The Giant Corporations that Started in Night City

Chapter 65: Mr. Li Ang... Is a Good Man

Victor's words gave V a new perspective on LA Corporation. It turned out that simply being fair and treating employees as human beings was enough to earn such respect from so many people!

"Old Vic, you're right. Equivalent exchange is indeed the rule everyone seeks, but reality is far from it."

As a freelance mercenary in Night City, V understood all too well what layered exploitation meant.

Freelance mercenaries like them risked their lives for less than 30% of the commission, while the middlemen reaped the lion's share without lifting a finger.

And yet, countless mercenaries still fought tooth and nail for these jobs because, in Night City, desperate mercenaries were always willing to take on anything.

V was one of those mercenaries.

"What about Mr. Li Ang?"

V continued to press. His impression of Li Ang was limited to the polarized reports from the media.

The WNS media, aligned with Arasaka Corporation, described Li Ang as an uncompromising warmonger whose kinetic and technological weapons were exported worldwide. Refugees, women, and children killed under the guns of LA Corporation's weapons were countless, portraying the company as a terror empire built on bones.

On the other hand, N54 News, affiliated with Militech, painted Li Ang as an outstanding entrepreneur, a pillar of New America, and a rebuilder of Night City, fulfilling the vision of Richard Knight.

The flourishing and relatively stable Watson District, they claimed, was the best testament to Li Ang's achievements.

However, V's observations over time revealed that Night City's crime rate hadn't decreased at all. The relative stability in Watson came at the expense of increased crime in other areas.

In other words, crime in Night City didn't disappear—it merely shifted.

After all, gangs like the Tyger Claws and the Maelstrom had relocated to Westbrook, Heywood, or Santo Domingo to carry out their illegal trades.

"Mr. Li Ang... he's a good man," Victor replied, pausing thoughtfully before giving his answer.

"Just a good man?"

V was surprised. The evaluation seemed too plain. In Night City, good people didn't last long—trouble always found them first, while villains often lived to see the end.

The saying, "Those who kill and loot get rich, while bridge builders and do-gooders die without recognition," was brutally true in Night City.

"V, someone like Mr. Li Ang is a rarity in Night City. If you think being a good person just means helping old ladies cross the street, then you're being naive," Victor explained, his tone resolute.

As a seasoned veteran of Night City, Victor knew that conventional "good Samaritans" had long been eliminated—shot in the head by some thug and left for dead like stray dogs.

The harsh reality was that people only feared power, not virtue. Generous rich men handing out food to beggars on the street were more likely to be stabbed by a hungry beggar than by any robber or enemy.

The outcome for good people was often grim, but reality was unrelenting and brutal.

"Mr. Li Ang isn't kind to people for no reason. To gain something from him, you have to pay the price," Victor continued.

"Everyone's ability matches their worth. At Mr. Li Ang's, you'll get fair compensation—no more, no less."

"Even if you have nothing, as long as you're willing to risk your life for him, he'll give you what you want. The prerequisite is that you have to be worth the price."

Victor gestured to the advanced cyberware hanging from the ceiling of his workshop. Though they were provided by LA Corporation for free, he had to prioritize the Maelstrom team members who often fought and needed medical attention and cyberware implants.

It wasn't an easy job, but Victor had to do it.

Otherwise, his impoverished neighbors couldn't afford the latest cyberware and would be stuck with outdated, barely functional electronic junk.

Working for LA Corporation was tiring, but the returns enabled Victor to improve the lives of those in his neighborhood.

"V, one day you'll understand the true significance of fairness for ordinary people. For Mr. Li Ang to establish a rule of 'equivalent exchange' in this broken city is already an extraordinary accomplishment."

"We're all grateful for what he's done for Watson."

Victor's words deeply moved V. If Li Ang could truly uphold fairness and equivalent exchange in Night City, he could indeed be called a "good man."

That was far better than meaningless acts of kindness, like helping old ladies or feeding beggars on the street.

As V considered whether to apply for a security job at LA Corporation, Victor suddenly spoke again:

"I've got the results. The thing in your head isn't a neural virus—it's residual AI data. It's low-risk and not lethal."

V was momentarily stunned. He couldn't comprehend why Sandra, a corporate employee, would have AI data in her brain!

"How could Sandra Dorsett have something like this?" V felt a surge of fear. Night City was far more sinister than he had imagined.

Victor frowned, deep in thought.

He had just been discussing AI research with Li Ang, and now he was dealing with an AI-related procedure. It seemed that rumors of Night Corp using AI to control employees' minds weren't unfounded.

If true, Night Corp was essentially turning its employees into puppets.

The thought alone was terrifying.

"Old Vic, can you remove this thing? Is the procedure difficult?" V asked nervously. He wasn't ready for the grave just yet.

"Relax, kid. It's a simple matter. My anti-AI program is tailored for this. You'll be fine in no time," Victor reassured him.

He even offered to check the rest of V's body. "Hmm... Your cyber-eye is a bit outdated. I've got a fresh batch of Kiroshi Mk.3s. I'll swap it out for you."

V's health issues were minor, and Victor resolved everything in under twenty minutes.

After the procedure, V felt revitalized. He smiled at Victor and said, "Thanks, Old Vic. Here's your payment."

V transferred eurodollars to Victor through his chip. Although Victor initially refused, knowing how hard it was for young people to make a living in Night City, V insisted.

Lately, V had been thriving in Night City, with a growing reputation on the streets. He wanted to show Victor that he was improving and becoming more capable.

A small surgery fee was no burden.

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