We had an issue with the chapter release — by mistake I uploaded Chapter 341 when the next one should have been Chapter 351. Sorry for the confusion! It's now fixed, and once again, apologies for the mistake.
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"I still can't believe it, Karl. You actually landed us a gig this big." Even as they stood at the gates of Kerry's mansion in North Oak, wa
"I still can't believe it, Karl. You actually landed us a gig this big."
Even as they stood at the gates of Kerry's mansion in North Oak, waiting for their interview, Brown and his team were still in disbelief. They'd been invited to interview for a long-term private security contract with a rock legend.
"What's there to be surprised about?" Karl said, arms crossed. "Your crew's got six solid mercs. Don't tell me you think you're worse than those overpriced rent-a-cops in suits and shades who just stand at the front door all day doing nothing."
"Of course we're better," Brown laughed heartily. "I'm just amazed at your connections. Back in the day we were scraping for gigs on the street, dodging bullets for chump change. Now look at you—rubbing elbows with A-listers and setting us up with someone like Kerry Eurodyne. That's some serious clout."
"Jealous, huh? Then at least act like it. You're over here laughing like you just won the lotto. Bet you're angling for a drink on me later. Not happening. Not at Afterlife, anyway—Rogue's prices'll kill you faster than a full mag of AP rounds. If you wanna drink, head to El Lobo. At least that way, the money's going to Mama Wells."
Karl smirked. "And you wouldn't believe it if I told you this gig started with me randomly running into Kerry at a street diner. We got to talking, and he brought up his security problems. That's when I thought of you guys."
"No shit? That random?" Brown asked, his disbelief genuine.
But of course they believed him. Karl wasn't a bullshitter.
"Running into a legend on the street, chatting it up, and walking away with a bodyguard interview? That's some top-tier smooth talking. If Brown could pull that kind of hustle, we'd be drowning in contracts."
The youngest in Brown's crew—once just a green kid meant to be carried home in a body bag if a mission went south—murmured in awe. Brown heard that and smacked the back of the kid's head.
"Watch your mouth. You punks are always dreaming about fame. Try cutting us old timers some slack. We can't keep up with these high-intensity jobs forever."
"That's why you better nail this interview."
Karl chuckled. "I did some digging. Six-man team, 72,000 eurodollars a month. That's 12K each. If Kerry takes you on tour with him, expect hazard pay. He's a global act—you'll be hopping continents. You'll have more eddies than you can spend."
"12K a month… still feels like a dream," Brown said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Guess that's the rockstar life. Kerry must be rolling in it. I wonder how much he makes a year."
"North of 230 million eurodollars," Karl said, matter-of-factly. "I checked. The only other performer near his level is Lizzy Wizzy, and she pulls in that much. Kerry's probably making even more."
"No wonder he's throwing cash around like it's nothing."
Brown nodded in understanding—but Karl, inwardly, felt a bit guilty.
What Brown didn't know was that Karl had lowballed the quote.
Back at the diner, Karl had no clue what Kerry's finances were like. He tossed out what he thought was a high number—and Kerry didn't even blink. Said the price was fine and asked when the team could show up.
From the guy's microexpressions… he might've even thought it was cheap.
Who knew human rockstars still made this kind of money in the age of AI-generated music?
But now wasn't the time to dwell on it. Karl, acting as their point of contact, pulled out his phone and called the number Kerry had given him the day before.
"Kerry, we're at the gate."
"Oh, you're at the gate? Alright, I'll have the system open it for you—huh?"
Kerry sounded groggy—either just waking up or still shaking off a hangover. His voice cleared up a moment later, tinged with surprise:
"Karl… sensors are saying someone already jumped the wall and is nearly at my house. What is this—some kind of field test? I mean, that was quick. But, uh… if it's just an interview, your guys don't really need to destroy my automated turrets, do they?"
"…Wait, what?"
Karl blinked. Brown's squad was still standing at the front gate.
Which meant whoever had broken in and taken out the defenses wasn't them.
"Kerry, this is Brown—team lead of the mercs here for the interview. I should inform you, you're currently experiencing a break-in."
Karl handed the phone to Brown, who addressed Kerry calmly:
"Please, sir, finish your breakfast, take a shower, and wait for us inside. We'll handle the situation shortly. If we cause any damage in the process, I hope you'll forgive us."
Kerry was now fully awake.
"Wait—what? So those guys who jumped the wall weren't you!?"
"They're intruders."
Brown's voice was calm and precise. He loaded his weapon. "But not for long. Please wait."
He handed the phone back to Karl, racked his rifle, and turned to the team.
"Need backup?" Karl asked, standing still.
"We're here to interview as security detail, aren't we?" Brown grinned.
The atmosphere shifted. In a second, the casual mercs turned into a tight, lethal squad.
Brown issued the order:
"Breach the villa. Neutralize all threats. Meet the client."
With a thunderous blast that turned every intruder's head toward the source, Brown's squad breached the villa.
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