After dragging the security chief out, Kiwi tossed him aside, then connected Tina's interface to his port and began diving into his data space.
With the Night Owl robots nearby sharing processing power, there was no need for Tina to enter a freezer to lower her temperature.
The reason for this method was simple: people can lie, but data obtained this way never does.
Tina quickly found what she needed. The link disconnected almost immediately. She glanced at the unconscious guard on the ground, then severed his nervous system without hesitation.
"This mission was pretty easy."
"At this point, I'd rather be back at the company sparring with the Imperial Guard."
Vilet frowned and glanced at the Imperial Guard robot beside her. The robot sensed her gaze, tilted its head, and seemed to say, What are you staring at?
Vilet looked away. Truthfully, she hadn't enjoyed the fight at all. All the high-end bio-components she had installed barely got any use.
"Alright, let's report to the boss first. Then we can go back."
"I'm pretty sure the boss already knows."
As Kiwi spoke, she lifted her head and glanced toward a nearby window. A spider-shaped micro-robot was perched there, staring at them with its head tilted.
"Eww—what is that thing? That's disgusting…"
Tina recoiled with a look of pure disgust and hurried behind Vilet for cover.
"It's probably that Mr. Jhin the boss mentioned. Looks like one of his machines. See? The Night Owl units and the Imperial Guards aren't reacting at all."
Kiwi explained with a quick glance around.
Hearing that, Tina peeked out and noticed the robots really weren't reacting.
"Oh… it really is."
Seeing this, Roland temporarily took control of Jhin's body, then commandeered one of the Night Owl units.
"You did well this time. I'm very pleased with your performance. So I've decided to increase the mission reward by thirty percent. Keep it up."
Roland was in a great mood and spoke with a smile.
"Woohoo!"
Tina lit up instantly, pumping a fist in excitement.
"Boss… can I ask where Yi went? He didn't seem to participate in this mission either."
Kiwi still hadn't forgotten about Yi, and finally mustered the courage to ask.
"...When it's time for you to know, I'll tell you. For now, focus on your own tasks."
Roland chose to keep it hidden. After offering a few more encouraging words, he disconnected.
He still needed to check the results at the other two bases.
...
At Luvena Tech's last Corporate Security outpost, Night Owl robots scanned the corpses on the ground, their head-lights glowing red.
Among them stood several tall Imperial Guard units—and one particularly unusual figure.
A scarecrow-like silhouette stood motionless, its mouth hanging open.
This was the machine Roland had instructed Lissandra to build—a modified version of the existing Imperial Guard, meant to one day evolve into the full Scarecrow or Gunner-class Imperial Guard mech.
But at their current technological level, some crucial components were still missing. The result was the current model:
[Imperial Guard Observer]
A stripped-down, early-stage version of the Fiddlesticks Imperial Guard mech—but fully functional and more than adequate for now.
Meanwhile, the Night Owl units were sweeping the area, confirming that no one had survived the earlier barrage.
Suddenly, one Night Owl's face-light flared brightly as it locked onto a prone figure in the distance.
It raised its weapon without hesitation. A scorching round burst from the barrel, punching straight through the target's body.
"Ugh—!"
After confirming the target's state, the Night Owl fired another round, finishing the job.
Watching through the feed, Roland's expression darkened. If he remembered correctly, his orders were:
Spare anyone who surrenders. Otherwise, leave no survivors.
But from the looks of it… these robots had only remembered the second part.
"Sigh… what a waste."
Roland let out a long sigh, though he remained satisfied with their efficiency. Command transmission issues aside, the flaws didn't overshadow their effectiveness.
In truth, the Night Owl and Imperial Guard robots had received the "spare those who surrender" instruction. But the reality was simple—
None of the robots were capable of hearing anyone surrender.
"Surrender? Never heard of it. Initiating full firepower."
That was all there was to it.
After reviewing all three bases, a smile curved across Roland's lips. Brown's last remaining strength had been wiped out.
Brown and Luvena Tech were now firmly within his grasp. Once Luvena was absorbed, PROJECT Corporation could expand its operations and scale.
What caught Roland's attention, however, was Luvena Tech's research on Sandevistan. Yes—they had also started developing Sandevistan, hoping to carve out a share of that market.
But based on their progress so far, things clearly weren't going well.
"It's about time. Deliver the final blow. Have the team strike at them in the financial markets—drag Luvena Tech straight to the bottom. And send someone to Brown. Give him our final offer."
Roland picked up the bottle of expensive champagne on his desk. He gripped the neck, carefully removed the cork, and poured it into a crystal flute.
"Tonight's worth celebrating."
He smiled and raised his glass toward empty space. In the direction he toasted, a camera tilted up and down—almost like a nod.
"Your will, Mr. Roland."
Yes—he was celebrating with Lissandra. A year ago, he'd been a nobody.
Between being unknown and becoming world-renowned, he chose the latter—but not as an Outcast. If possible, he intended to rise to the very top of this world.
"If you can, gather everything you can on Arasaka Yorinobu. That information will be important."
"Understood."