After shaking hands, Mercer glanced around, casually grabbed a can of unopened Clunky Monkey drink from the bar, took a sip, and frowned tightly:
"What kind of dogshit flavor is this? Sweet like freaking corn syrup... does anyone actually like this stuff?"
"Oh~ It seems the Arasaka cafeteria is just like the rumors say, with flavors light enough to be bland."
Cassidy reached over and grabbed it, taking a big swig without any care: "Ha! Not bad, high-sugar drinks are a treasure during wandering life."
"...What about Little Coke? Not the Sakura edition."
Mercer searched for a while but only found a can of Sirius Cola, looking at it with a bit of disdain, but he still opened it and took a few gulps. Hmm, a taste of Pepsi—he was a staunch Coca-Cola supporter!
"I'll go get the goods for you...
Once you're packed, drive straight out, we'll meet on the highway over there.
By the way, my advice is to take the road where I was caught; this bunch from the Chaotic Blade Association usually has one team responsible for one road, no overlaps."
Cassidy, seeing Mercer's disdainful look, shook his head helplessly, reaching for the Sirius Cola that Mercer handed over this time.
The can was painted with the colors of the United States flag, a patriotic drink for Americans—Cassidy still downed it without any aversion in just a few gulps.
"If you're picky, I have a few cans of Little Coke and True Water in my car. I'll get them for you later."
His words made Mercer grin: "Good brother, thanks."
Even though the Little Coke in this world is more like the Mexican version of Coca-Cola, with a slight difference from what he was used to before.
But compared to all of this world's other messy drinks, Little Coke remains his favorite.
"...Good brother, huh?"
Cassidy looked at his face, at most fourteen years old, chuckled silently, finally nodded, and simply went outside to drive and help fetch the goods for him. Incidentally, he also helped Kyoko get the jacket Mercer had pulled off for her.
Meanwhile, while Mercer and Cassidy were chatting, Lucy and Leon were tossing all sorts of valuable items, like guns and ammo they could get their hands on, into the Pika truck.
Mercer searched through the cafeteria one last time, even managing to find seven rolls of banknotes, amounting to roughly seven hundred euros altogether.
He stuffed the money into his jacket without hesitation, then, along with Lucy and Leon, moved all the food and water that the Chaotic Blade Association had stocked up into the Pika truck.
These supplies were at least enough to last them a week.
"Retreat, we've got the car, we've got the supplies, and we even picked up a reliable guide. We really are in luck."
Mercer, satisfied, let Leon get into the Pika truck while he himself sat in what was presumably the Chaotic Blade Association underboss' 'Falcon Wild Wolf'.
Using the key he had found on a dead body to start the car, the data bulletproof metal turned transparent like water ripples, seemingly indistinguishable from ordinary glass, which left Mercer a bit amazed.
Lucy silently slipped into the passenger seat, wearing an orange jacket that was relatively clean.
The jacket was two sizes too big for her, and now with the zipper pulled up, it seemed almost like a dress, resembling a little girl wearing her mother's clothes—well, she really was still just a kid.
Mercer started the car, but then had to adjust the seat a bit forward just to barely reach the gas pedal.
Almost forgot he also had the appearance of a kid.
"Do you trust that Wanderer?" Lucy turned her head and asked him.
"Yeah, I think he's alright."
Mercer nodded, so Lucy voiced her concern:
"I've heard that there are quite a few drifters who are robbers or worse...
Most severe criminals, the kind who commit heinous crimes, are banished from their families and end up joining the Chaotic Blade Association."
"Cassidy should not be one of them, but I have no issue with your vigilance, you can keep an eye on him with me."
Mercer acknowledged her caution, after all, people can change, and the Cassidy he'd met in the game might just be the tip of the iceberg. People are complicated creatures, and he thought there was nothing wrong with being a bit wary.
Trust is something that's built gradually.
"...Yeah."
Lucy nodded, then leaned back in her seat, taking a deep breath before frowning and rolling down the window.
But she was soon met with a face full of sand from the stronger-than-expected wind, promptly closing the window, face scrunched up:
"This guy's car sure smells weird..."
"These lunatics are usually druggies... you two better not touch any of those things in the future."
Mercer said, face showing disdain:
"Though in this world, probably with enough money, you won't damage yourself, but trust me, once you get into these things, you'll quickly become an idiot or a madman.
If you see someone who can't live without them, then that person is definitely not reliable."
"I know." Lucy understood: "For hackers, the most important thing is to stay sharp."
"Wise choice... By the way, do you prefer Little Coke or Sirius? Or Clunky Monkey type drinks?"
Mercer was known for his abrupt topic changes.
"Me? Hmm..." Lucy deliberately stole a few glances at him before whispering: "Sirius?"
Mercer glanced at her speechlessly and then couldn't help but laugh: "Smile more, you're pretty cute when you smile, kid."
"Ha... Here you go again, do you have to prefix compliments with 'kid' or 'child' every time?"
Lucy was lying back relaxed, her body slightly turned towards him, watching him.
"Mm-hmm, otherwise I'd feel like I'm committing a crime... you get it, I don't want you to misunderstand."