Meeting Michiko Arasaka is not easy; she is Arasaka Corporation's highest-ranking representative in North America.
She is the leader of Arasaka's dove faction, and without her efforts, Arasaka Corporation would have found it almost impossible to revive in the United States after the Fourth Corporate War.
Now, Arasaka Corporation is once again flourishing in Night City, and Michiko's contributions are immeasurable.
V waited for a long time, enduring multiple applications and security checks.
By the time all procedures were completed, Jenkins and Abernathy outside had already returned to Arasaka Tower.
Ye Family had already contacted Abernathy, and she had to do something.
Jenkins, on the other hand, was uneasy because V wasn't answering his calls, so he also returned.
The two arch-rivals met at the elevator entrance on the first floor, both silently, unaware of how far the other had progressed in their schemes.
Both wanted to see Michiko, but at that moment, Michiko was having a very pleasant conversation with V.
Michiko used to be a famous beauty with a two-dimensional look, featuring neat, black, bob-cut hair and bangs.
However, her current image is truly indescribable, having nothing to do with beauty anymore; it's peculiar and incongruous.
Perhaps when power and money reach a certain level, appearance truly becomes insignificant.
V not only exposed Abernathy's dark secrets but also submitted his own chip, selling out Jenkins along with it.
For safety reasons, Michiko would not implant the chip herself.
Of course, her attendant would handle such matters.
Michiko: "Hmm, very good. This chip proves you have no ties to Ye Family. Abernathy and Jenkins, it seems I shouldn't have put so much trust in them, those backstabbers."
Michiko arranged for people to form a special investigation team and detained Abernathy and Jenkins.
She looked at the Deputy Head of Counter-Intelligence with new respect:
"Your name is V, correct? I'll remember you. Once the investigation team releases its official findings, the Counter-Intelligence Department will be yours. Additionally, you will temporarily oversee the Special Operations Department for me. Haha, if you can truly manage both departments simultaneously, I might even consider promoting you further."
V's eyes lit up; this was truly something that couldn't be suppressed by just a bit of composure. What kind of feeling would a person who desperately wants to climb the ranks have upon learning of a major promotion?
Michiko continued:
"Do you know what I value most about you?"
V shook his head.
"You're bold enough, and you're not greedy for money; you understand that power is more important than money."
V, fearing Michiko might misunderstand him, added:
"Miss Michiko, I also submitted my call records with Night Corp, just to prove my loyalty to Arasaka Corporation and to you. I will also hand over that money."
Michiko waved her hand, looking indifferent:
"Never mind, keep that money. Consider it a cash bonus in addition to your promotion. I will send someone to communicate and coordinate with Ye Family, but you must be careful yourself; you and some people in Ye Family have made enemies. I will allocate company resources to you; make good use of them and don't let the people from Night Corp get to you... Haha, of course, if you do get done in, it also means you're not qualified enough."
The two chatted for a little while longer, then V stood up, glanced at Adam Smasher standing in the corner, and sighed inwardly:
How on earth did Jingxuan and the others survive against this monster with 96% cybernetic enhancements?
After leaving the office, V used the newly implanted chip to call Jingxuan:
"Jingxuan, everything's sorted out here, a huge victory! We absolutely must drink ourselves silly tonight, no going home until we're drunk! Hey, call Jackie too!"
Jingxuan sounded a bit hesitant:
"I'm sorry, Sister V, I have my own matters to attend to. They've been pushed back repeatedly, and I absolutely have to meet with the other party. How about you and Jackie celebrate first?"
V was somewhat disappointed but decided to share the good news with Jingxuan when she was free:
"Alright then, find me as soon as you're done!"
"Definitely!"
Having hung up the phone, Jingxuan was already sitting in Dexter DeShawn's car.
The size of this Black man made Jingxuan quite embarrassed; he was so fat he almost filled the back seat of his large sedan.
Jingxuan had to shrink back in her seat:
"Mr. DeShawn, I apologize. These past few days... haha, have truly been quite earth-shattering, and I just couldn't find the time to meet with you. My apologies."
DeShawn smoked a cigar, and although his tone had that rhythmic quality typical of Black people, his speech wasn't actually very fast:
"Miss A, please look at the chip. It's much more time and effort-saving than me explaining it myself."
Jingxuan's goal was naturally to find her mother through the Relic's clues, so she couldn't miss any information related to the Relic.
The mission provided by this Hei Pang DeShawn was a bit complex, divided into two routes.
One:
Contact a high-ranking doll named Evelyn Parker, from the Moxes. She supposedly has information about the Relic.
Two: Which is Hei Pang's part of the matter, Hei Pang bought a Militech Flathead robot from the Maelstrom. This small robot can perfectly handle infiltration tasks, better than a human.
Buying this robot was actually to steal the Relic prototype biochip at Konpeki Plaza.
Of course, having just the robot and information about Konpeki Plaza wasn't enough to accurately pinpoint the Relic's exact location.
That would depend on Evelyn Parker's precise intelligence.
Hei Pang had paid before to buy the Flathead, but the Maelstrom's leader who sold the Flathead had changed, so going to pick up the goods now might have an unpredictable outcome.
She also knew Meredith Stout of Militech; their own company, Militech's cargo transport team, was robbed by the Maelstrom, and what was stolen was the Flathead.
Yes, it was those freaks from the Maelstrom.
They aren't afraid of corporations; they're a bunch of brainless bandits who do whatever they want.
Hei Pang had Meredith Stout's phone number and gave it to Jingxuan, saying that this corporate dog of a woman had value for exploitation.
As for whether or not to use her, and how to use her, it was entirely up to Jingxuan's discretion.
After understanding everything, Jingxuan intended to leave Hei Pang DeShawn's car, but he called out to Jingxuan and said, "Nameless nobody, or famous throughout the world?"
Jingxuan clearly understood that Hei Pang was provoking her, and it seemed this mission would be very tricky.
However, it truly made her ponder: which way of life should she choose?
Jingxuan decided to start with the easier route and go meet this Evelyn.
It was Lizzie's Bar again. That's right, Evelyn's line of work falls within Lizzie's primary business.
However, Jingxuan found it amusing that as a straight woman, she kept ending up in places like Lizzie's. Maybe she should get a VIP membership card?
Could it save some money?
The official meeting with Maine's crew was at Lizzie's.
Helping V sort out the Arasaka Corporation internal conflict also began at Lizzie's.
Now, the Relic-related investigation was also at Lizzie's.
At the entrance was again that overly cybernetically enhanced, double-bunned Moxes gangster woman; she was in charge of security at the door.
"Oh, it's you again, cutie ~ Who do you want this time? Or how about me? Sister can occasionally accompany guests too ~"
Dog Brother leaned against the doorframe:
"Haha! I really don't understand why there are so many bisexuals now."
Jingxuan: "That's obvious, it's 2077 now, and this is Night City, Dog Brother. You really are an old fossil, don't you know how open things are now?"