[Mercer: Because this is just a database storing Night City residence information, not the server holding those council members' secrets.
Of course, the main reason is that I'm awesome and got everything sorted in advance.]
"Damn..." V was left speechless. She looked at the gun in her hand, feeling a bit bewildered—she had spent the whole afternoon getting ready, mentally prepared for a showdown with the NCPD.
In the end, it felt like a walk in the park...
[Mercer: 5,000 Euros, after deducting what was advanced to you, the rest has been transferred.]
"This gig... settled?" V murmured.
[Mercer: Yeah, this gig's settled. Go and get a good night's sleep, V. You've got new work tomorrow.]
"What gig?" V suddenly felt wide awake. "The one for 90,000 Euros?"
[Mercer: Of course not, that mission isn't urgent. I need to verify some data first, not that I don't trust Wagako, but I have bigger ambitions.
Getting involved in biotechnologies is rare, just taking the commissioned items feels like a waste... I'm planning to uncover every secret about those biotechnological treasures once I'm fully prepared.]
"Bro, don't get too greedy, that's biotechnologies! Top-tier companies!" V felt like she really boarded some incredible pirate ship.
[Mercer: Really top-tier? I don't believe it.]
V's heart raced a bit: "Damn, you've got some big guts..."
[Mercer: Forget your old street life, V. If you want to become a big player, you'll need to get used to going against companies.
If one day, out of fear, you choose to compromise with companies or outright become part of them...
Then you are no longer you.
Just a piece of rotten meat manipulated by corporations.]
V grew curious: "Why do I hear so much hatred towards companies from you... Have you dealt with them before? You look about my age at the most?"
[Mercer: I don't hate companies, V. I dislike this unfair world, I loathe those standing atop others, trying to enslave them.
And companies are just the vessels for that crowd... So, one day, I'll burn their rotten flesh, erase their filthy souls.]
V was silent for a moment, then said: "Isn't this world just like that? You have to adapt, Mercer, otherwise, you'll live painfully."
Perhaps street life hadn't taught her much 'knowledge', but it made her understand one thing—survival of the fittest is the most basic rule of this world.
Anyone trying to defy the rules would be punished by this ruthless world.
[Mercer: The weak adapt to the world, the strong change the world.]
V sighed deeply: "You think you're strong because you've never seen how terrifying these companies really are."
[Mercer: That's because you haven't seen how I take down those company dogs, V.]
V skeptically said: "Really? You must have come from somewhere after causing trouble, right?"
[Mercer: Exactly, so have you changed your mind? V, I don't want to lie to you, but indeed I should be on some big company's wanted list.
If my identity is exposed, many top agents would definitely come after my life by all means.
Yet I will go nowhere, I will not run, I will stand right here, in this Night City, and fight them to the end.]
V's expression became much more serious, unlike Rebecca who was truly starving, or Qiwei who had nowhere to go, she actually still had room for choices.
The big player V imagined herself to be could be Adam's Hammer or Morgan Black Hand.
But honestly, Adam's Hammer is Arasaka's dog, Morgan Black Hand is Military Science's official mercenary, aren't they both backed by companies?
Yet from Mercer's words, he seemed to have no intention of collaborating with any companies, entirely a lone wolf.
If Mercer really was a fierce fugitive haunted by companies, sticking with him meant automatically being marked by corporations.
Even if he becomes famous, Mercer probably won't accept reconciliation, leaving companies to try killing him ruthlessly.
Corporations...
V mulled over for a long time before giving Mercer a vague reply:
"I won't betray friends, A, but I...
how to say, it's not a big deal to steal or rob a bit from companies, but if you're truly marked by them...
I don't know.
I... I need to think, A.
I didn't know you were in this much trouble before."
V had actually already prepared to be kicked out.
How to say, he had laid everything bare, evident Mercer was sincerely trying to recruit her, yet she was a bit unresponsive.
Because street smarts tell her not to easily sell oneself—if she were that foolish, she would've joined the Valentino Gang long ago, wouldn't have been Mercer's target to entice.
She just wants to make money, big money, be in charge, facing companies head-on... damn, what street punk dares think of such a thing?
[Mercer: Alright, V, I understand.
Just be informed, I am determined to pull off something big with the biotechnologies deal, if discovered probably also marked by biotechnologies, so decide after considering.
Don't worry about our relationship, even if not directly joining my team, we're still friends, V.
Get up early tomorrow, I have more work lined up for you—a normal gig you should not fear, right?
So, goodnight, V.]
Mercer hung up the voice chat, everything sounded as usual.