chapter 109
So Weird
"I remember the priest's mission was for us to go to Japan Street and kill someone, right?"
Oliver glanced at the Villefort Alvarado as he drove toward Japan Street.
"Sounds like a straightforward plan," Jack said, flipping through the mission details sent by the priest. "The target's name is Hiromi Sato. He's a member of the Tiger Claw gang. We don't have an exact location for him on Japan Street, so we'll have to find him. If we spot him later, we can take him out along the way."
"Let's focus on the current task first," Karl interjected. "We can't confirm yet if Tanaka Katsuo is connected to our target. If we attack him directly, it might draw unnecessary attention from Arasaka Academy. I'll create some chaos later and then invade the driver's neural network. Once I extract enough information, I'll erase his memory to make sure he doesn't remember being compromised."
Oliver glanced at Karl from the driver's seat, a skeptical look on his face. "The drivers and bodyguards for a company like Arasaka are expendable. Even if they die or vanish during an operation, the higher-ups won't bat an eye. Why go through all this trouble, Karl? Feeling pity for a corporate dog?"
"There are two reasons," Karl replied calmly. "First, killing him outright could raise suspicions and alert our real target. Knocking him out in the chaos and erasing his memory is a much safer approach. No one will care if a low-level driver ends up unconscious for a while.
Second, the driver hasn't done anything to provoke me. I have principles. He's not our main target, so there's no reason to kill him just because he's a corporate lackey. If I did that, how would I be any different from the Arasaka dogs I despise? There's no need to judge people solely by their status."
Jack raised an eyebrow, understanding something about Karl's methods. "No wonder you're so thorough when it comes to scavengers. You always check their criminal history before taking them out."
"You've got it wrong, Jack," Karl said, adjusting his position in the cramped seat as he kept an eye on the Villefort Alvarado slowing down ahead. "Scavengers are a different matter entirely."
"You just said you don't judge people by their status," Jack pointed out.
"True," Karl admitted. "But that only applies if they haven't offended me. Scavengers? They've offended me simply by existing."
Jack let out a laugh. "You've got your own personal principles."
"You could call it Karl's code of conduct," Karl replied with a smirk. "Holding grudges and remembering favors—both are equally important. Why, Mr. Jack Wills, do you have any advice for me?"
Jack flashed a wide grin. "Advice? Nah. Honestly, every word you say resonates with me. Makes me feel damn good, if I'm being honest."
"Sounds like we've got the foundation for some team rules," Oliver said as he pulled the Quartz EC to the side of the road. "Now, gentlemen, time to move."
---
"Couldn't you have driven a little smoother, Oliver?" Karl muttered as he climbed out of the car, stretching his stiff limbs. "My back's killing me from the way you were swerving through traffic."
"Don't complain. If you don't like it, drive yourself next time," Oliver shot back. "And maybe wear your seatbelt. I'm not responsible if you go flying into the windshield."
Karl ignored the banter, pulling on a casual black jacket and checking his sidearm. He glanced toward the Villefort Alvarado parked near a bar on Japan Street. "So, the Arasaka kid and his driver are heading into a bar after class. Let's see what secrets they're hiding."
---
Japan Street, Westbrook District
The entertainment hub of Night City, filled with neon lights and vibrant life. Mostly inhabited by Japanese residents, it's a hotspot for tourists and nightlife. From fine dining to exclusive clubs like Genting, Japan Street offers endless indulgence—for the right price.
Threat level: Minimal.
---
Oliver and Jack followed Tanaka Katsuo and his driver, Maxim, into the bar. Knowing his face was too recognizable, Karl stayed behind near the car. He leaned against the Quartz EC and scanned the area. The lack of external cameras was a relief, sparing him the trouble of hiding his identity.
"I need to invest in a jammer," Karl muttered to himself. "Blocking cameras would make this so much easier."
He opened a channel to his companions, who had just entered the bar.
Oliver: "We're in. Katsuo Tanaka was led to a private room by a bartender. His driver, Maxim, is at the bar, having a drink."
Karl: "I've already pulled some details on Maxim. He's got a gambling habit—boxing matches, specifically. How's the situation inside?"
Jack: "Plenty of Tiger Claw members hanging around, mixed with regular customers. If we need to start a scene, it won't be hard."
Karl: "Good. Find someone to provoke if necessary, but don't rush. Order drinks and stay sharp. Let's see what Katsuo is up to first."
Using his neural connection, Karl hacked into the bar's internal network. As expected, while the bar appeared to respect privacy, it had hidden cameras in key areas. Tapping into the feed, Karl focused on Katsuo in the private room.
To his surprise, Katsuo wasn't doing anything remotely scandalous. Under the guidance of a bartender, the Arasaka student had accessed a learning chip.
---
"Learning? In a bar?" Karl muttered in disbelief. He double-checked the feed and cross-referenced the bar's records, quickly uncovering its true purpose.
The bar was secretly an Arasaka Academy facility, designed for discreet internal transactions.
"So this is what's going on," Karl said, shaking his head. "On the surface, it looks like he's here to party, but the private room is just a front. He's here to study—probably to keep his classmates from finding out. What a joke."
He chuckled darkly. "Arasaka Academy gets weirder by the day."