2077: V really knows how awesome he is

Page 197

“You missed,” Adam Hammer said.

David did not deny it: "I did it on purpose."

"why?"

David looked at the cat-eared girl on the sofa.

Adam Hammer was taken aback: "Because of Miss Michiko?"

David didn't answer, because the elevator opened with a "ding" and V stepped out.

The cat-eared girl put down the controller, looked at V and frowned slightly: "Only I have permission to use this elevator, no one else has the authority."

V shrugged: "442095, thank you for loving me. You've always used this password."

The cat-eared girl was even more surprised: "Who are you?"

This password was a way for her to commemorate her father, Arasaka Kei. No one knew it except her, not even her grandfather, Arasaka Saburo.

V countered, "Now that two people have broken into your room, are you sure you want to ask these questions?"

The cat-eared girl regained her composure: "You're here to kill me?"

“No, we just want to make a deal with you,” V said. “Erase everything that happened at Arasaka Tower today, let David Martinez and his team go, and we’ll spare your life.”

The cat-eared girl thought for a moment, then shook her head: "I refuse."

V was taken aback: "Aren't you afraid we'll kill you?"

“If you wanted to kill me, you should have done so from the beginning. No one in Arasaka Tower could defeat Adam Hammer. My life is nothing to you; you can take it at will. It’s not even worth using as a bargaining chip.”

V couldn't help but exclaim, "Michiko, you're as smart as ever!"

"Who exactly are you?" the cat-eared girl asked again.

V countered, "Does that matter?"

"If you tell me your name, I will agree to your terms, erase everything that happened today, and let...that person go."

It wasn't that Michiko had a bad memory; she genuinely didn't know who David Martinez was. In fact, she had only glanced at the report on the prosthetic body Kong. Success or failure wasn't important to her. The reason Arasaka was so concerned was simply because it was all about power struggles among mid-to-high-level executives like Abernathy.

But since Michiko had said so, V didn't intend to object. After all, she was just doing the cleanup work for this time travel operation. She couldn't just leave and let young David and the others be reduced to ashes by Arasaka.

So when faced with Michiko's question, V readily gave the answer: "My name is V, just one V."

V and David left; neither killing Adam Hammer nor Arasaka was part of their plan.

“V?” Michiko pondered. “Exactly the same person who appeared next to Johnny Silverhand 64 years ago, so time travelers really exist? Interesting. Let’s move on to the time dimension for Arasaka’s next phase of work.”

V had no idea what kind of butterfly effect his time travel had brought about. Now that David had saved him and given Adam Hammer a good beating, much of the resentment he felt in the world of Vera had dissipated, and he could consider it a successful conclusion.

"Are we going back?" Vera asked.

David looked at V, who glanced at the date and said, "Let's wait a few more days. I have somewhere to go."

Chapter 175 Old Songs, New Tunes

"Hello everyone, I'm your old friend Julian Jordan. A week has passed since the bombing of the Arasaka building that shocked Night City. Everyone was worried that this might be the trigger for the fifth corporate war, but just now, Ms. Michiko Arasaka, the president of Arasaka's Night City branch, issued an official statement. The previous explosion was just a human error by Arasaka employees and had nothing to do with military technology or Comtasia. Arasaka has always maintained good and harmonious relationships with other companies. Although there is some overlap in related industries, it is all legal and compliant healthy competition."

"Afterwards, the Arasaka personnel department announced a list of laid-off employees, including the infamous Adam Hammer. This made people wonder if this 'living legend' was the culprit behind the Arasaka Tower bombing. But in any case, the people no longer have to worry about the company's missiles suddenly landing on their dinner tables. We can survive again on cheap synthetic meat and locust pizza. Long live peace."

"Alright, the director is already signaling me to stop. Considering he's practically pissed himself in fear, I'll just read a news brief. Night City has recently been plagued by motorcycle gangs, destroying numerous municipal facilities. Some residents witnessed the perpetrators driving luxury cars, suspecting it's another form of illegal entertainment for the wealthy. However, the NCPD states that this is unrelated to wealthy groups; it's the work of unemployed individuals and gang members. Mayor Lucius Lane urges all citizens to be mindful of their safety while traveling and to vote for him in next year's mayoral election..."

Adam Hammer turned off the radio.

He was fired, on Saburo Arasaka's orders.

Although the surveillance footage fully demonstrated the enemy's strength, someone had to take responsibility for Arasaka's heavy defeat, and Adam Hammer, a working-class man, was the perfect candidate.

He was indeed a "living legend," but legends are nothing but dust in the eyes of the gods. Adam Hammer knew that Arasaka wouldn't give up on him; this was just Saburo Arasaka giving him a warning. In a few months, Arasaka would rehire him.

Michiko Arasaka was also punished by Saburo Arasaka, who reportedly intended to send his son, Yoriyuki Arasaka, to Night Castle to replace his granddaughter.

Adam Hammer thought Michiko would try to retaliate, but to his surprise, she obediently accepted the decision and even gave him a number.

"This is my uncle, Yoriyuki Arasaka's, phone number. If you feel dissatisfied with the company's decision, contact him."

Adam Hammer didn't feel resentful; after all, his heart had long since been replaced with iron. But after much hesitation, he still dialed the number. As for why, well, that was probably fate.

"Hello, who is it?"

“Hello Mr. Lai Xuan, I am Adam Hammer.”

"Oh, it's Mr. Adam. Michiko already told me. Would you be interested in being my personal bodyguard and helping me defeat my enemies?"

"Who is the enemy?"

"Arasaka Saburo."

Did the son betray his father?

Adam Hammer suddenly felt a sense of pleasure, only then realizing that his heart was not hard enough, and that he was indeed unwilling to accept defeat.

"I accept your offer of employment."

“Great choice. So, for the first task, go to Arasaka Labs and get a chip.”

"Take it? Or steal it?"

"Haha, you could call it stealing, but don't worry, I've already made arrangements."

"Yes, I won't fail."

Inside the ara-saka, turmoil was brewing, while outside, all was calm.

“I contacted a few friends online and confirmed that Arasaka has not issued a warrant for our arrest.” Qiwei, unusually, took off her red trench coat and put on a… black trench coat.

Rebecca and Pila did the same, the brother and sister taking off their usual punk outfits and putting on dark formal wear.

“I also asked Wakako, and Arasaka definitely didn’t issue a kill order,” Rebecca said while chewing gum.

Pila: "Abba aba."

Rebecca acted as translator: "My brother asked Lucy what they were saying over there."

Qiwei replied, "Lucy hacked into Arasaka's network—don't ask me how she did it, I don't know either—but she said the surveillance footage from Arasaka's side has been altered, our faces are all blurred out. By the way, how could you understand what Pila was saying? Is it some kind of superpower?"

Rebecca sighed, "If you lived with this idiot for over a decade, you'd understand every sound he makes, just like I do."

Pila: "Abba aba!"

Qiwei asked, "What did he say again?"

"He said he wasn't just an idiot, he was a complete idiot."

Pila: "Aba aba aba aba aba aba!!!"

"He said he wanted to eat shit."

Pila: convex (艹皿艹) convex

"Hehe." Qiwei couldn't help but laugh: "You two have such a good relationship."

“It’s more like a tragic fate. But that’s probably what family is like. When you’re together, you find it annoying, but when you’re apart, you miss them terribly.” Rebecca shrugged. “So I’m really grateful to David’s dad.”

“Speaking of that person… Gloria has already confirmed it, hasn’t she? David’s father died a long time ago; she saw it with her own eyes.” Qiwei asked with a hint of regret, “So who exactly is that person?”

As the three were pondering, a Mechsuplong FS3 van pulled up in front of them.

Mann poked his head out: "Get in the car."

Qiwei couldn't help but complain, "A big boss like him still drives this kind of beat-up car?"

"A beat-up car?" Mann chuckled. "Everyone wants to own a Redfield or Herrera, but not everyone can afford one. The Mechsuplong FS3 is designed for these customers with high demand and low budgets."

"So what if we're poor? Why make it sound so sophisticated?" Rebecca asked casually as she got into the car, "What's the selling point of this car?"

“Selling point? Can’t you tell from its appearance, sound and feel?” Mann stepped on the gas and started the car: “It’s cheap, like it’s free, that’s its selling point! This car is made of cheap plastic and textiles plus wishful thinking. It is indeed easy to break down, but it is also easy to repair. The large size of the cabin allows it to carry a lot of goods. For small business owners like us who are just starting out, it’s simply a dream car.”

Dorio turned her head: "Don't listen to Mann's bragging. This piece of junk is just like his penis, always trying to look tough. Can you hear that weak sound under the hood? This truck could break down at any moment if it were carrying even a little more cargo!"

"Haha, Dorio is right, but it's cheap stuff, so let's just put up with it. But I promise, our gun shop will be on track soon, and by the end of the year I'll get a new car and a brand-new high-performance cannon!"

"Did you hear that?" Qiwei looked at Dorio: "Your good days are over. You'll soon be fucked to death."

"Just say you're envious." Dorio tossed a cigarette to Qiwei: "Take it yourself, you tomboy."

Pila drooled as she called out, "Aba aba aba!"

Qiwei punched him.

Rebecca asked in surprise, "You understood?"

Qiwei was also surprised: "Yes, I actually understood!"

"Haha, that's what bonds are!" Mann laughed a few times, then reminded, "When we get to David's house, we need to behave ourselves in front of the elders. Don't be stingy or do anything reckless, or David's mom will think we're not respectable people."

Rebecca pouted: "We're not exactly respectable people anyway."

Regardless, everyone had become much more restrained. Mann called David, and David's family came downstairs quickly.

David, Gloria, and Lucy.

All three were dressed in dark clothing and were holding plastic flowers.

They got in the car, greeted everyone, and then Mann turned the car around and got on the highway, heading towards North Oaks in Westbrook.

Most of the area is mountainous, except for the northern part which is a villa district for the wealthy; the rest is the outskirts of Night City. The reason Mann and his group decided to travel to this godforsaken place was because today was the first anniversary of Sasha's death.

The Mehsuplong FS3 stopped in front of the urn, and the group straightened their clothes, suppressed their smiles, and walked into the cemetery.

“Sasha is a good girl, but unfortunately, good people always get their comeuppance in Night City. I'm a terrible leader; I can't save her. The only thing I can do is give her a home here and visit her every year. After all, she's all alone; she has an older sister, but they've fallen out…”

Mann stopped abruptly halfway through his speech because a bouquet of flowers was placed in front of Sasha's shrine.

These aren't cheap plastic flowers, but real flowers.

Everyone was surprised. David scratched his head and said, "Could it be Miss Sasha's sister?"

“Impossible.” Dorio shook her head: “Putting aside the fact that the two sisters have fallen out, Sasha’s sister probably doesn’t even know that Sasha is dead. Even if she did know, she couldn’t afford real flowers.”

"What's going on?" Rebecca asked curiously. "Sasha is a total homebody; she has no friends in real life except for us. Did someone send the flowers to the wrong place?"

Qiwei turned her head: "Mann, what do you think?"

“That’s nice,” Mann said with a smile. “Maybe it’s flowers from someone Sasha helped. After all, that girl couldn’t be kinder, could she?”

The group exchanged glances and then laughed.

Yes, it doesn't matter who gave it to it. As long as there is this remembrance and memorial in Night City, that's enough.

"Sasha, we're all still alive, and we'll continue to strive to live on, including your share!"

Plastic flowers and real flowers stand side by side. It's not a spectacular event, nor does it make a name for itself. It's the most ordinary ending, but also the best ending.

"Let's go, we should go back." V saw this scene from afar and silently left.

Vera and David exchanged a glance, both noticing V's disappointment. The former scratched his head, deciding to tell a joke to ease the sadness.

"Do you know what the Arakasaka Portuguese branch is called? It's called Fang!"

David: "..."

V: "Vera".

"what?"

"Shut up."

"Oh."

A moment later, V called out again, "Vera."

"What's wrong? I've already shut up!"

"Thank you."

Vera paused for a moment, then laughed: "I told you my jokes would work!"