This woman reacted quickly, or maybe it was because I had a moment of mercy and spared her life, which led to Joanna's high-wire act going awry.
Now it's time to enjoy the company dogs fighting amongst themselves."
Mercer didn't hide anything; on the contrary, he intentionally shared some insider details with Rogue—he might need to ask Rogue for help regarding this matter later.
Rogue smirked: "Unbelievable, a guy who's always clamoring to set Night City on fire, now discussing cooperation with company dogs?"
Mercer just smiled: "Of course I need to talk, not just with Biotech, I also plan to talk to the people in Military Science."
He sat up straight, sounding a bit excited: "As long as the scam hasn't been exposed, the cooperation between Military Science and Biotech is almost a done deal.
And I think, this high-level person in Military Science who is finalizing this deal, must have equally formidable competitors.
Imagine, if I tell those competitors about Military Science being conned, what would happen?
I guess the company people would never miss the chance to drag their competitors into hell."
Rogue was somewhat curious: "And what do you gain from all this? The friendship of company dogs? Don't tell me you're planning to play the middleman, currying favor everywhere.
Let me tell you, from what I know about company dogs, this kind of blackmailing cooperation tactic will lead them to take you down first once they get their breath back."
"First, I need Kuno to help me get something, so right now I need her, and she needs me too.
And on the Military Science side, I can talk and ask at the same time; as long as there's a benefit, I'm happy to see it happen.
While they fight it out, I can fish in troubled waters.
And by the time Dr. Kuno comes to seek revenge... well, we'll see who's more capable then."
Mercer said as he relaxed again, settling back: "I can't help it, money, gear, materials... even so-called 'company friendships' are all useful to me now.
Sometimes, you have to take risks—the bigger the risk, the higher the reward."
"And what about your plans to burn this city to the ground? Hearing you now, you sound more like an ambitious person."
Rogue sharply critiqued.
Mercer calmly replied: "How should I burn the city down? Blow up Arasaka Tower again? Or this time, even blow up the City Hall? Or perhaps drop an even bigger nuke on this city?"
Rogue rolled his eyes: "Are you asking me?"
"What I'm trying to say is... what can be achieved with mercenary tricks is ultimately limited."
Mercer said calmly: "I need to have stronger power, power beyond an individual's to truly overthrow this city.
Mad destruction will only lead to madder retaliation. Burning the poisonous weeds off the land is to allow clean new shoots to grow next year.
It's not that I look down on Silver Hand... but to be honest, did blowing up an Arasaka Tower and having a few concerts really change anything?"
Mercer sighed with some lament, slowly speaking under Rogue's increasingly complex gaze: "Arasaka Tower's back, in the same spot, built higher and better than before.
Silver Hand could rally hundreds or thousands of crazy fans to storm Arasaka Tower back then, but now?
That group who went crazy for him back then, what do they do besides listen to rock music and enjoy that so-called 'rebellion' every day?
This city hasn't changed a bit, or maybe it's gotten worse. At least Silver Hand could get a proper fried chicken back then, while now I can only gnaw on instant jelly and bugs."
Mercer suddenly clenched his teeth but soon adjusted his mood: "Blow up one tower, and the company can build ten more.
To solve the company issue, you must have power akin to the company's.
Only when you truly have the authority, the power to influence everything in this city, only when you truly have the confidence to rebuild it, do you have the right to destroy it.
Otherwise, destruction is only another cycle, another repeat of countless innocent people dying, and painful stories replaying."
Mercer looked at Rogue and said seriously: "You'll see that day—the company's buildings will be ablaze, and I'll be singing as Night City, in ruins, truly becomes the Dream Chasing City everyone dreams of.
If in the end, I still haven't been able to change anything..."
Mercer smiled: "Then to hell with it, let this hopeless world be destroyed."
"Tsk tsk, are all hackers mad? Always thinking about destroying the world.
Ultraman had to toy with people's souls and ended up becoming an AI himself.
Bartmos wanted to destroy the foundation of this cyber technology-based world; he did get rid of the old net, but he's gone too, and created a bunch of terrifying rogue AIs.
And now you're taking it a step further, contemplating world destruction."
Rogue didn't know what to say, only using a tone that seemed mocking, yet expectant, said: "Please let me know before you go mad and destroy the world, so I can find someone to off you first; I don't want to go down with this world."
"Don't worry, I'll give you a Noah's Ark ticket at that time."
Mercer didn't say much more, just sent the data list to Rogue and said: "I also gave this data list to Wagako, you two can choose the data you want and then bid. I'll sell it to the highest bidder.