Arthur nodded, acknowledging the reality of the situation.
Renting an office in Company Plaza as a new business was almost impossible.
It wasn't just about money—connections, reputation, and influence mattered even more. If you lacked these, no one would lease you a space.
So, how did one prove their strength?
Simple.
Find a weaker company, crush them, and take their office space.
Brutal. Efficient. Fun.
Welcome to Night City.
"Mr. Arthur, we are approaching our destination," Delamain's voice echoed smoothly from the speakers. "I have uploaded the latest data on the out-of-control vehicles. You can begin searching for them nearby.
"When you locate them, you must completely disable their onboard systems so that I can reestablish control.
"I have placed a custom scanning device for you in the trunk. It will override the security protocols of each Delamain vehicle."
Arthur gave a short nod before stepping out of the car.
Stretching his limbs, he casually tossed his handbag into the trunk, then retrieved a small box. Inside was a pair of scanning glasses, which he slipped into his pocket without a second thought.
As the black taxi smoothly drove away, Arthur turned his gaze to the towering building before him.
Knight International.
Also known as Yeshi, the company had an unusual history. It was founded by the widow of Richard Knight, the murdered visionary behind Night City.
This company was unique—perhaps even mysterious.
Its primary focus? Everything related to Night City.
Knight International handled public contracts, including:
Road construction and maintenance
Tunnels, bridges, and subway lines
Power plants, water treatment facilities, and network infrastructure
Public transport systems, including city buses
On the surface, Knight International appeared to be a philanthropic organization, funding scholarships and offering opportunities to young talent.
But most people in Night City didn't see it that way.
The company's extreme secrecy made it an anomaly.
Key personnel? Unknown.
Number of employees? Unknown.
Market value? A mystery.
Even employees had no idea what was happening at the higher levels.
And logically, the company shouldn't be profitable.
Public infrastructure wasn't a money-making business. In fact, Knight International often funded projects at a loss.
By all accounts, they shouldn't even exist.
Still, Arthur had a strangely positive impression of them.
In a world where corporate employees were worked to death, Knight International stood out.
Other companies? Employees worked 16+ hours, took stimulants to stay awake, and sleeping pills to crash.
Knight International? They had an eight-hour workday.
Suspicious? Maybe.
But an eight-hour workday in Night City? That was practically a miracle.
Arthur dialed the number Melissa had left for him.
The call was answered almost immediately.
"Hello, this is Jerry. I don't believe I have your information on record. Would you mind introducing yourself?"
His tone was polite and composed—an extreme rarity in Night City.
Arthur smirked.
"It's Arthur. Got your number from Melissa. I heard Knight International is looking to get rid of some outdated buses?"
"Ah... so you're a friend of that cybermaniac?"
"Yeah."
Jerry hesitated for a second before speaking again.
"If you don't mind me asking... how exactly did you become friends with that lunatic?"
His curiosity was understandable.
The unspoken question was: How are you still alive after befriending a cyberpsycho?
Arthur chuckled.
"Oh, you know how it is. Patients in the same asylum tend to form deep bonds.
"We met in a mental hospital. She was like a cute little girl—except for the part where she popped out her mantis blades and tried to hack me to pieces.
"Unfortunately for her, I was faster. I managed to put my own blade to her throat first.
"You know what they say—you don't truly know someone until you fight them. That's how we became friends."
Silence.
Jerry didn't even know where to start.
"Cute little girl...? With mantis blades?"
Even in Night City—a place overrun with cybernetic enhancements—he had never heard of a "little girl" casually deploying lethal weaponry.
But then again...
Cyberpsychos weren't normal to begin with.
Jerry exhaled, rubbing his temples.
This conversation was getting way too bizarre for his taste.
"...Well," Jerry finally said, "that's... an interesting story. Do you have time to come to the city center? Let's discuss the buses in person."
Arthur smirked and glanced up at the Knight International logo.
"I'm already outside your building. I assume I can't just waltz in without an appointment?"
"Ah—no worries," Jerry said quickly. "I've placed your reservation at the top of the queue. Just head to the front desk."
A short while later...
Arthur walked out of Knight International, feeling quite satisfied.
His handbag was gone.
In its place?
Three keycards.
Each one belonged to a decommissioned city bus from Knight International's fleet.
The buses were currently parked in one of the company's public depots.
Arthur just had to go pick them up.
There was only one catch.
Once removed, the buses could never return to the Knight International lot.
Arthur would have to find his own parking space.
But that wasn't a big deal.
If he couldn't find a spot, he'd just dump them in Voodoo Gang territory.
Placid could keep an eye on them.
And if the buses mysteriously lost a few parts, Arthur would kindly remind Placid to do his job properly.
Simple. Effective. Perfect.
Stuffing the keycards into his pocket, Arthur headed down the street, feeling pretty damn good about his deal.
After all, these buses were basically garbage.
If Arthur hadn't bought them, they'd be scrapped—or worse, sold for parts.
And thanks to Melissa, Jerry had practically given them away—just 1,000 eddies per bus.
A complete steal.
As he walked away, Arthur couldn't help but grin.
One step closer to his goal.
And in Night City, every advantage mattered.
Even if it was just three old buses.
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