Chapter 86: Dark Chess
Chapter 86: Dark Chess
"Listen up. Next, I'll have someone send you both to Dogtown for undercover work. Only there will NCPD stop keeping an eye on you two Intelligence Bureau agents."
"I don't care if you keep working for the Bureau behind my back after you're out of harm's way. I only have one requirement: you must complete every task I assign to you."
"Even if it costs you your lives, you must get it done."
Li Ang's voice dropped sharply, his expression growing cold and menacing, as if he were ready to devour them whole.
"Otherwise, I guarantee you'll experience a fate worse than death. If you don't believe me, you're welcome to try."
"Understood?"
Looking at Li Ang's stern face, half-shrouded in shadow, they felt a bone-deep fear that made his scalp tingle. He had to tread carefully.
The memory of Adam Hammer's agonized screams as he was slain by the Ronin Titan was still fresh in his mind. Reed didn't think his bones were any harder than Adam Hammer's.
"Mr. Li Ang, I'm willing to work for LA Company," Reed said, now resembling a defeated stray dog. Losing his identity as an Intelligence Bureau agent had stripped him of any sense of belonging.
Now, he worked for Li Ang only to keep Alex alive. As long as they survived, there was still a chance to return to the way things were.
Seeing Reed and Alex submit, Li Ang said no more. He signaled Mann, who understood immediately and shoved the two into a nearby Emperor 720 armored patrol car.
Under LA Company's arrangements, they would soon be secretly transported to Dogtown, the stronghold of the New American rebels.
In that chaotic region, Reed and Alex could only survive by staying hidden.
"Boss, those warlords in Dogtown recently declared open rebellion against New America. Sending these two Intelligence Bureau agents there is like throwing them to the wolves," Pila couldn't help but ask.
Dogtown's leader, Kurt Hansen, was a ruthless character—a former colonel in the New American forces with extraordinary courage and decisiveness.
Since the death of President Elizabeth Kress, Militech had stopped supplying Dogtown with air-dropped resources, plunging the region into rebellion.
Now, Colonel Hansen had chosen to ally with Night City's powerful figures and rebel leaders from other regions. Through black market arms deals and resource exchanges, Kurt Hansen had become the de facto ruler of Dogtown, renaming the rebels under him as the Shadow Hounds, loyal only to him.
Dogtown had essentially become Hansen's underground kingdom, where every inch of land reeked of illegal transactions and money.
"If they can't survive in Dogtown, they don't deserve to live and work for me. Besides, they're already as good as dead. Their deaths wouldn't matter," Li Ang said coldly. He had no sympathy for these two agents; he would use them if they were useful and discard them if they weren't.
Pila nodded thoughtfully.
These two agents had launched a terror attack on Azure Tower in the middle of the night, causing countless casualties. It was already merciful they hadn't been shot on the spot!
---
Drip.
Rainwater began rhythmically tapping on the umbrella over Li Ang's head, splashing onto piles of e-waste left unattended in the alley for days.
Dirty, colorful dyes flowed along the water, forming streams, while the stench of blood spread through the cold air.
The quiet that had settled over Azure Tower was shattered once more. NCPD officers were busy cordoning off the area, Night City's highest alert level had been downgraded to Level 3, and journalists worked through the night to meet deadlines.
On his way back to LA Company headquarters, Li Ang passed Misty's Esoterica and saw Misty sitting alone on the steps.
This was her habit. Whenever Misty felt sorrowful, she would quietly sit on the steps to heal her soul.
In the past, Jackie would have been there to keep her company. But tonight, Jackie Welles was absent.
"Misty, go get some rest. I know what you're worried about. Your friends will be fine, I promise," Li Ang said.
Hearing this, Misty looked up and saw the fatigue etched on Li Ang's face after a sleepless night. Yet, despite his exhaustion, he still cared about others.
"Thank you, Mr. Li Ang. You should rest soon too."
"Goodbye," she said, returning to her small shop and waving at Li Ang through the window.
Li Ang smiled. Just as he was about to continue toward headquarters, Alt Cunningham sent him a new message:
"I found V!"
---
The rain continued relentlessly into the day, and the gloomy sky refused to clear, mirroring the shadow hanging over Night City.
Recent events had plunged the city into turmoil. First, the bombing of Arasaka Tower; now, the violent clashes at Azure Tower.
#WNS News: Breaking! Saburo Arasaka has been confirmed dead in the Azure Tower attack. His second son, Yorinobu Arasaka, is set to take over as head of Arasaka Corporation!
#N54 News: President Myers denies Intelligence Bureau involvement in the Azure Tower attack. The truth will prevail.
#Insider Scoop: LA Company's new Titan mech technology exposed! Little China's Weapon King remains terrifyingly dominant. This year's International Arms Expo promises excitement!
#Business Talk: Cantao Group's market value is surging, but it's likely artificial manipulation. We recommend investing in Arasaka Corporation's Wealth Guardian Fund instead!
#...
From vending machines to elevators and massive advertising screens on skyscrapers, Night City's news feeds buzzed with fresh updates.
As the media spread the news like wildfire, reporters also scrambled to cover Yorinobu Arasaka's press conference.
At the conference, Yorinobu outlined his vision for Arasaka's future and his corporate philosophy to Night City's reporters.
As for finding the mastermind behind Saburo's murder, Yorinobu only made a few perfunctory remarks, saying little.
Clearly, according to his information, the two petty thieves who had witnessed him kill his father had already been silenced by Arasaka operatives.
Now, Yorinobu's focus was on demonstrating his leadership and asserting his position as the new head of Arasaka Corporation.
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