.

He couldn't be bothered to waste more words with Kirk and got straight to the point.

"Forget Peppy's interest. I'll pay back the principal. If you want money, I can give it to you right now. How about it?"

Jack dared to say this because he knew the principal Peppy borrowed couldn't have been much.

But the money Kirk lent out was usurious.

It compounded, interest on interest.

The interest quickly surpassed the principal.

If it wasn't paid back soon, the interest would snowball to a point where even selling a kidney wouldn't cover it.

Kirk grinned.

"Do you think I'm some kind of priest doing charity? I'm a businessman. If you borrow money, you have to pay it back, with interest, no matter how much. Isn't that only right?"

"He's breaking the rules, so why should I suffer losses?"

If he only got the principal back, wouldn't this deal be a complete waste of his time?

V interjected, "Loan sharks talking about rules? Might as well discuss world peace."

Kirk's expression darkened.

"If you can't speak human language, you two can get lost!"

Jack stood up in anger.

"You can fool Peppy, but you can't fool me. You don't have any gangs backing you. I came from the Valentino Gang, and they've never even heard of you."

Exposed, Kirk didn't panic at all. Instead, he looked like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.

"That's right, I tricked Peppy, but so what? If someone needs money, I lend it to them. Did I do something wrong?"

"What's that saying again... 'Helping the needy and the distressed, finding joy in helping others.' The city hall should give me a medal."

Veins bulged on Jack's forehead. "So, Kirk, you're absolutely unwilling to let this go?"

Kirk nonchalantly lit a cigarette.

After exhaling a smoke ring, he flicked the ash.

Seeing Jack on the verge of exploding, about to grab him by the collar and lift him up...

Kirk finally spoke.

"We'll see."

"What do you mean?"

"If you two are willing to do one thing for me, I'll agree to write off Peppy's debt. It'll be settled."

V spread his hands. "Don't tell me you want us to go to Ember again?! I'll be honest, Kirk, I can't do that job. Your stupid contraption is useless! It'll just attract the NCPD!"

"Of course not. I'm Slippery Kirk, not Brain-dead Kirk."

Kirk flicked his ash again. "I don't have anything for you right now, but I can agree to not bother Peppy for now. However, you must be available whenever I call."

"When I call you, you can't hang up on me, and you can't fail again."

"As long as the job is done, Peppy's debt is cleared. How's that? Am I being reasonable enough?"

Jack didn't agree immediately.

He walked away indignantly.

After only a few steps, as if unconvinced, Jack turned back and roared at Kirk.

"You knew he was penniless and still lent him money. How's he supposed to pay you back? Idiot!"

Kirk took off his tinted glasses and wiped the spit that landed on his face.

"Let me put it this way, Jack. If people weren't penniless, why would they come to me for money (usurious loans)?"

Watching Jack and V descend the stairs, Kirk's face was filled with a smug smile.

He now had two capable mercenaries at his beck and call.

He'd make good use of them.

Although Jack didn't immediately agree, Kirk was certain that Jack would obediently fall in line.

Just as Jack understood him, he also understood Jack.

Jack was a very loyal person, someone who would go through thick and thin for his friends.

Therefore, he would agree.

Chapter 19: If You Can't Solve the Problem, Solve the Person Who Raised It

Su Xiao, standing behind the bar, saw Jack and V come down the stairs looking dejected.

Seeing them looking like beaten roosters, Su Xiao knew the discussion hadn't gone well.

The two of them came and sat on chairs in front of the bar.

Although Mrs. Wells had said to try not to serve Jack too much alcohol.

Today was a difficult day, after all.

Su Xiao still poured Jack a full glass.

"V, what about you? What do you want to drink?"

In his past life, Su Xiao had also worked in a bar, so he handled it with ease.

"A shot of tequila, thank you."

After pouring them both a drink, Su Xiao finally asked.

"Alright, tell me what's going on?"

Jack remained silent.

V took a sip of his drink and, with a bitter smile, told Su Xiao about their conversation with Kirk.

"He wants you to do a job for him? Did you agree?"

Su Xiao didn't know Kirk.