Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 499 Farewell Meeting (Part 1)

"Let's turn our attention to Haywood—"

"The riots in Heywood, which have lasted for 23 hours, are still ongoing. Footage taken by reporters using aerial vehicles shows that more than 30 percent of the main buildings in the city have been burned. In addition, the NCPD and NCFD are gathered on the edge of Watson, waiting to enter at any time."

"Unfortunately, Dreamers Corporation, which currently has 'post-war' jurisdiction over the area, continues to refuse any organization or force to intervene in this riot."

"According to sources familiar with the matter, Heywood's case is highly likely to repeat the gang warfare that occurred when Night City was founded. This phenomenon will continue to exacerbate public concerns about gang interference in law and order and the Night City Council's indifference to the current situation."

"Furthermore, this phenomenon will continue to trigger a new wave of resistance against the company's status. As far as we know, a large number of philanthropists and environmentalists have gathered on the edge of Heywood to strongly condemn and protest the Dreamers' 'extermination' of the area's residents, although this speculation is not currently supported by any evidence."

The image is a still photograph showing fully armed Dreamers soldiers blocking the surging crowd. The angle is interesting; a guy attempting to charge at the company soldiers is deflected by the shield, but his expression at that moment is one of extreme pain. This undoubtedly shifts more people's attention to conspiracy theories about the company.

However, the mastermind behind this was watching these images on the in-car screen, with a Suzuki driving the car.

Lin Yue didn't react much. Instead, he clenched his fist and lightly tapped the steering wheel. "These damn media outlets, the Haywood people themselves stood up to clean up this cancerous gang, and they're making such a fuss about it—"

Hearing his loyal subordinate say this, Lin Yue smiled slightly and asked, "How's the matter going?"

Suzuki knew which matter Lin Yue was referring to. The evidence that the Ye family had previously secured could be used again... For example, using evidence that was actually factual to overshadow the current controversy in unfavorable public opinion would be a good option, since people would worry about a second cyberwar breaking out.

Compared to the safety of the Heywood people, or whether the burning of garbage would cause stress to environmental organizations, people are naturally more concerned about whether they will be suddenly killed by a rogue AI that emerges from the cyber network tomorrow.

After all, the latter is likely to actually happen.

Night City's sale of discrete chips and information magazines both summarize the phenomena that mobile AI, which ordinary people may never see in their lifetime, will cause.

"Several media outlets took on this job, but the biggest problem is that they all asked for a hefty price. You know how some media people are—too much curiosity..."

Lin Yue nodded.

"uh-huh."

Independent journalists always want to dig deeper into the details behind things, which is naturally not a good thing for Lin Yue.

Once curiosity is satisfied, what awaits is complete and utter exposure.

Sometimes being too idealistic can lead to worrying about whether something was done fairly enough, but Lin Yue doesn't have that burden at all. "Let's get the media moving first. At least we can't be besieged at this critical juncture. Miss Emma worked so hard to get the Night City Hall... Don't let too many people gossiping cause us to be targeted from all sides."

Suzuki readily agreed.

However, he has clearly been thinking more deeply about his recent tasks of helping Lin Yue hide clues or cleaning up the traces of the rock kid's existence.

"Although saying this might add to your burden... I feel that you still can't give up the identity of K."

This was the first time Suzuki had offered a genuine opinion, considering he was always primarily focused on faithfully executing orders.

Lin Yue quickly realized that this guy had a hidden meaning in his words, "Is it because those rock fans are too fanatical that no matter how well they hide, someone will always be able to dig up some clues that will make our hearts tremble?"

really…

Nothing can be hidden from Mr. Rin.

Suzuki nodded. "As you said, they say the position of King of Night City has been vacant for too long. Miss Roger has also approached me several times to test the waters for you... The streets of Night City are indeed too chaotic. It's understandable that you don't want to continue in this role, but we may need to spend even more to erase the traces of your actions."

"Furthermore, people's curiosity about legendary figures tends to increase over time, unless..."

Suzuki shook his head. "Unless another guy who's no less than rock star K appears, but I guess you're not interested in that anymore. Your trip to the European Community is imminent, and you need an identity that makes it easier to move around in Night City."

Lin Yue felt somewhat ashamed, realizing he had put so much work pressure on his subordinates recently.

It wasn't that he didn't want to continue using the identity of K to observe and experience Night City while concealing himself; rather, it was about striking at the heart of the matter. The Night Clan's opportunity was fleeting, and he had to sacrifice this identity to ensure the Night Clan's demise in Night City. And the effect was excellent: the jurisdiction over a large area of ​​Night City returned to the "third party," the Dreamers, who were seen by the world as nothing more than another Night Clan.

This can be considered a concession by Arasaka.

In the eyes of the companies, Arasaka's current efforts have been in vain, yielding little of value and leaving him with a bitter seed of resentment. The real beneficiaries are the dreamers.

But given the current situation, this is the only option.

Once Night City is discovered by the enemy to be under Arasaka's control, then this model metropolis, which is "a window to a free, independent, and future-oriented society," will lose its meaning.

“A very good suggestion, Suzuki… Maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself. After all, I don’t have the performance desires of a rock star or the ambition to become famous on the streets. After explaining the situation to Gloria’s family, I think I’ll find an opportunity—well, maybe tonight?—to meet up with those old friends or something.”

"I heard there's a house in Westbrook with a rooftop garden and swimming pool. Is that... a reward for becoming the king of the city in the next life?"

Is it really as miraculous as they say?

Suzuki grinned so wide his teeth were showing. He looked at the young man in the rearview mirror, who had no boss-like demeanor at all, with his hands on either side of the seat, asking him questions curiously. It gave him the feeling of an old friend driving out for a stroll.

"Of course, it's said that the butlers are all made of artificial intelligence."

"But that's also the hardest place in Night City to change owners, and the owners move in for shorter and shorter periods of time—after all, not many people become legendary figures, and even if they do, they won't retire from the business. The cost and benefits of asking you for favors in that position are much greater, and there will always be people who are not satisfied with just the title of legendary."

"In addition, some people are genuinely interested in this house, such as Morgan Blackhand, Heavy Hammer, [Lance Locke]... umm, [Sun-drying Tuonai] and so on—the original intention of this house was to make mercenaries more honest in their work. It's just a shell hanging there, and even Rogge himself hasn't figured out what the conditions for moving in are."

Suzuki explained it in great detail, which made Lin Yue feel as if he had an encyclopedia of information by his side.

To be honest, he did need an identity that could conceal his entry into the network, allow him to operate in Night City, and deter those who wanted to investigate him.

"That does make some sense."

Lin Yue doesn't have high requirements for food and lodging, but he wouldn't mind if there were better places available. If Emma knew, she would probably scold him again.

Soon the car arrived at the foot of Gloria's skyscraper. Gloria, who was successful in her career in the trauma group, was not short of money, but the experienced single mother knew how low the financial risk resistance of each family in Night City was, so the idea of ​​changing houses was simply not a question. David was undoubtedly lucky, at least his mother deserved that title.

"Do you remember, Suzuki?"

"The first time I came here, in the blink of an eye... so many years have passed, and you still look the same."

The scene evoked my emotions.

It was here that Lin Yue first experienced a thank-you feast. In Night City, where synthetic food was rampant, he, a person who did not exist in this world, ate something called emotion.

Suzuki also seemed a bit wistful. "Yeah... back then, I didn't even know if I could make it in Arasaka."

Before getting out of the car, Lin Yue joked, "So you're glad you didn't go to the European Community, huh? A wife, kids, and a warm bed... there's nothing more exciting than that."

Suzuki immediately panicked.

However, Lin Yue's thick prosthetic hand pressed on Suzuki's shoulder, his expression unexpectedly serious. "Suzuki, don't think that liking stability is a shameful thing. As I said before, think of your family before doing anything. I am a selfish person, so I have no reason or right to lecture you on sacrificing for the greater family."

"But the problems we face in the future will force us to make choices, and then...neither of us can afford to regret it."

Suzuki was stunned.

In an instant, the young man holding a gun, standing in the company's queue, contemplating whether to fire on the protesters, seemed to reappear.

At that time, Suzuki hadn't thought about the child or Yuko at all; he only knew that he couldn't go against his conscience. But now... he's afraid.

"So what would you choose?"

Suzuki wanted to know. He especially hoped that someone could firmly tell him an answer, such as: Suzuki, for the greater good, for us to rid this deformed product of the company, we must sacrifice ourselves.

However, it does not.

He was simply reminding himself that there are always things to consider when living.

"I don't know, and I don't want to know, because I would subconsciously choose to give up everything I have just to achieve my dream, and then spend endless time regretting it. I've felt this way too many times."

"Now, every choice I make affects many more people."

Lin Yue was talking about the many lives he had lived.

But Suzuki clearly didn't understand; he only sensed that the young man's body seemed to retain a withered soul that knew too much about life and death.

"As long as you don't regret it, that's fine. Just do your job well in Night City, and you won't need a car to pick you up and drop you off anymore... I can do it myself."

Before Suzuki could speak, Lin Yue, who had just gotten out of the car, straightened his jacket collar. Only he knew what saying "influence more people" meant.

Just like now.

He knew there was a mother who was proud that her child was following the guy who was changing their lives into a dangerous new environment, but... he had to come himself.

Will topological predictions always be accurate about the future? Lin Yue couldn't compare... What if some irreversible situation in Europe led to sacrifice? How could he explain it to his mother?
……

David wasn't really happy.

In particular, when he picked up his girlfriend from get off work, he saw a personnel department order with a code indicating a branch in Europe, the implications of which were self-evident.

Do you remember when David and his girlfriend had a disagreement at Arasaka Tower, the topic of which was: should they give up on the past?

David always believed that the painful memories of the past could be made up for, so much so that he advised Lucy not to be so stubborn about the European or Polish branch, but that was something he couldn't stop her from doing.

Lucy's authority in the counterintelligence department has visibly increased, even though he's a rising star in the operations department, he knows the counterintelligence department is far more ruthless...

He sensed that Lucy was determined to stick to her family.

But what David really wanted was to be with Lucy, even if it meant going to the more dangerous Europe.

The premise is that the European trip seems to be closely related to Mr. Rin. Since Mr. Rin Arasaka consulted his mother before entering the country, it seems that the trip to Europe is even more out of reach for him.

Watching the two busy in the kitchen, David was still like that young boy who came home from school, lay on the sofa, and daydreamed about which Mewtwo show to watch—so absent-minded that he didn't even hear the alarm ring.

He wondered why Lucy seemed to be in such a good mood; was she hiding it?

Thinking about this, he felt an urge to call Mr. Rin right now, as he wanted to join this operation whose specific details he didn't even know.

"David, David?!"

Gloria rolled her eyes at the child, but then, thinking that he might be under too much work pressure, her eyes turned into a look of helpless heartache.

David hurriedly opened the door.

Two pairs of equally uneasy eyes met.

David's expression immediately brightened. "You've finally arrived?!"

finally…

Lin Yue found it a bit strange; this kid's thinking was extremely jumpy. Watching him respectfully lead him in, he smiled and patted the guy's head.

"We've been waiting for you."

Mrs. Gloria greeted him, wiping her apron with her hands.

Even Lucy poked her head out of the kitchen with a slightly cold but genuinely welcoming smile. After all, Lucy, who hadn't learned to truly express her emotions for many years, had actually changed quite a bit.

Looking at the family's bright smiles and expressions, Lin Yue wondered if he had been thinking too heavily.
Feeling uneasy, Lin Yue was pulled to sit down. The atmosphere within the family became more reassuring with Lin's arrival. Looking at the more abundant food than ever before, Lin Yue said with a wry smile, "I should have brought a bottle of wine or something, sorry..."

He came here to have a talk, but now he's the one who's become the impolite one.

Mrs. Gloria shook her head repeatedly, "It's nice to be able to sit down and chat, and to come here more often... We don't need gifts, and David is always the happiest when you come, since he gets to eat real meat."

David looked at his mother pleadingly.

"mom…"

Lucy covered her mouth and lowered her head, laughing.

Lin Yue shrugged. "Thank you, but... I don't know if I should say what I wanted to say after such a sumptuous meal."

Mrs. Gloria blinked, and David and Lucy exchanged glances as well.

Lucy immediately understood.

Mr. Rin probably has some concerns.

“Please feel free to say it. The abundant food is how we treat you, just like you take care of our family.” Gloria knew that the guy in front of her was probably here for Lucy. After all, she was her son’s girlfriend, and going to Europe would be a more dangerous situation. If she, as the mother, didn’t agree, Mr. Rin would also be very troubled.

"Go ahead and say it, but don't feel too much pressure, okay?"

Lin Yue took a deep breath subtly, without lingering—

"I hope Mrs. Gloria will agree to let me take Lucy... and David somewhere in Germany, Europe."

A simple sentence elicited drastically different expressions from the three people at the dinner table.

David seemed stunned, Mrs. Gloria still had a gentle smile on her face, while Lucy kept observing the expression of her boyfriend's mother beside her.

After less than half a minute of silence.

David suddenly jumped up, his expression extremely excited, and braced himself on the table. "Really? Really?"

Perhaps it was too noisy—

Lin Yue pressed the boy's shoulder down to make him sit down properly, keeping his eyes fixed on Gloria the whole time.

However, this gentle woman simply stood up, wiped the tableware in front of her, and handed it to Lin Yue.

"You know I always agree, especially since the child is willing too..."

"Your burden is too heavy."

……

……

(End of this chapter)