Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 242 Subduing the Tiger (Part 1)

Wakako is perhaps the only one among the well-known middlemen in the district who has a similar experience to the internal struggles within Arasaka.

This kind of "using one wolf to devour another" rhetoric doesn't seem to be very effective for seasoned middlemen who have witnessed bloodshed...

"Excuse me, sir, if it's convenient, could you please go outside and bring over two chairs? Preferably ones that aren't stained with blood."

Wakako knew that things wouldn't be easy to resolve today. Even though she never had a chair in the office, she had to let the two extremely offensive guys sit down first. She knew very well what this Arasaka corporate dog was capable of doing.

Most people in Night City only know that the missile from Dogtown went into the sky and that several companies were having a falling out. But people like Wakako and her ilk have incredibly rich intelligence networks. So, like Roger, these middlemen are more concerned with the details of these interconnected events.

Suzuki glanced at the boss to make sure he agreed, then lowered his head slightly and slipped out through the curtain to find two chairs that were still usable.

Lin Yue wanted to see what this Mrs. Westbrook was capable of. After all, in his memory, she seemed to pay more attention to the stability of Japan Street and the Tiger Claw Gang's territory. Other commissions were mostly handled by middlemen—jobs like stealing information or snatching people from the Cleaners and the Vortex Gang.

Whether the money is a lot or a little depends on the client. After deducting costs and profits, the rest belongs to the mercenaries.

Seeing that Lin Yue and Suzuki had both sat down, Wakako then said, "Your partner has already made me pay a price enough. I don't have the ability to make the people of Arasaka obey my orders. We are just making a deal... Besides, you know about the purge of the Arasaka Security Force that time."

Lin Yue knew which time she was referring to.

That was the first time he ventured into Arasaka alone with his own courage. On the way, he was ambushed by the Tiger Claw Gang, and V then secured the mission to teach the Tiger Claw Gang a lesson.

Lin Yue held up a finger. “I know what you mean… No matter how outrageous things Arasaka does, they need some legitimate reason. It’s simpler and easier to use your hands to deal with some people and things. When gangs attack company dogs, everyone can just stay at peace as long as the henchmen involved die.”

"Passing the buck is not the ultimate goal of this conversation, and please don't try to play tricks like changing the subject in front of me."

It gets straight to the heart of the problem and leaves no room for compromise.

To gain benefits in Night City, one must demand exorbitant amounts.

Wakako sighed, "Then I'm afraid it can't be as you wish..."

Lin Yue's lips twitched slightly. "To be old and not die is to be a thief"—that saying was absolutely true… Wakako's behavior clearly indicated she could be slashed. Although she disliked Arasaka, he was undeniably the most important link in her intelligence network. Being so easily manipulated meant she couldn't continue as his middleman.

As for Lin Yue's plans to trade with other Tiger Claw Gang branches, Kako is confident that those greedy, wolf-like guys will inevitably tear each other apart.

Rin probably doesn't have the time or inclination to manage a club, right?

Wakako knows where everyone's bottom line is, and she won't try to make others understand her by saying things without evidence.

“Dealing with an old woman like me is no big deal for you… or the handsome guy over there. I wanted to tell you about my difficulties, but you don’t seem like the kind of person who easily trusts others—how about this, the Tiger Claw Gang’s leaders go to the Genting Club every week to check out the new technology, and sometimes they’ll split the profits.”

Why not talk to them first?

Wakako gently extended her hand, making it clear that this was the most I could do to help her. The Tiger Claw Gang appeared harmonious on the surface, but behind the scenes, they weren't really of one mind... If you're so capable, why don't you just help me integrate the Tiger Claw Gang? Then they'll all listen to you.

Lin Yue suddenly realized that his understanding of the middlemen in Night City was not as detailed as he had imagined. Some of them did it for the money, some for the sake of their beliefs, some for the sake of their neighbors, while Wakako and Rogue were more like people who were stuck on a ship and couldn't get off.

Genting Highlands…

At this point, Lin Yue felt a bit uneasy. Perhaps it was because Emma had used Cloudtop's technology at the Azure Building that he felt a slight fear of this interactive system that seemed to rely on information from various dimensions to predict the tone of conversation.

"If I step out this door, will I ever see you again?"

Lin Yue seemed to be thinking about something, and continued with a half-smile: "Using me to get rid of those who disagree with you, Wakako, you've got a very clever plan. If I didn't know that you could keep the Tiger Claw Gang from causing trouble, I really wouldn't like dealing with someone like you."

Wakako added, "Most of the work in Arakazama is done by Hanakami-kun. If you want to cut off your enemy's supply lines, I think I've shown you the right way."

"What if he agrees?"

Lin Yue was willing to bet that this guy on the side was probably a troublesome fellow.

Seeing that Rin remained silent, Suzuki hesitated and said, "Wakako-san, I have to admire you—few people can keep their composure in front of Lady Rin. But I don't understand what you're after. Aren't you afraid of getting sick by having Lady Rin take care of the Tiger Claw Gang for you?"

Suzuki still retains some of the etiquette of a traditional Japanese samurai, and he speaks using honorifics.

Wakako glanced at the guy. "Hmm...you're much cuter than your boss. If it were Arasaka who was causing me trouble today, I think my little shop, which has no back door, would be surrounded by Arasaka's little soldiers inside and out. But where are your people?"

“I don’t know what you’re planning to do, but I’m an honest and upright businessman. Mutual benefit is the right thing to do… Mr. Rin, Roger said you’re the kind of person who exchanges profit for profit, so why are you trying to get something for nothing from me?”

what…

Lin Yue had forgotten about this.

These middlemen would keep in touch with each other. It seems that Rogge's territory overlaps with Wakako's, so it's not surprising that Wakako knows about this part of his life.

2076...

Lin Yue's mind worked quickly. He instantly realized that at this point, Hekako probably hadn't yet achieved complete control over the Tiger Claw Gang. She could only superficially understand the gang, and if the lower-level leaders harbored wicked intentions, there were some she couldn't correct.

Arriving early meant things weren't as orderly as I'd imagined.

Lin Yue spread his hands. "Alright, it seems we've laid our cards on the table during this 'friendly' meeting."

Suzuki's expression was serious, with his brows furrowed tightly.

What the heck... what information did he miss? Why is the conversation starting to become incomprehensible?

"Alright then, tell us everything about what you get in exchange for the heads on the bank."

Wakako's eyes, behind her dark reading glasses, gleamed with a shrewdness beyond her years. "Arasaka is in Westbrook. If you say we won't move, then we won't move... If you say we'll take action, I can cooperate even if it's Arasaka."

"As for the reason... you've already said it, it's to avenge my grandson, that reason is enough."

"And I will restrain the behavior of the owner of this finger, just as I always promise Roger baby."

Good, the conditions are quite satisfactory.

Lin Yue stood up, revealing a warm smile, "Doing commissioned work seems like something from a past life."

Wakako's palms were already soaked with cold sweat, and she subtly adjusted the hem of her clothes with her hands. "When the missiles were launched into the sky, everyone thought what happened in 2013 was going to repeat itself. They said a legend had emerged in Dogtown, the living kind—"

"But it seems that only a company can cultivate a guy like you."

Hearing this, Lin Yue felt that it was only half true. He stepped forward and stared at the clever middleman who had caused him a small loss in Night City. "Not entirely true. The company's prosthetics, technology—most importantly, my partners, and my willingness to risk my life."

The atmosphere seemed to freeze for a moment.

Wakako forced a smile. "So it seems someone has solved the problem that's been bothering me?"

As they spoke, a chip was handed to Lin Yue.

Inside the chip was a guy with a tiger claw tattooed on his face, roaring tiger head, his eyes almost entirely filled with whites, his head gleaming, wearing a striped white suit like a polar bear, and his face full of fat.

"That fits the stereotype of Japanese gang leaders quite well..." Lin Yue thought to himself.

After a brief inspection, Lin Yue glanced at the time and found that the timing was also quite convenient. He shook his head slightly, thinking that he was probably the standard workaholic of Night City.

Everything is done in a rush.

Holding the chip in his hand and shaking it, Lin Yue bid farewell to this seasoned middleman he was meeting for the first time.

It's a shame. If you were a mercenary, Westbrook might have a more profitable business with a guy like you.

Lin Yue lifted the curtain and said without turning his head, "It's hard to say."

The rustling of the curtains accompanied the gradually blurring expression of Wakako behind the tassels as the two men who had slaughtered the guards at the entrance in the territory of the Japanese town leader walked out of the door with ease.

Wakako, though relieved, didn't actually look too good.

This is a humiliation no matter what...

However, Wakako's desire for revenge wasn't as strong. The key to making her several uncontrollable husbands fall before her was that she only bit the crucial point, just like the venomous snakes coiled around the arms of most gang members—

To deliver a fatal blow at the crucial moment.

Lin Yue was also aware of Wakako's methods. She gave the parade route map to the desperate Goro and V without asking for a single penny. In reality, it was out of revenge and the business mindset of making money in the chaos.

"Phew... I hope he's satisfied."

Wakako thought for a moment, then picked up the bulky cell phone, a rare sight in this era, which was more like a satellite phone.

With a cold expression, Wakako dialed the phone and said, "Those guys who often hang out in Twisty Street..."

She glanced at the name engraved on the ring on her finger, "Especially those related to Yoshikawa, make them follow the rules—"

The person on the other end of the phone seemed to be asking a question.

She nodded firmly and said, "It's exactly what I meant. If anyone else gets completely drunk outside the club, I'll make sure he ends up like Yoshikawa, with only one finger left."

……
-
"I still think this guy is heartless!"

Pila, cigarette dangling from his hand, was seething with resentment. Because most cars in Night City had limited interior height, he felt like he was hunched over in a toy car no matter what he was sitting in. His expression, which looked worse than if he had swallowed a fly, made even the usually stern Qiwei cover her mouth.

Falco looked out the window, his eyes seemingly always smiling, clearly not understanding why Pila had suddenly started yelling.

"Be quiet for a second, you bastard. Did I screw you over?"

Rebecca's spent cartridge case popped out of the muzzle of her gun, and she repeated the action of loading shotgun shells as if to pass the time, clearly speechless.

This isn't the first time Lin Yue has been ruthless, is it?
He and Roger, with just a few words, turned an unfortunate fellow into a target, and even attracted the priest's hatred...

That's terrible.

Pila looked at her younger sister in the rearview mirror, her heart aching terribly. "Only you think that kid is decent enough."

Qiwei said sullenly, "Speaking of which, Rin has given us quite a few opportunities. Pila, don't let your personal feelings tarnish her reputation—by the way, how's Arasaka Academy?"

Upon hearing this, Rebecca's eyes lit up as she waited for her target.

"not bad."

In the professional skills assessment at Arasaka Academy, Rebecca's design, theoretical knowledge of gun structure, and insights into gun optimization and improvement were all unique and fully worthy of the information scanned from Lin Yue's panel.

At that moment, Pila stretched his long neck out from the passenger seat and said, "How dare you brag like that?"

Qi Wei crossed her arms. "Huh? So you're even cooler?"

Pila spat as he spoke, “Of course! Level 2 technical skill, which fully meets the continuing education graduation standards! Most importantly, I proved it to that guy in terms of prosthetic structure! Ugh, just thinking about how that guy looked down on people makes me furious.”

Rebecca shrugged. "But I'm not qualified to design prosthetics either."

Pila can tolerate verbal attacks from her younger sister in any area, but she is absolutely intolerant of any flaws when it comes to her prized skills.

Seeing that the two siblings were about to start arguing, Qiwei placed her hand between them.

After exchanging greetings about each other's parents, the two sulked and hugged their arms, a tactic that hurt both sides immensely.

Falco, smoking, grinned like a fool watching a child. Qiwei shook her head. Although they had all done a lot of work together, this unreliable feeling had never disappeared.

At this moment, Pila asked quietly, "Qiwei, how old do you think David is?"

No one realized what Pila meant by asking that question.

Rebecca was the first to understand, "There's a kid, about sixteen or seventeen—"

Qiwei was somewhat taken aback.

So the brother and sister took turns telling David's story.

"I think that kid is too weak, it makes me angry just looking at him."

Pila waved his hand, without explaining why he was so agitated.

Anyway, no one could guess what the relationship was between the student who was bullied at school and Lin Yue; it was just a topic of casual conversation before the stakeout mission.

"Speaking of which, we haven't caused any trouble for the Sixth Street Gang yet."

Rebecca stretched.

They had spent most of their time in Westbrook and Santo Domingo, so they were naturally very familiar with the Sixth Street gang. This was also the first time their team had done this kind of negotiation meeting; it was Roger who made the connection.

Lin Yue was right; indeed, some people were not convinced by the priest.

What the team needs to do now is to get rid of the people the priest is supporting, so that Roger can fill in the gaps in the selection process—and the team also has to shift the blame onto the Sixth Street gang.

Falco glanced at the time and tossed his cigar out the window. "That's about enough. Keep a close eye on things. I'll be waiting for you along the retreat route."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the team switched from a nonchalant attitude to a serious one.

At the same time, the phone rang in everyone's prosthetic eyes; it was Roger.

"An ambush, kids, to take down those ruthless tigers of the Sixth Street Gang. Shall we do this properly and professionally?"

The only answer Roger received was the sound of a gun being cocked.

(End of this chapter)