Chapter 889 - 453

Under the iconic Jade Arch of Naihe Bridge.

Fang Cheng stopped and looked at the bustling crowd on the street, then turned to Yuan Datou beside him:

"Thanks for earlier, how should I repay you?"

In his mind, taking matters into his own hands to "borrow" was like robbing the rich to feed himself, justified.

But if someone extends a helping hand, that’s a personal favor, and it must be repaid.

This logic, Fang Cheng had it very clear in his mind.

"Oh, boss, saying that makes you sound like an outsider!"

Yuan Datou quickly waved his hand, flattered, and said:

"It’s my honor to serve you, consider this small amount my respectful contribution to you, don’t mention repaying it!"

Seeing Fang Cheng looking at him calmly, not speaking, the invisible pressure made Yuan Datou’s heart skip a beat.

Knowing the other’s straightforward character, he awkwardly changed his tune and said:

"Okay, boss, this is the exclusive password to my rented apartment."

He whispered a series of strangely syllabic words, like a Spell.

"You can come find me anytime you find convenient."

After speaking, seeing Fang Cheng still somewhat unclear about the concept of an "apartment," Yuan Datou enthusiastically shared his experience:

"Boss, if I may, next time you come, it’s best to first register at the Hukou Bureau over there, then rent an apartment in the city."

"Not only does this make coming and going easier, but any virtual items you acquire in Night City, whether purchased or as task rewards, can be stored in the apartment, and they won’t disappear because you go offline; it’s very safe."

After hearing this, Fang Cheng was utterly speechless.

Isn’t this a vivid, highly realistic online game?

And it’s one with paid items and offline trading, a large-scale multiplayer online virtual reality game.

Seeing Fang Cheng’s silence, Yuan Datou thought he was still troubled about the money, so he thoughtfully explained further:

"Actually, with your strength, boss, making money here is quite easy."

"The transaction methods here are mainly of two types. One is like what you encountered earlier, transferring real currency, but the fees are terrifyingly high."

"The other, which most of us choose, is to do tasks here to earn Credit Coins."

"Credit Coins are the hard currency in Night City; they can be spent directly here or exchanged for real currency at private banks, with an exchange rate much better than the official rate."

Yuan Datou’s words sparked something in Fang Cheng’s mind. He pondered for a moment and asked:

"Is it allowed to take tasks and earn commissions as a newcomer here at Naihe Bridge?"

"Of course you can!"

Yuan Datou immediately nodded, speaking as if pouring beans out of a bamboo tube:

"As long as you have the skill, you can take on any task."

"Naihe Bridge is one of the largest brokers in Night City, there’s an abundance of tasks, from finding cats and dogs to assassination bounties, you name it, they don’t even need a guarantee."

"Anyway, failure in a task doesn’t cause them any loss. At most, next time, they’ll lower the task-taker’s rating and withhold part of the commission..."

Hearing this, Fang Cheng suddenly seemed to remember something and abruptly stopped.

He turned and said to Yuan Datou, "You go ahead, I have something else to take care of."

Just as he finished speaking, he turned and went back into the service hall.

Yuan Datou stood there, stunned, watching Fang Cheng’s disappearing back, his eyes flickering thoughtfully.

He touched his plump chin as if deep in thought, then shook his head and merged back into the crowd.

On the street, pedestrians came and went, neon lights flickering constantly.

About half an hour later.

Fang Cheng emerged from the hall, the fog on his face unable to hide his gloomy expression.

"Damn it..."

He muttered under his breath:

"If I had known, I would have directly requested the task of ’Investigating the Truth of the Chen Family Curse,’ not only getting intel for free but also making a huge profit after completing it."

"What a loss, a huge loss indeed..."

No help for it, first time here, unaware of the ropes, spent foolish money for nothing.

"Truly no business without deceit!"

Fang Cheng couldn’t help but curse some unscrupulous organization again, silently noting this debt.

Then he raised his head, once again carefully observing this bizarre city.

High above, the gigantic "Thousand-mile Eye" was slowly rotating, its ghostly green beam sweeping over the dense buildings like a lighthouse.

On the street, several semi-transparent Ghosts silently drifted by, bringing a chill in the wind.

Neon signs tirelessly changed text and graphics.

The colorful reflections stretched and mixed on the wet ground, painting this never-sleeping place even more enchantingly, as if it would never end.

The touch here, the sounds, even the mixed smells in the air, all felt incredibly real.

Yet it was this extreme realism that highlighted its virtual essence.

Like a vast and mysterious dream constructed by countless consciousnesses together.

Fang Cheng seriously doubted that the so-called network technology in the real world drew its initial inspiration from here.

Perhaps a few decades ago, some astonishingly talented scientist reached this place, deeply shocked,

Then conceived the idea of mimicking and constructing a similar world in reality in a different form.

A colossal internet capable of accommodating billions of ordinary people, allowing them to cross borders, exchange thoughts, and share information with their "virtual identities."

A realm of the Spirit, a sea of data, the two are remarkably similar.

In his drifting thoughts, Fang Cheng’s gaze suddenly hardened, intensely staring toward the distant city skyline.