In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

When they talk about it over tea or after meals, they get excited, saying it's good that the capitalists died.

As the conversation progressed, a problem became apparent.

Assassinations targeting high-ranking members of conglomerates are not always successful, and assassins inevitably leave behind some clues.

Several members on the fringes of the board chose to disclose it to the audit bureau, but the information they provided suggested... it all seemed to be the same person?

Because they all have one thing in common—a red six-pointed star tattooed on their necks.

"Hmm, speaking of which, I seem to have heard something about it."

In the corridor, several long-time employees were gathered together smoking. "You should know that Chairman Xu and Mr. Lin are sworn brothers, right?"

"Hmm, so?"

"But Mr. Lin rarely participated in company affairs in the past... It seems that he had an agreement with Chairman Xu that one would act as the face and the other as the substance. If there were some things that Chairman Xu couldn't do, he would ask Mr. Lin to do them."

"For this reason, Chairman Xu gave Old Lin a large sum of money to train some assassins and killers... and the mark of these people is the six-pointed star on their necks!"

"Huh? So that means... all the recent commotion was caused by Old Lin?"

People often browse the deep web, so this kind of thing isn't surprising—there are many assassins and hackers openly advertising their services there, which has long been a major feature of Night City.

They are more concerned with the matter itself.

"I think so. Chairman Xu and Old Master Lin have been at odds lately, and he's such a domineering person. Maybe it's because of this..."

The group got into a heated discussion, completely unaware that the cigarette butts were burning their hands.

How could the board of directors not know something that even the lowest-level employees know?

Although the versions circulating outside differ somewhat from the actual events, it is certain that Lin Wenhua is linked to the Six-Pointed Star Assassin.

On the contrary, at least no one can produce evidence that Xu Shi also used similar methods.

It's unclear whether he did it more discreetly, or whether this was Lin Wenhua unilaterally declaring war.

However, everyone can see that Lin Wenhua is powerless to do so – if we consider it from this perspective, it makes sense that he did this.

Understanding does not equate to acceptance, because several of those assassinated were members of Lin Wenhua's camp.

Who would dare to stand with him now? Has he really gone so far as to turn on his own people? Besides, Chairman Xu is quite capable; his recent dividends have clearly increased.

In this situation, many people are increasingly inclined to side with Xu Shi.

-

Lin Wenhua had no way to express her grievances.

Although everyone in the company pointed the finger at him, he himself knew very well that he had never done such a thing!

It's so frustrating to be caught in the crossfire when you're just sitting at home... The worst part is you can't explain it. These kinds of things always get worse the more you try to explain. If you tell the truth, people will think you're trying to cover something up, which is really... well, you know.

It must have been that little bastard Xu Shi who framed him! The old man was so angry that his teeth itched. From beginning to end, he had only sent assassins to keep an eye on Xu Shi. He hadn't even given the real order to assassinate him!

He wouldn't act rashly and leave any leverage for others until he was absolutely certain of success, especially since he knew how capable Su Lin was. Xu Cheng had left her to that little bastard before he died, yet she had managed to hold out for so long on her own, which spoke volumes about her skill level.

It was probably because of her that number 1557 was exposed.

Now the other party's fate is unknown, and they haven't even replied to a single communication!

This was clearly a disaster, and the little bastard even managed to turn the tables on them... Thinking this, Lin Wenhua's face grew increasingly gloomy.

You want to play a couple of rounds, buddy? Then I'll play a couple of rounds with you!

However, the most urgent task is to find 1557's whereabouts. Whether she is alive or dead is irrelevant, but we must not let her cause any more trouble... Thinking of this, Lin Wenhua immediately gave orders to the other cyborg assassins.

"Find 1557 as quickly as possible, and kill him on the spot!"

……

Compared to Lin Wenhua, Xu Shi seemed to be in much better spirits.

But he still abandoned his usual arrogance and haughtiness, and spoke very seriously to Tang Shuang across from him in the office, "This kind of thing is already very bad, and the key is that I'm scared now, it's too dangerous... How about this, I'll hire you to be my bodyguard for a while, you name your price?"

"...Chairman Xu, you're joking. You have many capable people around you...Besides, my abilities are actually limited, and I really can't help you in this regard."

Tang Shuang politely declined without expression, "But rest assured, we will do our utmost to find the culprit and minimize the losses to 'Snake Ring'."

"Alright, alright, then Director Tang, you'd better hurry up."

Seeing this, Xu Shi stopped pestering him, but he revealed the typical cowardly and useless expression of a spoiled brat.

I'd die without a mature, older woman protecting me (just kidding).

Come on, you're kidding me.

Tang Shuang couldn't help but complain when she saw him like this—ever since Jiang Fengshan's incident, she knew that this guy was full of bad intentions.

And ever since I started dealing with him, I haven't gotten anything good out of him.

Even the entire inspection bureau is almost turning into a tool for his personal gain because of those "snake ring" cases.

This is utterly inhuman! WDNMD!

That's why she was so eager to find evidence of Xu Shi's crimes; it was practically becoming a malignant tumor... This feeling also prompted her to stand up, and she was about to leave in a hurry, saying, "That's all for now, I have something to do, I won't bother you any longer."

"Let's have dinner together, Director Tang?"

"No need for that, thank you for your kindness, Chairman Xu."

Tang Shuang would certainly not agree, she was trying to avoid you... But despite her words, Xu Shi didn't feel that her gaze had left him, and was even scrutinizing him from all angles.

"Director Tang, why are you looking at me like that?"

Xu Shi was also curious upon seeing this.

"...It's nothing, Chairman Xu, take care."

Tang Shuang snapped out of her daze and calmly brushed it off, saying, "If anything happens, I'll let you know immediately."

Why do I see him that way... Well, you can't just eat the side dishes all at once, can you? Observing more will help expand the sample.

Although reluctant, Tang Shuang had to admit that using Xu Shi to alleviate the complications of her superpowers was even more effective than taking medicine.

But he definitely couldn't know about this, otherwise things would get out of control... Tang Shuang, feeling an overwhelming sense of shame, quickly walked out.

I'll try to update around this time from now on, instead of at those weird times!

Also, after looking at the poll, I'll draw Su Lin and Xia Wuyou next.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 64 It cannot, at least should not

Looking at Tang Shuang's retreating figure, Xu Shi couldn't help but chuckle.

It seems that this is how she always leaves her office.

Compared to her forced composure at first sight, she seemed much more natural this time, but she also appeared to have lost her composure considerably.

Xu Shi couldn't help but be curious. This wasn't like her usual style, and it was different from her exasperated state in prison last time... What was going on?

...Could it be due to complications from his superpower?

Realizing this, Xu Shi's expression became somewhat strange—he knew what Tang Shuang's symptoms were; when they flared up, they were indeed terrifying.

In his view, Tang Shuang's supernatural complications in the original work were purely designed to give Shen He a... cough, to enhance their relationship. It was more like saying, "I am immune to all poisons, but I am helpless against the aphrodisiac, so please help me."

However, he never expected that he had become a side dish for people making beans.

No, or at least it shouldn't be.

But from another perspective, isn't this also a sign that she is letting her guard down?

Given that her work has been focused on her own affairs lately, it seems that Director Tang is becoming increasingly accustomed to her role as the "captain of the outsourced security team for 'Snake Ring'".

Xu Shi was quite satisfied with this. Who wouldn't like such a dedicated and unpaid laborer?

I wonder how she will react if she discovers that the assassin she was asked to find is actually just a wall away from her.

He opened the hidden door beside him, and inside, the six-pointed star remained docile, awaiting his next instruction.

"So nice."

Xu Shi smiled and patted her head.

Lin Wenhua was the one who flipped the table first, so it wouldn't be right for me not to retaliate—including all the publicity, which I personally contacted "Xu Shu" to create momentum, so everyone should direct their criticism at the old man.

It would also be a good opportunity to clean up some of the likes of Xu Anbang and other disloyal and disloyal people. Why not kill two birds with one stone?

The so-called weakness is relative. The six-pointed star may not pose any threat to itself, but it may not be to others.

This is enough to give Lin Wenhua a headache for a while... Anyway, he can't explain it clearly, and the only thing he can do is try to eliminate this hidden danger as soon as possible.

I won't let him have his way—the objective has been achieved, so there's no need to continue the assassination.

As for Miss Hexagram, she can just stay here quietly. With the extent of her cybernetic modifications, she doesn't even need to worry about food and drink; one tube of energy reagent will last her a long time.

This is why the six major conglomerates are all strongly advocating for their employees to undergo human body modification, and why lower-level workers have no choice but to join Glorious Evolution in order to save on living costs.

One side gains a more efficient workforce, while the other can work longer and earn more money; this is undoubtedly a win-win situation.

However, her value is not limited to this. When the time is right, she will have the opportunity to continue to shine.

"You're happy too, aren't you?"

Looking at the six-pointed star in front of him, Xu Shi asked with great interest.

The other party did not give any response, but gradually lowered their head and entered standby mode.

Ugh.

Xu Shi sighed inwardly, realizing that too many modifications weren't a good thing, as they had diminished the fun of interaction.

Not long after I came out of the darkroom, the communicator on the table rang.

Upon opening the caller ID, it was Xie Qingyan.

Oh?

Is this... finally unable to hold back?

Xu Shi blinked.