Chapter 36

It had already been several hours since I’d been zoning out on the balcony, lazily letting cigarette smoke curl up into the air, and now it was nearing evening.

This was the result of how cautiously we had to proceed, knowing full well that this mission ideally required no kills and no alerts.

Now that Flathead had taken control of the subnet and the path to Yorinobu’s penthouse was clear, our break had come to an end.

We got into the elevator, lighting up a button that shouldn’t even be accessible without the proper authorization.

『Let’s confirm—once we take the elevator to Yorinobu’s room, we retrieve the “Relic” located in the back left. After that, we escape via the underground parking using the elevator again.』

『We had quite the break, so I’m fully recharged.』

Switching to holo-comm out of caution for audio surveillance, V and I headed to the top floor.

A synthetic tone greeted us, along with that indescribable scent peculiar to Yorinobu’s room.

Following the marker projected by the optical implant, I accessed what seemed to be the hidden storage compartment embedded in the floor.

The refrigerated storage emerged from beneath, and we tricked the biometric lock into recognizing Yorinobu’s signature to unlock it.

I pulled out the large case that had been stored inside. A digital readout appeared on the side, showing the undamaged percentage.

A perfect 100%. No problems. All that was left was to retrieve it and—

『No way!? Yorinobu just came back to the underground parking! He’s pissed and moving fast! He’s heading your way!』

『『What!?』』

According to the client's schedule, he should’ve been at a party after leaving. If he’s irritated, maybe some negotiation fell apart and he stormed off.

This is bad—our only way down from here is the elevator.

Little Boss’s custom Delamain came to mind, but I can’t call in something that might raise suspicion of our involvement.

『Sasha! Is there anywhere to hide!?』

『Uh, uh—there is! Behind the TV! I’ll mark it! Hurry!』

I exchanged glances with V and nodded. We slipped behind the monitor as a temporary hiding spot.

There was just enough maintenance space behind the slim monitor for a full-grown adult to fit.

I lowered the case with the “Relic” to the floor, quickly hacked the refrigeration unit I’d forgotten in the panic, and restored it to its original state.

「Damn it, damn it!! I’m not your damn puppet! That old bastard just keeps flapping his gums!!」

Seconds later, the man emerging from the elevator looked like a young adult—but he was none other than Yorinobu, second son of Arasaka.

The way he clawed at his head and slumped heavily into a chair made it clear he hadn’t come here of his own free will.

…But that’s not the problem. The real issue is the bodyguard who came in with him.

This city has legends—living ones. And standing there was one of the two who still qualified: Adam Smasher.

At the same time, the cyberware threat-detection chip activated, outlining Adam in red.

That chip detects individuals who’ve become aware of us—it’s essential for stealth operations, so I know how reliable it is.

And now, it’s reacting to him.

The sensation that ran down my spine felt like it had been ripped out.

…But Adam Smasher merely glanced at the monitor—at us—and remained planted where he stood.

Why? Just as that question formed, someone descended from the rooftop stairs—and my face stiffened.

『Saburo Arasaka… He’s really alive. This is the first time I’ve seen him in the flesh…』

Saburo’s Japanese bodyguard, his ever-present attendant, began circling the penthouse like a watchdog guarding its master.

However, at Saburo’s command, he reluctantly bowed. Even Adam Smasher, the greatest threat of all, got into the elevator with him and left the room.

I let out a sigh of relief. But we weren’t out of danger yet. I couldn’t relax.

Glancing at V, I saw her covering her mouth, her eyes locked on mine—we were clearly thinking the same thing.

"You’ve been acting out quite a bit, haven’t you. …Why did you steal it?"

"Hah, you seem pretty troubled, you piece of shit old man. I figured if I sold off your life’s greatest achievement, it’d wipe that smug look off your face! You—You always do this! Looking down on us with that serene expression like you know everything!!"

"…So that’s how you truly feel, Yorinobu. …I see. Then let me tell you something. What you stole was a failed prototype. It was made through experiments on the half-dead—it’s nothing more than a sample. If you really wanted one, I would’ve given you as many as you liked. …But selling it off to some nobody? That’s a different story."

"…What… That bastard Hellman lied to me!? Dammit!"

"How pathetic, Yorinobu. That’s what you get for teaming up with fools. …I had hopes for your rebellious spirit. But your runaway act ends here. It’s time to come home, Yorinobu. There are things you must do."

"—Like hell I will!! I’m not—neither I nor Hanako—are your damn slaves!!!"

Enraged by Saburo’s words, Yorinobu drew a handgun from his coat—but instead of aiming at Saburo, he fired at the window.

The bullet only managed to shatter the reinforced glass, leaving spiderweb cracks that would’ve turned the window completely white from the outside.

—Trusting my instincts, I immediately pulled V down with me and dove to the floor.

In the next moment, the penthouse interior was engulfed in white.

Looking toward the window, I saw a massive attack chopper hovering outside, scanning inside with its searchlight, its enormous Gatling gun already pointed at us.

And the spinning barrel was aimed not just at Saburo—but at Yorinobu too.

Both of them were frozen in shock, clearly realizing that what was happening didn’t align with any of their scenarios.

The Gatling gun raked across the penthouse in a sweeping barrage, tearing the room to shreds.

【We are the anti-Arasaka group 《Machine Dragon》! We will bring down the hammer of justice on the Arasaka trash that trampled our lives, our peace, and our happiness!! Yorinobu! We believed in you! We trusted your words! But you! You betrayed us! Die with the rest of the scum!!】

As if unleashing all their pent-up resentment, the hail of bullets rampaged throughout. One of them tore through my left arm.

A sharp pain and a burning sensation surged through me, but I clenched my molars to stay conscious and inhaled a dose of MaxDoc from my jacket.

Instantly, the pain dulled—acting as a powerful anesthetic.

I quickly wrapped a Little Boss-made hemostatic bandage around the wound to finish emergency treatment, then scanned the area to assess the situation.

The harsh rattle of the Gatling had ceased, and with the searchlight gone too, the chopper had likely pulled out.

Looking at the floor, I saw V collapsed, holding the back of her head. Seems a chunk of the wall had come off and hit her.

No visible external injuries beyond that—thankfully.

I let out a breath of relief—but a sharp crackle of electricity nearby snapped me back.

Looking at the case, it had apparently taken two hits. The monitor now showed only 70% integrity.

『Tch… Little Boss, can you hear me, Little Boss!』

『I didn’t see this coming either. V, V, are you alive?』

『V’s unconscious—she just hit her head. I lost my left arm. I’ve done emergency treatment. No, wait—the case is damaged! What should I do!?』

『…Insert the “Relic” into your neural port. That should trigger the biochip’s initial routines and stabilize it.』

『Got it!』

With one hand, I pried open the case and jammed the “Relic” into my neural port.

…No obvious changes. It must’ve stabilized.

Glancing through the rubble visible on the monitor ahead, I picked up V and headed toward the elevator.

Jumping out the window wasn’t an option—not with this wound. I’d die.

Carrying an unconscious adult woman was taking its toll.

As I staggered toward the elevator, I noticed something.

It was coming up—even though I hadn’t pressed anything.

This is bad—they’re probably the same guards from earlier, coming back.

Where do I run? Where the hell can I run!?

『This is beyond the scope of the mission now. I’ll provide direct support. Vitt, slide through the window to the next building. Escape through that route.』

『Tch—got it!』

With Valy in my arms, I advanced toward the balcony, following the clearly marked points in my field of vision.

It felt like Death itself was walking up behind me. I somehow made it to the marker point and looked down—then froze.

This stunt is seriously terrifying!?

But there's no trading this for my life. Gritting my teeth, I clutched Valie tightly and dove backward.

We slid down a stylishly slanted wall—probably part of the rooftop’s design—and landed on the rooftop of the floor below.

"Gh—ah!?" I slammed my left arm on the landing. It hurt like hell—but now’s not the time to whine!

『You okay, Vitt!?』

『Yeah... David. Sorry. Take Valy. She hit her head.』

I rejoined David and Lucy, both dressed as janitors. Handing Valy over, we headed for the building's entrance.

The chaos from that earlier attack chopper had drawn in MaxTac, NCPD, and even Arasaka's private security. The place was a mess.

Given the high-profile location of the assault, we couldn’t just walk out using our injuries as an excuse.

We didn’t look the part of people who belonged in Yorinobu’s penthouse.

David and I had to stay in stealth mode to avoid being mistaken for the attackers, weaving our way through the crowd toward our escape route.

We cleared paths with takedowns, and finally—barely—we made it into the elevator heading to the underground parking lot.

『That’s a nasty injury… You still conscious?』

『Yeah, somehow. But what the hell happened back there?』

『The 《Steel Dragon》—now going by 《Machine Dragon》—declared war on Arasaka. They apparently captured Arasaka’s carrier “Whale” and started launching terrorist attacks under an anti-Arasaka banner.』

『I see. So that barrage earlier really was the opening salvo. Phew… even if it was old, having a gatling cannon fired at you will drain the color from your face.』

『What happened to the bio-chip?』

At David’s question, I slapped the side of my neck with my right hand. He seemed to get it and gave a small nod.

Haaah… this is insane.

A terrorist group calling themselves 《Machine Dragon》... the death of one of Arasaka’s top executives... this is going to shake Night City to its core.

A beep sounded, and the elevator doors opened to the underground parking lot. We were just about to head for our cars—

When suddenly, the wall of the parking lot burst open.

And there it was—the last face I ever wanted to see: a full-body tech monster, wreathed in smoke and fury.

Adam spotted me as I moved toward the car. His eyes gleamed with excitement.

Then—someone shoved me hard. I hit the ground, and an awful metallic screeching came from behind that made my blood run cold.

Looking up, I caught a glimpse of David—barely visible—facing off against Adam with a katana in one hand, clashing at the same speed.

I didn’t want any part of a battle between Sandevistan users. No way I’d survive that. Using the car door as support, I started to stand—

『Get out of—』

【Too slow】

My eyes were drawn to the voice—and I saw it.

The moment a hole opened in my chest.

What… what the hell… Adam’s right arm had caught David’s katana.

And his free left arm—was aimed right at me.

A projectile launcher. The tip already smoking…

『V!!』

Jack’s voice… sounded far away… My consciousness… was breaking apart… I—I’m… dying…

【Sorry, but this is part of the job. This should be enough of a warning. Pick that up and take it back. …I’m counting on you to take care of the girl.】

Adam’s voice, shoving David aside—that was the last thing I heard, and then I…――

――Confirming activation conditions for 《Relic》. Initiating sequence process. Compatibility values are within acceptable range. Activating 《Relic》.

――Personality construct “Johnny Silverhand” detected in internal storage. Transplanting to host.

――Nanomachine infusion rate at 10%… 30%… 50%... Injection complete at specified threshold.

――Initiating personality and physical reconstruction—An error has occurred.

――An error has occurred. Transplanted data contains corrupted segments.

――Activating safety protocols. Beginning corrupted data processing.

――Please expel corrupted data immediately.

――Expulsion was not completed within the designated time window. Forcibly terminating transplant protocol per regulation and initiating reboot.

――Rebooting… Detecting return of host cardiopulmonary activity. Unable to continue 《Relic》 program.

――Shutting down 《Relic》. Entering sleep mode.

【Hah… what kind of joke is this? Me, falling asleep? …And yet… I want a damn cigarette, but I can’t move. What the hell is going on…?】