"But on the dark web, no one leaves their real name. You can only search through past information associated with the account and find out this guy is likely from the Cahokia tribe, the most crime-prone area outside Saint Louis, with hundreds of members."

"The most frequent place to find them is a bar near the train station called 'Louis IX.' You can try your luck there and take the opportunity to complete the task entrusted to you by the Truth Department."

The detailed information shocked many players, especially since it was their first time in Saint Louis, and the other party could collect such a large volume of detailed information in such a short time. It's truly unbelievable.

No wonder it's been a super rare exclusive profession since version 0.2. Hackers, unlike other industries, can't learn the basics from self-study and then blindly grind skill points to advance.

Without hacking talent, you can't even grind out the most basic LV1, let alone anything else.

———

'Louis IX' bar, with a Western decorating style, has a wooden sign full of bullet holes hanging above its entrance, creaking under the wind as if a stronger gust could blow it away.

In the core area of a mixed and chaotic suburb, the Jing Luo trio heard several gunshots at the door before they even stepped inside, and then a corpse with several bullet holes in its chest was pushed down from the second-floor balcony, landing at their feet.

Laughter erupted from upstairs.

"Drink too much and get lost; we're about to eat!"

"Hahaha!!!"

Although Saint Louis isn't as developed as Night City, it's definitely as chaotic as Night City, and in many areas, there isn't even a basic legal framework, nor a group like the Tiger Claw Gang to mediate.

And... due to some historical reasons, Saint Louis is highly racially diverse, so those who know, know.

Even though no North American city's law enforcement can be called 'good,' Saint Louis is definitely at the bottom of the list.

"Zzz..."

Sighs aside, what scenes haven't players seen in this game?

I've observed missile blasts up close before, so what harm can a bunch of gangs do to me?

Fastening the Hell Diver helmet at his waist, they swaggered past the security and pushed the door open to enter the bar.

However, their overly fashionable looks immediately drew the attention of many patrons as they entered, even on stage where the dancer was stark naked, nobody paid attention.

This wasn't some high-end establishment; those drinking here were all sorts, and seeing the Jing Luo trio's impressive elite diver armor, they couldn't turn their eyes away.

But nobody hastily made a move or became the first to strike first, especially when the hefty gun on their back wasn't just for show, and people were curious about what these strangers came here to do.

The dim atmosphere relied entirely on the sunlight filtering through the holes in the roof, and the ceiling fans creaked as they rotated, instilling a fear they'd fall and hit someone.

"A glass of water."

Jing Luo Fury sat boldly at the bar, calling to the bartender.

"Make it clean."

He never drank alcohol; even milk didn't seem to fit the ambiance here, but his request triggered widespread laughter throughout the bar.

"Hehehe, he wants water! And clean! Hahaha!"

"SO? Do you want to suckle your mom's chest again? Whose baby are you?"

The unexpected uproar about his request left Jing Luo Fury baffled.

"This is all we have, take it or leave it."

The bartender pushed some murky booze toward Jing Luo Fury, who picked it up and saw a murky orange liquid with lots of unknown suspended particles. He gave it a sniff, and a pungent cheap alcohol hit his nose instantly.

Night City is a city of dreams, attracting people from all over America, not just because of corporate marketing, but genuinely being much more developed than most North American cities, even surpassing the major eastern city of New York.

He hurriedly pushed the drink aside and pulled out a bottle of Horizon pure water from his waist pouch.

"I'll drink my own."

This triggered another reaction, as the bar patrons suddenly got very serious, and some even tipped their hats in respect.

"Wow, it's real water!"

"It's so clear, beautiful!"

"I will tell this story to my children!"

Apparently, it wasn't enough; a man saw the child before him unmoved and quickly shoved his hat into the kid's hand.

"Hey! Kid, tip your hat in respect; that's real water!"

Anyone able to drink potable water here was already middle-class, but consuming such pure real water signifies a person of great importance!

The patrons' reactions left the players dumbfounded.

WDF?

Was this really necessary?

Though Horizon Corporation's drinking water is gradually becoming widespread, the production is limited, making it impossible to reach such remote places anytime soon.

But this show-off moment clearly hit the players' G-spot, as they leisurely poured three glasses, even clinking them together before drinking.

An elderly man sitting in the corner couldn't help but ask.

"You strangers,... where are you from?"

"Me?"

Jing Luo Ecstasy turned around and leaned against the bar; he knew this might be his only chance in life.

"I come from the West, from that distant extreme West where the sun sets in a city covered by eternal night."