"You f***ing—what kind of reward lets someone earn 300 million euros at once?!"
Gail Gibbs was utterly stunned by Peter's shamelessness—far thicker than his own.
"Damn it! That money came straight from my own pocket! It wasn't even from the military tech accounts!"
He had forked it over as a gesture of reconciliation. But if Peter refused to reconcile, what was the point of that massive payout?
Peter simply shrugged. "I don't care about the money. But since you paid me 300 million euros in one go, I'll let you return to your base and prepare."
"Ten minutes from now, I'll personally lead a team to attack. Of course, President Gibbs, you're free to have your soldiers point their guns at me. That way, I can kill right on the spot."
He spoke with absolute calm and confidence, as if this was a routine affair.
Peter didn't care what Gail Gibbs thought. Anyone who dared lay a hand on him—would have to pay with their life.
Gail Gibbs clenched his teeth. Though he hated the idea, he had no choice under the overwhelming pressure of Peter's power. He turned back and led his men into the military technology building in defeat.
Inside, he began laying out an impenetrable defense—a net of heaven and earth. And he took Bu Laike with him, realizing the man knew far too much to be ignored.
As for Faraday? He was just a low-level middleman. Not worth worrying about. All he knew was related to the prosthetic King Kong, nothing more.
Watching Gail's troops rush into the building, Mann furrowed his brows.
"Peter, since we had the chance to kill that guy right here, why let him go?"
Peter's answer was short and unexpected.
"Because it's fun."
Mann looked confused. Rebecca, however, burst out laughing.
"Peter, you're hilarious!" she giggled. "That's exactly why I like you."
Peter grinned. "Ten minutes. I want to see if they can build a stronger defense than the Cyan Bi Building."
Then he looked down at Faraday, who was tied up on the ground before them.
"Now, I imagine you guys have something to say to this one?"
Ling Xiaohan had been silently speculating, but Gail Gibbs's furious retreat confirmed it: Peter's plan had worked. Whatever he'd done had made a ten-year rival this angry—it had to be brilliant.
He watched as half the military tech soldiers who had once occupied the square followed Gail back into the building.
"What's going on here?" Ling Xiaohan frowned. "If they didn't reach a deal, knowing Peter's personality, he would've killed Gail on the spot."
"Aunt Ling," Xu Xinyue interjected, "I think Peter played him. He took the money, called it a 'reward,' and gave him time to set up defenses."
"Knowing Peter, that seems very likely."
And indeed, she was right.
"As long as Peter doesn't cooperate with military tech," Ling Xiaohan replied, "it's good news for us."
Even if he didn't fully understand Peter's plan, he was relieved that things hadn't taken a darker turn.
---
A few minutes later...
V and his crew pulled up in a vehicle near the square.
"My God!" Jack called out as he stepped out. "Peter didn't even call his best brother Jack for such a major event?"
If V hadn't told him, he wouldn't have even known Peter had stirred up something this big.
"Brother Peter, long time no see," David said, walking up, his body enhanced with prosthetics.
Peter eyed him disapprovingly. "David, I told you before—you're going overboard with those implants. You're going to push yourself into cyberpsychosis."
David just chuckled. "Hey, with the chip you gave me, Brother Peter, I've got nothing to worry about."
Peter sighed. These guys were all spoiled by him.
"I'm not the rookie I used to be," David added. "I can handle difficult missions on my own now. I promise I won't install any more prosthetics."
Peter raised a brow. "When you do become a cyberpsycho, I'll hand you straight over to Regina for research."
David laughed nervously as Peter gave him a pointed look.
Just then, a sleek Porsche 911 pulled up in front of them.
"Damn it, Peter!" a familiar voice shouted. "You pulled this stunt against the company and didn't even call me?!"
Johnny Silverhand stepped out of the car, Mallorian 3516 in hand, clearly pissed off.
He'd spent the last two days scouring Night City for his old equipment, using the information Peter had discreetly provided.
His gear wasn't top-tier anymore, but with Adam Hammer dead—thanks to Peter—Johnny no longer needed the Maelstrom Gang's backing. He could operate solo without Rogge's help.
The custom prosthetics and tech Peter had equipped him with were far from ordinary.
Peter gave him a once-over. "Looks like you finally reclaimed your stuff?"
"Yeah," Johnny grinned. "That bastard Grayson tried to resist, so I gave him a good beating and a bullet."
"And you didn't go to Rogge?"
"Hmph. 320 and I will visit her after we finish military tech."
While Peter and Johnny caught up, Jack suddenly did a double take.
"F**k! You're Johnny Silverhand?! But—weren't you dead?! What the hell is going on?"
He was shocked. Though fifty years had passed, Jack had grown up hearing stories about Johnny and had seen his photos.
Johnny smirked. "Yo. First time meeting face-to-face. I know you—Jack Wells."
Of course he knew. Jack was Peter's brother, after all.
"Johnny Silverhand?" Mann echoed in disbelief. "Didn't you die in a nuclear explosion fifty years ago?"
The others were just as stunned. Johnny's legacy was legendary across Night City. While few knew what he looked like, his exploits—and his supposed death—were legendary.
"It's a long story," Johnny said casually. "We'll talk over drinks sometime."
He glanced at the clock.
"But right now, it's business time."
Peter also checked the time. Exactly ten minutes had passed.
It was time to attack.
"I hope military tech gives us a little fun this time," Peter said with a smirk. "I won't interfere as much."
---