2077: V really knows how awesome he is

V exclaimed in surprise, "Is current technology capable of doing that?"

"Of course, otherwise how could Vincent monopolize knowledge? You might think that people just need to hand over various blueprints and secrets, but in reality, Vincent will also erase the relevant memories from the minds of those who hand them over. The creators of knowledge cannot possess knowledge, and their painstaking research is ultimately ruthlessly stripped away. Knowledge represents wealth and status, but creating knowledge is worthless. People can fight over a single technological chip, but no one is willing to calm down and conduct research. Scholars are impoverished, starving, and living a life worse than dogs, while the plunderers use the knowledge they steal to live a life of luxury. This is the darkness of this era."

V understood what Adam Hammer meant: knowledge is valuable, but the act of creating knowledge is even more valuable. If humanity loses its motivation to create and stops thinking, that will be the real end of the world.

It is clear that we are now very close to the end of the world.

Vera didn't think that much about it; after all, with an intelligence level of 3, she didn't have much time to think. She was more interested in the clone because Adam Hammer had said it was a weapon.

“What exactly is that clone used for?” Vera asked.

“For you to use,” Adam Hammer replied.

How do we use it?

"It's very simple. If you fail to comprehend the hyper-cyber psychotic state in your battle with Vincent and are defeated, I will cover your retreat, giving you time to escape back to the rebel camp. At that time, Ms. Michiko hopes that you can upload your consciousness into that body, thereby creating a new life that combines the advantages of both of you."

"This works?!" Vera exclaimed in surprise. "If we upload our consciousness to that body, what will happen to us?"

Adam Hammer paused for a moment, then replied, "He will die."

"Holy shit!" Vera was even more surprised: "We didn't die at Vincent's hands, but we're going to die at yours, huh?"

Adam Hammer explained, “Strictly speaking, you are not dead. Your bodies are still active, but you have lost your original consciousness.”

"What the hell is the difference between that and being dead!"

"Of course it's different. Your original consciousness will merge with V in the new body. You will still exist, but you will be more than just yourself."

Vera yelled angrily, "What the hell are you doing, me fusing with some old pervert's mother?!"

V: ? ? ?

Is that old pervert talking about me?

I love Sasha in front of Sasha, I love Michiko in front of Michiko, and I love Ciri in front of Ciri. What a devoted person I am! Where is the lust in that?

So she decided to steer the conversation back on track.

"Michiko believes that if Vera and I merge our consciousness, we can defeat Vincent?"

“That’s right, at least that’s what the AI ​​simulations show.” Adam Hammer glanced at Vera and said, “She’s right about one thing: you’re both Vs, and two Vs are always stronger than one V.”

V was silent for a moment, then finally said, "If things really come to that, I will proceed according to this plan."

Adam Hammer was somewhat surprised: "I thought I'd have to use a lot of persuasion to convince you. It seems I underestimated V. Thank you."

Vera panicked: "V!"

V shook his head, interrupting Vera, and then said to Adam Hammer, "Can we choose a subject of consciousness?"

"Yes, but you have already merged, so you can't completely retain your individual consciousness."

"Understood, then let's use Vera's consciousness as the main body."

Vera got even more agitated: "V, what's wrong with you!"

"It's not that I've gone mad. In terms of fighting ability alone, you are indeed stronger than me. We only have one chance, and we must succeed."

Vera was furious: "I will never agree to such a ridiculous plan! We came together, so we'll go back together!"

V laughed and said, "Since our consciousnesses are merged, we can be considered as two people together."

"Fine, you motherfucker..."

Before Vera could finish her greeting, the car stopped, and Adam Hammer calmly said, "We've arrived."

V and Vera looked out of the car together. The Arasaka Tower was right in front of them. Even after a thousand years, the gate still maintained its original style, which was familiar to them.

"Let's go," V said. "We'll talk about what happens after we finish the fight."

Vera was also full of fighting spirit: "That's right, as long as we take down that bastard Vincent in a bit, we won't need to merge with him anymore."

The three got out of the car, pushed open the door, and the AI's voice sounded: "Welcome to Arasaka Tower. Have a pleasant journey today."

Vera snorted: "If that idiot Johnny were here, he would definitely say, '2023, let yesterday repeat itself.'"

"It's a pity Johnny isn't here," V chuckled. "Shall we say some of our lines?"

Vera laughed too: "Why not?"

The two exchanged a glance and said simultaneously, "2077, let yesterday be relived!"

2077 is the era of V, it was in the past, and it is in the present.

And the past is about to overthrow the present!

Adam Hammer entered the authorization code, and the three of them took the elevator directly to the top floor of the Arasaka Tower.

"Beep, 100th floor, we've arrived!"

As the elevator doors opened, the Demon King's palace appeared before V and Vera.

It was a vast, empty space. The entire 100th floor was completely empty, without furniture, decorations, walls, or pillars. It was surrounded by transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing one to easily see the entire Night City and the surrounding area. As far as the eye could see, there were only white glaciers, which made V and Vera realize for the first time the imminent danger of the White Frost.

In the center of the 100th floor is a metal chair, where the Demon King sits.

He is Vincent, who became V of this world because he modified himself with V's genes.

Unlike V and Vera, Vincent is male. He has a buzz cut, is neither tall nor strong, and does not have the tyranny of a dictator that one might imagine. Instead, he has a clean-cut face and an innocent, submissive look.

"This guy's looks are definitely the most popular type at the gay bar, the kind where you don't even have to pay for drinks." Vera couldn't help but complain. As a woman who had been to gay bars, her words were highly credible.

V asked, "Vincent?"

Vincent shook his head: "I am V."

"No, you just used V's genes to modify yourself."

"No, I am V."

"It seems that genetic modification has already affected your brain."

“You think you’re right, that you can see everything?” Vincent shook his head. “No, you don’t understand anything, you know nothing.”

His voice wasn't deep, but rather magnetic. It lacked the ruggedness of a man's voice; instead, it had a feminine softness and a slightly childlike quality. If V only heard his voice and didn't know what he was doing, she would probably think he was the neighbor's younger brother or a junior colleague who had just graduated and joined the company.

Unfortunately, Vincent is neither a younger brother nor a junior; he is V, the great demon king of this world, and the enemy that V must defeat.

“Why go to such lengths?” V asked. “Even in my time, the white frost was controllable. You deliberately created this situation.”

"Yes, I did it on purpose."

"why?"

"To seal off this world."

"What do you mean?"

"It's very simple. Humanity's use of time and space has seriously violated the workings of the universe itself, and this error must end."

"So you deliberately activated the White Frost that can freeze everything, and monopolized knowledge, causing people to stagnate for nearly a century?"

"Yes."

"You're not an environmentalist, are you? But such theories are outdated in my time. If it were made into Mewtwo, it would probably be bombarded with criticism from the audience."

"I'm not an environmentalist, I'm just telling the truth."

"Let me put it more clearly: if you really have your reasons, what we need to do is not to act independently, but to join hands and solve the problem together."

Vincent looked at V with some surprise, then quickly realized: "Each V has a different personality. It seems you are the type who is good at teamwork."

V was also surprised: "You've met a lot of Vs?"

Vincent gave an irrelevant answer: "I've just been to many points in time."

"Since that's the case, you should understand that I'm not lying. Let's have an open and honest talk, face the problem together, and solve it."

Vincent looked at V, and V looked at Vincent.

After a long pause, Vincent shook his head: "I refuse."

"why?"

"Because you're too stupid. Even if I tell you the truth, you won't understand."

V: ? ? ?

Vera: "Pfft!"

V glared at Vera, who quickly apologized.

However, at this point, V has clearly failed.

Vera cracked her knuckles: "Looks like your negotiations are useless. Now it's my turn to negotiate."

V was quite surprised: "You can negotiate too?"

"Yes," Vera smiled, "with my fists!"

"Hey, you over there!" Vera asked the Metal Throne, "So you're Vincent?"

Chapter 184 Civil War

"If you want to fight me, you'll have to see if you're qualified!"

Vera scoffed, "What, are you going to send a bunch of grunts to check me out first?"

“No need for that.” As Vincent finished speaking, his eyes lit up with blue light, and Vera’s AI co-pilot, Claptrap, immediately warned: “Under scanning.”

Vera initially thought it was some kind of special attack, but the scan came and went quickly. In less than a second, the blue light in Vincent's eyes disappeared, replaced by a holographic projection that was displayed in front of everyone, showing Vera's personal data.

Physical prowess 49, reaction time 59, technique 35, composure 21, intelligence 3.

Vincent nodded: "If at least one attribute exceeds 50, I accept your challenge."

After he finished speaking, his personal data cable disconnected from the seat slot and he stood up, while the metal seat slowly sank into the ground.

Vera was taken aback: "What is this?"

"Personal rating system," Adam Hammer replied. "Similar to the rating system you use, but more accurate, and the 20-point cap has been removed."

"Wow, this thing is still in the research and development stage where we are, I didn't expect that it would actually be made." Vera exclaimed.

Vincent didn't like wasting time: "Shall we begin?"

"You're quite the martial arts expert," Vera chuckled. "Of course, let's begin. Come on, let me see just how capable this fake V really is!"

Without a word, Vincent charged forward and threw a punch, which Vera caught steadily with her arms crossed, producing a muffled thud in the empty floor.

"That's all?" Vera's lips curled into a slight sneer, her face full of disdain. Vincent threw a series of rapid punches, but she dodged them all. Taking advantage of Vincent's momentary lapse in concentration, Vera raised her foot and delivered a powerful kick to his abdomen. The immense force sent the Demon King flying backward like a cannonball. Even with his hands slamming into the ground, he slid a considerable distance before coming to a stop.

Vera was about to say something trash, but Vincent charged at her again as soon as he stopped, even faster than before. Vera was surprised but also excited, yelling "Good!" and charging off as well.

The two clashed in the center of the room, immediately launching a fierce attack and defense. A deafening rumble echoed across the entire top floor of the Arasaka Tower, as if thunderclouds were churning within it. Vera's exceptional combat talent quickly gave her the upper hand. She unleashed a variety of techniques, while Vincent fought haphazardly, constantly being struck by Vera, seemingly on the verge of defeat.

Under pressure, Vincent threw a punch with all his might. Vera dodged to the side and simultaneously ducked into Vincent's arms, delivering three heavy punches to his abdomen. The Demon King was bent over like a shrimp. Vera, however, was prepared and delivered a powerful knee strike to Vincent's chin from below, sending him crashing into the ceiling with a loud thud.

"What Vincent, really..."

Before Vera could finish uttering the word "sorry," Vincent suddenly charged down from the ceiling again.

"So fast!" Vera was surprised and blocked the other's fist, but before she could finish speaking, she was punched three times in the stomach. In pain, she couldn't help but bend over. Now it was Vincent's turn to bend his knee and smash her, sending her flying like a cannonball.

"Watch out, Vera!" V shouted a warning. "He's learning your style of play!"

"Tell me about something this important sooner next time!" Vera grumbled, then spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and resumed her fierce battle with Vincent.

Unfortunately, Vincent was no longer the same Vincent. In less than a minute, he had learned Vera's fighting style and techniques, even surpassing his master. This completely reversed the course of the battle, with Vera now the one being pressured.

"damn it!"

Vera was given a good beating, and just as Vincent was about to throw another punch, her eyes turned red in the blink of an eye!

With a bang, the two fists collided.

With a loud bang, Vincent was sent flying.

The Demon King slammed into the French windows with a loud crash, sending countless cracks flying through the glass. Vincent coughed and looked up at Vera: "Controllable cyber psychopathology? Oh, right, you're Vera too!"

As he spoke, he restarted the scan, and Vera's personal data was projected once again.

Physical prowess 96, reaction time 110, technique 70, composure 11, intelligence 3.

"Physical skills, reflexes, and technique have doubled, while composure has halved. Truly interesting knowledge, but why hasn't intelligence changed?"