The Giant Corporations that Started in Night City

Chapter 84: A Wise Man Knows When to Yield

As the neurons firing at full capacity transmitted intense pain directly to Adam Sledgehammer's senses, he let out a piercing scream, shrill as a ghostly wail.

The excruciating agony, akin to torture in the depths of hell, caused Adam Sledgehammer's body to convulse uncontrollably. He desperately wanted to sever the connection between himself and the Oni Power Armor, only to discover that he was utterly incapable of doing so.

"Kill me! Kill me now!!"

At this moment, Adam Sledgehammer's sole desire was to escape the abyss of suffering and be free from the torment that penetrated his very soul. Any more of this, and he felt his brain might literally explode.

This was the real reason why the Oni Power Armor had yet to see widespread deployment—it inflicted near-catastrophic damage to the operator's brain neurons.

If the Oni Power Armor suffered any damage, the operator would experience a similarly agonizing sensation, as if their own limbs were being torn apart.

Adam Sledgehammer was now trapped in such despair.

"2B, cut the connection and take him away."

As 2B, piloting the Ronin Titan, prepared to deliver a fatal blow to Adam Sledgehammer, Li Ang's voice stopped her.

Moments earlier, Arasaka Raigen had urgently contacted Li Ang, pleading for Adam Sledgehammer's life. Out of respect for Raigen, Li Ang refrained from ordering 2B to finish him off.

"At your command, my master."

Without hesitation, 2B severed the Oni Power Armor's connection lines with the precision of a scalpel and extracted the convulsing Adam Sledgehammer as if scooping jelly.

Held securely in the iron grip of the Ronin Titan, the unconscious Adam Sledgehammer was as helpless as a figurine, easily manipulated by 2B.

In the LA Corporation's command center, Li Ang was once again engaged in a video call with President Myers .

"Madam President, I believe both you and the engineers at Meta Corporation have witnessed what just happened here. Your coveted Arasaka Power Armor is now little more than rubble."

"I don't know what you're thinking, but I do know this: if you don't transfer the money into LA Corporation's account immediately, this Titan Mech will show up in your military base. And not as your ally, but fighting for the rebels instead!"

Li Ang's words were an unmistakable threat, yet Myers dared not show any resentment.

The LA Corporation's power armor units, especially the Ronin Titan, were essential assets she had to secure, even at exorbitant rental costs.

"Mr. Li Ang, I will convince Meta Corporation to contract the manufacturing of parts for your company. As for this batch of power armor and Titan Mechs, I'll take them all—name your price!"

By now, even Myers understood that Meta Corporation was nowhere near LA Corporation's level in military technology. Compared to LA Corporation, Meta wasn't even qualified to tighten bolts on Li Ang's machines and was better off scavenging for scraps with wasteland wanderers.

Knowing when to yield is the mark of a wise leader. Myers knew it was time to swallow her pride.

"Apologies, Madam President. Given your prior rash actions, I must question whether you possess the basic qualities of a competent politician."

"As of now, all weaponry from LA Corporation is available only for lease to the New United States of America. You are barred from purchasing them outright."

"When the damage to the Azure Tower is repaired, I may reconsider our partnership."

Li Ang wasn't about to let this arrogant woman off so easily. Myers would not only have to pay restitution but also continue pouring money into LA Corporation.

"Furthermore, the power armor and Titan Mechs are exclusive to our security forces and are not for sale at this time."

"If you want to use these war machines against the rebels, your only option is to pay for their deployment. As for the outcome... that depends on how much you're willing to spend."

Li Ang was determined to gouge Myers for everything she had. If she had any sense, she would agree to his terms immediately. After all, she had no room to negotiate.

Should Myers so much as attempt to haggle, Li Ang would terminate the call and begin supplying weapons to NUSA's rebels, including leasing AST power armor units.

On the video screen, Myers deliberated briefly before agreeing to all of Li Ang's terms—restitution, a formal apology, and exorbitant rental fees.

As far as she was concerned, regaining the rebel-occupied territories would make the expense worthwhile.

"Mr. Li Ang, for the sake of a lasting friendship between LA Corporation and the New United States, I accept all your conditions. We can discuss the specifics of our cooperation later."

Before Li Ang could inquire about her plans for the CIA agents Reed and Alex, she had already ended the call.

Clearly, their lives meant nothing to her; their survival was of no consequence.

"What a decisive and ruthless leader..."

Shaking his head, Li Ang decided to visit the Azure Tower personally to meet with the abandoned CIA agents, Reed and Alex.

Although the chaos at the Azure Tower had subsided, the troubles that followed were only beginning.

---

Watson, Room 204

Fixer Dexter DeShawn clutched a mostly burned cigar, his forehead slick with cold sweat as he paced anxiously in front of the TV.

Every news outlet in the city was broadcasting updates on the Azure Tower incident. At a press conference, Arasaka Raigen outright stated that Saburo Arasaka had died in the "accident."

"WNS News, N54, even Morro Rock Radio—everyone's talking about the mess you two made. Do you even realize what you've done? You killed Saburo Arasaka! Do you know who he was?"

DeShawn was on the verge of panic. Saburo Arasaka wasn't just a man—he was the emperor of Arasaka. How could they dare to kill him?

Meanwhile, V, his face streaked with blood and exhaustion, stared blankly at the floor. He didn't know if Trauma Team had managed to save Jackie or what his next move should be.

He had witnessed Arasaka Raigen kill his own father firsthand, only to have Raigen pin the blame entirely on him and Jackie.

V felt lost and helpless. What should have been a simple heist had spiraled into a nightmare.

"Where's Jackie? What happened to him?"

DeShawn turned to V. "And did you get the Relic chip?"

"Jackie was taken away by Trauma Team's AV. As for the chip..."

V hesitated for half a second before deciding to lie. He couldn't trust DeShawn to keep him alive if the truth came out. "I hid it. Only I know where it is."

Hearing this, DeShawn exchanged glances with his enforcer before telling V to wash his face and clean up the blood.

But V didn't move. He stared at DeShawn with haunted eyes, mistrust radiating from him. At that moment, V trusted no one.