Chapter 202 - 184 Return to the City

[Cross-dimensional Material Transmission]

[Technology Points - 500]

[Current Technology Points: 1700]

After an entire night’s effort, Lille extracted a large amount of reverse-engineering biological materials from the scrap heap, and also uploaded the structural design files for the Centaur Mecha to Marvel’s servers.

From now on, the Cyberpunk World itself has a vast labor force to utilize. It’s necessary to accelerate the creation of production lines suited to human labor.

Pure looting and smashing won’t change anything.

With dark circles under his eyes, Lille splashed some water on his head and could even see the steam rising.

It’s time to go back to Night City.

Still the same red and black striped Mackinaw, parked at the edge of the camp, waiting to return.

V seemed a bit uninterested.

"Hey, Mackinaw."

Lille was puzzled: "What do you have against Mackinaw? It’s cheap and sturdy. I didn’t even expect it to run after some repairs."

"Hey, with someone like you, it’s hard to explain. Don’t forget you owe me 1.7 million now. So, is it time to settle the bill?"

"...Don’t rush. I’ll settle the mercenaries’ pay first."

Lille took a step toward Mann’s side.

...

"Mom... I know, I’ll be back soon. It’s nothing, just made some money with friends...

The boss is here to pay us. I need to hang up."

David hung up the phone— by now, the signal equipment in the Evil Land had been withdrawn, though the phone signal was still poor, at least it was safe.

As expected, just as the communication was restored, his mom called to ask why he didn’t come home last night.

Mann patted his shoulder: "You still have a mom? That’s a bit rare."

Everyone nodded.

David gave an awkward smile, realizing having a mom made him feel quite out of place here.

Mann initially wanted to say something like: To be a big shot, you can’t be controlled by your mom.

But then he thought, what’s wrong with having a mom?

Instead, they encountered another scumbag who betrayed his family this time.

So he quickly changed his words, not knowing what to say, and awkwardly mumbled: "Having a mom is good, having a mom is good."

David became even more embarrassed.

Lille walked over like a foreman, scrutinizing the famous mercenary team from Saint Domingo.

Mann, his hand was broken again; David, both hands broken; Qi Wei, her prosthetic jaw was crushed; Dolly, wrapped in large bandages, shot.

Only Pila, Rebecca, and Lucy seemed uninjured— but if thoroughly checked, they’d definitely have internal injuries from shockwaves or blunt force trauma.

This group was all banged up. Who knows how long the reward money will last this time.

Lille looked at them and said:

"...So you’re a gang now? Then I’ll pay you all together."

No one objected.

It seemed David decided to stick with Mann— understandable, after the night’s madness, he must have a deeper understanding of the so-called "tough life."

Mercenaries like Mann were rare, yet they still perished in the clashes with the Night Wandering Ghosts.

As for him, the little pride that had just risen in his mind was shattered into pieces by Bowen.

Not because hanging with Burger King made him that level of mercenary. Adding a Mann, David gradually had a clear understanding of himself.

[Transfer: -120,000 euros]

[Account Balance: 126,682 euros]

"You did well this time, gave you a bit extra tip."

The group was astonished.

This wasn’t just a small tip.

Lille’s thought was simple. This conflict indeed exceeded his expectations. The Mann team performed well and shared a lot of pressure on the frontline.

Good performance and attitude, just add money. He’s not the stingy boss who clings to money.

On the contrary, he’s actually quite willing to support young people who seem promising— it’s his habit.

"Working for you is both dangerous and addictive." Mann distributed the money, feeling a bit sentimental.

"Get a better arm replacement when you get back— but I checked your prosthetic system, and before changing the arm prosthetic, it’s best to replace the thymus electro-control device and the bone marrow micro-dialysis device.

The Gorilla arms and built-in missile systems in the arms are structurally simple and significantly enhance combat power.

But I guess your body has become a mess due to reckless and blind prosthetic implantations, right?"

Mann clicked his tongue, and everyone looked at him.

He just lowered his head, not knowing what to say.

Actually, even before the subway battle, his body often trembled, and his prosthetic system was in disorder.

Repeated injuries, leakage of prosthetic circulation fluid, and frequent prosthetic replacements worsen the body condition.

Lille continued: "I recommended some helpful entry-level implantable regulatory prosthetics. They are expensive, but if you don’t want to become a cyber-psycho, you better spend some time paying attention."

Suddenly, the scene of Bowen brutally killing Cedric flashed in David’s mind.

Reflecting on their grievances linked to himself, he voiced his doubt:

"...But...without these powerful prosthetics, how do we fight? How do we..."

How do we maintain our dignity, protect our loved ones, and achieve the life we dream of?

Lille sighed, realizing everyone was looking at him.

This is Night City, or rather the stark reality of this world.

Wealth and power can be materialized through prosthetics and high-tech equipment, presenting themselves most directly to people.

At the bottom, people see: better prosthetics, greater strength, faster speed, more violent means to make others listen.

But in reality, there are countless ways to materialize power; prosthetic modifications are just an easily perceivable method with significant side effects.

"I never said you shouldn’t get prosthetics. Just use your brain. You’re humans, not just disassemblable machines at will.

The less you understand the technology you wield, the more likely you are to be dazzled by flashy tech products, indulging in various desires.

People in Night City die from overdoses every day, playing with sex toys on the street until they die of extreme pleasure. Don’t you think being addicted to prosthetics isn’t much different from these people?"

Mann blurted out: "How is that the same?"

Lille shrugged: "In reality, almost the same."

Some truths are hard for people to see clearly in the middle of it all.

In the peaceful times of the last life, mobile phones— technology that wouldn’t even be considered advanced now— were enough to capture a vast number of people’s attention, leaving them without the mind to study hard.

The impact of prosthetics is far more formidable than mobile phones, and it’s normal to be addicted.

Apart from prosthetics, there are various addictive drugs, holographic sex toys compatible with Super Dream for just a few euros, feeling almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Streets are also filled with various sex dolls...

From cheap to expensive thrills, directly available violent equipment, all are seductive temptations.

However, people addicted to all these toys and sex dolls deceive themselves into thinking their genitals are a warm nest, just as their genitals deceive them into believing they have found love.

Combat prosthetic modification is the same. The pain from modification makes people feel like they are sacrificing something, while the combat power from prosthetics makes them feel in control.

But in this world, the truly powerful figures aren’t heavy with cybernetic modifications.

The only educated David in the group nodded knowingly— it seemed he must study related knowledge after getting back and then decide what to do with his two arms.

It somewhat felt like "black hair unaware of early learning, white head regrets schooling late." After all, he had just dropped out of Arasaka Academy.

Lille waved his hand: "Alright, let’s go back first. But I still suggest you listen to me and revamp your circulation system before thinking of other combat prosthetics."

The crew squeezed into the Columbus Freight they came in— repaired to run with difficulty.

Dolly approached Mann and said: "You never mentioned the prosthetics matter to me."

Mann was silent for a moment: "...I thought I could control it."

"Consider Burger King’s suggestion after we get back."

"Hmm— Mackinaw is so cool, how about we get a Mackinaw first when we get back..."

Dolly headbutted Mann: "Sort out your prosthetic system first!"

In the back seat, Lucy looked at David and sighed: "So, you’ll spend the money on prosthetics again. Worth it?"

"Definitely worth it." David’s attitude was much firmer this time, "Lucy, you asked me before about my dream, but I couldn’t say.

Now I start to understand some things."

"...Understand what? Getting a more powerful prosthetic?"

"Can’t put it into words yet, but I feel I’m getting closer to that dream than I was at Arasaka Academy. One day, you’ll see."

"See what?"

"See your dream come true." David said seriously, "Then maybe I’ll know what my dream is.

Maybe I don’t have a dream now, but I can first watch your dream come true."

"You...are so dumb."

The clunky van trembled, carrying two loads of battered dream chasers, heading back to Dream City.

...

Transfer: -116,682 euros

Account Balance: 10,000 euros.

Personal Debt: 1.66 million owed to V.

Close to 120,000 split in three. Jack got over 30,000, V got 80,000, Lille remained in debt.

Lille was heartbroken, V nodded in satisfaction.

"And then? When are we going back? What for? Didn’t you say big money? Where’s my big money?"

"...The stolen military equipment is still in transit, expected to be processed in a week, probably netting around twenty-five or twenty-six thousand."

"That’s it?"

"I’ll think again... Most of the Night Wandering Ghosts have bounties, totaling over eighty thousand NCPD still owes us; the last batch of nerve suppressants and vaccines will be processed tomorrow, adding up to 66,000 euros..."

"Wait, why only 66,000? Last time even a bit fetched 70,000!"

"I told you last time exploited a loophole! I didn’t skim any!"

"I don’t believe you, let sister plug into your system interface..."

"Get lost!"

...

Dog Town.

At the Sapphire Night Club, an old man in a red suit was on the phone.

His hair was neatly tied back, all white at the top, with a long beard on his chin and a well-groomed goatee on his upper lip.

"The mercenaries I hired exceeded the task, the border wall has been smashed— satisfied now?"

"Hehe, haven’t seen Military Technology take such a big hit in a long time, did well. I heard the cyber monitoring activities are getting more frequent?"

"Yes, Taiping State seems to have new hackers every day, the situation is complex, but for now, the main target isn’t Dog Town, you can rest easy."

"Information like this, the price is negotiable."

"Understood."

The call ended, and Mr. Hans quietly sat in his chair, maintaining the same posture without knowing what he was thinking.

"Cyber monitoring...Hansen, what are you up to?"

Mr. Hans rubbed his brow, thinking if only those three were in Dog Town.

But Hansen would certainly not allow them in.

Better think about the cyber monitoring issue.

Mr. Hans began accessing files from his memory unit: Though he couldn’t leave Dog Town now, nor let powerful people in.

But commissions still had to be issued; he must prepare well.

Who knows when the chance might come?