The Giant Corporations that Started in Night City

Chapter 60: Return to Reality

"Congratulations, Alt. You've returned to the safe realm of reality from the brink of death. Taking a trip to the gates of hell isn't easy, is it?"

The moment Alt saw Li Ang's face, she instinctively jumped off the operating table and assumed a defensive posture, warily eyeing him. "Are you human, or AI?"

The experience with the AI Red Queen in cyberspace had been far too surreal for Alt. It left her feeling like she was still trapped in an illusory world of data.

"Li Ang, is she losing it?"

Lucy tugged on Li Ang's sleeve and whispered in his ear, suspecting Alt might have lost a part of her consciousness data, rendering her unable to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Li Ang shook his head. "The AI Red and White Queens are reliable. If there were any data loss, they would have reported it to me immediately."

"The entity you met earlier was our company's AI weapons system. Its primary functions are destruction and espionage. Your consciousness separation surgery was performed by it," Li Ang patiently explained to Alt Cunningham. "The stitching surgery just now was done by our LA company's network defense system. It's gentler by nature and specializes in data processing and saving lives."

"And standing before you now is Li Ang, CEO of LA Corporation."

As his words sank in, Alt glanced around her surroundings. When she saw the familiar faces of the Maelstrom team and the weary Morgan Blackhand, she finally accepted that she was back in reality.

In that instant, Alt Cunningham nearly burst into tears. She had been forced by Arasaka Corporation to work in cyberspace for over a month, almost losing herself entirely.

When hackers immerse themselves deeply in the digital world built from code and data, it becomes nearly impossible to differentiate between what is real and what is not.

Humans are inherently susceptible to assimilation. Even in cyberspace, prolonged exposure can lead to being overwhelmed by the Infinity streams of data, gradually losing touch with reality.

It's akin to witnessing a breathtaking scene with your eyes, mistakenly believing you're in the real world—when in reality, it might just be a dream or the effects of a braindance device.

"Where's Johnny Silverhand? Did he escape Arasaka Tower with Morgan Blackhand and Rogue?"

Coming to her senses, Alt pressed her throbbing forehead and asked.

In Arasaka Tower's lab, she had seen glimpses of Johnny and the others. Although Johnny was undeniably a scoundrel, Alt still loved him.

Even after her brush with death, Alt Cunningham remained concerned about Johnny's safety.

"That bastard Johnny is such a piece of work," Alt recalled bitterly. "I argued with him, and he dumped me on the side of the road, right into the hands of the Tiger Claws gang."

Remembering her abduction by Jotaro and his men, Alt couldn't help but resent Johnny. But given that he risked his life to save her, she reluctantly decided to forgive him.

Faced with Alt's question, the Maelstrom team and Morgan Blackhand collectively fell silent, exchanging hesitant glances.

None of them wanted to reveal that Johnny Silverhand had perished at the hands of Arasaka.

Seeing their uneasy expressions, Alt immediately sensed the truth: Johnny hadn't made it out alive. Her eyes widened, and a sharp pang of grief hit her, her nose tingling.

"Johnny was captured by Arasaka forces. Saburo Arasaka publicly announced his death, but I suspect Saburo intends to use Johnny as an experimental subject for the Soulkiller project," Li Ang finally revealed.

Alt needed to hear the truth eventually, and Li Ang saw no reason to keep it from her.

"Alt, your Soulkiller changed the world. Half of Militech's executives have been killed or injured because of it. The war between Arasaka and Militech has temporarily paused."

"The president of New United States of America (NUSA), Elizabeth Kress, is on the brink of death due to a Soulkiller attack. Several states have declared independence, separating from NUSA control."

"Arasaka Tower was nearly destroyed by the high-yield explosives Johnny and Morgan planted. Rebuilding it will take at least six months."

"..."

Hearing these explosive revelations, Alt was thunderstruck. If she had known the Soulkiller AI would cause such catastrophe, she would never have created such a calamity.

"Can we... can we still save Johnny?" Alt fought back tears, her reddened eyes fixed on Li Ang.

At this point, Li Ang was the only one she could turn to for help.

"Assembling another mercenary team to storm Arasaka Corporation isn't realistic. We don't even know which lab Johnny is being held in," Li Ang shook his head and explained the situation. "Arasaka's security is at its highest level now. A direct confrontation would only escalate tensions."

"Then what about buying him back? What use does Arasaka have for a rockstar?" Alt asked desperately.

But as soon as she said it, she realized how ridiculous it sounded.

There was no way Saburo Arasaka would release a gang-affiliated troublemaker who stormed Arasaka Tower.

And ransom? Arasaka Corporation wasn't some street gang. They didn't need her measly money.

Li Ang handed Alt a handgun—the Malorian Arms 3516, which he had once gifted to Johnny. Tragically, its owner was no longer alive, and the gun still bore faint traces of blood.

"Conventional methods like violence or negotiations won't save Johnny. But I strongly believe he still exists in some form—though his physical body may already be gone."

Li Ang watched as Alt carefully cradled the Malorian pistol. He had already extracted Johnny Silverhand's DNA samples, intending to use them for future bodily reconstruction.

If Johnny's consciousness data was preserved, Li Ang could redeem advanced cloning technology from Multiverse Tech to bring Johnny back to life.

"Alt, please accept my condolences," Morgan Blackhand stepped forward. "Li Ang and the others have already sacrificed so much for you. Many have even given their lives for this."

"If you truly want their spirits to rest in peace, use your hacking skills to create a better world for humanity. Don't let Saburo Arasaka and his ilk misuse the Soulkiller AI to wreak havoc. I believe Johnny wouldn't want to see that happen."

Morgan's words resonated with the Maelstrom team. Most of them had experience dealing with Arasaka mercenary operations and knew all too well how ruthless they could be.