"Ah—?"
It took V a few seconds to process what was going on, and to realize that Kenichiro was trying to recruit him. But after just two seconds of thought, he decisively turned down the offer.
"Thank you very much for considering ."
He wracked his brain for sothing polite to say that wouldn't co off as disrespectful—this was a high-ranking Arasaka exec, after all—but in the end, V simply spoke from the heart: "But I really like the freedom I have right now. I can run jobs with my friends, live like a family... that life suits better."
"I see."
Kenichiro wasn't disappointed. He hadn't expected V to join Arasaka right here and now. The offer was more of a door left open—sothing for V to consider later, if he ever decided to give up rcenary life. Kenichiro simply saw a rare talent and wanted to stake a claim before the streets ruined him.
In Kenichiro's view, there was no real future in living on the street. Even legends like Adam Smasher eventually ended up working as corporate security. No one could live as a rc forever—when the body gives out, what then? Getting decked in the face by so punk and bleeding out in a gutter?
Sure, Arasaka didn't exactly treat its retirees like royalty, but with V's potential, even if he didn't make it to Kenichiro's level, he could definitely reach sothing like Chidou's—becoming a high-level bodyguard for the Board, earning power, marrying into the company, starting a family. That way his descendants wouldn't have to scrounge for synthetic at in a sewer.
Why should future generations have to start from the mud, gamble their lives for scraps of wealth?
According to Kenichiro's files, plenty of "big nas" from the streets died with fanfare, only to rot like stray dogs. Not even their kids were taken care of. If you asked street rcs honestly, 99 out of 100 would join a gacorp if given the chance.
For all their tough talk about "corporate dogs," when it ca down to it, most would gladly trample over others to climb the ladder.
So Kenichiro wasn't too bothered by V's rejection. People change. Maybe soday V would co find him—ready to train under him. And if that happened, Kenichiro would make sure V surpassed even Chidou in skill.
Kenichiro glanced at Karl.
Unlike Karl, who was wild and unruly, V had the right mindset—the right potential to beco the next "Kenichiro."
"My offer stands. Always."
Then Kenichiro looked at Jack and Oliver and gave them a nod. "Sa goes for you two. If your team ever decides to leave the rcenary life, Arasaka—no, I, Kenichiro, will always welco you."
As the vice president of Arasaka Tower, second only to the Arasaka family themselves, he made the offer with confidence.
But his sudden shift in tone made Karl suspicious again.
Kenichiro's initial invitation to V had already struck Karl as out of character—but this blanket offer to everyone? That definitely sounded like soone who was desperate for talent.
Except...
Karl narrowed his eyes. Then, his tone shifted slightly—he put "Mr." back in his address as he asked, "Kenichiro sir, why haven't you invited ?"
"I can't train you."
Kenichiro's reply was imdiate—and ice cold. Gone was the friendly tone he used with the others. Looking Karl straight in the face as he leaned in close, he said flatly:
"You have your own responsibilities."
The words were vague, but Karl caught the aning instantly.
Ah. Right.
Officially, he was just another rc running a contract. But in reality, he'd already cut a backdoor deal—he'd taken support money too.
So yeah. He was the one who'd already been bought.
"All right then. So this job's done?"
"It's done."
"We did pretty well, right?"
"They did well."
"And the pay—it's all in? What about bonuses?"
"They each received an additional fifty thousand eurodollars."
"…Huh?"
Karl turned sharply toward Oliver and the others. Sure enough, their cyber-eyes flickered—confirmation of funds received.
So that made it two hundred grand per person. Though the original job ca from Chidou, the final payout had co from Kenichiro, who handled security for the banquet. Not bad, all things considered.
Karl checked his own account.
Nothing.
Eh, didn't matter.
He didn't mind.
After all, the original agreent was 150,000. That had been paid. He'd done the job, no complaints. Bonuses were extra—a sign of appreciation. Whether he got one or not didn't matter. He hadn't really gone above and beyond, and as team lead, he figured just asking Kenichiro had already scored his friends a windfall.
And he was still riding high off that small victory when Chidou walked over.
"The Lady wants to see you."
She glanced at the rest of the team, then fixed her gaze on Kenichiro. "Everyone else is to leave."
The pointed look left no room for debate.
This ti, Kenichiro froze in place.
"Everyone else?" he echoed.
Karl turned toward where Hanako was waiting. Standing beside her, not leaving with the others, was Maki. The two of them were smiling and waving at him—clearly summoning him over.
"I got it."
Karl nodded to Chidou, gave a glance to Kenichiro, then waved to his team and started walking.
As he passed by Kenichiro, he reached out and straightened the man's collar, which had gotten a bit rumpled when he turned his head in surprise.
"Gotta keep up appearances, Mr. Kenichiro. You're a big deal in the company, after all. Just showing a little respect—keep the bonus, I'm good."
And with that, Karl walked on.
.
.
.
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