Chapter 60

Thanks to the deal with Alt somehow progressing smoothly, preparations for the Arasaka assault had advanced rapidly.

…Weird. In the original story, Alt was way more standoffish, basically like "Who the hell are you?" Must be because I accounted for her humanity being eroded—kinda like a FromSoftware situation—and tweaked my approach. Guess it worked better than expected.

"…No clue."

Logically, I knew overthinking it wouldn’t help, but thanks to Blackwall interference (probably), the connection had glitched mid-conversation, leaving me uneasy. Still, the deal was already sealed by then, and pressing further felt awkward… Maybe I screwed up?

…Ugh. But things are going better than expected now, and it’s not like I can save-scum like in a game. Reality’s a shitty game—where’s the patch to make it easier on me?

Anyway, today’s the day we’re hitting Kang Tao’s convoy in the Badlands outskirts with the 《Aldecaldos》, and I’m stuck in the office, too anxious to leave.

The 《Relic》 intel from Hermann isn’t critical, though the latest schematics would be nice. Success or failure, we can recover—the real issue is V’s relationship with the 《Aldecaldos».

Using an EMP like in the original would cause problems, so I supplied them with railgun-armed vehicles and an AV. Hope it works out. Honestly, I’d prefer if Scorpion and the minor clan members didn’t die.

The op’s running smoother than the original, but… was this really the right call? Doubts keep piling up.

"…Honestly, we’ve already strayed far from the original. I got cocky and meddled too much, but if it’s working out, I’ll take it as a win…"

I’m uneasy. Lately, my emotions keep spiking unpredictably—less "unstable" and more "hypersensitive." Right now, I feel like a parent watching their kid take an exam.

…Enough. Time for some 《SAMURAI》—"Never Fade Away" should do. I crank up the high-res live recording through custom headphones.

Am I doing this right? The groundwork to destroy Arasaka’s 「Mikoshi」 has been solid so far. The wild card is V’s route—with Panam in the picture, the Star ending seems likely.

The 《AldecaldosI》-backed underground assault is a sharp move. Hijack a tunnel-boring machine and plow through, right? Though Militech might interfere…

…Should I buy the construction site now? Nah, that’d make me liable post-assault. Fame’s a double-edged sword.

Long-term, pinning everything on the 「Metal Dragons」 as a false flag is the play—that’s what the terror group’s for. Maybe have them hit the area first as a "forward base."

Promise to turn the old Pacifica district into a Japantown, and they’ll gladly storm the place. Letting anti-corp fanatics clash with Militech might even be cathartic. I’ll arrange it later.

"…Hmm. Waiting around sucks… but charging in myself defeats the purpose…"

If I did, we wouldn’t even need V—the Delamains could handle it. Arasaka’s arrogance is their weakness; they’re so busy looking down they never see the kick coming.

…Speaking of, with Yorinobu gone, there’s no Saburo memorial. Hanako’s staying quiet too. Guess Yorinobu really had what it took to lead. That funeral was political theater, but under the circumstances, it was a masterstroke.

Arasaka’s Japanese roots make funeral rites the ultimate performance.

"Oh? Wait, does that mean Oda and Takemura will show up during the assault? Better split our forces then."

Oda’s a Mantis Blade prodigy, and Takemura fought Arasaka forces solo without cyberware. Both are threats, but Oda’s optical camo is nightmare fuel IRL.

For a multi-pronged tower assault:

—Team 1 tunnels underground.

—Team 2 drops from the roof, Johnny-style.

—Team 3 storms the front like death means nothing.

Maybe ducts/sewers? Classic infiltration.

"…Hmm. Use the roof and infiltration teams as decoys while the underground team makes the big play."

Adam Smasher will definitely camp the mainframe. Luring Oda and Takemura upstairs would be ideal. Hell, have the 「Metal Dragons」 declare war for a full-blown spectacle.

Yorinobu personally leading the charge? Now that’s hype.

"Then, reveal Saburo’s ambitions to Yorinobu and ‘punish the inhuman’ for justice points. A righteous cause helps him later when he retakes Arasaka."

Dismantling Arasaka outright would backfire—better to cushion the blow like the Lehman shock. Still, the corp’s taking a hit regardless. Their "soul salvation" farce will crumble.

"…So Delamain’s corp becomes Night City’s true ruler. Huh. Did I overdo it?"

I’d launched all sorts of philanthropic initiatives with good intentions, and every damn one succeeded—to the point where Night City’s decay started feeling downright embarrassing.

Guess it just highlights how fucking rancid Biotechnica was. Do your goddamn job before scheming in the shadows, assholes.

The fact that merely replacing them made my corp shoot to the top of medical and food sectors (almost violating antitrust laws) is absurd. Even competitors are begging to join us now. What the hell?

I overhauled everything—keeping politics and racism out of healthcare, raising synthetic food standards—but these were all basic, profit-generating fixes. Honestly, why hadn’t anyone done this before? The system was so rotten it took actual work.

Turns out, the tumor was always corporate bribery and cronyism.

"Still, being worshipped like some messiah by the masses feels… weird."

Even that group originally named after some Magical Circle Guru-Guru nonsense—now called 《Dragon Tail》—is growing exponentially. Their influence spreads like sponge, becoming part of everyday life.

Nobody’s trying to live in a real-life PARANOIA, okay? This is Night City, not Alpha Complex. Who the hell is "UV Jugra"? I never signed up for that.

Their presence has apparently cooled gang wars, with most crews now staying local. Wakako even complained: "Tyger Claws’ winning streak’s gone, dammit."

Uh, gangs shouldn’t expand? Stay small, play nice, and stop being walking hazards. Civilians hate you tumors anyway.

(Except Scavengers. You rats can burn. Feed on misery again and I’ll exterminate you personally. My teams already culled your numbers, but desperate fools always crawl back.)

"…Also, Dogtown’s a pain in the ass. That lawless dictatorship’s a crime incubator. Super problematic."

Kurt Hansen’s "Combat Zone"—a NUSA attack dog’s failed state—sits next to Pacifica. With Voodoo Boys remnants hiding there, it’s a powder keg.

No NCPD or corps, just "Barghest" (a gang cosplaying as militia) enforcing their own rules. Feels like Tokyo Kingdom from Demon Hunter minus the fantasy.

Can’t touch it without consequences. Collapse it, and refugees would flood Night City, nuking our hard-won stability. Gotta prep countermeasures before the Arasaka raid.

"Eh, as long as they’re content being big fish in a cesspool. Stay there, please. I’d rather not glass the place."

Cleansing Pacifica was like cutting off a finger, but Dogtown’s the whole hand. And with 《Metal Dragons》 fracturing, some idiot faction allying with Hansen seems inevitable.

…Maybe crush a few during the Arasaka op.

As I sighed at the workload, a holo-call from David came in.

"So? Results?"

"Flawless. Even scooped Kang Tao’s supplies as upfront payment for the 《Aldecaldos》’ cooperation."

"…You’ve gotten competent."

"Hah! Work under UV long enough, you learn. Besides, the Arasaka raid has to succeed. More diversions = better odds, right? You’re using 《Metal Dragons》 as a shield while maneuvering behind the scenes—so we need chaos upfront."

"Fair. You and V have a plan? Mine’s gathering dust."

"Heh. Can’t ride UV’s forever—bad for my pride. V says: ‘Save the best seat for the boss.’ They’re prepping something big. Wants you to wait for the ‘presentation.’"

I feigned indifference, but being sidelined stung. David’s usually glued to my side, yet now he’s deep in this op. Even Delamain’s busy.

…Lonely. But they’re working hard. I’ll play the fixer king—loaf on my throne like a proper boss.

"Did you grill Hermann?"

"Yeah… V’s ‘interrogation’ was just nonstop dempsey rolls while chanting ‘Night City, Night City.’ He cracked fast. Got the 《Relic》 blueprints too. …Need ‘em?"

"For reference. Nanotech intel?"

"Uh… the chip’s nanomachines? Turns out Masahiro made ‘em. ‘Masterpiece of bioengineering’—so rare only two exist: V’s prototype and one other. No clue where the second is now."

……You’re kidding me. Out of all things, you’re the one who made that?

Wait, more importantly, the last remaining one is definitely Saburo《Relic》, right? Ughhh.

Well, at least we’ve confirmed Saburo’s definitely memory-traced and hiding in Arasaka now, so that’s good intel.

With this, Hermann’s outlived his usefulness. Should I toss him to the Food Factory? Nah, maybe Faraday first.

Even if he’s washed up, he’s still a decent enough scientist. Slap a collar on him, dangle research funds as bait, and he’ll probably work on his own.

Might as well have him whip up some preventive cyberware to block Cyberpsychosis demons, modeled after《Relic》.

At the end of the day, it’s all because people’s personal firewalls are garbage. Get him to make a security chip for that, and the Cyberpsycho problem’s as good as solved.

Still… never thought I’d get hit by a Cyberpsychosis demon.

After what happened yesterday, I ran a scan at Delamain’s and sure enough, there it was—spreading through my cyberware like terminal cancer. What a mess.

On the bright side, replacing all the contaminated cyberware left my head feeling crisp, like New Year’s morning in fresh underwear.

…Course, the downside is I had to ditch the military-test-model Sandevistan and monowire, so my combat ability took a nosedive.

With these top-of-the-line medical chrome arms, fighting’s a no-go. I’ve been thoroughly neutered.

『I’ve got a rough idea where he’s headed, so it’s fine. …You didn’t get hurt or anything, right?』

『Hm? Nah, not a scratch. If anything, the armored AV was so tanky that Kang Tao’s guards’ guns felt like popguns. Don’t worry, I’m still kickin’.』

『…Good. I’ve got a lot of work lined up for you as my assistant, David. Hurry back.』

『Got it, loud and clear. Vitto and the crew are hitting the victory party, so I’ll be back tomorrow.』

『Ah, you can join them first if you want.』

『Nah, I’m good. If I party, I’d rather do it with Jugra.』

I couldn’t help but smirk at David’s attempt at sounding cool.

Where’d he even learn to talk like that?

An image of Vitt giving a thumbs-up flashed in my mind—probably the culprit.

『…Well, fine. Just get back safe. I’ll have things ready.』

『!! Hell yeah, I’ll be back in a flash! Gonna floor it!』

Jeez, just drive safely, will you? Hitting guardrails and going airborne is fun enough in games.

Alright, then.

Judging by his tone, he will speed like a maniac, so I’d better prep fast.

Not like I can order takeout now, and eating out’s usually a bad call anyway.

“…Heh. Maybe I’ll cook for once. …What do you even make for a victory party?”