Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 87 Game Rules [Seeking Initial Subscriptions: 45]

In the company's games, once the game starts, no one can leave the table.

Even though he had expected it, Lin Yue didn't expect a dog to bite him so quickly.

V's voice remained calm and composed: "I will give you an answer. Anyone who tries to harm our people will have to consider the consequences."

The counterintelligence department has made too many enemies, and these people are also involved in the company's internal oversight. The higher-level special operations department has connections both inside and outside the company—most people within the company wish they could devour the flesh of these lackeys who are watching them.

"So how did you know about the Tiger Claw Gang biting us? Arasaka must have fed these people quite a bit, both openly and secretly, right?"

Lin Yue looked at the dark road and asked, "Some of the dirty work in Aragaka is assigned to the Tiger Claw Gang. Logically speaking, they shouldn't bite their master."

V: "I don't know. It was someone from our group who said that a certain faction within the Tiger Claw Gang got the job... The Tiger Claw Gang isn't as cohesive as you think. Once the higher-ups can't keep things under control, the factions below each have their own ideas—"

Lin Yue chuckled. "It's about overthrowing superiors, a game that Japanese gangs have loved playing since the Warring States period. The fact that this still happens with Wakako shows you haven't been feeding them enough meat."

V sensed Lin Yue's dissatisfaction. "Hey! Lin. These are the rules to survive here. Get used to it?"

"I see."

Lin Yue kicked away the samurai sword at his feet and started the car, which had no doors. "So can you tell me roughly who did this? It can't be someone from above, right? The people investigating this are you and Jenkins, what the hell does it have to do with me?"

V, in the office, drew back the curtains and gazed at the city under the night sky, lost in thought for a long time.

"It's possible that the last operation was leaked. The higher-ups know that you had firsthand information about the slider, so it makes sense to deal with you."

Lin Yue on the other end remained calm. "Hmm, so the intelligence was leaked from you guys?"

V knew he was in the wrong, his knuckles turned white as he rubbed his fingertips together. "Are you alright? Don't worry about the car. Just buy yourself a new one."

Lin Yue: "I can't talk to you even if something's wrong, so that's it... I'm hanging up."

Rin never says anything pleasant to hear.

V put down his phone and quietly stared at the computer screen in front of him.

Choosing sides and finding a safe haven is a mandatory course for every office worker. V is well aware of the rules of the game, but she doesn't know if Lin Yue is aware of them.

Her eyes lit up, and Jenkins' deep voice came through.

"V, to make a long story short."

V: "Purge the entire Tiger Claw Gang, let the higher-ups understand our meaning, and let this matter end here—we'll clean up the mess."

Jenkins remained silent for a long time on the other end.

"Okay... go ahead and do it, V."

V stood up, put on the suit hanging on the back of the chair, and tucked the smart pistol from the drawer behind her back.

On this night, Westbrook is destined to see more unknown souls perish, and even the wild dogs that like to bite will eventually submit.

……

While driving, Lin Yue was not calm at all; in fact, he was somewhat anxious.

The counterintelligence data from the Night City branch might involve a leak, meaning that the information about his codename, Rin, whose real name is Lin Yue, might be on the desk of some powerful figure right now. However, apart from relying on V, there's nothing he can do.

The most terrifying thing is not the enemy, but not knowing who the enemy is or where they are.

Lin Yue was very fortunate that Hanz had been eliminated from the struggle against Pedro Petrochemical. If Hanz had gotten his hands on these things, he would have lost all his territory and his right to negotiate with Arasaka would have been revoked. Lin Yue's little boat seemed to be in grave danger in the face of the raging waves.

We need to get Hanz out of the game quickly.

Perhaps Lin Yue didn't notice that under the cover of night, the young man's eyes had changed from sparkling with longing to a stagnant calm.

Nothing is more important than living. Whoever stands in my way, I will destroy.

The car sped towards Dogtown like a streak of light. Under the cover of night, the Peizhuo Petrochemical Stadium looked like a monster opening its mouth to devour its prey.

The surgery and the intense battle left Lin Yue physically and mentally exhausted.

The automatic door opened in front of me, and to my surprise, the training ground was still brightly lit.

Rebecca gritted her teeth, her twin ponytails bouncing up and down with each punch, until the sandbag was finally sent flying. She turned her head and saw Lin Yue covered in knife marks and abrasions, and her expression changed instantly.

"Holy crap! Lin Yue, what's wrong with you?"

Rebecca ran over quickly, looked Lin Yue up and down, and a hint of anxiety appeared between her brows.

Lin Yue spread out his hands, which were already red from being soaked in blood, and slowly walked past Rebecca. "It's just some stuff about the boss—"

"Still training so late? Where are Mann and the others?"

Rebecca concealed her anxiety and, pretending to be nonchalant, quickly followed Lin Yue, saying, "They went for drinks."

Lin Yue smiled at this lively character, "Don't you love drinking the most? Why aren't you going?"

Rebecca rambled on, "Drinking with them is no fun. I wish Sasha were here. I love drinking with her... Besides, they're all old men. It's so boring without you! Oh, and aren't you going to see the parts Pila helped you with? The parts for your big gun! Pila said you'd be really happy—and I'm also looking forward to going out for drinks with you when you get back!"

Lin Yue stopped in his tracks and said with a hint of helplessness, "Do I look like someone who's fit to drink? Go ahead and have some fun."

Rebecca froze on the spot.

Her expression suddenly turned somber, and she buried her face in her collar. "Lin Yue...why didn't you take us with you to deal with the company's problems?"

Lin Yue looked somewhat bewildered for a moment.

Rebecca: "Last time I found out what you did, you fought with the Voodoo Gang, and I was thinking of calling Mann and the others—"

Lin Yue interrupted her, "Rebecca."

"Look at me!" Rebecca quickly walked around to Lin Yue and showed off her muscles, a smug smile on her face. "I have gorilla arms, which can help you take care of a lot of corporate dogs! Ugh, I mean, I can help you take care of a lot of enemies."

For a moment, Lin Yue was unsure of his own feelings.

Perhaps unconsciously, these cyberpunks have already regarded themselves as part of the team as mercenaries.

"So, Mr. Rin is preventing us from getting involved?"

Lin Yue couldn't answer Rebecca's question. Rin was himself. The reason he subconsciously didn't let the Mann team get involved was twofold: firstly, they didn't have enough combat power to protect themselves in the company's treacherous situation; secondly, he knew the company's rules well. Not to mention these mercenaries, even he himself was just a small figure bound to the big ship—dispensable.

Lin Yue reached out and rubbed Rebecca's head. "Yeah, practice more."

Rebecca, who always disliked having her head touched, blankly tidied the hair that Lin Yue had messed up.

Rebecca watched Lin Yue's departing figure, clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, but ultimately didn't say those words. Instead, she put on a smile.

"Hey! Lin Yue, it's no fun chatting with Mann and the others right now. Can I come to your room for drinks and a chat?"

Lin Yue nodded in agreement, "But I can't guarantee it will be more interesting in my room."

"it's okay!"

Rebecca skipped along behind Lin Yue as the two of them went upstairs together.

……

(End of this chapter)