“Good morning, everyone.
This is today’s WNS News.
It’s a pleasure to meet you all again.
Today’s first news story is a statement from Arasaka Corporation’s new executive in Night City, the Minister of the Special Operations Department, Mr.
Rain Vermilles.”
“As my parents were meritorious employees within the Arasaka family, I have always kept their aspirations and last wishes in mind, and I have consistently fought for them.
I feel extremely honored to take office as the Minister of the Special Operations Department in Night City, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank…”
“The above was Minister Rain’s speech.
Now, let’s look at the violent incident that broke out not far from the city center a while ago.
It is understood that the victims were Arasaka Corporation employees carrying important internal documents, and the attackers were likely armed personnel hired by Militech…”
“This conspiracy was crushed by Minister Rain Vermilles.
At the same time, Minister Rain led his employees in a new round of extermination activities against the Maelstrom gang entrenched in Watson, making a significant contribution to the stability of Night City!”
Beep—
“Tsk, Corp-rat.
Talks a better game than he plays.’Significant contribution to the stability of Night City,’ my ass!
It’s just because those idiots from Maelstrom stole their stuff, and it even made me lose big on the Dead Man’s Lotto.
Change the channel, change it!”
Hearing the disgruntled words of the person nearby, David, who was sitting there eating, couldn’t help but chuckle.
He then saw the TV channel change to the Dead Man’s Lotto drawing program.
“Good morning, Night City!
A while ago, another big-shot corporate figure arrived in our Night City.
That’s right!
It’s the Arasaka Special Operations Department Minister who’s been all over the news lately.
Oh my god, he gave us quite a show as soon as he arrived!
Can you guess what it was?”
“That’s right!
It’s our Dead Man’s Lotto!
Originally, the body count for that day’s lottery was supposed to be around 74 people, but…
Minister Rain made his move!
The count shot straight up to 127!
I bet you’re all losing money!”
“But in all honesty, this big-shot’s face and physique are really something.
I reckon the girls and guys at Clouds are in for a treat!”
“Shit!
What rotten luck.
I’m not eating anymore!”
The next second, the customer who had been swearing slammed his instant noodles down and walked away grumbling.
David couldn’t help but cover his mouth and turn away, laughing.
“Hey, you haven’t paid yet, you bastard!!!”
“Fuck, I lost so much damn money and you’re still asking me for pay?
Go to hell!!!”
“Hey!
Acting that arrogant?!”
The owner laughed in anger at the sight, then pulled a gun out from under the counter.
Bang!
“Holy shit, wait, wait, wait!
David, who had been watching the skit from the side, looked at Rain on the TV and couldn’t help but zone out for a moment.
“An Arasaka big-shot…
he’s really quite impressive…”
After murmuring quietly, David paid and walked toward the megabuilding where his home was located.
Tomorrow was the opening ceremony for Arasaka Academy.
His mother had to work very late today so she could accompany him tomorrow, so he was home alone.
Therefore…
Blackwall, initiate!
…
“Boss, news from the Dead Man’s Lotto.”
“Hmm?”
Rain was stunned for a moment; he didn’t remember buying into that thing.
[Dear Mr.
Rain Vermilles, congratulations on guessing the final numbers for the Dead Man’s Lotto.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude.
The grand prize, a brand-new Villefort Cortes and fifty thousand Eurodollars, has been prepared for you and will be delivered today!]
“Heh, you go drive it, Canris.”
After reading the message, Rain couldn’t help but chuckle, then looked at Canris.
“Really?”
Canris was stunned, then looked at Rain with great joy.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this.
Go drive it.”
“Hehe, thanks, Boss!!!”
…
“You guys actually didn’t die?”
“Bastard!
You set us up and you have the nerve to ask us that?!”
At this moment, Maine looked at Faraday with an unfriendly expression and spoke.
Faraday fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then put on that rather arrogant face again.
“I never did such a thing; it was just your own bad luck.
Besides, the mission failed.
At most, I’ll give you fifty thousand Eurodollars as compensation.”
“Fuck!”
Hearing this, Maine couldn’t help but curse, then took a large step forward as if to strike, but was blocked by the bodyguard standing next to Faraday.
“Calm down, Maine.
That’s how business works.
And to be honest…
I’m curious how you survived under that Minister’s hand…
You should have some intel on him, right?
We can make a deal.
Remember the commission I sent you before?”
Faraday’s heart had actually tightened when he saw Maine’s movement; after all, Maine’s strength was no joke.
Plus, he didn’t really want to lose such a useful team, so…
We injured that guy who betrayed Militech, and that Arasaka Minister seemed very concerned about him, so he didn’t have much time to deal with us.
But he still seriously injured all of us.
We’ve been recovering and looking for a ripperdoc to fix our cyberware lately.”
Faraday observed Maine’s condition and, seeing that there were indeed traces of recent surgery in many places, nodded silently.
However, what made him more inclined to believe them was Pilar’s severed hand.
Plus, he felt that a big-shot from Arasaka had no reason to let such a merc crew go, so he assumed Maine and the others were just lucky.
“…Where’s the netrunner in your team?”
“It’s not convenient for her lately.”
“Understood.
Then tell me about the intel.
What do you know about that Minister?”
“He has a Sandevistan, and a very strong set of armor.
He likes using a katana and his swordsmanship is incredible…
he can even deflect bullets with the blade in his hand.
Our team…
stood no chance against him.”
As Maine spoke, he had a lingering look of fear on his face.
This wasn’t an act, it was real; if they hadn’t been useful…
he believed they would have long since become souls under the man’s blade.
After hearing Maine’s words, Faraday nodded and then transferred one hundred thousand Eurodollars to Maine and the others.
“Fifty thousand is compensation, and the other fifty thousand is for the intel just now.
That’s it.
I’ll contact you if there are any other commissions.
Get some rest for now.”
With that, Faraday sat back in his car and drove away.
“Tsk!
What a piece of work!!”
After Faraday left, Pilar spat on the ground.
“We’ll have a chance to teach that four-eyes a lesson later.”
Maine snorted as he watched the departing vehicle, clearly just as displeased with Faraday.
“Sasha, did that guy really not do anything to you?”
At this time, Rebecca was talking with Sasha, who was hiding in the room.
“Oh, what are you thinking?!
How could a big-shot like that let me go because of something like that!!”
“You won’t tell me…
so how would I know…”
Rebecca couldn’t help but mutter.
Sasha smiled helplessly; she knew what Rebecca meant, but she didn’t want to get Rebecca and the others involved in this…
Cooperating with Arasaka against Biotechnica…
it was like dealing with a tiger while entering its den.
She could disregard her own life, but she cared about the lives of Rebecca and the others.
“In short, don’t worry.
In a sense…
I should actually thank him…”
“Huh?!”