19 Chapter 19

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Tang Yu remained calm and collected, waiting quietly for Maine and the others to finish reading the contents of the chip. After acquainting himself with the details, Maine truly realized the dangerous nature of this collaboration.

The mission involved not only a conflict between high-level executives within Arasaka but also a struggle between Arasaka and military technology. Although Maine didn't know what Tang Yu had experienced within the company, it was clear that this was a deadly serious affair.

Maine had lost his earlier temper and finally decided to have a serious talk with Tang Yu. Even if he wanted to back out now, it was too late. Knowledge of the information often means being involved, and the key point was that this was a matter of life and death at a high level.

Maine had been doing cyberpunk jobs for so long that he was used to being the middleman who gets paid to do the work without questioning the rights and wrongs behind the mission—being the most pure-hearted worker.

Sometimes he would even complain about the middlemen not telling him the background of the missions, leading to various unexpected situations during the operations. But today's conversation was about such a big deal, and he felt a great pressure on his shoulders. One false move and he'd be ganged up on by Night City's two biggest companies.

Tang Yu noticed the psychological pressure beginning to build in Maine. After all, the team couldn't possibly just have him charging into battle without regard for the lives of the other members. Once the mission was accepted, their fates were tied together. Any decision by the core of the team would affect the entire team's survival.

Maine asked in a deep voice, "We've got the details clearly. What do you suggest we do?"

Tang Yu also became more focused, his expression growing serious. He had always looked down on corporate dogs but that didn't mean he underestimated the damage these dogs could do when they went mad.

"Our primary goal in this collaboration is to achieve a win-win situation," he began. "I'll help you whitewash the Militech Stanislaus military-grade cyberware right under Arasaka and Militech's noses. In their records, this cyberware will be marked as destroyed, and once you've installed it, you won't have to worry about being targeted as a corporate guinea pig."

"Secondly, you'll use this cyberware to lure out Arasaka's and Militech's targets. Whether you plan to sell to the Voodoo Boys or the Cleaners, as long as you make some noise publicly, the corporate types will swarm like sharks smelling blood. After that, you just need to take the goods to the trade. The rest doesn't concern you."

Maine was still somewhat puzzled and asked, "What if a firefight breaks out?"

Tang Yu stared into Maine's eyes and said softly, "Take out your toughest gear and give those corporate dogs a taste of your strength."

"The company usually conducts these kinds of operations in secret and won't make it public," he continued. "Even if a few agents die, it would just be chalked up as mission failure. The NCPD wouldn't get involved."

"But remember this, after today we have no further contact until this collaboration is over."

"I've said all I need to say," Tang Yu concluded.

"Let's see if you guys agree or disagree."

After hearing Tang Yu's plan, both Maine and Dorio seemed to implicitly agree without objections, and Pilar, who had been silent by the window the whole time, knew she had no choice but to get involved in this triangular showdown.

With the matter discussed and no objections raised, Maine clenched his hefty fists, stood up, and said, "Since we've settled this, we'll follow this plan. I, Maine, always complete the tasks I take on. I hope you'll keep your word."

Tang Yu also stood up, buttoning the top button of his suit with a slight smile and said, "Pleasure doing business with you. Once this is all over, I'll introduce you to a reliable ripperdoc for the installation. I believe you won't refuse once you hear his name.""Also, remember to pay back Gloria for the money; after all, this cybernetic limb was a deal she made with you."

Maine grunted in affirmation, though he was visibly displeased. After the dangerous job, it was as if he had worked for nothing. His team had risked their lives with little compensation, and he was left to pay out of his own pocket. Despite his moodiness, he was too eager to have the cybernetic limb installed.

After concluding their business, Maine left the apartment with Dorio in tow.

As Tang Yu was also getting up to leave the apartment, he heard Lucy's indifferent voice raise a question.

"What about the account you mentioned? How do you want to settle it?"

Standing at the open gate of the apartment, Tang Yu stopped to reply.

"You stole my chip, but you gave me a tip in advance, and then you facilitated this collaboration. We're even now, as far as the company is concerned."

Lucy still stared out the window. "As far as I know, the company folk aren't so easily dismissed," she said.

She suspected that Tang Yu had realized she specifically targeted Arasaka to steal the chip. Such an act clearly demonstrated hostility towards Arasaka, and a high-ranking Arasaka employee wouldn't let it slide so easily.

Tang Yu, with a touch of resignation, said, "I'm not like them. At least I have my own ideas, rather than being a true corporate dog. The company may be square, but stealing is still offensive."

Lucy suddenly let out a soft laugh. "Heh, if you hadn't been keeping an eye on me in the train compartment, I might have gone unnoticed. Stealing that chip from you wasn't too much, was it?"

Tang Yu suddenly remembered that he had indeed been the one to first notice her, not expecting this detail to be turned against him.

The silver-haired girl was nonchalant, her gaze indifferent as she continued, "You really are different from others in the company. I stole your chip because your conversation touched upon that cybernetic limb, and Maine has been looking for such cyberware. Unexpectedly, your identity..."

Tang Yu turned to look at the girl sitting on the bay window, playfully taking over the conversation. "Who would have thought that a corporate executive would ride the public hover train? From your reaction back then, it seemed like a new experience for you."

Lucy turned her head to face Tang Yu, her gaze cautious and cold.

"Do you know why I think you're different from the other corporate dogs?"

Tang Yu gestured that he was all ears.

Lucy's neon childish eyes stared straight at Tang Yu as she slowly said, "You are more dangerous... more lethal..."

Silence fell between them for a moment.

Tang Yu wasn't sure how he'd given her this impression, feeling more and more like a corporate villain since his rebirth.

"You're too comfortable in the company, manipulating people and controlling situations. Everyone else is just a pawn in your eyes."

"With your background from a powerful family, you started at the pinnacle of life, and at a young age, you took an executive position at Arasaka. Obviously, you've never experienced what it's like to fall into hell."

"You might despise the company, even fight against it, but you can't leave it. The company has given you all your power and that lofty status. Isn't that right, Mr. Tang?"

Hearing Lucy's view of him, Tang Yu sarcastically conceded, "Then I'll take it as a compliment, at least I'm doing something right."

Not wanting to dwell on the subject, Tang Yu had no intention of shedding his corporate skin just yet, nor did he have the patience to explain himself to someone he just met – especially to someone with a strong animosity towards Arasaka.

At least once in his life, he had been clear about love and hate, living a life of passion and vengeance.