Chapter 10: I Will Overturn It All!
"Such kindness?" Johnny shook his head, then picked up the handgun on the table to examine it.
It was a semi-automatic Malorian kinetic handgun. Its silver-white appearance resembled a Desert Eagle, equipped with smart connectivity features and compatibility with various ammunition types.
"This gun has three firing modes: ricochet, wall-piercing, and incendiary rounds. It's more than enough for you," Li Ang explained.
Hearing Li Ang's description, Johnny was visibly impressed. Excitedly, he exclaimed, "Oh ho ho! This isn't a handgun; it's a hand cannon!"
"Well then, I'll gladly accept it. I'll take both your business card and this gun."
Saying this, Johnny Silverhand slammed a wad of cash onto the table. Just as Li Ang was about to refuse, Johnny interrupted, "This is Chen Tao's introduction fee."
"He said he'd give me a cut as long as I brought him here to support your business. Screw that! If it weren't for his gang, I wouldn't have bothered with this nonsense."
"Consider this cash for future gun repairs and ammo resupplies. Just take it."
Johnny grinned, staring at Li Ang. "But honestly, the moment I saw you, I felt a sense of kinship."
"Guess you could call it fate."
Lucy, who was standing nearby, rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't fall out. She mentally retorted: You're only saying that because he gave you a gun, aren't you?
"Alright, I wish you all the best," Li Ang said, nodding as he accepted the cash Johnny handed him.
When it came to combat ability, Johnny Silverhand couldn't hold a candle to legends like Morgan Blackhand or even the infamous V in terms of sheer recklessness and fearlessness. And intelligence? Definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed.
But Johnny's charisma was undeniable. With his gift of gab and rock-and-roll spirit, he could inspire unwavering loyalty in his followers.
This is the power of music and performance—a true force multiplier.
A figure like Johnny, even if he couldn't be fully won over, was someone Li Ang definitely couldn't afford to antagonize. Trouble would come knocking if he did.
"Great, you take care too. Once I get my band up and running, I'll send you a record right away. See you, Li Ang. And goodbye, beautiful lady," Johnny said, blowing a kiss toward Lucy.
Her response? A cold shoulder. Were it not for Li Ang's presence, she might've clobbered the old rascal right then and there.
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Name: Johnny Silverhand
Occupation: Rock Singer
Affinity: 75 (Friendly)
Cybernetic Enhancements: Synaptic Signal Optimizer (Skeletal), Silver Arm (Arm)
Overall Ability: 70
Looking at Johnny's stats, Li Ang confirmed that while Johnny was skilled, he was far from being among Night City's top-tier mercenaries. He could handle cannon fodder, but against an augmented powerhouse like Adam Smasher? He'd be outmatched and beaten.
Still, Johnny's real value wasn't in his combat prowess. It was his influence. He was the one man who could single-handedly stand against a corporate juggernaut like Arasaka.
For that alone, Johnny was a valuable ally for Li Ang to recruit.
After fulfilling Chen Tao's weapons order, Li Ang completed several system-assigned tasks. The satisfaction of passively accomplishing objectives beat running around aimlessly all day.
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Level 2 Task: Sell a batch of firearms worth 500 corp creds (no weapon type restrictions).
Status: Completed
Reward: €$2,000,000, 200 corp creds, 1 spin on the prize wheel
Level 3 Task: Achieve a total corporate revenue of 1,000 corp creds! Unlock Myers tone progress and new weapons technology.
Status: Completed
Reward: €$3,000,000, 200 corp creds, 1 spin on the prize wheel, Epic Thermal Converter (Cybernetic - Dermal System)
---
This feels amazing!
The joy of advancing through negotiation and strategy—this was the life Li Ang wanted. In just one hour, he'd surpassed the annual GDP of other small arms dealers.
His corp cred count skyrocketed, unlocking more and more technological advancements.
In time, Li Ang would have the resources to collaborate with even greater powers. If he could partner with the New United States and dethrone Militech, his influence would know no bounds.
At that point, who became president would be decided by his LA Corporation . Don't like it? Replace them with someone who follows orders.
Thinking this, Li Ang glanced at his status panel.
Host: Li Ang
Mega-Corp Template: Militech
Monopoly Progress: 0.12% in the United States
Corp Creds: 439,666
In just a few weeks, Li Ang had multiplied his corp creds from a few hundred to 430,000. That's the terrifying reproductive power of capital.
With black market gunrunners hawking his wares, he was leagues ahead of where he'd be if he'd stuck to running a storefront himself.
Though Li Ang's LA Enterprises couldn't yet compare to major corporations, its growth was something those old guard companies couldn't fathom.
Night City's Watson district was far too small to contain Li Ang's ambitions. One day, even the entirety of the United States would kneel before his LA Corporation 's dominance.
But for now, Li Ang couldn't afford to recklessly bulldoze his competition. He needed allies—corporations willing to band together to oppose Arasaka and Militech.
The ancient strategy of forming alliances might be old-fashioned, but it worked wonders against these foreign giants.
"Boss, if you're not with Militech, why are you helping the Triads target the Tyger Claws?" Lucy asked suddenly. Normally, only Militech would bother opposing Arasaka's associates so aggressively.
"It's just business," Li Ang replied honestly. "I'm the one tipping the scales. If one side is weaker, I lend a hand; if one side is stronger, I balance the equation."
"When the time comes, I'll end this chaotic world and create a new order. A world without corporate oppression. A world without lawless streets."
"Fish trapped in a murky pond don't know what it's like to swim in an open ocean. These short-sighted corporations use their factories' smog to obscure the moonlight and their illusions to drain people of hope for the future."
"My goal is to overturn it all."
The only thing capable of challenging an evil dragon of capital is an even more powerful dragon. Blowing up one Arasaka Tower wouldn't solve anything.
Li Ang's words left a deep impression on Lucy. She had tried to fight this corrupt world before, but it only led to Infinity pursuit and assassination attempts.
Even now, Lucy remained on Arasaka's hit list. Without the protection of Maine's crew, she wouldn't have survived in Night City.
As Li Ang said, this world revolved around the almighty power of capital, and LA Corporation s dictated the rules of survival.
" Li Ang maybe you're right," Lucy muttered thoughtfully.
Name: Lucyna Kushinada
Occupation: Netrunner
Affinity: 85 (Likes)
Huh? That's a quick jump in affection. Confirmed—a tsundere netrunner with white hair, big... personality, and an air of aloofness. Definitely soft on the inside.