Cyberpunk: The Relentless

The appearance of the Second Strike Team's captain in Karl's squad—whatever the reason—wasn't something the Arasaka Counterintel chief had the authority to question. After a moment's hesitation, he chose to act like he didn't recognize him.

He frowned slightly and adopted a questioning posture as he addressed Karl.

"KK, if I recall correctly, we didn't hire your team for this mission."

"I didn't accept the job."

The chief glanced around at the corpses of Militech soldiers.

"Judging by the scene, you weren't hired by Militech either."

"Didn't accept a Militech job, either."

Despite the counterintel chief's guarded demeanor, Karl was unfazed.

"A company employee getting curious about what mercs are up to—don't think I'm obligated to report that to you, am I?"

'So they're not here to kill us...'

A wave of relief swept through the chief, though his expression remained stern. After a performative moment of hesitation, he waved to his men.

"Militech operatives have been neutralized. We're pulling out."

The words were barely out of his mouth before the Arasaka operatives rushed into motion, visibly relieved. They didn't wait for more orders—they simply made a beeline for the armored vehicles.

Their goal had been to mop up any remaining Militech agents and avoid getting caught in Adam Smasher's rampage. There was still a cave left unsearched, but nobody gave a damn anymore.

Between a tiger in front and a wolf at their back, the chance to jump off a bridge into the water and flee was a godsend. Who could possibly muster the nerve to dutifully "wrap up the mission" in that situation?

'Bunch of spineless weaklings.'

The Counterintel chief cursed them inwardly, noticing how his men were running without hesitation. Still, he kept his composure and turned to follow them.

But just as he was halfway turned around—

"Wait."

Karl's voice froze him in place.

His palms and back were instantly soaked in sweat. His heartbeat surged.

Karl had stopped him. But why?

Everything was supposed to be over—why call him back?

The rest of the Arasaka operatives froze. Nobody moved. Everyone stared at Karl, not knowing what he was planning, and not daring to guess.

Finally, the chief turned back around.

Sweat dotted his brow, his face slightly pale, but his expression stayed unchanged.

"Is there something else, KK?"

He hadn't realized his voice carried a subtle tone of pleading—almost as if begging Karl not to start something, and if he was going to kill him, to just do it quickly.

What he didn't expect was the sight of Karl smiling.

"Your stuff."

Karl pointed at the pile of discarded weapons on the ground like someone helpfully reminding you that you dropped something.

"Don't forget to take it."

Everyone snapped back to reality.

The more dutiful operatives sighed in relief and grabbed their weapons before hurrying off. The more timid ones, now under tremendous pressure, were forced to go back and retrieve what they had thrown down earlier.

Under the watchful gaze of Karl's team, one by one, the weapons were picked up by the helmeted Arasaka operatives. Finally, the last weapon—buried at the bottom—was the Counterintel chief's.

He carefully picked it up, slowly strapped it to his waist...

...then bolted.

"They're acting like we're monsters or something."

Karl shook his head with a chuckle as he watched them flee while the others laughed.

"If these weren't Arasaka-marked guns that couldn't be easily resold to Mr. Johnson, I would've kept them."

With the Arasaka team gone, Karl and the others entered the cave. It didn't take long—thanks to T-Bug's coordinates—to clear the rubble and reach Maine and David.

"Damn, Maine. You look rough."

Karl eyed Maine's missing arm with an odd sense of déjà vu.

"What now—trying to become Morgan Blackhand? Or Johnny Silverhand? Why is everyone losing limbs all of a sudden?"

"If losing an arm meant I could be like them, I wouldn't mind."

Maine replied casually, letting David help him to his feet.

Oliver stepped in, gave David a nod, and took his place to begin treating Maine's injuries.

While Oliver worked through a medkit filled with assorted tools, Maine turned to Karl.

"Did you bring what I asked for?"

"Of course."

Karl pulled out a shard and handed it over.

"KK Express—please confirm delivery."

"Thanks, man."

Maine took the shard, managing a bitter smile through the pain.

The message he'd sent Karl earlier hadn't just been a desperate cry for help—he'd also included access credentials. What he truly wanted was for Karl to use his identity to purchase a certain service on his behalf.

Maine slotted the shard.

A warm, synthetic voice chimed:

"Hello, esteemed Gold Member Mr. Maine. We have detected your critical condition. Trauma Team is en route. As your current location is near the city service zone's edge, estimated arrival time is 400 seconds. If conscious, please relocate to an open area for optimal pickup. 70% of all estimated costs will be covered by your Gold Membership benefits."

"This gig cost me everything…"

Maine sighed. "Gold membership, my arm, and all sorts of other losses… what little I had is gone now."

"I don't mind if you take your time paying me back for the Gold upgrade."

Karl tilted his head.

"So what the hell happened? Why are you in this state?"

"That bastard Faraday set us up."

"Faraday, huh…"

Oliver and Jack both nodded knowingly.

"Figured it might be him," Oliver muttered. "Still, you had the balls to take that job? Respect. Drinks on us when we're back."

"Well, then I guess this arm wasn't wasted."

Six minutes later, Maine was loaded onto a Trauma Team stretcher. Just before he passed out under anesthesia, he gave the crew a wink.

David watched the AV fly off into the distance.

He was about to ask Oliver about the treatment—when something caught his eye.

A massive mechanical figure was approaching from afar.

That man was—

David's eyes widened.

"So he really showed up… and fast, too."

No surprise.

Karl met the bloodthirsty gaze without fear.

"Long time no see, Mr. Adam Smasher."

"I warned you, kid."

The voice was cold, metallic, like metal being struck inside a sealed chamber. What little flesh was left on Smasher's face barely hid the brutal excitement in his expression.

"I told you—don't get in my way again. Or next time, I'd kill you."

"So now I'm just some 'operational interference' you're trying to clean up? Used your clearance to peek at my messages and came here with an excuse to kill me?"

Karl sighed as the glowing blade of V's thermal katana ignited behind him. Oliver and Jack also stepped into formation.

Facing the steadily approaching Adam Smasher, Karl drew his monowire.

"You checked my comms using department clearance. You knew I'd be here—and you came on purpose, didn't you?"

Everyone thought Smasher had gone mad. But Karl had never believed that.

Because beneath the inhuman exterior… he could sense it:

A ruthless, bone-deep logic.

A true maniac couldn't become a legendary validator. And Adam Smasher wasn't just validated—he was legend.

Back during their last clash, Karl had lost. But back then, he'd been alone.

Now?

"Cut the cryptic crap. If you wanna fight—come at me."

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