Chapter 1484 - 483: Diagonal Sanctuary—Atlanta (3)

Chapter 1484: Chapter 483: Diagonal Sanctuary—Atlanta (3)

"You guys see those prayer flags down there? They’re probably their handiwork."

For some reason, seeing these prayer flags made New Dynasty Elegance think of that self-immolating AI in Night City, and the Esoteric Buddhism group it started.

This AI truly understood Buddhism, a true enlightened monk. But as for the people?

Damn, can’t bear to look, might as well kill them all.

His mood suddenly turned very, very bad.

Though reason tells New Dynasty Elegance that their brainwashing the whole world isn’t the way to go, it’s like killing—doesn’t solve the problem, but damn it feels good!

If there was a button to kill those cultists below, New Dynasty Elegance would press it without hesitation.

Press it a hundred times!

"Listening to you, it feels like there’s not a single decent person here."

Brother Ni was a bit taken aback; after completing the mission, are they really going to kill everyone here?

Even he must say— I feel you guys are a bit too extreme.

Brother Ni hasn’t been to the castle under Super Earth; he’s just seen some pictures and written records, which is different from witnessing it firsthand.

"Hope you remember what you’re thinking now."

New Dynasty Elegance forced a sinister smile.

"Don’t change your mind once we’re down there."

"0.0?"

The hovercar docked not long ago, stopping at an inconspicuous mountain hollow—this was the agreed meeting spot.

The other party parked two cars here, covered with camo fabric, but no one was around, not sure where they went.

Brother Ni looked around, not a sound, no friendly markers on the mini-map.

"Where is everyone, why are there only two cars?"

The players didn’t know who the contact was, but it’s probably not a player; otherwise, they would’ve already reached out, maybe just a mission NPC.

After over ten hours in the hovercar, Ruzuo felt like his butt was phantom aching.

"Could they be answering nature’s call? Everyone has urgent needs."

Jackal sniffed and seemed to catch a scent.

"Someone’s probably around; there’s a fishy smell, like at the Night City street vendor stalls."

"I’m right here."

Players heard this and immediately aimed their guns, pointing at the open space not far away.

Upon realizing he’d been spotted, Li De didn’t bother hiding anymore; a bit of optical distortion revealed his form, though his face was as dark as a pot bottom.

What’s this about a street vendor fish smell? He only shipped cheap goods for a year.

And Li De recalled clearly he’d changed clothes and showered; maybe his cybernetic parts were marinated with the smell?

Seeing that somewhat familiar dark face, Brother Ni was shocked with his mouth agape.

"Why is it you?"

The others kept their eyes on Li De, fingers on triggers, not budging at all.

Ruzuo asked Brother Ni.

"You know him?"

Brother Ni lowered his gun.

"I know him; the mini-map and avatar show he’s friendly."

After confirmation, they all lowered their guns, and Cybercles joked with the unfamiliar dark-faced guy in front of them.

"Oh, it’s Brother Ni’s kin, why didn’t you say earlier, I almost lost control and fired, you know, I moonlight as a cop in Night City—it’s become a professional habit."

"Screw you."

Brother Ni kicked the guy angrily.

"Here’s the intro: this guy is former Federation ace agent Solomon Lid; he helped out massively when killing Hansen with the Giants."

Li De didn’t care much about Cybercles’ discriminatory comment. Having stayed in Night City for so long, he deeply understood that players’ train of thought can’t be understood by regular humans.

If you argue with them, it only makes them more excited; he yanked the camo tarp off.

"Get in the car first, we’ll talk there."

Li De prepared two ordinary SUVs, even used ones, looking quite dusty and unremarkable, but the players didn’t mind, squeezed in and drove off on the road.

Driving toward Atlanta, Li De spoke to the players.

"I’ve disguised your new identities, plus there’s a bionic mask under each of your seats—our target this time isn’t ordinary, you should’ve been notified; without my orders, don’t start conflicts with locals anywhere."

"Roger that."*N

Li De glanced at them through the rear-view mirror, relaxing once confirming they’d listened. Lin Miao chose the more obedient players among them, thankfully not id-junkies like Jianxue and Super Earth, or they’d likely already be planning to blow Atlanta sky-high.

But on the road, they still acted curious, asking everything as if they knew nothing about the United States, like a group of country bumpkins just entering the city.

"Hey! Why’s there a place called Oxford on the map? Isn’t Oxford in the United Kingdom?"

"Really? There’s Athens, Troy too, holy cow, didn’t we fly to the wrong place? Isn’t this map showing the United States?"

Li De could only sigh helplessly.

"Sigh....."

For the first time, he found the new agents from the Intelligence Bureau so endearing.

The destination is Atlanta, but Atlanta is not a city; it’s a general term for an area.

As the city center, Atlanta’s high-rise buildings towered, with their black-blue reflective curtain walls making them look like obelisks stuck in the ground, with swarms of hovercars zipping through the narrow paths between buildings, busy and tireless.

And around the city center, numerous small districts surround it unconnectedly, only linked to the center by highways, like satellites orbiting a planet.