Chapter 32: The Operation Begins

After finishing dinner with Lena Fox, I returned to the research institute.

"Were you happy today?" Leon Black asked gently, inhaling the scent of the woman leaning against his shoulder.

"Mmm~" Lena closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, as though she were trying to engrave this moment into her soul. It was as if she wanted to etch the scent of the man who had given her a second life into her being.

"If you don't want to do it, you don't have to," Leon said softly, watching a news broadcast on TV showing footage from the recent Phoenix Club raid.

> "It is reported that the NCPD discovered Seihou Jou Tarou's body at the Phoenix Club. According to computer records, he was involved in human trafficking, organ trading, organized prostitution, illegal Braindance recording, blackmail, assaulting and killing police officers, and drug dealing."

"Currently, the police are arresting those involved based on new evidence. Among those already detained are Lenny Nero, responsible for distributing illegal Braindance content, and Li Zaixian, a smuggler."

The scene cut to a container terminal on Charter Street. As the container door creaked open, a foul stench escaped, followed by over a dozen smuggled refugees stumbling out—though some would never make it out.

> "Mom! I've been kidnapped! I'm so scared!"

"Oh my God, Tracy! Mommy's coming to get you!"

"I don't know where I am, Mom! Hurry, I can't breathe!"

"Tell me everything you remember! Addresses, people, anything that stands out!"

"I only remember partying at Rachel's place… I drank too much, and then everything's a blur. I think I was on a boat—I heard a horn…"

"Hang in there, baby. I've called the police. Mommy's on her way. I love you!"

It was a heartbreaking exchange broadcast on national TV—heartfelt and horrifying all at once.

On the video streaming site, the bullet screen for "Bring Baby Home" was filled with supportive messages copied and pasted by viewers in unison.

Leon and Lena, however, remained quiet as they watched.

"It's touching," Lena whispered.

As the news segment ended, Night City's promotional video rolled in.

> City of Dreams. City of Opportunity. City of Fortune.

The slogans blared, stirring passion and optimism.

"Yes," Leon murmured. "Very touching indeed."

> If you're still worried about money, seek help from Anxinfu!

Anxinfu—your financial expert. Sponsored by Arasaka Corporation.

"Lena?"

"Hmm?"

"Let's begin."

She nodded firmly. "Mm!"

---

Ring-a-ling~ Ring-a-ling~

"Hello?" Viktor picked up his phone, his face turning serious. "I'll be right there."

He turned to Misty. "Something came up."

In addition to his usual work implanting and modifying cyberware, Viktor kept a close watch on Jack's condition. That day, Jack had suddenly started convulsing and vomiting uncontrollably, terrifying Mrs. Welles enough to call Viktor in a panic.

After examination, Viktor realized that this seemingly awful reaction was actually a good sign. The clots and toxins built up in Jack's system were being purged. His body functions were slowly stabilizing, and his vital signs were improving—albeit through a grotesque process.

Since none of them had ever used high-grade neural repair fluid before, Viktor wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Still, things seemed under control.

Seeing Viktor rush off, Misty, wiping the corner of Jack's mouth, frowned. "You're leaving now?"

"Maybe there's an emergency patient," Mrs. Welles offered with a nervous smile. "Jack's stable now. He should be fine."

Her thoughts drifted back to when V handed her the neural repair fluid.

> "Where did you get this high-grade stuff?!"

"Viktor and I cut a deal. Don't worry, it's legit. Viktor verified it."

"Thank god… Jack's gonna make it."

"Yeah."

Now, looking at the still-unconscious Jack, Misty's furrowed brows, and Viktor rushing out the door, she wondered…

Is this the price of dealing with that man?

---

Outside the mysterious research institute, Lena Fox stood waiting respectfully.

"Miss Nina has already gone in. We were just waiting for you." Her tone was polite but firm. Viktor dared not delay.

Though there was something subtly strange about Lena, Viktor pushed aside the thought and followed her in.

Inside, he received shocking news—Evelyn Parker had woken up.

Viktor was stunned. Delighted. This was massive.

Evelyn was the epicenter of multiple high-profile Arasaka incidents. Her testimony could reveal Yorinobu Arasaka's internal conflicts with his father, Saburo. Her awakening could validate the original mission with V and Jack, potentially reopening investigations into Saburo's death.

Yorinobu, who committed patricide, had clearly made mistakes. If Evelyn could expose them, those accumulated cracks might bring him down. His credibility would crumble.

> "Respiratory system stable. Circulatory system recovering. Brain function activating."

When Viktor entered the surgical wing, Nina was already monitoring Evelyn's vitals. Without formal greetings, he changed into surgical scrubs with Lena's help and began assisting.

Evelyn's body was a mess. Nina had her hands full, which was why Viktor had been urgently summoned—and also because Lena's own case would soon need attention.

Under their combined skill, Evelyn's physical condition was soon compiled by AI onto the computer screen.

> "Recovering well," said Leon Black, glancing at the freshly printed report. At this rate, Evelyn would be speaking in a week and eating normally in two.

"Thank you both for your hard work." Leon smiled, setting the report down. "We'll need you for one more task."

Nina nodded silently, understanding the unspoken context. Viktor, however, looked confused until Nina clarified:

> "We're about to operate on Miss Lena Fox."

!!!

Viktor looked sharply at Lena. He hadn't noticed it before, but now realized she was wearing a white-and-blue hospital gown.

Leon snapped his fingers.

A section of the wall split open, revealing a VIP-grade surgical suite.

High-end medical agents lined glass shelves. Rare cyberware components hung like collectibles on display.

"Whoa," Viktor breathed.

"Hehe, impressive, right?" Nina smiled. "I felt the same way when I first saw this. It's stocked with every high-grade treatment agent and cyber mod on the market—even some that corporations haven't released publicly."

"Once Lena's surgery is complete, you both may pick any item as a reward. Plus, a 150,000 bonus for your trouble."

Leon had always been generous to his own, especially when it came to Lena.

"But… will the surgery succeed?" Viktor asked, though he knew the risk of failure was high.

Leon smiled calmly. "If it fails, you and everyone you care about will end up on that wall—merchandise for sale."

…

This guy's a lunatic. Viktor's anxiety skyrocketed. The higher the reward, the greater the danger.

"It's okay. I'll lead the operation—you assist," Nina said. She had done similar work for Lena before and was prepared.

"I'll wait for your good news outside." Leon rubbed Lena's head gently before walking out.

Viktor and Nina reviewed Lena's surgical data. His eyes widened with disbelief.

> "A superposition-state body? Is this even possible?"

A chemically enhanced optical skin layered over real skin would grant Lena full invisibility—immune to thermal, electromagnetic, and ultrasound detection.

When combined with her advanced hacking skills, she would become a phantom in the digital world. A ghost among humans.

"Theoretically," Nina nodded. "Lena designed this herself."

"So desperate…" Viktor muttered. He couldn't understand why someone with Lena's talent wanted even more power.

"If only Leon Black weren't around…" Nina sighed, understanding the emotional trap Lena was caught in.

"All right. Let's begin." Nina's voice turned firm. She knew what failure meant.

No excuses. Only results.

The long and perilous surgery began.

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)