Max got scammed

The man's image was showcased on LEDs and billboards. "I am your beloved Host, Justin!" he announced, offering a slight bow. Max and Aaron disembarked from the van as well, their attention fixed on the figure displayed across the screens.

"Allow me to share some news with you," Justin continued, his voice echoing through the air. "The annual showdown of Javacity Tower is set to commence tomorrow. Fighters from all corners of the west will participate in this grand tournament!"

The announcer keeps on babbling while Serena ignored him and looked down to see Lolita, but she wasn't there. "Huh, where has she gone!?" Serena asked, looking at Max and Aaron, who simply shrugged.

"Bitch" Serena cursed under her breath.

"So, we need water, food, and some new clothes... and also we need some oxygen bottles," Max said while closing the van's gate.

Serena rolled her eyes. "You know we don't have money for that?"

Garry climbed onto Aaron's shoulder and said, "True. We also need some medications just in case."

Max looked at him and said, "No, that's a luxury. We are trying to get the basics at the moment, so it's not our priority."

Garry cut Max off and replied, "Excuse me! Medicines are not luxury!"

Max came closer, looking into Garry's eyes. "Shut up, emergency food!"

"Oh my god, I can't believe you! You were just being friendly with that little girl a moment ago, and now you're so hostile towards me!"

Max ignored him, walking off while putting his bag on his shoulder. "Whatever."

Serena's irritation was palpable as she shot a frustrated glance at Max. "And where do you think you're going?"

"It's not just me, we're all going," Max replied, beckoning them to join him with an animated wave.

Garry and the rest of the group followed suit, but Garry couldn't resist a teasing jab, "And who appointed you as the leader?"

Max's response was sharp, almost threatening, "Keep it up, and I'll remove that chip from your head, creepy rabbit." With that, he turned decisively left.

Curious and clearly agitated, Serena questioned Max, "Could you at least tell us where we're headed?" As she retrieved a sword case from the van, she fell into step behind Max and Garry, with Aaron alongside.

"We're in need of money, but for that, we need wifi so I'm trying to catch signals," Max explained, pulling out his cell phone from his pocket.

Exasperated, Serena let out a sigh not understanding max, her shoulders drooping as she cast a glance at Aaron. "Could you find Clara?"

Aaron shook his head as he moved past Serena, observing the people around him. He noticed a boy holding his parents' hands, grinning widely, and a distant man smoking while holding a woman's hand.

Following his gaze, Serena's heart sank as she observed the family scene. A rush of emotions overwhelmed her—loneliness, longing for Dr. Xenon, and a sense of emptiness. She looked down, her eyes on the brink of tears.

With a comforting touch, Aaron held her hand, his grip reassuring as if silently assuring her of his presence. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she glanced at Aaron's impassive expression. Holding Aaron's hand, she walked forward, her spirits slightly lifted.

Just then, Max's voice pierced the air, brimming with excitement.

"Oh my god!" The exclamation startled both Aaron and Serena. In response, Serena swiftly withdrew her hand and averted her gaze, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

"What's got you so excited, spinach head?" Garry quipped, gazing up at Max, who was engrossed in his phone.

"I was trying to hack into the Wi-Fi, but it's free here!" Max exclaimed, ignoring Garry; his eyes gleamed with excitement as he scrolled through the screen. Serena and Aaron joined him, peering at his phone.

On the display was a website labeled 'Blacklist,' showcasing various missions nearby each tied to a bounty. Serena's eyes widened as she read a mission titled:

"Mission Level C - Assassinate the Individual in the Photograph." Her shock was palpable as she blurted out, "Damn! Are we really being asked to take someone's life!?"

Max shifted his attention to her and explained, "Yeah, it's a black market for missions. You'll find all sorts of tasks here and completing them earns you money."

Both Serena and Garry recoiled, their hands instinctively shaking, and in unison, they protested, "We can't kill!"

Max shook his head, a wry smile on his face, and replied, "Of course, I'm not suggesting we go for something like that—there are plenty of options that don't involve taking a life or neutering someone…"

Aaron chuckled as Serena stared at him and then Max looked at Aaron and said, "Found the mission!"

"What is it?" Aaron inquired, his curiosity piqued. Max held out his phone, showing it to them. Serena reached for the device, followed by Aaron and the others.

"Class A Mission: Retrieve Harutel from the Base...?" Serena read aloud, her eyebrows furrowing. "What's this?"

Max's grin widened. "Haha, it's a piece of cake! and we get 50,000 geocoins easily!"

Garry, looking perplexed, glanced at Max. "You mean getting Harutel is easy?"

Aaron, his head tilted in puzzlement, joined the conversation. "And what exactly is Harutel?"

Garry, scratching his fur, explained, "It's a stone known for its ability to make you last longer in bed."

Aaron's confusion deepened. "How does a stone do that?"

Serena swiftly cut him off, her face turning red. "A-Alright, So!. How much will we get from this mission, and where can we even find Harutel?" She scratched her head, attempting to change the focus of the conversation.

Max's smirk was evident as he pulled out a rock from his jacket pocket. "Well, lucky for us, I happen to have one right here." The object he revealed was a pointed, rust-colored stone.

"Why the fuck do you have it, virgin." Garry's narrowed eyes bore into Max, his tone accusatory.

Max's cheeks flushed, and he glanced downward. "W-well, you never know—wait, who said I'm a virgin!?" Max retorted, his frustration palpable.

And then they all went to the place where they had to make the delivery. It was under the eastern part of JavaCity, in a kind of run-down area that looked like a secret illegal market. People were selling guns and other dangerous stuff that you're not supposed to have. Max stood at the front, while Garry, Aaron, and Serena were right behind him, checking out what was around.

"Wow, this place is really scary," Garry said, sounding pretty freaked out. Serena agreed, saying, "Yeah, the people here are really scary."

Max confidently handed a package to a man sporting a blue jacket, beard, and glasses. Two strong bodyguards flanked the man.

"Here you go, Harutel," Max said with pride.

The man smiled, using his wristwatch to confirm, and then he spoke, "The money's been transferred." With that, the man turned away. Max checked his phone for the payment and saw a notification: 5000 geocoins had been sent. Max called out to the man, frustration in his voice, "Hey, it's supposed to be 50000 geocoins!"

The man turned back, responding casually, "Yeah, so?". Max, clearly irritated, shot back, "The agreement was for 50,000!"

The man chuckled, and so did his bodyguards. "Heh, it was a mistake."

"Fuck you! If that's how it is, give me back the item," Max shouted, his anger evident.

"What if I refuse?" the man retorted, his eyes locked onto Max with a fierce, intense gaze.

"You F*CKING ASSHOLE!!" Max yelled, throwing a punch toward the man. But before Max's fist could connect, the bodyguards swiftly aimed their guns at his head.