In the drizzling rain of Night City, corporate skyscrapers loomed motionless amid the misty haze, like towering giants piercing the clouds.
Drip drip. Raindrops tapped against the soundproof glass, producing faint, crisp echoes.
David Martinez, 18 years old and a graduating student of the Arasaka Academy Security Division, Class of 2076, stood inside the indoor CQB training ground. In his hands was the academy-issued practice model of the Nowaki assault rifle.
With sharp edges and unpolished steel, this classic rifle—manufactured by Arasaka in the early 21st century—had long been retired from use in corporate combat units, but as a free training firearm, it was still more than adequate.
"Begin!" At the instructor's command, David, wearing tactical headphones with noise dampening and audio pickup, sprang into action.
First, he threw a training flashbang behind a barrier wall, then kicked open the door. Gripping the rifle in both hands, he aimed at the humanoid target behind cover. Bang—a muffled shot echoed, and David felt the recoil feedback in his shoulder, a sensation unmatched by training chips or braindance courses. The mid-caliber, full-load training round struck the target's head dead center.
He swiftly advanced, combining sweeping motions with search techniques.
Under the dual-recording device of his tactical goggles equipped with infrared thermal sensors, his gaze had to cover every corner of the room. Only then could the AI scanner verify that he had fully adhered to combat search protocol.
Next came a combination of flashbang and smoke grenade. As he reloaded, he quickly maneuvered to the doorway of the second room, constructed with barriers and partition walls. Inside were ten targets—each allowed a maximum of three shots. After engaging, he reloaded again and entered the third room.
Crouching, David quickly operated the display on his tactical wrist terminal. The Daemon plug-in [Target Acquisition] activated, lines of intrusion protocol code flashing rapidly across the screen. The targets were simulated cyberware signals within the room.
[Target Acquisition] was a highly practical Daemon.
It allowed intruders to assess enemy and equipment layout in infiltrated zones.
By 2076, it had become the most basic and widely-used Daemon plug-in—an essential skill for any half-decent cyberpunk.
The Arasaka Academy issued Daemons were pre-programmed, mass-produced chips with foolproof operation. David only needed to lock onto his targets and activate them.
Soon enough, even through walls, it was as if he had x-ray vision. Humanoid targets, formed by flashing red 0s and 1s, appeared in David's view via the data panel connector. Without hesitation, he raised his rifle and fired precision shots through the wall.
Reload. Then came the fourth room...
By the time David exited the training course, the total time was 1 minute and 47 seconds.
"Cadet David Martinez. Zone 1 target, headshot, 10-ring, search completion rate: 100%, time: 7 seconds. Zone 2 target..."
"Too slow, David. Katsuo's movements are way faster."
As David ejected the mag, checked the chamber and safety, and handed back the rifle, tactical terminal, utility belt, and gear pouch, a medium-built, delinquent-looking guy with curly dyed-yellow hair approached with a grin.
"How can I compare with Katsuo?"
David shook his head. "But you, Suneo—you got implants, didn't you? And your score wasn't much better than me, a 'pure flesh' pauper... Heh, judging by your shaky footwork, I bet you were out partying."
While speaking, David removed his goggles, tactical headset, and other personally purchased gear, stuffing them into his backpack. Lowering his voice, he leaned toward Suneo and winked. "Don't tell me you actually went to Jig-Jig Street..."
"Shut up! No, I didn't! I was just watching some braindances for a friend!"
Suneo's voice grew increasingly unconvincing. "Ahem... If my dad found out I went to Jig-Jig Street, he'd break my legs..."
Jig-Jig Street—located in Japantown—was Night City's top-tier adult entertainment zone.
Famous for sex doll experiences, braindances, and underground BD trades, it was the city's steamy, neon-lit red-light district.
David couldn't help but joke, "You really are a horny devil."
Clearly, he got along well with this classmate Suneo.
Or rather, ever since early 2075 when he received the Security Division's Award for Practical Excellence and the class bully was expelled and punished for harassing him, the attitude of students at Arasaka Academy toward David had seemed to change overnight.
Thanks to his participation in the 2074 year-end practical security activities, he was accepted into a few student groups. What had once been a suffocating, distorted academic life suddenly gained some color.
Though the school experience still fell far short of the school-life dramas he'd seen in those antique Japanese anime chips from the last century—many pirated and grainy—David at least now felt something close to a real education.
Far better than when he was at Santo Domingo Community College or when he first joined Arasaka Academy and was met with scorn and cold shoulders.
A year of normal interactions had helped him forge some real bonds.
Just as David was about to pry for details out of curiosity—
"Knew you'd go," a stiff male voice cut in.
Blue bob-cut bangs and a blunt tone—it was Katsuo Tanaka.
Following behind him was the burly, sumo-wrestler-shaped Gian.
"Catch," Katsuo approached calmly, one hand in his pocket, and tossed something toward David.
Instinctively catching it, David looked and saw two detached chips. "What are these?" he asked.
"Basic training chips from Arasaka's Security Division. If you want to practice, use these."
Katsuo explained casually.
"If you train well, it'll be enough to pass the graduation assessment. For a pure flesh cadet like you, the standards are more lenient than ours."
"Thanks." David pulled out his chip case and carefully stored the training chips. He said sincerely, "Katsuo, after I get the job, I'll pay you back..."
"No need."
Katsuo refused flatly.
"It's pocket change. Didn't I say before? I trust the Security Division's evaluation staff. Think of it as an investment. If we end up in the same squad, don't drag me down. I'm off. I still have a few extracurricular classes and private military training sessions to attend..."
Today's pop quiz was over, and students who passed their training and returned the equipment were free to go. They could leave campus or self-study at the library.
Locker room.
David changed out of his lightweight combat suit and into the academy's standard black-and-red uniform bearing the Arasaka logo. With his backpack slung over one shoulder, he exited the Security Division's standalone academic building alongside Suneo, Gian, and Katsuo.
"Gian, I heard you're joining the Security Division's Protection Unit?"
"Yeah. I go wherever Katsuo goes. But my family says this build of mine is better suited for protection detail..."
"David, you still don't have a decent implant even now. Sure, you're top of the pure-flesh cadets, but Security Division jobs are seriously high-risk..."
"Sigh... I can't help it, I'm broke. My scholarships and low-interest student loans all went to tuition and fees. I plan to buy military-grade cyberware on company discount after I get hired..."
The group chatted as they walked toward the campus gates.
Just as Katsuo turned his head to speak—
Riiiing—
[Incoming Call: Father]
Katsuo's eyes lit up with an orange glow. "Dad?"
Then, as if something shocking had been said on the other end, he froze. His breathing grew heavy. He clenched his fists tightly and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, mm... Okay, I understand."
Once the call ended, he bolted toward the school gate without a backward glance.
"Ah! Katsuo!"
Suneo and Gian shouted in surprise and immediately chased after him. David, catching on a beat late, also started running.
At the school gate, a Villefort Cortes V5000 Arasaka Edition was already waiting. It was Tanaka's car.
Click.
Opening the door, Katsuo looked back, urgency on his face, as if he had just remembered something. "Martinez. If you're short on cash, do you want a loan?"
"Huh? Oh, no need." Jogging over, David paused in surprise, then shook his head. "You've already helped me enough. What happened, why the rush..."
"Check the news. You'll know soon. For now, David, you'd better avoid going out at night, and stop visiting those shady black-market ripperdocs. Things in Night City are going to be tense for a while..."
Before he finished speaking, Katsuo got into the car.
"The news? What news?"
David murmured to himself as he watched the car vanish into the distance. He parted ways with Suneo and Gian, heading home toward Santo Domingo alone.
He walked with a straight back and steady stride. Thanks to a certain person's encouragement, his old habits of slouching and dragging his feet were gone.
Even without implants, David hadn't slacked off on physical training.
Good implants required a good body to operate. Especially for someone like David, who couldn't yet afford them and had to wait until post-graduation to get a loan for military-grade cyberware.
On the LED billboard screens along the street, ads for Arasaka, Biotechnica, and Militech played.
NC Night City Info broadcasted local news.
Another violent robbery of a Militech convoy occurred in the Badlands of Southern California; gang warfare broke out again in Heywood between the Valentinos and the 6th Street; MaxTac was deployed to eliminate more undesirables...
Night City, truly a mess when it came to law and order.
Honestly, even without Katsuo's warning, David had no plans to wander outside at night.
He still remembered that night early in 2075 when he got beat up and returned late from the medbay, only to be pickpocketed on the metro. His comm chip was stolen, and he had to spend fifty eurodollars on a new one. That hurt.
Sigh. He wondered what the rest of the world was like.
Where that Arasaka bigwig who once encouraged him—Commander Vela Adelheid—went to train in Tokyo. He wondered how Tokyo compared to Night City.
"Welcome to News 54. Now for international news."
Channel switch.
"Just now, Tokyo time January 23, our station received word that Ms. Vela Adelheid Russell will be returning to Night City to resume her duties after a year of advanced study at the University of Tokyo."
"It is reported that the rejuvenated Saburo Arasaka personally promoted Ms. Vela Adelheid and praised her as Night City's brightest gem and Arasaka's rough diamond."
"We believe that with Ms. Vela Adelheid's return, she will inspire renewed confidence in the citizens of Night City and strengthen the collaboration between NCPD officers and Arasaka security personnel..."
David's eyes widened.
Commander Vela Adelheid is coming back?!
Immediately, he recalled what Katsuo had said.
Check the news...
No wonder that government brat was in such a hurry.
No! David had to hurry too! Not just Katsuo—he was also about to graduate. This wouldn't do!
David Martinez, you can't afford to slack off now!
He still remembered that piece of advice and encouragement: "Don't fall." "I hope to see your name on the onboarding list at Arasaka Tower." Even if she had long forgotten someone as insignificant as him.
Shaking off distractions, David's eyes steeled. In a flash, he quickened his pace.
JK (Jimmy Kurosaki)'s braindances were off the table. The antique anime chips he collected? Forget them. He couldn't keep chatting with that shady ripperdoc anymore. Until graduation exams, he'd be buried in those Arasaka training chips from Katsuo.
Train like hell!
...
Arasaka Tower, Corporate Plaza.
Counter-Intelligence Division floor.
"Damn, V, did you see this? The Security Division animals have gone crazy—hit squads flying all over the place. They executed over a hundred people in the Valentinos vs. 6th Street gang war. All over a so-called public nuisance."
A kind-faced Black man named Harry walked into the info chamber holding coffee, handing a cup to his red-haired female colleague—now his superior.
V took the corrugated cup from her desk, sipped, and shrugged. "Isn't this normal? Director Vela Adelheid is coming back."
Her tone grew complex at the mention of "Director."
Damn it!
People said Vela joining Night City's Security Division was like returning home. Now even going to Tokyo HQ for study seemed like a homecoming...
With the [Sonnentreppe Project], Saburo Arasaka's personal favor, climbing the ranks even before graduating from Tokyo University's Faculty of Law... If she returns to Night City and keeps going, won't she become a national-level board member?
Beep beep. Incoming call.
[Caller: Arthur Jenkins]
Connected.
[Jenkins: V, continue surveillance around the Arasaka factory in Watson. But otherwise, with Militech and Petrochem, tell all your moles and informants to go silent. Director Russell is coming back. It's going to be big.]
V: "Full stop?"
[Jenkins: Yes. Internal sources say Tokyo HQ has already decided to send reinforcements to Night City. Just wait and see. This is the beginning of our diplomatic and media war with Militech. Execute the orders.]
"Understood." V nodded seriously.
After Jenkins hung up, V fell silent. Her eyes glowed red. Beep beep.
"Jackie, can you hear me?"
[Jackie: Ahah, hermana, how's life in the snake pit? What brings you to me?]
"Barely comfy. Got some cash at least, and a promotion. But now's not the time to banter. Hey, Jackie, listen to me. Every word. Right now—cancel all your gigs. Go be with your mom."
[Jackie: Whoa, hermana. Chill. What happened? You sound tense. Relax. Learn to let go.]
"I can't chill, dammit. Jackie, this is under a secrecy clause, so I can't say details. But one thing I can tell you—Vela Adelheid is coming back to Night City. You know what that means. With her temperament, I don't want her first move on the job burning you alive. Got it?"
[Jackie: That woman, huh... Heard she's tough as a sledgehammer. Alright, alright, I hear you. I trust my hermana's warning. Thanks.]
"Jackie, remember—don't do anything stupid. I'm hanging up. Let's catch up next time."
[Jackie: Buena suerte (Good luck).]
Click.
...
Meanwhile, Little China—at the intersection of Bradbury Street and Buran Street.
A storefront filled with all sorts of statues, trinkets, incense, tarot cards, and yarrow stalks emanated a mystical aura. It was an astrology and spiritual consultation shop.
"Lo siento (sorry), looks like our deal's off. A very close, hardworking hermana just told me—this gig's too hot right now. Better to steer clear."
Jackie lowered his hand from the worn-out couch, looking across at the eclectic mix of mercenaries before him. Men and women of varying heights and styles, they gave off more of a nomadic clan vibe than that of cyberpunks.