Infinity, progressing from Arasaka

Located at the border between the Cape Town region of South Africa and the West African European Economic Community, deep inland, and supported and infiltrated by warlord forces such as military technology companies, the area is rife with weapons and constant sporadic and fierce conflicts between warlords and tribes, making it undoubtedly one of the most chaotic and lawless zones in the world.

"There are quite a few underground ruins of ancient tribes of the Bantu language (one of the major indigenous languages ​​of Africa) that have been extinct."

With a silent murmur, Vera pulled up the Cape Town branch's investigation report on the local tribal warlords.

She glanced at it from top to bottom, then frowned.

The questions are few, brief, and superficial. The typical condescending attitude of corporate employees suggests that delving into such issues is a waste of time.

Through comparison, Umbrella's information on Africa is undoubtedly more detailed, comprehensive, and accurate than Arasaka's.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. In the cyberpunk world, there aren't many rights organizations, charities, environmental groups, or archaeological associations to promote it. Companies are all about violent plunder, protests are met with suppression, and resistance is met with heavy blows. After the global internet collapsed, people in other parts of the world still perceive Africa as being stuck in the 'tyrannical co-rule' era of the last century.

After a moment's hesitation, Vera stood up, inserted the split chip into the slot, and copied and downloaded the Cape Town branch's survey report on the surrounding tribes and documents on local customs and products.

She had a general idea; all that was left was to refine it.

Wow.

Vera took a sip of her now-cold coffee, checked the time, pulled out the separation chip, and naturally left her seat.

Ding.

Vera walked past the respectfully bowing receptionist and estimated the time before leaving the floor where the R&D department was located.

Go directly to the elevator.

"Director Russell."

Hearing a familiar voice behind her, Vera turned around. "Tanaka?"

A sturdy figure appeared.

With a side-swept fringe and hazel hair, wearing cool sunglasses, he wasn't particularly burly, but he had broad shoulders and a thick waist. He was none other than Tanaka Shinichi, whom she had met at Arasaka Academy, and Tanaka Katsuo's father.

Vera is a mid-level manager in the Night City Arasaka R&D department, responsible for testing new prosthetics, exoskeletons, and mechs. She seems to have a project codenamed 'King Kong' that Vera is quite interested in.

Wow, I actually ran into him.

Vera thought to herself.

This guy is a true corporate dog who treats the company like home. He is absolutely loyal to Arasaka, dutiful, and lives a very fixed life, with his activity time at Arasaka Tower being extremely fixed.

"I never expected to run into Director Russell here."

Tanaka stepped forward, first bowing slightly, then raising his head and glancing with a hint of emotion in the direction Vera had come from: the direction of the biotechnology research and development department's office area.

"As expected of the most famous genius in our Night City's Aragaka Tower, I believe Director Russell has some new ideas now? Congratulations."

"You flatter me. I have some ideas, and I hope they're correct. Let's take a walk together." As she spoke, Vera turned to the side, her orange-red eyes flashing.

Is there any progress on the "King Kong" project?

Given Vera's status in Night City's Abandoned Tower, she was aware of Project 'King Kong'.

After all, aside from Adam Hammer, if Project Kong succeeds and reduces the burden of mental corruption, as one of the top leaders of the military forces in Arasaka Yoru Castle, she would definitely need to provide equipment slots for her subordinates.

Two steps behind Vera, Tanaka's eyes also flashed with an orange-red light: "Not yet. Even the most physically gifted mercenary test subjects captured will go insane after being equipped. Forcibly activating it will burn out their nervous system, causing them to completely lose their personality. Perhaps only someone like Adam Hammer could withstand it, but that would deviate from the original intention of the 'King Kong' project."

"Take your time, there's no rush."

"I am ashamed; Tanaka has failed the company's expectations."

After a brief business conversation, Vera skillfully changed the subject, "I've looked at Tanaka Katsuo's practical evaluation and usual grades, and they're quite good. Like father, like son."

“Thank you.” Hearing the answer he hoped for, Tanaka bowed again in gratitude.

He said, "He deserves it."

Ding.

The indicator light for the direct elevator next to it lit up.

Tanaka proactively pressed the elevator door open for Vera and asked, "Is Supervisor Russell heading back to the security department...?"

“No, to the helipad. I need to go to Arasaka Academy to see my professor from the School of Military Administration and Law.” Entering the elevator, Vera glanced at Tanaka, who had paused for a moment, and asked knowingly, “Is there a problem?”

"It's nothing. My son, Katsuo, is studying at Arakasaka Academy. I'm on my way to pick him up, Director Russell."

"That's quite a coincidence, we're going the same way, come with me."

"Ah... this, I apologize for disturbing you."

After a moment's hesitation, Tanaka gritted his teeth, bowed again, and then followed without being humble or arrogant.

Take the direct elevator upstairs and enter the helipad inside Arasaka Tower.

Vera's 'Black and White Duo' bodyguards were already waiting and boarding the car.

hum…

After sitting down, Vera picked up the tablet from the chair and seemed to become absorbed in her own world.

Upon entering the heavily customized, thickened and widened hovercar, Tanaka appeared slightly reserved. To his left and right were 'Black Fiend' Brian and 'White Fiend' Laurie, both heavily modified with combat cybernetic bodies and as strong as bears.

"Preparing for the exam."

Seemingly sensing Tanaka's hesitation, Vera spoke up: "The entrance exam subjects at the University of Tokyo have many different established concepts and answering strategies compared to Night City. I've asked my professor at the School of Military Administration and Law to help me organize some points to note."

University of Tokyo?!

Tanaka was filled with awe.

So that's how it is. I heard that Director Vera Adelheid was going to pursue further studies, and I didn't expect it to be the University of Tokyo. Many members of the Arasaka family graduated from that university; Lord Arasaka Yorinobu, the next heir of the Arasaka family, is a graduate of the University of Tokyo!

His son finally managed to get in touch with Vera, seized the opportunity, and rose to prominence...

Must catch!

He made up his mind; when he got back, he would have to enroll Shengnan in a few more tutoring and military training classes.

------

Chapter 044 David: I want to be Vera's commander—

On this day, David Martinez opened the door to a new world.

powerful!

strength!

"Wow, that's amazing..." David pulled out the connecting cable to the lens slot behind his ear, flipped himself up from the ergonomic recliner, and clenched his fist with excitement.

As expected of Arasaka Academy's paid library, even though it's just a general academy for first-year students who haven't yet chosen their majors, the fighting chips stored here are far superior to the free or cheap fighting chips David usually has access to. They are clear, precise, and the key points of the movements are accurately presented in his mind.

Damn it!

He dared to insult his mother. If I ever see that blond guy again, I'll beat him to a pulp... uh, seems like I can't do that.

David looked at his original fleshy arm and quickly snapped out of his excitement.

Although he has some muscle, how could he possibly compete with the prosthetic arm fitted by that blond guy? The chip he's currently reading must have been accessed by that blond guy long ago.

I am just a beginner. The chip can only help me get started quickly. If I want to specialize and fully master and utilize the fighting skills, I still need to train, form memory and neural transmission, or even get a prosthetic body to make my strength, stamina, flexibility and resistance to blows reach the required level.

The effects of forces are reciprocal.

Hitting someone hurts yourself too.

Ultimately, it all comes down to money. The only modifications made to the device were the most basic chip slots and data panel connectors.

Chip slots and data panel connectors are the most basic implants in the world, and for many people, they are also the most cost-effective.

A chip slot typically has two slots: one is a common but essential slot for communication chips, and the other is empty for inserting discrete chips.

The data panel connector is quite complex to explain in detail, but simply put, it allows people to read the contents of a separate chip and project them onto their eyes, including video conversations and text conversion during communication.

This is the most basic prosthetic body available in 2075.

"Ugh..."

With a sigh, David checked the time.

5/30

It's getting late, I should go back. I hope I can start work soon.

Arasaka provides combat uniforms and weapons to new employees in combat-oriented positions, and elite combat personnel are even equipped with combat cybernetic bodies free of charge. This is no secret, given the ubiquitous advertising in Night City.

AI: [Happy reading! We look forward to David Martinez's next visit.]

Hearing the AI's blessing at the library entrance, David, hands in his pockets, sauntered down the steps, pulled out the blood-stained tissues he'd been stuffing in for ages and threw them into a trash can by the roadside. As he walked, he couldn't help but look up at the sky.

The sky was completely blocked by the company's tall buildings.

Arakasa Academy is located in the city center, surrounded by high-rise buildings. As far as the eye can see, looking up, there is almost a steel jungle in all directions. Only through the faint gaps can one see the orange-red, slivers of the setting sun in the sky.

Without realizing it, David's gaze shifted to the company plaza and the dark tower.

His mother used to say she hoped he would climb up, that climbing up would make him a superior person. Now, a thought had taken root in his heart: to climb up and see...

Dengdengdeng-

"Please get out of the way!"

"Wow! Shengnan, what are you doing? Wait for us..."

David looked in the direction of the sound and saw that only Tanaka Katsuo, who had saved him that morning, was running out of the library in a state of panic and nervousness, his face flushed with excitement.

"...Dad, really? Commander Vera Adelheid is coming to the academy..."

Katsuo Tanaka ran past David and sprinted toward the academy's helipad, his eyes flashing orange-red, clearly talking to someone. David could make out some of his barely suppressed murmurs.

"Commander Adelheid?"

Suddenly, David remembered the light blonde woman who gave a speech at the opening ceremony. When she introduced herself, "Was it her?" Watching Katsuo Tanaka's receding figure, David pondered for a moment, feeling somewhat tempted to watch.

I stamped my foot and went to take a look!

Ta-da!

Just as David was jogging towards the tarmac, following Katsuo Tanaka at a distance, a whoosh... whoosh...