The data copying process was nearing completion, with the progress bar showing 80%.
Taking advantage of the remaining time, Lucy decided to browse through the other files stored on Jotaro's computer. One folder caught her attention, labeled Club Transaction Records.
Inside, she found a chilling log:
Trader: Shohō Jotaro
Trading Party: Arasaka Corporation
Transaction Details:
Kinetic Assault Rifle 'Arasaka Nobuki' (x50)
Smart Submachine Gun 'Arasaka TKI-20 Shingen' (x60)
Mantis Blades Implant (x80)
Gorilla Arms Implant (x5)
Scrolling further, Lucy uncovered private transactions between Shohō Jotaro and Arasaka executives. These included grotesque deals involving illegal flesh trafficking, the distribution of Black Mewtwo videos, and trading advanced weaponry and prosthetics in exchange for performing Arasaka's dirty work.
The data revealed a disturbing truth: Shohō Jotaro wasn't just a local thug running the Tiger Claw gang. His close ties to the powerful Arasaka Corporation made him untouchable in the Kabuki District. With access to cutting-edge equipment and influential allies, Jotaro had created a stronghold no one dared to challenge.
David and Lucy exchanged a glance, their expressions heavy with understanding. The hefty bounty for Jotaro's secrets on the dark web now made perfect sense. A man this depraved must have amassed countless enemies, each willing to pay a fortune for revenge.
With a quiet ding, a notification flashed on the screen:
[Download Complete.]
Lucy disconnected her neural interface and let out a sigh of relief. "That's it—mission accomplished."
She turned to David with a faint smile. "Now we just need to get out of this hellhole before—"
Beep-beep-beep.
The sound of buttons being pressed on the door's keypad cut her off.
From outside, muffled voices filled the hallway:
"Damn it, where's my chip key? It's missing!"
"Stay at the door and alert me if anything strange happens."
"You, come in with me!"
"Yes, sir!"
The sharp accent left no doubt—it was Shohō Jotaro himself, returning to his office with bodyguards in tow.
Lucy and David froze, their hearts pounding. If Jotaro caught them here, the entire Tiger Claw gang would descend upon them in moments.
David clenched his fists, mentally preparing for a fight. He could likely hold his own using his magnetic powers, but not for long. The advanced Arasaka weaponry carried by the Tiger Claws would tear through his defenses—and Lucy wouldn't stand a chance.
Lucy acted fast, shutting down the computer and pulling David toward a small cupboard in the corner of the room. "Follow me!" she whispered urgently.
They slipped inside the cupboard just as the office door clicked open.
Jotaro entered with a scowl, flanked by a hulking bodyguard whose head was covered in jagged metal implants, giving him the appearance of a human hedgehog.
Jotaro scanned the room, his eyes narrowing. "Something's off," he muttered. "Check the tea and leisure areas. Make sure no one's been here."
The bodyguard nodded and strode toward the back of the office to investigate.
Meanwhile, Jotaro approached his computer and began inspecting it for signs of tampering. David and Lucy, crammed together inside the cupboard, held their breath. Through a thin gap in the wooden door, they watched Jotaro's every move.
"Hmm…" Jotaro murmured, tapping on the keyboard. "The data's still here, and there's no evidence of a forced breach."
Lucy silently exhaled, grateful for her precision hacking skills. She knew any sloppy work would have left traces that even Jotaro could detect.
Moments later, the bodyguard returned, shaking his head. "No signs of anyone inside, boss."
Jotaro frowned. "Could I have dropped the chip key somewhere? Damn it…"
Still suspicious, he walked to the back wall of his office and pressed a hidden switch behind a decorative sconce.
Click.
A section of the wall slid open, revealing a concealed darkroom.
From their hiding spot, David and Lucy watched as the hidden space was unveiled. Their eyes widened in shock at what lay beyond.
Inside the darkroom were rows of transparent glass cases, each containing people in various states of prosthetic experimentation. Some had cybernetic limbs forcibly attached, while others were suspended in vats of fluid, their bodies mutilated. The room reeked of antiseptic and decay.
Lucy's hand flew to her mouth to stifle a gasp. David clenched his fists, his magnetic powers buzzing faintly as his rage threatened to boil over.
Jotaro stepped into the darkroom, inspecting its contents with a satisfied smirk. "Good. Everything's still here," he muttered to himself.
Unaware of his hidden audience, he turned to his bodyguard. "Let's lock up. We have business to attend to downstairs."
The bodyguard nodded, and the two men exited the office, closing the door behind them.
Inside the cupboard, David and Lucy remained motionless, waiting until the sound of footsteps faded.
Lucy broke the silence first. "We need to leave—now."
David nodded, his expression grim. "But we're not done with Jotaro. Not after what we just saw."
"Agreed," Lucy said quietly. "But first, we survive."
Moving with caution, the pair slipped out of the cupboard and headed toward the stairwell. The mission wasn't over yet—but Jotaro's empire had just made its way to the top of their hit list.
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