Chapter 33: The Emergency Squad

Chapter 33: The Emergency Squad

The Sianwestan is a cutting-edge cybernetic implant that enhances the human body comprehensively. It connects to the spinal cord and penetrates the gray matter, linking directly to the bone marrow, and influencing every muscle and nerve in the body!

This implant extracts every ounce of human potential, elevating physical performance and reaction speed to the extreme in a short time. For the user, it feels as though time itself has stopped.

Although similar implants exist in military technology and within Arasaka Corporation, they pale in comparison to the functionality of the LA Company's design.

"Too slow! Way too slow!"

Mann felt the wind whipping against his face, and everything around him seemed frozen, except for his own rapidly moving figure.

Li Ang, who was observing the situation through a holographic headset, could only see blurred, swiftly flowing lines around him—this was what an ordinary person would perceive at such incredible speeds.

This implant is terrifying! It turns a human into a cheetah! Li Ang thought to himself in astonishment.

Royce, who was fleeing for his life, glanced back. When he saw Mann closing in like a ghost, he realized he had no choice but to fight to the death.

"Damned bastard! Get the hell away from me!"

Royce turned, raised his gun, and unleashed a storm of bullets at Mann. However, most of the shots missed as Mann evaded them with his extraordinary speed.

"Heh! Charging straight at me? Instead of running away, you're choosing to get closer?"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Bullets shredded the walls and structures around Mann, leaving them in ruins, but not a single shot grazed his flesh.

Li Ang couldn't help but exclaim, "What an incredible display of body-dodging precision shooting!"

Bang!

Mann seized the opportunity and delivered a powerful punch to Royce's chest. The force of the Sianwestan's impact, combined with Mann's strength, nearly knocked Royce's soul from his body.

Fortunately, Royce had invested heavily in subdermal armor and undergone extensive body modifications, making his defenses slightly sturdier than Doom's.

Even so, Royce ended up in the same state as Doom—shattered chunks of flesh and fragments of cybernetic implants spewed from his mouth like loot bursting out of a defeated miniboss.

"Mann, ease up a bit. If you hit any harder, this guy's heading straight to meet his maker," Dorio reminded from behind.

"Don't forget the boss's orders. We need a few of these thugs alive to take back for questioning."

Mann managed to rein in his excitement. "Sorry, every time I use the Sianwestan, I get a little too hyped and lose control of my strength."

Hearing this, Li Ang became instantly alert. He knew how much strain the Falcon-grade Sianwestan could put on the human body.

[Mann, have you been to Old Vic lately for a full-body checkup?] Li Ang asked.

If Mann couldn't manage the backlash from the Sianwestan, Li Ang would have no choice but to downgrade him to a less advanced implant. Unfortunately, not everyone could handle a legendary-grade Sianwestan without experiencing rejection or adverse effects.

To gain power, one always had to pay a price.

"Uh… Old Vic's been busy lately. I haven't had time to go see him for a checkup," Mann admitted honestly.

[Once this job is done, get yourself checked immediately. Don't gamble with your life. That's an order!]

Li Ang's tone was stern, leaving Mann no room to argue. "Got it. I understand."

As Mann prepared to take Royce back, he noticed the man regaining consciousness.

"Ugh… Damn it all!"

Royce spat out a mouthful of blood and stared at Mann with venomous eyes. "Does NCPD have freaks like you in Night City? Dodging bullets like that—what the hell are you?"

"You're not even human, are you? Which factory assembly line spit you out?"

Before dying, Royce just wanted to vent his frustrations. It wouldn't make a difference, but at least he could piss off Mann.

"Hah! Compared to a cybernetic abomination like you, this body of mine is practically organic."

Mann wasn't in the mood for small talk. With one swift punch, he knocked Royce out again. Then, alongside Rebecca and the others, he swiftly evacuated the nightclub.

---

"Ahhh, the pain! It hurts so much!"

Lucius clutched his throbbing head as he woke up from unconsciousness.

Sharp waves of pain radiated from the middle of his spine. Various images flashed through his mind like a montage—flying bullets, panicked crowds, and relentless pursuers.

Dazed, he looked around and saw medical personnel and armed security guards. It seemed he had been rescued.

This must be the interior of a trauma team's airlift vehicle, designated for platinum members!

At that moment, a heavily armed medic approached Lucius, handed him a microchip, and said:

"Mr. Lucius, this is your trauma chip. It interfered with our company's emergency chip, which is why you're experiencing such severe headaches.

"We've now removed the trauma chip. Your pain should subside within three minutes.

"LA Company Emergency Squad 001 has completed its mission. We will now escort you back to the NCPD headquarters in Watson. This rescue took 3 minutes and 39 seconds. Additional charges: 4,396 Eurodollars."

"…"

Lucius was about to commend the trauma team for their timely intervention, only to realize it was the LA Company's Emergency Squad that had saved him.

"Emergency Squad… Li Ang's people."

Taking the trauma chip, Lucius crushed it in his hand, destroying its tracking device in the process.

He was furious. If not for the LA Company's swift response, he'd have been dead at the hands of those thugs.

Useless trauma team! Absolutely worthless! Lucius silently cursed the trauma team a thousand times over.

"Uh… How much is your Emergency Squad's annual fee? Sign me up for the most premium service package!"

Lucius decided that as soon as he returned, he'd cancel his trauma team platinum membership and instead invest in the Emergency Squad.

"Mr. Lucius, our Emergency Squad currently offers only custom private services and does not accept membership fees. All your emergency costs are covered by LA Company."

Hearing this, Lucius was both amazed by LA Company's technological capabilities and touched by Li Ang's support.

This guy's a trustworthy partner.

The Atlas airlift vehicle soared over the city's skyscrapers, neon lights of purple, green, blue, and red blending into a dazzling spectacle. Down below, NCPD sirens echoed relentlessly.

Meanwhile, the trauma team's airlift vehicle, arriving far too late, hovered aimlessly over the Red Queen's Race nightclub, unable to locate its client.

This shocking mass murder incident had already drawn the attention of media outlets across the city. Every TV screen and advertisement panel was broadcasting the unfolding story.