Players Invade Cyberpunk

As soon as the words left his mouth, Mann took a quick step towards the direction where the figure had vanished.

Mann had now replaced his entire body with a full set of modified cybernetics. Although he still experienced issues with hardware compatibility, the neural pressure had significantly lessened, allowing him to run swiftly.

However, the shadow he was pursuing seemed to be incredibly familiar with the surrounding terrain, often disappearing from Mann's sight after just a few swift moves.

If Mann didn't have extensive combat experience and hadn't also served in special forces, he would probably have already been left behind.

The two chased each other into an unnamed alley, and after the figure disappeared once more, Mann stopped and stood still, no longer pursuing.

The heavy rain soaked his sunglasses, intensifying his frustration due to the other's continuous evasion.

"You..."

The rainwater at Mann's feet submerged his arches, and the piercing cold made him even more alert. He smashed his fist against the wall, creating a bowl-sized crater.

"How long do you plan to keep running like this?"

Around him, only the relentless downpour could be heard, with no one responding.

But Mann knew the guy was definitely hiding nearby, able to hear him.

He was also certain he hadn't misidentified the person; it had to be Li De.

"Just like back then, running away, huh? The comrades either died on the South American battlefield or retired like me. Among everyone, you're the only one still willing to stay and whole-heartedly serve as New America's dog, even trying to drag me down too!"

Mann hardly ever divulged his past to others.

Few knew that during his time in South America, he was once comrades with Solomon Li De, a former star agent of the Intelligence Agency.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would probably take this secret to his grave during some mission.

In theory, Mann, who retired under abnormal circumstances, should be considered a deserter. But in the hearts of those who truly sacrificed themselves for New America back then,

Li De, who stayed, was the real deserter.

He was running from reality, escaping from the fact that New America was a pile of nonsense.

Mann knew this.

Li De knew it himself, too.

Mann clenched his teeth and smashed another fist into the wall, sending rubble flying.

"I know! I've always known you're working as a night guard at Dino's bar; you were definitely dumped by that woman, right, huh."

"A dignified Intelligence Agency agent, sold out in a blink, and you even wanted to drag me into the Taiping Continent pit back then..."

When Mann first recognized Li De, he thought it was that witch Miles who sent Li De to Night City on some secret mission.

To avoid interfering with the other's operation leading to Li De's exposure, Mann never sought him out.

For several years, they barely exchanged words, almost never making eye contact before walking off.

As time went by, Mann gradually realized the plausibility—what secret mission could keep a star Intelligence Agency agent stuck here doing free labor for so long?

It was apparent he was abandoned, living incognito, almost dead for all one could tell.

"Did you reveal my information to them?"

At the alley's end, a dark shadow suddenly appeared, illuminated by a fleeting lightning flash, allowing Mann to clearly see that black face, with Li De holding a pistol with the safety off.

"Yes, I said it."

Upon the target's appearance, Mann's face revealed a sly smile of success.

"I bet it gave you a proper scare, huh."

A mercenary who carelessly spills secrets after drinking rarely survives the first couple of months.

"..."

Li De admitted he was indeed frightened at first, fearing his faked death had been discovered by Huang Ban.

Originally planning murder to cover up, those two guys eventually died in a gang brawl not long after, and nothing ever came of it.

Until Mann frequently showed up in the bar, Li De suspected it was likely a mistake.

"Intentionally leaking my details to this bunch, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Li De placed his index finger on the trigger, peering through the rain at Mann.

Their relationships now couldn't be described as pleasant; though once comrades-in-arms, if Mann had any ulterior motives, Li De wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger when the time came.

"What? Planning to kill me here?"

Mann looked disdainfully at Li De's gun-bearing right hand.

He didn't doubt the other's resolve to shoot, only laughed at his intention.

"Even after being abandoned for six years, still so loyal—what a good dog you are, Solomon Li De."

"What exactly are you aiming to do?"

Li De ignored Mann's jibe, repeating his previous question once more.

"What I aimed to do...I've already finished."

Mann pulled his hand away from the wall.

"Li De, you're nothing but a lightning rod, leading your brothers into the most dangerous missions, cleaning up the government of New America's messes. Ultimately, those who stayed by your side all end up dead, every one of them."

"But if you were still the Li De I once knew...you definitely wouldn't be here today, let alone helping me get rid of those Huang Ban Corporation dogs."

Initially, Mann wasn't too bemoaned when he spotted that group of mercenaries, just considering it a boss taking his boys to Night City to scrape a living.

What stood out, perhaps, was their apparent lack of fear.

But after spending some time with these people, Mann detected a peculiar aura about them, teeming with hope and vitality Night City lacked.

In a world like Night City, seemingly prosperous but actually lifeless, they appeared radiantly vibrant.

As a result, those around them would often become infected by their presence, inducing changes whether psychological or physical.