Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 395 Power (Part 2) [5.2K]

"What the hell are you trying to do?!"

"Let me go! Believe me or not, I'll have someone kill all of you idiots! Damn... go easy on me!"

Dexter and his group went to the most private room upstairs in the bar, where Dexter's face was barely presentable.

"What exactly do you want? I can give you anything—"

"Hold!"

Herman, completely covered by a black hood, was practically about to wet his pants, and his mental stress was nearing its limit.

The people below had no idea why Dexter had tied up this idiot, so they used the most brutal methods available on the streets.

It is simple, effective, and has a deterrent effect.

Even so, Dexter still put on a fake show of concern...

"I asked you to invite them over, and this is how you do things?"

Upon hearing Dexter's words, Herman, who was gasping for breath behind his mask, paused for a moment...

Dexter waved his hand with a look of disappointment.

The security guards quickly pulled the hood off Herman's face. Perhaps seeing that Dexter wasn't staring at him menacingly, Herman looked around nervously. His legs were so weak that he had to be supported by two security guards to keep from collapsing to the ground.

“Mr. Herman”.

Dexter put on his usual Night City middleman expression again, as if he wasn't the one who hadn't dared to utter a word in front of the company just moments before.

Herman's biggest fear right now is being called by his full name. It gives him a sense of panic, like he's being targeted by Arasaka. He even feels that Arasaka's elite squad is standing outside the door, ready to come in and take his life at any moment.

"Who...who the hell is Hermann!"

Hermann wouldn't give up until he saw the Yellow River.

To Dexter, the more the great scientist played his childish tricks, the higher the chances of success he felt.

So the fat Jesus from Night City generously tossed the chip in his hand to Herman. "Chito, Arasaka, biotechnology... Herman, I know far more than you think—I think I have to apologize to you. My subordinates don't know the rules. My original intention was to talk to you about cooperation, about how to keep your life in the company's hands."

Herman didn't dare to speak, but under the pressure of the two burly security guards, he was rather thin despite his decent height, and looked rather scholarly, so he naturally didn't dare to argue with these desperados anymore.

"this…"

Dexter looked at Hermann's hesitant gaze.

"Don't worry, I, Dexter, used to be a big shot in Pacific. I can do whatever I want to you, but not in such a foolish way—"

At this point, Herman, eager to see the chip, glanced at it; it contained all his information.

To be honest, there are some things that even his own mother might not know, but he can see them all here.

He has connections to all levels of society.

These four words are Hermann's current assessment of Dexter.

The company's top-secret information, which even their corporate spies couldn't dig out, how could it be in the hands of a middleman from Night City?

Herman had long heard that Night City was the worst place in the US, where anything could be negotiated, and that the mercenaries and middlemen there were known for their fearlessness. He now believed it.

"Where did you get it?"

Dexter did not respond to that.

Creating an air of mystery is one of his trump cards.

Anyone with no street fighting experience or who is a complete novice would be stunned by Dexter's combo. Just imagine, there's nothing more reassuring than someone who has no ill intentions showing off their omniscience.

DeShawn is now Herman's lifeline.

However, since it concerned the company, Herman wanted to know the extent of Dexter DeShawn's influence.

Dexter's information was deliberately given to him by certain people, which is why he has such great confidence. No matter what kind of tricks the military technology plays, the most important thing for him now is to turn the tables with the little golden man in front of him.

"How can you help me?"

Dexter discovered that the guys who randomly sought medical help on the street all had one thing in common: they had no understanding of the rules of the street.

You always have to give something to get something in return...

Dexter was getting straight to the point. "You also took a technological prototype from Arasaka, didn't you?"

There was a dead silence.

Hermann, kneeling and leaning on the coffee table while examining the chip, pursed his lips—

suddenly!

He got up and tried to rush out the door!
"let me go!"

"be honest!"

Dexter lost interest in stalling any longer. Instead, he stood up, cigar in hand, and paced back and forth. The noise was no bother to him. He needed to go through the cards in his hand before the bodyguard dealt with Herman and see if there was anything he could use.

After being "friendly" persuaded by security, Herman obediently sat back down on the sofa. With the scars left on his face by his terrible shaving skills, he looked no different from a malnourished homeless person on the streets of Night City.

"Whoever takes that thing will die... do you understand?"

Herman was panting heavily.

Even though his bones were aching all over, he still said it.

He was more afraid of being beaten than of Relic being taken back by Arasaka and dying under Arasaka's purge.

Currently, all the companies that dare to go head-to-head with Arasaka are in Europe. In Night City, the only one that meets his criteria is Kanto, but he lacks confidence that Kanto will take him without having seen Relic…

Dexter's tone was dismissive.

"Do you think everyone will be safe and sound just because you have this thing?"

"Believe me, your rudimentary skills won't be enough to protect this thing in Night City... but I'm a nice guy and want to find a suitable buyer for it. By the way, I've done a few things for you."

"Kangtao, does that sound familiar?"

Hermann glanced at the business card Dexter had swiped across the coffee table and noticed that the animated little card bore the Camtau logo…

Below, two lines of text were clearly written in Chinese:
[Personnel Department - Minister]

【Song Zhao】.

Hermann was instantly dumbfounded.

How did this obese man in front of me, who looks like he's eaten too much junk food, has excessive fatty liver, and is wearing a maroon vest, get involved with Kang Tao?
"you…"

Hermann desperately wanted a contact number for Contau, specifically from a high-ranking member of this branch.

Dexter just dumped the stuff on us like that?

"Give me the things."

Dexter, smoking a cigarette, pointed at Herman across the room. "You see, the situation is terrible. Since this morning, a bunch of reckless idiots have gathered at the entrance of Arasaka. Decades ago, a nuclear bomb razed this place to the ground. It's not impossible for something like that to happen again in the blink of an eye."

"The safest thing is for that thing to be separated from you."

Herman pointed to his chest with both hands, "But I don't trust anyone anymore! The pressure is too much... I just want to be shot by Arasaka!"

“Don’t say such things, Mr. Herman.”

Anyone can talk big.

Dexter shrugged, stopping the bodyguard who wanted to come up and continue to teach Herman a lesson. Looking at the tall, thin scientist curled up, Dexter shook his head. "Don't trust anyone... interesting. But yesterday you even had a doll visit your temporary place in Night City. It was quite expensive. You transferred a full five thousand euros afterward, didn't you?"

Hermann finally understood!

He's here now; who knows, the chip might already be...

"That woman has a temperature sensor on her?!"

Seeing Herman's hysterical state, Dexter sighed helplessly. "He won't even let anyone use the toilet. Isn't that a given? Don't worry, I found that sex doll named Evelyn Parker. She doesn't have as many ulterior motives as you think. Otherwise, do you think you could find such a precious girl if you kept your mouth shut?"

"It's just for confirmation."

Herman swallowed hard.

Now that the item was in someone else's possession, he naturally dared not speak loudly, and could only watch helplessly as Dexter burned the thick South American tobacco.

"That thing needs a constant low-temperature environment. To ensure the safety of your business, you need to protect it."

"Even if the chip is destroyed and its integrity is lost, do not try to put the chip into your brain-computer interface, understand?"

Dexter, seeing Herman's cryptic expression, couldn't help but feel curious.

"Arasaka really did research this..."

"A thing that brings the dead back to life?"

Perhaps Herman was driven crazy by a bellyful of secrets, and coupled with the innate desire to express himself that academic researchers naturally possess, he simply began to explain in detail, "The bio-coating on the outside of the chip is theoretically the same as human hematopoietic stem cells, no... it even has the characteristic of plants being able to undergo metamorphosis, do you understand? That thing will replace your original brain and build an empty shell to store the consciousness inside the chip!"

Not only Dexter, but also the two bodyguards behind Herman had their mouths slightly agape…

Dexter's Adam's apple bobbed. "Is it a tech joke?"

Hermann stood up, his voice trembling with emotion. "I'm fucking serious!"

"sit down!"

The bodyguard behind him shouted at him.

Herman curled his lip and sat down, half of his butt sticking out of the sofa. "They call it a digital consciousness, but it's not much different from a fabricated AI. It's a product only the devil would have. Do you know how much effort Arasaka will have to put into finding these things after martial law is lifted? If I'm not mistaken... the entire Night City won't be enough to go down with it."

Dexter then added a comment.

"Arasaka's aircraft carrier is currently docked outside."

An aircraft carrier?!
Herman looked ashen.

Dexter asked curiously, "It seems like this is to prevent other companies from hindering Arasaka's search progress... Do you know anything about why martial law is in place in Arasaka, Herman? There are rumors that things are about to change in Arasaka, that the most powerful man in the world, Saburo Arasaka, is dead?"

Herman turned his head away. "Are you crazy?"

Dexter wasn't really interested in these things; right now, he needed to figure out how to help Herman.

“Use my inside line, my hacking bug will connect you... You’ll have to lobby the HR manager at Kangtao yourself.”

"Well…"

Dexter glanced at the time. "I'll give you one hour. I need to go down and arrange for the buyer of this chip. A bunch of Russians are in Night City right now, and we'll see what happens tonight."

Herman was initially panicked. He didn't think he could get Kanto to accept him under such great pressure from Arasaka. Besides, there was this Dexter, who was incredibly audacious!
"Sold to the Soviets?!"

But upon closer reflection…

Besides Kanto and Soviet Russia, companies in the European Community could also be sold, but Arasaka's influence there was not to be underestimated, so they were basically hard to get rid of.

However, there is still one problem.

So where is this thing traded?

After all, it was a matter of life and death for him, and Herman wanted to offer his opinion... but for now, he obediently followed the hacker's instructions and contacted Kangtao.

As soon as the other party confirmed his identity, they agreed to Herman's request to defect. Moreover, considering that Arasaka might have blocked the sea route, they said they could take Herman away from the Badlands, all the way inland. The strongest security group in Contau would be responsible for escorting Herman's airship. Once they flew over Dogtown, the Badlands would be full of insignificant wanderers.

They said that agents would be coming to pick up Herman soon.

Herman was still in a daze even after hanging up the phone…

All I see are bubbles of happiness.

He didn't even care about issues like salary.

【Kangtao Intelligent Electronic Solutions】

The marketing slogans that he used to think were incredibly tacky now seemed to be full of professionalism.

"nailed it?"

Dexter had an expression that said, "I knew it."

"Night City's most low-key company is more than capable of going head-to-head with Arasaka and military technology, but they are a bit too conservative... Their strength is undeniable."

Hermann nodded repeatedly.

This time, however, it was Dexter who looked worried, clearly indicating that business wasn't going well.

"These damn Russians and Soviets, talking about a bold and radical style, they're all fucking cowards!"

The bodyguard spread his hands, which was considered as him speaking for Dexter.

"They're rushing to Arasaka's territory to do business, clearly using it as an excuse to haggle over prices. What will happen if Arasaka finds out about this?"

T-BUG pushed open the door and came in. As a girl, she didn't have long hair, but rather short hair that was almost bald. After throwing herself onto the sofa, she glanced disdainfully at Herman, who was practically begging for her father's approval on the phone, and chewed her gum as she voiced her concerns.

Dexter pondered for a long time.

Soon, BUG saw a long-lost smile on the face of this old partner.

"Who said business deals have to be negotiated with only one company?"

"The Russians and Soviets are not easy to manipulate, and the Europeans are not to be trifled with either, so let the Europeans be the ones to take the fall."

"No matter whose money it is, once it arrives in our accounts, we'll all go our separate ways."

Herman looked at this group of thugs from the lower rungs of society, who had managed to finalize something that would cost them ten lives in a low-class nightclub, and he felt a genuine sense of admiration.

Everyone is afraid of companies.

But few people know how truly terrifying the company is.

No matter what you do, this behemoth will not collapse; it will always remain so, in an endless cycle.

Herman knew that it was none of his business where this thing ended up, but if Relic were to be found by Arasaka, it would likely be an act of war no less significant than the one fifty years ago.

Many people will pay the price for this.

All of this stemmed from the fact that one of his co-designers (Hermann himself) wanted to live.

Soon, Herman was taken away by the arriving agents. A guy named Song Zhao came in person. He wasn't very conspicuous. He just glanced at Herman's supporting documents and then turned around and left.

Dexter, who stood up hoping to appear docile, soon witnessed an embarrassing and humiliating scene.

That was because the agent behind Song Zhao, Kangtao, dropped the money chip in his hand on the ground before he could catch it, and Dexter could only awkwardly smile.

Song Zhao took a few steps and then stopped in place.

After thinking for a moment, he turned his head and said, "By the way, let me tell you guys that this matter ends here. You've never met the man named Herman, and we've never been here. No matter where you got this information from... I advise you to leave Night City as soon as possible."

Perhaps he remembered that young man from the badlands.

Song Zhao still wanted to say a few words to this guy…

Although he could foresee that the mercenary and the middleman wouldn't keep the secret for long, Song Zhao wanted to express his gratitude for the promotion so quickly, since the information had appeared in the possession of a guy who had once run through Night City. The company's sense of smell was undoubtedly sharp; some people could be poached, but Kang Tao would never touch things—like Relic.

Kanto's infiltration and spies had long known about the strangeness of that thing, and Kanto had a clear vision of the actual war and its long-term development, which is why he wanted Herman.

Dexter never expected to receive ivory from a dog's mouth...

"Okay, Mr. Song."

Song Zhaoyan had done his job. He didn't intend to cause trouble for the person who leaked the information. Compared to transporting Herman back to headquarters, everything else seemed insignificant.

This is taking responsibility for Kangtao's future.

After Kangtao and his gang left, Dexter kicked the money chip away with his expensive sneakers, muttering, "These dogs, they'd better start fighting soon!"

BUG said helplessly, "So what's the arrangement now? Does the location really have to be in Arasaka's properties? How about a biotechnology hotel?"

Dexter shook his head repeatedly.

"Europeans and Russians have a very keen sense of smell. Biotechnology is now just an empty shell. No matter what, Konjaku is still Arasaka's trump card industry. There is no place more reassuring than there."

“Arasaka is a smart man. He didn’t let people from other companies die in the Azure Building. Of course, they would choose that place.”

BUG nodded.

"Too…"

"I can easily breach the ICE perimeter of that hotel, but we'll need two daring guys to handle both the military technology and the chip issue together... um..."

Dexter suddenly burst out laughing.

"Still talking about military technology?"

"Do you really think I'd do this for those idiots? Not only that, I'm going to go all in, a final gamble to be the house that wins everything."

Bugs piqued my interest.

Dexter said with a hint of smugness, "Whether it's the Europeans or the Soviets who want the chips, whoever makes the first offer gets them. We only accept foreign bank transfers, and we can only withdraw our personnel after you confirm the withdrawal. Isn't military technology about finding a mole? What would Arasaka think if he knew that Night City headquarters was hiding a heavyweight mole?"

"I'd love for military technology to go into chaos."

"I may have been away for too long, making these corporate dogs forget that Night City still has someone as... audacious as me."

"BUG, you hate being a nobody and being bossed around, just like me. Now that you have the means and the source of your power to turn things around, what are you going to do?"

BUG, arms crossed, was deep in thought.

In just a few minutes, BUG reached for a glass of wine on the coffee table and downed it in one gulp under Dexter's gaze.

"Then become a big shot."

Dexter's deliberately slowed voice was full of appreciation.

“Indeed, I have already witnessed the rise of a new legend.”

……

……

(End of this chapter)