Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 116 Faraday's Death and the Gift
Aside from feeling terrified, no one else could describe the feeling they had at that moment.

Even Qi Wei, who was usually calm and collected, and was leaning against the streetlight, was startled. Her hand, holding a cigarette, froze in mid-air as she stared at the unfamiliar middleman with an unreadable expression.

Thanks to Lin Yue's help, Mann's squad is now considered a high-class team in the afterlife, and they are elite soldiers who have survived in the muddy Dogtown. Their professionalism is beyond question...

Generally speaking, a rebellious and unruly nature is a common trait among cyberpunks.

But Qiwei noticed that everyone was hanging their heads, behaving like docile kittens in front of this man in an expensive suit with a seemingly peaceful smile.

Kill the middleman?!

Did they really say that in broad daylight?
Qiwei thought this guy was very arrogant.

Mann remained silent for a long time. "What do you mean? —"

Lin Yue spread his hands and said, "I value you guys highly, not just because you did a great job for me, but more importantly because you treat me as a close partner. I like mercenaries who are flesh and blood. But let me make it clear to you, it's best to stay away from the rest of the scoundrels in the next life."

Then his gaze swept over Rebecca.

"Rebecca, I hope you will understand how cyberpunks do things in the future, and I also hope you can become a qualified edgewalker."

Rebecca puffed out her cheeks, and even with her fiery temper, she could only obediently listen to the lecture.

Damn Rin, it's been... N days since I missed the mission Lin Yue assigned me!
At this moment, Qiwei spoke up, "And what about you, Mr. Rin... do you think you're a reliable guy in your next life?"

Lin Yue turned to look at the woman.

I almost forgot about you, Kiwi...

Lin Yue shook his head inwardly. A woman who had been deceived and whose jaw was broken in the drug den had become a marginalized figure by teaching herself hacking and enduring countless hardships. Company immunity was what such a pitiful person was pursuing, and Lin Yue did not want to cause her any trouble.

As long as Farah dies first, Mann's squad can still continue to work for them, and Kiwi might not cause any trouble.

Lin Yue: "Of course, whoever cheats you will have to pay the price."

Mann frowned: "A trap?"

Lin Yue continued, "A qualified middleman doesn't beat around the bush, but tells you the truth about the risks and things to be aware of. He shouldn't scheme against mercenaries... Faraday, let me tell you clearly, is a guy who works for the company and has no integrity."

Mann clenched his fist. "This bastard even claims to be a free man, not needing to be tied down by a company."

Lin Yue shook his head. "Mann, let bygones be bygones. You don't need to worry about Faraday anymore. Now, remember what I'm going to tell you in the near future."

The members of the cyberpunk team all gathered around, listening quietly to Rin's instructions.

"My cybersecurity team will tell you the requirements and objectives of the mission. It's a good thing that you have your own hackers now, and it has also eliminated a lot of trouble... I need your help with some of the goods for some companies. The goods are from Kejing Logistics."

"Specific tasks will be notified later, and payment will be settled immediately upon completion of the task."

Mann puffed on his cigarette. "Boss Lin, Kejing Logistics will hire a lot of company soldiers to escort the goods. Is that feasible?"

Lin Yue beckoned with his finger, and the lighter in Mann's hand clicked to light the cigarette in his mouth. "Mann... this isn't like you. You dare to touch the things of the Ghost Hound, has Sasha made you a coward?"

“In my eyes, you are a reliable leader, not someone who hesitates and looks back.”

“Everyone who lives in Night City eventually faces death… Instead of hesitating, you might as well keep going or run like there’s no tomorrow. If you don’t want to work for the new America and want to live for yourself, then you’d better be more driven—don’t act like a woman in front of me.”

Dorio grinned upon hearing this and punched Mann on the shoulder. "Mr. Rin is right!"

Mann looked up and his eyes met Rin's perfectly.

This guy……

Lin Yue asked with a smile, "Have you tried the pinnacle of the next life? Then do it well for me."

Mann stared at Rin through his sunglasses. "That's fucking true... I won't lose to that kid Lin Yue."

Lin Yue felt that the team had heard everything clearly, so he took a step back and looked at Qi Wei behind everyone. "Qi Wei... I actually don't like cooperating with strangers, but since you've heard so much, then just do your job honestly and don't cause any trouble."

Faraday's death was what tied her to this big ship.

Qi Wei's expression froze.

Damn it, is this bastard giving me a private warning?

"Then I wish you all the best, and remember what I said."

After saying that, Lin Yue was about to leave.

Just as Lin Yue was about to open the car door and get in, a mechanical hand pressed on the driver's side door handle.

“Rebecca…”

Before Dorio could react, the girl had slipped right in front of Mr. Rin.

Lin Yue looked down at the guy with the burning gaze, "What's wrong, Rebecca?"

For some reason, he felt a little more relaxed every time he saw her. Her appearance and some details he couldn't quite remember reminded Lin Yue, who had lost his humanity: there are still simple people like Rebecca in this world...

Rebecca never hid her thoughts, and asked earnestly, "Should we kill Faraday?"

Lin Yue nodded. "Yes, someone has to teach those middlemen who aren't so honest about the rules of the game, right? Faraday bears the main responsibility for biotechnology... Is your injury alright?"

Rebecca shook her head, her ponytail swaying back and forth:

"Dr. Victor's skills are impeccable, but I just want to ask if Sasha left anything behind? And could I possibly see Lin Yue...?"

Lin Yue fell silent.

Pila couldn't stand it anymore and yelled, "You idiot, let Mr. Rin leave—damn it!"

Lin Yue reached out and stopped Pila, who was trying to take Rebecca away. His eyes held the same unbearable look as they had that day at the biotechnology building. "I'm sorry, Rebecca, you know..."

Rebecca flexed her muscles again, saying, "I'm not bad, at least... let me do something, for Sasha or for Lin Yue."

Lin Yue resisted the urge to pat Rebecca's head and rub it. "I can't grant your request, but I can take you to see a good show. Do you want to go?"

Everyone was stunned.

Rebecca paused for a moment, then her expression blossomed like a flower; she understood the implication.

Is it to show me how Faraday died?
Without saying a word, she climbed into the passenger seat, rolled down the window, and even waved her fist at Pila triumphantly.

Dorio looked embarrassed. "Mr. Rin, I'm sorry to trouble you."

Unexpectedly, Rin's last words after getting into the car were even more frightening: "It's okay, it's just killing a middleman. Take Rebecca out for a walk to clear her head, I also have something to tell her."

The tires kicked up blue smoke as they screeched against the ground, and like a wild horse, they sped off from the far end of the Red Clay Bar container plaza—

The gangs and pedestrians along the road were all startled.

The soldiers of the Sixth Street Gang yelled, "Are you fucking crazy?!"

Everyone stared blankly at the taillights, then looked at each other in bewilderment.

"So... Faraday is finished?" Dorio still didn't understand. Rin's favoritism... seemed too obvious.

Faraday, that scumbag, showed no mercy whatsoever, even considering Sasha's death a burden.

However, in the eyes of the team members, this kind and intelligent girl was an irreparable loss and a scar that was difficult to heal.

Mann, with only smoke billowing from his mouth, said after a long while, "We owe him. Rin... is a good boss."

Pila snorted coldly, "These corporate dogs talk like they're living in honey—I was practically ready to work my ass off for them! No wonder this guy's got some skills; if he's got some talent, we'd all be dogs too~ woof woof woof!"

Qiwei's eyes gleamed with interest in Rin. The company? ...Could it be that someone who actually works at the company has run away to earn extra money in Night City?

It seems to be Arasaka's work...

She felt as if her dream was getting closer.

"cold?…"

Qiwei muttered to herself.

With the biotechnology commission going wrong, the team certainly didn't dare to follow Faraday and demand an explanation.

This is Night City, where the middlemen have deep networks of connections, including gangs and corporations. If you cause them trouble, you could easily be taken out by their people—no cyberpunk would dare to cause trouble for these fixers or carry out revenge.

Mann felt frustrated for only one thing: the team had paid such a high price, only to be met with ridicule and a reduced salary.

Perhaps Rin is right; you have to be discerning when looking for work.

Poor, honest man.

He only sensed that something was wrong, but he never expected that he had been completely outmaneuvered by Faraday.

……

Rebecca held the gun, occasionally stealing glances at Lin Yue who was driving intently.

"Do I have flowers on my face?" Lin Yue stopped his car and waited casually for the red light.

Rebecca hesitated for a long time, "I feel like you're so familiar, Arasaka's company...do all the employees have the same smell?"

Lin Yue's fingers, which were tapping the steering wheel, stiffened for a moment. "Really? It seems I've given you quite a few jobs in Dogtown. You've even memorized what I smell like."

Rebecca continued muttering, "By the way... were you using Blackwall that day? Although... I don't know much about hacking, I heard Sasha say... that stuff is really bad, like poison. So, are you and Lin Yue alright? Can Arasaka keep you healthy?"

Lin Yue exhaled through his nose, a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth. "Of course, it's Arasaka after all."

Rebecca exclaimed excitedly, "This is my first time riding in a sports car, and the middleman even drove me! I'm probably the coolest mercenary in Night City...maybe?!"

Lin Yue shrugged, not intending to shatter the fantasy of this guy who was obsessed with becoming the best in the world but was also overly kind.

Even if it's a path to death, once she's set her mind on you, she'll go without hesitation.

Rebecca looked out the window. Lin Yue couldn't see her expression, but he could see her occasionally raising her sleeve to wipe her cheek.

“Mr. Rin, I’m so sorry… If I hadn’t blown up the building, maybe you could have saved Sasha. Although no one in the team has mentioned this to me, it was really my fault that Sasha was hurt… I wanted to help her. I’ve been watching the news on Channel 54 every day for the past two weeks, but no one has cared about Sasha… no one.”

Lin Yue's lips trembled, and just then, the red light turned green.

Sasha's letter arrived in the mailbox. She had found out from the NCPD database and the municipal transportation system which direction Faraday's car had driven from, and Lin Yue had turned onto the side ramp of the cross-river bridge.

Rebecca sensed the oppressive atmosphere and whispered, "I'm not cut out for this line of work, am I?"

Lin Yue thought for a moment, then said, "Yes."

Rebecca's expression completely crumbled; she felt utterly hopeless.

So, did Rin take me for a drive today to fire me?
Lin Yue drove slowly, watching the moving dot on the location tracking app Sasha had sent him, and said, "Rebecca, there's one thing to remember in Night City."

Rebecca added, "Lucy—our team's new hacker, she doesn't seem to trust anyone, is that what you mean?"

Lin Yue shook his head. "No, trust should be cherished; it is the most precious thing."

"What I want to say is... guilt. Never feel guilty for the loss of someone you cherish. Because that's just how the world is. We can only cherish each day of our lives. No one is obligated to be responsible for anyone's death, and no one has to bear any more responsibility."

Rebecca: "But..."

Lin Yue interrupted, "No buts. Since I pulled you back from hell, don't do anything self-destructive—[Never stop fighting, Rebecca]."

Rebecca stared blankly at Rin.

Perhaps no one in Night City has ever spoken to cyberpunks like that.

Lin Yue's eyes lit up. "Faraday's information, the company gave it to me, you know... He calls himself a freelance intermediary, but he actually works for the Military Science Bureau. I'm not trying to be virtuous; although you're also working for Arasaka, I'm transparent and fair. Since we're all in the same boat, let's be honest with each other—"

"But it's clear that he isn't."

Rebecca stared at Faraday's familiar face in the documents, surrounded by various other materials, and slowly gritted her teeth.

"What does this mean, you bastard..."

Lin Yue sneered, "As you can see, you think you've agreed to Faraday's commission. In reality, you're the ones who were carefully selected. Sasha's mother must have served in the NCPD or the military, right? Safe Spirit has a complete list of victims' biotechnology. Guess why Faraday didn't hire Nix from the afterlife to do this kind of thing?"

Rebecca's forehead veins throbbed.

Lin Yue: "It's because it saves money, and you can get 100% stable data. Only 54 websites can access the website. Even if Sasha sends the data to them... it won't help. Because this media outlet endorses military science and biotechnology, understand?"

Rebecca wanted to punch the dashboard in front of her, but she held back.

Lin Yue glanced at the girl who was about to explode. "So, who do you think should be held responsible for this operation?"

Faraday, Lin Yue had absolutely no liking for this idiot. It wasn't just that he had a lot of tricks up his sleeve as a middleman, but more importantly, he was willing to completely abandon his credibility as a middleman for his own benefit. Most middlemen only use the team as a tool, but he schemed against both sides.

The military science department treated him like a dog to be used and discarded, and he would turn around and lick Aragaka's boots. Lin Yue was very glad that it was 2076. With this idiot dead, there would be far fewer troubles.

Lin Yue stepped on the gas and accelerated suddenly.

"Rebecca, sit in the car and watch carefully. This is what happens to middlemen who don't follow the rules..."

Rebecca objected, "I want to watch from outside the car!"

Lin Yue nodded, "Okay."

……

A parking lot of a building in a Japanese-style street.

The cigarette butt in Faraday's mouth glowed intermittently, making the place seem very dark, with no sunlight able to penetrate.

He leaned against the square, thick weighing column as a classic military-grade vehicle, painted in black and gray with a logo painted on its doors, slowly drove up the ramp on the side of the building's parking lot.

Faraday's expression wasn't pleasant; the chip was soaked with cold sweat from his hands.

The car slowly stopped in front of him, and the rear window was rolled down slightly. "Faraday, didn't anyone teach you to follow the rules when you do things?"

Faraday stubbed out his cigarette. "I don't understand, what grudge do you have against biotechnology..."

The person in the car was clearly not the type to let Faraday ask questions. "You're too stupid, Faraday. That young woman's mother died at the hands of biotechnology. We thoughtfully selected a mercenary team for you, one that had nothing to do with the company, and yet you still dare to ask me this kind of question."

"Faraday, you're not even good enough to be a dog!"

Faraday's lips twitched. "You all planned for that woman to die at the hands of biotechnology, viewing it all as revenge by the cyberpunks, without affecting your relationship with biotechnology... but I'm the one suffering the consequences, you know? Arasaka's people were involved in that biotechnology thing—"

"If something happens to me, you won't feel good either."

The person in the back seat fell silent. "Are you threatening me, Faraday?"

Faraday replied, "It's simple. Let me join the military technology team, and I can do a lot for you."

"You need to understand, if the mercenaries of the afterlife find out about these things, I won't be able to survive."

After he finished speaking, the guy in the car fell silent.

After a long silence, he said, "Faraday, that's not enough. Do a few more things for the company, and I promise you, I can let you join the company."

Faraday's expression finally improved.

The man said, "Where is the stuff?"

Faraday handed the chip to the man.

When it was time to settle his wages, Faraday received a transfer of nearly two million euros.

"I heard you were greedy. You not only reprimanded that team, but also deducted 200,000 euros from their pay... Now you've made a net profit of 1.7 million. Aren't you happy?"

Faraday was unfazed by the sarcastic tone in the car. "Doing low-end things is cheap. I gave them the immunosuppressants; that's more than enough."

The man sneered, "You mean the prototype that you've already sold? Faraday, eat less, or you'll overeat."

The car slowly started moving, and Faraday stared venomously at the car's taillights as it disappeared into the distance, standing silently in place.

Even if he made a profit from the job, he felt humiliated.

Military technology seemed to have kindly helped him choose a cyberpunk team and even calculated a way to eliminate future troubles.

But in reality, he was just a white glove; once he got dirty, he would be thrown away. That's why he was determined to get into the military academy, and that never changed.

There are many factions within the military science institute. In order to consolidate their relationship with fuel companies such as Peizhuo Petrochemical, they stole financial records. At the same time, in order to continue to bind biotechnology to the negotiating table, they used financial statements to analyze biotechnology's profitability and forced biotechnology to jointly develop patents with them.

The company has no friends, only interests.

Faraday cursed under his breath and started walking towards his car.

Wow…

The harsh sound of metal scraping against the rough concrete echoed through the empty parking lot.

Faraday instantly became alert and immediately drew his pistol.

A man in a suit and tie, carrying a samurai sword and with a cigarette in his mouth, appeared in front of the slope where the military science team had left.

He stared at Faraday with a smile.

The Faraday tunnel is dangerous; we need to retreat in the opposite direction.

Unexpectedly, the twin-tailed loli girl who had just met at the Red Clay Bar sat on the cement wall behind him and whistled, "Four-eyed guy, do you think you can see things better with your three right eyes?"

屮…

The blade scraped against the ground with a sharp, grating sound, and every step the man took felt like stepping on Faraday's heart.

It bounces up and down.

"I'm quite curious, how could you be so greedy?"

Lin Yue's voice was calm as he exhaled a puff of smoke, "Scheming Team, is this how you act as a middleman?"

Faraday sneered and opened his arms. "What's wrong with that? What's wrong with soldiers like them, destined to be stepping stones for life, being a little confused?"

Rebecca almost squeezed out the C language.

Lin Yue shook his head. "And what about you, Faraday? It seems like the company doesn't treat you like a human being either."

Faraday subtly leaned to one side, saying, "That's what the military science department ordered, you and I both know that, and we can't put the company's affairs aside."

Lin Yue added bluntly, "But you can treat yourself as a human being, can't you?"

Faraday wanted to say something more—

Swish!
S.A.W.S.?!

Lin Yue rushed to his side almost instantly, the smiling face of the middle-aged man seemed like a demon.

A dark hand grabbed Faraday's neck in one swift motion!

Cough...uh... Faraday stared wide-eyed, his hands almost crushing his own neck!
Rebecca laughed excitedly, "Wow! It's beautiful!"

Lin Yue didn't even drop the ash from his cigarette. "What? Still talking to your bodyguard?"

"Don't think about it... He's out of his mind right now, he can't hear you."

Faraday tried with all his might to pry open Lin Yue's cold prosthetic hand, "I...I didn't...do it on purpose..."

Lin Yue leaned closer to examine Faraday's prosthetic eye. "Having more eyes means you can see things more clearly. You dare to cheat my people? Roger, in your next life...didn't Night City teach you any manners?"

Rebecca clenched her fist and shouted.

Lin Yue suddenly lifted his knee, and Faraday was almost sent flying backward as he crashed into the solid load-bearing column.

He lay on the ground. As the middleman, he was capable of fighting, but unfortunately, in Lin Yue's eyes... he was just an ordinary person.

Ok? !

Lin Yue noticed that this guy was still uploading things into his head. "No network access chamber... Is it an external device? Looks like you care a lot about your safety."

Faraday watched helplessly as the upload ended, followed by a notification that the crack had failed, which echoed in his mind.

What on earth is that thing over there?
When did I come to have such an enemy?

Mann is his man… The rumor about the afterlife echoed in my mind, Arasaka?!

Even on the verge of death, Faraday still refused to believe that the portable puppet created for him by the advanced hacker was useless!
He gritted his teeth, raised his gun, and a bullet struck Lin Yue in the face, exploding in sparks.

Damn it!
Faraday was acting like he'd seen a ghost; was he cyberbullying?!
Cybernetics... that's too much.

The jet-black blade emitted a faint, almost imperceptible, scent of blood.

Lin Yue swiftly swung his knife, severing Faraday's hand that was holding the gun!
"what!"

Faraday's roar echoed around.

Damn!

Lin Yue was breathing rapidly; the screams were a great shock to him.

No, Rebecca is still here.

He forcibly suppressed the cruel killing intent, determined to execute this guy quickly!
He looked at Faraday lying on the ground, raised his foot and stepped on Faraday's head, his tone gentle yet filled with murderous intent, "I thought you'd say something repentant, but it seems you think you're quite right, so—"

"See you in hell, my friend."

Lin Yue suddenly exerted force with his legs!
Bang!
It was as if a red paint bucket had exploded, spreading out from the center of Faraday's head!

A strong smell of rust rose into the air…!
Gululu…

Several blood-stained prosthetic eyes rolled off the surface.

One of the eyeballs rolled all the way to Rebecca's feet as she jumped off the concrete platform. She crouched down, stared at the dirty eyeball, and greeted it, "Hello~"

Snapped!
A gunshot rang out, and Rebecca's eyeball was shattered by the Liz pistol in her hand.

Lin Yue, who was some distance away, withdrew his foot and patted off some remaining solid matter on his trousers.

Luckily V wasn't there, otherwise she would have said she wasn't wearing casual clothes when she went out on fieldwork.

In an instant, it seemed that the trajectory of some things began to tilt rapidly.

In the silent parking lot, Lin Yue took a deep breath, and the frenzied evil thoughts in his heart receded like a tide.

His gaze fell on Rebecca, who was also looking at the man.

She seemed to see those eyes struggling under the pollution of the black walls that night... So Rin was in the same pain.

Rebecca murmured, "Thank you, Mr. Rin..."

Lin Yue smiled slightly, "You're welcome."

……
-
David Martinez dragged his tired legs slowly toward the entrance to the city rail transit station.

The only thing that made him feel a little relaxed about his studies was the Mewtwo chip in his hand—

Super, super, super top-notch!
These are the exact words of the cyborg doctor who works for the Santo Domingo Sixth Street gang.

It's supposedly from the first-person perspective of those cyber lunatics in Dogtown... uh, no, it seems some hacker filled in the first-person perspective content; actually, the original footage was strictly recorded from a third-person perspective.

David wanted to inspect the goods because he was a loyal customer of the doctor and also the student in charge of selling the "Black Glasses Dream".

So David can watch any exciting black Mewtwo first. He doesn't like those sex dolls or other colored Mewtwos. What he likes most is experiencing the struggle of a cyber madman, feeling pain but also having infinite power.

Jingle Bell…

A bright light flashed in David's eyes.

He seemed to have missed something. Standing on the train, he blinked and looked out at the crowded carriage.

Was that a girl just now?

David had never seen such a bold hair color before.

Finding no one around, he gave up, then listlessly reached into his pocket, his expression changing the next second:
Holy crap! Where's my Mewtwo?!

David searched his entire body and found that all the pockets of his school uniform were empty.

He moved quickly around the carriage, trying to find the suspicious person who had taken his Mewtwo.

Could it be the girl I just caught a glimpse of?
David felt like he had the worst day ever. Not only was Tanaka Katsuo nagging and causing trouble at school, but he'd finally managed to snag a Mewtwo from the prosthetic doctor… and it got stolen! Oh my god—

David vowed to smash that idiot's face to pieces.

At that moment, in another carriage, a girl with hair that appeared to be slightly gray and had various light-colored highlights was tossing a chip up and down in her hand.

Lucy felt like she might have stolen the wrong thing; it was just a Mewtwo.

Looking at this crude chip manufacturing process, viruses are secondary; just glancing at the contents could give you an STI.

Tsk... The first order didn't go well.

Just as Lucy was trying to find her next target, she noticed the boy whose chip had been stolen was looking around the carriage. Lucy turned her face away, but kept an eye on the anxious guy out of the corner of her eye.

David looked around and finally fixed his gaze on an Arasaka "sumo wrestler" sitting in a chair with a white mask on his face. He was also an Arasaka... so it shouldn't be a problem to ask him, right?
"that…"

With his sumo wrestler-style hair, Arasaka Anpo stared intently at David. "Looking for death, you idiot?"

David shrank back, thinking, "Damn... who is this?"

The boy slumped against the metal handrail in the carriage and plopped down on the not-so-clean carriage floor.

I have to apologize to the doctor and pay compensation tomorrow because the loss of the Mewtwo chip means the copyright of Black Mewtwo is gone, which is a lot of money, more than a thousand euros. I must not let my mom know, or she will definitely cry again.

David couldn't stand Gloria's tears.

Lucy, out of the corner of her eye, caught sight of the dejected Arasaka student and rolled her eyes.

Seeing how dejected that guy looked, Lucy felt there was no need to bully him for Mewtwo's sake.

Never mind, here you go...

David stared blankly at the ground, then suddenly noticed a chip at his feet. That was… my Mewtwo?!

I go!

David was overjoyed. He quickly grabbed the chip, scratched his head, and kept grinning like an idiot.

Lucy glanced at the silly boy in the carriage in the distance, then looked away, her gaze somewhat vacant, and began searching for her next prey.

……

[Caller: Doctor]

David had just gotten home when he jumped up and landed on the sofa. "Hey? Doctor, I haven't even started the examination yet!"

The doctor on the other end of the line had a hoarse voice and spoke as if he were insane, “David, I’ve received money from other customers for Mewtwo. I’ll give you this version to try first, you brat—take it and enjoy it, you don’t need to pay me back, consider it a gift from me!”

David exclaimed with delight, "Thanks!"

Mewtwo's headband lit up quickly, and David was immersed in another perspective.

He looked at his hands, the black lines, the Arasaka craftsmanship was incredibly cool!
I go!

Is that a gorilla's arm?

No, I've never seen this model before.

The walls of the room in front of them had collapsed, and a strong soldier was struggling to lean against the corner.

External skeleton?

David was dumbfounded; it seemed to be the Ghost Hound again.

call!
In the blink of an eye, he was in front of the soldier wearing the exoskeleton. His prosthetic arms seemed to have endless power flowing through his body, like adrenaline being pumped into his body relentlessly. David felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.

This power...

The man in the first-person perspective spoke up, "Can we play a little longer?"

David turned his head and saw that in the dusty mirror, his face was peeling away like snakeskin, and his eyes were bloodshot.

He was stunned.

Although one half of his face was unfamiliar, the other half of David would be recognizable even if he were reduced to ashes!
That's... that guy from Arasaka's counterintelligence department?!

屮!
David couldn't control his behavior because Mewtwo couldn't be forced to quit.

With a forceful pull, an arm was torn off. The ghostly hound soldier began to flee, while "oneself" followed the soldier at a speed almost equal to that of Sianwistan, like a cat toying with a mouse.

He could hear heavy breathing and maniacal laughter. David felt as if a torrent of red data was appearing in his field of vision!
It tore through space from the sky and pressed down firmly on the Netherhound soldier.

Many voices were whispering in my head, "Please, let him suffer a little..."

For the first time, David felt an overwhelming sense of control!

What the hell!

Mewtwo abruptly stopped, and David immediately threw off his headband, leaning back on the sofa, covered in sweat.

This…

David likes Mewtwo, but this is too exciting. He is both excited and worried. Does Arasaka know that he has been recorded as Mewtwo?

No, no, the doctor is courting death!

It's one thing for the cyber madman to dream of wearing sunglasses, but to dare to record Arasaka's... This is big trouble!
He paced back and forth, never expecting this "gift" to be so terrible.

As a student of Arakaga Academy, Arakaga is full of wolves. If this thing is found by Arakaga's agents, let alone a doctor, he himself will be finished.

David made up his mind almost immediately and quickly called the doctor.

"Hey?"

"Doctor! How much would it cost to buy out the Mewtwo licensing rights?!"

The doctor on the other end was silent for a long time. "You're too greedy, David. This thing is very valuable—but it's not impossible for you to sell it exclusively. How about... thirty thousand euros?"

David's expression immediately froze.

His curiosity seemed to have ruined his life, which was gradually getting better. He swore to God that he just wanted to build a relationship with the doctor to earn some pocket money and ease his mother's burden...

How to do?
David kept shaking his leg and rubbing his hair, completely at a loss.

Just then, the door opened, and Gloria, carrying some synthetic meat, saw David, pale-faced, on the sofa.

"David, why do you look so pale?" Gloria put down the bag on the coffee table and touched David's forehead. "You're so sweaty. Can't you come back and take a shower or something? I have to remind you every day, really..."

David swallowed hard, wondering whether he should tell his mother or not.

David forced a smile as he dealt with his mother.

"correct!"

Gloria held up one finger, her smile mysterious.

“A woman named V contacted me and said that the kind person who donated to us has recently been experiencing some health problems. We could write a letter of greeting to this gentleman or send him a gift or something.”

"I'm planning to make some gingerbread... Your school is close to the company square, so a receptionist will take you up there. You're a boy... be bold, just give them the things and say hello!"

David's face fell instantly. "Mom, don't be fooled..."

Gloria was immediately displeased, holding a moving holographic letter in her hand, with a Jakarta postmark.

“Ms. V is very ceremonial. We should express our gratitude for the kind donations from others… To avoid sending the wrong item, Ms. V even told us what this gentleman looks like! To be honest, I can’t believe that such a young gentleman has accomplished so much.”

David reluctantly picked up the letter, his eyes widening immediately.

The feeling of being struck by lightning spread throughout my body.

The man from Mewtwo?!
The man on the letter had a cold expression, pursed his lips, had jet-black hair, and looked elegant and poised—a young elite.

This…

Gloria noticed that David's expression was off. "What's wrong with you, kid? Did you eat something bad? Why do you look so pale?!"

How could it be him?
David recalled that day at Arasaka Tower. The receptionist spoke English, and the subtitles in his prosthetic eye told him that the man's name was LIN.

David even looked up this syllable when he got back that day and found that the name is found in many regions, including the Asian surname "Lin", the given name "Lin", and even "Lin"... and many other names with this syllable.

David, as if his butt was on fire, said, "Uh, Mom, I think Mr. Lin might not like this kind of rough food we make, so maybe..."

Gloria slammed her finger on David's head, her expression turning slightly angry. "David, good grades are one thing, but I want you to learn manners and understand the meaning of Thanksgiving, you know? Even if this gentleman doesn't like our things, we can't pretend we don't hear him. Besides, this kind person isn't feeling well, so it's only right that we offer our greetings!"

David rubbed his head, "Okay, okay!"

Gloria stood with her hands on her hips, thinking, "This little brat is driving his mother crazy! How can he be so insensible?"

"I bought really good flour and butter, you absolutely have to deliver it to me tomorrow!"

After speaking slowly and deliberately, Gloria happily went into the kitchen, and soon poked her head out, "Remember to ask this gentleman if he's in good health, or I'll beat you up!"

David said he understood, but deep down he was... well.

What should I do? This gentleman has done me such a great favor; should I just pretend I didn't hear it and pretend it never happened?

After pondering for a long time.

David rubbed the black Super Dream Chip in his hand, as if he had made up his mind to do something for this Mr. Lin!
……

Lin Yue glanced at the time and realized it was already six o'clock in the afternoon.

He drove his car back to his residence in the company square, and after going through a strict security check and scanning, he entered the elevator.

Arakawa had already prepared his evening suit for him in the apartment.

The automatic door in front of Lin Yue opened, and a sound came from it—

"Meow~"

Lin Yue was startled!

A Sphinx cat jumped off the sofa, circled around Lin Yue's trouser leg, its sapphire blue eyes full of laziness, its long front paws outstretched and its rear end sticking out as it stretched.

This…

Pets of Night City?

Lin Yue was dumbfounded.

You have to understand that Night City has experienced a virus that wiped out the population, so even rats are a rare species, and as for cats... they are incredibly valuable.

This was the first time Lin Yue had seen this little guy in another world. As if remembering the bloodstains on his trouser leg, he leaned forward and mustered up his courage to reach out and touch the cute animal.

I dare not do it…

Lin Yue has never owned a pet.

Unexpectedly, when this guy noticed that his new master's hand was not being lowered, he stretched his neck with all his might and rubbed against Lin Yue's prosthetic hand.

Lin Yue clapped his hands, "Mimi~ Sucking~"

For some reason, Lin Yue seemed to see speechlessness on this guy's face.

Someone in the apartment had already prepared food bowls and cat litter. Lin Yue watched the kitten jump onto the sofa and noticed that the little guy had a tag around its neck.

He leaned closer and held the sign in his hand—

"20 euros?!"

The cat was startled and ran away, then turned its head to lick its body.

Just then, V called.

"How was it? Did you like the gift?"

Lin Yue's expression, which was initially stiff, gradually softened. "It's too much of a waste, V."

V seemed to be eating something. "Hmm... When I was preparing your information, I wrote your birthday as October 10.26th. Consider this a belated gift for you. Someone from the company will give you a new gift tomorrow. When you have free time, come back and visit your pets more often. Try to control yourself. I haven't settled the score with you for using the Black Wall to deal with Elmer in Dogtown yet."

Lin Yue spread his hands, "I'll try my best, but this gift is too expensive..."

V was silent for a moment, then said, "Then find an opportunity to send me something even more expensive. I'm hanging up now, bye."

Lin Yue was somewhat taken aback and shook his head helplessly.

He sat on the sofa, and the cat jumped onto Lin Yue's lap, purring softly and pawing at Lin Yue's clothes.

Yes, this little guy is very valuable.

But both V and Rebecca seem to be constantly reminding themselves that they are still human beings—

This is the most precious gift, isn't it?
……

　Wishing everyone a safe and healthy new year!
　　Happy Army Day! Wishing our motherland prosperity and strength!
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(End of this chapter)