Hiss.
The kinetic assist system vented once more.
Levi burst from the dissipating smoke, colliding with the last agent—the Arasaka netrunner—and pinning him to the floor.
He planted a boot on the man’s chest, the barrel of the Atlas 45 leveled directly between his eyes.
“We are Arasaka Counter-Intelligence!
Arasaka will never let this go!” the agent spat, staring daggers at Levi.
“I’ll be waiting for you in hell—especially you, Levi!” “Then you’ve got a long wait, kid.
God loves me—he’s too afraid to take me,” Levi grinned.
He didn’t wait for a response.
BANG.
As the smoke cleared, the three Arasaka agents lay lifeless on the Coyote Cojo’s floor.
“Damn it, Mano!
We had a deal—you were supposed to leave a few for me,” Jackie groaned, shaking the dust off his jacket.
“How am I supposed to make a name for myself if you hog all the kills?” “My bad, Jackie,” Levi laughed, clapping him on the shoulder.
“Next time, for sure!” “You promise?” Jackie looked skeptical.
“Would I lie to my own brother?
Next time, I’ll let you take the lead.” Nearby, the Valentinos were watching with newfound respect.
One of the lieutenants, a man named Tyrell, hauled himself into a chair.
“Jackie, where’d you find this guy?
Hell of a combatant.” “Tyrell,” Jackie said.
“This is Levi.
Met him at Vic’s yesterday.” Tyrell nodded, his eyes fixed on Levi.
“Impressive work.
Ever thought about joining the Valentinos?
With skills like that, you’d have Padre’s attention in a heartbeat.” “Trying to poach him already, Tyrell?” Jackie grumbled.
“Look, Jackie, you left, and Vivienne moved to Atlanta—we’re short on heavy hitters,” Tyrell said, a hint of desperation in his voice.
He stood up, steadying himself, and handed Levi a business card embossed with the Valentinos’ thorny rose.
“Keep this.
We have enough clout to bury a Vice Minister—even one from Arasaka.
If you ever change your mind, hit me up.” Levi added the contact to his OS list, alongside Jackie, Misty, and Victor.
“I’ll keep it in mind.” “Good.
Take care, Jackie.
You’re always welcome back,” Tyrell said, leading his men out.
The bar emptied quickly; nobody wanted to be around when the cleanup crew arrived.
“Levi, are you alright?” Mama Welles descended the stairs, her tone gentle.
She had seen it all—the entire skirmish had been Levi’s show.
“Sorry for the mess, Mama Welles,” Levi said, his voice softening.
“Pah.
A few dead Corp-rats?
Hardly a tragedy,” she dismissed it with a wave.
“Go back upstairs with Jackie.
The cleaning crew will be here soon.” Back on the second floor, Jackie poured two glasses.
He looked grave.
“Mano, what’s the move?” “What do you mean?” “The Arasaka situation.
You killed an assistant to a Vice Minister.
They don’t just ‘let that go’.” Jackie leaned in, lowering his voice.
“Listen, get out of Night City while you still can.
Before they send the elite squads.” Levi scoffed.
“You afraid, Jackie?” “It’s Arasaka, Mano!
They control the world.
Nobody who crosses them survives.
Look at Johnny Silverhand—rock legend, blew up Arasaka Tower, and look where he ended up.
Dead or missing.
Get out.” “Look at you, shaking in your boots,” Levi said firmly.
“How are you going to become a legend like that?
Arasaka is a beast, sure, but a beast is made of parts.
It doesn’t have a single, unified brain.” “What are you talking about?” “Politics, Jackie.
It’s a mess of infighting.
I didn’t cross all of Arasaka; I crossed Ichikawa.
And you can bet your last eddy that someone else in that company is waiting for the chance to take his seat.” Levi took a slow drink.
“I’ve got a plan—but it’s going to require some help from your friend, V.” — Don’t forget to send Spirit Stones for more chapters.
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