"Good morning, Night City!"
"Yesterdayâs death lottery ended with a staggering total of 240 deaths!"
"Thanks to the newcomer in town, as many as 213 bodies were dropped in Westbrook alone!"
"There were multiple line explosions in Westbrook, the city that boasts 24/7 uninterrupted power supply, and even cybernetic implants were affected, putting hundreds of residents to bed that night!"
"Alright, thereâs no need to say more. No one could have guessed such an outcome, so the number of winners yesterday is zero!"
"Nobody cares about Haywood or Taiping State. Letâs focus on how many people Trauma Team can save!"
"Buy your live lottery ticket now and see how many citizens Trauma Team can save. Todayâs your chance to break even!"
"Iâm your buddy Stan, and letâs start a new day in Dream City together!"
Bang!
The TV on the street was blown up.
"Live lottery my ass!"
"Calm down, man, some people want to watch TV!"
"Watch your mother! Nobody should live, everybody should die!!!"
"Cyberpsychotic!"
Bang, bang, bang!
The passing NCPD officers shot the crazed gambler, and the streets of Night City returned to peace.
The bloodstained TV continued to broadcast the news.
"Welcome to News 54. Hereâs your morning update."
"The infamous H8 Skyscraper massacre has been investigated. A high-end club called âCloud Peakâ was nestled within the Super Skyscraper and has shady connections with a gang known as the Tiger Claw Gang."
"Itâs reported that Cloud Peak provides high-end sex doll services to multiple government officials, creating opportunities for gang and executive interactions."
"Some executives with unusual fetishes obtain services through Cloud Peakâs criminal network from a crime lord named Jotaro Zenfa."
"This crime lord randomly kidnaps victims from the streets and illegally collaborates with the immigration control department within the NCPD for human trafficking."
"Victims are forced to shoot illegal Black Superdreams, provide sex doll services, and undergo involuntary prosthetic and hormone modifications to meet client demands."
"On that night, it was found that the youngest victims were only of a very tender age. These special groups were forced to work in a nightclub called Phoenix."
"Moreover, Deputy Commissioner of NCPD, Jerry Fort, is implicated. Evidence suggests that he, as a senior member, frequently visited a facility known as Big Blue Island."
"Due to legal issues in Night City, these personnel will not face legal repercussions for now. Angry citizens have occupied the street in front of the NCPD headquarters, confronting the NCPD."
"This scandal has currently affected multiple senior officers within the NCPD. The list of involved personnel is still being unveiled. Stay tuned to News 54 for exclusive updates..."
Mercedes sat in the car, the roadside full of news about Jotaro Zenfa.
She couldnât suppress the smile on her lipsâshe was, after all, the PR director for Military Technology stationed in Night City.
Recently, only one major event dominated the political scene in Night City: the mayoral election.
Jerry Fort clearly belonged to an opposing camp and leaned towards Arasaka in policy. Due to the internal issues at NCPD, there were already hints that the former commissioner, Colridge, might get ousted.
But that was no longer the case now. While legal issues couldnât directly arrest himâ
Many people wanted him dead. Most NCPD employees were only superficially complying with him, and the department became divided due to these issues...
Such increased operational costs would prompt NCPDâs board to consider personnel changes. Being abandoned by the board was equivalent to a death sentence for them.
Without Fortâs obstruction, the procurement of Centaur Mecha might soon be approved, which would be a major achievement for her.
However, Mercedes still had an unresolved issue: the remaining list of involved personnel was still in Lilleâs hands.
So she came to pay him.
The car stopped at the entrance of the Afterlife Nightclub. Various supercars were parked there today, including a remarkably conspicuous red and green supercar belonging to the Tiger Claw Gang boss.
Previously, people would avoid it, but not after yesterday.
On the contrary, the appearance of Military Technologyâs armored vehicle made those waiting around for jobs or looking for people to work pause and scrutinize it, more or less.
The car was low-profileâfor Military Technology, very low-profileâjust an Emperor Ragnar. When the car stopped, a whole squad of Military Technology didnât hastily get off.
However, the person who got off...
The PR director for Military Technology in Night City, a person with a well-known reputation.
Mercedes enjoyed this attention but soon heard a discordant voice...
"Tsk, Military Technology... acting all high and mighty."
"But if you donât drive a Mackinaw, your lifeâs a failure."
Mercedesâs face twitchedâwhen did these penniless outlaws start looking down on armored vehicles...
Walking to the entrance, the big guy at the door of the Afterlife Nightclub looked at Mercedes and the big guys from Military Technology standing behind her, raising his hand to stop them from proceeding.
"You can go in, but not the one behind you."
...
Inside the top-tier VIP suite of the Afterlife Nightclub.
The suite was surrounded by top-tier organic composite panels, isolating all sounds, so even a hand grenade explosion inside wouldnât make a noise outside.
Matte-finished to block out all light, it was impossible to spy through optical detection devices from outside.
Additionally, the organic composite panels completely blocked wireless signals. Only one wired connection, controlled by the suiteâs owner, could communicate with the outside world.
Unlike the simple and mysterious exterior, the suiteâs interior was incredibly luxurious. The walls and ceiling made of unique materials were themselves lighting and display panels, capable of showcasing different scenes as needed, making negotiations more pleasant.
Handcrafted imported leather sofas, with comfortable touch and exquisite craftsmanship.
The tabletop integrated with smart touch screens, displaying all room data, allowing for 100% precise control of temperature, humidity, and other conditions.
The black crystal tabletop was filled with top-tier tequila, champagne, and even expensive True Water...
This VIP suite wasnât just a relaxation spot; it was a symbol of personal identity and statusâ
Prepared only for the real big shots.
Lille was meticulously examining a sex doll chip in his hand, with two mechanical arms outfitted with precision equipment operating on the chipâs surface.
Without looking up, he said, "To be honest, I donât care about those bitches who voluntarily sell their bodies for money, but you canât kidnap people off the street; it breaks the rules."
Jack and V relaxed on the sofa beside him.
Blais was sitting nearby, wearing holographic operation goggles, waiting for the current matters to be settled.
The person talking to Lille was a bald bruteâvery sturdy, almost taller than Jack.
The boss of the Tiger Claw Gang, Maekawa Takeshi.
A bald brute, dressed in a white suit, just like their gang, rising through violence while packaging themselves as high-class people.
"That was all Jotaroâs actions, unrelated to the Tiger Claw Gang. We only deal in legal sex doll business."
"I donât care about that. If someone wants to sell their body, let them. But those unwilling to work, you must let them go."
Maekawaâs expression didnât show any emotions, but he felt unsettled inside.
Cloud Peak was a high-end club, yet most of its sex dolls were actually low-end, earning little money while having to hand over a lot to the Tiger Claw Gang.
However, since the Mox Gang emerged, many sex dolls wanted to escape but dared not move under the Tiger Claw Gangâs oppression.
Some whores, after a few years, claimed they saved enough money to quit...
Given a chance, they would definitely run.
If people were to run, Lille would take their sex doll chips, and with the stuff on the news...
Where would they recruit people from?
"...You took our sex doll chips, and now you want us to let people go?"
Lille nodded, "Thatâs exactly what I mean. Honestly, you guys are too perverted, playing with kids?
I despise that the most. You, standing here, look like a kid to me. Do you want me to play with you?"
Maekawaâs anger surged!
Bang!
Jack, holding a handgrip beside him, expressionless, exerted sudden force, and the numbers on it soared, then burst!
This thingâs limit was 300 kilograms, equal to some mechanical vises!
Maekawa withdrew his gaze indifferently, "That was all Jotaroâs doing. True scum, we donât do that. Fine, weâll listen to you.
So, is this settled?"
Lille continued, "Your person in charge at Cloud Peak seems to be called Sato Hongmei? He wasnât seen that night. See, this is the person you chose. Where was he when trouble occurred?
The one called Mako is good. Think about it."
Maekawa was already getting angry.
He had made so many concessions, yet Lille was interfering in his business? Expecting him to support a... a woman whose nervous system was already damaged?
Shing.
He saw V flick out that Mantis Bladeânearly intact even after a night of fighting.
V started peeling an apple with the Mantis Blade.
"...I despise those narrow-minded people the most. Sato is the type that wouldnât scratch his nose unless told which hand to use.
Mako has worked at Cloud Peak for a long time, has some foundation. Iâll consider it."
Lille nodded.
"Head back and keep your boys in check. Seriously, Iâm not trying to interfereâbut Jotaro has started stepping on everyoneâs heads already.
Do you know of a guy named Akuhara? My guys say heâs decent but was driven mad by Jotaro.
Just think, Jotaro has done so much, are you the boss, or is he the boss?
To be honest, I helped you here."
Maekawaâs fury ignited: Well, arenât you amazing, implying I should pay you?
Finishing up with the chip in his hand, Lille raised his head, looking at Maekawa, his Prosthetic Eye glowing blue.
Maekawa said, "Indeed, Iâll cover the cost of this talk. Is this settled?"
Lille nodded, "Settled."