Although the Frenzy System is stable, it somewhat wastes some of their potential, so I want to find a middle-ground alternative. Once developed successfully, this new operating system might even become a groundbreaking new product.
I'm thinking of trying to develop it first, and once successful, I might consider collaborating with big companies like Kangtao for sales... So I'll probably be pretty busy during this time, and you'll have to look out for the folks at home for me.
V, I think you have a lot of potential. I'm not just talking about being a thug or a bodyguard... Whenever you have free time, you could get involved in management work…"
"Hold on, hold on!" V looked at him displeased: "I'm already exhausted dealing with a whole family's affairs, don't give me more work to do."
Mercer could only smile and shake his head, stopping his speech: "Then I'm off to work."
"What about Lucy? Aren't you going to soothe her a little?" V teased as he watched him.
Mercer sighed: "No way to soothe… I'll deal with it when I get back in the evening."
"If you ask me, why don't you just tell her straight? You're already like this with Rebecca, why keep delaying things..." V said.
Mercer pretended not to hear, took a sip of cola and simply stood up: "Off I go, took a night off yesterday so I'm behind schedule."
"Hey! Scumbag..." V watched Mercer walk away, curling his lips and then got up to tidy up the house.
After a while, thinking about it, she tiptoed into Mercer's bedroom, and as expected, found Rebecca snuggled in the blanket, snoring away.
This girl even had a smile on her sleeping face, clearly showing her genuine happiness.
"Tsk..." V felt something unspeakable inside her, but in the end just curled her lips and raised her voice roughly: "Aren't you going to eat?"
"Not eating, not eating! Don't bother me, I'm sleeping..." Rebecca mumbled, turning her head to continue sleeping: "Just fell asleep, don't make noise."
"Oh, didn't expect, he really went hard on you? Doesn't he pity your petite figure?" V said.
Yet Rebecca, eyes still closed, replied smugly: "Jealous?"
"Me? Jealous of you? What a joke, with him like that, hardly any meat to touch..."
V retorted stubbornly, while Rebecca opened her eyes, smiling sweetly at her: "Is that so? I always thought you were pretty pitiful being single, and considered occasionally lending Mercer to you for a little fun.
We're all sisters, I use him for two days, you for one day, occasionally together too, that's fine by me. He's definitely willing as well."
"Get outta here!" V cursed, her face a bit flushed: "If I wanted fun, I wouldn't need you to lend him! You're not the least bit ashamed!"
"Yes, yes~ Kindness treated as donkey's liver and lungs, then don't disturb my sleep! I've got revenge to take tonight! Don't bother me!" Rebecca snorted, turning her head to continue sleeping.
V clicked her tongue, full of displeasure as she left the room, then, thinking about something, pondered for a while, sighed, changed her clothes, and headed to work at the stadium's training base.
...
Mercer's research progress began to soar.
With ample funding, Mercer simultaneously advanced multiple research projects.
With the help of Venus, he didn't even need much manpower to assist— the Octopus Arm waving in the workspace almost became an extension of his mind, and Mercer would even enter a deep dive state to enhance his brainpower with computational power.
Not long after taking the official position, multiple high-level laboratories and workspaces completely controlled by AI and remote devices were built.
Mercer gradually adapted to the method of working in Cyberspace, utilizing server computational power, and in an accelerated thinking state, simultaneously operating multiple devices for work.
This working method allows him to be used as several people simultaneously, and amazingly, he can, with computational power support, engage in incredible multi-threaded thinking, advancing multiple research progress at the same time.
New Single Soldier Armor, a developing new operating system, updated Octopus Arm, multifunctional mechanical arms similar to the Octopus Arm, robots, weapons, drones, unmanned devices...
Meanwhile, outside the laboratory, Dog Town has finally established its own power plant, utilizing the nuclear power engine from the freight airship crashed in the stadium, Mercer greatly enhanced the nuclear power engine's electricity production with a simple and crude approach.
Though still far from a real nuclear power plant, it's more than sufficient to supply the small shops in Dog Town.
And Mercer's words during the inauguration were not just empty talk—he developed a brand-new large-scale smuggling route.
Firstly, leveraging Taiping Prefecture's unique geographical location near the sea, making it inherently extremely convenient for maritime transport.
Then using engines developed by Mercer, and large freight hovercars made under Polaris' guidance, the cars are driven to the high seas beyond the harbor for remote loading and unloading.
Loading goods directly onto the car in the high seas, then driving the car directly to Dog Town for unloading greatly reduces transportation costs and time.
The entire route only passes through Taiping Prefecture to the sea and then back through the air over the sea, so even if Night City's officials noticed Mercer's activities, they couldn't do anything to counter it.
Because NCPD can't get in, and other officials including the City Hall management don't dare to easily venture into Taiping Prefecture—how many lives would you need to show up in Taiping Prefecture and mess with Dog Town?
If Dog Town kills you and then retracts back into Dog Town, you know who's responsible but can't do anything, NCPD can't confront Netherworld Dog head-on in Dog Town.
As for those big companies, who'd willingly take on security tasks for Night City?
The Adcardan-trade network is also rapidly expanding in a very swift manner.
Utilizing goods smuggled in through the port, the Adcardans handle the cargo from Dog Town, directly transporting it out of town, selling it to other prefectures.
The entire interest chain is gradually becoming very complete.
Dog Town takes care of the mass import of goods, the Adcardans manage transportation, and the Cubans in various prefectures take care of reception and sales in other markets.
In just a few months, Dog Town's sales market almost expanded over tenfold.
European sellers are also delighted; they can openly load goods onto ships without needing to dock for unloading, with Mercer retrieving goods in the high seas via large hovercars, saving even from airdropping.
The entire Dog Town is almost fast-forwarded several times over, with the influx of significant funds, many investors also realized the lucrative potential of Dog Town.
With the constant expansion of Netherworld Dog's influence, especially with the large-scale production of unmanned devices, Dog Town's security improved further.
Wealthy individuals increasingly prefer to indulge in such a safe and lawless area.
Thus, countless investors began approaching Mercer, including some developers and companies initially involved in Dog Town's development, expressing their wish to reclaim ownership of some unfinished buildings for redevelopment.
Mercer, having originally engaged in cost-free trading, including the ownership of Gem Cyan Hotel being taken by force by Dog Town, now warmly welcomes these original investors interested in Dog Town's development wishing to return.
Of course, provided— pay up.
Did you previously purchase land from City Hall? This building belongs to you? Sorry, Dog Town doesn't heed City Hall's edicts nor abides by its legal documents, if you wish to return, repurchase, and repay.
Some investors gave up because of this, but some gritted their teeth and chose to take over, and some even targeted assets not originally belonging to them, like the abandoned spa centers in Dog Town, drawing interest from some European investors.
After gaining Mercer's assurance of installment payments and other guarantees, the reconstruction work in Dog Town finally entered a positive cycle.
Investors began rebuilding some amusement projects in Dog Town, attempting to transform it into a true money-spending haven.
Mercer is happy to see this outcome— the more recreational facilities built, the more wealthy individuals come to spend.
He profits from land rent, protection fees, utilities, and connections.
As for the vagrants or gang members originally inside, naturally, they'd be cleared out by Mercer's sent personnel.
Time flies, as 2075 passes by, and 2076 arrives quietly.
Arasaka Yoshinobu finally arrived in Night City with the Relic Chip containing Silver Hand's consciousness.
Yet as Arasaka Yoshinobu patiently awaited Mercer's proactive approach.
Mercer's gaze, however, turned to another now, across the ocean, the well-known yet unseen old figure.
Arasaka Saburo.