On the Delamain ride up, Neo had reminded Rebecca of something important:
If you want to act like a corpo, you have to look like one. And more importantly, you have to carry that I don't give a damn about anything energy.
For someone like Rebecca, whose natural state was a half-second away from pulling the trigger, that was… a monumental challenge.
Still, she was doing shockingly well. By the time they reached the Konpeki front desk, even the hotel's gold-faced android receptionist looked stunned by her performance.
"Your choice to experience Konpeki Plaza's hospitality," the bot intoned, "is a great honor for us. We will ensure your stay is… impeccable."
It bowed low, twin lenses gleaming warmly.
"These are your room cards. Please, take them. Should you wish to contact Oda or require any service, you may do so directly from your suite's terminal."
Neo accepted the cards. He handed one to Maine, then nodded subtly toward the elevators.
"Kiwi," he said quietly through the commlink, "we're in. Cards secured. Heading to the suites now."
"Good," Kiwi's voice came through, faint static in her tone. "Flathead's systems are warming up. Its modules need a few minutes before deployment. Rest for now—don't rush it."
Neo cut the line and turned to Maine.
"Once we're inside," he said, "you and Kiwi coordinate. Get me a read on the floor layouts and Yorinobu Arasaka's penthouse. I don't want surprises. We fight only battles we've already won."
Maine nodded. "Got it. I'll handle it."
Neo's gaze shifted.
"Dorio," he said, "assist Maine. You know what that means—same as always. Watch his back, cover the blind spots."
Then his eyes fell on Pilar.
"Pilar, you're support. Keep an eye on every detail, every vent, every system panel. I know you like to act the clown, but you're sharper than you let on. Watch for what Maine and Dorio miss."
Pilar gave a little salute. "You got it, boss. I'll keep my eyes peeled. No blind spots tonight."
Satisfied, Neo turned to the others.
"Rebecca," he said evenly, "your temper's your greatest strength—and your worst weakness. You stay by my side. No solo moves. No trigger-happy moments. You don't fire unless I say."
Rebecca grinned. "Fine. I'll stick to you so close, I won't even leave your side when you go to the restroom."
Neo's mouth twitched. "Try not to."
"Jackie," he continued, "you I trust. You've got that Haywood blood—steady when it counts. Just keep it cool, and make sure David doesn't overextend."
Jackie gave a wide, confident grin. "You got it, hermano. Smooth as ever."
"And David…" Neo's tone softened slightly. "Don't use your Sandevistan unless it's absolutely necessary. I know you've gotten used to it. Ten activations, maybe more. But that's not an excuse to play with it. You save it for when it matters."
David nodded, earnest as ever. "Understood, sir. I won't let you down—or Jackie."
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. They all stepped in.
David's nerves buzzed in his chest, but excitement started bubbling up. "This feels… kinda like a spy movie, doesn't it? We're the pros sneaking in to steal the villain's ultimate treasure. Man, this is wild!"
Neo almost smiled. David had come a long way since the scared, broke kid from Santo Domingo.
Back then, just keeping the lights on had been a battle. His mom, Gloria, had worked herself raw just to keep him in that Arasaka Academy uniform—one he barely belonged in. Debt, rent, hunger—it had all been the background noise of his life.
The David of then would've been speechless standing in Konpeki Plaza, staring at all this luxury.
But this David, the one who'd bled through contracts, survived gunfire, and walked out stronger every time—
He wasn't intimidated anymore.
He looked at Konpeki the way a gamer looks at a boss room as a challenge and a chance to prove himself.
Neo gave him a look that was half teacher, half warning. "Being happy's fine, David. Just don't get carried away."
David tilted his head. "Won't happen. But, uh—what does 'carried away' mean exactly?"
Neo chuckled softly. "It means letting your emotions run too wild. Doing something stupid because you're too hyped. Think about it. You ever see Morgan Blackhand dancing before a mission? No. He does the job first—and then lets the world sing his praises."
David nodded slowly, as if filing the wisdom away. "I get it. Calm first. Glory later."
The elevator slowed. A gentle chime rang.
Floor 42 — Tavernier Suites.
When the doors opened, even Neo paused for a moment.
The entire corridor screamed money.
The design was pure Konpeki: black and gold, decadence wrapped in silence. The floors were a dark, brushed marble that seemed to swallow light. The walls shimmered with veins of gold that caught and guided your eyes forward.
The service bots glided quietly along the hall, their metallic plating reflecting the dim light. Gold potted plants lined the corners. Even the air smelled like sterile luxury—filtered oxygen with a hint of artificial sandalwood.
Gold on black.
Nine to one.
Perfect ratio.
Konpeki Plaza was a statement—we are untouchable.
Neo's lips twitched slightly. He remembered his first playthrough of Cyberpunk 2077, blitzing through this mission so fast he barely noticed the details. But on his second and third… he'd realized the brilliance of it all.
How every light, every shadow, every echo of footsteps was a layer in Arasaka's illusion of control.
Then, from ahead, two men rounded the corner, speaking in fluent Russian.
Neo's enhanced hearing picked it up effortlessly.
"I'm telling you, he's legit," one said. "At least, the part about Kang Tao checks out."
"Baby, you still remember those experiments, right? The ones we did with the test subjects?"
Neo's expression barely shifted. But Jackie's head turned.
He blinked. "Holy shit, hermano—you speak Russian too?"
Neo smirked faintly. "Just enough to know when someone's lying."
The group moved forward, their reflections ghosting across the polished marble.
The deeper they went into Konpeki's veins, the more it felt like stepping into the heart of the beast.