Chapter 36: The Inevitable Path to Becoming a Legend

After Su Wen successfully activated his "Beguiler" skill, the security captain of the Fals Casino believed him, effectively putting an end to the escalating dispute that had been on the verge of turning into a brawl.

"Fern, owner of the Freezing Point Bar, come with me."

In the city of Detroit, few people knew the name "Fern" compared to "White Hound." Consequently, in the eyes of most, he appeared no different from any other gambler causing trouble in the casino.

Fern Onions, with his ash-gray hair, glanced at Su Wen. At this moment, he felt he needed to re-evaluate the value of this friend of Gaulle. After all, being able to obtain information about him and use it to manipulate the Fals Casino into framing Rice-Angton suggested that his allegiance likely lay with a rival corporation. Schlot Heavy Industries? Or Isaiah Life Sciences?

White Hound had no time to ponder these questions now.

[You have experienced the event: The Persuader]
[You have earned a chance to draw a temporary ability card for this session]
[You have acquired the skill card: Buffer]
Skill Card: [Buffer Level 2 (Energy Cost 0-100%): Depending on the proportion of psionic energy expended, provides a corresponding buffer and reduction against the next incoming attack.]

A decent skill.

Gaulle enjoyed a bit of mischief, but he didn't think getting involved in Fern’s trouble was a good choice. Now that there was room for negotiation, he might actually secure that fifteen-hundred-dollar reward for nothing. His opinion of Su Wen improved significantly, and his favorability rating rose accordingly.

"Hey, brother, you really have a way with words. Indeed, only Rice-Angton would dare pull a stunt like this," he added admiringly. "If it were me, I probably would have pinned the blame on the 'Carnival Convoy'."

Su Wen didn't answer. He was busy organizing the intricate web of factions within this chaotic City of Night.

The three followed the security captain into the elevator and arrived at Old York’s luxurious office on the fourth floor. York was a stout man; he reclined on a sofa, cigar in hand, and asked with narrowed eyes:

"I heard Rice-Angton has their eyes on me? So, you, a former White Hound, want to win over the Fals Chamber of Commerce?"

Fern knew Su Wen was using his hidden identity to make the lie more credible, so he wasn't foolish enough to refute it. Instead, he gave a husky, ambiguous reply: "Old York, you couldn't possibly be unaware of what Rice-Angton has been doing. Now that the Night Watchers are tracking them, do you really think you can get away?"

Upon hearing this, the system prompt appeared before Su Wen:
[Information Acquired: Uncovered the secret experiment currently being conducted by Rice-Angton]
[Note: Perhaps you have underestimated the capabilities of the Night Watchers, who maintain order in Detroit's nights amidst the chaos.]

Aside from Old Lin at the Old Bookstore and the disguised identity he used when meeting the Duke of Bavaria, Su Wen had not yet truly interacted with the Night Watcher organization.

Old York leaned back into the sofa. "I am indeed afraid. That is why tonight's 'Coastal Neon Racing Stakes' will be the last one funded by the Detroit Fals Chamber of Commerce." The squinting, portly merchant continued, "If you only came to chat, I don't think my relationship with a White Hound who cleans up trash is good enough for that."

Old York extinguished his cigar in an obsidian tray. His tone sharpened. "This city does not believe in friendship or ridiculous mutual aid. It only believes in profit and madness. Fern, what do you want, and what can you bring me?"

"My daughter has been kidnapped. I must save her before those animals do anything to her." Fern stared straight at York with his scarred eyes, then said in a low voice, "You investigate my daughter’s location and provide me with an entry permit; I will clear away any potential lingering dangers for you."

"You should have said so sooner." York seemed to transform back into that smiling businessman. He said slowly, "A request that isn't much trouble for me, in exchange for a chance to potentially make Rice-Angton self-destruct from within. Sounds quite good. But, these chips are not enough."

Having gauged Fern’s bottom line, the black-hearted merchant knew it was time to squeeze him for everything he was worth.

At that moment, Su Wen, having gradually grasped the relationships between the major gangs and mega-corporations of Detroit, spoke calmly: "Setting aside other news, Mr. York, are you interested in participating in a wager yourself?"

"Oh, what kind of wager?" The merchant had been well-informed; it was this strange, handsome gentleman who had stopped the impending conflict. Compared to haggling with a White Hound accustomed to killing, conversing with a clever person was likely less exhausting. As a businessman, York saw this mysterious gentleman as that clever person.

Su Wen smiled. "I need an entry slot for the 'Coastal Neon Racing Stakes'."
"What do you hope to gain? The championship prize?"
"Perhaps."
"And if you fail?"
"Fifty-two million dollars." He revealed the account he had obtained from his "hard work" at Schlot Heavy Industries. "Mr. York, greed is good, but if cowardice makes you timid, then we can pretend this wager was never mentioned."

Su Wen sat calmly across from the American businessman with the Californian accent, his gaze deep and inscrutable. The initiative had shifted to his side.

Gaulle whispered in his ear, "Are you crazy? Those lunatics from the 'Carnival Convoy' don't care who you are."

"The City of Chaos has no shortage of lunatics," Su Wen replied with a calm smile. "Besides, like you and Fern, I need answers. Therefore, the ritual and the process are also necessary."

Su Wen had grasped the true meaning of the City of Chaos. It possessed its own form of order. Humans arbitrarily defined their perceptions of others based on their own likes and dislikes. But regardless, one thing remained consistent: they needed the clamor—the all-night clamor!

"I agree," Old York said, squinting with a smile. "After all, in just ten minutes, I realized that we could definitely become friends."

[Because you proposed a sufficiently lopsided wager, York appreciates your 'confidence' and your bank account, provided you are not a fool. 'Fals Chamber of Commerce' faction favorability +40]
[Player has acquired buff: Seventeen-Sided Die +10]
[Buff Effect: 1. Your next instance of damage will involve a dice roll during calculation, and the result will be multiplied accordingly (greater than 9 is a positive outcome, less than 9 is a negative outcome). 2. If you happen to roll a positive incentive, you will gain ten minutes of boosted luck.]

At this moment, a pale-gold quest chain emerged in his field of vision:
[Hidden S-Rank Quest: A Great Legend of the City of Chaos]
[Activation Condition: Favorability +30 or higher with three or more factions (Generally, apart from throwing money at them, this is almost impossible for a stranger to achieve) OR: Become mortal enemies with more than ten factions.]
[Completion Conditions: 1. Personally destroy a faction. 2. Leave an unforgettable memory in this city.]
[Note: Two elements to becoming a legend—first, overcome the impossible; second, be sufficiently insane.]
[Because Detroit involves multiple ruins and is not far from the border of the Lost Sea, your achievement completion rate will determine the trajectory of future timeline changes: the 'Fog Sea Route' event and the beginning of the 'Rise of Will' revolution.]

Su Wen finished reading the prompts.

Half an hour later, amidst the roaring cheers and the sweeping beams of neon lights, he arrived at the twenty-fifth staging area for the mountain race. In the garage there sat the most basic, dilapidated racing car.