Chapter 131: Interesting
Tokyo. High above the city, inside Arasaka Tower, in a top-floor office.
A handsome, middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and glasses was handling his work.
After some time, he slowly let out a breath and was about to call his secretary to bring him a cup of coffee when a message suddenly entered his field of vision.
The message contained neither a name nor an address. After hesitating for a moment, Yorinobu Arasaka decided to forward it to the corporation’s security department for handling.
But just as he made that decision and was about to act, an inexplicable impulse made him open it and take a look.
The moment he saw the contents, his gaze sharpened. The message also carried the emblem of a steel dragon.
Yorinobu Arasaka immediately glanced around, then moved to delete the file. At that instant, the screen distorted with static, and the email vanished on its own.
Seeing this, Yorinobu Arasaka slowly leaned back in his chair and fell into deep thought.
“Night City, huh… I remember that city being a crucial part of his plan. Looks like once his plan is underway, I’ll need to go there and take a look myself.”
Having made up his mind, Yorinobu Arasaka adjusted his expression and returned to his work. He needed to keep “striving,” to earn Saburo Arasaka’s recognition.
Although he didn’t know what it would take to truly gain Saburo Arasaka’s approval, at present he was the most suitable candidate to inherit the Arasaka Corporation. Of course, if it were Hanako, he wouldn’t object either.
After all, whether she inherited it or he did after Saburo Arasaka’s death made little difference. But…
That technology known as the relic chip always left him feeling uneasy.
However, Saburo Arasaka had not allowed him to get involved with that technology yet. His current understanding came only from fragmented information shared among upper management, leaving him with a very limited grasp of it.
…
Once Yorinobu Arasaka made his decision, Roland received a deposit of essence, and a smile like that of a satisfied farmer spread across his face.
He understood that Yorinobu Arasaka had already chosen his path.
As for Yorinobu Arasaka himself… in a certain sense, he was genuinely a good person. He opposed the rule of megacorporations like Arasaka, hoping to return the world to governments and nation-states, to protect the interests of workers and ordinary people.
Ideas like improving livelihoods and overturning the distorted system of the current world were exactly why he founded Steel Dragon to resist.
It was also worth mentioning that his idol was Johnny Silverhand. As for why he idolized Johnny Silverhand so much…
It was because Johnny had blown up Arasaka Tower—doing exactly what Yorinobu Arasaka most wanted to do, yet never dared to do himself.
Incidentally, both Yorinobu Arasaka and Hanako Arasaka were canonically quite good-looking. According to the setting, Yorinobu’s Charm stat was 9, and Hanako’s wasn’t low either. So logically speaking…
There was no way the two of them actually looked like their in-game models. At the very least, Yorinobu should have been a handsome middle-aged man.
“Sir, what should we do next?”
“Hm… things should be quiet for a while. Keep monitoring the situation in Watson District. Oh, and that matter Kuroda mentioned—have Elizabeth agree to it. Let the Tyger Claws go over there and have them fight Militech head-on.”
“By the way, how are things going with Mudor’s research?”
“Pretty well. It shouldn’t be long before we see some results.”
Lissandra pulled up several of Mudor’s research reports as she answered.
“Mm… also, those preliminary prototype machines I redeemed earlier with source code—have them produced. That’ll help expand our corporation’s business scope. And have Agas City continue expanding its logistics operations and external markets… yeah, that should be everything for now.”
“I understand. I’ll make the arrangements.”
Elizabeth showed little resistance after receiving Roland’s orders. After all, from a certain perspective, sending the Tyger Claws over there was a thankless task.
Their losses were bound to be significant, and they would also have to give up part of their interests to the Mox Gang. In other words, they didn’t need to lift a finger to make the Tyger Claws lose ground—something they found entirely acceptable.
Besides…
They didn’t really have the option to refuse.
Roland also took the opportunity to check on Sasha’s situation. Seeing that she was getting along fairly well with V at the academy put his mind at ease. Kiwi also had time to visit the little sister she had once saved by chance.
When his thoughts turned to Kiwi, Roland recalled what had happened before and felt a slight headache coming on. Still, he quickly made a decision.
He sent Kiwi an invitation for dinner the following day.
With nothing else pressing, Roland shifted his attention to Jhin’s side.
...
“What’s the job this time?”
Jackie asked, speaking through a mouthful of some unknown burger.
“Helping a guy get revenge after he got cheated on. He’s from the 6th Street Gang.”
Falco took a drag from his cigarette and flicked the ash aside. Ever since he found out that Pilar and the others had been pulled into Jhin’s crew, he’d eagerly followed along.
“No way. We’re taking a job this small?”
Pilar drifted over, disbelief written all over his face.
Bang!
Rebecca never showed mercy when Pilar blocked her view—she slammed the butt of her gun straight into him.
“Tch—are you trying to murder your own brother?!”
“Hmph, looks like you don’t know who’s boss here!”
Rebecca planted one hand on her hip and drew the gun at her waist, pointing it directly at Pilar’s forehead.
“Alright, that’s enough. Normally this kind of gig wouldn’t need us, but the client’s paying way too much.”
Lucy spread her hands and shook her head with a laugh.
“Oh? How much?” Pilar immediately turned his head, curiosity sparked.
Seeing this, Jhin slowly raised his hand and spread five fingers.
“Oh damn! Seriously?!”
“Yeah. The guy who got cheated on—and beaten up—is a corpo. No idea how he still managed to get cheated under those circumstances.”
Jhin nodded as he explained.
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go. Finish this early. I can’t stand that cuck crap!”
Pilar jumped to his feet, speaking righteously.
“You’d better hate it. I clearly remember what kind of braindance you were watching—”
“Are you looking to die, Falco?!”
“The hell with you—let go already! Hey, what’s that smell on your hands?!”
“Motor oil!”
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