Chapter 128 - Tanaka Arrives

Nighttime. The designated secret meeting spot.

"This guy is Jimmy Kurozaki?"

Carl looked at the BD director with long, deep blue hair. He was surprised that the guy who had put him on screen twice actually looked like a serious artist.

Or rather, like the stereotypical image of an artist.

Long hair, an earring—

While Carl was sizing up Jimmy Kurozaki, the BD director was also scrutinizing him. And the moment he got a clear look at Carl's face, his expression suddenly turned excited, despite having a pistol aimed at his head by Maine.

"You… you're not Carl, are you? The merc KK—one of the most famous in Night City right now!"

Carl wasn't surprised that Jimmy Kurozaki knew him. After all, he'd been on screen twice already—if the guy still didn't recognize him, that would've been ridiculous. What Carl didn't understand was why he was so excited about it.

"Yeah, that's me. Problem?"

"I'm Jimmy Kurozaki, the top BD director in Night City."

"Yeah, I know. You made a BD featuring me, and I've been thinking about smacking you for it. So?"

As Carl eyed him suspiciously, Jimmy Kurozaki twitched slightly. The moment he moved, Maine shoved the barrel of the gun right against his temple.

"Don't move!"

"Whoa, relax, relax! I already agreed to cooperate. I wouldn't break my word. I just wanted to properly introduce myself to the man standing in front of me."

As he spoke, Jimmy casually waved a hand to signal that Maine didn't need to be so tense. Then, without a care in the world, he pulled a small piece of paper from his coat, held it carefully in both hands, and respectfully handed it over to Carl.

Carl glanced down and saw that it was—of all things—Jimmy Kurozaki's business card.

"You're giving me this for…?"

"If you ever feel like starring in something, don't hesitate to contact me. I'll offer a high eddies payout."

"Just out of curiosity… what kind of BD are you thinking?"

Jimmy Kurozaki lifted his head with a look of genuine confusion.

"Obviously a cyberpsycho BD series. With your talent, it'd be a shame not to be featured in one."

"But I'm not a cyberpsycho."

"Every cyberpsycho says that."

Jimmy didn't seem to care in the slightest.

"And even if you aren't one yet, it's only a matter of time. Let me make a reservation in advance. The payout will be huge."

"A reservation…"

Carl's expression remained calm as he clenched his fist.

First, this gonk made him waste money on a BD.

Then, he put him in a cyberpsycho BD series without his consent.

And now, this?

That made three times.

And anyone who pissed him off three times…

"The hell you are, you gonk!"

"Whoa, whoa, Carl, don't do anything rash!"

Jackie and Oliver each grabbed one of Carl's arms, barely managing to pull him back before his fist connected with Jimmy Kurozaki's face.

"With the kind of strength you've got now, one punch and this gonk would be dead. Hold off for now—plenty of time to kill him after the job's done."

As Oliver tried to reason with him, Jimmy Kurozaki—who had just brushed past death—was now staring at Carl, his eyes filled with a growing excitement. Then, in a complete reversal, he suddenly lunged toward Carl.

"Don't stop him! I already activated my BD recording software in my head! If he kills me, this will be the ultimate masterpiece—the guy recording cyberpsychos finally dying to one! The irony, the poetic justice—it's absolutely perfect!"

"Shit!"

Maine had to use one arm to forcefully hold Jimmy Kurozaki back, yanking him away.

"You're seriously starting to act like a cyberpsycho yourself."

As the struggle continued, David and the rest of the team stood frozen, watching the bizarre scene unfold, all of them completely bewildered.

Finally, Rebecca voiced what they were all thinking.

"The fuck is going on?"

This "harmonious" first meeting didn't last long, though—Tanaka was already nearby.

After going back and forth with Carl, agreeing to future roles, and even suggesting that Carl publicly execute him for dramatic effect, Jimmy Kurozaki finally gave up on dying tonight.

After all, even if he died now, today's main event was Tanaka, not him. No way was he going to die as a side character. He was a famous BD director in Night City—dying as a nameless extra would be pathetic.

"I swear to hell, I'm gonna string you up and beat you like a spinning top with a belt!"

Carl flipped off Jimmy Kurozaki, feeling like he'd just been covered in some slimy nasty-ass sludge that he couldn't shake off.

But no matter how much Jimmy pissed him off, Carl was still a professional merc. He pushed down his irritation and focused on the mission. He, Oliver, Maine, and the others all took cover in different corners of the meeting spot, leaving only Jimmy Kurozaki standing alone on the first floor of the designated building.

From the shadows, several guns were aimed straight at him. If he showed even the slightest intention of warning Tanaka, his body would be full of lead before he could finish his sentence.

Not that Jimmy Kurozaki seemed to care about having multiple barrels trained on him. Ever since he'd casually revealed that he had a BD recorder installed in his head, Lucy and Kiwi had already disabled it remotely. Now, all he wanted was to wrap up this job as fast as possible and then send Carl another offer to star in a BD.

A low screech filled the quiet space.

Tires grinding over loose gravel.

The soft friction of small rocks shifting under the weight of a vehicle.

Then, steady, composed footsteps echoed in the night.

Under Jimmy Kurozaki's control, the door to the meeting spot slid open.

Tanaka walked in.

When he saw Jimmy Kurozaki grinning at him, his face remained calm. But when he spoke, there was a subtle hint of expectation in his tone.

"What's the new BD this time? You've been releasing them pretty fast lately. Used to take you months to drop a new one."

"With the right material, that's how it is. I'm sure you understand—I have very high standards for my subjects. And lately, I've come across some truly phenomenal material."

"That BD of ex-Militech Lieutenant James was a hit at the company. A lot of my subordinates are watching it. And now, after something that high-level, you're saying you've got another breakthrough?"

"Of course. Can't afford to let you down, right? But rather than saying I found inspiration…"

"…Rather than saying?"

"I'd say… the ultimate inspiration came to me instead."

"…Came to you?"

Tanaka didn't have time to process Jimmy Kurozaki's cryptic words—

Because suddenly, a gun was pressed against his back.

"Don't move."

Carl stood behind him.

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