chapter 66

Small Reminder

Arasaka Academy, located in the city center, is not far from Arasaka Tower. When Karl saw Arasaka Tower, he knew he had arrived at the Academy.

After thanking the taxi driver and saying he would call if needed next time, Karl stood in front of Arasaka Academy.

Looking inside from the gate, the school in 2075 didn't seem much different from any other school. Students gathered in groups, making noise, chasing each other. It seemed timeless, like students everywhere.

'No matter how much time changes, students in school always seem the same,' Karl thought.

However, he knew that even if the students at Arasaka Academy appeared innocent now, once they entered Arasaka Corporation, they would gradually lose the joy they once had.

The company, after all, was a place that stripped people of their humanity.

As Karl stood there, lost in thought, his behavior attracted the attention of the Academy's security personnel. It didn't take long before they approached him, suspicious of the unfamiliar figure standing at the gate.

"Hey, what are you looking at? Do you know where you are? This isn't a place for street gangsters like you!" one of the guards barked.

Hearing the scolding, Karl turned towards the source of the voice and saw three security guards armed and wearing Arasaka uniforms approaching him.

Karl's eyes narrowed slightly, the flashing prosthetic eyes of the guards catching his attention.

"I know where this is," Karl replied calmly, making no move to resist as the guards approached.

"If you know, then why don't you leave?" one guard said, his tone cautious yet arrogant, emboldened by the Arasaka uniform he wore.

"I'm not actually inside the school," Karl said politely, explaining to the guards, "According to the laws of Night City, the spot where I stand is considered a public area."

"Public area..." the guard sneered. "Who cares about that?"

The sense of superiority his uniform gave him was evident, as he dismissed the law.

Karl sighed. Their words were unpleasant, but he could understand their perspective. If he were a security guard and saw someone loitering outside the school, he might also be suspicious and want to drive them away. Since he understood their concern, there was no need for conflict.

"Alright, I'm leaving," Karl said, turning to walk away. The guards didn't stop him, satisfied that he was leaving. They weren't looking for trouble, especially since they noticed the gun at Karl's waist. A confrontation could have serious consequences for them.

"One more thing," Karl said, as if remembering something. "In the future, you'd better keep your distance from mercenaries."

The guards looked confused, but Karl continued, "It could be very dangerous."

With a slight flick of his fingers, an almost imperceptible sound passed through the air, leaving faint scratches on the guards' necks.

Feeling the chill and slight pain, the guards' eyes widened in realization. The scratches were shallow, but they symbolized how close they had come to death.

Karl smiled, knowing they understood his message. "Let's go have a drink after work. It's on me," he said casually, walking away.

The guards, stunned, instinctively touched their necks. They watched Karl's retreating figure, unable to speak, the reality of what had just happened sinking in.

One guard, realizing who Karl was, muttered, "I know that guy. I know who he is."

The others, still shaken, could only agree, the arrogance stripped from their demeanor. They had faced a monster capable of taking on ACPA and lived to tell the tale.

As they tried to process their brush with death, a student in a punk hairstyle emerged from the Academy, puzzled by the behavior of the security guards. He followed their gaze but saw nothing in the distance.

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