Infinite Progress, Starting with Arasaka

Corporate Plaza, Arasaka Tower.

Vera had no idea that her subtle guidance had already caused many wonderful changes in her juniors.

After finishing the routine meeting at the General Security Bureau today, she was studying on the floor of the Biotechnology Research and Development Department.

Learning how to rationalize the generation of the T-Virus, to make its discovery logical.

When starting a game as a Corpo, upon accepting the final mission, you can see Abernathy's assets, around 700WEUR or more.

In the game, there's a boxing match mission where for 2WEUR, you can get the boxer's wife pregnant and buy a car, and later on, you won't lack money to raise the child. It's absurd.

The most absurd thing is the DLC, where saving the President, Miles, only rewards 3WEUR.

Alright, the game and its background are different.

Kiyosake isn't working full-time today, so I'll take a break and continue updating the treasure chests tomorrow. There are 4 Silver chests, and I still need to add 20-40k words.

Ah...

Chapter 043: Vera Decides to 'Search' for the T-Virus in Africa

"Director Russell."

The receptionist at the Biotechnology Research Department greeted Vera with a bow and a smile, "The relevant research and development files from the African branch are stored in Area A-06."

Vera nodded, acknowledging the information, then leisurely walked into the records room, holding a disposable paper coffee cup. She weaved through several embedded scanners and found the corridor next to the sign labeled 'Africa - 06'.

Luxurious yet understated, with a dark, cool gray metallic technological aesthetic, it led into a long, high-ceilinged room.

The layout resembled the popular libraries of the 18th and 19th centuries, the only difference being that instead of books, it housed towering, massive database chassis. In the center was a lavishly decorated oval table, equipped with a projector, personal connection ports, and slots for separate chips to download and store information. Surrounding it were several fixed sofas, making it look like a salon.

After casually choosing a spot to sit, a soft beep sounded before Vera, and the projector activated, displaying a holographic, blue-light, bald AI figure in a female form.

"Index, South Africa, 2016 to present, geographical survey reports of the manufacturing and R&D departments in South Africa after the 'Metal Vein Incident'."

AI: "Please wait a moment."

As the data cable was being rerouted, Vera tapped her fingers on the armrest, her eyes narrowed, a faint orange-red glow flashing within them. Data characters from multiple projected screens were already filling the projector's display.

In 2016, Arasaka discovered vast deposits of rare metal veins underground at their training facility in South Africa.

Consequently, the Cape Town branch in South Africa became a crucial part of Arasaka's global footprint.

Although local warlords claimed ownership of these rare metals, Arasaka withstood the pressure, drove away and subdued the surrounding warlords, and then repelled and suppressed Militech and the warlords they supported.

Arasaka's manufacturing department and its affiliated, friendly cooperative enterprises built numerous factories in South Africa. The original training facilities were also expanded, housing a considerable armed force.

Even during the Fourth Corporate War, when Arasaka was betrayed by Militech, their North American headquarters was hit by a nuclear bomb, and Arasaka Kei, the CEO, was assassinated, resulting in defeat and a significant loss of power, forcing them to withdraw from North America and severely weakening them, a substantial portion of their interests in South Africa still belonged to Arasaka.

Vera indexed a document.

It was an archaeological record with a very small data volume, incidentally recorded by Arasaka's manufacturing department during underground prospecting, filled with diagrams and textual information of animal bones and geological strata.

There were also experimental collection records from the R&D department on some local flora, fauna, and plants.

"Africa..."

Thinking of something, Vera's lips curled into a slight smile, "What a vast and resource-rich place."

In Resident Evil, it seems the key precursor to the T-Virus, the Progenitor Virus, was extracted by Umbrella's three founders from a flower called 'Sonnentreppe' (Sun Staircase) that grew in the ruins of the Dibaya tribe in West Africa.

So, in Cyberpunk, could she also make a discovery in Africa?

Africa has no strong nations or corporations. It's not only fragmented by various dictators but also faces land acquisition and 'intensive cultivation' by the colonial powers of new-era corporations.

It's tragic, but it has nothing to do with Vera. The chaos makes it easier for her to fish in troubled waters.

Unfortunately, West Africa falls within the traditional sphere of influence of old Europe. France and its major corporations are not like that 'small Britain that can't unite with Northern Ireland and no longer has a king's federation.' ( The de facto ruler of Africa, the European Economic Community (EEC), holds absolute dominance in North and West Africa. Arasaka has regional office buildings there and is a participant, but not the dominant force. Otherwise, Vera would have definitely replicated it.

As for operating within Arasaka's influence in South Africa to find an African tribal ruin...

It's not feasible.

Why can you extract it, but our Tokyo headquarters can't? Once Vera makes a discovery, Arasaka would definitely dig up the surrounding area inch by inch. Explaining it would be too troublesome...

"Central Africa."

Vera outlined the map projection of the African continent, her gaze lingering on the central region of Africa.

It was the border area between Arasaka's influence in Cape Town, South Africa, and the EEC's influence in West Africa. Deep inland, with warlord forces supported and stationed by companies like Militech, there was a rampant flow of weapons, and sporadic conflicts and intense battles between warlords and tribes, undoubtedly making it one of the most chaotic lawless zones in the world.

"There are quite a few underground ruins of ancient tribes of the extinct Bantu language family (one of the main indigenous language groups in Africa)."

Muttering silently, Vera brought up the investigation reports from the Cape Town branch on local tribal warlords.

She scanned them from top to bottom, frowning.

They were few, short, and shallow, reflecting the typical condescending, overhead attitude of corporate dogs. In their view, delving into such matters was a waste of time.

By comparison, Umbrella's data on Africa in this regard was undoubtedly more detailed, comprehensive, and accurate than Arasaka's.

But it made sense. In the Cyberpunk world, there were no powerful rights organizations, charitable organizations, environmental protection groups, or archaeological societies to push things forward. Corporations engaged in violent plunder; protests were suppressed, and resistance was met with heavy force. After the global internet collapsed, people in other parts of the world's perception of Africa remained stuck in the "tyrant co-rule" era of the last century.

After a moment of thought, Vera stood up, connected the separate chip to the slot, and copied the downloaded documents of the Cape Town branch's surrounding tribal investigation reports and regional customs.

She had a general idea, and the rest was refinement.

Crash.

After taking a sip of her cooled coffee and checking the time, Vera removed her neural chip and naturally moved away from her seat.

Walking past the bowing receptionist, Vera estimated the time as she prepared to leave the R&D department floor.

In front of the express elevator.

"Director Russell."

Hearing the familiar voice from behind, Vera turned her head. "Tanaka?"

A sturdy figure appeared.

With a slanted fringe, hazelnut hair, and cool sunglasses, he wasn't exactly muscular, but he had broad shoulders and a thick waist. It was Shinichi Tanaka, the father of Katsuo Tanaka, whom she had met at Arasaka Academy.

He was a mid-level manager in Night City's Arasaka R&D department, responsible for a subdivision that tested new cybernetics, exoskeletons, and mechs. He seemed to be working on a project codenamed 'Project Kong,' which Vera found quite interesting.

Hoh, I actually ran into him.

Vera thought to herself.

This guy was truly a corporate dog dedicated to his company, absolutely loyal to Arasaka, diligent and responsible, sticking to a strict routine with fixed hours at Arasaka Tower.

"I didn't expect to run into Director Russell here."

Tanaka stepped forward, bowed slightly, then looked up, casting a slightly wistful glance in the direction Vera had come from: the biotechnology R&D office area.

"As expected of Night City Arasaka Tower's most famous genius, Director Russell must have a new idea again? Congratulations."

"You flatter me. I have a few ideas, and I hope they are the right ones. Shall we walk together?" As she spoke, Vera stepped aside, the orange-red light flashing in her eyes.

["Has there been any progress on 'Project Kong'?"]

Given Vera's status at Night City Arasaka Tower, she was aware of 'Project Kong.'

After all, apart from Adam Smasher, if 'Project Kong' succeeded and reduced the mental strain of spiritual erosion, as one of the high-ranking leaders of Arasaka's military forces in Night City, she would definitely need to request equipment slots for her subordinates.

Falling two steps behind Vera, Tanaka's pupils also flashed with orange-red light: ["Not yet. Even the best mercenary test subjects captured, when equipped, go mad. Forcing activation will burn out their nervous systems and completely destroy their personality. I'm afraid only someone like Adam Smasher could withstand it, but that deviates from the original intent of 'Project Kong'."]

["Take your time, no rush."]

["I am ashamed, Tanaka has failed the company's trust."]

After the brief business exchange, Vera shifted the topic naturally, "I've reviewed Katsuo Tanaka's practical evaluation and regular grades. They're quite good. A proud father makes a proud son."

"Thank you." Hearing the response he desired, Tanaka bowed again in gratitude.

"He earned it."

The indicator light for the express elevator beside them lit up.

Tanaka proactively pressed the elevator door button for Vera and asked, "Director Russell, are you returning to the Security Department..."

"No, to the helipad. I need to go to Arasaka Academy to see my teacher in the Military-Political Management and Law School." Entering the elevator, Vera glanced at the momentarily paused Tanaka and asked knowingly, "Is there a problem?"

"No, my son Katsuo is studying at Arasaka Academy. Director Russell, I'm on my way to pick him up."

"What a coincidence, it's on the way. Come with me."

"Ah... this, I apologize for the intrusion."

After a moment of hesitation, Tanaka gritted his teeth, bowed again, and then followed her, neither subservient nor overbearing.

Taking the express elevator upstairs, they entered the internal helipad of Arasaka Tower.

Vera's personal bodyguards, the 'Black and White Phantoms,' were already waiting. They boarded the vehicle.

Sitting down, Vera picked up the PAD tablet on the seat and seemed to immerse herself in her own world.

After entering this clearly more customized, thickened, and widened hovercar, Tanaka appeared somewhat reserved. To his left and right were Brian, 'Black Phantom,' and Laurie, 'White Phantom,' whose highly augmented combat cybernetics made them as strong as bears.

"Prepare for departure."

Seemingly sensing Tanaka's unspoken thoughts, Vera spoke, "Many of the fixed perceptions and answer strategies for the entrance exams at Tokyo University are different from those in Night City. I've asked my teacher in the Military-Political Management and Law School to help me organize some notes."

Tokyo University?!

Tanaka was filled with awe.

So that's how it was. He had heard that Director Vera Adelheid was going to pursue further studies, but he hadn't expected it to be Tokyo University. Many members of the Arasaka family graduated from that university, and the next heir of Arasaka, Lord Nobu Arasaka, was a graduate of Tokyo University!

His son had finally managed to get close to Vera, to seize this opportunity, and now he could soar...

He had to seize it!

He decided that when he got back, he would enroll Katsuo in more cram schools and military training classes.

Chapter 044: David: I want to be Director Vera's—

On this day, David Martinez opened the door to a new world.

"So strong..." Pulling out the connection cable from the crystal socket behind his ear, David rolled over from the ergonomic reclining chair and stood up, clenching his fist with excitement.

As expected of Arasaka Academy's paid library, even though it was only a general academy for first-year students who hadn't chosen a specialization, the combat chips stored here were far superior to the free or cheap ones David usually had access to. The movements were clear, precise, and the key points were accurately presented in his mind.

Damn it!

How dare they insult his mother! If I meet that blonde guy again, I'll beat him up... uh, I don't think I can.

David looked at his own flesh-and-blood arm and quickly fell from his excited state.

Even though I had some muscle, there was no way I could contend with the cybernetic arm that blonde guy had equipped. That blonde guy had definitely already encountered the chip I was reading now.

I was just a beginner. The chip could only help me get started quickly. If I wanted to specialize, to fully master and utilize my combat skills, I would need to train, to build muscle memory and neural pathways, or perhaps get cybernetics to improve my strength, stamina, flexibility, and durability.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

When I hit someone, I hurt too.

In the end, it all came down to money. I had only been equipped with the most basic chip slots and a data panel connector.

Chip slots and data panel connectors were the most basic implants in this world, and also the most cost-effective for many people.

Chip slots usually came with two slots: one common but always-equipped communication chip, and one empty slot for inserting detachable chips.

Data panel connectors were complex to explain in detail, but simply put, they allowed people to read the contents of detachable chips and project them onto their eyes, including video calls and text conversions during communication.

These were the most basic cybernetics of 2075.