2077: V really knows how awesome he is

Vera asked curiously, "What does my joke about David have to do with Selene? Would she avenge her father? Is she that petty?"

V was also impressed by Vera's thick skin.

“Alright, let’s get down to business.” V straightened his face: “If things had gone as planned, David would soon have been betrayed by Vicki and forced to wear the cybernetic body. This is actually a game between military technology and Arasaka. David is just a pawn. So, to make sure nothing went wrong, I hacked into the networks of both companies to see their current plans. But I discovered something unusual.”

Vera looked puzzled: "What is it?"

There is no such person as "V" in Arakawa.

"Huh?" Vera's head was filled with even more question marks: "What do you mean there's no such person as V?"

V said seriously, "According to my history, I should be working in Arasaka in 2076, as the second-in-command of the Arasaka Counterintelligence Department, with Jenkins as my superior. But when I looked into Arasaka's personnel files, Jenkins had already died. The current head of the Arasaka Counterintelligence Department is Abernathy, and she doesn't have anyone named V under her. To be more precise, V has never joined Arasaka."

Vera realized something was wrong: "Maybe this 2076 is following the history from my side? V isn't a corporate dog, but a street kid?"

"It's possible, but we need to confirm it. This would be very helpful for our understanding of time travel."

"Understood. I'll go to Haywood and inquire in a bit. Although I should be in Atlanta in 2076, the old men of the Valentino gang should still remember me."

Vera went out again and returned a few hours later with a serious expression.

“I asked around, and Valentino has never heard of V, or even anyone in the whole of Heywood.” Vera scratched her head. “But that’s impossible. I grew up on the streets of Heywood, ate at everyone’s house, and got beaten up in every alley. If I really existed, there would be no way no one would know me.”

“So there’s only one truth.” V pushed up his non-existent glasses on his nose: “There is neither corporate dog V nor street kid V in this world.”

Vera grinned: "Where did V go? Could it be that this person never existed?"

“That’s not impossible, after all, time is skewed, but there’s another possibility: that V in this world is a wanderer.” V recalled the memories from the “players.”

"Huh?" The Vera were all dumbfounded: "V isn't from Night City? This is too crazy. I never imagined what V, a wanderer, would be like. Like Panan, with a big butt?"

V said irritably, "So all you remember is Panan's big ass, huh?"

Vera chuckled: "Panan's ass, Night City's soul, that stuff is amazing, I can't forget it even if I wanted to."

"Save your breath, Panan likes men."

"That's right, Panan likes men."

V and Vera exchanged a glance and sighed simultaneously, "What a pity."

Vera grinned mischievously, "So you really are lusting after Panan's body!"

"Panan's buttocks, the soul of Night City. What's wrong with being greedy?"

“But Parnam likes men.”

V and Vera exchanged another glance and sighed simultaneously, "What a pity."

After this incident, V and Vera, both heroines, developed a stronger bond and their relationship became even closer.

"How about I go back to the Badlands and ask the people in Adcardo if they have anyone named V there?"

“If V in this world is truly a wanderer, then she should belong to the Barker family, not Adcardo’s.” V recalled the “plot” and said, “The Serpent Clan swallowed up the Barker family, and the wanderer V couldn’t stand the Serpent Clan, so she went out on her own. Hearing that Night City was the city of dreams, she plunged in, wanting to become famous.”

Vera snorted: "Famous throughout the world? If there really is a wanderer V in this world, the most likely thing is that she'll be like me, caught up in the Arasaka Saburo murder case, and have a cyber ghost come after her. By the way, how do you know so much? I only heard them mention Snakebang when I was fighting with Panan for the magic lizard, and I thought they were some small fry."

V pointed to his chest: "Remember the world that's simulated inside me? There's a game called Cyberpunk 2077 there, which is actually a simulation of our world. The NPCs playing and completing the game are like countless attempts to explore the possibilities of our world, including the 'story' of V the Wanderer."

"Using simulations to predict the real world within a simulated world? This whole thing is driving me crazy." Vera scratched her head. "So, since V the Wanderer is from the Barker family, should I even go to Adcardo?"

V thought for a moment and said, "Go ahead. Time is unpredictable. Maybe the V in this world is from the Adcardo family."

Vera nodded and went out again. When she returned in the middle of the night, she still looked serious: "Adcardo doesn't have a person named V, but I asked Thor about it. The Serpent Clan is indeed taking over small wanderer families, but they are still far from Night City."

“Not surprising.” V stroked his chin and said, “V the Wanderer only came to Night City in 2077. It’s only 2076 now. Becker probably hasn’t been swallowed up by the Serpent Clan yet. Given the Wanderers’ tendency to value their families, V definitely won’t go it alone.”

"What should I do?"

“We’ll proceed as normal. V wasn’t originally in our plan. The investigation is just to enrich the grand model of time travel; it’s a side quest. The main mission is still to help David eliminate his regrets.”

“Easier said than done.” Vera sighed. “I thought Johnny would be difficult, but I didn’t expect David to be even more difficult. Johnny was relieved after saving Otto, but David has to save his mother, his brother, his older brother, and his sister-in-law. When will he ever save himself?”

V's eyes suddenly lit up with blue light as he received a message.

"Now you don't have to worry anymore, he's about to go save himself."

Vera asked curiously, "What do you mean?"

"Qiwei betrayed them, Lucy was captured by Faraday, and young David has already been tricked and is about to put on his prosthetic body."

Chapter 172 Moths

Qiwei betrayed him even faster than in the other 2076.

Because things have taken a slight, subtle turn.

First of all, Tanaka did not die. Although he suffered brain damage and became a vegetable, the data in his brain was completely preserved, allowing Arasaka to know that the young David was the most suitable "cyborg pilot".

Secondly, there's Adam Hammer, who is employed by two senior employees of Arasaka Counterintelligence to fight against Cybertronians to collect data. However, since it's a side job, his schedule is limited, and he doesn't have much time to wait for these two to set up any schemes or traps.

Third is Abernathy, who is pushing hard for research on cybernetic bodies because Night City Arasaka is establishing a special operations department and is currently short of a director. Cybernetic bodies are the key to her getting the position.

With all these factors combined, the encirclement and suppression of young David became much faster.

He had only just begun to gain fame and was far from reaching the heights of the other 2076 when Arasaka made his move against him. However, the advantage was that his physical condition was much better than that of the other 2076, and his cyberpsychosis only had some early signs, far from reaching the point of full onset.

Even so, he was still driven into a desperate situation.

To reiterate, this "accident" was caused by the power struggle between Arasaka and military technology. Young David was just an insignificant nobody who had no power to resist from beginning to end. The two corporate giants were like two giant gears, slowly turning, enough to crush anyone into dust.

Because the operation was expedited, the two counterintelligence employees didn't have to go through so much trouble. They bribed Faraday, who had been secretly in contact with Qiwei. Under the instructions of this bespectacled middleman, Qiwei betrayed them, kidnapped Lucy, and forced David to wear the prosthetic body armor.

Everything was going smoothly up to this point. All that was left was for Adam Hammer to take action, defeat David in a battle, and collect the combat data on the cybernetic robot. However, Lucy, who should have been under strict control, somehow broke free and sent a fatal message.

This message wasn't meant to tell David to run away or come to his rescue; it was sent to military technology.

Lucy had also seen Tanaka's brain and knew about the power struggle between Arasaka and military technology. The latter had always coveted the Cybertronian, and if they knew its whereabouts, they would definitely go to any lengths to seize it. Whether it was out of new grudges or old hatred, Arasaka would certainly not give up the Cybertronian. As long as the two sides fought, David might be able to escape.

"That's the situation, David. Whatever you do, don't install the cybernetic body! It's a trap! Hold on, and once the fighting starts, you two run. I'm sorry about that time, Mann. Forget about me, and go find a better woman... Ah!"

During the call, Lucy suddenly screamed in pain, and young David was immediately horrified: "Lucy, what's wrong, Lucy!"

But Faraday's voice came through the call: "How's the work going?"

"You bastard, what did you do to Lucy?!"

“Lucy, oh, she’s kissing the ground right under my feet.” Faraday turned on the video and saw that Lucy was already unconscious. Faraday was stepping on her head and pressing her face into the mud.

Young David roared, "Get your stinky feet off me!!!"

“Take my feet off, and then insert something else?” Faraday sneered. “My men have been eyeing this bitch for a long time. Maybe I should give them some perks. After all, the work pressure in Night City is really high. A sex doll that can be manipulated at will should be nice. What do you think?”

Young David was practically going crazy: "Fuck you, Faraday, fuck you!"

"Haha, young people are so easily amused." Faraday regained his elegant demeanor, straightened his suit, grabbed Lucy's hair, and turned her face toward the camera: "Don't worry, I'm not that despicable. Arasaka is offering a hefty sum for this woman, and I'll go hand her over to them right now. As for what Arasaka does to her, that's none of my business."

Young David roared, "Faraday!!!"

Beep, communication interrupted.

"The people from Arasaka are guarding outside." The driver, Falco, stood guard at the door with a pistol in hand. "Should we do as Lucy says?"

This is an abandoned warehouse in Watson District, which has been transformed into a preparation room for the Cybernetic Exoskeleton. The pitch-black next-generation single-soldier exoskeleton stands like a monster in the center of the warehouse, surrounded by all kinds of instruments, and there is even an instruction manual for wearing and using the Cybernetic Exoskeleton.

Clearly, Arasaka's goal was to get young David to wear the prosthetic body, and if David refused, the Arasaka security team outside wouldn't mind helping him put it on.

After hanging up the call, Falco and Rebecca both thought young David would be furious, but he miraculously calmed down.

The once fully equipped Mann squad is now reduced to only three members. They are truly at their wits' end. Faced with Falco's question, young David remained silent for a moment before calmly saying, "I'm going to save Lucy."

Rebecca pouted: "Then we need to get out of here first. There's a huge group of Arasaka devils blocking the way outside. If we want to escape, we can only do what Lucy said and wait for the military technology to come and fight them like dogs."

Young David shook his head: "That would be too late. Lucy can't wait that long."

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

Young David took a deep breath, then turned to look at the black monster standing in the center of the warehouse: "I'm going to equip myself with the cybernetic body!"

the other side.

Faraday hung up the call and gave a disdainful snort.

"Take her onto the hovercar," he told his men.

And this subordinate was none other than Qiwei.

Qiwei did not move in the face of the order.

"I won't do anything for you anymore," Qiwei said coldly. "Give me my share of the money."

"Don't be in such a hurry to break up, Qiwei. I couldn't have caught a top-tier hacker like Lucy without you. I can't live without you." Faraday said with a smile, "I'll give you the money, and even more. Look, I'm just a middleman, yet I can do business with big shots from the Arasaka Counterintelligence Department in the Arasaka Tower. I'm about to rise to the top. Work with me, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury. Maybe I can even get you a job at Arasaka!"

Qiwei scoffed, "I never wanted to be a company dog. Hurry up and send me the money."

Faraday frowned: "Why are you so stubborn? Qiwei, you're an old hand, you should understand that in Night City, if you don't climb up, you'll only become trash. Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces to rule over those people in the company and become famous together!"

"Fame? I think you'll just die without a trace." Qiwei remained unmoved: "I'm a hacker, and what I fear most is fame. It's more suitable for me to be an unknown nobody. Hurry up and send the money."

"Sigh, I thought you would stay with me until the end, what a pity. Okay, I'll transfer the money to you right now."

As Faraday spoke, his eyes lit up with blue light, and Qiwei relaxed her guard. But the next second, what Faraday threw at her wasn't money, but a bullet.

The bullet struck Qiwei squarely in the chest, causing her to widen her eyes in astonishment.

Faraday chuckled sinisterly, "Everyone who knows about the Cybernetic Transformers must die. That's the order Arasaka gave me. I was going to make an exception for you, Qiwei, but you're really not playing along. Lucy breaking free was also your doing, wasn't it? What, you actually took playing house with a bunch of kids seriously? It's only been a few months, and you've already become one of them? I've known you for ten years!"

Qiwei covered her wound with her hand and spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva: "They are human, and you are a dog. Even if I had a ten-year friendship with a dog, we would never be able to piss in the same pot!"

Farah's fourth eye pupil contracted, and he raised the pistol again: "Then don't blame me, Qiwei, die!"

But Qiwei's eyes lit up with blue light, and she threw a [Weapon Malfunction] skill at him. Faraday's pistol exploded with a click, leaving him covered in soot. By the time the smoke cleared, Qiwei had already run away.

"Damn it!" Faraday yelled at his two other men, "What the hell are you standing there for? Go after her and kill her!"

The two men quickly gave chase, which was easy, as the ground was covered with Qiwei's blood.

Young David, who was having his prosthetic body installed, suddenly received a call from Qiwei.

David.

"Qiwei".

The two were so calm, unlike traitors and victims. Only Rebecca, like a cat with its fur standing on end, climbed onto David's shoulder and yelled into the nerve socket, "You traitorous old hag, you dare to call me? Believe me or not, I'll shoot your ovaries off!"

Qiwei's voice was weak: "Then I won't trouble you. I was shot by Faraday and I'm probably going to die soon."

David frowned: "Were you betrayed too?"

"Yes, but I brought this upon myself, so I won't go into details. I'll send you the location of the Faraday Flying Car. Lucy is in the car. Try to stop him before he reaches Arasaka Tower. Once he gets there, you'll have no chance of winning."

Do you think we'll still believe you?

"what ever."

"Do you want us to help you get revenge?"

"Whatever you say. I taught Lucy not to trust anyone in Night City. That wasn't a lie, because people are unpredictable. Now it's just my turn to be betrayed by Faraday. Forget me. Someone like me isn't worth remembering. Go save Lucy. That's what you should do."

"Bang! Boom!"

Gunshots rang out, and communications were cut off.

Young David, Rebecca, and Falco all fell silent.

Even betrayers can develop feelings after spending several months together.

This is the difference between humans and animals.

"Rebecca!" Young David suddenly realized something: "How much of the installation is still in progress?"

"It's already 77%, there's still a quarter left."

"Understood. I will open the passage in a moment, and you can take the opportunity to escape."

"how about you?"

"I'm going to save Lucy, and Qiwei's share too!"

Rebecca and Falco exchanged a glance and laughed together.

“Then you’ll have to take us with you. Qiwei’s location has been sent to my car. Without an experienced driver to lead the way, you won’t be able to find Lucy.” Falco whistled.

“And me too.” Rebecca showed me the tablet in her hand: “I’ve read the instruction manual for the Prosthetic Body. I’ll have to explain to you how to use this thing!”

Young David intended to refuse, but the words that came out were just two: "Thank you."