The Giant Corporations that Started in Night City

Chapter 34: Negotiating Terms? You're Not Worthy!

#N54 News: Watson District has been overrun by street gangs, and even Mayor Lucius couldn't escape their grasp! Night City needs New United America's intervention and stronger protective measures!#

#Intel Update: Congressman Lucius Rhyne attacked! According to the latest reports, he was rescued by an AV, but the trauma team claims they never received him!#

#Stay Safe: The Red Queen's Race Club reportedly attacked by a cyberpsycho! Citizens are urged to travel safely and cherish their lives!#

#Watson NCPD Update: Identities of the deceased attackers confirmed—3 Triad members, 7 Maelstrom members, and 2 Scavengers.

Detective River's preliminary analysis suggests this attack was an assassination planned by Watson's gangs. The nature of this crime is heinous!#

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In Little Chinatown, at LA Corporation Headquarters.

The TV broadcasted breaking news about the attack at the Red Queen's Race Club. Meanwhile, bound and helpless, Royce and Dum-Dum sat despairingly, watching the fallout of their so-called "operation."

"Damn it! I'm done for!"

Dum-Dum tilted his head back in despair. His half-destroyed red cyber-optic flickered dimly.

If he'd known LA Corporation's MANN Squad had them marked, he'd have abandoned the mission entirely.

Now look: Lucius, the fat target, wasn't captured, and he ended up in this mess. Meanwhile, the real culprits—the Tiger Claws—got off scot-free!

"What're you whining about? If they were planning to off us, we'd already have a bullet in our heads. They wouldn't have gone to the trouble of bringing us here."

Royce remained calm. He knew their capture meant they still held value, at least for now.

If that wasn't the case, Li Ang wouldn't have wasted the effort—he'd have simply executed them on the spot.

"I've seen your face on TV. You're Li Ang, the CEO of LA Corporation!"

Royce's cybernetic voice grated as he glanced slyly at Li Ang, seated nearby.

"What's the deal? A corporate big shot like you planning to kiss up to Night City's councilmen like the rest of the corporate lapdogs?"

The relationship between corporations, the NCPD, and the Enforcers was just a web of shared interests. It wasn't surprising that Li Ang sided with Lucius.

Li Ang would likely use their heads to curry favor with Lucius and boost LA Corporation's reputation among the elite.

With that thought, Royce let out a rasping laugh, his tone mocking:

"Let me tell you something: neither Maelstrom nor the Scavengers were behind this. The real masterminds are someone else entirely!"

"Without my intel, that fat pig Lucius is still as good as dead—probably worse."

"You don't even know who's trying to kill him or what their true motives are!"

Royce's intent was clear. The assassination plot ran deep, beyond Li Ang's grasp. If Li Ang wanted the truth, Royce's life had to be spared.

Li Ang smirked at Royce's desperate bravado. A dead duck squawking to the end—how did a fool like this survive this long?

Meanwhile, Dum-Dum remained silent, head low, unwilling to provoke Li Ang further.

"Royce, you overestimate your worth."

Li Ang cut Royce's arrogance short, playing back audio captured by Delamain AI. The recorded conversation between Royce and Dum-Dum left Royce speechless, his overclocked brain freezing under the shock.

Royce was stunned.

He couldn't fathom how Li Ang got this recording. Did LA Corporation collaborate with Delamain and bug their vehicles?

"Let me tell you: I've known all along you were hired guns paid by the Tiger Claws. Too bad you amateurs couldn't even catch a 200-pound fat man like Lucius."

Li Ang didn't mince words, revealing the truth behind the attack and hitting Royce where it hurt.

"Planning to frame the Triads by leaving dead Chinese bodies at the scene? Clever idea, but now it's blown up in your face. Even if you claim Maelstrom wasn't involved, no one will believe you."

"As for who's behind the hit on Lucius—does it matter? No one cares about that fat pig."

"And you two? Hired stooges for the Tiger Claws—what makes you think you're in any position to negotiate with me? Do you think you're worthy?"

Li Ang's words left Royce panicking.

By now, even an idiot like Royce realized taking this job was a mistake. Trying to negotiate with Li Ang was an even bigger blunder.

Now the job was botched. The Tiger Claws were untouched, while Royce and Dum-Dum were not only unpaid but left holding the bag and facing the bullets.

"W-wait...!"

"Mr. Li Ang, we can still be of value to LA Corporation! For example...we could serve you, like the Tiger Claws do for Arasaka. Surely you could use some black-glove operators, right?"

Gone was Royce's earlier bravado. Now, he groveled, pleading his case.

He wasn't stupid—no one truly unafraid of death existed, especially not in Night City.

Every gang in the city had some dealings with corporations. The Tiger Claws and Arasaka, Maelstrom and Militech—all part of the ecosystem. Even the old soldiers of the 6th Street Gang had business ties with the NCPD.

"Hah! Did MANN knock the sense out of your heads? The number-one gang in Watson is Chen Tao's Triads. What does Maelstrom amount to?"

Rebecca, with her childlike appearance, mocked them mercilessly.

Though Royce's teeth ground with rage at Rebecca's taunts, he couldn't argue. She was right. Their value was negligible, if not nonexistent.

"No! I'm about to become the sole leader of Maelstrom!" Royce blurted out, desperate.

"Your corporation plans to build factories, right? The northern industrial zone of Watson is vast. Surely, Mr. Li Ang, you'll need guard dogs to keep it secure!"

"I promise—under my watch, no Wraiths, Scavengers, or Tyger Claws will dare set foot in Watson!"

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