"Mr. Jamil, the full set of cyberware our corporation custom-built for you is complete. You may come and collect it."
"So fast? You're not just brushing me off, are you?"
Jamil frowned immediately, his voice carrying a trace of irritation.
"Of course not. During this period, our corporation devoted all available resources to your project and placed your order at the highest priority. The entire corporation worked together to build this full cyberware set for you."
The receptionist on the other end hurriedly denied it.
"Is that so? Then I'd like to see exactly what kind of cyberware you've made."
Jamil narrowed his eyes, shoved the sex doll off his body, strapped on his exoskeleton, and ordered his AV prepared before heading out.
Not long after, Jamil arrived at PROJECT Corporation.
"Mr. Vimers, I hope your finished product will satisfy me."
"Of course. This is the absolute limit of what our corporation can achieve at present."
Roland smiled, nodded, and gestured for him to proceed.
Jamil gave a slight nod. Then, upon spotting a figure, his gaze suddenly sharpened.
The person who caught his attention was Lucy, beneath the Ambition Template.
"Mr. Roland, your corporation truly has no shortage of talent."
"You flatter us. This is my bodyguard, Ambition."
Roland glanced at Lucy as he introduced her.
Hearing this, Jamil cast Roland a strange look, as if silently asking whether he really needed a bodyguard.
Roland ignored the odd glance and quickly led everyone down into the research base beneath the corporation. Because of Moket's arrival, Mudor had returned to Night City after handing things over and continued his research there.
After all, his specialty lay in small-scale individual combat units, and Jamil's cyberware had been developed under his direction.
"This is Mudor, the chief person responsible for developing your cyberware, Mr. Jamil, as well as our corporation's chief scientist."
Mudor stepped forward and calmly greeted Jamil.
"Mudor, please introduce Mr. Jamil to his cyberware."
"Yes, boss."
Mudor nodded, walked over to a control console, and pressed a button. One by one, the cyberware units sealed in cryogenic pods slowly came into view.
"The Eagle Dragon Thrusters and Angel Wings both use new energy technologies combined with power systems. At full output, they can reach supersonic speeds, but there are certain side effects, so they should be used with caution."
Mudor pointed to the cyberware above—angel-wing-like structures formed from blue energy and special alloys.
"The Taberon Warframe uses ultra-high-strength alloys capable of withstanding direct artillery fire. It has excellent impact absorption and ductility, and is integrated with a Vilan energy core and energy electronic blood technology."
As Mudor spoke with effortless familiarity, Jamil's eyes grew brighter and brighter. Meanwhile, the European Space Agency scientists who had accompanied him became increasingly bewildered.
They couldn't understand a single thing being described. That meant all the materials and technologies Mudor mentioned were newly developed by PROJECT—especially that so-called energy electronic blood technology.
What even was that?
For Jamil's sake, Roland had truly gone all out, contributing a portion of Light and Wind's electronic blood, diluting it, and injecting it into this cybernetic body.
"Can we proceed with the installation now?"
After listening to Mudor's explanation, Jamil's eyes burned with excitement as he stared fixedly at the array of cyberware before him.
"Of course."
Roland smiled faintly and stepped aside. Mudor pressed another button, and a cyberware modification chair slowly rose up.
"This may be a bit painful, and anesthesia can't be used. Mr. Jamil, you'd best be prepared."
After Jamil sat down, Roland offered a considerate warning.
"What do you mean?"
A sense of unease welled up in Jamil as he asked, somewhat confused.
"Our technology will interface with your entire nervous system, ensuring that it can only be compatible with you. To prevent cyberpsychosis, we'll dramatically increase the level of synchronization. If it were only partial, incremental modifications, anesthetics would still work, but…"
As Roland spoke, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Jamil clenched his teeth. "It doesn't matter. Do it. I've already endured enough pain to obtain this body—this is nothing to me."
"Alright. Begin the procedure."
Roland nodded. Several mechanical arms slowly advanced and began dismantling the cyberware currently installed in Jamil's body. At this stage, Jamil was still under anesthesia, since PROJECT's cyberware had yet to be installed.
Roland had no interest in watching the process and left shortly afterward, instructing Mudor to inform him once the modifications were complete.
"Is there any opportunity to meet with Yorinobu Arasaka on his schedule?"
"Yes. Yorinobu Arasaka sent a request to meet with our corporation a few days ago."
"Hm?"
Roland paused and frowned slightly. "Why wasn't I informed earlier?"
"You personally issued orders not to be disturbed at the time."
Roland sighed. "I understand. Then arrange the meeting. What's his reason for seeing us?"
"He seems to want to represent Arasaka in discussing the distribution of interests in Night City."
After confirming the details, Lissandra answered.
"I was just worrying about how to resolve this… and now an unexpected opportunity presents itself…"
Roland shook his head, then noticed the complicated look in Lucy's eyes.
"Lucy, you seem afraid?"
"…Yes. Because that's Yorinobu Arasaka—the heir of Saburo Arasaka."
"He's different from Saburo Arasaka. If he comes to power, returning to Arasaka and joining his side might actually give you decent treatment."
Roland said calmly. Lucy, however, looked puzzled. She didn't know much about Arasaka's internal situation and had simply assumed everyone inside was the same.
"Your parents belonged to Saburo Arasaka's faction, and Yorinobu Arasaka has a fundamental conflict with Saburo Arasaka. The two sides can't coexist."
Roland explained, then slowly outlined Arasaka's internal dynamics to Lucy, including matters related to her parents.
"So that's how it is…"
Lucy lowered her gaze, her expression unusually complex—whether from shock at Arasaka's internal struggles or bitterness over her own background, it was hard to tell.
"In any case, that's roughly the situation. But you're my bodyguard now, so there's no need to worry too much about Arasaka."
Roland smiled as he spoke.
Lucy nodded slightly.
"Oh, right. There's something I need you to take care of."
"What is it?"
Lucy's eyes showed a hint of curiosity. She'd thought Roland simply intended to keep her by his side—she hadn't expected him to assign her a task.
"Go to Pacifica and look for a faction called Shadow Stream. Once you meet their leader, that'll be enough."
"I understand."
Lucy acknowledged the order and left.
Not long after Lucy departed, Mudor sent word that Jamil's modifications were complete.
"Looks like it's time to reap the harvest."
That familiar farmer's smile spread across Roland's face once again.
...
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