Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 416 The Onboarding Turmoil [1 words]

[March 12, 2079, 3:6.30 AM.]

David Martinez glanced at the time on his prosthetic eye, then stared absently at the holographic "No Walk" sign on the ground, as the woman mechanically repeated "Don't walk"...

"I really wish this thing could keep chanting, so I wouldn't have to go to that place..."

David, with his hands in his pockets, still looked quite young, but he was wearing a suit made of decent fabric. His thighs were shaking uncontrollably, indicating that he was very nervous.

[Caller ID: Arasaka 209830]

David's eyes narrowed sharply...

Damn, why did HR call so early?
Looking at the bustling crowd around him, David could only hurry across the street and find a relatively quiet street corner to answer the incessantly ringing holographic phone.

The woman opposite him smiled so perfectly, like a robot, that it gave David goosebumps all over.

"Hello, Mr. David Martinez, congratulations on successfully passing the seventh round of the career aptitude written test and the AI ​​large model interview. According to the schedule, you need to arrive at the reception desk on the first floor of the Arasaka Tower in the company square at 9:00 AM today—"

"Failure to arrive on time or being late may affect your smooth onboarding. You will be identified as a malicious job seeker by Arasaka Tower's human resources department, reported in the company database, and never hired again. Are you aware of the above?"

David, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, nodded hastily.

"Uh, I know, sorry... I will arrive at Arasaka Tower on time."

The woman's eyes narrowed even more, and her face revealed a chilling, enigmatic smile, like melted candy.

"That's...that's wonderful."

We look forward to your performance in the final interview.

Tick.

David, who had been tense all over, suddenly slumped down against a graffiti-covered chair on the street, as if his soul had been pulled out.

His tension had reached an uncontrollable level, to the point that he now had a strong urge to turn around, go home, do nothing, collapse onto the bed, pull the covers over his head, and drift off into a deep, unending dream…

David's mind was already racing with images of what would happen if he failed.

He squatted on the ground for a while before slowly standing up and continuing to walk towards the increasingly dense buildings of Night City, as if being pushed forward by the crowd.

Entering the Arasaka Tower was once David's dream, until that person appeared, and entering this skyscraper became David's dream as well.

But now, this dream seems to be becoming dispensable...

After all, that person no longer belonged to Arasaka Tower. David was like a target that had lost its aim, not knowing what the point of entering Arasaka Tower was.

But his mother's gaze was too intense, and she chose a dress in an expensive clothing store in the company square that would empty her half-year bonus... David could only keep walking.

Perhaps one should drive, or at least take public transportation, for such a formal occasion, but David had his reasons…

Before the interview, he hoped to bump into someone in Night City. Meeting a girl in a city of millions of people was something only a teenager would dare to gamble on.

But he had no other way to meet that girl again... because the price of entering the Arasaka Tower was so high that it meant losing love.

Two years.

The time was neither long nor short.

But it seems like there are two figures everywhere in Night City. For example, on the bench under the electronic cherry blossoms, a girl with silver hair and colorful ends covers her mouth and laughs, scolding the stiff boy next to her who just grins and scratches his head as an idiot...

For example: On the riverbank, a girl stands with her hands behind her back, talking proudly, while a boy below, sweating profusely, is diligently doing sit-ups. When he can't hold on any longer, the girl squats down next to him, tugs at his ear, and whispers something...

Upon hearing this, the boy's face immediately turned red, and he began to move wildly as if he didn't care about his life, making the girl burst into laughter while holding her stomach.

and also…

A boy and a girl, both wearing Arasaka Academy uniforms, walked one after the other through the bustling streets of Night City. The girl had her hands behind her back, her slender fingers carrying a backpack, while the boy behind her walked with his arm as a pillow, looking completely at ease…

The girl beckoned, and the boy, his face beaming with delight, reached out to grab her. But before he could touch her, she turned away with a sly smile, not only causing him to miss but also giving him a few sarcastic remarks.

Just as the boy was feeling down, the girl suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the city rail station entrance; any later and the next train wouldn't arrive for another half hour…

Laughter and the sweet fragrance emanating from the girl in the air are weapons of memory, attacking the boy's already fragile heart and dreams.

The dreamlike scene vanished, leaving only a company plaza surrounded by a few skyscrapers like stars around the moon.

The boy sighed, looking rather disappointed.

He took out his phone and swiped to find the person he hadn't contacted in a long time. There were more than a dozen unanswered messages, all sent by David. The earliest one was a month ago, on the day of his onboarding training after graduating from Arasaka Academy.

It was also the day he and Lucy had a disagreement.

Since the other end wasn't going to reply anyway, David simply sent the word "sorry" and turned off his phone.

Take a deep breath.

"They're coming, David!"

A determined look forced into the boy's eyes as he straightened his back, not wanting the clothes that carried his mother's hopes to lose their proper shape.

[Currently tracking]

This was David's first time entering through the main gate of Arasaka Tower. Two company security guards in red lapel suits reached out their hands, and the moment the brain-computer interface connected to the Arasaka subnet, a warning was read out by the AI ​​inside the tower.

Welcome to Arasaka Tower!

Weapons, flammable and explosive materials, and combat prosthetics are prohibited inside the tower.

"Please stop."

"Cooperate with the inspection."

David stood under the scanner at the main entrance, and all the information about his prosthetic body and the signals of the items he was carrying were uploaded. Only after the security check confirmed that everything was correct was David allowed to pass.

The time is... 8:00 AM.

Fortunately.

David breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he arrived early, he wouldn't encounter so many troublesome people or things.

Without needing any documentation, David's system was scanned, and Arasaka immediately recognized him as a job seeker who had participated in Arasaka's final round of interviews.

The top students at Arakaga Academy don't enter Arakaga without taking an exam, but those with this status in Arakaga Tower climb the ranks very quickly, and they treat those who might become mid-level members of Arakaga with extremely good attitudes.

“Mr. David Martinez…please wait a moment. We will now grant you elevator access. Please note that you may only access the interview floor and the restaurant floor. If you need to rest, we have provided you with private booths on the interview floor. Please do not go to floors where access is restricted.”

The receptionist at the opposite Arasaka Tower was a fully-covered cybernetic body, like a mirror image, but her gentle tone and detailed explanation eased David's tension considerably.

"Thank you."

The receptionist responded with a bow, a gesture of Japanese etiquette.

"You're welcome. I look forward to working with you at Arasaka Tower in the future."

Led by the receptionist, David headed to the Arasaka Tower. This was the first time he had ever walked up through the staff entrance. Before him stood a spacious meeting and lounge area, divided by indoor plants.

Everywhere you look, there are company employees busily discussing the details of various plans, and the large screen above is playing Arasaka's promotional video.

David couldn't help but stop and stare. The entire hall was nearly ten meters high, which gave the advertising slogan a reverberant effect. When such a sound filled his ears, anyone who entered the place would be overwhelmed by its grandeur.

"In 2077, the Arasaka Counterintelligence Department, in cooperation with the Arasaka Security Forces, successfully thwarted a planned attack against Arasaka and prevented the situation from escalating further."

"In 2078, the counterintelligence department successfully thwarted a kongbu attack on the European Space Council in Paris, while the special operations department protected several heads of state and corporate CEOs, including Yorinobu Arasaka."

"In 2079, the Arasaka Police Project expanded to 120 countries and regions around the world... making indelible contributions to peace and stability in various regions."

In the image, Arasaka police officers, armed with guns, guard refugees evacuating from the heart of the conflict. They protect crying children with their heavy armor, before the entire image is replaced with Arasaka's huge logo.

"In the future, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to the two major themes of world stability and technology changing lives!"

"Arasaka, I look forward to meeting you."

David stared blankly at the large screen above, while the woman in charge of reception simply stood quietly beside him, smiling…

David didn't realize he had been standing there for quite a while, and that the receptionist next to him was doing the same thing, until he finally reacted and started to panic.

"Feel sorry!"

The receptionist simply bowed slightly. "It's alright, you can continue watching. Just let me know when you want to leave."

David dared not delay anyone any longer, so he quickly scratched his head and bowed slightly like the receptionist, saying, "You can go now, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

The woman reached out her hand, and the two entered the elevator one after the other.

There was also a screen in the elevator, which was playing WNS News. The media outlet that used to sing praises of Saburo had become a prominent and sharp media outlet in Night City under Lai Xuan's interference.

Even David, a native of Night City, knows just how outspoken WNS really is these days.

"Regarding the attack on the European Arasaka-owned minerals by unidentified individuals, Mr. Yoriyuki Arasaka, CEO of Arasaka, made a statement. He said that Arasaka will take necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests, including but not limited to armed intervention or retaliation, in response to the covert support of certain European companies for Arasaka's space exile faction."

"This signal has drawn condemnation from numerous companies, including the European Space Agency, which has a deep collaboration with Arakawa in the space sector—"

"However, Mr. Yoriyuki Arasaka disagreed with the European Space Agency's recognition of the legitimate rights and interests of the Arasaka exile group, and after submitting the case to the International Court of Justice for arbitration, he stated that Arasaka has a large amount of evidence that the European Space Agency accepted bribes from the Arasaka exile group, and hopes that the European Space Agency can reconsider the possible adverse consequences of this measure."

David listened quietly.

The current narrative in Night City about the Arasaka threat stems from Arasaka's aircraft carrier's bombardment of the Azure Sky Building on Night City's waterfront...

Even three-year-olds in the city can sing the lyrics of the stage opera that Lai Hsuan is a war criminal, and it's noisy everywhere.

The receptionist kept observing David's expression until the elevator reached the seventy-second floor.

“Mr. David Martinez, you have arrived at the interview floor, so I will not accompany you any further. If you have any questions, you can consult the intelligent service assistant within the Arakasa website, or you can find the nearest Arakasa employee.”

David nodded.

Little did they know that his micro-expressions, actions, and other information had already been analyzed at least ten times, and even the receptionist was part of the interview process.

It's true that once you join the company, nothing belongs to you.

David thought he had arrived early enough, but the rest area next to the interview room was already full of people, many of whom were faces David recognized…

After all, they are alumni of the same school, and David recognizes most of them. Of course, there are not only students from Arasaka Academy, but also graduates from other well-known schools.

As long as you can pass Arasaka's series of tests, the company will accept and hire you, regardless of where you come from.

Of course, this so-called test can uncover every single piece of personal and family information...

However, when they saw David appear, they all looked puzzled and even a hint of... hostility?
David didn't want to be scrutinized anymore, so he hurriedly found a corner to sit down and felt the gazes disappear—only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Faced with competition, even classmates you've only met once and who don't seem to have any conflicts with you might turn into guys like Tanaka.

Survival of the fittest.

This is Arakawa's principle.

David still remembers that during the first round of testing, there were a total of 13,200 applicants on the Night City Arasaka recruitment website, but now there are probably less than 100 people left sitting here.

Of course, not all positions in Arasaka are this difficult; it depends not only on the region but also on the chosen profession.

If you only intend to become an Arasaka police officer or Arasaka soldier, you only need to pass a physical fitness test and identity screening, and then participate in two rounds of tests...

If you want to become an elite in the office building, this is the first step.

Once you enter Arasaka Tower, you'll most likely start from the bottom floors and sign a labor contract of no less than fifty years... The company implicitly has the right to interfere with your work value and life.

only…

David's mind gradually snapped out of the overwhelming shock of the Arasaka advertisement he had just witnessed.

Sitting here, he felt only confusion and a sense of whether it was all worthwhile...

Perhaps I won't be able to pass Arasaka's test?
David couldn't help but think that this might preserve those peaceful memories, but... what about his mother's expectations?
David, who was covering his face with his hands, sat on the sofa with his back bent and his legs shaking more and more frequently.

[Caller: Mom]

David abruptly stopped shaking his leg and sighed.

"Hey?"

Gloria, on the holographic screen, heard her son's voice sound somewhat low and quickly lowered her own voice as well.

"Is it time to begin, son?"

For some reason, even though his mother was the main factor that forced him to grit his teeth and participate in the Arasaka series of tests, David was less anxious after hearing her voice.

David, somewhat exasperated but still trying to remain calm, said, "Do you think I should take this call in front of the interviewer? Honestly, Mom..."

"You brat, how dare you talk to your mother like that?"

"Um...did I swear?"

"Why didn't you bring the breakfast and milk I prepared for you? You left them at home... If I hadn't come back early from my shift, you probably would have told me you ate a full stomach before going to the exam! Right?"

Gloria was very angry; the older her child got, the less he paid attention to his mother's words.

"No, I have to bring you breakfast. I'll go downstairs and get the car—"

David glanced around hurriedly.

"No, Mom...Are you crazy?!"

Gloria blinked, her expression immediately turning sad...

Is it wrong to just want you to be well-fed?

"You have no idea what this breakfast means. Someone else told me this: two fried eggs represent 0, a real meat sausage represents 1, and 100 is the perfect score!"

David rubbed his hair. "Mom, who was this genius who said that? There's no such thing as a perfect score of 100... It's so strange. Our test had a maximum score of 500..."

Gloria's face lit up instantly. "Then I'll buy five sandwiches!"

"Also, don't talk nonsense. The person who told me the meaning of this breakfast never makes a mistake."

David was completely bewildered.

"But this is Arakazama Tower!"

"There's a restaurant here, please, Mom, just stay home and wait for my good news, okay?"

The call was immediately disconnected.

Gloria stood with her hands on her hips, staring at the notification on her phone screen, her chest heaving with anger. "That brat..."

Looking at the breakfast on the table, Gloria could only sigh helplessly. She was exhausted after a busy night. She took a bite of her sandwich and stared blankly at the photo of David grinning with his teeth showing when he was a child on the wall.

Did I put too much pressure on David?

The child's grades at school are pretty good, so I don't think there's any need to worry so much—it's just that I've seen too much life and death in the trauma group, and life in Night City is cheap…

Perhaps a dangerous mission could make Gloria one of those receiving a pension, so she hopes David can grow up on his own.

Just as Gloria was eating and lost in thought, there was a soft knock on the door.

Gloria patted the breadcrumbs off her hands, opened the door, and saw a girl slightly taller than her, dressed in a well-fitting suit, staring intently at her…

"Eh--"

Gloria hadn't yet called out the other person's fake name from Night City.

"Auntie, my name is Lucy."

The earrings under the girl's silver hair were very pretty, making her look young and lively, but her eyebrows and eyes, which should have highlighted her temperament and appearance, now looked like they were filled with an unyielding sorrow.

Gloria's expression softened, and she stepped aside to let Lucy in.

Years ago in the parking lot, Gloria knew everything about the incident and what trouble the girl had gotten into.

But because she was useful to Rin, Gloria essentially kept her by her side...

Firstly, it was to help Rin keep an eye on the girl; secondly, she felt great sympathy for the girl's background and wanted to take care of her.

Gloria was actually thinking about this when she was spacing out.

The glaring Arakawa Medal on the girl's chest made Gloria feel extremely uneasy...

"Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink?"

Just as Gloria turned to go into the kitchen to pour water, the girl suddenly stood up, placed her hands on her knees, and bowed—

"Please, Auntie, ask David to give up the idea of ​​getting into Arakawa! Please!"

Gloria stopped in her tracks instantly.

She looked at the girl behind her with confusion and bewilderment, and after a moment of hesitation, she went into the kitchen and poured her a glass of harmless, non-toxic water.

Even after they came out, the girl maintained her bowing posture. Her Japanese heritage allowed Lucy to quickly learn Arasaka's etiquette, and Gloria watched as she did just that.

"Sit down, child... there's no need to stand like this."

Gloria reached out and tugged at the girl's sleeve. "Is that alright?"

Lucy looked up, her anxiety growing stronger, but she had no choice but to sit down.

"You've already entered Arasaka? Looks like... you've been doing quite well these past few months?"

Gloria smiled, her eyes filled with satisfaction for the child.

But Lucy heard these words in a different light—

"No, Auntie, I just... I just had to do it. It was something we agreed on before."

"You know..."

As she spoke, Lucy's voice trailed off, becoming more like a sob. "We're all doing what we think is right, but do you know what Arasaka means to that child?"

Lucy froze, looked into Gloria's eyes, and shook her head.

"It means my expectations of him."

“That’s my child. Of course I know his character. David is never a selfish person. This child likes to think of others… I know about the two years you’ve been together, but you shouldn’t have treated him like this.”

Lucy clenched her fists. "You know perfectly well that this company is a pit of fire. He shouldn't have joined, at least—"

Gloria interrupted Lucy in a calm tone.

"Where should we go then?"

In the instant their eyes met, this usually calm and gentle neighbor lady also showed a hint of steely stubbornness.

"What will happen to David if I have an accident while on duty at the company?"

Lucy fell silent.

Love and bread seem to be timeless topics in any era.

As if she had made up her mind, she said, "I can take care of David."

Gloria suddenly burst out laughing, not in mockery, but in the indulgent way one would laugh at a naive child making a promise so easily.

"So, my child is like someone who's just gone through a breakup, and all that's happening is your care?"

"Lucy?"

Lucy's head was tilted to the side, her hands resting on her thighs, and she looked very uneasy.

"In your eyes, the company is a gathering place for villains, a place where humanity is lost. You are no longer yourself there, but just a tool that can be discarded at will."

"But in our eyes, mother and son, it was the last ray of light in the darkness..."

“We are not grateful to the company, but to the person you consider an enemy.”

Gloria quietly watched the dazed girl.

“He taught me how to pick up my dreams and how to fight for that opportunity. David also received Mr. Rin’s care at school. If there is an opportunity, and if Mr. Rin approves, I don’t mind my child repaying the kindness of others.”

For Gloria, she always remembered how her life came about.

"We cannot change the world, we can only adapt to it—"

“Lucy, in my opinion, Rin is not a cruel or heartless person. If you insist on leaving, leave him everything you owe him, and he won’t make things difficult for you… But I guess the reason you’re afraid to leave is probably because you’re afraid of dying on the road, right?”

"You fear him, yet you have no choice but to accept his protection; your lover has also learned the selfishness of love."

"David knows nothing, please... stop hurting him."

As the woman spoke, she reached out and grasped the girl's cold fingertips, her expression sincere and earnest.

"He just needs to get a job in Arasaka that can support him. There are many opportunities to make mistakes when you're young, but not anymore—can he really just pretend nothing happened?"

"I heard that after you complete this mission, the company will pay for your expensive relocation to your dream place. There's nothing wrong with that, kid..."

But after Lucy said that, her long-suppressed emotions exploded instantly.

"But I don't want to go!"

"I just want an ordinary life. The moon... or some place where no one can find me, those are all unrealistic dreams!"

"I…"

The girl had her head down, and her shoulders were trembling.

"I just want a normal life, but I can't move at all and can only watch my life become a mess."

“I don’t want anything, I just want David to be healthy… I don’t want to have anything to do with the company.”

However, Gloria simply stood up, her expression softening slightly.

She hugged the girl and gently patted her shoulder, as if comforting her own child.

"I know…"

"Since you're not satisfied with the status quo, why not strive to change it? Even if you're on a fruitless journey in pursuit of happiness, that's still a kind of happiness—"

"Remember: what's trapping you isn't Rin or the company, it's yourself."

The two, who were almost like mother and daughter, quietly embraced each other.

Gloria understood that helpless pain better than anyone else.

This went on for several minutes.

Having calmed down a bit, Lucy moved away from Gloria's shoulder, her eyes red as she looked at her and whispered, "Is there still a chance?"

Gloria nodded seriously. "Of course. David is a very reliable kid. Don't put him in a difficult position in this kind of situation... He hasn't been doing well lately. If David can't even get into Arasaka, how can he help you?"

Lucy then showed a hint of embarrassment.

On one hand, she had made a huge fool of herself in front of her lover's mother; on the other hand, in order to prevent David from getting involved with her, a girl who had gotten involved in a lot of dirty things in Arasaka, she resolutely threw away the phone.

Given David's personality, he should have said a lot to me.

As she spoke, the gentle woman gently stroked Lucy's pert nose. "That brat is so absent-minded, it's all your fault. I, as his mother, can just hang up the phone like that... Go on, hurry up."

"Oh, right, I have a few sandwiches here... take them with you."

"If you were to deliver it, it would be much more effective than if I did—"

"I'm going right now!"

Before he could finish speaking, the brown paper bag in his hand vanished along with him, leaving only the sound of the automatic door opening and closing…

Gloria rubbed her forehead.

No wonder she can get along with her son... they're both impatient.

Gloria sighed, her head down as she tidied the table, when her phone rang urgently. She quickly wiped her hands and answered, just as the automatic door opened. Gloria instinctively put her hand on her hip—

Just as Gloria made her move, thinking it was a security issue in Night City, the tall man who walked in at the door made her drop the gun from her hand.

"Why...why are you here?"

……

"NC13..., NC367..."

A series of numbers scrolled rapidly in Yi's eyes.

"Please proceed to the waiting room immediately."

David, distracted and anxious, waited on the sofa until the signal from his brain-computer interface came through, at which point he realized it was already nine o'clock.

Because it was a random draw, David's Night City bio-number was not drawn in the first round by the voice-controlled AI.

But this was undoubtedly a signal, like the start of a battle. Turning his head to look at the dozen or so young men and women who had stood up in the rest area behind him, David quickly turned back as if he had seen a ghost, clutching his head and starting to think about the things he had been reviewing.

"Damn it, why... why can't I remember anything?"

He could only stare wide-eyed at the glossy black floor that reflected his image, and the cold sweat on his forehead grew thicker and thicker.

There was a sound of footsteps.

A creaking sound came from the sofa opposite David, and the moment David looked up, his face instantly turned extremely grim.

"It's been such a long time!"

Katsuo Tanaka's signature mullet has been replaced with short blue hair. He could be a bit more individualistic during his student days, but Arasaka still has very strict requirements for lower-level employees. Only the higher-ups wear flashy clothes that are not militaristic.

David's smile was cold as he slammed his fist into his palm.

"Looks like you've forgotten how I beat you to a pulp after you had that kung fu chip implanted?"

Tanaka's expression changed instantly. He gritted his teeth and instinctively shrank back, then his eyes swept around his surroundings...

David wasn't going to give this guy any more chances to provoke him. Just as he was about to get up, two guys in Arasaka Security uniforms reached out and pushed David back onto the sofa...

Although the noise was not loud, it was enough to attract the attention of those around.

"Hmph, I almost thought that bitch was next to you..."

The Jinguji outfit Tanaka was wearing was the same one Gloria had her eye on that day, and it cost three thousand euros more than the one David was wearing... The meaning behind Tanaka wearing this outfit couldn't be clearer.

In the past two years, under Lucy's training, David has already learned street fighting. Even without his cybernetic body, he is a skilled close-combat fighter.

So Katsuo Tanaka hasn't been jumping around in front of David for a long time...

Just today.

The fact that Tanaka was able to appear here with Arasaka's security personnel suggests that Tanaka has higher authority in Arasaka Tower and can be considered to have special privileges.

Although Huangban Academy is just an educational institution, the school's board of directors and the general management of a company are nominally of the same rank, which is why Shengnan acts so arrogantly here.

David's shoulders ached from being squeezed by the two security guards.

He gritted his teeth, "Try saying it again?"

Katsuo Tanaka squinted, spread his hands, and said smugly in a strange voice, "I see you still don't understand the current situation."

“David Martinez, I can declare your interview over. Your mother, who knows what shady dealings she did to get into Arasaka Tower, will disqualify you from the screening process—”

"And you should eventually return to your original social class."

At this point, David was pushed back onto the sofa a few steps...

The young people waiting for their interviews were divided into two groups. One group consisted of the children of high-ranking company executives like Sheng Nan, or those from powerful and influential families. They treated it as a show. The other group consisted of people whose families could support them standing there, but absolutely could not support them joining in the fun, so they shrank back and dared not watch.

David felt a chill run down his spine, knowing he was all alone and helpless. Veins bulged on his forehead... He wished he could tear the guy in front of him apart alive.

Tanaka's expression was somewhat stiff.

He hated that look in his eyes…

But well...

"Oh dear, I almost forgot."

"That guy who had an affair with your mother and supported your schooling is now an enemy of Arasaka. I never thought your mother was so amazing to be able to sleep with such a traitor... But you seem to have forgotten that the enemy's bastard child shouldn't be here."

"What, that second-rate company called Dreamers doesn't want you and your son?"

"Oh dear, if it weren't for the assassination attempt by Arasaka Raitei two years ago that resulted in the violent death of the villain who killed Lord Arasaka, you might actually be crawling and flying."

David gritted his teeth and whispered through pain and anger, "What the hell did you say?"

The security guard behind him whispered a reminder: "Mr. Shengnan, this information cannot be discussed in public."

Sheng Nan suddenly stood up, and the two security guards looked at each other with cold sweat on their foreheads.

“My father is about to be transferred to the Arasaka Yoru no Shiro branch, and this information is already common knowledge within Arasaka—why is that not allowed?”

"this…"

At that moment, the child of the product executive director of the Arasaka Yoru no Shiro branch suddenly spoke.

He was the only one among these young people who frowned as he watched Kasuo speak. "Tanaka, think about your father. Besides, the company rules clearly state what the consequences are for threatening Arasaka's employees... Don't be reckless."

After saying that, he patted his trousers, stood up, and left his seat.

Sheng Nan gritted her teeth, clearly the powerful and influential people's rebuttal to Sheng Nan was tantamount to adding fuel to the fire.

"You idiot, you have a lot of people speaking up for you?"

"In my opinion, you're no different from that bastard who stole company assets; you're both a bunch of guys who can't recognize your own place..."

The two security guards had already seen the fire.

"Mr. Shengnan, you need to attend your onboarding training..."

However, this guy, who felt he had to completely trample on others in his moment of triumph, was determined to make things difficult for them to the end, and he waved his hand...

"Let him go."

"I want to see with my own eyes how Arakasaka deals with him."

After the security guard released David's shoulder, David did not rush out, but sat there staring intently at Sheng Nan's harsh face.

It must be said that anger is an important tool for keeping one clear-headed. David now has only one goal: to take this job interview. He doesn't believe that Sheng Nan can control the outcome of the exam.

The moment David's number was called, he jumped up.

Tanaka clapped his hands: "Very energetic."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, David followed the instructions in his prosthetic eye and entered the small, transparent cubicle prepared for him. Inside sat the woman with the unsettling, fake smile.

"It seems we have quite a connection?"

The woman glanced at the documents beside her.

After what had just happened, David was unable to control his facial expressions precisely, so he could only force a smile.

In fact, he had been watching the female interviewer's expression the whole time, trying to find any signs that might lead to what Sheng Nan had said... After answering three questions, the female interviewer stopped flipping through the documents in her hand.

David felt a surge of tension; his heart immediately jumped into his throat.

“Your grades in school are average, but considering your family’s financial situation, you’ve already done a very good job.”

"Arasaka has a ton of people who got in through various means; it's all just a matter of a single sentence..."

David was completely confused.

What do you think of what happened to you outside just now?

David fell silent at this point.

The woman didn't seem to be in a hurry either; she just kept staring at the boy in front of her, seemingly determined to get an answer.

David thought for a long time, and just as the interviewer was about to lose patience, he slowly raised his head.

"Aren't they all poisonous insects from Arasaka?"

"They should be eliminated, strangled, just like Arasaka who has come back to life."

The woman rested her chin on her hand and stared at David for a long time before looking down and operating the tablet.

"Please continue to wait in the meeting room. The website will continue to monitor your behavior. Do not disclose the interview content to anyone."

"Goodbye."

The interview wasn't as dramatic as he had imagined. Perhaps David's preparation was ingrained in his subconscious; he only had standard answers, except for the last question.

Sheng Nan, like a persistent ghost, appeared beside David with a grin, holding something in her hand and waving it around as if she were showing off.

"I told you, you're the loser."

It was clear that Sheng Nan knew that no matter how arrogant she was, she couldn't easily get into the final interview. Instead, she chose to hand over her so-called evidence to the interviewer right after David finished his interview.

Tanaka's mind is very simple, so simple that he only knows how to continue to bully others after getting used to school violence, completely forgetting that power is also a tool to destroy him and his father.

This time, however, his plan backfired.

Sheng Nan, who had just brazenly pushed open the door and was about to swagger in, began to slowly back out.

David looked puzzled, because the reflection in the glass made it impossible for him to see what was happening inside, until—

With a gun barrel pressed against her forehead, Sheng Nan slowly retreated, her hands raised and her knees trembling.

The moment the man with the gun appeared, David's pupils constricted sharply, and the glint of silver hair that shone so brightly in the gray world left his mind blank.

"Tanaka Katsuo..."

The girl held a brown paper bag in one hand and quietly watched the spoiled brat.

"Thanks to you, we've found evidence of your father's crimes involving military technology, including stealing research results from Arasaka Academy and embezzlement..."

Do you know what the consequences will be?

Shengnan's throat was dry. After his security detail was restrained by agents from the counterintelligence department, his father was also being held down by the shoulder at the Arasaka meeting.

"No, no, no... I just picked up a few thugs on the street..."

"Uh, it has nothing to do with military technology, and it has nothing to do with my father!"

Lucy looked at Kasuo, who was trembling like a holographic mannequin in front of a Japanese street-style QU store, and leaned slightly closer—

She could even hear Sheng Nan swallowing, and she had no intention of listening to Sheng Nan's explanation.

He simply said softly, "The consequence is... you'll be killed."

gun.

It rang.

……

……

(End of this chapter)