Cyberpunk: Becoming a Legend from Dogtown

One hour ago.

[Incoming Call: Rin]

V pulled out the Relic chip from the back of her neck, her eyes displaying the caller's info.

"What's up?"

The voice on the other end said something, and V immediately fell into thought.

"Do you know what this will cost? When Arasaka makes a move, every action is recorded."

"..."

"Biotechnica? You're not even with Arasaka, you don't have the authority…"

"..."

"Mm-hmm… fine, just don't disappoint me."

She hung up, sat at her desk, and drafted an operation permit with Arasaka's security department.

V left her office, took the elevator down to the underground parking lot of Arasaka Tower, where Arasaka agents were already waiting by the car.

The lead agent extended his hand. "Please hand me the operation permit."

"The chip's here… Counterintel Division, V. Permit code has been transmitted."

"の意味がわかる (Understood)…"

The agent's cybernetic eyes scanned the chip. After confirmation, he opened the car door.

Everyone got in, and the two Arasaka vehicles peeled out of the garage, tires screeching as they sped toward Heywood.

---

"I contacted a ripperdoc in Heywood. Go get checked out and don't let Biotechnica install any nasty malware in your heads."

V signaled the Arasaka agents to help the squad up.

Lin Yue helped Maine to his feet, locking eyes with the big guy to make sure he was okay.

His optics flickered.

"Each of you gets 10,000 eurodollars. The treatment's already been paid for by… your boss."

Maine wanted to say something, but Dorio's glance stopped him. Rebecca kept shifting her gaze between V and Lin Yue. "What about you?"

"I'm fine. There's something I need to discuss with her. I'll catch up at the ripper's."

As the Arasaka agents loaded the squad into the car, V quietly watched Lin Yue.

"Not bad. Didn't think you had the guts to start using our name to take corporate jobs in Dogtown."

"So, really planning to become a hotshot fixer?"

Hearing V's words, Lin Yue gave a bitter smile. "Not easy. Today nearly got me screwed over by Hands again. You know I'm short on manpower. If you hadn't shown up, the squad probably would've fallen apart—they weren't exactly loyal to begin with."

"Oh, I don't mind. Having a known fixer in Dogtown working for Arasaka? Pretty tempting offer." V didn't mince words, immediately bringing up payment.

"That's why I called you. I accept your terms."

Lin Yue made his choice and paid the price for today's gig.

"During the Fourth Corporate War, Biotechnica stayed neutral. Now, the Night City HQs are barely keeping up appearances—except for Militech—but look at today. Biotechnica's pissed. Who knows what else might come up."

"Biomed, cyberware, CHOOH2… I need to consider the fallout."

Lin Yue shook his head. "You're more straightforward than when we first met. Just tell me your terms."

A deathly silence.

"You sure you're ready?" V asked, seemingly surprised Lin Yue didn't even haggle.

She sighed. "Me or Arasaka might need you for other things. If that braindance data turns up anything, it takes top priority."

"As of now, you're with Arasaka. Your profile's uploaded to the Operations Division database. My superior can check you anytime."

"You mean 'other things' like cleaning up corporate messes?" Lin Yue considered the price.

"Not just that. Your entire being belongs to Arasaka now," V replied.

Lin Yue understood.

V's conditions were extensive. In short, he now had to handle not only Dogtown intel but also anything else V demanded.

"All cyberware must be linked to Arasaka's subnet. Your personal assets, including accounts and properties, are all under Arasaka's control."

From now on, Lin Yue's life, assets, and everything else were in Arasaka's grip.

V wasn't kidding. He was fully owned by the corporation now.

If there was ever a power shift in Arasaka—like when V was ousted—no matter how much wealth or reputation Lin Yue accumulated, it would all be seized. His cyberware would be disabled unless replaced with junk-grade implants from a ripperdoc.

That was a best-case scenario. Worst case? Agents would come to "retire" him.

No choice. Everyone has to pick their poison.

In Night City, surviving means using every available resource to stay afloat. There are no shortcuts.

Lin Yue didn't want to be another corpse in the gutter after a random shootout.

Being a lone wolf was never an option. To carve out a path in this city, you can't avoid the corps.

Toppling Arasaka, the NUSA, or the system? Not something to consider now.

Making eddies and staying out of a body bag was hard enough.

"Fine. I agree."

"But I have one condition: when I need backup, you come through."

Lin Yue knew dealing with Arasaka was playing with fire. Things would only get messier from here.

"If we're backing you, we'll invest—money, access, everything," V assured him.

The deal was sealed.

"Oh, right. If that Biotechnica doc was involved with the Safeguard case, we could leak it to the media," V mused. Corporate scandals were daily bread for Counterintel.

"WNS News?" Lin Yue asked. "Isn't that your puppet network? Safeguard's… confidential."

He waved her off.

V jacked into Lin Yue's neural port, loading up a stream of programs.

Click. Lin Yue lit a cigarette.

V deadpanned. "Smoking's just for show-offs. Stinks too."

Lin Yue chuckled. The previous owner of this body loved smoking. After today's firefight with the Scavs and a corporate standoff, his hands still shook. One smoke wasn't too much, right?

Then he froze. Hadn't V said the same thing to Johnny Silverhand?

Weird déjà vu.

"How did Hands find out about me?"

Lin Yue wanted to know just how deep Hands' reach went.

V replied while monitoring the software load. "The Dogtown netrunners? No clue. Our netrunners didn't find anything either."

Suddenly, Lin Yue felt nauseous, like a brick was stuck in his throat.

"Breathe deep. It's normal. Canceling permissions will feel worse… just pray that day never comes," V's voice faded as ringing filled Lin Yue's ears.

His vision darkened as he slumped against the car.

The price for this gig… damn high. But acceptable.

In return, Arasaka would solidify his fixer identity as Rin, driving the nail deep into Dogtown.

When Lin Yue finally recovered, V got into her car.

Watching the young man stand there, V rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

A faint sigh.

Her optics flickered.

"All set. The nail's in Dogtown… time to use it, besides the Night City HQ job…"

---

WNS News: Allegedly supported by Arasaka.

(Note: N54 News is also a corporate puppet network.)

...

[Check Out My Patreon for 30+ Extra Chapters!!!]

[p.a.t.r.e.o.n.com/rosewhisky]

[+150 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]