"Director, this is the consolidated research data report on Test Subject No. 32. Also, the field team has sent back their on-site trial report. Please have a look."
The chandelier on the ceiling cast a soft golden glow. The spacious, well-lit office showed no trace of gloom.
Under the bright light, the ornamental greenery appeared even more vibrant, and the minimalist yet luxurious office style reflected its owner's refined taste.
On the glossy brown desk stood a pair of arms. Above them, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a rigid demeanor.
Standing beside him was a shapely blonde secretary, slightly bent forward as she handed over the tablet in her hands.
Technically, this kind of physical report handoff was redundant. In this day and age, most data could be accessed through a single chip—there was no real need to physically bring over a tablet.
But for reasons that could not be openly stated, the female secretary always insisted on personally delivering these materials to Goodwin.
However, Goodwin appeared unfazed. His expression remained calm as he pulled the screen toward himself and instructed blandly:
"Next time, just put the data on a storage chip and bring that. My time is valuable—I don't have the leisure to wait while you hand over a computer."
The secretary's expression shifted slightly, but she nodded.
"Understood, Director."
As he scanned the data and reports on the screen, Goodwin initially kept his composure. But as he read further down, his face showed a rare flicker of surprise.
"There was an incident during the field test…?" he murmured.
Everything that had occurred near Lizzie's Bar regarding the test subject was documented in the report on the screen.
Things had started off according to plan, but as he continued reading, the deviation became clear.
No—one could say the mishap occurred right at the beginning of the test.
A boy who shouldn't have been present at the testing site had completely destroyed their pride and joy with his razor-sharp knife skills and a Sandevistan.
Though the rampage module was nearly fully tested and all necessary data had been collected, this final field test was supposed to be a live demonstration of its effectiveness.
Regardless of the outcome, the test subject was destined to die.
But for it all to be derailed so suddenly—for a random unknown punk to shred both the rampage module and a carefully chosen test subject to bits…
Even someone like Goodwin, who prided himself on being composed and well-tempered, couldn't help but feel a twinge of displeasure.
"What does the intel department say about this boy?"
Goodwin tapped his fingers on the desk and stared intently at the face of the young man on the screen.
"So far, there's no trace of him. He's not on the list of persons of interest. Follow-up investigation will be difficult. In the Americas, our influence still pales in comparison to megacorps like Militech," the secretary responded.
"Hmph. Then inform them that I don't care what his status was before—from this moment on, this boy is now a primary surveillance target!"
Goodwin barked the order.
The secretary nodded. "Understood."
Goodwin fell silent for a moment, then glanced back at the data on his screen and asked:
"Is the industrial chain for the new product set up? What's the word from production?"
"The production chain for the Rampage Module Type-3 has been completed. However, since our own field tests are technically unfinished, production has yet to begin. The press release hasn't been scheduled, and marketing hasn't started. We still have time to test reliability."
The secretary replied professionally.
Goodwin chuckled dismissively and leaned back in his chair.
"Let the other departments worry about that. We've already done our part. Further tests will just waste research funds. Tell the production team the module has passed inspection. Start manufacturing immediately."
The secretary looked stunned. "But this version of the module still has a risk of inducing cyberpsychosis, and some side effects haven't been resolved. Isn't it too early to push it to market?"
Goodwin folded his hands on the desk, eyes scanning the rows of data as he sneered:
"The best and cheapest test subjects in the world… are the ignorant masses."
"I understand your concern—public backlash, negative press? Leave that to PR and Legal. Remember, our target market is the low- to mid-tier: the marginalized, ordinary citizens, and the military."
"The masses chase what's new and cool. The military chases cost-performance. If this thing turns soldiers into cyberpsychos on the battlefield, hell, they might even like the results..."
The secretary remained silent, quietly listening to Goodwin's tirade.
This new rampage module was his pride and joy. Once the topic came up, he would ramble endlessly.
Although she'd only recently started this job, she was already getting a feel for her boss's temperament.
After a long while, when Goodwin finally calmed down, she cautiously asked:
"Director, regarding the recovery of that test subject… should we continue?"
"That's not our concern. Let someone else handle it," Goodwin waved her off impatiently.
Just a test subject. As long as the data had been harvested, its purpose was fulfilled.
This field trial may have had a hiccup, but every function had been tested. He couldn't care less whether the subject lived or died.
Noticing the secretary still standing by hesitantly, clearly waiting for more instructions, Goodwin's tone softened a bit.
"Leave the computer. If there's nothing else, get back to work. With tonight's incident, you'll have to stay late. You've done well—better than my last secretary. I'll consider officially transferring you to full-time staff."
The secretary didn't object. Or rather, she had no right to object to the "overtime" order. She simply nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"You're even more capable than your sister. If she were still alive, I'm sure she'd be proud of you. I'm sorry about what happened… For the record, the compensation payment back then was issued under my personal name. Consider it a token of remorse."
For once, a trace of guilt flickered across Goodwin's stern face.
The secretary stood silently by, the fringe of her hair casting a shadow over her eyes.
"Oh right, one more thing—almost forgot," Goodwin added with a smile. "Next Friday night—are you free? Want to have dinner at Yu Jin's with me? My treat."
"No problem, Director." The secretary blushed faintly and lowered her head.
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🧠💻 MY CYBERPUNK 2077 SIMULATOR 💻🧠
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📢 SYSTEM ONLINE! 📢
My Cyberpunk 2077 Simulator has 100+ chapters ahead available on Patreon! 💾🔥
Enter Night City with a simulator, a system, and the kind of advantage most mercs would kill for.
But this is still Night City.
And in a world ruled by corpos, bullets, chrome, gangs, and cyberpsychos, even a cheat-like power doesn't guarantee survival.
⚙️ Level up.
🔫 Fight harder.
🌃 Stay alive.
💀 Or get swallowed by the city.
Read ahead now before the public readers catch up!
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🛑 ALSO AVAILABLE ON PATREON:
🌃 Cyberpunk: Dogtown Legend
🔥 Cyberpunk: The Relentless
👩👦 Cyberpunk: Lucy Adopted Me and I Got a System
🤖 My Girlfriend's a Cyberpsycho—Who Knew?
🛡️ Star Wars: The Rise of Mandalore
🌌 Star Wars: Relics of the Past
🏰 Game of Thrones: Secrets Beneath the Dreadfort
⚡ The Rebirth of Harry Potter
🌹 R18: Reincarnated in Her World
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