Jilead stood up and put out the cigar.

His fingers were thick, adorned with three gold rings, and he sat behind a large, imposing desk.

Haven't seen him for a few days.

Jilead had a new prosthetic body again. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

He wore white trousers, a gray vest, and his muscular frame filled out his shirt completely.

Above the elastic button was a golden accessory,

[Your friend is as tough as a truck.]

Even Sora couldn't help but praise.

Jilead oozed swagger, swaying his body and mimicking a gun with his hand aimed at John.

"DM, I knew you weren't dead, that job under Rongju's supervision was a real piece of art, word's all over the streets, impressive!"

He paused, a hint of reprimand in his tone.

"This is the first time we're talking here, right? I've been promoted for a while now, and you've been making waves all over the city, but never came to my office!"

Jilead came up close.

He pulled John in for a shoulder bump, greeting each other in a way unique to the gang.

"I see you've been doing well for yourself."

John replied with a smile.

As he passed Jilead, he caught the scent of a biological perfume.

This stuff was recommended in Bolago's member store.

He'd seen the product introduction in his inbox more than once, said to be a biotechnology product of the Gaia Cells, supposedly boosting confidence and displaying elite charm.

"Hahaha."

Jilead accepted the compliment.

He picked up a fresh cigar, clipped it, and offered it to John.

"Come~ Great stuff from Golden Apple, snagged it from the pocket of a Xiao Ting Gang executive, give it a try."

John declined.

"I can't handle it now."

"Whoa, John, seriously? I remember you liked traditional stuff."

"Cigars are a different thing, but luckily, since you like them, I don't need to find someone else."

John took out a box of the same cigars from his coat pocket.

It was housed in a brown magnetic box with exquisite golden trim, and when flipped over, it held a matte metallic lighter.

This was Mr. Tommen's inheritance.

John found it in the glove compartment when he stole the man's car.

"Spoils from the last job, keep it if you don't mind and smoke it yourself."

"Phew~"

Jilead whistled lightly, happily accepting, and drew one out to sniff at the tip.

It wasn't about doubting John's source, just purely enjoying the hefty scent.

His free hand fiddled with the lighter, fingers nimble, creating an afterimage.

John took the chance to look around the room.

The overall layout was business-like, with no signs of life, indicating Jilead hadn't been here long, not fully adjusted to his role as a high-ranking leader.

He glanced out the window.

From a different angle, the West District's street scene seemed much more unfamiliar.

John ended his casual tour and settled into the soft, comfortable sunken sofa.

Jilead had been waiting.

He wanted his good friend to have a more tangible sense of his achievements—not boasting from on high or showing off, but a plain and simple pride.

Jilead walked over, not taking a detour, and stepped over the sofa armrest directly into the sunken area, sitting in the singular spot.

He waved his hand over the black crystalline coffee table.

A small wine cabinet rotated out.

It held two rows of bottles.

The cabinet was lined with golden silk, with wooden cradles custom-fitted to each bottle's shape.

John didn't understand the types of alcohol.

But his prosthetic eye told him they were all original high-quality goods.

[I like your friend, he knows how to reward himself, making big money, smoking good cigars, drinking fine wine, keeping himself presentable.]

Kenichi Sora was more excited than John.

[Quick, ask him where these fine wines come from? Any suitable supply channels, our restaurant could use some high-end products!]

It started amusing itself.

John didn't pay it any mind, just as he was about to discuss business, a crisp "pop~" sounded beside him.

Jilead had pulled the cork out by hand.

His arm was steady, fingers thick, rings clinking against the geometrically shaped glass bottle.

Splish splash.

There was no decanting, no introduction.

The expensive liquor poured out openly.

As the liquid inside decreased, the shape of the glass container itself became apparent, making it a nice decoration in the corner even when empty.

John and Jilead were both streetwise.

Their respect for top-quality liquor was simply ensured by having clean glasses, then adding two pieces of flavorless metal ice.

"Try it."

"Tastes of the high life."

The two glanced at each other with a smile, tilting their heads back for half a gulp, then simultaneously twisted their features.

"Cough, cough, d...!"

"It's damn... Oh man, how does it taste to you?"

Their expressions were pained.

The raw spirits were battering their industrial-tech-polluted organs, similar to the situation with fresh meat, not yet used to the power of genuine goods.

It wasn't unbearable.

Just not very pleasant.

John could clearly feel—the spirits trickling down his digestive tract.

[Looking on the bright side, this at least proves Sugar Bean Man's drugs are effective, see, you can taste the liquor.]

Sora was receptive to sensory stimulation.

John cursed out loud.

"It's got such a weird taste, lingering like that, are big shots paying to torture themselves?"

"Hahaha."

Jilead put his glass down too.

"Not exactly undrinkable, just that I'm not used to it yet. Next time I meet true brothers, I won't bring it out for them. Hmm... Maybe I should push these onto the black market; people are willing to pay big bucks. As for us, let's head out now, any West District bar you choose, my treat, we'll get some decent stuff."

He leaned in, lightly tapped John's knee, lowered his voice with a mischievous smile.

"The Steel Hot Forest is preparing an anniversary limited event, all top-tier projects, new mist, new sex dolls, guaranteed to make you melt in the pool, new stuff always needs someone to test the waters, I have the channels..."

"Heh heh."

John gave the impression of agreeing, until the chip behind his ear began to heat slightly.

But he was just teasing the AI; John hadn't forgotten the main issue.

"Come on, I'm not here for fun; that Bone Shards dumbass must have already contacted you. Spill it, who do you want me to take out?"

"How dull, are you a workaholic?"

Jilead was a bit disappointed but didn't delay, getting up, adjusting his vest, he left the office with John, heading straight for the private elevator at the end of the corridor.

He draped an arm over his buddy's shoulder, fiddling with the golden ornament on his chest.

"You and Bone Shards still aren't getting along?"

"We never have."

"Come on, he's not as bad as you think."

Jilead swiped open the exclusive elevator, and the two stood in the cabin wrapped with electronic ads.

John even saw Bone Shards' projection.

It was a dynamic invitation from the West District Casino, with a slogan inviting to a street Speaker's banquet.

John remembered Jilead's words, sneering.

"Did I tell you? He once tried to scare me with Sianweistan... I have a terrible impression of him, a polished villain, all about business in the head, just a corporate dog in gang clothing."

"That was so long ago, who hasn't been knocked down a peg when they started?"

Jilead seemed intent on smoothing over their relationship.

"I'm a boss now too; the leasing company's business is growing; I've got to support a bunch of young folks, believe me, many things are unavoidable."

"You're right."

"Phew~ glad you understand."

Jilead breathed a sigh of relief.

But John shook his head.

"I mean, things aren't like they used to be, if he tries it again, I'll remove his huevos barehanded."

John flipped off the electronic poster and strode out of the elevator cabin first.

Jilead followed, chagrined.