Starting From Night City

New America attempted to conquer the city, bringing Night City back into its sphere of influence.

It was Mayor Ryan who "led" the citizens in a valiant resistance, along with an aircraft carrier they brought in from Arasaka (the latter being the real key).

This was what repelled the New American army and maintained Night City's independence and freedom.

Because of this, Mayor Ryan managed to narrowly win the election, reversing his declining support and regaining the majority, securing re-election.

Now, with six months left until the mayoral election, it will be held again.

And this time, there won't be the New American army to "help" him.

Not only that, but a political rising star named Jefferson Peralez has emerged.

That guy is either appearing on the popular TV show "Tonight Talk" or showing up on street corners, making frequent appearances.

Even the station chief admits that Peralez's eloquence is incredibly captivating and inflammatory.

Even the station chief's own family is planning to vote for Peralez.

Peralez's emergence seriously threatens and shakes Ryan's foundation.

So, it's not hard to understand why Mayor Ryan is so insistent on eradicating the All Foods Factory.

If he could dismantle a drug den, and a major one at that, during his term.

This would undoubtedly be a significant political achievement.

It would win him a lot of votes.

Thinking this, the station chief, unwilling to give up, got a little idea.

He actually had some dirt on Ryan in his hands. Should he threaten Ryan with it to make him change his mind?

But his idea quickly changed.

Because if you expose someone else's underwear, your own will be exposed too.

Besides, Ryan would absolutely not tolerate anyone dragging him down during an election.

The station chief carefully weighed the pros and cons, unable to come up with a good solution, and ultimately had to let it go.

Watson District, Northside.

The elevated highway above the All Foods Factory can be seen.

Su Xiao and V are sitting in a car.

Jack is leaning over the guardrail of the elevated highway.

After returning from Santo Domingo, the three of them first went to a roadside stall to buy some food.

Then they drove straight here.

On the way, Su Xiao explained his intentions to Jack.

Simply put, it was to deliberately frame the All Foods Factory's truck (though it couldn't really be called framing) and cause the NCPD to target the All Foods Factory.

But Jack refused to believe it.

He had lived in this garbage heap his entire life since birth.

Didn't he know what the NCPD was like?

They would just extort and blackmail the Vortex Gang at the All Foods Factory, forcing them to share the profits from selling Sparkle.

How could they possibly send troops to attack the Vortex Gang?

Have you ever seen a crow whose wings weren't black?

Jack walked over and leaned on the car window.

"I say, Su, how much longer do we have to wait here? They're not coming."

"They will come, be patient, Jack."

Jack let out a breath and stopped talking.

But his constantly shaking leg and his current expression.

Revealed his inner frustration.

Seeing this, Su Xiao suddenly had an idea. "Jack, want to make a bet?"

"Bet on what?" Jack's interest was piqued.

"If you win, I'll cover your drinks for a month."

"Su, you finally earned some money, and you're going to..."

"It's fine, money lost can be earned again."

"Since you say so... Heh heh, Su, you'll regret this." Jack rubbed his hands together, as if already imagining a month of drinking every day.

Jack's thoughts could be seen from his ecstatic expression.

However, Su Xiao didn't expose him.

"And if you lose, what then?"

"Lose? How is that possible? It's not going to happen."

Jack felt he had a significant advantage.

Su Xiao was a Nomad.

He'd only been in Night City for a few days.

Could he possibly understand it as deeply as a local like himself?

What a joke.

"No one understands the NCPD better than I do."

"If I lose, I'll eat your laptop right here on the spot."

No sooner had Jack finished speaking than the sound of sirens blared from below.

Chapter Twenty-Three: The NCPD Dares to Show Up, and I'll Eat This Computer on the Spot!

Police cars, one after another, came speeding towards the All Foods Factory.

There had to be dozens of them.

It was possible the entire police force of Night City had been deployed.

The numerous police cars split into two groups.

One headed straight for the main entrance, while the other went around the back.

Countless officers, clad in bulletproof vests and armed with firearms, exited their vehicles, using the police cars as cover to surround the All Foods Factory.

Following closely behind the police cars were several black vans.

Upon arrival, no one emerged from these vans. Instead, the van doors slid open to the sides, like blooming flower petals.

From the black vans emerged the walking mechs that the NCPD had, at great expense, procured from Military Technology.

These mechs, three to five meters tall, were entirely black and emanated a chilling killing intent.

"Fire in the hole!"

The walking mechs fired volleys of grenades, blasting open the main doors of the All Foods Factory.

"GOGOGO!"

The officers surged in like a tide, engaging the Vortex Gang members inside the All Foods Factory in a fierce firefight.

The gunfire and flashes of light could be clearly heard and seen even from this distance.

However, the NCPD had proper walking mechs, unleashing a constant barrage of grenades and Gatling gun fire. The Vortex Gang, lacking heavy firepower, even on drugs and fearless of death, could only suffer heavy casualties.

On the overpass, Jack was utterly bewildered.

He couldn't fathom it.

How had these NCPD guys suddenly changed their tune?

Had they taken the wrong medicine?

Brick, accompanied by a few trusted associates, barely managed to escape through a secret tunnel.

Fortunately, the tunnel's exit was located on a different street, adjacent to the All Foods Factory.

Even though the NCPD had completely surrounded the All Foods Factory, this area was still safe.

Near the secret tunnel's exit, a vehicle specifically for escape was parked.

Brick and his group got into the car and sped towards another Vortex Gang stronghold, the Dance of Death Bar.

Inside the car, Brick pounded furiously on the window glass.

He simply couldn't understand.

He was greasing the palms of the NCPD with large sums of money every month.

Why would the NCPD raid his establishment?

The more Brick thought about it, the more confused and angry he became.

In the end, he simply called his informant within the NCPD.

Only then did he finally learn that the driver transporting goods to the All Foods Factory had been apprehended at a border checkpoint, which had triggered everything that followed.

Furthermore, the NCPD chief had initially intended to handle the situation diplomatically with Brick.

But this was a firm demand from Mayor Ryan, leaving the chief with no choice.

The NCPD chief was different from the head of the border checkpoint.

The latter was subordinate to Military Technology and, in name, could show Mayor Ryan some respect.

However, if faced with a choice between a Corporation and City Hall, the checkpoint chief would unhesitatingly side with the Corporation.

But the NCPD chief is different; he reports directly to City Hall.

He certainly wouldn't dare make a secret move when Mayor Ryan is paying close attention.

After finishing the call, Brick asked, "Who hired that driver again?"

One of his confidants nearby replied, "Kirk, the one from Heywood, that fixer who's doing pretty poorly."

"Damn it! I knew that bastard was unreliable! Kirk, huh? You son of a bitch, you're dead!"

A dangerous red light flickered in Brick's spider-like cybernetic eyes.

"Alright, the show's over, let's go back and tell Peppy the news. He won't have to worry about Kirk anymore."

Su Xiao saw the gunfire from the direction of the All Foods Factory

gradually cease, knowing the fight inside was probably nearing its end.

After all, the NCPD even brought out the Walking Mechs, and it was a surprise attack…

The Vortex Gang was caught completely off guard. The All Foods Factory is a workshop for processing food and Sparkle, not a military fortress, so it's no wonder they couldn't hold out.

Su Xiao had a general understanding of the city's gang divisions from Jack.

He knew the All Foods Factory was Brick's territory.

Which also meant he was Kirk's employer.

Su Xiao wasn't worried about what would happen if Brick died in the All Foods Factory.

Actually, it didn't matter if Brick lived or died.

Even if he did die, someone else would take over.

And Kirk didn't just screw over Brick; he screwed over the Vortex Gang.

This debt wouldn't be forgotten just because a new boss took over.