Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 266 Competitive Spirit [7.9K]

"And you? Have you figured out what to do next?"

If only time could stop at this moment, Lin Yue thought Valerie was special today—not that he disliked her defiant micro-expressions and upright posture, but compared to girls who were covered in thorns and made people subconsciously want to back away, the gentleness she could offer was a deadly hallucinogen.

"I don't know, and I don't know how long Lai Xuan was watching... It feels like he only made his move when he felt the time was right. I was completely used as a pawn..."

V's expression changed slightly.

"Just a pawn, right?"

Although I hate to admit it and I'm very unhappy about it, that's the truth.

However, since things have come to this point, all we can do is take it one step at a time. Indeed, Lin Yue has been taking things one step at a time. Most things in this world are beyond our usual way of thinking, and it is even more dangerous and challenging than when Lin Yue first arrived here and saw this world clearly.

"Is your home... somewhere west of here, across the sea, in the hometown of Contau?"

V couldn't help but ask.

V's strict upbringing at home and in the company meant she had no chance to date. Families that value the next generation's succession and career development place even greater emphasis on behavior—especially on teenage girls.

So, strictly speaking, her psychology was nothing more than trying to use a highly controlling demeanor to mask the fear she felt about being abandoned.

Having witnessed too many scandalous tales in Night City, people often confuse the body with the soul, calling the collision of excitement and hormones "love"—perhaps it's normal to have a new lover tomorrow, but Valerie doesn't want that. She wants loyalty and is willing to express it, just as she is loyal to Arasaka.

Of course, Lin Yue had no idea that this girl, who appeared to be as cold as ice and was known in his memory as "V Zhentian," would have such contrasting thoughts; perhaps emotional and physical tendencies are often a disguise for what is most lacking in one's psyche, such as her occasional kindness that is inconsistent with her behavior.

In V's view, wanting to know everything about someone you love is not just an empty phrase.

In this sense, Valerie's experience was her first love, and also her first time being so cautious.

Lin Yue didn't know how to answer this abstract question...

parallel world?

Or... do I come from a vast, fertile land without Kangtao?

Let's just not talk about it. V had been scrutinizing his seemingly nonsensical past life memories, and Lin Yue didn't want her to look at him with cold disappointment, so he spoke up.

"Hmm, I guess so, but... it's a very stable place."

A curious expression appeared on V's face, and her slightly disheveled hair, caused by vigorous exercise, moved forward in sync with her movements.

"The company wouldn't get out of control like that. People are happily living their own little lives. Guns, ammunition, and crime are strictly prohibited, not to mention the gray and illegal businesses in Night City."

V seemed to think Lin Yue was telling a fairy tale, his mouth slightly open.

But seeing his wrist resting on his forehead, his earnest and nostalgic expression, I couldn't utter a single rebuttal.

Perhaps his approach to things differs from Night City's usual methods, and their differing views stem from this.

"And what about you? Uh... I mean your family?"

Lin Yue gave V a strange look. "That's not fair, you didn't even tell me—"

Seeing V's expression change in an instant, Lin Yue chuckled sheepishly and became honest, "My parents also had an accident when they were young."

This is true before the time travel; my aunt supported me for three years of schooling before university. Later, perhaps out of a boy's pride, I did a lot of part-time jobs in university, doing what I wanted, working in social media, etc., and still had the energy to take care of myself and even give back to the relatives and friends who helped me...

It's better not to mention it, but once it's brought up, I still miss my friends and family in that world.

It feels like it was decades ago.

They come, the security.

Lin Yue thought about his other past experiences in his subconscious and realized that he couldn't talk about them at all. After all, in V's opinion, starting higher education at the age of eighteen was probably a terrible thing.

The person who was still thinking about how to continue the conversation didn't see the look of regret and helplessness on V's face.

"Feel sorry."

Lin Yue smiled, not feeling that Valerie's question had affected him.

"If possible... let's abandon this company and go back to Dogtown, Rin."

Lin Yue could clearly sense the slowness in V's hand movements, as if she was hesitant. Even if her lover was accompanied by her rival, she didn't want Lin Yue to be coerced by other, higher-risk individuals in the heart of Night City, like in Watson District.

Even the fearless female warrior has her fears, which makes V hesitant to accept it.

“Emma Watson will definitely face obstacles in court. Lai Xuan has even used Adam Hammer... He's willing to risk anything. You have to see the reality.”

Lin Yue had just shaken his head when V's words followed.

"The companies in Night City are all giant corporations with millions of employees and a presence all over the world. NID's subsidiaries can't compete without a solid foundation, do you understand?"

"Furthermore... other companies already know about what happened at Watson Industrial Park. I was in charge of helping Arasaka plant corporate spies in other companies, and it's highly likely that they've all been reviewing your battle with Adam Hammer on their desks."

V's incoherent rambling was actually quite amusing.

Lin Yue listened silently, but she seemed oblivious to the gleam in the man's eyes as she continued speaking.

“Okay, I forgot you might not know how these companies rose to prominence, take Zeta Technologies for example—”

Lin Yue's slow "hmm" sound came from below V. This guy was lazy, enjoying his lap pillow with his eyes slightly closed.

"Small companies invariably rise to prominence by seizing market share and through corporate warfare and post-war reconstruction... but Night City is not like that."

Lin Yue was uncertain about the future, development, and challenges of the company.

But when it comes to the company's history, V underestimates himself.

Lin Yue, who has a good grasp of information about this world, can accurately recount the history of most companies just by thinking about it in his mind. Of course... he died too early from sitting in front of the computer, so it's understandable that some memories are incomplete.

"For example, Zeta Technology, which has grown from a personal computer business to a giant enterprise with artificial intelligence, weapons, prosthetics, wet components, hovercraft, etc., is an extremely rare example."

"So... was it worth it, Rin, for Arasaka Yorinobu's request?"

"He wants Arakawa's power so much that he's willing to weaken himself and rely on external forces. Cooperating with this kind of person... would be very dangerous."

Lin Yue then remembered that V had no idea about Lai Xuan's purpose.

In other words, the reputation of Arasaka's internal V and his own faction might be very bad. You know, Goro Takemura bluntly described Yoriyuki and his people as "lackeys." Before everything is revealed, people will only think that they are power-hungry and greedy.

Being cared for might be a good thing. Lin Yue felt like he had a home in Night City. The more he craved it, the more he wanted to protect it, but he was unwilling to say it out loud.

"Then you should also know, V, how difficult it is to get off this ship once you're on board..."

"Is Dogtown safe? Without the company's support, a closed loop cannot be formed, and Hansen will regain the initiative. Only by continuing indefinitely can the status quo be maintained."

V still thinks the guy who was scared when he first saw him threatening him with a knife was cuter.

Because he saw things so clearly, he allowed everything to be truthfully revealed to the two people who had just established an intimate relationship.

"Shut up, and don't talk while I'm talking next time."

V's hand, like squeezing a deflated balloon, went straight up and grabbed Lin Yue's mouth.

Frustrated by the inability to break free from the status quo, she could only vent her anger on the man who refused to comply with her wishes.

Lin Yue's eyes widened. The trial period for Gentle V went by way too fast!

"Well!"

V grinned wickedly at the guy beneath him, wanting to speak, but after squeezing his hand for a long time, he finally let go.

V was somewhat puzzled.

Lin Yue, slightly out of breath, continued, "I expected that Emma's attempt to gain control would be thwarted."

V's tone was beyond question.

"I'll take care of it."

Lin Yue immediately rejected the proposal.

"There are many people watching you in Arasaka. Aren't you afraid of getting into trouble by taking action for a 'traitor'?"

V asked, puzzled, "Then what do I need to do?"

Lin Yue felt that this woman showed absolutely no fear after the danger.

The subtle and tense atmosphere in the courtyard actually helped Lin Yue a lot, preventing Arakawa from immediately dealing with him.

"For example, I need professional advice from someone like you on things like starting up and operating a company. Dogtown needs it."

Lin Yue glanced at V's hand. "Keep yourself away from danger, dear minister."

V stared at Lin Yue in astonishment.

For a long time, her best method has been to use cybernetic implants and gunfire to silence the enemy. Both her superiors and colleagues praised her for this, to the point that she always felt she had to help Lin Yue get rid of something, or that she had to actively target the enemy herself. This was also a habitual way of thinking that she had developed from working as the head of the counterintelligence department for too long.

The first time someone told her to be careful.

It was that damned bastard who said it in a way that was almost like flirting.

V, who was about to explode, heard this guy's words of reconciliation.

“If I really need you, I'll beg you to come, and... V, there's nothing wrong with being here, and I think I can help you, if you just say so—”

The woman brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, leaned down, and shut her up.

Lin Yue felt that the single, beautiful women in the company should start dating soon, otherwise they would develop a strong desire to control and a habit of constantly trying to get close to their loved ones.

Of course, this isn't the only aspect that makes it "horrifying".

"Want to do it again?"

Lin Yue felt as if his body had been malfunctioning due to a prosthetic, with electric current coursing through him. He looked at V's slightly parted lips, which were glistening.

This reminded him of synthetic meat advertisements: "Slaughtered creatures, satisfying your instincts."

Just when Lin Yue thought V was going to continue, she got up, grabbed her phone from the side, and waved it in front of Lin Yue.

"The person who's been working so hard for you is back; I have to respect them."

"Ok?"

There was the sound of footsteps on the floor in the corridor. Because the combat system required coordination, Lin Yue and V both had very sharp hearing.

Emma?

In his surprise, Lin Yue then remembered that V was still there. The two of them didn't look particularly good, but V was acting slowly and deliberately.

Seeing Lin Yue's panicked and disorganized expression, she slowed down even further—

"But I really don't like her that much. Besides, is our relationship something to be ashamed of?"

Just as Lin Yue was about to get up, footsteps stopped at the door.

……

The woman in the hallway looked terrible, as if she had been humiliated. She held a cigarette between her fingers and wore a perfectly pressed executive skirt—proof that she had made thorough preparations for today's favor.

But her expression was terrifying.

Her wide eyes seemed to be staring intently at the enemy, her trembling hand gripping the cigarette between her red lips, and her short, rapid breaths suppressed the hatred she felt towards the scoundrels in court who were lying through their teeth.

"Huff... huff..."

She wanted to see her lover in a presentable manner, which is why she stopped at the door and tried her best to calm her violent emotions.

The cigarette butt lying on the ground had clear teeth marks on its filter, so deep that even the cotton fibers inside had been squeezed out.

When the automatic door opened, Emma immediately saw the person she had been longing for, unharmed. However, there was also a woman next to her who, in her bad mood, she absolutely did not want to see.

From Arakawa?!

How did she get here? How could she be here?
Emma's hands, which had been resting on her stomach, immediately clenched slightly, and a hint of malice began to creep beneath her smiling eyes...

Lin Yue knew what kind of person Emma was, and he figured she would misunderstand the current situation.

If I had known I would die in Delaman's taxi, none of this would have happened.

"I'm so glad you're alright."

Seemingly ignoring the woman, Emma spoke calmly, but her eyes darted between the woman's movements as she straightened her clothes and the man's unnatural gaze. With her keen sense of smell, she naturally knew what it meant.

Emma, ​​who once thought that Rin needed to rely on the Arasaka Company, believed that managing Dogtown well was enough. Compared to the small town, Rin in Arasaka needed to put in more effort to deal with all sorts of problems, and this woman could help Rin, which is why she chose to give up possession.

But Emma resisted the urge to resist Rin and rush into the industrial park, and when she learned that V was also there, she changed her mind.

Rin is now a Natural Person.

Outside of the company, Arasaka posed a threat to him; that's all Emma saw, not to mention…

Someone is obstructing the court today.

It must be Arasaka who's determined to stick to his guns.

Sensing something was wrong, Lin Yue tried to interrupt. He knew Emma very well; in her eyes, he was in a state of breaking with Arasaka—naturally, she would be hostile towards V. Moreover, this woman was crazy, and he couldn't predict what she would do. On the contrary, someone seemed oblivious, patiently fastening the magnetic buttons on his suit.

“Miss Emma, ​​I am a woman.”

V spoke up quietly, "So please don't stare at my body parts, okay?"

Not good...

The first thing she said was off. Emma's lips twitched, her anger well concealed, and she slowly walked towards Rin, shifting her gaze from the woman's perfectly toned legs.

I've seen V many times.

Emma never thought this woman's personality would lead her to wear a bodycon corporate skirt that showcases gender advantages and highlights her features in the workplace.

Emma, ​​who had walked to stand next to Lin Yue, was completely unaware that the guy was practically frozen in place, and was just staring at the woman from the company with a nonchalant gaze.

"I just didn't expect that Ms. V, who is so reluctant to leave her job, would have the leisure to come here and do something. What's wrong? Did Arasaka send you here to tighten the strings for us, so that you'll come to your senses sooner?

V's eyes suddenly snapped open.

After all, she was a company agent who handled all sorts of dirty work year-round, with blood on her hands. Just one look from her made Emma's expression change immediately.

Damn woman…

“I don’t like hearing sarcastic remarks… Just because he’s grateful to you doesn’t mean I have to do anything about it, Miss Emma. I suggest you don’t talk to me like that.”

"Not losing my job was his promise to me, a guarantee he gave me. Do I need to explain anything to you about that?"

Lin Yue scratched the back of his head.

Emma really knows how to bring up the most sensitive topics. I had just been guiding V through this issue... and now she's starting again.

Not only that, V casually picked up a piece of fabric as thin as a cicada's wing but clearly no longer suitable for wearing, and glanced at the guy who was trying to block the two of them. It was just that one look that made Lin Yue retract his action.

“V…”

V acted as if she hadn't heard him, lightly tossing the silk onto him. "You've got the strength in one hand, huh? Jinguji, you'd better think about how you're going to compensate me, at least 500 euros—and then there's you, when did you start asking me questions in front of me?"

I need to answer you—

Emma saw the light, fluttering garment fall onto the man, and her breathing immediately quickened. Her expression turned hostile, and she trembled slightly before interrupting, "Isn't that right? That's the difference between you and me! People in the company just can't shake off their selfish habits!"

"You think Arasaka's troubles aren't enough? You want to add another one, don't you?!"

This is definitely a dangerous statement...

Lin Yue subconsciously swallowed.

This woman is a real corporate executioner, a real executioner.

So he had no choice but to take some action.

Seeing V's eyes narrow, Lin Yue quickly said to Emma, ​​"Alright, let's get down to business..."

late.

V moved quickly. As a top-notch mercenary, she could easily bypass the one-armed Lin Yue. Emma suddenly retreated, letting out a muffled groan. In an instant, her prosthetic arm with distinct knuckles grabbed the woman's snow-white neck!

As Emma's body was pressed against the wall, V, with his back to Lin Yue, casually placed his other hand in front of him.

Uh…

surrender!

Lin Yue could only signal Emma not to overreact, but little did he expect that this woman would become completely out of control when she went crazy.

It can be said that once she has made up her mind, she will stubbornly stick to it unless you can convince her otherwise!
"Let go of me!" Emma gripped V's wrists with both hands. The pain and suffocation made Emma's mind go blank, but there was a familiar thrill.

The woman in front of her was an enemy, and she immediately put aside the feeling of weakness that came with it, and fought back fiercely.

V leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Let me tell you, this is all a scheme to conjure up assets. We're all just carrying it out. It's just that we've been in such a rush that we haven't had a chance to talk to you yet, understand? And I really dislike losing. I let you off the hook last time because of him. I just hadn't thought things through properly."

"Ok?"

Emma blushed slightly, looking at Lin Yue who seemed completely at a loss. She was taking a deep breath.

"V...can you let go?"

Lin Yue also patiently offered a word of advice.

As expected, V relaxed his hand slightly and continued, "Did you think the goods in Dogtown came from nowhere? Nobody paved the roads in Night City. You'll have to spend your whole life dealing with drug dealers in that crappy place. Who knows, Hansen might make another move, and you'll rot away without anyone knowing!"

"For a business to form a closed loop, he has to shoulder all of these responsibilities... There are also company blockades below, and all of these require people to handle."

Emma's hands, which were trying to pry V's hands apart, immediately weakened, and she simply rested them on V's wrists without moving them.

actually…

Lin Yue, facepalming, knew that proper communication would have prevented this from happening, but he was also familiar with V's personality. Having suffered a loss at Arasaka Tower, V, who came from a corporate family, was very serious about everything. In other words, it was just her way of putting on a show of force.

However, what was said above... although the reasoning was sound, still made Lin Yue blush.

“I know you’ve helped him a lot and helped him gain a foothold, which is why I respect you… When I was little, I loved to eat fish, but no one dared to touch it, so I don’t really like sharing—” Then the woman’s beautiful eyes gently looked at Emma’s exquisite curves, and her fingers mischievously caressed the prosthetic lines on Emma’s cheek, causing the other woman to tremble slightly.

"I might have put you here because you helped him, or maybe your brain, which you don't want to heal, loves him, but it's definitely not because I like seeing you here."

Tears welled up in Emma's misty eyes.

Lin Yue felt like his head was about to explode...

Don't look at him! Look at me.

V forcefully moved Emma's cheek with her fingers, "I won't cause him any trouble if I'm here—"

Just as she was about to continue applying pressure, Emma suddenly burst into laughter, interrupting her.

This threw V off balance. Perhaps because the feeling of suffocation had subsided and the short, rapid breaths had irritated her throat, Emma coughed violently. Tears and glistening saliva from her lips dripped onto the delicately stitched black cuffs.

V's expression immediately turned ugly.

With a cold expression, V was certain of one thing... This woman is definitely sick!

Just as she was about to pull her hand away, Emma suddenly grabbed V's wrist, wanting her to continue pinching her. Her laughter was not only manic, but her body was also shaking uncontrollably.

"you…"

"So... Miss V, you've been standing here for so long just to watch me eat the leftovers?" Emma's eyelids drooped slightly. She had a feeling that the girl from this company would definitely be liked by some girls from Night City. Yes, that's right, girls like her.

Emma dared to say it, but Lin Yue didn't dare to listen.

Especially after V slightly tilted his head and noticed that glimpse of the corner of his eye, he felt that he should try to persuade Old V to stay and let him finish eliminating the remaining threats.

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

V tried to shake off her hand, but Emma pounced on her, leaning close to her ear and saying in a sarcastic tone, "I ate the first bite, why pretend you didn't know? He's under my sex doll program and keeps chanting your name, tsk tsk..."

"In some ways, aren't you being too conservative?"

Not only that, he also blew a breath onto the woman's earlobe, which immediately turned red.

V was struck dumb; the feeling of being utterly defeated and disarmed immediately enraged her.

"What the hell!"

"Don't!"

Lin Yue felt that if things continued like this, a fight would break out, so he quickly grabbed V's wrist and pulled her to his side.

Seeing that Lin Yue was stopping her, she bent over slightly, put her hand on her chest and breathed heavily, while giving Lin Yue a reproachful look.

But she still smiled and said, "You smell really good, darling."

V's chest heaved, partly because she had really gotten carried away, and partly because she quickly realized that Lin Yue was holding her wrist. So she pursed her lips and angrily shook off his hand.

"What a fucking bastard!"

Lin Yue: ?
Looking at his empty hand and the woman's departing figure, Lin Yue felt that he was the one who was hurt the most.

As the woman's crisp high heels faded into the distance, Lin Yue, who had been stunned for a while, was awakened by Emma's sweet, soft voice—

"Stop looking, everyone is gone."

After saying that, she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and gave the guy who hadn't offered her any help for so long a light glare. "It's so good that you're alright."

She placed her hand obediently on Lin Yue's chest, tiptoed slightly to kiss his eyelids, and looked at Lin Yue's empty left arm with heartache.

"Tomorrow, the prosthetic doctor... uh, Old Wei, the best street urchin in Japan, will fit me with it."

Lin Yue sat down gently, and Emma breathed a sigh of relief.

"What about prosthetics?"

Lin Yue's expression was somewhat awkward. "Aside from the scientific team that was forcibly detained by the state, the prosthetic body's program is still not corrected. We can only maintain its basic functions for now... I'm sorry, I haven't had a chance to explain to you yet."

Looking at the hand on the woman's snow-white neck, V's grip was so heavy...

No wonder she's a team leader who treats her subordinates like dogs and doesn't hold back.

Emma touched her neck. "She's just as good as you. You have to be careful that she doesn't attract the attention of some girls."

The speaker has no intention and the listener has the intention.

His memories confirmed this, and Lin Yue could only say helplessly, "Why did I provoke her..."

Emma suddenly leaned close to Lin Yue's ear and breathed softly, "My ears turned red when I spoke... just like you, I'm just a girl putting on a brave face. You weren't like this when you were with her just now, were you? But if she doesn't explain, I'm really going to fight her."

Do you think I would be a good fit for a prosthetic body?

Everyone... is in great danger.

Lin Yue could only laugh it off and let the matter drop.

"If she were here, we might be able to take care of other things, but she's not here now, and I'm worried about you—how about we call it a day?"

Lin Yue tensed up upon hearing this.

He suddenly realized that there was a reason why the big steel cannon sold so well.

Emma stopped teasing the guy, and besides, she was in a really bad mood before she came in.

She looked into Lin Yue's eyes, reached behind her neck and pulled out a chip. "Before V explained it to me, I thought it was Arasaka's doing. Since it was all part of your plan, you'll have to see what happened in court today."

Lin Yue's eyes immediately darkened, and his expression became serious.

"What exactly happened?"

Emma pondered for a moment, “Perhaps it’s because a stable structure can’t accommodate new things, just like V’s natural aversion to me—the competitive spirit inherent in human nature.”

"It could be a powerful individual, or it could be other companies that have sensed something. Some of the legislators are being very stubborn."

Lin Yue inserted the chip into the back of her neck.

Emma whispered from the side, "If Arasaka is no longer suspected of being the target of our suppression, then... we need to think about how not to become the target of everyone's criticism. There's also the recent media coverage of the industrial park incident in Night City. Arasaka just gave it a push, and other companies are considering placing their bets."

Lin Yue's eyes gleamed as he finished examining the chip after a moment.

A name slipped from his lips, tinged with a chill, "Nitta Heya..."

Then he asked Emma.

"What do you think?"

Emma looked intently at the man's expression. "If I'm not mistaken... V will also help you complete the Dogville plot, assassinate the king, and make the other companies shut up and acknowledge our legal status."

"I have a question for you. How do you and Ms. V handle company problems?"

Lin Yue thought for a moment.

"Take action."

literal meaning.

Emma laughed and said, "The company's power has expanded so much that things that used to be just talk have now turned into physical fights, and they've given these methods respectable names."

"Seizing the core technology of an enemy company and kidnapping its executives are personnel activities. Attacks and defenses against the enemy are emergency interventions. The worst thing is the issue of ownership – whoever bleeds more and loses more will not have ownership."

Lin Yue nodded, following Emma's words, "We can only stay in Night City, after all, the Night City officials and the Night Clan are there—"

Emma asked abruptly.

"For her? How enviable..."

Lin Yue shook his head helplessly. "Once we leave Night City, the company's methods will become even more aggressive. This is the root cause of several company wars. They will stop newcomers from taking a share of their profits at all costs, even if it turns into a battlefield."

Emma saw that Lin Yue knew what a reasonable scope was, and how he would prevent other companies from recklessly suppressing NID, the logistics company, and the closed loop formed by Dogtown.

So she added, "Let the ringleaders pay the price once, and they'll understand what to do once they see the consequences."

Lin Yue uttered a few syllables with intonation.

Emma's translator understood it; it was exactly the same as her description.

That word is called...

"To kill the chicken as a warning to the monkey."

……

……

(End of this chapter)