Night had fallen. At Arasaka Tower in Night City, Adam Smasher, Oda, and Takahashi stood by the window, looking down below.
The area around Arasaka Tower was unnaturally quiet, and silence was the last thing that should exist here.
"Phew… I really hate to say this, but… we've reached the most critical moment. I need you to do everything you can to buy us time. I have to contact Lord Saburo right now."
Takahashi spoke with a grave expression as he looked at the two of them.
Adam Smasher and Oda exchanged a glance, then nodded.
"Don't worry. Things aren't what they used to be. I'll make sure the PROJECT people understand our strength."
Adam Smasher said with absolute confidence. Takahashi simply nodded, then strode toward the office.
Meanwhile, many people around Arasaka Tower were quietly observing the situation.
"What do you think is going on?"
"No idea… but it looks like Arasaka must have provoked PROJECT…"
"Who do you think will win?"
"Do you even need to ask?"
"Fair point…"
Nearby corp employees, acting as onlookers, whispered among themselves. In the areas surrounding Arasaka Tower, everyone except Arasaka personnel had received evacuation alerts from the Night City government.
At first, people thought another war with the New United States was about to break out. Now it seemed…
After receiving the news, Takahashi immediately ordered all of Arasaka's visible forces within Night City to rapidly withdraw toward Arasaka Tower, while any hidden assets he believed were still undiscovered remained dormant.
"Lord Saburo, PROJECT and Night Corp have already raised their blades against us. It looks like they don't intend to stall any longer."
"Mm, I know. Take the forces you currently command in Night City and continue engaging PROJECT. I will notify the fleet to provide support."
Saburo Arasaka spoke calmly, as if he had long expected this situation.
Takahashi hesitated.
"Lord Saburo, but…"
"I know what you're concerned about. We've already prepared countermeasures for that monster, so there's no need to worry."
Saburo Arasaka cut him off. After instructing him to focus on buying time, he ended the call.
The method he referred to consisted of multiple aerial interception systems and a circular electromagnetic isolation field designed to block approaching fighters and transport aircraft.
This device had been developed by the European Space Agency to counter PROJECT's Sovereign-class Fighter. It was still not fully perfected, and handing it to Arasaka was partly to test its effectiveness in real conditions.
After the call ended, Takahashi stood still for a few seconds before slowly walking off in a certain direction.
From what he had learned about PROJECT Corporation and Night Corp during his time in Night City, he knew that if these two forces were truly determined to drive them out, there was no way Arasaka could stop them.
Even Young Master Kei Arasaka had failed to survive under such heavy protection back then. Now he was facing opponents with even greater individual combat strength. What gave him the confidence to stand against that?
So… perhaps it was time to sell himself for a better price…
"Get me in touch with Rogue. I need access to some of her channels."
"Uh, Mr. Takahashi, what exactly are you planning…"
"A secret order from Lord Saburo. You don't need to ask."
"Understood."
A strange glint flickered in Takahashi's eyes.
...
"Betrayal? Hah, I didn't expect a traitor to pop up on Arasaka's side at a time like this."
Roland, currently controlling the Oblivion Body, laughed when he heard the news. He then turned to look at Pyke beside him.
"Pyke, I'll leave this to you."
"Understood."
Pyke gave a slight nod, and his figure gradually faded away. Hunting traitors was exactly his specialty.
"Alright, let's move."
With that, Roland stepped into the cabin first. The others followed, boarding their respective AVs.
...
At this moment, a group of Arasaka agents and Arasaka air units cautiously scanned their surroundings, afraid that a strike team might suddenly appear and wipe them out.
Suddenly, one of the agents thought he saw a faint figure flicker past him, only for it to disappear instantly. Just as he was about to dismiss it as a trick of the eye, the figure flashed by again.
Realizing something was wrong, he immediately raised his weapon.
Slash. Clang.
"Aaaaaaah!!!"
Bright red blood sprayed out as a pair of severed arms fell to the ground. The agent who had just raised his weapon dropped to his knees, screaming in agony.
Slash!
The horrifying scene instantly put everyone on edge. Without caring what had just happened, they raised their weapons and activated all detection systems, but found nothing.
That only made the fear sink deeper.
"Ah!!!"
Another scream rang out. An Arasaka Bird was suddenly dragged into the air by something unseen, then slammed back down. When the body came back into view, it had already been decapitated.
"Damn it, what the hell is that?!"
One agent, unable to endure the tension, roared and fired wildly at the ceiling.
Clang!
The crisp metallic sound froze everyone in place once again.
Then, a tall figure clad in black exoskeleton armor slowly descended from the ceiling without making a single sound.
The Arasaka agents' eyes trembled. They were completely at a loss. Their most trusted surveillance and defense systems had been bypassed without them even realizing it.
But this was only the beginning.
Soon, more and more figures appeared all around them.
Despair filled their eyes.
Clang.
With the sound of blades ringing, every Shadow Stream member drew their fist blades.
"Aaaaaaah!!!"
Screams and the sound of flesh being cut apart echoed through the first floor of Arasaka Tower, which instantly turned into a living hell.
Watching through the surveillance feed, the security manager felt a chill spread through his entire body. He immediately tried to order a full lockdown of the first floor, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest.
Looking down, he saw a gleaming fist blade piercing straight through him.
Only when he slightly turned his head did he notice the black figure behind him.
"Cough…"
As he spat out blood, the last light in his eyes faded.
His death, however, did little to change the situation, as Adam Smasher and Oda had already noticed the disturbance.
"PROJECT has made their move."
The same thought crossed both their minds.
Meanwhile, after eliminating all Arasaka personnel on the first floor, the Shadow Stream members destroyed every surveillance device before disappearing without a trace.
"Have our men set up defensive measures on the second floor. Smasher and I are heading down now."
Oda issued the order to his personal guard, then glanced at Smasher and signaled him to follow.
A strange gleam flickered in Smasher's eyes. He was actually looking forward to clashing with the PROJECT forces.
...
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