Chapter 44: Chapter 42: Balancing Study and Life (Part 1)

"Marcus, how did the final exams go this time? Did we find any talent worth absorbing into the R&D department?"

A small internal meeting at Arasaka Academy.

As a private academy operated by the Arasaka Company, the Arasaka R&D department often recruits a variety of talents from the academy.

The speaker was Tanaka Takayuki (he didn’t have a name in the animation, I arbitrarily chose one), a member of the management from the Arasaka R&D department.

This man was now pinching the center of his brows; there had been another issue at Arasaka these past few days.

A battle had occurred at the border, and the field team reported that they had teamed up with Military Science at the high wall nearby to intercept a batch of suspicious smuggled goods.

As a result, the opposing side, in full view of over forty of their men and more than a dozen drones, got away!

Not only did they escape, but they also left both groups severely injured, with only the squad leaders from each side able to stand and return!

The video data showed that the opposing side had indeed accomplished all this in an instant; it appeared to be some kind of smart weapon that was on a vehicle, yet required a person to operate...

And the efficiency of the lock-on and the hit rate were unheard of—

Whose brain could lock onto so many targets in an instant and also aid smart weapons in accelerated computing?

But if it were a hardware system, no current smart weapons on the market possessed this kind of efficiency, unless the vehicle had been equipped with an accelerated computing unit.

But... did that beat-up car even have the space for such hardware?

In any case, there were many mysteries, and the R&D department now unanimously believed it should be the "Eight-star Gun," a stronger version of Zhuo’s shotgun. Adam Hammer also favored this model of shotgun; the Eight-star Gun was a fortified version custom-made for people like Heavy Hammer.

But...

The data from the Eight-star Gun that Kantao sold to Heavy Hammer did not show it to be anywhere near that powerful. The legal department was also negotiating with Kantao, but they too had remained tight-lipped, not revealing a single thing.

The opinion of the Intelligence Department was that there were only two possibilities: one was that the opposing side had successfully kept a tight secret, and the other was that they themselves did not know.

Because of this incident, the upper echelons had them initiate a new project, so now they were somewhat short on staff.

"I have recommended a group of students according to your request, Mr. Tanaka. But I’ve found a promising talent in the Continuing Education College.

He scored well beyond full marks on the admission test, and his brainwaves were stable during the answers, suggesting he could handle it with ease; he should be good to cultivate."

"I’m talking about people we can use right now—decide this kind of thing on your own."

Tanaka Takayuki, though saying this verbally, still started looking at the data file that had been sent over.

"Hmm... A-grade license training entrance exam, all perfect scores? It seems he has also self-studied thoroughly, indeed a talent, Dennis... Burger King?

Another street punk, coming up with such a fake name... Marcus, did you even finish reading this report?"

Tanaka paused for a moment, just as he read "Student’s Level of Thought," where the AI’s compiled report directly quoted Lille’s original words:

"This is a job for idiots."

"Uh... actually, I think this can be adjusted through learning, let him take more classes..."

"Fine, as I said, you decide on this—the way I see it, he’s just a street punk."

Tanaka took off his cool glasses and lay down on the couch, while receiving a list of available students from Marcus and seizing the moment to rest.

Unlike his son, who could even take a five-day break at the end of final exams, and take two days of compensatory rest.

That made for a seven-day holiday in total!

Arasaka was indeed too good to its students.

He’d have to sign his son up for some extra tutoring.

....

[You have mastered the practical technique: General Technological Engineering (Introductory)]

[Technology Points +30]

"What the hell, San Lang’s philosophy? Quite a name they’ve come up with. Living such a good life, they’ve gotten arrogant, thinking they’re the Emperor, huh?"

After a day of learning, Lille received a course gift from Arasaka Academy, promising intellectual enlightenment.

But upon opening it...

Lille quickly clicked delete, fearing his neural interface had been contaminated.

San Lang wasn’t some successful entrepreneur, he was a bona fide remnant of the Greater Japan Empire, a World War II pilot!

Those familiar with history would know that San Lang was a true beast who had considered committing suicide after the Emperor announced the surrender.

But suddenly, he had an epiphany. If that old beast had gone through with suicide back then, the world would probably be another story now.

Learn my ass.

Disregarding the educational content that was full of holes, the official course materials from Arasaka were still of excellent quality.

The curriculum was divided into two parts, one of which required attendance in a physical classroom to use Arasaka’s learning pods.

Real-life learning was highly effective, which made Lille curious about what was actually taught inside the official Arasaka Academy.

Soon after completing today’s courses for Tech Expert and Prosthetics Doctor, he entered the basic education phase.

Lille was looking for DNA editing technology.

There were two top companies that met Lille’s criteria: Moore Technology and Biotechnology.

Decades ago, the acclaimed Biotechnology had discovered ethanol-2, pulling the world back from the brink of an energy crisis.

Biotechnology was a firm that specialized in gene engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and microbiology.

Moore Technology, on the other hand, had made its fortune starting from human organ transplants and, during the boom of prosthetic implantations, had launched synthetic organs and parts like artificial lung lobes and auxiliary hearts.

However, as the world economy and trade developed, both companies eventually launched a number of similar competing products.

From a market value perspective, Biotechnology held the advantage, but Moore Technology seemed more in line with Lille’s requirements.

"Cultivation and development of transgenic animals... Biotechnology, transgenic bio farms... the biggest supplier to All Food Company."

"Moore Technology, excessive prosthetization causing damage to DNA telomeres, using unique cell adaptation technology to reduce such side effects, epigenetics breakthrough? Could also be useful..."

If someone saw Lille studying so diligently, they would surely think he was a bookworm.

But that thought would change as soon as they heard Lille murmuring to himself.

"Who to rob first..."

————————————————-

"Rob who?"

"Hey! Can you focus? Learning made you stupid?" V nudged Lille, her firearm cocking.

Time fast-forwarded to the following evening.

Father had given them a job—the target was the Six Street Gang, who seemed to have their eyes on the Valley Region and wanted to drive Father’s Valentino Gang out.

The commission wasn’t much money, so it was as if Lille was doing a favor for Father, in exchange for that Burger King school enrollment alias.

Lille snapped back to reality and casually glanced at the distant camera.

Using the camera as a relay, he hacked all the way to an alley 100 meters away, where the Six Street Gang’s goons were warming themselves by a fire.

"Three people, three guns, Arasaka’s Jade Sound—ugh, a piece of junk. Magic Doll upload will be complete in 30 seconds, get ready."

The Jade Sound, a pistol produced in the early 21st century, had even ceased production of its replacement parts. Not only was its firepower outdated, but maintenance was also a hassle.

It seemed their boss didn’t want to equip them with better guns.

The most advanced prosthetic was in the hands of the leader as a weapon monitor...

Black market price, probably around 3000 euros, seemed like it was homemade by the Six Street Gang.

"Why don’t you seem motivated?"

Lille shrugged, "What motivation should I have? It’s just three thugs. Even 2000 euros is too much for this job, and there are three of us here!"

In fact, Lille understood what Father meant—just to stir up the Six Street Gang a bit.

Honestly, Father was pretty decent. Lille had thought Father would have them take out a minor Six Street Gang leader.

These days, the Six Street Gang had been harassing Valentino territory, making the streets restless.

"True." V also deflated, "Boring—shame we can’t unload the loot right now."

Jack scratched his head, "Is 2000 euros too little? Besides, this is a murder job, how can you guys be so calm?"

V and Lille exchanged a glance, "Ah, you’re too poor, I can’t explain it to you properly, just get ready."

"Oh right." Lille suddenly remembered, "Don’t kill them, I need to get some practice in."

seconds later, the three Six Street Gang soldiers warming by the fire suddenly felt extremely hot—burning hot—and then they burst into flames!

This eerie scene made them instantly realize there was a Hacker!

Too bad for them, at the next moment, a man and a woman rounded the corner and after a few gunshots—they couldn’t hear anything anymore.

It was effortless, V even yawned—

The Jade Sound, such an antique of a gun, couldn’t even penetrate her Subdermal Armor.

Looking at the three people lying unconscious on the ground, V sighed again and jabbed Lille with the butt of her gun:

"Can we go for another round, brothers? This is really boring. Calling it dessert after dinner would be an overstatement."

"Hmm... I’m thinking about it, just haven’t figured out who to rob."

[Matt has reported to you: Dr. Conners has already made an appointment, it’s tomorrow at noon, don’t oversleep.]

[You: Alright, how’s the company’s renovation going?]

In the Marvel World, Lille decided to rent out the space Mr. Rigordo vacated to temporarily serve as the company’s office, considering Skye also needed a place to stay, so it wouldn’t be bad to assign her there to work around the clock.

[Matt: It’ll take some more time, but for detailed information, you should ask John and Anthony. I’m not the one doing it.]

[You: Okay, I’m prepared.]

Back in the Cyberpunk World, Lille suddenly said, "I’ll have a plan soon. I’ll tell you the day after tomorrow."

"Wuhu! Let’s make a big score!"

Unlike V’s excitement, Jack remained unimpressed, "Alright, I do want to see what this big job you’re talking about is."

As the trio began to pack away the unfortunate victims, one of the guys on the ground, sporting a Mohawk, suddenly screamed:

"I’m Malik Plant! Mess with me, and the Six Street Gang won’t let you off!"

The three exchanged glances, and finally, V asked, "Are you famous or something?"

"I... damn it! The sergeant put me in charge of these rookies harassing Valentino. What do you think, dumbass?"

A minor leader? Lille was taken aback, then signaled to V.

With a slap, V knocked the guy out.

They still had to drag him away.