"An attack? That was quick." The surprise on Arasaka Sesen's face faded almost instantly, as if he had anticipated something like this. Shak
"An attack? That was quick."
The surprise on Arasaka Sesen's face faded almost instantly, as if he had anticipated something like this.
Shaking his head slightly, he turned to Karl.
"Looks like people already know you're working as my bodyguards."
"Well, it's not exactly a secret," Karl replied calmly.
Sesen had previously informed Konpeki Plaza's internal staff and issued access credentials to Karl's team. There were plenty of points in that process where a leak could have occurred. It was hard to say exactly where it happened.
"If someone managed to rig a delivery with explosives, I don't think I trust the hotel's food anymore."
Ironically, takeout was one of the hardest delivery methods to tamper with.
Karl recalled how, in his original world, a U.S. president had famously favored fast food. His staff would randomly select a chain near his location and personally monitor the entire cooking process—making it safer than custom-prepared meals.
Even in Night City, this principle held true. Despite being hated by certain gangs and scavvers, Karl and his team had never had a meal poisoned or sabotaged—until today.
And the only difference?
This time, the food had been ordered for Arasaka Sesen.
No trouble before. Sesen shows up—and suddenly, there's a bomb in the lunch. If even a secure drone delivery could be tampered with, how safe could the hotel kitchen really be?
After thinking for a moment, Karl came up with an idea.
"There should be a fire alarm system in here."
He looked to Sesen.
"Mr. Sesen, can you grant me partial access to the suite's security protocols?"
"You're my bodyguards," Sesen said.
If he was trusting them with his life, this was just a formality.
Once granted the access, Karl followed up.
"That guest you're expecting—what time will they arrive?"
"Scheduled for four o'clock."
Karl glanced at the time—11:10 a.m.
Plenty of time.
"Do you trust how I handle security?"
"I chose your team. I won't interfere in the details."
Smart man. Knew when to stay out of a specialist's lane.
"Oliver," Karl called out. "You and Jack—can you head back and grab something for me? I need it here within thirty minutes."
"Grab something?" Oliver blinked—then shared a look with Jack. Both seemed to understand.
"Trust my driving," Oliver said. "Twenty minutes. Easy."
"Then I'm counting on you."
With Sesen's approval, Karl restructured their formation. He and V remained behind; Jack and Oliver left.
Two guards instead of four—clearly riskier. Sesen didn't know what Karl had planned, but he didn't question it.
Karl then placed a call to room service.
Didn't he just say he didn't trust the food?
Exactly. He was setting up a test.
The food arrived fast. Per Karl's instructions, no one accompanied the cart—just the automated service elevator.
Karl stood protectively in front of Sesen. V moved forward cautiously toward the food cart.
No explosion. No sound. Everything seemed normal—but V stayed tense.
His Sandevistan implant was ready to trigger at the slightest anomaly. He'd drag Sesen out if things went south.
He lifted the dish covers.
Steam rose.
They held their breath. Internal air sensors registered the change.
No abnormalities. Just hot food vapor.
Five steaks.
V scanned them using his optics. Then, picking up the utensils, he sliced into one of the steaks.
Sizzle.
Juices flowed.
Still nothing.
"Food checks out," V reported.
"Does it?" Karl eyed the aquarium. "Stab a piece of the steak and toss it in the tank."
V obeyed.
Moments later—
"I'm going to need more fish in here," Sesen said flatly, watching the decorative fish float to the surface, belly-up. "And we'll need a full sweep of the kitchen."
This was Sesen's first official meal ordered since arriving—and someone had already tried to kill him.
"Poor fish," Karl sighed.
"So the meat was clean. The knife was clean. But left together for long enough—something toxic forms."
He glanced at V. "They rigged the reaction. Alone, each item's harmless. But combined? Lethal."
"They knew we'd check and still went for it," V said. "Whoever's behind it probably fled the moment it failed."
He turned to Sesen.
"Mr. Sesen, it's safe to say you're not exactly welcome in Night City."
"Not unwelcome—just underrepresented. I have too few people here, and they think they can take me out before reinforcements arrive."
Then he muttered something neither V nor Karl quite understood.
"He's getting impatient."
He?
Before they could ask who, Jack and Oliver returned.
And they brought exactly what Karl had asked for.
-
-
-
🔥 Cyberpunk: The Relentless
📢 Chooms, Listen Up! 📢
You can now jack in and get 100 chapters ahead on Patreon for Cyberpunk: The Relentless! 💾🔥
Stay synced with the chrome, the carnage, and the chaos—early access is stacked and ready. 🧠💀
🛑 Plus, discover exclusive novels only on Patreon, including:
R18: Reincarnated in Her World
Cyberpunk: Lucy Adopted Me and I Got a System
Cyberpunk: The Relentless
My Girlfriend's a Cyberpsycho—Who Knew?
My Cyberpunk 2077 Simulator
The Rebirth of Harry Potter
Dragon King of Ice and Fire
Star Wars: Relics of the Past
🔗 Join here: www.patreon.com/c/MrMagnus
👤 Patreon name: SrMagnus🐦 Follow on Twitter: https://x.com/SrMagnusBook
⚠️ Remember, I'll always post more chapters of the novel that gets the most Power Stones!