Players Invade Cyberpunk

"Plus... the things you can't use in Night City, no one cares about them in the Evil Land."

Valerie's hint was clear enough.

If you're not strong enough, compensate with firepower, and the Chaotic Blade Association isn't like those small gangs in Night City with only hundreds or thousands of members. They are one of the seven major nomadic clans in North America, numbering over a million, with their own settlements and city ruins.

To avoid triggering the companies in Night City, they established the Night Wanderer, a small division for smuggling.

"Contact the Chaotic Blade Association?"

Jenkins seemed interested.

"But convincing these greedy guys won't work if we offer too little..."

Valerie: "Just notify the logistics department to leak some news about the heavy equipment transport; after the fight, whatever's left belongs to them, we won't pursue it. With this arrangement, Military Tech and Kangtao can't trace back to us since it was those mercenaries who provoked the Chaotic Blade Association first."

The Chaotic Blade Association isn't like the Meta Group with their dedicated production line and equipment; they use various brands. Having some Huang Ban equipment on hand is pretty normal.

"As for the city, there's still one person to deal with."

Valerie pulled up the target's main data from the database.

"Muammar Reyes, the first group of mercenaries he recruited from Afterlife that night, if it weren't for them blowing up the water plant's sluice gate, none of this would've happened."

"Handling the middleman?" Jenkins was a bit reluctant.

"It's against the rules; it'll affect our relations with other middlemen – it'll be tough to ask them for favors later."

"Then have another middleman handle it."

Valerie pulled up another person's info.

"The biggest middleman in Santo Domingo, Faraday, let him handle it."

"But this guy often works for Military Tech, letting mercenaries steal our data more than once. Will he agree?"

Valerie crossed her arms, speaking efficiently, as if returning to her previous agent status.

"Middlemen are a bunch of money-driven dogs; as long as the money's right, they'll do anything."

Jenkins nodded, satisfied with Valerie's plan, stood up, patted her shoulder, and remarked.

"I'll leave this matter entirely to you. Solve it perfectly, and I'll settle previous issues for you – even give Albertson a hard slap."

As her superior, Jenkins still appreciates his capable subordinate and tries to help when he can.

"..."

Yet there was no longer the old fighting spirit on Valerie's face.

Until Jenkins left the office, she stood still without any action.

......

"Uh..."

Gloria was momentarily speechless looking at the advertising plan and storyboard sketches presented by the advertising department.

Her frown could squash a fly between her brows, and just keeping calm while looking at these storyboard sketches is a testament to her self-control.

"Are you sure this ad will be effective?"

"Of course!"

The advertising department had a matter-of-fact expression, full of confidence.

"This storyboard passed unanimously in our Super Earth's Democracy Council vote–it's sure to be impactful! Definitely avant-garde!"

Democracy Council?

You only have three members...

How's it like a public referendum...

Gloria began to sweat.

She wasn't sure if the ad was good, but it was surely avant-garde.

Initially, Gloria wanted to hire a studio or media company from Night City for the design, but then players heard about it and offered enthusiastically.

Out of respect for the players, she agreed to let the advertising department try, never expecting them to serve up such a concoction...

Should she accept it or not...

Gloria was intensely conflicted inside.

Lin Miao had entrusted Big Sur and the water plant operations fully to Gloria; she didn't want to betray that trust, nor did she want to mess up this task.

But she couldn't bring herself to refuse, especially since they had sacrificed a lot for the company, countless times in battle.

After much consideration, Gloria decided to give the advertising department a chance. Even if the ad wasn't effective, other ways to remedy could be found.

"How much funding do you need to shoot the initial plan?"

It's on! It's on! It's on!

"No money! We don't want money! We'll do it for free!"

The advertising department rejoiced inwardly but maintained a valiant demeanor, their right hand clenching and pounding their chest.

"Offering our hearts for Super Earth is deserved; we will flawlessly complete the mission!"

Gloria, sweating: "Well... it's really not that serious... you can just freely create."

Seeing Gloria's attitude so different from Lin Miao's, the advertising department immediately responded shyly.

"Just... the shooting venues and equipment are in Night City, but now Big Sur's construction tasks need us–it's really... a dilemma..."

"..."

Gloria rested her forehead, thinking she shouldn't have softened.

"If the initial plan proves effective, I'll calculate task rewards based on other groups' average earnings."

"Great! If I don't complete the mission, I'll meet you with my head!"

The advertising department dashed out of the tent, where the Truth Department and good buddies were already waiting outside.

The advertising department jumped with excitement: "Agreed! She really agreed!"

"No way?"

The Truth Department was shocked.

"Even with so many filler sketches passed?"

"Doesn't matter, she said we'd get a chance to shoot the initial plan. If it gets approved, Super Earth will definitely make a mark–it's a great promotion opportunity!"