The only thing to worry about is facing a gang-up from multiple skilled opponents or dealing with high-powered electronic countermeasures, long-range shooting, and the like.
Mercer didn't want to cause a massacre. After returning the way he came, he found that near the back door of the factory, the Vortex Gang had already noticed something unusual — although Mercer had stuffed the bodies into a dumpster, there was no way to hide the bloodstains on the ground.
This instantly made the Vortex Gang aware of where the enemy had snuck in.
"They're at the back door!"
One of the Vortex Gang members shouted, only to be greeted by Rebecca, who kicked the door open and pulled the trigger on her shotgun while laughing.
The moment the shotgun's immense power blasted the Vortex Gang member away, V activated the Sianwistan and dashed out.
Mercer discreetly assisted V in hacking down the Vortex Gang members attempting to hide and shoot. After neutralizing the danger at the back door, he continued to support Bruce, dragging him out of the factory and into the car.
V swung into the driver's seat: "Damn, we have to get out of here fast! Those guys will catch up soon!"
"Drive out of the city...do you have a good place?" Mercer didn't want to lead the Vortex Gang to the Adcardo.
"Go, go to my secret base." Bruce coughed as he spoke, gasping for air, as he had to endure the pervasive pain from moving. Though he didn't cry out, his face was already drenched in cold sweat.
"Where?" V asked.
"Drive out of the city, take the road towards the Evil Land, I'll guide you...there's an abandoned tunnel, I converted it into my secret base..."
Bruce said while Mercer assessed his condition and concluded: "You need immediate bleeding control, a transfusion, and an internal bleeding check. Surgery might be necessary if needed."
"My base has basic medical equipment...and since they canceled my trauma team's membership, I'll call the trauma team if necessary..."
Bruce said weakly.
Rebecca didn't understand: "Then why don't you just call the trauma team directly?"
Bruce simply replied: "You don't understand, my trauma team membership was purchased through the company, it follows the company's insurance reimbursement process, which could expose my identity to the company..."
"Why would a corporate lapdog like you even think about doing this kind of thing?" Rebecca was genuinely curious: "Is it really for justice or just for the thrill?"
Bruce was silent for a moment, then said: "This city needs me."
"In a 'superhero' sort of way?" V didn't agree with the idea.
She glanced at the rear-view mirror, mainly looking at Mercer, and said: "I heard from A, you just replace the NCPD every day, going out to stop crimes and fight some criminals and such.
What does doing that mean for the city?"
"That's still better than no one doing it!" Bruce suddenly became agitated: "Are we just going to sit and watch as these crimes escalate and innocent people continue to sacrifice?"
"Who are the innocent people? Are those forced to join gangs due to being unable to afford food or water because of the company truly innocent?"
V sharply questioned: "Those who rob a supermarket for a loaf of bread, are they inherently evil criminals, or are they desperate, poor souls?"
"I target serious crimes." Bruce stated.
But V retorted: "We killed a bunch of the Vortex Gang to save you, what does that make us? According to NCPD and Night City law, we should all be sentenced to life imprisonment. Are you going to arrest us for that?"
Bruce fell into silence.
But V relentlessly pursued the question: "Like those biotechnical corporations, everyone knows they're poisoning the world daily, deceiving innocent people into human experiments. Why don't you go after them?
Just taking on the thugs without connections on the street, sending them to jail, what makes you a hero."
Bruce opened his mouth, his eyes suddenly showing a hint of confusion, but then he quickly became more resolute: "That doesn't mean what I do is meaningless!"
"I didn't say what you're doing is meaningless, but I think, why would a wealthy person like you choose this method? Even if you invest in the NCPD to get them to enforce the law seriously, isn't that more efficient than you messing around alone?"
After V said this, even Rebecca was a bit surprised, and Mercer couldn't help but laugh.
But before Mercer could speak, V fiercely glared at the rear-view mirror: "If you dare to say 'wise fool' again, I guarantee you'll get punched immediately!"
"Hahaha...but V, for once, I actually agree with you."
Mercer laughed a few times, then seriously said: "For this city, just combating criminals isn't meaningful.
Of course, I'm not saying to stop doing things like that, but to truly change this, being a street hero alone isn't enough."
After Mercer finished speaking, Bruce just hung his head in silence, saying nothing.
Even Rebecca agreed with V and Mercer's ideas, adding: "I also think if fighting crime alone could make Night City better, someone would have done it long ago.
If you like doing this so much, why don't you join the NCPD instead of working for Ye Corporation?"
Then Rebecca confidently stated: "I bet Ye Corporation has done its share of disgusting things too, and you're an executive there, how come you haven't done anything?"