chapter 114

Mercenaries and Blue Eyes

"Maxim, why are you just now connecting to the communication?"

"I'm very sorry, Section Chief Tanaka. Something unexpected happened earlier. I was caught up in a mercenary mission and fainted. I just woke up."

"The impact of a mercenary mission?"

At six o'clock in the evening, Tanaka, still working overtime in the Arasaka Building, frowned at Maxim's explanation. "Is my son safe?"

"Your son, Katsuo, is unharmed. It seems the group of mercenaries only targeted their mark and left without involving anyone else."

"Do you know who these mercenaries are?"

"The Tiger Claw Gang monitored the scene on Japan Street. Two of the mercenaries had no signal shielding on their prosthetics, so their identities were confirmed. They've previously worked under the company's commission and are recorded in our files."

"It's not surprising some street mercenaries have history with the company. Send me the surveillance footage."

"Yes, Section Chief Tanaka."

On the other end of the call, Maxim's panicked voice was accompanied by the sound of rushing wind, as if he was bowing repeatedly to show deference. Tanaka, used to this behavior, dismissed it as typical among Arasaka employees who believed bowing equated to respect.

Soon, the surveillance footage from the Tiger Claw Gang was transmitted to Tanaka's personal terminal. Curious about the mercenary mission that nearly endangered his son, he immediately opened the file.

Breaking into the Tiger Claw Gang's territory on Japan Street, abducting a target, and escaping—what kind of audacious mercenaries would dare such a thing?

With this thought in mind, Tanaka scrutinized the footage, where Karl and Jack's faces were clearly visible.

That face…

Tanaka blinked, recognizing Karl immediately. This mercenary had become a prominent name within Arasaka circles in Night City. He was the one who had protected Miss Haruko and, at her request, received prosthetic enhancements and advanced medical care from the company. In a recorded duel, he had nearly defeated a military-grade ACPA belonging to Militech.

How could it be him?

That was Tanaka's first thought, but he quickly dismissed it as absurd. Mercenaries were mercenaries, even those who had once earned a temporary favor from Miss Haruko. In the end, they were nothing more than street dogs taking whatever jobs came their way to survive.

It must have been a coincidence.

No one was targeting him, and no one was targeting Arasaka.

Later, Tanaka received the same footage as part of an internal company report. The last of the three mercenaries, who had worn a mask to conceal his identity, was also identified as Oliver. With this, Karl's entire team was confirmed.

This information, insignificant in the grander scheme of Arasaka's operations, barely drew attention among the employees. But it was placed on the desk of the one person in Night City with the Arasaka name.

---

"Mercenaries…"

In the Wild coyote Bar, Karl raised a glass of sweet tea and toasted the middle-aged man seated before him. "If you've got work for us, just say the word. No need for the theatrics."

"Straightforward, as expected from the famed mercenary, K, who's made quite the name for himself in Night City recently."

The middle-aged man, his glowing blue eyes faintly flickering, smiled as he glanced at Oliver and Jack. "Your team is certainly among the best this city has to offer."

"Why do you talk so weirdly?" Jack said, taking a sip of his lager. "Don't butter us up. Just tell us what the job is. If it's short-term, we might consider it. Long-term? Forget it."

"Still tied up with Militech-related matters?"

The mention of Militech made Karl, Jack, and Oliver tense slightly.

"Looks like you know a lot about us," Karl said, his tone steady as he studied the man.

It wasn't surprising the blue-eyed stranger knew about their current contract. Even if he exposed their deal with Militech, the consequences were minor. Their reputation might take a hit, and they'd have to return the deposit, but that was part of the game.

"You seem to have done your homework," Karl continued, taking a sip of his tea. "So, what's the deal? If it's short-term, we're interested. And if you want us to take it seriously…"

Oliver interrupted with a smirk. "You'll need to pay a deposit upfront. No deposit, no deal. We don't work for free."

"Rest assured," the blue-eyed man said, his expression unreadable. "I'm not here to offer a job right now. I simply wanted to meet you and propose something for the future. Once you've completed your current work, I'd like you to consider taking on a long-term mission for me."

"A future appointment?" Jack raised an eyebrow. "You're not worried we might fail and get killed during this Militech mission?"

"I have faith in your abilities," the man replied confidently. "After all, you're only up against a small trial experiment by Arasaka's Night City experimental division. It's nothing you can't handle."

"A small trial experiment?" Oliver repeated, narrowing his eyes.

The man's words were provocative, almost dismissive. He spoke of something critical to Militech as if it were insignificant—a mere sideshow to Arasaka's larger plans.

The blue-eyed man stood, brushing off his jacket. "That's all for today. Once your current mission is complete, I'll be in touch."

"You'll contact me? You didn't even get my comm…"

Karl trailed off as the man turned back for a moment. In the dim light of the bar, his artificial eyes glowed faintly, then dimmed.

Was it a custom model, like Oliver's, that changed color with emotion? Or was there something more to this enigmatic stranger?

Karl frowned as the man disappeared out the door.

End of Chapter 114