Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 45 The Domesticated Dog [Please continue reading]

[Incoming caller ID: V]

Lin Yue, who had just finished eating, was thinking about how to find the slider when he unexpectedly received a call from the company's "big devil".

With a major commission looming, he really didn't want to answer V's call—if he had a choice.

"Are you doing pretty well in Dogtown?" V's voice sounded tired.

Lin Yue raised an eyebrow and glanced at Rebecca beside him. "Hmm, how did you know?"

"Prosthetic body modification, lots of money, and... beautiful women to accompany you to dinner, I don't believe it's not a good life."

V's voice seemed to carry a chill, sending a shiver down Lin Yue's spine and making his temples throb.

Insecurity spread and grew, to the point that he suddenly turned around, wanting to see who was watching him, and his heart sank to the bottom.

For the first time, Lin Yue felt uneasy, even somewhat angry.

Although I've established a relationship with the company and made preparations.

But he never expected that he was like a lab rat being watched by the other party, with his every move being monitored.

Are the company's methods really that sophisticated?
V closed the email on the computer in front of him, spun his chair around and looked out at the gloomy sky in the company square, and laughed: "Don't be nervous... don't be so serious - you have my tracking program, plus Arasaka's prosthetic body and database, I can see it here."

"As for the beautiful woman, I'm just guessing, don't mind me."

Is this a form of indirect honesty?
When someone smiles and tells you, "I know everything about you," and then tells you they mean you no harm—

Nobody will believe that.

"..." Lin Yue took a deep breath and chuckled, "You didn't call to have a heart-to-heart talk, did you?"

V didn't intend to continue the topic. It was a common practice for the company to ring the bell to tighten the reins for the staff, arrange things, and of course, take the money with them.

"I'll pay you the activity funds and salary first. I've also paid your membership fee for the trauma group in the field team—although it's not very useful in Dogtown, consider it as insurance for you in Taipingzhou."

"Trust me, you'll find it useful."

Thirty thousand euros were transferred into Lin Yue's account.

"The equipment, personnel, and informants purchased in Dogtown... the boss wants to know about things in Dogtown, so you need to know, no problem, right?"

"Hmm." Lin Yue nodded.

Rebecca, who was eating, kept her ears perked up, listening intently.

Lin Yue's boss? That woman from the company?
Lin Yue noticed that Rebecca was listening, so he switched the call to silent mode.

"Then... we found something here. I've attached the details to you. Take a look and think about how to get this big hacker to spit it out. I can find a way to get you some manpower in Dogtown. As for how many people will come out... don't worry about it, use them with confidence."

After saying that, V hung up.

Are agents from Fortress Aragaka infiltrating Dogtown?
Lin Yue could only manage a wry smile.

Only Ms. V could do something like this, completely disregarding the casualties of agents during the mission.

Like his boss Jenkins, he disregarded consequences and losses, focusing solely on efficiency.

It's no wonder Jenkins promoted V; the two are basically the same in their approach.

The company's henchmen will reveal themselves at the opportune moment, leaving you with no choice but to submit.

This day would come, but Lin Yue hadn't expected it, though he didn't expect it to come so soon.

Immediately afterwards, V sent something to my mailbox.

Which hacker from Dogtown could it be?

Although Lin Yue didn't really want to have a falling out with the hackers, it was a company matter that he couldn't avoid.

As Lin Yue examined the area more closely, his expression gradually turned grim.

This is?

[Wilky Raguel]...

Holy crap?! It's a damn slider?!
Lin Yue had a bad feeling.

That day, Kostin had just told him about the behavioral characteristics of the face, and that the slider was the seller of this shipment. But Lin Yue never expected that the slider was involved in the mess between Arasaka and Dogtown.

How to do?
When Lin Yue is agitated, he has a habit of tapping his fingers on the table incessantly.

Arasaka discovered that on that day—when Lin Yue was being chased by the Ghost Hounds—this hacker took advantage of the gap between Arasaka and Military Technology to go online and protect the hackers in Dogtown. At the same time, this guy also messed with the network traffic that day.

According to the attached document: take Arasaka's men into Dogtown to find Slider's hiding place, forcibly control him, and force him to reveal what Hansen told him to erase the traces online. It's just too coincidental.

Lin Yue was certain that V did not know he was familiar with sliders.

But upon closer examination, it makes perfect sense: this former member of the Voodoo Gang settled in Dogtown and opened a black puppet workshop, yet Hansen turned a blind eye.

This indicates that he has a collaboration with Hansen and also possesses certain hacking skills; otherwise, Li De wouldn't have followed V to force this hacker to investigate Song Zhaomei's whereabouts.

Seeing that Lin Yue's expression was not good, Rebecca could only wait silently on the side.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue was frantically racking his brains for a solution:

On the one hand, he was counting on that behavioral characteristic faceplate to provide him with an extra layer of insurance for his days in Dogtown. At the same time, he needed to use this thing to infiltrate the Netherhounds, so he couldn't afford to make enemies with the slider.

On the other hand, the company sent agents into Dogtown, partly to help, but also to monitor Lin Yue's work. These people were there to make him and Slide fight to the death, digging out information.

Lin Yue was caught in a conflict between the two sides and didn't know how to handle it.

The document makes no mention whatsoever of Lin Yue and the other agents' lives, or the risks he faces in Dogtown.

The task evaluation was simply a blank.

It's all such a hassle.

Lin Yue saw the call information in his eyes, and V on the other end answered quickly.

"This hacker is working with Hansen. Is it appropriate to take action against him?" Lin Yue asked casually.

V nodded. "That's highly likely, so you need to find him and get him to talk."

"But if Hansen comes to protect this person, do you think the chances of us withdrawing are high? Besides, if we don't find the person in your company, it's a bit of a loss."

Lin Yue didn't mean to question him; he just wanted to know what V was thinking.

V paused for a moment, then said, "So you're trying to negotiate with me?"

She kicked off her heels, put her feet on the desk, and nestled into her office chair with a playful expression. "You're from Arasaka, didn't you even read the employee handbook we gave you?"

Lin Yue let out a deep breath, "The booklet that teaches you how to work for your boss who's lived for hundreds of years? I really haven't looked at it."

“We had a messy falling out with biotechnology, snatched you from Hansen, and spent a lot of money to cover up your information.”

"Besides, I've always been there for Dogtown—shouldn't you do something about it?"

“The higher-ups can’t wait any longer. I need to give them an explanation. As a fair exchange, you should also give me some feedback.”

Lin Yue understood V's idea. Things had dragged on for too long, and she had lost patience. She could only exchange these pawns for something to hand over to her superiors.

V continued, "As for how to stay in Dogtown, that depends on how smart you are. The company doesn't keep people who have no value... Don't you understand that?"

Lin Yue's lips curled up. V meant that no matter how dangerous this place was, Lin Yue would still have to risk losing his head to go back after he had laid low.

However, Lin Yue felt that the matter was not beyond redemption.

"What if the slider dies?"

Lin Yue now needs to prepare for everything that will happen next.

He wasn't going to ask Arasaka what he was thinking anymore; it was pointless. To Arasaka, he was just an agent doing his bidding.

V on the other end was very satisfied with Lin Yue's performance.

At least they won't make a fuss, and she also hates the company's dogs who can't understand the situation.

"So it depends on you. If he goes under and you don't get what you want, the company will naturally deal with you... You have to prove your worth."

Also... I wish you all the best.

V put away his expression after hanging up the phone.

She had considered whether the risk of exposing the informant she had planted in Dogtown was worth the cost, but she couldn't wait any longer—Lin Yue couldn't find the information, so she had to leave it to Arasaka's hackers.

The people and clues found... V has to keep pursuing them. For her, if things go wrong, Jenkins won't let her off the hook. For the company, if the ghost at Night City headquarters isn't eliminated, no one can sleep soundly.

She felt it was worth the risk, even if it might ruin a promising piece.

Hopefully, there will be some gains.

V sighed softly.

(End of this chapter)