cyberpunk: Travel to 2075

It's All Business

"Huh? Make a black-market BD Wreath movie and take it to school? Karl, are you kidding me? You go to school for a day and come back talking about this?"

At their team's usual dinner spot, Oliver expressed disbelief at Karl's words about his first day at school.

"What can I do?"

Karl spread his hands. "As soon as they heard that I was Gaius, specializing in selling black-market BD Wreaths, a group of them gathered around me. Before I even said anything, they had already decided on the themes and asked me to bring some. They've given me a deposit, so I can't refuse."

"Uh... let me ask first, how much deposit did they give?"

"One hundred euros. A complete film costs 500 euros."

"And what's the normal price for the BD Wreaths they want?"

"About two hundred and fifty euros."

"So, you just take something, resell it, and make double the money?"

"Pretty much."

"This..."

Oliver, initially skeptical about Karl's reliability, now saw potential. Bringing films to the students of Arasaka Academy suddenly seemed plausible.

"This could be profitable. But why did they come to you so quickly? The process seems too smooth."

"It turns out there's a student at the academy who sells black-market BD Wreaths. Because of him, all the students know the general process."

"Then why don't Arasaka Academy students go to him instead of you?"

"Apparently, he doesn't sell in large quantities, and his transactions are cautious and cumbersome. In simple terms, demand exceeds supply. Plus, I'm a 'professional' with a criminal record on my 'resume.' Arasaka students might trust 'criminal records' more than a classmate who sells small quantities."

"Damn, when you put it that way, it makes sense."

Oliver could relate. If it were him, he'd trust someone from the streets more than a classmate bringing in a few discs.

But he realized something immediately.

"But Karl, a resume is a resume. You're alone, right?"

"Exactly. If I could do it alone, I wouldn't be discussing this with you."

Karl sighed. Jack, who had been listening quietly, also sighed. "The identity given by the priest is too reliable, complete with a criminal record. It's unexpectedly useful."

"I suspect this Gaius identity was previously used for crimes by the priest's people... But Jack, this isn't bad. It fits our target perfectly. Selling black-market BD Wreaths to get to know people is ideal."

"It's unexpected but perfect. Who would've thought a street person restarting his career to make money would aim to become a board member of the academy?"

Oliver added, "It sounds absurd. I recently watched an anime called 'The Reincarnation of a Jobless Person, Targeting the Prime Minister.' You remind me of that, Karl."

"You should stop watching anime, Oliver."

Karl stretched out lazily on the sofa. "Anyway, here's the deal. I've collected the money. We still need to buy BD Wreaths. The usual store we go to is already sold out. The demand is still unmet. Any ideas? Regular stores won't sell black-market BD Wreaths on the first visit."

"NCPD often uses this tactic for sting operations."

Jack thought for a moment and suggested, "Karl, you mentioned a student at the academy selling BD Wreaths. How about we find out where he sources them and cut off his supply? Then we can take over."

"Stealing business? Sounds good to me."

Oliver supported Jack's idea, feeling no shame in taking business from a student.

"If you can't do it well, don't do it. Big business needs capable hands. Since they're students, they should focus on studying. If they can't handle it, we will."

"Alright. I've gathered some information on him... But I think we can turn him into an ally. We'll sell what he doesn't dare to, and he can handle what we don't want to. Students also want regular BD Wreaths. Let's have him sell those. It's easier to win people over by sharing profits."

Karl's idea left Jack a bit confused. "Will that student listen to you?"

"Of course he will."

Karl sent the student's details to Jack and Oliver: "David Martinez, a student of Arasaka Academy, from the non-corporate group. He's from Santo Domingo, like you, Oliver."

"He's from Santo Domingo? I don't recall seeing him."

"Maybe you don't socialize much."

Karl had noted David earlier. His demeanor at the corner had caught Karl's attention.

"He's from a single-parent family. His mother works as an emergency technician, often doing long shifts to support his education. Despite this, their finances are tight, with multiple rent defaults. I think I can make him an offer he can't refuse."

Oliver understood. "So, you plan to use him to build an intelligence network within Arasaka Academy?"

"Exactly. Combining the groups buying black-market and regular BD Wreaths should yield the information we need."

"But..."

Jack had one more question. "I'm curious. Regular BD Wreaths should be accessible to students. Why would they need us?"

"That's because, Jack, you haven't been to school."

Karl explained, "In a competitive environment like Arasaka Academy, do you think the corporate parents will let their kids watch BD Wreaths to relax? What kind of family environment do you think students buying expensive BD Wreaths have?"

Karl's explanation made Oliver and Jack understand.

These BD Wreaths were for wealthy students seeking relaxation.

Now they had their mission: track David Martinez and, if necessary, use force and money to 'persuade' him.

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