Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 911, Section 121: Very Afraid of Death
Having easily obtained research data, family information, and even hobbies from the two individuals through various channels, Karl chose not to use the kidnapping methods employed by companies, but rather to personally visit and talk to them.

Using the company's direct "hijacking" of talent to recruit people might cause researchers to harbor resentment. Although the probability of this is not high in this era where people are used to being "forced to hire," Carl was still very careful and chose to politely invite Johnny himself.

So, just as these two researchers were at a standstill due to the attack on their project, and were wondering when it would restart, and were continuing to live their lives as usual, Carl came to their door alone.

It has to be said that not everyone can calmly accept Karl's sudden appearance at their doorstep. Even the two researchers who had arranged to have dinner together were stunned when they saw him, subconsciously thinking they were dreaming.

Fortunately, nothing too outrageous happened—such as someone fainting on the spot.

After accepting the facts and confirming that they were not dreaming and that Carl had indeed come to them, the atmosphere of the negotiations between the two parties could be described as quite harmonious.

Especially after Carl demonstrated their only successful experimental subject—the dodo bird—which was now in his hands, the two researchers almost did not hesitate to unilaterally resign from biotechnology in the face of the offer Carl made.

Both of them had very simple family situations, with few relatives. Apart from Doss having a younger sister, they were practically all alone.

I was directly recruited into the biotechnology program while I was still in school. Now the project has been stalled due to the attack, and the restart date is nowhere in sight. Not only is there no hope for promotion, but I might also have to bear the responsibility for the project's failure in a while. If I don't run away now, when will I?
Newcomers to Night City, influenced by various bizarre Mewtwos and street rumors, still hold the impression that KK is a cyber-psychopath and a serial killer.

For most company employees who are even slightly well-informed, although these two impressions are still questionable and have a certain possibility, they can't help but feel that following KK will bring them good treatment.

KK's recent activities have all been within Night City, so how could anyone not know? It's fair to say that he's single-handedly subsidizing all those capable of working in the mercenary industry; the treatment he's given is definitely a blessing.

Not to mention the benefits he distributed in the NCPD and Taiping. Now everyone knows that doing things for KK is like having a golden rice bowl.

These days, even NCPD officers patrolling the streets are better equipped than legitimate gang members, which seems absurd when you think back to the past.

Two years ago, a gang member could chase down an entire NCPD team, but now an NCPD member is chasing down an entire team. The changes in just two years are a direct result of Commissioner Johnson's rise to power with KK's support.

It is foreseeable that once KK fully integrates Dogtown and restarts arms trade, even the NCPD will likely be equipped with military-grade gear. With such broad prospects, if not now, when?

When Hansen had just started building the Ghost Hound, and it was still developing, there were smart people like Gago who were willing to gamble on its future and went to join Hansen. KK is beyond question; he just lacks connections to join forces with.

KK personally recruited; who wouldn't give him face if he did that?

Semill and Doss were easy to talk to, and they resigned decisively. Carl also smoothed things over for their resignation in terms of biotechnology.

Resigning from a company is both a difficult and an easy thing.

The difficulty lies in the fact that without proper procedures, a company can hold someone hostage indefinitely. If you come to the company and want to leave, it's not so easy. Unless you're completely worthless, they'll skin you alive and take back everything they've given you over the years, with interest, before they'll let you go.

It's simple, really. All you have to do is lose the office power struggle and get kicked out by your arch-enemy. But the only problem is that while quitting is easy, how you survive afterward is another question.

Although Semill and Dawes had no major concerns, and their project wasn't particularly prestigious within biotechnology, and had even failed due to Hansen's attack, it was still a project. Carl, in his own name, contacted biotechnology, offering something in exchange. For example, he would return the biological experimental data that Hansen had stolen during the chaos.

Regarding the things they had gained and then lost, KK personally contacted them. The biotechnology department responded decisively, and Semir and Doss didn't even need to go through the resignation procedures; the news of their dismissal was sent to their personal terminals.

Subsequently, the biotechnology liaison further expressed the hope to establish more collaborations with KK in the future.

For example, setting up some branches in Dogtown.

Carl didn't elaborate on this matter, only giving an answer about future cooperation.

Karl isn't particularly good at negotiating business with companies. He was fine when he was a mercenary, but now that his status is different, he definitely needs a few advisors to help him. Otherwise, he might be sold out without even knowing when he'll be negotiating with a company.

Fortunately, after finishing his business with the two researchers, Carl received a message.

The advisor he needed did indeed arrive.

Gago returned with the hounds.

While arranging for two experimental personnel, Semir and Dawes, to accompany the former Pheasant Faction and former Ghost Hound experimental personnel to the underground to carry out related experiments and prepare Johnny's body as soon as possible, Carl and Gago met.

Gagozab.

If we're talking about a formal meeting, this was the first time Karl had met this famous Ghosthound CFO.

Given that he was able to rise to a high position in the Ghost Hounds as a latecomer and also manage their finances, Gagozab should have given the impression of being a highly elite corporate dog. However, his first impression of Karl was quite different.

Karl looked at him, at Gago, who was trying to remain calm and have a serious conversation with him, but he sensed a sense of fear from him.

Just like this Gagozab, who was extremely nervous and flustered.

Their performance was even worse than those two researchers.

'So that's why Hansen chose Bennett as his successor, while Gago became his advisor?'

Karl saw through Gagozab's true nature.

He was very timid, or rather
I'm terrified of dying.

(End of this chapter)