Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 478 Your Era Is About to End (Part 1) [5.2K]

Jack, sitting in the car, couldn't calm down for a long time. Like a silkworm cocoon, he tried to lean forward to see if it was just his imagination that he had been punched in the eye.

"Don't move, Jack."

Although it was still Aguilar's voice, the calmness and relief in her tone gave Jack a sense of peace. It really was Chica... But he never expected that the woman who looked vicious and had a lot of strength in her hands was actually Chica!

“We need to get rid of Valentino’s gang first before we can contact Rin… You know, today is just a last-minute effort.”

Jack nodded frantically, like an honest man.

There's nothing V can't do in Night City; if there is, then add Rin to the list.

The car quickly drove out of the area controlled by the Valentino gang. V reached out and tossed him a small knife he often used. Jack, cutting through his restraints, muttered a few curses under his breath, "Girl, your arms look thinner than the beer bottles I opened yesterday, how come you're so strong? Ouch..."

Although Jack knew it was a last resort, he still felt he had to make time to visit Old Vie tonight to see if the prosthetic structure on his face had been damaged, since he could hear a rubbing sound on his face when he spoke.

V chuckled coldly several times.

"It's gentle."

Jack's face tightened, and he slumped into the back seat like a little chick.

He knew he had worried his friends, but the situation was urgent, and he had to find out as much information as possible about Aguilar as possible for Lin Yue and V.

I just don't know if what I found out was helpful to Lin Yue...

It was a rumor he'd heard from a few members of the Valentino gang: there was a fishing club with an open-air café by the riverbank. The Valentino gang, seeing that Jack was determined to cause trouble, simply told them about it. Kirk had also mentioned the beach, so he went there…

"Jack, it seems the Valentino gang isn't what it used to be?"

V was silent for a moment. She knew this topic might hurt Jack's feelings, but she had to say it.

V had been preoccupied with company work for a long time. She often sought Jack's help when she needed someone to handle company business. Jack was very resistant to some of the jobs and frequently advised V not to compromise her conscience in this den of scoundrels…

Mrs. Wells, Pepe, Old Vie, Jack…

These people, who have intricate connections with the Valentino gang, are all considered "good people" by V.

What makes a good person?

This is perhaps a question without an absolute standard answer.

It would have been impossible to get to where you are today in Night City without doing one or two things against your conscience, but some people have always maintained their bottom line and original intentions in this bizarre metropolis and the worst area in the United States.

Harming any innocent person is something these Haywood associates would never do... so even V can't see what the future holds for this city.

Can Rin's dream really come true?

"Hey girl, there are some things I don't know if I should say, gangs are all trash, they'll kill others just to live—but that's Night City."

"You remind me of three years ago."

Jack's thick hands reached out from behind to hold the driver and passenger seats, his expression extremely serious. "Back then, when you were doing so well in Arasaka, I always felt uneasy. Everyone was rushing to fawn over Saburo, and one day they'll become just as heartless as them."

V nodded.

“Indeed, if it weren’t for Rin’s appearance, the job of getting rid of Abernathy would have fallen on me sooner or later. If it couldn’t be done in the open, then I would have had to come to you.”

Jack nodded emphatically, “You take that dirty money to hire people—hackers, gunmen, racers, you name it—and then you get rid of them… What do you get in return? You’re tied to the company for life, never able to escape.”

V pursed her lips, seemingly hesitating whether to mention Rin.

That guy found an idealistic approach in the dirty mire of the company; no, in other words, he also found like-minded idealists in Arasaka.

No one expected Lai Xuan to be such a key pawn, but this was the deepest secret that V dared not tell Jack.

It's not that I don't trust them, but the matter is of great importance... If Lai Xuan's purpose becomes known, his and Rin's path will be extremely difficult.

Jack's voice softened slightly, "But I'm not in a position to say that to you now, Chica... Looking back at what we did when we were young, nothing was truly loyal or brotherly. We were just chasing after money and fame, especially the Valentino gang—"

"There are some things you pretend not to see, but nobody is really doing anything good. Charging into battle for the gang, following those little punks to kill the Vortex Gang, they are definitely not human. We've become less human now."

V remained silent.

Upon careful consideration, Jack's heartfelt words were not a lie.

The Jack of the past was a burly man with a gold belt and gleaming gold jewelry on his wrists. Stanley urged his mercenaries, who were only interested in money and had no conscience, to rush towards the so-called "legend." But after calming down and enjoying two or three years of comfortable life in Heywood, Jack felt that something was not quite right...

Everything shouldn't have been this way.

“V, I’m not advising you to leave Arasaka because I know you’re doing something big with Rin. I’m not stupid.”

"But I don't think any of the things that guy did were against his conscience. He learned how to live first, and then let others live in a stable and honest way, turning the worst part of the city into a stable community—that's enough for me to believe him."

V subconsciously turned her head.

Her eyes met those of the stubborn, earnest, and honest Jack Wells.

“Uh, Jack.”

She felt she should say something, and her friend's honesty undoubtedly gave V more confidence.

“Indeed, he…is doing something big, just as you said—”

"That's enough, girl."

In the end, V still didn't mention Lai Xuan. Instead, Jack made a shushing gesture to indicate that he understood and was clear about the situation.

"A legend is nothing more than a glorious shadow of someone who fights to the last moment for profit."

Jack's expression was serious.

So it seems that Jack, who has spent the last few years living a quiet life at Heywood and seeking excitement on gunfights and horseback riding shows during grand occasions, has seen things more clearly and has lost his admiration for so-called legends and burning dreams.

Heywood Kid adapts to the rules of the street, accepting the city's daily challenges in a way that resonates with him, but once he's experienced real life, some of the risks seem unnecessary.

What Jack remembered most vividly was what he saw on Taiping Island…

If the goal is to earn money, then the kind of life he wants after earning money is like this.

Jack never imagined that his best friend's company could achieve this dream without exploiting him for money. It was a company that had been reborn through sheer hard work and struggle—they didn't seek profits after overcoming challenges, but instead helped the world get back on track.

V indicates approval.

"Hmm... Reputation, status, and wealth are all backed by the company."

“Morgan Blackhand, Adam Hammer, Weyland the Serpent—all of them.”

Jack coughed.

"Mainly Misty..."

V's slightly surprised expression, along with a hint of mischievousness, made Jack awkwardly lower his head and scratch the back of his head.

“Misty knows everything…”

Jack recalled those near-death experiences with Lin Yue, which made him feel like he was constantly in the abyss of despair.

But everything changed after that tarot card, which seemed to represent a friend, appeared.

Jack has made his choice between dreams and bread.

“V, I’ve never felt afraid before, but now I not only feel afraid, but there’s something else troubling me.”

V's expression remained calm.

She firmly believed that among all the emotions in the world, none could match the connection between her and Rin's thoughts.

Fearless and without regrets, her promise to Rin was to fulfill all of this.

"You and Misty have been gone for a while now, and Mrs. Wells still refuses to accept her?"

"Camilla is courting death, you and I both know that."

"When Cuban goods spread to every street and alley in Heywood, do you really think the locals would abide by Valentino's agreement to keep his own people away from them? They have no choice..."

V made his point clear and straightforward.

"If Camilla truly meets Mrs. Wells's standard of a good daughter-in-law, are you really going to accept that?"

Jack shook his head repeatedly.

"Campo would be very disappointed if he saw Camilla now."

He also said seriously to V, "Furthermore, my mom will absolutely not approve of what Camilla did!"

"I guarantee it with my integrity."

V was surprised by Jack's strong reaction and said with a slight smile, "Hey, relax, I'm just concerned about Misty—Mrs. Wells is a good person, really."

However, since the topic of Valentino's help has been repeatedly brought up, V still wants to talk to Jack about how to handle the situation.

Perhaps Jack joining Valentino would bring different results?

After all, V realized Jack's prestige within the Valentino gang when he impersonated Aguilar to disrupt the situation.

Perhaps Jack's departure from Valentino wasn't entirely due to his mother's worry about him being nearly shot in the heart by a bullet from the Vortex Gang; he was adventurous, passionate, and courageous—he simply didn't want to face the truth about the Valentino Gang.

It's a criminal organization. Now, the Valentino gang, fueled by the evil in human nature, has begun to coalesce and fester, transforming into a fanged monster that preys on everyone, even the local Haywood natives who nurtured it…

Just as V was thinking about how to phrase his questions about Valentino—

After a moment of contemplation, Jack suddenly sighed, "Camilla isn't bad, she's just lost her backbone. Valentino has so many people waiting to make a living, and after my older brother went to prison... you know how high the profits are for those selling drugs. Now she has no other choice but to resort to this method."

"People have too much prejudice against the company, and it has indeed harmed many people. Seven out of ten rotting corpses in the back alleys of Night City are the result of company-related scandals..."

V nodded.

It is a fact that the company uses underhanded tactics that have a wide-ranging impact.

Moreover, the company has caused trouble for many people on many issues, but because it is deeply intertwined with people's daily needs... this has created the current sad world.

Jack rubbed his chin.

"But I think I heard you fire a gun?"

"Damn, you managed to escape unscathed... Looks like your prosthetic body has gotten even more awesome."

V dares to venture into the lion's den and play the carefree Aguilar because he is confident in his own strength, always in control of his aura, and makes his opponents follow his rhythm, thus reducing the risk of exposure.

Of course… Thiago sensed something was wrong. He must have had some kind of agreement with the Cuban group, and Aguilar himself might have reached a verbal agreement or exchanged conditions with him.

After all, the astonishment on his face and the way he asked, "Can we talk about this privately?" all proved that this was the truth...

V, skilled and daring, used blood to force the group to their senses and also resolved another matter.

This allowed Valentino to completely expose the different factions within his group.

V acted like a catalyst, causing the internal turmoil within Valentino to intensify dramatically without any change in itself…

"check it out."

“I shot him because he’s a spineless coward who’s always on the receiving end. He’s hiding too deep and he’ll definitely get you Valentino people… but I need a legitimate reason.”

"I don't know if that man knew the character I played, Aguilar, but he put on a whole act, portraying himself as a conservative from the Valentino center trying to get money from me..."

Jack's eyes widened in surprise.

"All of this information was gathered by Rin himself while he was worried about you. He secretly wiped out several members of the gang... That's how he found out that the Cubans were supporting that guy who wanted to betray Thiago."

V shrugged. "I just went with the flow and got rid of this trouble."

Their seemingly eccentric behavior perfectly explains many of their irrationalities. By the time the Valentino gang and the Cuban group realize what's going on, it will probably be when internal strife has reached its peak.

Jack gave a thumbs up.

"Brilliant."

He wanted to say that those who gather intelligence are truly ruthless, but he was also afraid that V would punch his pert nose again...

Rin is ruthless and ruthless; Jack had already "praised" him back in Dogville.

Without a doubt, Rin's style of doing things is anything but honorable. He perfectly exploits unethical rules and human nature to achieve his goals, making his enemies tear him apart – this is his consistent approach. When necessary, Lin Yue is simply there to deliver the fatal blow.

But Jack isn't stupid.

The plan was indeed perfect, provided that the Cubans could be silenced.

Furthermore, Rin's identity as K is at its zenith. The Valentino Gang now clearly knows that the mercenary who previously stood up for the Dreamers is the legendary K from Night City... However, rumors are circulating in Night City that K died in an attack by the Night Clan.

Jack was used to it.

No one can truly find Rin; only his closest friends know which one he is.

"I'm wondering what to do if the real Aguilar appears? Also, what is K's identity..."

V repeated exactly what he had said to the Valentino gang.

Now the two factions in the Valentino group must choose: either work harder because of Cuba's reliability, or they will naturally be more resentful if they want to decouple.

"Aguilar?"

V chuckled.

Jack was completely bewildered and was about to say something when he noticed V's eyes were covered in cold frost in the rearview mirror.

"Rin found the Cubans?"

V raised his chin. "Not only have we found it, but we're also going to give these Cuban brothers a surprise. Like pulling up a radish and finding more mud, since Cuba likes to play the old-fashioned game of one-way communication, let them know that intelligence gathering isn't a two-way street—"

"There is no absolutely excellent intelligence system in the world, only the ability to manage subordinates... Cubans themselves have to bite back."

Jack clapped his hands.

He looked completely convinced.

He sat up straight, gripping the chair tightly with both hands and staring straight ahead. "Girl, I think I suddenly know what I should do for my family."

……
-
seaside.

If you ignore the Valentino gang members everywhere on the streets, today would be perfect for sunbathing.

The midday sun cast colorful dappled patterns, and if no birds could survive the mass extinction in Night City, a few seagulls would be enough to embellish this scene.

An old-fashioned lighter lit a cigarette, and the woman holding the lighter was dressed somewhat old-fashionedly.

A long scar ran down his face, and most of his features were hidden under the brim of his hat, as if he were patiently waiting for someone.

Footsteps approached.

A man dressed in the most typical attire of Night City's Haywood, with a large tattoo of the Virgin Mary, blood-red roses, and sharp vines—his belongings jingled—seemed to ignore the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down beside him.

The woman's coffee had long since gone cold. She muttered about the unpleasant smell and awful taste of Night City tobacco products, glancing at the newcomer out of the corner of her eye.

Valentino promised him an explanation and a large sum of money after the deal was done. Keep in mind that Aguilar's only actions resulted in death; he wouldn't mediate unless the stakes were high enough.

But it's clear that letting Jack go in order to side with Thiago, whose stance is ambiguous, would be detrimental to Cuba.

"What happened to what your boss promised?"

The young man just squinted, enjoying the sunlight, seemingly not understanding a word the woman was saying.

There was a silence that lasted for two or three minutes.

A woman's cold laugh rang out, "Looks like the rumors about you Haywood people being a bit dim-witted are true. You've decided to mess with me? You're probably—"

"Aguilar".

The young man's voice did not match his appearance.

His accent sounded very North American, and he seemed relaxed and at ease throughout. He interrupted the woman with that name, then suddenly turned and pointed his finger at the slightly yellowed plastic tabletop, stained with dye…

"Which Aguilar are you?"

The woman's cold eyes surfaced beneath the brim of her hat.

She was unsure where the other person was from.

If it's someone sent from their hometown, it's a major taboo for them to act on their own and get involved in the power struggles downstream of the business; that would be a death sentence. If not, then maybe it's a company? Or a gang... Aguilar wouldn't mind showing them what a top-notch assassin is like.

"That depends on which number you are."

Aguilar spoke casually and answered flawlessly.

However, the man's smile was made even more dazzling by the sunlight, and his perfectly aligned teeth were exceptionally striking.

"That's true, after all, there aren't any legends who are still out there working in their nineties."

"Judging from your age, you should be from Night City forty years ago. Moreover, I couldn't find any information about you in Night City. It seems you were once a very popular star in this city?"

The woman is becoming increasingly unsure about this man.

Just as she was about to conclude that the man was an assassin sent by an external enemy, he lit a cigarette and said slowly, "Every time a cigar is lit in Havana, Aguilar reaps a life somewhere in the world."

"Unfortunately, this... slightly mature and aged woman."

"You should take good care of yourself and enjoy your retirement."

The man uttered some rather impolite words.

Aguilar's hand slowly moved towards the side of her thigh... She knew that responding would make her less focused.

The man seemed oblivious to these subtle movements, and chuckled softly amidst a puff of smoke…

"Your era is coming to an end—"

"The Legend of Aguilar".

"So... are you prepared to bear the consequences of breaking the rules?"

……

……

(End of this chapter)