The Giant Corporations that Started in Night City

Chapter 58: Relic Chip

Myers exuded an air of dominance, the raging flames of vengeance searing her heart, compelling her to channel all her energy into the mission of striking back at Arasaka.

In her vision, since AI had become the focal point of corporate power struggles for the future, why not directly venture to the edge of the Blackwall to capture rogue AIs for their own use? Wouldn't this be a far more efficient approach than expending time, effort, and money on self-development?

After hearing her plan, Li Ang simply nodded in agreement, without saying much more.

He knew that rogue AIs beyond the Blackwall were forces that humanity couldn't hope to control unless there was an even more powerful AI to subdue them. Otherwise, taming such "forbidden power" was almost impossible.

While Myers staked military-tech resources on AI, Li Ang focused on upgrading his own AI, Red-White Queen, as quickly as possible. Additionally, he planned to dominate the military industry and expand into the field of biotechnology.

After the devastating losses incurred during the rescue operation, Li Ang realized that relying solely on mercenaries and weapons to confront Arasaka's vast and deeply rooted forces was both futile and time-consuming.

Instead, the solution lay in biological evolution—cyber-monsters driven by genetic mutations and virus control, designed to combat Arasaka's elite forces.

In Li Ang's blueprint for the future, he envisioned LA Company's bio-creations equipped with the most advanced cybernetic enhancements, slaughtering Arasaka soldiers on the battlefield.

In this day and age, who still relied on human-wave tactics to produce cannon fodder? Deploying mutated monsters like those in Alien or Resident Evil was far more efficient and effective.

Of course, achieving this would not be easy. At least for now, LA Company wasn't capable of deploying large-scale mutated monsters in battle.

What Li Ang could do at present was to develop mech systems better suited for small-scale combat.

Neither current military technology nor Arasaka could sustain another large-scale war. Localized skirmishes would become the primary mode of confrontation for both sides.

The only force capable of wiping out an entire squad of mercenaries in a one-on-one encounter would be something even more devastating than cybernetic enhancements: cyber-mechs.

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BOOM!

Timed explosives planted throughout Arasaka Tower detonated with a sudden, deafening roar. High-powered explosives unleashed shockwaves that shattered the tower's supporting structures.

Amid countless screams, the shattered Arasaka Tower began to tilt from its base, collapsing into a dust-choked ruin.

Hovercars, NCPD officers, and members of the anti-terrorist task force surrounding the tower cleared out a perimeter of several kilometers, barring anyone from approaching the site.

Every media outlet in Night City scrambled to report on the "Arasaka Tower Bombing." Even the trending news of Militech executives' deaths was overshadowed.

The acidic rain, laden with dust from the Badlands and ash from the ruins of Arasaka Tower, fell on those who mourned, raged, or simply watched the spectacle with morbid curiosity.

From the upper floors of another Arasaka building, Johnny Silverhand silently observed the entire sequence of events—the detonation, the collapse, the transformation of the tower into rubble. His scarred face finally broke into a slight smile.

"This was the greatest performance of my life. Even though it cost me my life, I'll become a legend in Night City."

With those words, Johnny turned his defiant gaze to Adam Smasher before him and sneered, "A lapdog crawling at Arasaka's feet like you? You're nothing more than a soulless tin can."

"Adam Smasher, do you think your junkyard-grade body will be worth a damn a hundred years from now? My exploits and rock anthems will last a century."

Before Adam Smasher could retaliate with a brutal punch, an aged voice interrupted: "Well said."

"Flesh may wither, and cybernetics may corrode, but ideas and spirit can live forever."

With the Lone Wolves, led by Goro Takemura, acting as his guards, Saburo Arasaka emerged slowly, his hunched frame trudging forward.

When Johnny Silverhand saw the Arasaka patriarch in the flesh for the first time, he couldn't help but exclaim, "No way... you've got to be kidding me!"

Facing the terrorist who had bombed Arasaka Tower and abducted Alt Cunningham, Saburo showed no visible anger. His tone remained calm, like a placid lake.

"My eldest son, Kei Arasaka, died in Arasaka Tower. By the time his body was found, his brain had already been fried by the virus your hackers implanted."

Speaking of his son's tragic death, Saburo seemed like a detached observer. Even though the heir to the Arasaka empire had perished, he appeared unaffected.

Years of navigating the treacherous waters of business had taught Saburo patience and resilience. Even in the face of his son's death, he maintained a composed demeanor.

"He died for the Arasaka family. I will announce to the public that he committed seppuku and grant him the samurai's honor he deserves."

Listening to Saburo's self-righteous monologue, Johnny, bound to a chair, simply snorted. He harbored no sympathy for Saburo's loss.

This old bastard's heinous crimes far outweighed the death of one son!

"Screw you."

Johnny spat at Saburo, his eyes full of disdain. "How many civilians have died because of Arasaka? What's losing one son to you?"

"Your factories in Chiba City dump industrial waste everywhere, poisoning the people who grow up drinking that water. You've turned them into suffering, diseased monsters."

"Saburo, you're reaping what you sowed. This is karma coming back to bite you!"

Goro Takemura raised his fist, ready to teach Johnny a lesson, but Saburo stopped him.

Being exposed for his sins certainly angered Saburo. However, the most vicious form of revenge was not physical torment but mental anguish.

Saburo's chosen punishment for Johnny was to extract his soul and use it as a test subject for Arasaka's latest experiment: the Relic chip.

"I lost the son I pinned my hopes on. From now on, you will lose your soul. You will be eternally tormented in Arasaka's database."

Saburo stepped closer, his new Kiroshi optics locking onto Johnny with an icy glare.

"My son's soul will rest on Arasaka's altar, but you will be rewritten, recompiled, and transformed into mere code. You will never find peace."

"Johnny Silverhand, does this fate suit the so-called legend of Night City?"

With those words, Saburo nodded to a nearby Arasaka engineer, signaling him to proceed.

A white male engineer emerged, holding a silver microchip. This was Anders Hellman, the director of the Relic project.

"Relax, Johnny. I've already improved the AI-based Soulkiller program. This chip shouldn't cause you too much pain."

"Of course... that's just theoretical. We'll have to observe your reaction to know for sure."

"In any case, thank you for your contribution to Arasaka!"

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