Chapter 120: Chapter 112: Double Line Activation (Starting Point Coin Reward Debt Chapter 1/3)

The top of the Biotechnology Building.

How many people spend their entire lives just to reach a place like this, overlooking the "free and prosperous" Night City.

Since they had climbed to the top, V and Jack also wanted to take a proper look at Company Square but were held back by Lille.

Just kidding, Company Square was crowded with people and the Terrorist Mobile Team was there too. They didn’t want to be seen by someone’s prosthetic eye.

A patrolling scorpion-tailed lion lazily glided over the low sky. Inside Biotechnology, an electronic ghost roamed the Biotechnology Building using the architectural maintenance permissions.

A building maintenance drone, under direction, passed through an empty office hall and arrived at the restroom on the 70th floor, starting its work.

The received instruction was that there was external damage to the glass, needing repair.

The repair report came from: Employee #10039.

The drone slowly opened the glass window, then extended a mechanical arm, starting to apply a repair adhesive on the smooth, flawless glass.

This was an emergency repair measure—the maintenance engineer had already reported the glass replacement application, but the logistics personnel wouldn’t see the application until tomorrow.

The window opened, and two shadows slipped through the glass, followed by a third shadow.

Successfully infiltrated the Biotechnology Building.

V looked at the surroundings and recalled sneaking into Kantao Park in Atlanta, couldn’t help but grumble, "Again with the toilet... why is it always the toilet?"

"This is a toilet?" Jack was shocked, "This toilet is as clean as a cafeteria."

Lille and V shared a look of "can you not be so startled."

A floor so clean it reflected light, spacious space, electrically controlled glass, basic facial grooming equipment, and interfaces for diagnostic biological monitoring...

Yeah, indeed luxurious, better than Kantao’s.

No wonder Jack was so astonished; it was his first time seeing the inside of a corporate building.

One should know that Night City wasn’t short of low-quality people who relieved themselves anywhere, like in the cheap residential areas of Santo Domingo, where you might step on a "public toilet point" just a few steps away.

This toilet was already better than the homes of 50% of the world’s population.

But they weren’t here to tour a toilet.

V asked, "What do we do now? There might be robots in the building."

"Looks like you’ve gained some experience." Lille controlled the building robot to put away its tools, close the glass, and swaggered out of the toilet.

"Now... we wait, wait for our ’inside man’ to gather all the information, and then we’ll find a way up."

For the moment, Company Square was under lockdown, and the only departments still operating within the building were network security and operations, which required on-site work.

Other departments were working outside the company, so the number of staff was significantly reduced.

Security patrol manpower had doubled, but most were stationed outside since the company still needed to maintain normal operations.

So relatively speaking, there were few people in the Biotechnology Building at this time.

Typical "light under the lamp."

The Research and Technology Department had no one at all, completely secured by combat robots.

However, Lille only knew where Koch’s office was; he was completely unaware of the route’s specific structure and security robot distribution.

Using the building maintenance permissions, he controlled the building maintenance drone—this machine was now his eyes, recording every security robot’s patrol route.

The route to Joanne Koch’s office was slowly coming together.

And at the end of this route, they had to unlock the most critical part—Joanne Koch’s office door.

Confirming the route was correct, Lille dialed the phone on the other side:

"Man, start the attack."

...

Biotechnology Building, Technical and Development Area Director’s Office.

The TV was playing Night City’s most popular show, "Late Night Talk with Zig Q."

"Night City, Night City, welcome back! Tonight’s guest is Inspector Sara Krakos. Hello, beautiful, welcome to our show."

Zig Q, the show’s host, sported a slicked-back hairstyle dyed vivid green.

Inspector Krakos had a head of ultra-short blonde hair, still wearing her NCPD duty bulletproof vest, as if she had just arrived from work.

"Hello, Zig, honored to be here."

But clearly, the inspector seemed very green once she started talking.

"How was it? Was your journey to the studio smooth? Didn’t run into rocket-powered motorcycle bombs or man-eating wanderers, did you?"

"Uh... of course not... those are just urban legends..."

"Alright, alright, Inspector, we all know there’s a big issue in the city center, otherwise you wouldn’t need to lock it down.

What we want to know is, what exactly happened in the city center? Where is the person who planted the bomb in the city center? Who are they?

Why did the NCPD have no response to the two incidents, and now they are instead hunting down Mackinaw Pika across the city?

Are you telling me the terrorists used a Mackinaw Pika to flip over the armored vehicle blocking the city center?

Is Mackinaw some kind of new tank named after the pickup truck? And what about those wanderers? What’s the deal with them?"

"Well... regarding the city center case, what we know so far is that the perpetrator used a regulated firearm, and the lockdown may be lifted once the wanderers disperse, whereas their main target is..."

"Sara, Sara." Zig Q stood up from the desk, shaking his head, seemingly disappointed in the inspector. "Stop reading those press releases.

We just want to hear the truth. When will our city truly be safe, and when will those scary armed units leave the city center?"

"Uh... the Night City police will do everything..."

"Sigh, Sara, I really understand your difficulties, really, but your performance only makes us more uneasy.

Luckily, I’ve now invited a representative from the other side of the conflict—the wanderers from the Evil Land!

Maybe you can understand their demands through verbal communication to restore peace to Night City as soon as possible.

But before that, we need to reintroduce our citizens to these somewhat unfamiliar groups!"

The wanderers, regarded as cockroaches by city dwellers, roamed without a fixed abode like cockroaches, either attacking this company’s warehouse or assaulting that company’s oil production equipment or facilities.

In the legends of Night City, the wanderers were ruthless creatures that hesitated not one bit in killing.

Stories of the wanderers as outlaws began in the last century, during the oil energy era.

People largely believed that the conflict between the wanderers and the companies stemmed from oil extraction rights, described as a dog-eat-dog situation.

When it came to the E-2 era, the wanderers’ targets were no longer limited to oil companies but included E-2 refineries, water plants, and other facilities.

Killing, robbery, smuggling... in short, outlaw was the most fitting term to describe them.

"But before they come onstage, I’d like to say, we are all heartbroken over what’s happening in Night City, yet this is the moment they chose to reveal themselves."

"And, we also really need to know the truth, so, let’s welcome our next guest to the stage—Hector!"

Hector walked out from behind the scenes, with Inspector Krakos visibly tensing up.

Clearly, as an NCPD spokesperson who mostly handled paperwork, she had a very poor impression of wanderers.

However, when Hector emerged from behind the scenes, she realized this wanderer seemed different.

Hector, wrapped in thick, tattered clothing, attempted to minimize his contact with light sources, his entire movement appearing slow and even requiring a cane.

Standing on this glittering stage, Zig Q was the star, Krakos was the guest, and perhaps even a good cop fighting against the wanderers.

But Hector was the mysterious, notorious outlaw.

However, this outlaw was currently extraordinarily quiet, silently sitting on the chair prepared for him.

"So, Hector, can I call you that? You are the... leader of the wanderer family?"

Hector, wrapped in a black hood, gently shook his head, "I used to be, not anymore. I am here today in a personal capacity."

"Oh... you mean, you’ve been kicked out of your... family? Heartbreaking."

Hector coldly glanced at the exaggerated host, not bothering to refute.

Seeing Hector not taking the bait, Zig Q looked at the audience, "We all know the City Hall is under lockdown today, and numerous wanderers appeared in Haywood, holding banners and trying to break in.

But we also know the lockdown was due to a terrorist attack in City Hall.

Several motorcycle bombs exploded in the city center, causing significant casualties and millions in damages.

And yet, the wanderers appeared in Haywood, attacking NCPD’s defense line.

Some speculate that the wanderers are linked to the terrorist attack in the city center. What’s your take on this?"

Scenes of the battle played on the screen behind Zig Q, followed by footage of wanderers driving vehicles and parading with bodies.

The way they roared almost matched the images of vandals in people’s minds.

Most people subconsciously linked the two events—credit to Night City’s long-standing negative propaganda against wanderers.

"...I’m here to denounce what Biotechnology did to us."

Hector rolled up his sleeve, revealing charred skin beneath his clothes, terrifying to behold.

Everyone took a deep breath, giving an impression as if the temperature dropped.

"Oh my, this needs to be handled carefully..." Zig Q said as he took a well-made gas mask from a small table.

"Biodyne XS-4900 Biological Protection Mask, can connect to your biological monitoring system, preventing all biological hazards, ensuring your safety.

This protective mask is included in the Biodyne ’Biosecurity Package,’ featuring the latest biological monitoring device, external air quality, and liquid toxin detection devices, as well as a home essential medication package.

Click the link to purchase now and enjoy a 20% discount!"

Hector seemed sidelined, almost unnecessary.

Joanne Koch felt a bit better seeing this scene in her office.

This wanderer seemed crazy, claiming to expose darkness on television.

But from what Koch knew, there was no solid evidence leaked—so she was very interested in this show.

So far, everything seemed normal: no matter how many people died, information security meant her safety.

If she could resolve this situation smoothly, she might face some punishment but staying in the company wouldn’t be difficult.

If something really went wrong, she would rely on the security of Company Square until morning, grab her ticket, and head straight to the airport to flee, ensuring her survival.

So, the content of this show would decide whether she stayed or left.

Koch watched the TV show, her mind continually pondering her situation and possible future.

At that moment, a window popped up in front of her—

[Black Antelope Automobile Company Attacked!]

Koch’s face turned pale!