Whoosh, boom.
Two black figures crossed paths over a ground strewn with wreckage and corpses, the collision erupting in a thunderous roar.
Adam Smasher fixed a grave gaze on the man before him, then glanced at the wound across his chest. The nanomachines in his body were already writhing to repair it, but the fact that someone had managed to leave such a wound on him said enough on its own.
After reaching the second floor, Smasher had proposed taking a team down to investigate. Oda selected two members of the Imperial Guard to accompany him and approved the plan.
They soon clashed with members of Shadow Stream. The one currently fighting Smasher was the captain of this Shadow Stream squad.
Clearly, he hadn't expected Arasaka to have someone this capable. Quite a few of his men had fallen to this opponent and the other two who moved like ninjas. Of course, the enemy had paid a price as well. Now, only this one remained.
However, the opponent also seemed to be using PROJECT technology. Given that, such strength wasn't surprising.
Just as he was about to commit to a life-or-death fight, a command suddenly echoed in his mind.
Smasher tightened his grip on his firearm while preparing to switch to the energy melee weapon mounted on his back.
Against PROJECT operatives, energy melee weapons were far more effective. More accurately, the energy firearms available on the market simply didn't pack enough power.
"You're pretty strong within PROJECT, aren't you? They'd probably feel it if I crushed you."
Adam Smasher threw out a line of trash talk as he readied himself.
The Shadow Stream captain paused for a moment, then revealed a mocking look. Without saying a word, he slowly put away his weapon and vanished from the spot.
The sudden change left Smasher momentarily stunned. He immediately became alert, scanning his surroundings, but when no attack came, a thought surfaced in his mind.
Did he just… leave?
Realizing this, Smasher frowned, but didn't dwell on it. He quickly returned to the second floor and reported everything to Oda.
Oda thought for a moment, then shook his head, unable to figure out the reason behind it. Just as he was about to send out a reconnaissance team, a series of armed AVs arrived, along with PROJECT's mechanical security forces. Small combat mechs and armored vehicles from PROJECT followed close behind.
Without hesitation, Oda immediately ordered everyone to prepare for battle.
"Move out."
Roland looked down at the scene below and spoke.
The doors of the armed AVs slowly opened, and the PROJECT squad members standing at the entrances leaped down one after another.
At the sight, Oda and Smasher felt their hearts sink. They had expected to face a number of PROJECT operatives, but not this many.
If that alone made their hearts drop, what appeared next pushed them into outright despair.
The figure of PROJECT: Apocalypse slowly emerged before their eyes.
"Quick! Abandon the surface base and retreat underground. Stall them!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Oda issued the order to avoid direct confrontation and focus entirely on buying time.
But would Roland give them that chance?
Whoosh.
A streak of orange light burst from the transport in an instant. Shattered glass sparkled brilliantly under the lights, but Oda and the others had no mind to admire it.
Because what appeared before them was Oblivion, piloted by Roland.
The terrifying killing machine known across the world as the Tyrant.
PROJECT had actually brought this machine into Night City. Were they insane?
The moment Oda saw Oblivion descend, he roared inwardly. Amid the surge of emotions, there was even a trace of disbelief. The force deployed by the enemy was simply overwhelming.
After sweeping his gaze across the area, Roland spotted Smasher.
He paused slightly, surprised by how much Smasher had changed.
"Open fire!"
After giving the order, Oda had Smasher and the Guards break through the windows and head straight down into the underground base.
Roland allowed the bullets to strike him without resistance, even narrowing his eyes slightly as if enjoying a massage.
Only after seeing Oda and the others moving downward did he speak again.
"Make your move."
"Let's go. The boss has given the order. There should be a few decent fighters on Arasaka's side."
Jackie rolled his shoulders and strode toward Oda and the others as they landed.
Very quickly, Oda's group was surrounded by the PROJECT squad, while the surrounding PROJECT forces had already begun pushing into Arasaka Tower.
Seeing this, Oda gritted his teeth, put on his helmet, and prepared to fight to the death.
At this point, if he didn't risk everything, there would be no second chance.
Whoosh.
With PROJECT-modified Sandevistan and powerful cyberware, Oda burst forward at terrifying speed, instantly closing the distance to Kiwi.
Just as Kiwi was about to retreat and avoid the strike, the hilt of a katana suddenly shot out, striking Oda's wrist with precision and knocking one of his blades to the ground.
Caught off guard, Oda's expression changed. he quickly retreated, then stared ahead with a serious gaze as Yasuo stepped forward.
"I'll take this one."
"Sure."
The PROJECT squad members shrugged, unconcerned.
Hearing that familiar voice, Oda locked his gaze onto the man before him.
"Kenichi Zaburo!"
"The name you speak of belongs to someone already dead. The one standing here now is PROJECT: Wind, Yasuo."
As he spoke, Yasuo slowly drew his blade and settled into a stance.
Meanwhile, Smasher looked at the people around him sizing him up, and cold sweat began to form on his forehead.
How is this supposed to be saved? Waiting for an answer, urgent.