Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 200 A New Day in the City of Dreams (12) (8K)

V doesn't know why she's running away.

Her mind was filled with Emma's gaze as she looked at Lin Yue, and Lin Yue's slightly guilty gaze. Her steps became more and more hurried until she returned to her office. There, she grabbed a bottle of bitter liquor that she had hardly touched on the coffee table and gulped it down.

The alcohol's effects caused a series of rapid coughs, and the brown liquor dripping from the woman's mouth soaked her shirt. Bitterness and spiciness ignited in her chest at the same time. She stubbornly wiped her lips with the back of her hand, smudged her lipstick, and then slowly sat down on the sofa.

The world began to feel hazy and uncertain, but I couldn't suppress the anxiety in my heart.

V discovered a tragic truth: there wasn't even a chance to get drunk at the company. The biochemical controller produced a large amount of alcohol-degrading enzymes that firmly fixed the alcohol molecules, causing them to precipitate, resulting in only mild dizziness and a flushed face.

V has been with the company for less than three years and is not even 23 years old. In some things, she is simply not as experienced as Emma, ​​a woman who has been through a lot.

She reached for her phone, scrolling through the various junk emails in her inbox, wanting to take a good nap on the sofa.

Putting aside her company role, she's also the kind of girl who plasters her room with rock star posters, plays radio programs on her record player, and dreams of attending concerts advertised by Railroad Airlines—a young woman who, having just started working in Arasaka in Japan, lives in a small apartment in Westbrook, a pseudo-office worker's quarters, and she even plays the guitar…

But she just couldn't understand why, despite being able to control everything, she couldn't grasp that one sliver of feeling.

V reached out as if grasping at thin air, completely unaware that the phone had accidentally dialed a number.

"Hello? Hello?"

When V realized there was a voice on the phone, in Old Vi's holographic image, he was already silently staring at him for a long time, his medical equipment hanging around his neck.

In his panic, V almost dropped his phone. "Uh? Hi... Old V?"

"Damn it, I must have accidentally bumped into something... I'm done for."

Old Wei saw through it but didn't say anything. "Then you're being very irresponsible. I'm really into watching the boxing match tonight... it's live."

V forced an embarrassed smile, unsure of what to say.

Old Wei chuckled, "But you're lucky. I've turned on the recording. Anyway, business hasn't been good lately—are you having some troubles? Or have those people at the company come up with some new ways to torment you?"

V sat up, kicked off her shoes, and put her legs together on the sofa. "No."

This made Victor, who only focuses on physical ailments and isn't very good at addressing psychological issues, anxious.

"Go ahead and tell me. There are always things that don't go your way. For example, if you've been drinking, don't ask me how I know. I can tell just by listening to your voice."

V felt like a failure, but he forced himself to act as if everything had gone smoothly and said, "I... got promoted, old V, it's been a while."

Old Wei waved his hands repeatedly, "Yes, it's a good thing, but you know I only like to hear that you're safe and sound—the higher you climb, the more careful you have to be... Don't blame me for being nosy, the smoother things are, the more careful you have to be."

"As people get older, they develop more health problems. Most of the street kids who get into trouble are trying to become famous overnight. You know what I mean?"

V rested his chin on his knees. "Well... aside from working overtime, there aren't any major problems. And the Night City branch probably won't be getting any big orders."

Old Wei sighed slightly. As someone who's been through it all, he understands everything; there's always one thing that doesn't go smoothly.

V is a girl with pride in her bones, but a temporary change in her family situation has made her hide it... After all, Charter Hill is not far from Westbrook, but the difference in their status is worlds apart.

V felt a little calmer. "If it were Jack, he would definitely make me resign or something, but you never seem to have said anything bad about the company—sorry, I mean everyone hates the company."

Even V himself couldn't remember how many clueless gangsters and street thugs he had beaten up on the street.

Old Wei said earnestly, "You have to make a living, kid... No matter what you're doing, remember to live life to the fullest. That's the most important thing."

But the girl's expression didn't improve.

This left the highly skilled Dr. Victor somewhat at a loss, so in the footage, he stood up and waved.

“Misty…”

V instinctively refused, saying, "No!"

Misty's face came into view, still sporting her familiar smoky eye makeup and calm voice, "Hi, V."

She then tilted her head and asked, "Don't mind if I take your phone?"

Off-camera, Old Vie waved goodbye to V, saying, "Go ahead."

Misty, squatting at the entrance of the old Viking clinic and watching the dawn break, said, "It's been a while since I've seen you. What have you been up to?"

V could only manage a forced smile. "Sigh... it's always the same, endless chores to do inside and out."

Misty disliked the company, and she could speak calmly to V only because she knew him well and had a good reputation among the neighbors. Unlike the other guys who climbed into the company, V had never done anything that harmed anyone.

Misty rested her chin on her hand. "You look a little melancholy, dear—Dr. Victor isn't very good at comforting people, so tell me about it."

V's forced smile vanished. "Actually, it's nothing, it's just..."

Misty's voice came softly the next second, "You're in love, V?"

There was silence.

That's it.

V is sometimes afraid to talk to Misty, feeling that she always has a way of looking into other people's deepest secrets, those unspeakable thoughts. Misty can always say them in a calm and unhurried tone, and her eyes will indicate that it's all okay.

Misty reached out and stroked the hairless cat sitting beside her, eating cat food. "Is that the young man Old Vie rescued before, right?"

V buried his face in his thighs, and waved one hand weakly as if to surrender.

Misty: "I wasn't sure what the other person was thinking, like Jack and me... Mrs. Wells didn't like me very much, but what made me firm was Jack's attitude. I was sure of his thoughts, and he was sure of mine."

“We have to talk things out; it’s not good to keep things bottled up inside.”

It was rare to see V in such a bad state, and Misty felt she had to get him to say it, like the discomfort after a hangover, which would be relieved once he vomited.

V reached back and smoothed her long, disheveled high ponytail. Only at this moment could one see the youthful innocence and naivety on her naturally cool and aloof face.

“We…have been through a lot together. He had health problems, and I tried a lot, but it wasn’t very effective—because that’s how the company requires it, and I think they misunderstood me.”

Misty was clearly prepared to get to the bottom of things.

V rubbed his hair in frustration. "Anyway, during that time I had to take care of him while also keeping up with the requirements from above, and provide him with some help... Damn it, I don't even know how to put it? Anyway, we've been through a lot of gunfire, and he never seemed to consider me or himself. He made a decision on his own that almost killed us all."

“I tried it too. He didn’t have any other emotions besides being nervous… After we finished the big deal, everything was fine, but… I don’t know why I was the one next to him when he wasn’t feeling anything, even though I was the first one there—damn, it’s not a big deal.”

Misty nodded. "I understand, V."

"Looks like someone got there first. It doesn't matter if you're unlucky."

This girl, whose emotional life was practically a blank slate, was completely unaware of the problem.

"If you always hide your true intentions, everything is under control, that's your personality V... But some things are just unreasonable, and you have to learn to forgive yourself."

V was somewhat puzzled.

Misty stood up. "Well... do what you want to do, whether it's in life, relationships, or anything else. You always have your own goals—I'm very familiar with the Lovers' Cards. You two have no problems, you just need a trigger."

"Go to sleep, darling. Maybe you're just tired. Don't rush to make a choice. When you feel that something is something you must do, that's the right thing to do."

V stared at Misty quietly for a long time before speaking, "Thank you, Misty... My head is still a mess, and I don't want to think this through yet. You're right... I need to get some rest."

Misty: "Well... sweet dreams? Come to the store sometime, maybe you can get some answers you're looking for."

Tick.

After hanging up the phone, V tossed it aside and stared blankly at the office ceiling.

The image of a certain jerk kept flashing in my mind...

Misty always manages to pinpoint the crux of the problem; if Sasha hadn't interfered that day, perhaps everything would have been different—

AI: "Dear Counterintelligence Minister V, you have ten tasks on your to-do list. We have detected issues with your heart rate and stress levels. Would you like to postpone these tasks?"

Disturbed, V got up and asked, "What's the shortest time limit for a case?"

AI: "Processed within 48 hours, type: [Action Permit], reason: [Receptor adaptation test of the new prosthetic body 'Kongo' to be mass-produced in this state], approval authority can be transferred to the next level team leader, and approval is required from the Arasaka Tower security department or other security personnel... Danger level: [Moderate], may cause interference to relevant local facilities."

V rolled her eyes, then lay down dejectedly. "Then I'll take a nap."

AI: "Okay, all push notifications have been paused. You will get 10 hours of sleep. An enlightenment quantification session has been automatically scheduled for you, which you can attend at any time. Good night, and when you wake up, you can still start a new day of pursuing your dreams in Night City."

V raised his long middle finger from behind the sofa, his voice weak and slurred from drunkenness, "Fuck your...dream."

……
-
Two days later.

Night City, NCPD Headquarters.

Stella wiped the sweat from her palms beneath the hem of her shirt. The vast training hall had six tables, from which six long lines of players stretched out…

The nervous girl glanced around and realized that there were probably over two thousand people in the venue for interviews. What made her even more nervous was the absolute silence in the hall.

Aside from the clicking sound of the six initial screening officers stamping their seals on the resumes, all that could be heard was their gruff voices uttering "next..."

Stella clutched the NCPD's official recruitment poster in her hand until it was slightly crumpled. The slightly talkative Stella was like a high-pressure tank storing oxygen. In addition, she was applying for the "Investigation Department," a team where the men were either strong and the women either had advanced combat prosthetics like those shown in the "Intubation" program, or had extremely powerful and healthy physiques.

Yes, the Night City Police Department has a total of six departments: Patrol, Investigation, Cyber ​​Security, Internal Affairs, and Administration—and of course, there is also a separate and self-managed SWAT tactical unit, the Terrorist Mobile Unit, although Maxtac never publicly posts job advertisements.

As for why this girl, who appeared thinner than others, went to the investigation department, she had her own reasons.

Compared to the patrol unit, which has the highest risk factor, the investigation department obviously focuses on cases, and Stella has two unresolved cases on her mind.

The safety scandal surrounding the biotechnology drug, Supra, has caused a huge uproar. Stella knows very well that this drug was the culprit behind her mother's death. The biotechnology company had announced that it would publish the names of drug victims and be responsible for their follow-up treatment, and even provide substantial compensation to the families of those who died as a result of the drug.

But that's bullshit!

Stella didn't see a single penny.

Another issue was her sister's disappearance and the explosion at the biotechnology building. Stella had gathered a lot of information at home, and during a live broadcast on News 54, she saw a large man with his head down in a certain shot. That weapon was all too familiar to Stella, who had stayed at the Liz Bar for a while to prepare for her studies…

That's the weapon my sister usually uses.

Stella, who had been searching for a long time in Night City, still couldn't find the big man. Turning to Liz, she met Judy, who reluctantly uttered the name Arasaka and told her to stop looking.

In this city, it seemed like everyone was keeping quiet about the company, but Stella was not having it. She couldn't rest until she understood some things.

So that's why she's here!
“You’ve come to the wrong place, girl. Turn left now and go to Little Chinatown. That’s the place that’s right for you to work.”

Stella heard a sullen voice behind her. She turned around and saw a strange bald man with veins on his forehead that looked like they were crawling with worms staring straight at her with a malicious smile.

Stella swallowed hard and could only turn around, enduring the stiff gaze from behind her—

"Excuse me."

A woman's voice sounded from the side.

Stella quickly stepped forward to make room for someone else. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a woman even more robust than the big man, wearing a simple black shirt and with short blonde hair. For a moment, she looked like one of the Animal Gang members applying for a job…

"It wasn't you, it was him."

The burly man looked at the woman who was a head taller than him and whose face resembled that of a handsome Western man, except for her voice. For a moment, he couldn't tell if this guy was male.

"You son of a bitch, are you talking to me?"

The woman nodded. "I'm sure I'm talking to you, and I was in the wrong line. I should be in the investigation team's line, not the patrol team. Now... it's your turn to go over there. If you want a boxing match, I'd be happy to get kicked out by an officer and given a few batons, is that not allowed?"

The guy was speechless for a moment. The woman stepped forward and pushed him away. The idiot, feeling humiliated, cursed a few times in Korean and walked back to the spot where the woman had been standing.

Stella looked up at the woman whose expression was even more ferocious than the guy's... the fear on her face was visible to the naked eye.

Unexpectedly, the woman suddenly grinned, revealing her neat, white teeth, and said, "That boy's hands are getting a little too handsy; he's about to touch you."

Stella belatedly realized what was happening and quickly nodded. "I was so nervous... Damn it, sorry, uh—"

The woman said seriously, "You can't be a coward in the NCPD... You need to be prepared."

Stella was speechless for a moment, then blushed and said, "Stella... um, my name is Stella."

A large hand stopped in front of the girl. "Dorio."

……

"Why did you switch to the investigation department? I feel... you're really suited for the streets. I wish I could be as tough as you."

The group moved forward slowly, and Stella lowered her voice and kept talking nonstop, like spilling beans.

Dorothy seemed to be in a daze until she heard the question, at which point she paused for a moment and saw Stella's eyes widen even more, clearly showing her strong curiosity.

Stella thought the other person was unwilling to say more, and after a while, Dorio's muffled voice came from behind her.

“My… uh, my boyfriend is in the NCPD, but that bastard saw me once in Taiping Island and then disappeared. I have to go find him, it’s that simple.”

Stella's gossip-loving nature exploded.

"Holy crap! All for a man?!"

Dorio stared at Stella with a questioning look—to be honest, she didn't find this kind of talkative girl annoying at all. On the contrary, Rebecca and Pila in the team talked a lot too, and she was already used to it.

Stella, with the air of a seasoned womanizer, said, "Probably because of promotions and wealth, all men are bastards. I worked at Ritz for a while, and that place has the most bastards. They turn their backs on you after they've done their bidding—not me, of course, but what I heard from those women and men." Bastards.

really…

Dorio still remembers the incident in Dogtown. Everyone was guarding the facility where Rin entered the network, but unexpectedly, a small team from Dogtown infiltrated the area. The team members, sensing something was wrong, organized a counterattack on the spot. However, at the most unexpected moment, Mann appeared.

With a woman's keen intuition, she knew that the person wearing the "Fly" helmet from the Terrorist Mobile Squad was definitely Mann.

Mann killed those hounds and then casually left behind the utterly ridiculous statement, "Dorio, it's over," before disappearing again.

That's why Dorothy is standing here.

As she was thinking, she found herself near the front of the line, and soon it was Stella's turn.

Stella felt her heart was about to leap out of her throat. The man in front of her was well-proportioned, the kind of guy who looked like he could work for the NCPD—the kind of guy you could tell at a glance—but the tall, thin officer with the gloomy eyes merely raised an eyelid, and his stamp read "Disapproved"...

"Why?!"

The man placed his hands on the table, spitting almost as he spoke.

The interviewer leaned back in his chair and said, "Because I think you're no good, I have two things to tell you. First, take your hands off the table. You don't even know the basics of the law. Do you know where the line is for attacking an NCPD operator? Second, don't waste my time. Accept the result and get out!"

屮…

Stella felt that her future was bleak.

How could I have run into such an irresponsible guy?
While I was daydreaming, the interviewer who seemed nice just moments before was replaced... Oh no!

As she was thinking, a strong hand pressed down on her shoulder. "You're trembling. Take a deep breath."

Stella, for no apparent reason, listened to Dorio's words, closed her eyes, and took a few deep breaths.

"Next!"

The verdict came too quickly. As the man left dejectedly, Stella was completely exposed to the interviewer's scrutinizing gaze.

He looked at Stella, and Stella looked at him. Unconsciously, the thin girl stood up straighter and straighter.

Why don't you sit?

The interviewer crossed his arms and gestured with his chin towards the simple stool next to Stella.

Stella blushed slightly and looked directly at the other person's forehead. "Because you didn't give me the instruction to sit down."

The gloomy interviewer adjusted the brim of the NCPD operator's hat, his expression shifting slightly.

Was it an on-the-spot reaction? Or was it due to military service?

Looking at his physique and prosthetic body... it doesn't seem like it. He held out his hand, "Now give me your resume."

Stella stepped forward, placed the resume on the table, and put her hands behind her back.

“Stella Yakovlevova, access the NCPD database. We need to investigate and scan your criminal record.”

After more than forty people had passed through the queue, someone finally connected to the NCPD database, which meant that the interviewer had become interested in the person in front of them.

"Hmm..." The interviewer's eyes gleamed. The girl indeed had no criminal record and no bounty amount. Everything was just right.

"Now, sit down."

Stella sat down obediently, feeling that her vision had become clearer, unaware that her brain was already excited enough to maintain her good posture and high level of concentration.

Interviewer: "What's the most important thing when investigating a case?"

Stella answered almost without hesitation, "I understand whether the case should be investigated or not."

There was a long silence.

The interviewer finally straightened up, pointed his pen at Stella, and said, "You talk like a fucking genius. Sorry, I mean you're born to be an NCPD operator."

"Introduce your family. Of course, the NCPD database only covers each individual and cannot access social relationships. I'm giving you a chance to lie. If you can shoot a gun, you can get into the NCPD right now."

Stella swallowed hard…

Is this a trap or something else?

But now even the slightest movement from the other person seems to be urging me to answer—

Forget it, whatever!

“My father died a long time ago, and my mother was a former NCPD officer who passed away from illness… I also have a younger sister who is a mercenary, yes, the kind who takes on commissions.”

Upon hearing this, the interviewer and the applicant who were standing nearby were all stunned.

Where did this idiot come from?
The NCPD database itself cannot be used to search for social relationships. Is this just asking for trouble?
The interviewer's lips curled down slightly.

Stella continued, "She died. She died in the explosion."

The interviewer spread his arms. "So, can I understand that you're the only family member left? You don't really need to say that—"

"Ok."

His hand picked up the stamp, and Stella's eyes followed it intently.

Damn it, why did I choose to tell the truth?!

Click!

The decisive sound rang out, and after the stamp left, a bright red biometric QR code and the word "PASS" came into view.

The interviewer handed the paper to Stella, saying, "Find a secluded place, buy a gun and some bullets, and practice your shooting skills. I hope you can pass the second round of tactical literacy assessment."

Stella looked at the paper in disbelief and quickly took it.

"Thank you, officer!"

After getting up, Stella saw Dorio smiling warmly at her. She pressed her hand to her heart, feeling dizzy.

Interviewer: "Next!"

Dorothy's enormous size made the area around the interviewer appear somewhat darker.

The interviewer, who had just looked up at the woman, received the resume. "You must have been involved in a gang, right?"

Dorio nodded.

The interviewer chuckled coldly, "The best joke of the year: I bet the NCPD's database is full of your criminal record—"

"The fine has been paid, and no one from the company has been touched."

Dolio replied.

This statement undoubtedly puts the NCPD's face in the dirt. Theoretically speaking, the percentage of clean citizens in Night City is probably less than 10%. However, the NCPD has a gray area: as long as a fine is paid and there is no assault on a company representative or other violation of corporate law, entry is permitted.

But nobody is that straightforward.

The interviewer shook his head. "Okay, impressive... So what makes you think you deserve to join the NCPD?"

Dorothy: "I can take down a dozen gang members, whether with a gun or with my fists."

"In the past month, I've been responsible for taking down several idiots with bounties in all the gangs in Night City. The NCPD should be able to find the transfer records."

As she spoke, she reached out and plugged the human-computer interaction cable into the port on the desktop.

The interviewer stared at the bank transfer records and fell silent for a moment.

The word "shocking" is the most fitting description. This woman named Dorio even managed to recruit more than a dozen criminals who had already fled to Dogtown...

【PASS】

After the interviewer pressed the stamp, his voice wasn't as loud when he said "Next one."

The robust woman walked out of the NCPD interview room. The sunlight outside was a bit dazzling. Stella, who hadn't left yet, shielded her eyes from the sunlight that squeezed in between the skyscrapers.

She hadn't expected Dorio to come out so quickly. Thinking that the other woman had failed, she wanted to give her a comforting smile, but instead she saw the woman's expression blend with the sunlight—a hint of relief, as if they shared the same fate, appeared on her stiff face.

Stanley's distinctive voice still echoed through the streets and alleys of Night City:

"I'm your best buddy Stan!"

Let's begin a new day in the City of Dreams!

At the street corner, a sapphire blue sports car started up and slowly disappeared into the massive traffic of Night City…

……
-
Buzz~! !
The ear-piercing sound of tires screeching on the asphalt road echoed along the highway next to the Biotechnology Hotel!

It looked like a high-octane car chase was taking place inside the noise barrier, but inside, a Mizutani Jun Wild Wolf was just revving its engine in place, and the entire chassis was now shrouded in a thick white smoke.

Wow!

On the steel cable connecting the car to the top floor, a small figure with an excited expression and pigtails hopping around appeared.

She grabbed the steel cable with her colorful gorilla arms, turned her head to look behind her, exclaimed in surprise, and quickly slid down from the edge of the rooftop.

Rebecca's prosthetic eye now showed red boxes indicating four or five biotech soldiers as targets. She held the iron bladder in one hand, and with the firing, the recoil made her slide down even faster!
Before the soldier who had just peeked out could figure out where the person was, his head vanished instantly, leaving only an indistinct shape stuck to his neck, swaying as he lay on the ground…

Several soldiers following behind heard the powerful gunshot and quickly ducked their heads down.

She laughed loudly and shouted, "Give my regards to your mother, you idiots!"

Pila's head popped out of the car window, his mouth agape as he cursed incessantly, spitting everywhere, "Rebecca, what the hell are you dawdling for?!"

Immediately, bullets fired by soldiers above clattered against the vehicle, and Pila quickly pulled her head back inside!

"Wow! That's so exciting, it's almost done!"

Qiwei sat in the back seat with her arms crossed and legs crossed, saying, "You should think about how your sister can slow down."

Pila was startled. She looked down at Rebecca, who was sprawled out with her limbs outstretched. Her expression started to panic, and she made "hey hey hey" sounds. Clearly, the acceleration given to Rebecca by gravity would cause her to slam onto the hard asphalt road at a considerable speed!

It was only then that the irresponsible guy realized what was happening.

"Holy crap?!"

Qi Wei's pupils slanted to one side as her eyelids drooped slightly. "What a bastard who doesn't plan for his sister's future..."

Then a glint of azure light flashed in her eyes—

"Dudududu!"

An out-of-control garbage truck began to swerve wildly. Qi Wei moved quickly, her well-defined hand holding a pistol, and fired several shots at the steel cable outside the window. With a snapping sound, the steel cable broke instantly!
"It's time to let go, Rebecca."

Rebecca, still on the steel cable, stopped shouting, her ears filled with the whistling of biotechnological security bullets behind her.

Watching helplessly as Qiwei, sitting in the back seat of the vehicle, reached out and fired repeatedly at the steel cable—

She yelled at the top of her lungs, "Hey! Old woman! I knew you were going to get me!"

Qiwei's voice in the channel was completely calm: "If you don't let go now, you'll end up as graffiti on the street. Friendly reminder, you have a more than 50% chance of falling to your death."

Rebecca gritted her teeth, her face contorted by the wind, but she finally let go. When the steel cable snapped, the once straight rope twisted like a snake, creating a force that interfered with Rebecca's descent, throwing her onto the other lane of the road.

The wind whistled in her ears, Rebecca's limbs were perfectly spread out, and the bustling traffic on the road was reflected in her yellow and pink prosthetic eyes...

A bare road or being hit by a car – choose between luck and death!

To be honest, Rebecca regretted choosing Plan B. The security measures made her spend too much time in the biotech hotel. Forced to the top floor, she could only make this risky escape with a small gun that could launch a grappling hook.

nowadays--

As the ground drew ever closer, Rebecca instinctively closed her eyes.

……

……

　[Concert Ad from Orbital Aviation]: In the new version of the game 2077, Orbital Aviation will send a concert ad via a cute reply to the official account with an expectant emoticon.

　　[Playing Guitar]: In the game 2077, in the apartment in the Japanese town, V can choose to play the guitar to relax.

　　【Remember to live life to the fullest】: This is the original quote from the holographic message left by Old V during the credits at the end of the game 2077. He will tell you that life is wonderful, and being content with yourself is the best thing.

　　[Investigation Department]: According to the background descriptions in the board games and game setting books, the Night City Police Department has six subordinate departments, one of which, the Terrorist Response Unit, has been placed under the jurisdiction of MAXTAC.

　　【Intubation】: One of the Night City TV shows, using the album title of the band Samurai, the show aims to introduce new implants, dispel implant panic and address the slump in prosthetic sales caused by cyberpsychosis.

　　【Biotechnology Hotel】: The property of a biotechnology company in the central district of Night City. In the 2077 main storyline, the location is involved in a commission related to inhumane experiments conducted by biotechnology on a family of homeless people.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)