Chapter 98: Destiny!

Chapter 98: Destiny!

"Li Ang, V has already left. Is there anything else you need me to do?"

Lucy, dressed in her signature fitted, midriff-baring leather outfit, walked up to Li Ang.

Ever since the threat of death from Arasaka had dissipated, Lucy, who used to live cautiously while constantly on the run, had grown noticeably more confident and composed.

With Li Ang's help, a single word from Arasaka Yorinobu permanently erased Lucy's wanted status from Arasaka's servers. She was now truly a free woman.

After handling company affairs for a while, Lucy's demeanor had also evolved—she was no longer the wild and rebellious street cat she used to be. Instead, she now carried herself with a sharp, professional aura.

"Lucy, you've worked hard lately," Li Ang said with a smile, stepping forward to take her hand. "The only thing you need to do now is pack your bags because we're heading to the moon soon."

"Let Mann and the others know later, and take 2B along as well. I want everyone to fully relax on this lunar trip."

"Just let 2B handle security. You all should just enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

Hearing this, Lucy, who had been tense for days, finally let her guard down. She dropped her usual cold exterior and threw herself into Li Ang's arms with affection.

"Li Ang, I've been waiting for this day for so long—truly."

Since the Cantao GroupPlaza incident, Lucy, like the other members of Mann's crew, had been tirelessly dealing with countless troubles.

Lucy gave her all to handle every task, hoping to lighten Li Ang's burden. But no matter how strong a person is, exhaustion is inevitable, especially when managing a large corporation's affairs.

Originally, Lucy thought she'd have to wait months to see her wish fulfilled. But Li Ang's answer today filled her with overwhelming joy.

"Lucy, you've earned this."

Li Ang smiled warmly. He always kept his promises. If he said they were going to the moon, they would absolutely go.

"And you've earned this, too," Lucy said, leaning forward. She brushed her delicate nose against Li Ang's cheek before pressing her soft lips to his, a faint scent of lime wafting between them.

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One Week Later

In the Afterlife bar, a television displayed the latest news across various media channels. Even the mercenaries burning off energy on the dance floor gathered around to watch.

#Intel Update: Victoria, CEO of Meta Group, officially announces Meta will become the primary manufacturer of LA Corporation's power armor systems.

The meteoric rise of LA Corporation has established Li Ang as the new powerhouse leader among military tech shareholders!

#N54 News: The New United States has entered a deep collaboration with LA Corporation. Troop movements on the East Coast suggest brewing storms in America's war zones.

The countdown to reunifying the New United States has begun!

#Guns & Horses: Cantao Group tops this year's international weapons expo as the number one arms dealer, securing billions in contracts.

China's "King of Weapons," Xu Shiming, may become Li Ang's greatest rival.

The buzzword of the year in Night City? Without a doubt: weapons.

First, LA Corporation's cutting-edge tech and kinetic weapons dominated the market, crowning Li Ang as the "King of Little China's Arms Dealers."

Then Cantao Group emerged as a dark horse. Xu Shiming's advanced smart weaponry conquered the international stage, overshadowing competitors and winning contracts from numerous security firms.

The proliferation of new weapons has only intensified conflicts worldwide, and Night City is no exception.

In just a few months, the city has witnessed the bombing of Arasaka Tower and the violent clashes at Cantao GroupPlaza.

Yet for mercenaries, netrunners, and fixers chasing fortune, Night City remains one of the best places to strike it rich.

"V, what do you think it feels like to board a Hermes-class spacecraft and travel to the Crystal Palace?"

Jackie Welles stared intently at the orbital flight broadcast, where a spacecraft bound for the Crystal Palace ascended into the skies. The Hermes-class was the epitome of luxury in space travel, and a one-way ticket cost the equivalent of three years' salary for the average corporate employee.

It was no wonder the European Space Agency named the spacecraft after Hermes, the Greek god of commerce and wealth—Europe's patron of prosperity.

As the plane soared higher, leaving Earth behind, V knew Li Ang and the rest of Mann's crew were onboard, gazing down at the tiny figures below.

"Maybe, to the people on that plane, we look like ants," V murmured.

"V, have you ever thought about visiting the Crystal Palace? I hear there's Infinity food, and the world's best chefs cook for the rich up there. I'm so jealous…" Jackie said, swallowing hard.

The Crystal Palace—an aerial garden built in space—was the greatest architectural marvel of the new era. It was a sanctuary for wealthy elites fleeing war, a place to indulge in decadence.

"Jackie, aren't you the guy who only likes eating corn chips and tamales? Since when do you crave Crystal Palace cuisine?" V teased, noticing Jackie's expression of longing. "What's the matter? Got tired of your usual fare?"

"Come on, cut it out," Jackie grumbled, waving dismissively. "You don't know what I went through in the hospital. My mom brought me food every day—always corn chips and tamales.

"No matter how good something is, eating it daily is unbearable. I couldn't take it anymore, but I didn't have the heart to refuse my mom's kindness. That's why I asked for an early discharge."

Recalling how his mother had rushed to his bedside, crying and embracing him, Jackie felt a pang of guilt. He shouldn't have worried her like that.

"V, I'm serious. I've figured things out. Becoming a Night City legend might not be for me. I just want to stay close to my mom now."

"As for us? Let's stick to small jobs like before—build our street cred slowly. There's no rush."

"Even if we strike it rich overnight, we'd still need to live long enough to enjoy it. Better to play it safe."

Seeing Jackie as cheerful and optimistic as ever, filled with hope for the future, V cherished this moment of peace.

They were supposed to be dead, just another statistic in Night City's Infinity corporate bloodshed. Yet here they were, sharing drinks and laughs once more. This was all thanks to their good fortune of crossing paths with LA Corporation.

"Jackie, you should've thought this way a long time ago," V said, throwing an arm around Jackie's shoulders. He hoped his best friend could live a safe and happy life, just like the old days.

As for himself… V knew there was no going back.

The advanced implant in his brain and the world's most sophisticated AI were a constant reminder: V was no longer ordinary.

Destiny was propelling him toward legend.

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