2077: V really knows how awesome he is

Without hesitation, V raised his right hand, and his forearm cracked open with a snap. The discharge missile launch system was activated, and a miniature plasma missile shot out with a whoosh, blasting a large hole in the wall with a loud bang.

An alarm sounded, and the sound of hurried footsteps came from above.

"Damn it!" Meredith Stock shouted into the comms: "All off! Password 59KE3T5. That was an accident caused by an operational error. All units return to their posts and resume alert status."

She breathed a sigh of relief after saying that, and looked at the blasted area in surprise: "There's a 30-centimeter-thick layer of Faram alloy inside this wall, and you managed to blast a hole in it with one shot? Where did you get this ridiculously powerful cybernetic body?"

"hahahahahahahaha!"

V didn't answer, but laughed, laughed wildly! Finally, she had regained her body once again!

But the next second, blood gushed from her mouth and nose, and she collapsed onto the bed with a thud.

V began to twitch violently, like a fish out of water, and the life detection device beeped frantically.

Meredith Stock and Joanne Koch were startled. The former rushed forward to check on the situation and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"She's not breathing! Koch, save her!"

“This shouldn’t be happening. The nanobots have clearly started working, so why is this happening?” Joanne Koch stared intently at the real-time scan.

"Forget about all that, save V! If she dies, we're both doomed!"

"Ah? Oh, I'm here, I'm here! Two doses of the full-force treatment: dopamine 70 mg, norepinephrine 110, fibrinogen 800..."

After a flurry of activity, V finally woke up with a gasp.

"Fuck you, you almost scared me to death!" Meredith Stock plopped down on the ground.

V opened her eyes, feeling everything blurry in front of her: "I...I'm dizzy..."

“Being dizzy is better than being dead.” Meredith Stock stood up and asked Joanne Koch, “What exactly happened?”

“I…I don’t know.” Joanne Koch stared blankly at the real-time scan. “The injections were fine, and the nanobots were all working properly, but look, they started dying off in large numbers 47 seconds after they were fully distributed throughout the nerves, and were completely wiped out by the 52nd second, just like…”

"Like what?"

"It's as if V's nervous system has developed its own will and is attacking foreign invaders."

Meredith Stock frowned. "I'm not a medical expert, but I know that the nervous system doesn't have any damn will, much less fight back against an intruder."

“Yes, you’re right. The nervous system couldn’t possibly have such a strong immune response, but that’s the truth.” Joanne Koch turned to V: “V, what exactly happened to your body?”

"I don't know!" V clenched his fist. "I was unconscious the whole time, and when I woke up I was like this!"

"Who did this?" Meredith Stocker cut to the chase: "If they can turn you into this, they can definitely fix you!"

V paused for a moment, then gave an unexpected answer: "The new America and military technology."

"Impossible!" Meredith Stock exclaimed incredulously. "Leaving aside the situation in New America, there are absolutely no relevant records in the military technology sector!"

“There are some things I can’t explain, but I absolutely did not lie to you.” V looked at the two of them: “Believe me.”

After a brief silence, Meredith Stock shook his head helplessly: "I'll go back and look through the files again. If military technology turned you into this, there must be a solution."

Joanne Koch also said, "I will continue to improve the nano-repair solution. Don't give up, V."

"Yes, I won't." V nodded and said sincerely, "Thanks."

"If you really want to thank us, then give us the data on the Arasaka Relic chip."

V raises his middle finger: "Fuck you!"

Meredith Stock grinned: "Okay, being able to swear proves you're in good spirits."

It is now the end of October 2076. Although the Relic chip has not yet been released, Arasaka's promotion has already begun. Advertisements with the slogan "Protect your soul" can be seen everywhere, arousing great interest in this technology among major companies.

“But seriously,” Joanne Koch said seriously, “Arasaka has always been generous with his investments in ‘immortality.’ This Relic chip is flashy but impractical, but perhaps there are other technologies worth learning from. V, find a way to get some. I have no ulterior motives, it’s just…”

“No need to explain, Koch, I believe you.” V stood up and put on his shirt. “I will do as you say. Thank you both for today. I’m a little tired, I’ll go home now.”

Watching V's retreating figure, Joanne Koch sighed softly, "This defeat must have been a big blow to her."

“Don’t worry.” Meredith Stock lit another cigarette. “She’s the strongest person I’ve ever met. She’ll get back on her feet soon.”

Indeed, V appeared in public the very next day as if nothing had happened.

She has experienced a lot of pain and loss, so this little bit won't make a difference.

Joanne Koch's words reminded V, and from that day on, she began to delve deeper into Arasaka's technology and secrets. As the world's most powerful company, Arasaka was like a treasure trove, but its treasures were firmly guarded by the evil dragon known as the "Arasaka Family," who would never allow outsiders to explore them.

V's movements were small, but they still caught Michiko Arasaka's attention because some things were so sensitive that even touching them through several layers would make one tremble.

Unable to bear the stimulation, Michiko Arakawa dispatched Kenichi Saburo.

V, who was sleeping, suddenly opened her eyes to find a dagger aimed straight at her heart. As her eyes flashed blue, a [Prosthetic Malfunction] was detected, and the attacker's arms began to twitch with sparks. Seeing the dagger fall, the attacker sneered, kicked the end of the dagger, turning it into a throwing knife that hurtled straight towards V's forehead.

V quickly turned his head to dodge, but the attacker let out a sound of surprise. He knew how fast his throwing knife was. V's reaction didn't seem quick; rather, it seemed as if he had anticipated his movements.

Before he could figure it out, V's eyes lit up again. Just as she was about to upload the puppet, a sudden, sharp pain shot through her head, and she coughed up blood. The attacker, of course, wouldn't let this opportunity pass. He grabbed V by the neck and lifted her into the air.

"Cough...cough!" V made a painful sound, and his eyes turned blood red due to lack of oxygen.

The attacker was Kenichi Saburo, who said slowly, "Not feeling well? What a pity. With such keen vigilance and combat instincts, V, you give me the impression of a warrior rather than a hacker."

V rolled his eyes, and Kenichi Saburo chuckled and let go of his hand.

With a thud, V fell heavily to the ground, coughing incessantly and greedily inhaling the precious air.

"Stop making any more underhanded moves, or next time it won't just be a warning. Work hard for Ms. Michiko, and once you've recovered, we'll have another fight. I'll make you admit defeat, so you won't say I'm bullying you."

Kenichi Saburo patted V's cheek as if he were patting a stray dog ​​on the side of the road.

V stared at Kenichi Saburo, who laughed heartily: "Great eyes, really. You'd be so much better off as a soldier, what a waste to be a hacker."

He stepped back to the window: "Miss Michiko wants you to go see her tomorrow morning; she has work for you."

After saying that, the strongest lone wolf leaped into the air and disappeared into the night of Night City.

V looked at his hands, lost in thought.

The next day, V went to the 100th floor.

Michiko Arasaka didn't mention what happened last night, nor did she.

"V, there's something I need you to do."

"Yes, please give your instructions."

“My uncle, Arasaka Yoriyuki, will be arriving in Night City soon. You will be in charge of receiving him.”

V paused for a moment.

Michiko Arakasaka asked, "What's the problem?"

“No, it’s nothing.” V bowed and said, “I will definitely give Mr. Lai Xuan an unforgettable trip to the Night City.”

Chapter 26 Arasaka Yorinobu's Revelation

NCX, Night City International Lunar Spaceport.

Arasaka Yorinobu's private plane arrived on time. He is 81 years old, but looks like a middle-aged man in his 40s. V was ordered to come and greet him.

"Mr. Lai Xuan, welcome to Night City. You must be tired from your journey. The hovercar is ready. Please come this way."

V was respectful, and Arasaka Yorinobu didn't deliberately cause trouble. The two boarded the same hovercar, and after takeoff, V politely introduced the various attractions of Night City, but Arasaka Yorinobu suddenly interrupted her.

"Your name is V, right?"

"Yes."

"I heard about what happened to you. You dared to attack Arasaka Tower. The last time something like this happened was in 2023."

What do you mean? Are you trying to teach me a lesson?

V remained calm and composed: "I was too impulsive. I will reflect deeply on my actions."

"No, I mean you did a good job."

V looked at Arasaka Yorinobu with some surprise. This young master of the Arasaka family had always been at odds with his father, Arasaka Saburo. Whether he genuinely hated the company or had foreseen his fate as a tool, he stole the Relic prototype chip from the Japanese laboratory and hid in Night City, which led to the whole series of events that followed.

Perhaps it's possible to win them over; V begins to quickly calculate the gains and losses.

If she had a member of the Arasaka family, such as Yoriyuki Arasaka, as an inside agent, her success rate in stealing advanced technology would increase significantly.

On the contrary, with her help, Arasaka Yorinobu's plan to sell Relic will go more smoothly, and she can even help him "dispose of" anything else he steals later.

It's a win-win situation.

With this thought in mind, V began to probe.

"Is Mr. Lai Xuan testing me? I have clearly harmed the company's interests."

"The company's interests? The company is a vicious wolf that eats people without spitting out the bones. Military technology, Kangtao, and biotechnology are all examples of this, and Arasaka is the most greedy and disgusting one!"

"Mr. Lai Xuan, please be careful with your words."

"Be careful what you say? Don't fool yourself! The company oppresses the people, manipulates lives, and instigates wars. V, you must have seen through the company's dark nature to launch an attack on Arasaka Tower!"

Arasaka Yorinobu stared intently at V, as if he could see right through her.

V persisted for a while, then guiltily looked away, pretending.

Arasaka Yorinobu curled the corners of his mouth: "Young man, you're still too naive. I can see through you, and so can Michiko."

"No, I'm just... unwilling to accept it!" V clenched his fists, hesitated for a long time before saying as if he had made up his mind, "I've given so much to the company, but the company treats me like this... I don't want to do it, but I have no other choice!"

“I understand, V, I understand everything.” Arasaka Yorinobu patted V on the shoulder: “But that’s how the company is, you just have to put up with it.”

“What if I can’t bear it?” V looked at Prince Arasaka: “Mr. Yoriyuki, if you can change all of this, I can…”

“V, let’s stop here.” Arasaka Yorinobu interrupted the conversation: “This is an adult matter, children don’t need to get involved. I will change all of this, you just need to wait quietly for the dawn to come.”

The airship fell silent.

V looked at Arasaka Yorinobu, and Arasaka Yorinobu also looked at V.

In his early years, Prince Arasaka was also respectful to scholars and recruited talents. However, after his "Steel Dragon" was easily destroyed by his father, Saburo Arasaka, he realized a truth: external violence cannot shake the foundation of a company. No matter how many ordinary people there are, they are just a mob. Only through internal disintegration can a company be truly defeated!

Only a system can fight against a system, and only a god can defeat a god.

Yoriyuki Arasaka received a revelation from the blood and flesh of his comrades and companions.

This is an internal war within the Arasaka family. V is useless, and no one else is useful. This is a task assigned to him by God, and only he can complete it.

V understood what Arasaka Yorinobu was looking at.

People don't think much of me.

V resumed his businesslike smile: "We'll arrive at our destination in two minutes. I've already arranged a penthouse suite for you at the Azure Tower."

Arasaka Yorinobu nodded and looked out the window. He was a man destined for great things. A few words with an unknown nobody like V would be enough for her to benefit for a lifetime. There was no need to get too involved.

The hovercar landed, and V led Arasaka Yorinobu to the suite. As she left, she still wanted to make a move, so she said, "Mr. Yorinobu, this is my phone number. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you need anything."

“There’s no need. Have your people withdraw as well. I have my own security. Tell Michiko I’ll visit her in a few days.”

I'm sure it's true, they really don't think much of me.

V said yes and left the room. Just as the door closed, she saw Arasaka Yoriyuki make a phone call: "Gundam? Have some of your best sex dolls come over. I'm tired and need to relax."

The door is closed.

V: ...

Calling for chickens as soon as you've settled in, no wonder you're a Johnny Silverhand fan.

Upon arriving at the first floor of the Gambi Building via elevator, the staff members bowed to V, not just as a formality, but from the bottom of their hearts.

V returned each smile.

She wasn't Arasaka Yorinobu, nor was she someone who did great things, but at least when others showed her kindness, she would treat them with kindness in return.

After reporting to Michiko, V returned to his office and started a group chat, inviting Meredith Stock and Joanne Koch to share information about Arasaka Yorinobu.

"It's such a pity. If we could cooperate with this Crown Prince Arasaka, we could bypass Michiko Arasaka and obtain Arasaka's cutting-edge technology." Joanne's tone was full of regret.

V also felt it was a pity: "There's nothing I can do. Arasaka Yoriyuki really doesn't think much of me. I can't just go after him and offer my face to his cold backside. Not only would I lose face, but it would also easily expose our secret."

Meredith Stock, adhering to a military style and advocating proactive action, said: "If the Arasaka Yorinobu route doesn't work, we'll try another one. Who else in the Arasaka family can we talk about?"

“There are some, but none of them have much real power, and they’re all too far away.” Joanne Koch glanced at the documents and joked, “Saburo Arasaka, on the other hand, is not far away and has a lot of power. Why don’t we go talk to him?”

"Get the boss of Arakawa to help us smear Arakawa's goods?" Meredith Stock rolled his eyes: "You're a real genius."