Cyberpunk: Becoming a Legend from Dogtown

[Calling: Mr. Hands]

Finally, unable to ignore Lin Yue's persistent calls, the line connected with a soft beep.

"Mr. Hands, finally done being busy, huh?" Lin Yue gritted his teeth, fighting through the pain.

He couldn't imagine the blood loss if it had been his real arm severed. Luckily, his artificial blood vessels had automatically constricted at the stump, keeping him from bleeding out on the spot.

Thanks to tech, he could still walk for now.

"Impressive. You've got talent, friend… With your skills, you could do well in this place. But Hansen needs all of you to keep quiet about that shipment. I hope you understand." Mr. Hands clapped softly, his face calm and indifferent, as if none of this had anything to do with him.

Oh? You wanna play like this?

Lin Yue chuckled bitterly. Maybe he had been giving Mr. Hands too much credit.

"Understand this, you son of a—" Lin Yue growled through clenched teeth. "Wade Bleecker."

(Note: See end for explanation.)

For the first time, the ever-composed Mr. Hands fell silent.

"Surprised I know your real name, corporate mutt?"

Lin Yue's grin was cruel.

Like the saying goes: The lion has its eyes locked on the wild ox.

In his past life, Lin Yue had thoroughly studied every main character in Cyberpunk 2077. He never intended to go after a fixer, but some people just wouldn't stop screwing you over unless you hit back hard.

He wanted to take his time in Dogtown—build himself up, explore this world at his own pace… But now? Screw legends, screw rewards. Missing an arm, all Lin Yue wanted was to survive.

Mr. Hands' breathing grew heavier through the holo-call.

He couldn't understand how this young punk knew something that should have been buried long ago.

No one else had ever known Mr. Hands' biggest weakness.

For the first time, he felt fear—the bloodied young man on the line had bright, stubborn eyes that unsettled him.

But Lin Yue wasn't the type to stop after one punch. He wanted to dismantle Mr. Hands piece by piece.

"Petrochem executive… you climbed pretty high, huh? Should I let Hansen know there's a corporate lapdog hiding in his nest under a new name? Hmm?"

"You're hoping for a peaceful retirement in the Pacifica States, maybe even got yourself a little family. But in this world, retiring quietly… you ready for that risk?"

Mr. Hands' easygoing demeanor finally cracked. Once a casual joke to call Lin Yue a "lion," the reality was now biting him back.

He wouldn't sit still and wait to be taken down.

"Young man, the past means nothing. You think you can threaten me?"

Bold move, Lin Yue thought. This guy's been a fixer for too long.

Did Hands really think they could banter as equals?

A corporate-backed fixer, playing Hansen's lapdog while handling dirty business on the side. Some called him a power broker; others, a spineless opportunist.

Lin Yue just wanted to make some cash and survive—why did it have to be this hard?

Seeing Hands still holding out, Lin Yue decided to drop a bombshell.

"Oh, right… You've been backing Hansen's two officers, huh? Let me guess… Gago? Bennett? What do you think Hansen will do when he finds out you're playing politics behind his back? You really think you'll keep your seat in the Jade Dogs' den for long?"

"Dreaming of being Dogtown's little king, aren't you?"

"Also… pretty cozy with Cuba, aren't you?"

Mr. Hands' composed mask shattered under Lin Yue's relentless blows.

For the first time, the calculated fixer was laid bare.

"Look, friend, let's not—"

Lin Yue cut him off, snarling, "Who the fuck is your friend?! Two options, asshole. One: march yourself to Hansen and tell him every word I've just said. Let's see what that warlord does to you."

"Two: drag your ass out of the Jade Dogs, figure out how to get Hansen to stand down, and most importantly, figure out how to keep me alive."

"Oh, and I've already made copies of your little secrets. Maybe a few netrunners have them too? My life's tied to that info. If I'm gone, guess where it's going? Straight to Hansen."

"Plenty of choices, huh?"

Lin Yue's bloodshot eyes gleamed despite his exhaustion. He was barely holding on.

Damn, that felt good!

For the first time, Lin Yue tasted the sweet satisfaction of revenge.

Whether Hansen would still be the Pacifica fixer later, or what chaos this would cause—he didn't care.

One less fixer in this brutal world? If it messed up the storyline… so what?

For once, Mr. Hands' calm demeanor was shattered.

He had been completely exposed.

"Relax, friend. Tell me where you are. I'll send someone to pick you up immediately. I swear you'll be safe."

Lin Yue burst out laughing. "Pick me up? Are you fucking stupid? Get me some routes out of Dogtown and transfer me 100,000 eddies. If Hansen or your goons get close, I'll release the data on the spot."

The money would fund cybernetic repairs and a fresh identity.

As for the escape routes, Lin Yue had no intention of using them. Like the data, it was just a bluff.

Anyone who played by the rules in Night City was just waiting to die. Not him. He was staying right here, keeping an eye on Hands.

Now, this hellhole was ironically the safest place for him.

Dogtown was where Lin Yue would make his first real stand.

Mr. Hands nodded silently. Moments later, Lin Yue's account showed a transfer of 100,000 eddies—every last cent.

Hands' voice was icy, "Once you're out of Dogtown, don't come back."

Lin Yue grinned, blood staining his teeth. "We'll see. You're pissed now, thinking about how to screw me over in Night City. But I like to wander. Who knows, maybe I'll pay you a visit someday. Bye now."

As the call ended, Lin Yue finally collapsed.

The night wind, searing pain, distant Maelstrom sirens, Hansen's speeches, hovering AVs above—it all gnawed at his senses.

On his knees, Lin Yue called a ripperdoc from the stadium black market, hoping to buy a pickup service with his newfound eddies.

Rustle.

The sound of grass being pushed aside reached his ears.

Barely conscious, Lin Yue heard someone approaching.

A pair of gleaming corporate heels appeared before him, delicate ankles visible beneath tailored slacks.

Again? Seriously?

Another corpo? And a woman this time…

Lin Yue was exhausted. He forced himself to look up at the newcomer.

Not bad-looking, he thought bitterly.

Whatever… revenge is done. At least the last thing I see is a hot cyberpunk executioner…

"Who… are you?" he muttered before blacking out.

The woman frowned slightly at the bloody mess before her. "Shit… you walked all the way here like this?"

Cybernetic lines shimmered beneath her suit sleeve as she grabbed Lin Yue by the collar with one hand.

"Hey! Stay with me." She lightly slapped his cheek.

Lin Yue barely stirred but seemed to nod faintly.

"Damn it… you're about to flatline."

"Ugh… I'm with Arasaka Counterintelligence. My name is—"

"V."

---

[Note]

Mr. Hands' backstory is based on official lore, not fabricated by the author.

Wade Bleecker, once a Petrochem executive, was sacrificed in corporate power struggles. Surviving the ordeal, he built a new life in the Pacifica States, eventually becoming the notorious Mr. Hands—a ruthless, calculating businessman.

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