"Good evening, viewers, this is News Channel 54, and I’m Jillian Yudun."
"Before we begin, let’s express our condolences to the people injured in the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred underground in the Watson District. Fortunately, no one died in this incident, which indirectly proves the necessity of cybernetic enhancements. If this had happened a century ago, the casualties would have been severe. So, I suggest everyone choose suitable cybernetic implants for themselves and their families for safety."
The screen of News Channel 54 shows the ruins from the earthquakes of the 1970s and 1980s, such as Peru, Iran, and Kobe.
"Furthermore, City Councilor Pereira declared in the city square that he would push the city council to organize rescue efforts in the disaster area as soon as possible. However, so far, both the NCPD and fire companies have refused to assist in the disaster area, and multiple negotiations have failed..."
Sitting on the sofa, Lin Miao found it amusing and waved his hand to change the channel. The host covered in gleaming gold fur caught his eye.
Players affectionately dubbed him the ’Golden Green Fur Turtle,’ though they hardly watched these bizarre channels.
"Good evening, Night City viewers. Tonight, our first guest is Kobert, the owner of Iceberg Bar in the Watson District."
"Our second guest is Corean, a renowned fixer in Watson District."
"And our topic tonight is naturally the underground mysterious world trending in Watson District lately."
While speaking, Zig-Q uses gestures to focus the audience’s attention on himself.
"Reportedly, shortly after the earthquake, rumors emerged that a Sin Castle for the rich to indulge in is hidden underground in the Watson District, where they conduct cult ceremonies and stay youthful by cannibalism. How horrifying just to hear!"
He acts frightened, then immediately turns to the camera with a humorous tone Google seaʀᴄh novᴇlfire.net
"But surely no one actually believes this, right?"
A canned laughter echoes from the audience.
"Alright, let’s hear what the two Watson District experts have to say."
Kobert, a chubby middle-aged man with round glasses, leisurely says, seated on the sofa
"Our family has operated in Night City for three generations and never heard of anything underground. Such large-scale earthworks would leave traces, and those who believe this have been duped all their lives."
Corean: "Firstly, it’s the twenty-first century, the era of science. How can anyone still bring medieval witch tale nonsense to Night City? If cannibalism could actually keep you young, we’d be worried about selling plots in cemeteries!"
"Additionally, remember that the wealthy have received higher education, so how could anyone think they’d engage in cult activities? It’s just the Vortex Gang projecting their twisted minds with these lies."
"So, neither of you believes the rumors?"
"What kind of fool would believe such obviously flawed rumors."
"If it’s real, as a fixer, I would have heard. But I swear with my life, there’s nothing beneath Watson District but stinky sewers. If you don’t believe me, viewers can go see for yourself, maybe you’ll find what your neighbor dumped there yesterday."
"But I heard that there’s been strange occurrences in a construction site in the northern part of Watson District before the incident. Someone even captured them with a drone. Any connection you think?"
Zig-Q uses a computer to change the big screen behind him to show some photos. The construction site is neatly arranged with steel bars and rubbish spelling out ’HELP,’ surrounded by names of companies and high-level government officials.
"Help?" Kobert acts surprised, then jokingly says
"Why didn’t they just write HELL? It’d save a bit of effort."
"It might just be a form of performance art, like the Vortex Gang who graffitis people’s cars for fun."
"Haha." Zig-Q interrupts their explanations with a teasing tone
"Maybe we can see this positively. With Night City’s shooting incidents soaring recently, maybe this homeless person means we should help each other and care to those around us..."
The trio seamlessly uses pre-arranged dialogue to completely deconstruct and entertain the issue, without addressing Watson District’s rampant human trafficking. Underground matters are dismissed as rumors; believers are fools, uneducated, street thugs...
They even dug out Night City Watson District’s architectural plans and affirmed loudly that no underground castle could exist, using symbols incomprehensible to ordinary people.
They suppressed the topic across all social media platforms, eclipsing with company products, celebrity gossip, and war news to cool down the event.
But probably no one knows the Night City Government’s archives never stored Watson District’s city planning maps. That place has evolved over eighty years into something different from its inception.
Lin Miao frustratingly turns off the TV and says to Blue Eyes sitting across
"Is that all? Can’t they come up with something fresh?"