chapter 119

Dangerous Girl Agency

After closing the door and signaling Kenichi Zaburo to come in, Karl sat on the sofa, facing Kenichi's unyielding scrutiny. The silence stretched on for almost two minutes before Karl, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up.

"So, Mr. Kenichi Zaburo, why are you here at this hour? I don't think I'm familiar with your identity yet."

"I'm a bodyguard," Kenichi replied simply, his tone curt and to the point.

"Bodyguard?" Karl raised an eyebrow. "So, Mr. Zaburo, why aren't you busy protecting your employer? I don't recall hiring security services. Or maybe you're offering your services for free? But free things tend to be the most expensive."

Kenichi remained silent, ignoring Karl's provocative tone. His calm gaze lingered on Karl, making him increasingly uneasy.

Karl couldn't shake the sense of danger emanating from the man. He had encountered many dangerous individuals in Night City, but Kenichi Zaburo was different. His presence alone felt like a silent threat.

Every subtle move of Kenichi's eyes seemed to focus on Karl's vulnerable points—his temple, heart, and other critical areas. It was as if the man was mapping out the quickest way to end him, and Karl could feel a phantom ache in those spots under the weight of the scrutiny.

This guy wasn't just strong—he was lethal.

Uncomfortable with the tension, Karl gestured toward the door. "I've been generous enough to let you in. If there's nothing else, Mr. Zaburo, I'd appreciate it if you didn't disturb my sleep."

"You're good at what you do," Kenichi said, ignoring the implied dismissal.

"Thanks for the compliment," Karl replied with a faint smirk, still unsure of Kenichi's intentions. "So, what's this about?"

"I brought a job," Kenichi finally revealed. He retrieved a paper document from the inside of his suit and placed it on the glass coffee table.

"A job?" Karl raised an eyebrow. "So, all of that scrutiny earlier was just to gauge my abilities?"

Kenichi nodded slightly.

"Alright," Karl said, picking up the document. "Let me see what this is about."

"The offer will satisfy you," Kenichi added.

Karl scanned the document and realized it wasn't a typical contract. Instead, it was an employee entry salary schedule for a company called Danger Girl.

Karl had heard of Danger Girl before.

Danger Girl: A private detective agency headquartered in Night City, specializing in investigations, bodyguard services, and security. Founded by Michiko Arasaka, it was known for its quirky "detective girls" equipped with cat-ear prosthetics. Although its popularity in detective work had waned in recent years, it still overshadowed most competitors in the industry.

Michiko Arasaka, the dovish leader of the Arasaka family, was offering Karl a position at her agency in the middle of the night?

Karl carefully examined the terms:

Prosthetic Discounts: Employees receive discounts on popular prosthetics. However, these were standard options available on the market, similar to Karl's current Arasaka Model 3 upgrades.

Task Compensation: Payment based on employer satisfaction, up to 60%. While decent, it wasn't as lucrative as the 100% cut he earned on freelance jobs.

Flexible Scheduling: Employees were only required to respond during critical moments. No constant stationing was necessary.

The base salary was where things got interesting.

300,000 euros per month.

That added up to 3.6 million euros a year, excluding mission bonuses. With additional incentives, an annual salary of 4–5 million euros wasn't out of the question.

Karl whistled. That was comparable to the salary of a mid-level manager at a megacorporation—and this was for a bodyguard position.

Suspicious, Karl looked up at Kenichi. "Why me?"

Kenichi met his gaze, unfazed. "You're qualified."

"Qualified?" Karl's lips twisted into a skeptical grin. "If I'm qualified, then why send someone who obviously dislikes me to extend the offer?"

Kenichi's eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't agree with the decision, but I acknowledge your skill."

"So, why not approach someone better than me?" Karl pressed. "I'm sure there are people more qualified in your eyes."

Kenichi paused, staring at Karl with a neutral expression that only deepened the tension. Finally, he answered in a measured tone.

"Because you're the one the lady trusts. You've protected her in the past."

Karl blinked. Protected her? The "lady" must be Michiko Arasaka. A generous job offer from a firm run by a powerful Arasaka figure, combined with her trust—it all began to make sense.

Karl glanced back at the salary document. The lack of restrictive clauses, the flexible schedule, and the hefty pay all pointed to something more than a simple bodyguard position.

"You're telling me I won't need to be stationed anywhere long-term? Just show up when I'm called?" Karl asked, his tone skeptical.

"Exactly," Kenichi confirmed. "And normally, you won't be needed either."

Karl tapped the document thoughtfully before smiling faintly. "Sounds like we have room to negotiate the details."

Leaning back on the sofa, Karl's grin widened. "Oh, and just to be clear—you don't mind if I freelance on the side, right?"