Infinity, progressing from Arasaka

Chapter 090: Seeing the Big Picture in Small Things

An astrological psychic shrine called 'Misty's Secret'.

The room was dimly lit and cluttered.

"Mann, this deal is probably off. My sister specifically warned me to make sure my eggs shrink properly during this time."

Jack Wells thus rejected the blond, brown-skinned, muscular man in front of him.

"Hey big guy, are you kidding us?!"

The green-haired, twin-tailed loli slammed her hand on the table in a fit of rage and yelled at Jack with an exaggeratedly exaggerated facial expression that was extremely contrasting.

"One phone call brought us here, and now you want us to get lost again?! Don't think that just because you bought us a few drinks you can act like some kind of scumbag middleman who can order us around like we're nothing!"

"Rebecca, calm down, don't be so moody and irritable."

Hacker Qiwei, a senior member of Mann's team, casually grabbed Rebecca's collar and pulled the rampaging loli back. "Mr. Wells, as a rising star in 'Afterlife' in recent years, naturally has his own connections."

"I don't need you to lecture me, you annoying old woman! And you, Dorio, don't touch my head! It's all your fault I'm not tall..." The berserk loli angrily tried to pry off the muscular Dorio's hand that was pressing on her head.

"What a great team. Here's what we'll do. Given our relationship, I'll treat you to a night of fun at 'Afterlife' as an apology. I guarantee you'll be given priority when there's work coming up. I swear on Jack Wells."

Jack didn't care about the rant from the rampaging loli, after all, it was his fault for doing something wrong.

He looked at the rough, brown-skinned man across the old coffee table, who was deep in thought with a stiff expression.

"In Night City, if you want to survive long and make a lot of money while avoiding harm, you have to have connections in the mainstream."

“Mann, I don’t want to get you killed. That’s why I’m even more determined to stop. At the same time, I’ll advise you to stop for now. porfavor (Spanish for pleas).”

As he spoke, Jack wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but Mann's facial features seemed to suddenly become contorted. It vanished in an instant, then immediately returned to normal.

“Hey Jack, my friend, that’s not how business is done.”

Shaking his head, Mann pressed down his sunglasses with his thick titanium fingers, revealing a pair of blue prosthetic eyes that flashed with orange-red data, filled with dissatisfaction and doubt.

“This is the cooperation we agreed on... For your big business, and considering your past reputation, my team turned down several good deals... At least, I need a reason.”

"Ugh..."

Jack scratched the back of his head and sighed.

"Reason? Hmm, a reasonable request. According to our rules and customs at Haywood, business deals always start with building rapport. Building rapport... alright. Since it's in the news, there's nothing we can't say."

He's no longer the greenhorn who just broke away from the Valentino gang. After several years as a mercenary, especially with the intelligence help of his good friend V, he infiltrated the 'Next Life' nightclub.

He's doing quite well.

They certainly don't qualify as legendary big shots, but they're definitely rising stars.

His acquaintance with the Mann group can be described as both complicated and simple.

It's all about getting by in the 'next life'. The nightclub in the next life is only so big. Once you enter the mercenary circle, as long as you don't have a bad reputation or hide yourself by being unconventional, you'll always have a chance to get to know people you see every day.

Perhaps you were too loud in your boasting and joking, and someone overheard you and bought you a drink, paid for it for you, and then you found out from the bartender who paid for it, and you invited them back later. After a few more rounds of banter, you became familiar with each other.

Although we can't be considered partners, we've at least gotten to know each other.

They're the kind of people you can greet when you meet, and who you could do business with.

Jack picked up a dozen beers from the cooler on the table, tossed them toward Mann and the others, and then turned on the television in the room.

"Watching the news is a good habit," he said.

WNS News.

"...Ms. Vera Adelheid Russell will conclude her year-long advanced training program at the Arasaka Tokyo headquarters and return to Night City in a new position as a member of the North American Business Oversight Council and the Managing Director of the Night City Security Department's Security Bureau..."

The host was rambling on about news that was both international and local news for the residents of Night City.

On the screen, a beautiful figure wearing an elaborately decorated long dress with lace suddenly appeared.

He stepped off a super-luxurious, unheard-of large hovercar bearing the aRaSaKa logo, surrounded by heavily armed black-clad agents.

When pressed by reporters, the person in the picture simply turned to look at the scene. Against the backdrop of the snowy Tokyo landscape, her exceptionally bright blonde hair cascaded freely behind her, radiating a dazzling brilliance.

"The high-ranking corporate dog of Arasaka, putting everything else aside, his pomp and appearance are really not bad."

Jack clicked his tongue in admiration, "No wonder my best friend is so desperate to climb up the ladder. It's just that, well, the older sister is a bit too fierce and violent, not photogenic enough."

Then, the news footage changed again.

Some were wearing Tokyo University uniforms, some were wearing Arasaka uniforms, some were posing with Saburo Arasaka, the "old emperor," some were exchanging ideas with Shintaro Takayama, the security director of Arasaka's Tokyo headquarters, and some were seated at the same table as Hanako Arasaka...

Clearly, these images are all publicly available information obtained through interviews and filming by reporters.

Spanning a year, it recounts Vera's experiences in Tokyo.

Jack looked at Mann, who looked puzzled.

Just as the other person showed a look of sudden realization, he grinned and said, "Yes, it's her."

"What was her position a year ago...? Commander of Arasaka's Special Assault Force, and... never mind, it's not important."

Jack pointed at the beautiful woman on the screen.

“Mann, all you need to know is that the guy who slaughtered hundreds of people in the Vortex Gang, the one with the rumored ‘Afterlife,’ who personally killed over a dozen vans of agents from the military technology secret front, and who ordered the lockdown of an entire city in South Africa to search for and kill people… that god of death who was in charge of Night City’s Aragaka security field operations, armed forces, and special military operations, is coming back after getting a promotion and a raise.”

Although Jack thought that Vera's three major reforms after her promotion and raise shouldn't normally affect him, a law-abiding citizen of Night City, the fact that his best friend V had emphasized this meant that there must be confidential company information that couldn't be leaked or made public.

For the sake of his good friend V, he absolutely cannot say anything out loud in public; he should just stay away from her.

"No wonder..."

A cigarette was stuck in the grille of the pink iron mask. Qiwei glanced at Jack.

This 'Reincarnation' mercenary has kind features that are the complete opposite of his muscular build.

“Mann. I agree with Mr. Wells’s explanation,” Qiwei said. “It’s because Vera Adelhead is coming back. No wonder the city police officers from the Arasaka Security Department were so proactive, responding to the NCPD’s rescue call immediately…”

"Hey, old woman, explain yourself clearly..."

Rebecca took a big gulp of beer and said.

"I told you before, watch the news more often." Qi Wei seemed to sigh.

This is the problem with many cyber mercenary groups: aside from taking on missions, they spend the rest of their time either indulging in pleasure or living a life of debauchery.

In their eyes, news is just rambling nonsense. They might occasionally use it as a soothing melody while eating, but if they really want to watch it, they might as well sell their butts to watch Mewtwo. Playing video games and getting a prosthetic body would be more beneficial than watching the news.

"At dawn, in Haywood, the clash between the Valentino gang and the Sixth Street gang occurred. The Arasaka City Sheriff, who had signed a stabilization contract with the NCPD, flew over. It is said that after the battle, dozens of corpses could not be pieced back together... The Valentino gang fared relatively well, but the Sixth Street gang suffered heavy losses."

"So you mean you're not going to accept it and are giving up?" Mann asked.

"Mm." Qiwei nodded.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Mann looked at Jack, who was dangling a large gold chain on his left arm.

“Brother Jack, that’s settled then. I accept your reasons for terminating this cooperation agreement, but you need to compensate me by introducing me to new clients. To be honest, I’m a bit short on cash lately.”

"Oh, no problem, let me think..."

“No.” Qiwei suddenly spoke, interrupting Jack’s thoughts.

She looked at Mann.

“Although we don’t know what happened, someone as well-connected as Mr. Wells knows to lay low. Why should we be fools and throw our lives away? There’s probably some big plan brewing up on Arasaka’s side. Just to be safe, we need to stay away.”

"Keman needs money." It was Dorio.

The woman, with masculine features and a muscular build, spoke with a conflicted expression, "You know Mann's situation..."

"Then let him obey. Temporarily remove those military-grade cybernetic bodies that kill and self-destruct, especially the one Gloria gave us. We can always put them back in later if we have the money..."

boom!

"Enough!" It was Mann.

He slammed his fist heavily on the coffee table, shattering it and sending shards flying. "I said it. In Night City, I will never remove my cybernetic implant. I will protect you all, including Lucy's dream of going to the moon. I mean what I say... Hiss hiss..."

As he spoke, Mann was breathing heavily. His fist, which he had pulled from the wood chips and glass shards, began to tremble as if in a muscle spasm, and he could not control it properly.

Upon seeing this, Dorio exclaimed, "Mann!" and pulled out a pneumatic injector bearing the Arasaka Clover logo, then plunged it heavily into Mann's arm.

"call..."

The effect was immediate; Mann's breathing calmed down.

He reached out and took the atomizer that Dorothy handed him, put it in his mouth, and took two deep breaths before he finally calmed down and looked at Jack, who had an extremely serious expression.

"I'm sorry, Jack, for showing you such a sordid side of things. Please keep this a secret for my team."

“I understand. But, Mann, do you know what your symptoms are? Cyberpsychosis... You’re at risk of losing control.” As he spoke, Jack looked at the nebulizer in Mann’s hand.

Aragaka produced a soft stimulant.

This latest product boasts enhanced nerve conduction and the ability to suppress implant side effects. Thanks to the use of new technology, there is currently no issue of drug resistance. Upon its release, it quickly became a favorite among highly cybernetically enhanced mercenaries, topping the bestseller lists for various combat potions.

The only downside is the price...

"What happened during that commotion, Jack?!"

Just then, Misty, with her tousled, dry, yellowish hair, wearing a blue-sleeved dress with a tilted shoulder, a choker around her neck, and smoky makeup, pushed open the door and entered. She was the owner of the store and Jack's current girlfriend.

"Haha... I got a little excited while talking to a friend. Oh, Misty, my sweetheart, don't worry, I'll handle everything and compensate you for the damages."

"So, what did you talk about when Ms. Misty was reading the tarot cards with me?" A white-haired young woman with a cigarette between her fingers, wearing eyeshadow and a crop top, entered the room from behind.

"What is the commission?" Lucy looked at her mentor, Qiwei.

"No requests. Let us cease operations and lay low for now. As for the rest, money can solve everything."

Qiwei stood up. "Lucy, let's go."

As she passed by Mann, she said, "Mann, you know your own body condition. Don't let tragedy happen and then regret it. Right now, temporarily removing that damn combat prosthetic from your back is better for everyone."

“…” Mann remained silent, his face filled with conflict, his lips trembling slightly as he looked down at the projectile launching system mounted on his thick arm.

He clenched his fist.

After a long while, he finally sighed.