Arc 9Evelyn’s Trail

Su Xiao and his companions rescued Hanks from a rogue AI, then traced Evelyn Parker from Cloudy Peak to Brother Finger and a Black Market Dream recording. The recording led them to an old power plant where Scavengers were hiding, but they had not yet found Evelyn.

  • Su Xiao and his companions discovered that Johnny Silverhand’s construct had possessed the Flathead, then agreed to stop taking jobs for a month and spend time with family.
  • Su Xiao and Jack followed Hanks’s disappearance to Lilith’s Cabin, where a rogue AI trapped the group in hallucinations before Su Xiao defeated it and helped free Hanks.
  • Su Xiao learned that Evelyn had vanished after leaving Lizzie’s Bar and questioned a detective who revealed that a hacker had attacked her at Cloudy Peak.
  • Su Xiao and his companions infiltrated Cloudy Peak, learned that Woodman had sent Evelyn to Brother Finger, and killed Woodman before erasing the club’s surveillance records.
  • Su Xiao and Judy questioned Brother Finger, who said Okada Wakako’s men had taken Evelyn and suggested they planned to make her a Black Market Dream actress.
  • Su Xiao bought a Black Market Dream chip from Wakako, and Judy identified its recording as Scavengers forcing a hacker to cross the Blackwall.
  • Su Xiao led the group to the Scavengers’ power plant hideout, where they cleared the upper and ground floors but found no sign of Evelyn before discovering an underground entrance.
Chapters 201–225 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 201He Really Did That-I'm Crying (3K)

Su Xiao, V, and Jack rejected Goro Takemura’s request to falsely testify against Yorinobu Arasaka and refused to hand over the relic. Su Xiao claimed they had discarded it, and the group went to the garbage heap to check.

  • Goro Takemura explained that Evelyn Parker had likely fled and suggested another corporation might have hired her to steal the relic.
  • Su Xiao said he did not believe Evelyn worked for a corporation, and Goro Takemura offered to reward the crew for claiming they had witnessed Yorinobu kill Saburo Arasaka.
  • Su Xiao, V, and Jack refused to give false testimony, while Jack mocked Goro Takemura’s promises and his samurai loyalty.
  • Goro Takemura demanded the relic, warning that keeping it would make Raijin Arasaka target them, but V questioned why he wanted the dangerous chip.
  • Su Xiao said the relic’s case had been damaged and they had thrown it away, then took Goro Takemura and the others to the garbage heap to see for himself.

Ch. 202He really did that-I'm crying (3K) (continued)

Goro Takemura found the freezer case empty and the Relic missing, then chose to cooperate with Su Xiao and the others to survive in Night City. Su Xiao challenged Takemura’s gratitude to Saburo by suggesting Arasaka might have caused the poverty Takemura had been rescued from, leaving him angry and silent.

  • Goro Takemura scared off the homeless men and found the damaged, empty freezer case in the garbage.
  • Goro Takemura searched the trash for the Relic, then agreed to leave with V and the others after cleaning up and changing clothes.
  • Goro Takemura suspected Su Xiao had staged the case’s damage but kept quiet, deciding cooperation mattered more than pursuing the Relic.
  • V asked why Takemura had become an Arasaka target, and Takemura said he was investigating Saburo’s murder and believed Yorinobu was responsible.
  • Takemura explained that Saburo had rescued him from the slums, but Su Xiao suggested Arasaka might have created the conditions that left him there.
  • Goro Takemura angrily rejected Su Xiao’s suggestion and stared silently out the car window.

Ch. 203But I refuse (3K)

Su Xiao rejected Goro Takemura’s request for help and discussed the Relic’s uncertain future with V and Jack. After deciding Rogue might buy it, the group received a call from an unfamiliar number.

  • Su Xiao refused to give false testimony for Goro Takemura, who left to seek allies and promised to contact them again.
  • V comforted Su Xiao as he criticized corporations, but Goro Takemura interrupted them by returning to ask for money.
  • Jack failed to reach Evelyn and worried that they could not sell the Relic to their usual fixers.
  • Su Xiao proposed offering the Relic to Rogue because it contained Johnny Silverhand’s personality construct, and Jack reluctantly agreed.
  • As the group prepared to return to the safe house and find T-Bug, Su Xiao received a call from an unfamiliar number and connected V and Jack to his comms channel.

Ch. 204My Closet Moved-I'm Not Playing Anymore (4K)

Su Xiao spoke with Raijin Arasaka, who apologized for targeting Goro Takemura and offered Su Xiao, V, and Jack jobs with Arasaka. Su Xiao refused the offer, but Raijin’s goodwill left the group safe from Arasaka’s pursuit.

  • Raijin Arasaka called Su Xiao, apologized for his subordinates’ attack, and said Takemura was his intended target.
  • Raijin offered to recruit Su Xiao and his companions, but Su Xiao refused because they valued their freedom.
  • Su Xiao deduced that Yorinobu had killed Saburo, and V and Jack trusted his judgment.
  • Su Xiao assured Jack and V that Raijin’s call meant they were safe, relieving their fears of having to flee Night City.

Ch. 205Here's Johnny (3K)

Su Xiao, V, and Jack discovered that the Flathead had been activated by Johnny Silverhand’s consciousness, frightening T-BUG and leaving her unconscious. Johnny learned that Saburo Arasaka was dead, but remained stunned by the news.

  • Su Xiao invited V and Jack to drink, but T-BUG called in a panic and screamed about a Cyber Ghost before the connection cut off.
  • Su Xiao scanned the safe house and found T-BUG unconscious and the Flathead active, then concluded something had possessed the robot.
  • Su Xiao spoke through the intercom and told the presence inside not to harm T-BUG.
  • Johnny Silverhand identified himself and accused Su Xiao of being a corporate torturer.
  • Su Xiao told Johnny that Saburo Arasaka was dead and directed him to verify the news online.
  • Johnny searched the terminal and reacted with disbelief when he confirmed Saburo had died on his own property.

Ch. 206Here's Johnny (3K) (continued)

Su Xiao explained to Johnny Silverhand how Arasaka preserved his personality construct and how Johnny ended up possessing the Flathead. After meeting V and Jack, Johnny learned that Rogue was alive and powerful, but admitted he could not bring himself to visit her yet.

  • Su Xiao told Johnny that Arasaka had used Soul Killer to digitize him, then stored his personality construct in Mikoshi for the Relic project.
  • Johnny accepted Su Xiao's explanation and agreed that they were allies against Arasaka, so Su Xiao opened the roller shutter.
  • V checked T-Bug and confirmed she was only choked unconscious, while Su Xiao introduced Johnny to V and Jack.
  • Su Xiao explained that Johnny had possessed the Flathead after the Relic was inserted into it.
  • Johnny asked about Rogue and learned she had become the queen of the Afterlife.
  • Johnny admitted he was tempted to find Rogue but could not imagine what he would say to her, making V and Jack snicker.

Ch. 207You're so noble, you're so great (3K)

T-BUG learned that the Relic could not be sold and thanked Su Xiao for saving her. At the Wolf Bar, Jack reunited with Mrs. Wells, and Lucy welcomed Su Xiao back.

  • T-BUG woke up and learned that Johnny Silverhand’s construct was inside the Flathead and that Arasaka had let them go.
  • T-BUG asked Su Xiao whether they could still sell the Relic, and he explained that Evelyn was gone and selling it would mean killing Johnny.
  • T-BUG thanked Su Xiao for saving her before leaving.
  • At the Wolf Bar, Lucy helped with chores while Mrs. Wells, Peppy, and Kakyoin Chihana discussed the bar’s dwindling stock.
  • Jack arrived, and Mrs. Wells embraced him; Su Xiao returned and Lucy welcomed him back.

Ch. 208Next time, for sure (4K)

After surviving the Azure Tower job, Su Xiao and his friends celebrated at the Wolf Bar while Lucy reunited with him and asked him not to leave her behind again. The group took a month off, and the chapter ended when a haggard young woman came to the bar looking for Jack Wells.

  • Su Xiao, V, Lucy, Jack, and Mrs. Wells shared a meal at the Wolf Bar as Jack recounted their escape from Azure Tower and their encounter with Adam Smasher.
  • Su Xiao took the Flathead into the alley and confronted Johnny Silverhand, who questioned whether Su Xiao had really killed Adam Smasher.
  • Lucy found Su Xiao outside, asked him not to leave her behind next time, and hugged him.
  • Su Xiao, V, and Jack decided to stop taking jobs for a month and spend more time with family.
  • A haggard young woman arrived at the Wolf Bar asking for Jack Wells, who was in the garage with Misty.

Ch. 209Maybe Next Time (4K) (Continued)

Kanna asked Jack and Su Xiao for help finding her missing boyfriend Hanks, a member of the Valentino Gang. Su Xiao contacted several fixers for leads, leaving everyone waiting at the bar for news.

  • Kanna told Jack that Hanks had disappeared after leaving home following an argument, and that Padre and the Valentino Gang had found no trace of him.
  • Jack admitted he could not guarantee he would find Hanks, and Su Xiao promised to help after Kanna left.
  • Jack and Su Xiao considered whether the Six Street Gang or the Scavengers might have taken Hanks.
  • Su Xiao called Old Captain, who agreed to search Santo Domingo for information about Hanks.
  • Su Xiao also contacted Regina, Okada Wakako, and Rogue, then waited at the bar with the others.

Ch. 210Humanity has surpassed Skynet; Skynet has less computing power than a 4090 (3K)

Su Xiao, Jack, and V investigated a suspected trafficking company while searching for Hanks, but found only a manager whose Cyberbrain was filled with garbled code. After extracting the name “Lilith's Cabin,” they learned from Regina that the secretive cult worshipped rogue AIs, leaving them facing a threat far more dangerous than the Eden Gang.

  • Su Xiao and Jack investigated a company in Kabuki that kept recruiting workers, suspecting it was a human trafficking operation connected to Hanks.
  • Su Xiao stormed the building and subdued its occupants, while Lucy hacked the manager's Cyberbrain and discovered it contained garbled code.
  • Lucy extracted the name “Lilith's Cabin,” and Su Xiao killed the manager before the group left.
  • Su Xiao called Regina, who identified Lilith's Cabin as a secretive cult that worshipped rogue AIs from the Old Net.
  • Su Xiao considered how rogue AIs could exploit Night City's pervasive smart technology and cyberware to threaten humanity.

Ch. 211When Did You Get the Idea You Weren’t Caught in Kyouka Suigetsu? (3K)

Su Xiao and his companions tracked Hanks to Lilith's Cabin, a dangerous cult hideout beneath an abandoned factory. After finding signs of a ritual and cutting through the machinery and hatch blocking the entrance, Su Xiao led the group down into the underground lair.

  • Regina told Su Xiao that Lilith's Cabin was protected by the NCPD and warned him that mercenaries sent to investigate had vanished.
  • Su Xiao, Jack, Johnny, and Old De drove to the factory while Jack arranged for Gustavo and the Valentino Gang to join them.
  • Su Xiao scanned the factory and found Hanks and several others injured and kneeling in a circle, suggesting the cult was holding a ritual.
  • The group avoided explosive traps and found the hideout entrance beneath heavy machinery in a workshop.
  • Su Xiao cut through the machinery and sealed hatch with Muramasa, then led the group down the dark staircase.

Ch. 212When did you get the impression you weren't under Kyoka Suigetsu? (3K) (continued)

Su Xiao and his team fought through Lilith's Cabin's cultists and rescued Hanks and the other captives, but a creature emerged from the freezer at the ritual's center. V then found herself alone in an altered scene, with her weapons transformed and the sacrifices dead.

  • Lucy disabled the stairwell's traps and opened a door into the cult's underground ritual chamber.
  • Su Xiao, V, Lucy, and Jack killed the white-robed cultists while Jack shot their leader.
  • Jack found Hanks among the captives and began freeing him, but Su Xiao sensed danger from the freezer.
  • A decaying old woman crawled out of the freezer as V and Lucy's guns melted and V's pistol became a snake.
  • V discovered that everyone else had vanished and the captives lay dead with their throats slit.

Ch. 213This is why NetWatch built the Blackwall (4K)

V and the others fought a rogue AI that trapped them in hallucinations, but Su Xiao defeated it and explained how it had attacked them through the Blackwall. The group escaped, and Gustavo later learned how close his gang had come to being enslaved by the AI.

  • V fought a giant bat in a hallucination, then realized she had been strangling Lucy when the vision ended.
  • Su Xiao explained that a rogue AI had entered a human vessel through the Blackwall and trapped the group in hallucinations, while his cyberware and combat skills had let him defeat it.
  • Su Xiao burned the rogue AI's vessel and the bodies of the people in white before leaving with the others.
  • Gustavo arrived with Hanks's brothers, heard Jack's account, and treated Su Xiao with respect after realizing how narrowly the group had escaped the rogue AI.

Ch. 214This Was Why NetWatch Built the Blackwall (4K) (Continued)

Su Xiao brought Johnny home after meeting Gustavo, then learned from Judy that Evelyn had gone missing. Judy explained that Evelyn had seemed frightened after returning to Cloudy Peak, leading Su Xiao to suspect someone else had arranged the Relic theft.

  • Gustavo paid Su Xiao and promised that he and the Valentino Gang would help him whenever he needed them.
  • Su Xiao took Johnny to his apartment, where Johnny connected to the computer while Su Xiao relaxed and fell asleep.
  • The next morning, Su Xiao returned Judy’s missed calls and learned that Evelyn was missing.
  • At Lizzie’s Bar, Judy said Evelyn had stayed there for two days before leaving, and that she had seemed frightened.
  • Su Xiao suspected someone had put Evelyn up to sending them to the Azure Tower, and Judy said Evelyn had returned to Cloudy Peak before she became unreachable.

Ch. 215You Can Rely on the NCPD—When Pigs Fly

Su Xiao agreed to help Judy find Evelyn and pursued a lead involving private investigator Ginger Ryan. He located Ginger through Li Nali and confronted her at home, where he incapacitated her husband so he could question her alone.

  • Judy told Su Xiao that Ginger Ryan, a private investigator, had been called to Cloudy Peak a week earlier to handle a disturbance.
  • Su Xiao told Jack they would find Ginger and used Li Nali to look up her address through the NCPD database.
  • Su Xiao and Jack arrived at Ginger Ryan's home in the Northside Industrial District at midnight.
  • When Ginger's husband refused to leave the room, Su Xiao struck him with a Blocker and had Jack move him to the living room.
  • Su Xiao told Ginger he only wanted to ask her a few questions, and she asked if he was telling the truth.

Ch. 216You forget a thousand things every day. Why not forget this too? (3K)

Su Xiao questioned a detective about the attack on Evelyn at Cloudy Peak and suspected the Voodoo Boys might be involved. Lucy hacked the detective’s weak implants, revealing that Woodman had hired her and confirming she did not know where Evelyn was.

  • Su Xiao learned that a hacker had attacked Evelyn and a witness in Cloudy Peak’s room eleven, leaving both with severe mental symptoms.
  • The detective explained that the attackers bypassed Cloudy Peak’s security without leaving a trace, leading Su Xiao and V to consider the Voodoo Boys as possible culprits.
  • When Su Xiao confronted the detective about hiding information, she pulled a shotgun, but his companions stopped her.
  • Lucy hacked the detective’s implants and discovered that Woodman had hired her to investigate the Cloudy Peak attack.
  • Lucy confirmed that the detective did not know Evelyn’s location, then disconnected from her implants.

Ch. 217Hey, Blackie, You’ve Let Your Chicken Feet Show (4K)

Su Xiao and Lucy paid and threatened the woman from Cloudy Peak into silence, then Su Xiao, Jack, and their companions entered the club to investigate. They registered as customers and underwent biometric scans, leaving them inside Cloudy Peak as its system prepared to match them with Sex Dolls.

  • Su Xiao transferred thirty thousand euros to the woman, and Lucy threatened to expose her visit to Cloudy Peak if she told anyone what had happened.
  • Su Xiao explained to Jack that the Tiger Claws Gang maintained control by offering residents help in exchange for protection fees and cultivating their dependence.
  • Outside Cloudy Peak, Manager Yang spoke to a floating camera about spending big at the club.
  • Su Xiao and his companions entered Cloudy Peak and connected to its terminal after paying five hundred credits each and completing biometric scans.
  • Su Xiao learned that Cloudy Peak used customers' data to control Sex Dolls through Behavior Chips, which sealed away the dolls' memories after each service.

Ch. 218Hater, you've shown your true colors, haven't you? (4K) (continued)

Su Xiao and his companions infiltrated Cloudy Peak to question manager Forrester, known as Woodman, about Evelyn. They reached his office, where Woodman realized they were intruders and reached toward a hidden gun.

  • The receptionist bypassed the failed biometric scan by letting Su Xiao choose a Sex Doll himself, and the group stored their weapons before entering Cloudy Peak.
  • Su Xiao led V, Lucy, and Jack through the booth area while V and Lucy disabled the surveillance cameras.
  • Lucy hacked the elevator terminal, allowing the group to reach the corridor outside Woodman's office.
  • Woodman read and dismissed Jelly O'Connell's angry email about a job offer, then blocked her.
  • Su Xiao's group entered Woodman's office and asked him questions, and Woodman moved toward a cabinet hiding a gun.

Ch. 219A Guide to Reviewing the Ladies of Jig-Jig Street (3K)

Su Xiao questioned Wooden Man about Evelyn Parker and learned that Brother Finger on Winding Street had her. After discovering Wooden Man had sold Evelyn, Su Xiao killed him and erased the group's traces before leaving Cloudy Peak.

  • Su Xiao confronted Wooden Man about Evelyn Parker and used details of her attack to make him admit a netrunner had ruined her Behavior Chip.
  • Wooden Man said he had sent Evelyn to Brother Finger, a Cybernetics Doctor on Winding Street, who claimed he could repair her.
  • Su Xiao noticed Wooden Man was poised to trigger an alarm and slit his throat before he could call for help.
  • Su Xiao checked Wooden Man's computer and confirmed that he had sold Evelyn to Brother Finger.
  • Su Xiao split up with his companions, killed the Tiger Claws Gang guard in the monitoring room, and erased the surveillance footage, cameras, and biometric records.
  • Su Xiao and the others left Cloudy Peak, surprising the woman at the front desk with how quickly they had returned.

Ch. 220Mitarai Azuki, the dream goddess of childhood (3K)

Su Xiao, Judy, V, Lucy, and Jack tracked Evelyn to Brother Finger’s clinic on Winding Street, where Judy found the operating room locked and feared Evelyn was inside. The chapter ended with Judy asking Su Xiao to find a way in because she could not wait any longer.

  • Su Xiao told Judy that Evelyn might be at Brother Finger’s clinic, and Judy hurried to meet the group at Winding Street.
  • Judy led the group to the clinic and explained that Brother Finger preyed on sex dolls who could not afford his services.
  • Lucy hacked the thugs blocking the entrance, killing them, and the group entered the clinic.
  • Judy pushed past the waiting customers and tried the operating room door, but it was locked.
  • Judy returned to Su Xiao and begged him to think of a way to get inside because she was worried about Evelyn.

Ch. 221Mitarai Azuki, the Goddess of My Childhood Dreams (3K) (Continued)

Su Xiao and his companions confronted Brother Finger while searching for Evelyn Parker, and Su Xiao demonstrated his extraordinary strength to establish his authority. Brother Finger finished repairing a sex doll and then brought the group to his office, where Su Xiao asked where Evelyn was; the chapter ended before Brother Finger answered.

  • Su Xiao reassured Judy, and Lucy hacked open Brother Finger's door without using her personal link.
  • Su Xiao crushed a cola can with his bare hand, astonishing the sex dolls and prompting one to question whether he was human.
  • Su Xiao and the others entered Brother Finger's grimy operating room, where Brother Finger continued repairing a sex doll's chin.
  • Judy challenged Brother Finger for making the sex doll endure surgery without anesthetics, and he explained that his customers usually could not afford them.
  • Brother Finger finished the repair, washed his hands, and asked whether Judy was with the Tiger Claws Gang; Judy said she was with the Mox Gang.
  • Su Xiao asked Brother Finger where Evelyn Parker was, and Brother Finger invited the group into his office.

Ch. 222The world wasn't just black and white; there was gray in between (4K)

Su Xiao questioned Brother Finger about Evelyn Parker and learned that Okada Wakako’s people took her to be used in Black Market Dreams. He left Brother Finger unharmed, and the group departed the clinic while Judy went outside to clear her head.

  • Su Xiao told Brother Finger that Woodman no longer controlled Cloudy Peak and demanded to know what happened to Evelyn Parker.
  • Brother Finger explained that Evelyn’s Instruction Register had been burned out, and he had called his fixer, Okada Wakako, after failing to repair her.
  • Brother Finger said Wakako’s two men took Evelyn and mentioned Black Market Dreams and a skull moth, leading him to suspect they planned to make her an actor.
  • Judy condemned Brother Finger for handing Evelyn over, then left to get some air.
  • Su Xiao left Brother Finger unharmed and walked out of the clinic with V, Lucy, and Jack.
  • Jack asked over the squad’s comms whether they could really leave without doing anything.

Ch. 223The World Wasn't Just Black and White-There Was Gray in Between (4K) (Continued)

Su Xiao explained why he had spared Brother Finger and then joined Judy, V, and Lucy in searching for Evelyn, who might have been taken to make Black Market Dreams. The group split up to pursue leads, and Su Xiao spotted two men facing off as he left to meet Wakako.

  • Su Xiao argued that killing or disabling Brother Finger would leave the poor Sex Dolls he treated without anyone to help them, and Judy accepted that they still had hope of finding Evelyn.
  • Su Xiao and Judy concluded that Black Market Dreams were likely recorded in hidden locations, but Judy had no knowledge of the Skull Moth.
  • V suggested checking earlier Black Market Dreams for clues, and Judy proposed searching the Night City of Love and Lust website.
  • Su Xiao decided to ask Wakako about Brother Finger's call, while Judy, V, and Lucy went to search online and planned to meet at Judy's van.
  • Su Xiao declined Lucy's offer to probe Wakako's Cyberbrain and spotted two men facing off after parting from the others.

Ch. 224Buddha's Compassion, Amitabha (3,000 words)

Su Xiao obtained a Black Market Dream chip from Okada Wakako and had Judy examine it. Judy discovered that the recording showed Scavengers forcing a hacker to cross the Blackwall, alarming Lucy.

  • Su Xiao visited Okada Wakako and asked for information about the Black Market Dream team that had found a new actress.
  • Wakako refused to betray her clients but sold Su Xiao a Black Market Dream chip for fifty thousand euros.
  • Su Xiao met Judy outside Winding Street and gave her the chip to inspect.
  • Judy watched the Braindance and told Su Xiao and Lucy that it showed Scavengers forcing a hacker to cross the Blackwall.
  • Lucy reacted with alarm when she heard what the recording contained.

Ch. 225They're here, they're here (3K)

Su Xiao and his team raided the Scavengers’ hideout at the old Electric Corporation power plant in Charter Hill, searching for Evelyn. They cleared the guards and found an entrance to an underground area, where the Scavengers discussed the drugs they used in their Black Market Dreams.

  • Judy identified the old Electric Corporation power plant as the crew’s likely hideout, and Su Xiao led the team there.
  • Su Xiao assigned V, Jack, and Lucy to protect Judy and eliminate the Scavengers while Judy waited in hiding.
  • Su Xiao and the others silently killed the Scavengers outside the power plant, then Judy joined them.
  • Su Xiao cleared the Scavengers on the second floor while V and the others cleared the ground floor, but they found no sign of Evelyn.
  • The team regrouped after finding the underground entrance, where Scavengers discussed substituting erythritol for methionine in their product.
Arc 9 of 17