Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 204 - 180: Bidding_2

Chapter 204: Chapter 180: Bidding_2

However, Xu Yang estimated that in the end, the security contract would not fall into their hands. The Chainsaw Angel Gang had a huge reputation, strong capabilities, and numerous powerful connections behind them—all these factors could greatly influence the direction of the bidding.

All would depend on Asa Katsuragi’s performance; in addition, Xu Yang had also prepared for a large-scale infiltration and surprise assault on the Chainsaw Angel Gang.

Three days blinked by, and Asa Katsuragi officially set off, participating in the bidding organized by the Mayor of Anjiu City himself.

Accompanied by Kong Tai and a few personal troops, she visited the venue. It was a place she never imagined coming to before—a luxurious underground hotel six stories tall, with gleaming glass walls. On either side of the hotel, buildings were covered with billboards and light boxes, dazzling and brilliant—yet this hotel maintained its dignity, abstaining from any additional adornments on its exterior walls, making it exceptionally clean and visually appealing, with a more businesslike atmosphere.

She kept reminding herself to behave properly. Representing the Katsuragi Gang at the bidding, she was in the company of a host of big names from Anjiu City. She had a guest list, with famous names she usually only heard in news reports and online interviews, but now they had become her social companions at the same table. This made Asa Katsuragi reconsider every step she took and be mindful of others’ gazes until she finally realized that people didn’t really care about her and looked sleepy as if the whole bidding was just a formality.

...it was all just a formality.

How strange, Asa Katsuragi felt dejected; it was obvious that everything had been arranged beforehand.

She was dressed in a white suit with a tie, sitting up straight, flanked by Kong Tai and other gang members.

Kong Tai wasn’t wearing armor—it was one of the few times Asa Katsuragi could see his normal appearance. He looked content as if he had seen through the ways of the world, his bronze skin slightly wrinkled, his eyes glued to Mayor Oohara Nobuhiko, who was delivering the opening speech on the stage.

"You might as well go up and talk for me," Asa Katsuragi said.

"There’s no turning back now," Kong Tai reclined back, "you must convince everyone."

"How can a piece of iron give a speech?" Asa Katsuragi mocked herself.

"You’re much stronger than a piece of iron. Besides, these people are used to puppets, they might take a liking to a piece of iron," Kong Tai said with a slight smile.

Hopefully, Asa Katsuragi thought to herself.

After Mayor Oohara Nobuhiko said a few brief words, he moved to the VIP seating below, looking as impatient as the other company executives there, all of them wishing that this would be over quickly.

"Please welcome the representative of the Katsuragi Gang to the stage to give a speech, and introduce the bid proposal!" a suit-wearing, sunglass-clad person in charge of the event announced.

Asa Katsuragi’s heart pounded—this task was even harder than killing.

When she stood up, she slipped a bit, unsure if anyone noticed. She walked to the stage firmly, uncertain whether to smile, but in the end, she kept her expression tense. Half the audience’s attention wasn’t on her; the people from the city, in particular, kept their heads down, quiet, while the Katsuragi Gang’s members looked on with expectation. Kong Tai made an encouraging gesture, and the Chainsaw Angel Gang appeared disgruntled.

Just keep talking. Asa Katsuragi began her PowerPoint presentation on the screen, explaining what the Katsuragi Gang could achieve as the security contractor. She tried to keep her voice from trembling. She was so nervous, afraid she would mess everything up, with various thoughts crossing her mind, those in the front row VIP seats burying their heads even lower.

Asa Katsuragi took a sip of bottled water from the podium. She couldn’t lose. She moistened her throat and increased her volume, trying to add persuasive force to her tone and incorporate various gestures to give her speech more impact.

It was useless.

The people in the VIP seating were silent, some even checking their watches, timing the event. Asa Katsuragi hadn’t finished explaining her proposal with the last five essential pages of development vision unmentioned, when Mayor Oohara Nobuhiko suddenly coughed.

"Ah, terribly sorry. Now we’d like to hear Chainsaw Angel Gang’s thoughts. Excuse me," he said.

Asa Katsuragi felt like she had shattered into pieces. She nodded her head, acting as if nothing was wrong, and returned to her seat.

The position of security contractor fell into the hands of another.

It was all just a formality. Asa Katsuragi sighed inwardly. She sat up straight, her gaze steady, showing no reaction to Kong Tai’s concern.

As expected, once the representative of the Chainsaw Angel Gang took the stage, the crowd instantly became more spirited.

This representative was quick to act, revealing on the first page the connections between the Chainsaw Angel Gang and several electronics technology companies in Anjiu City. They had been actively working underground to defend the interests of Anjiu City’s enterprises in Aizu City. If they became the security contractor, they could further expand the interests of Anjiu City in Aizu City, ensuring Aizu City’s continued stable control by Anjiu City.

Compared with the naive rhetoric spun by the Katsuragi Gang, the Chainsaw Angel Gang’s interpretation of "security contractor" was thoroughly vivid. A so-called security contractor is nothing more than a company’s dog.

"We did our best," Kong Tai said indifferently, "go back and prepare for battle with everyone."

"Fight to the end?" Asa Katsuragi asked in a low voice, "It’s going to be tough."

The relaxed expression on Kong Tai’s face faded as he pressed his forehead.

"We still have to fight," he said.

Now Nestor Corporation was on the defensive. Asa Katsuragi sighed inwardly. What should they do from here? In the end, it felt very powerless, facing immense pressure.

The representative of the Chainsaw Angel Gang spent an hour to finish presenting their entire bid, then stepped down from the stage with a smile on their face.

Mayor Oohara Nobuhiko glanced at his watch and nodded in satisfaction.

"Good, there’s enough time," he said, "so, we’ll now announce the result of the tender: the Katsuragi Gang will become the security contractor for Aizu City!"

Asa Katsuragi’s eyes widened.

"What?"

"You said what?"

"Huh?"

"You must be mistaken!"

Not only Asa Katsuragi, but also the people from the Chainsaw Angel Gang couldn’t believe it; they were in an uproar, immediately shouting and screaming.

Several large security robots entered the venue, holding up their guns as a warning. The drowsy VIPs from Anjiu City hurriedly left. Asa Katsuragi sat rigidly in her seat.

"Miss Katsuragi," Mayor Oohara Nobuhiko said politely to Asa Katsuragi, "please come with us to sign the security contractor contract."

It wasn’t until Kong Tai pushed her desperately that Asa Katsuragi came back to her senses. She shakily followed Mayor Oohara Nobuhiko, continually looking back at the Chainsaw Angel Gang members getting beaten and arrested.

Asa Katsuragi followed Oohara Nobuhiko to the inside of the meeting room and sat on a swivel chair, where someone had already been waiting for her.

"It’s you..." Asa Katsuragi was startled.

"Long time no see," Kojima Kanako stood up. She reached out her hand to Asa Katsuragi with a slight smile, "What do you think of this belated reunion gift? Security contractor, sounds quite impressive, doesn’t it!"

Asa Katsuragi wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Indeed, all of it was just a formality. Even so, she still wanted to punch Kojima Kanako in the face.