Just as Arthur was about to head home for some much-needed rest, his phone buzzed twice in quick succession, followed by an unexpected call.
The first message was from Delamain.
It contained three important updates:
The latest locations of the missing vehicles.
Confirmation that the company Arthur requested had been officially registered.
Approval of the patent application he had filed.
Arthur couldn't help but be impressed.
Big corporations made things ridiculously easy.
If he had handled the process himself, it would have taken at least ten days—maybe even more.
But with the right connections?
Not even half a minute.
The second message was from Lucy.
She had finished modifying the security program, ensuring that it was as unbreakable as the neurovirus.
At the end of the message, she added a not-so-subtle complaint:
"Arthur, you're the devil incarnate!"
Arthur smirked but didn't take it personally.
After all, pushing people to their limits was his specialty.
The phone call was what really caught Arthur off guard.
The caller was someone he knew, but not very well.
He answered with a teasing tone:
"Well, well... if it isn't the little princess of Aldecaldo!"
"F**k you, Arthur! Talk to me like that again, and I'll break your legs!"
Arthur chuckled and scratched his nose.
Yep. Same old Panam.
"Alright, alright. Just tell me what you need. I was up all night, my whole body is sore, and I seriously need some sleep."
"F**k you! Why didn't you just die in some girl's bed?" she snapped.
But then, her voice softened.
"Actually... I, uh... need your help."
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
Panam? Shy?
That was new.
"It's like this," she continued hesitantly. "Do you know where I can find a cheap place to live in Night City? The rent here is higher than an old man's blood pressure!"
Arthur blinked.
So, she really did leave Aldecaldo?
That meant Saul was finally making his move.
Although his mind drifted to the ongoing conflict between Saul and Biotechnica, Arthur still answered her question casually.
"Depends on what you're looking for. I live in Santo Domingo—it's relatively safe."
"If money's tight, though, you should check out the super-skyscrapers in Watson District. Rent is cheap, and you can move in with just your luggage."
In Night City, housing fell into two main categories:
Standalone homes – Small, villa-like houses, usually owned by the middle class. Most residents ran small businesses, like prosthetic clinics or repair shops.
Super-skyscrapers – Massive, self-contained city towers where thousands of people lived in cramped apartments. Rent was low, but conditions were harsh.
Arthur explained the options to Panam, but the moment he finished, he could sense her hesitation.
She was broke.
Arthur sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Alright, alright. I get it. No need to say anything. I'm making an executive decision here."
Without waiting for her response, he transferred 10,000 eddies to her account.
He knew Panam wasn't the type to accept charity, so she'd pay him back quickly.
Probably within two weeks, once she had a little financial stability.
"F**k you," she muttered, her voice carrying an odd mix of anger and gratitude.
"Night City people are all the same—hypocrites. But... thanks."
And with that, she hung up.
Arthur chuckled.
That temper of hers would never survive in Night City.
She wasn't ruthless enough. She wasn't cold enough.
That's why Panam would eventually leave Night City and return to the clan.
Because in Night City, loyalty and friendship weren't strengths—they were weaknesses.
And if you held onto them for too long?
You'd die for them.
Arthur shook off the thought and immediately dialed Saul's number.
Right now, he needed manpower.
And rather than hiring a corporate security firm, it was smarter to recruit nomads.
At least they'd stick around for more than a year—and work cheap.
Plus, with Panam's situation, Arthur could probably negotiate a bigger discount.
The moment the call connected, Arthur didn't hold back.
"Hey, just now, a stray kitten asked me for some food. If a kid runs away from home, shouldn't you at least give her some start-up money?"
Saul immediately understood.
"Tch. Thanks a lot. You're a real friend of Aldecaldo!"
Arthur rolled his eyes.
Nomads and their obsession with loyalty.
They acted like being an "Aldecaldo friend" was some legendary status.
"It's not like you're Saburo Arasaka or anything," Arthur muttered. "Stop acting like you run the city."
Saul ignored the jab.
"What do you need?"
"Manpower. I need a security team and three bus drivers."
Saul stayed silent, so Arthur continued.
"Here's the job: They'll drive three buses from Night City to Little China every morning. Workers will be transported there for their shifts."
"Once they arrive, the security team and drivers can hang around the factory, do whatever they want. At the end of the day, they drive the workers back to Night City."
"Simple work. Low risk. Easy money."
Saul immediately perked up.
Lately, the Aldecaldo camp was running low on funds.
Most of his people were just sitting around, drinking and wasting time.
Even Arasaka Yorinobu probably had less free time than these nomads.
"What's the pay?" Saul asked.
Arthur smirked.
"Come on, Saul. Isn't it normal to go out of your way for a friend?"
Saul groaned.
Something about that line sounded painfully familiar.
"Look," Saul sighed, "we Aldecaldos believe in helping friends, but Mitch can't even afford a beer right now. How about you consider us old brothers, huh?"
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"You want beer? Just go outside any bar, wait for a drunkard to pass out, and loot their pockets. Problem solved."
Saul scowled.
"Be serious, Arthur."
Arthur sighed.
"Fine. But honestly? This job is just for show. I've already made a deal with the Voodoo Boys—they won't touch my factory."
"The Animals? I'll handle them myself."
"Your team only needs to watch out for a few dumb kids or some low-level idiots who might cause trouble."
"In other words, it's basically a paid vacation to Little China."
Arthur smirked and added:
"I mean, Little China is a tourist hotspot! Rich people used to throw money around there like it was nothing."
"Not everyone gets to enjoy such a luxurious destination!"
Then, with a mock-serious tone, he delivered his final offer:
"So... how about a 100% discount on security fees?"
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