Chapter 77

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In the square, the standoff had become clear. Faraday, despite being a formidable intermediary, still lacked the clout to openly challenge an Arasaka representative. Confronted with Gloria's aggressive questioning, Faraday retained an air of haughtiness and ultimately chose to extricate himself from trouble and look after his own interests.

His behavior made it obvious that he didn't want to incite public offense towards Arasaka over the commission of Militech. More than being an intermediary, Faraday aspired to a high position within a big corporation, which was why he tolerated being dictated by the Militech sector.

Only by being inside the corporation could he become a true elite. He was indifferent to whether it was the Militech or Arasaka.

Faraday's cyberoptic triple eyes flickered as he sought a way to end this standoff, which shouldn't have occurred in the first place. Gloria, paying no mind to Faraday, spoke in a cool tone that resembled issuing orders. "Maine and I have more to discuss, you may leave if there's nothing else."

She didn't intend to harp on the Tanaka issue, since Tang Yu had not instructed her to pursue it further. Using the Tanaka issue to suppress Faraday demonstrated to Maine that Arasaka's strength greatly surpassed Faraday's, achieving the desired effect.

Hearing the dismissal, Faraday clenched his fist in the pocket of his pants. However, as someone seasoned in business, he would not let his emotions show; in business, results mattered, not words.

Since the present Arasaka representative showed no intention of delving into Tanaka's affairs, it implied that they were not backed by Tanaka's faction. Hesitating for a moment and with a spin of his cyberoptic lenses, Faraday had his driver and bodyguard open the car door, then he turned to leave.

As he was about to get into the car, he turned his head and with his triple eyes fixed on Maine, he declared, "Our collaboration continues. Also, although she's not from Tanaka's faction, she's too close to Arasaka. Despite our acquaintance, I'd advise you to be cautious." 

With that, Faraday got into his car, closed the door, and the maroon sedan slowly drove off. When passing the Arasaka convoy, Faraday paid special attention to the central stretch limousine, making a mental note of it.

Tang Yu didn't give much thought to an intermediary from Night City. Faraday didn't count for much. Poaching talents, or even kidnapping them, were common practices among corporations. 

Morgan Blackhand once slaughtered an entire gang and that very night, the Militech approached him to join a secret team. Alt Cunningham, who developed the Soulkiller program, was kidnapped by Saburo Arasaka. 

Faraday was already on the counter-intelligence registry, and the major corporations had conducted targeted investigations on such intermediaries in Night City. The corporations often turned to these intermediaries for dirty work they couldn't do directly, then subcontracted it to the street-level cyberpunks.

To become like Rogue, the Queen of Afterlife, who commands Night City, independently operates a bar, and creates a top-tier information brokerage, is extremely rare. However, even before Rogue became the Queen of Afterlife, she utilized corporate power to some extent and even collaborated with Adam Smasher.

Despite Rogue's own reasons, it was undeniable that to establish oneself in Night City without the tacit approval of the corporations was nearly impossible. Seeing Faraday leave first, Maine cursed silently, "Dammit, stirring the pot before he leaves." 

Faraday's remarks essentially pushed Maine to the opposing side of Arasaka, letting Gloria know that Maine's livelihood with the Militech was still considered.

Maine then asked, "Gloria, what's going on here, exactly?" "And is that him behind you..."

Maine was fairly certain in his conjecture. Yet, Gloria didn't respond to Maine's question but instead turned slightly to glance at the vehicles behind her. "I wonder what his take is."

The person in the car hadn't taken any action or stance so far.

Gloria figured she should continue.

She quickly regained her composure; there was no need to put on airs in front of the familiar old hand, Maine.

In her previous clash with Faraday, she had already completely overshadowed him in terms of momentum, which was a good start.

"It's not complicated."

"I have a job for you."

"We'll go by market rates; I need you to find someone in the Watson district."

"I know you're familiar with the area."

Maine grew more puzzled.

He couldn't imagine what sort of job Gloria would have for him, especially since she earned her thirty thousand eurodollars through him.

Maine turned his head to check Dorio and the others' responses, looking for their attitude.

Dorio nodded, signaling that they could at least hear her out.

Maine asked again, "What's the job? Does it involve Arasaka Corporation?"

Gloria tossed a micro-separation chip to Maine, "Take a look first; it's not related to Arasaka, but it does involve a gang."

Maine caught the chip in his hefty palm and inserted it into his neural port to read the information.

The Valentinos?

Lei Heine?

Missing?

Maine quickly grasped what the job entailed, confirming it indeed had nothing to do with Arasaka Corporation.

"This job doesn't seem too difficult, but you need to clarify its relationship with Arasaka Corporation."

"And you know, I'm currently working on Faraday's job which targets Arasaka."

"Taking on both could complicate things."

Gloria had also considered this.

Tang Yu didn't hold her accountable for the Tanaka vehicle incident, suggesting they were not from the same faction within Arasaka Corporation, so there was no need to do Tanaka's dirty work for free.

Moreover, Gloria was in no position to interfere with the power struggles among the higher-ups of Arasaka Corporation, so pretending to be unaware and fulfilling Tang Yu's request was the best solution.

"Have you still not understood my approach?"

"Maine, don't overcomplicate things."

"Just like the rules we discussed before, complete the job, and I'll pay the fee."

"As for anything else, don't ask too many questions."

"And if he had intended to pursue the Tanaka issue, Faraday wouldn't have been able to walk out of this area."

"As for your dealings with Militech, that's your affair, and I likewise won't pry."

"If it draws the higher-ups of Arasaka's attention, I can only remind you not to be too reckless."

"I hold no malice towards you, including him, please be assured of that."

Compared to Faraday's arrogance, Gloria's tone was decidedly more sincere.

Maine gradually accepted the fact that Gloria was the go-between, even though she was just starting out, backed by Arasaka's executives, she was merely a puppet for the corporation.

"I'm aware of that, I can take your job, but you..."

Gloria could see Maine's hesitance, obviously feeling that getting too close to Arasaka could lead to trouble.

"Maine, when you're willing to pay up front, I know you're a reliable friend," she said.

"This is my choice. After all, who knows if tomorrow in Night City could be worse?"

"Maybe, just maybe, there's a new opportunity ahead."

Hearing Gloria's calm response, Maine had no more advice to offer.

This time with Arasaka hadn't brought him any trouble, and Gloria had only targeted Faraday.

That cunning middleman, Faraday, had passed his troubles onto Maine when things went south, utterly despicable.

Seeing Gloria's life take a new turn, the ever-generous Maine was also pleased with her choice.

"You're right; in Night City, you have to fight, take chances."

"I'll take your job of finding this person."