Cyberpunk: Becoming a Legend from Dogtown

The wind was cold today, which was somewhat absurd for August, but Zilv Snor felt "chilly" nonetheless.

Because his back was drenched in cold sweat.

"I told you, be on time! Damn it! You idiots!"

Snor seemed to be talking to someone, his voice low yet frantic—

Then everything came to an abrupt stop!

At this moment, Lin Yue was immersed in the realism of the braindance world: the warm wind blowing, Snor's clear voice, the noise from the distant streets, and the advertising blimps floating above Night City...

It was so hot that Lin Yue even felt himself sweating, his mouth dry.

In this new era, people who mastered technology utilized vast amounts of information, turning the phrase "immersive experience" into a tangible reality.

Before Lin Yue could fully appreciate this technology, he was interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing.

Mr. Hands' voice came through his ears:

"Try moving the camera closer to the Umbra Hound's ear. See if you can hear the voice on the other end of the call, and identify it—if it's someone you know, it could save a lot of trouble."

Following Mr. Hands' instructions, Lin Yue zoomed the camera near Snor's ear canal. Sure enough, there were sound waves there that didn't belong to Snor.

"緊張しないで,友 (Don't be nervous, friend)."

"The company often requires overtime. Be patient, I'll be there soon."

The person on the other end spoke a line in Japanese, then switched to English with a slight Japanese accent (the common language of Night City) to calm the nearly crashed Snor.

"Someone from Arasaka?" Lin Yue immediately thought of this corporate giant.

Mr. Hands chuckled, "The Tyger Claws all speak Japanese, and Europeans work at Arasaka too—judging someone's affiliation by their language isn't a good idea."

So Lin Yue continued listening.

"Damn it! Do you know how much risk I'm taking coming out of Dogtown? If the night shift doesn't see me, I'm dead! You've got ten minutes. If you're not here, the deal's off!"

Snor almost growled these words.

In the distance, a drunkard lay on the ground vomiting. The overwhelmingly real smell made both Lin Yue and Snor instinctively cover their noses.

The other end of Snor's call fell silent for several seconds.

"Friend, do you think your Colonel would be happier knowing you're betraying him?"

Snor clenched his fists, his teeth grinding audibly.

"You're all a bunch of idiots, scoundrels!"

"Just wait patiently. Don't make things difficult for me." The voice on the other end said indifferently, completely ignoring Snor's outburst.

Lin Yue frowned. Snor didn't seem like a information dealer at all—he was more like a turkey being roasted in the middle of a conflict.

Caught between a rock and a hard place.

Lin Yue shook his head. Though he didn't know who Snor was talking to, it was clear Snor was the one being coerced.

Mr. Hands offered his opinion at this point, "Fast-forward the progress bar to when he meets his contact."

Lin Yue nodded. The sped-up footage showed Snor's restlessness—he punched the wall, then crouched on the ground with his head in his hands...

"They're here."

In the scene before Lin Yue, a Quadra Turbo-R 740 drove into the alley where Snor was waiting. Snor was still crouching, surrounded by cigarette butts he had smoked.

In the early 21st century, Japanese sports cars had nearly dominated the American market, known for their excellent handling and affordability.

But the Quadra Turbo-R was a gem of the American automotive industry.

The Turbo-R was a classic among its peers. Though it had ample power and a sleek design, it posed a challenge for drivers—its incredibly powerful engine required an experienced hand to驾驭.

Wow, money!

That was Lin Yue's first impression of the owner of this retro sports car.

Only those who made good money could afford such a car—at least mid-to-high-level corporate or gang members. Alternatively, it could be a seasoned field agent who often drove around, since most wealthy people chased luxury and comfort.

When Lin Yue shared his speculation, Mr. Hands was quite impressed.

Of course, it was Lin Yue's deep knowledge of the game from his previous life that helped him.

"Is there an issue with the braindance?" Lin Yue noticed that the man who got out of the car had his upper body blurred, as if covered in mosaic. Only his voice could be heard.

Mr. Hands shrugged helplessly, "Those with the means often prevent themselves from being recorded. Such cyberware is expensive but affordable for some. It's normal."

"I came in person to meet you. Hand it over." Snor's contact walked up to him, showing no remorse for being late.

Snor looked up at the man, his fists clenching several times, but in the end, he reluctantly pulled out the chip from his pocket.

"Let's get this straight—10,000 euros, cash. Not a cent less."

Snor watched anxiously as the man took the chip. Gone was the complain from their earlier phone call. The braindance's immersive components even allowed Lin Yue to feel that mood.

I'm exhausted. Just give me the money, and I'll leave.

"The map you provided isn't worth that much." Snor's trading partners was no pushover. He wanted more.

Snor reached out to snatch the chip back but failed. With a dull thud, Snor was kicked several meters away by the man.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Snor spat blood. For an Umbra Hound soldier to be kicked like that, Lin Yue sensed the man's cyberware was likely corporate-grade.

"The cyberware seems corporate, but the voice isn't familiar." Lin Yue shared his thoughts with Mr. Hands.

Mr. Hands nodded, "Yes, bionic joints, titanium skeleton—it's all there."

In the scene, Snor could no longer tolerate being treated like a fool. "If you short me, I'll go to Hanson! Let's all die together if it comes to that!"

Seeing Snor's desperation, the man finally revealed his next move. "Plant these solid bombs under the truck, and you'll get the rest of the payment. This is the deposit—after it's done, go to XXX (static)."

Snor got up and opened the bag of rolled-up cash. "Five thousand? Damn it!"

"That's fair. You've been keeping a lot of people awake. Half upfront is reasonable."

Snor gritted his teeth and resigned himself. "Fine. I'll get the rest after it's done."

The screen completely stopped..

Creak—

As Lin Yue exited the braindance, the familiar scent of sandalwood filled the room once more.

Mr. Hands removed the headset and looked at the young man with a questioning gaze.

Lin Yue began to explain:

"There's a golden tiger figurine on the car's co-pilot. It might be connected to the Tyger Claws—or it's just a decoration.

"The cyberware doesn't look like it belongs to a gang member, but that's not certain. Corporations and gangs have close ties. As for other information, I don't have any solid leads yet.

"After all, some key Information are missing, and there's no license plate."

Mr. Hands acknowledged Lin Yue's observations, "You're very observant. Clues have to be pieced together slowly. Remember, this is why Colonel Hanson sent you here."

[Character "Mr. Hands" favorability updated]

[Favorability: 10]

[Reward: +2 to Physical, additional +1]

As the subtitle disappeared from Lin Yue's vision, Mr. Hands stood up and retrieved a long case from a high wooden cabinet.

"I was going to have my man fetch a gun from the armory for you downstairs, but it seems this treasure from my collection should go to someone who can make good use of it."

"Hackers' companions are skilled at following their instructions to track down enemy hackers. This fine piece will let you intercept them from a distance. How you use it is up to you."

"You'll have to figure out the ammo yourself."

Lin Yue opened the case. Inside lay a sleek black rifle, exuding the fresh scent of gun oil.

[Immortal · 'Tech Sniper Rifle · Nekomata' Manufacturer: Tsunami]

Lin Yue's heart leapt with excitement—

Now, this reward was truly worth it!

...

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