Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 181 - 159: The Critical Point

Chapter 181: Chapter 159: The Critical Point

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"It’s still useful," Xu Yang said, "It’s best not to burn bridges. What distinguishes us from others are our bottom lines and principles."

"Indeed, ugly truths first, Asa Katsuragi at present only has the ability to lead a gang," Kong Tai said.

"You lost to her."

"I was ambushed by a sniper at that time," Kong Tai said, "But it’s all in the past now. Back to the matter at hand—the reliable estimate is that to completely stabilize control over Katagi District and Number 26 Highland, it will cost 9 million. We can only afford one-third of that ourselves. And if we want to expand our territory to Hui City District and go to war with the Chainsaw Angel Gang, the number triples."

"Fighting does indeed burn through cash," Xu Yang would need to finance the arming of Innovation, as its missile tubes were still devoid of ammunition, and a single missile would cost at least 750,000 in funds.

"It’s easy to extort money from ordinary people," Kong Tai said, "Gangs focus on the common folk not because they’re naturally perverted, but because they can’t beat the corporations. The trouble is... other gangs collude with corporations, stripping the common people together, leaving them high and dry. These days, a lot of corporations have come to talk about partnerships, hoping to expand their interests using the might of the Katsuragi Gang, offering us a large ’sponsorship fee’ to solve our urgent needs. But Asa Katsuragi is very straightforward, thinking those corporations have bad reputations. Indeed, they add contaminated ingredients to children’s food, turning them into grotesque figures, but they are willing to pay a lot of money. Her reluctance to take the money is truly bizarre."

"How much are we talking?"

"Around 3 million total."

"That’s small change," Xu Yang said, "You should do both, negotiate and buy out the streets, factories, and shops of Aizu City into your own hands."

"It’s a poor place."

"Last year, Aizu City’s gross production value reached 48 billion funds. You must take down such a ’poor place’ to look to richer grounds. And guess what Aizu City has over Anjiu City?"

"Cheaper apartment rents?" Kong Tai’s first thought was this.

"What’s good is the absence of Century Pure Land’s surveillance. It’s a metropolis freer than the surface, and once the gangs are eradicated, the city becomes a prime choice for ordinary people who just want an ordinary life—affordable rent, well-connected networks, lots of economic opportunities, more comfortable than the city above where everyone wears a forced smile, without those strictly managed corporations, no worries about losing credibility points for speaking out," Xu Yang explained.

"Definitely," Kong Tai agreed, "... Everyone’s got a rebellious streak, and the more you try to control them these days, the more they love to cause trouble."

"Look at the external situation as well, corporate wars are about to erupt, chaos is nearing. Gang expansion costs money, Kyoto Infinity and Blackfire fighting cost even more, and they’re bound to ’downsize’ and ’optimize structure’, sending a batch of excellent talents out into society, pushing them to graduate gloriously from the corporations. Can these company folks with nowhere to go still live in company cities?"

"They’ll have to roll into Aizu City," Kong Tai envisioned rows of carriages transporting the losers from Anjiu City into Aizu City.

"Let’s get Aizu City cleaned up to welcome them, establish an Underground Metropolis free from corporate order, a new form, the freest place, where everyone can utilize their skills," Xu Yang patted Kong Tai’s shoulder, "Meanwhile, your job is to expand as much as possible, defeat the opposition, from Katagi District and Number 26 Highland to Hui City District, take down all the turf you can. Aizu City is a ’poor place’ corporates overlook, so, we’ll gladly accept it."

"What you’re saying makes me want to get the old guys over here," Kong Tai crushed his cigarette, "Mercenary friends who are out there risking their necks for a meager profit share."

"Of course, they’re always welcome."

"You’re well-connected with the Witches, you must be privy to some historical secrets," Kong Tai said, "Just a suggestion... If ever you get a chance to return to Xia District, you might be interested in contacting ancient beings from our homeland."

"I’ll consider it," Xu Yang said, "Now get back to work, work hard enough and shares won’t be short on your end."

"Understood," Kong Tai tossed the cigarette butt into the trash can and walked away.

Go back to Xia? Mentioned by Kong Tai, a flicker of homesickness stirred within Xu Yang. But, it was too dangerous. There were too many issues to deal with between him and the mighty Kyushu High Pavilion and Heavenly Cardinal Manufacturing.

Gathering his thoughts, Xu Yang began to allocate funds.

To forge a Katsuragi Gang capable of taking down the entirety of Aizu City, relying solely on the two elites Asa Katsuragi and Kong Tai was far from enough. Robots, firearms, ammunition, and military training—all had to be in place and all of them cost money.

After calculating the costs, Xu Yang then supplied the Katsuragi Gang with 6 million worth of armed assets.

Since the "arms dealer" store had been blown up by his own hands, arms dealing became a troublesome matter for local gangs. Zuo Hongchen’s Jumen Commerce Corporation also went through a lot of trouble to gather enough arms, transporting goods from the Silla Peninsula to the Xia District.

Kyushu High Pavilion’s military research and development department designed the "Dragon Sparrow-5" type main battle rifle, channel price only 8,000 funds each, and immediately 300 rifles were shipped over. Asa Katsuragi distributed these weapons to members who had previously performed well in combat and selected from among them those she found trustworthy, forming a squad of personal troops, significantly boosting their firepower.

After further investments in the Katsuragi Gang, they began another round of expansion.

Every time Asa Katsuragi conquered another rival gang, they would plunder funds ranging from 200,000 to 2 million to supplement their treasury, loads of war spoils were carted off to warehouses and storage rented by the Katsuragi Gang, then sold through various channels to other places, exchanged for more bullets, weapons, and military robots.

Before, small-time street crooks gathered in groups to harass lone members of the Katsuragi Gang, now they were frightened to see the glaring main battle rifles in their hands, scurrying to hide with tails between their legs.

There were also numerous street ronin in Aizu City, with nothing to do, surviving on shooting short videos or collecting protection money, eating instant noodles, covered in cheap blankets, each dressed fashionably, fond of brandishing swords to intimidate people. Under the pressure of the Katsuragi Gang, they either found a decent job or risk having their masks violently removed.

The result of the expansion was that the Katsuragi Gang took over most industries in Katagi District, converting them into gang assets, with nearly 40 businesses under their name, including internet cafes, bars, dance halls, casinos, gaming arcades, hotels, hair salons, etc., providing a steady stream of funds. Not only was Suzuki Springs continuing to profit, but Toshiaki Robot Megastore had also reopened for business.

Larger gangs had been driven out beyond Katagi District, and during this time, the stamp dealing dens had also laid low. Stamp dealers patiently waited, guns at the ready, aware that now was not the time.

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If a gang took the lead in opposing the Katsuragi Gang, they would immediately follow suit, shooting down those Katsuragi Gang members patrolling and training on the streets, and launch a counterattack.

Xu Yang was well aware that the threat would come.

Therefore, Xu Yang shifted his strategic focus to Suzuki Springs. He normally dealt with affairs here and even had the Innovation on standby, purchasing four anti-armor missiles in preparation for battle.

"With this shuttle machine as backup, I feel much safer," Kong Tai said, "The other gangs’ counterattacks will come soon."

"If it’s just the underworld, it’s not hard to handle," Asa Katsuragi said.

"It’s good if it’s only the underworld," Lila said, "What if we encounter a hostile witch?"

"Nestor Corporation has a Witch Division," Xu Yang said, "specifically for dealing with such situations."

Witch Farosa also liked the current expansion status in Aizu City very much. Due to having enough influence in the jurisdiction, the witch babies born to the local residents had been adopted by them in accordance with corporate law. They were now being raised in a unified witch management facility, their types of magic power not yet been revealed, possessing multiple possibilities.

Witch babies were really too cute. Witch Farosa often visited them secretly to watch these little witches slowly grow in their cradles, crying for their bottles. In her eyes, she could almost see them growing up under the nurturing of the New Witch Council — noble and powerful.

Nights passed, and August was nearing its end.

A howling noise tore through the streets like rabid dogs being released, with nearly 100 motorcycles tearing through the streets at breakneck speed.

The entire convoy passed through Anjiu City and sped straight into Aizu City. Hundreds of gang members shouted and fired into the sky, flaunting their firepower.

A white military shuttle machine was in the middle of the convoy, rushing along with the motorcycle gang. It was now in battle-ready status, with four hovering cannons floating alongside, capable of high-energy shooting that could easily destroy armored targets and buildings — extremely lethal.

It was precisely because of this shuttle machine that the Chainsaw Angel Gang’s snipers held back from shooting, letting them pass through Hui City District.

Suzuki Shinji wore sunglasses and a floral shirt, leaning back on the rear seat of an armored jeep, cigar in mouth, the epitome of swagger and in high spirits, having finally managed to get all the guys out of jail.

He couldn’t get enough of the urban scenery of Aizu City. This trip had taught him a lot. He now realized it was clearer to think that instead of slaving away for companies in big cities, it was better to return to his roots in Katagi District as the reigning tyrant.

"Our pride and joy, Suzuki Springs, has been taken over by that lunatic Asa Katsuragi! She’s raised her flag in rebellion and declared herself ’boss.’" Suzuki Shinji stood up from his seat, shouting to his spirited Suzuki Group members on either side, "Now let’s take it back! Have a fierce fight with the Katsuragi Gang! Capture Asa Katsuragi for me, tear her into pieces! We are back for this battle!"

"Whoa!"

"Kill!"

"Fight the Katsuragi Gang!"

Bloodthirsty malice spread.

"Fight!"

"Long live the Suzuki Group!" Even the gang robots in black suits chanted in unison, their voices more astounding.

Inside the shuttle machine, through the visor of her personal armor, Mireya could see the glittering lights of the Underground Metropolis. She couldn’t help but fantasize about the scene of it all being blown to bits as members of the Pale Legion sat in the cabin, arms folded around various cutting-edge weapons, silent.

Mireya’s armor made her indistinguishable from the other members of the Pale Legion beside her, which was part of the plan. This way, the enemy would not be able to single out Mireya from these uniformly armored soldiers and would be plunged into her mind control magic.

Earlier in Anjiu City, she had taken the time to secretly communicate with Lord Dilnai of the Multi Shining Wings, exchanging information. The calculated outcome was...

...this trip was sure to encounter the Ancient Witch Farosa, with no chance of a missed target or a wasted effort, capturing Farosa would mean catching Asa Katsuragi.

There was another linked character, Xu Yang, 28 years old, a company man. The first half of his life should consist of nothing more than doujinshi and Suzukawa Kiyo experiences, certainly fascinated by witches. According to the current information, Xu Yang had long since died in the Rat Tide, whether he had the fortune to smell a witch’s skirt before dying was unknown.

What kind of witch would Farosa be? Mireya couldn’t help but speculate.

Ancient witches had no resistance to modern society, living in a dark and decadent place like Aizu City, they were likely to be corrupted by its atmosphere, perhaps fond of watching short videos, inhaling stamps, possibly liking strong alcohol, selling out, or even new anime releases.

Whatever the case...

She had to be brought back to New Taixi State.

And let Lord Dilnai trample heavily on her face.