Chapter Thirty-Nine: Acceleration

"Oh my god! Driver No. 25 has modified their car into a 'glider'?"

It was the first time the host had ever seen such a sight. The main screen at the venue was now completely focused on the car, the Blue Margarita.

"The phone lines are blowing up. Let’s take a call from a listener."

"F*ck, this is an illegal modification, a violation! I... I want my money back!"

Hearing such a vulgar response over the phone, the host cut the connection.

"Illegal modification—a term that is indeed quite unexpected in the context of Detroit's unrestricted underground racing," she continued. "True, the track rules mandate ground-based traction. However, there is a caveat: the 'Emergency Avoidance Ordinance' applies—for example, flying off a cliff in a moment of mortal danger—which does not count as a violation."

At that moment, the racing car, trailing deep blue exhaust flames, soared across an incredible distance visible to the naked eye. With a heavy 'clank,' it landed back on the track.

Simultaneously, Su Wen accessed the chat channel and requested a dialogue with the host.

"Driver No. 25 is actually in the mood to go on air. Let’s hear what he has to say."

The track was already drowned in a mix of curses and cheers. But what Su Wen said next silenced them all.

He floored the accelerator. At the same time, the 'Speed and Passion' flame-colored stripes—the signature buff of the Carnival racing team—began to emerge on the car's body. The speedometer needle started to spin wildly. Accompanied by the high-pitched 'hum' of the engine's extreme acceleration, he spoke:

"The bets involving car No. 25 have already been negotiated with the Fals Chamber of Commerce. To those who bet against me, I don't care about your money; it will be fully refunded after the race. That’s right, thirty-two million dollars—I don't want a single cent, it will all be returned! From this moment on, cheer to your heart's content!"

A second later, a note was passed to the host's desk under the high-intensity spotlights. The host glanced at it, then said in shock:

"I have just received a formal letter from the Fals Chamber of Commerce. Everyone, what Driver No. 25 said is true!"

In an instant, the entire venue erupted.

"Driver No. 25, I love you!"
"I don't have to jump off a cliff anymore!"
"Blue Margarita! Blue Margarita!"

Everyone was shouting for Su Wen and the Blue Margarita. Even White Hound was stunned by Su Wen's vision.

That’s right. Everything was exactly as Su Wen had planned: from his low-profile entrance, to provoking the entire audience and other gang organizations into placing heavy bets against him; then, in the middle of the race, delivering a psychological blow with his flashy, high-speed driving; and finally, at this very moment, after saying those words, flipping all their resentment into cheers and revelry that echoed through the dark night.

In a city that prioritized self-interest and the self above all else, no one had ever been simultaneously admired by every organization and gang. But after tonight, no one would ever forget this driver, No. 25: a legend, a true legend of the rebels.

【Detroit is chaotic and disordered, but it has never seen a rebel like you who defies the rules.】
【Cheer, for the sake of thirty million dollars. Tonight, everyone will remember your name!】
【Great legend of the City of Chaos, S-rank hidden quest 60% complete.】
【Obtained S-rank buff: Legend.】
【Effect Description: As a legend, your attack and defense increase by 50. Furthermore, your calls to action will always receive a 30% or higher bonus to regional support. Finally, you will always be able to survive in the most dangerous situations with luck beyond human imagination.】
【Oh, my god, you have achieved the impossible quest progress.】

Su Wen smiled. He wasn't surprised by the result. Since Detroit prioritized profit and chaos, he would first position himself as the enemy, and then, using immense profit, reverse everything.

At this moment, Su Wen watched the numbers in his attribute panel soar once again. He could probably go toe-to-toe with a top-tier Tier 2 transcendent now. But that wasn't all he wanted to say.

Using the underground race broadcast, Su Wen continued:

"I have a proposal. In fifteen minutes, every gang and organization will receive an email I’ve scheduled to be sent out. It contains a small invitation, and you might all want to consider participating."

"I bet if you wanted to smash the vault of a multinational corporation right now, everyone would agree to follow you," Grace muttered. After all, this burly man had been captivated by the charisma of Driver No. 25. At the very least, if Su Wen told him to smash something, he would follow. "The championship is not far from us now."

Su Wen floored the accelerator again and asked the former record-holder beside him, "What was your record?"

"One hour, seven minutes, and fifty-three seconds."

"That number is a bit too slow."

With a confident smile, the driver of No. 25 increased the speed once more. The torque and acceleration of the jet-black car, shimmering with deep blue data stripes, grew even louder.

Even the host was getting nervous.

"Driver No. 25 is closing in on the Scavenger organization's 'Westley Harvester.' He lost a lot of time rescuing Grace earlier. Whether he can still break the record—let’s wait and see."

At the same time, Su Wen reconnected to the communication line:

"Detroit is a city gradually decaying under the law of the jungle; that is the most direct impression I’ve had since arriving here. But the fact that weeds grow so wildly also proves that life has never disappeared. Instead, it is moving from order toward a more wanton direction. Now, I see the most striking core of this place: 'Resistance'."

Driving the speeding car, Su Wen’s voice was firm and full of confidence:

"So, I will let this city witness everything. Tonight, be proud of your 'resistance'!"

The deep blue stripes on the car body rippled into an eternal, scorching flame. Amidst the roaring sound of the heavily modified engine, he accelerated all the way!

He overtook the Westley Harvester!
He surpassed the record previously set by Grace!
He even surpassed the entire clamor of this city!