Mann couldn't believe his eyes. Just moments ago, Jiang Heng and Faraday were laughing and chatting, but now they were at each other's throats.
Still, he stepped in to support Jiang Heng, saying, "Faraday, making such a commotion last night was indeed our oversight, but everyone knows how difficult this mission was. Now that we've succeeded, you don't need to be so petty, do you?"
Faraday, his four eyes still fixed on Jiang Heng, replied calmly, "You're right. Results are all that matter. The commission for this job is settled, and I'll transfer your share, three-tenths, without fail."
After a moment of contemplation, Faraday continued, "However, I have another commission. I wonder if you're willing to take it?"
"What do you mean, willing? Could it be more dangerous than breaking into the Biotechnological Tower to steal their tech data?" Mann scoffed.
"Haha, you're right. This commission might be difficult for others, but for you, it should be a piece of cake. Let's take a look at the details, then."
Faraday chuckled, saying nothing more. He then pulled out a chip and handed it to Mann.
Mann took the chip and, without hesitation, inserted it into the slot behind his ear. His eyes lit up with a burst of light.
Mann: "Steal Arasaka Academy's educational materials? This job is interesting."
Why would anyone want to steal educational materials? Well, it's not as simple as that.
In this world, corporations control and monopolize everything, including education resources.
Especially after the Fourth Corporate War, Night City has become a cultural wasteland.
And it all boils down to the legendary hacker, Ratchelt Bartmoss.
Ratchelt's virus caused a global network meltdown. Eventually, under the efforts of Netwatch, Night City built a firewall, creating a relatively secure network environment.
But this also meant that a lot of information from the old days was lost in the old net, including basic knowledge, which made it impossible for Night City residents to access it online and learn.
In present-day Night City, many ordinary children don't even know what cats and dogs look like. It's truly a cultural wasteland.
Meanwhile, corporations have various ways to excavate data from the old net, like training "mining girls" like Lucy.
Naturally, these massive corporations wouldn't just give away the information they've poured resources into obtaining. So, they built high-end schools.
Want to learn various knowledge? Sure! If you have money, you can learn anything.
Among these schools, Arasaka Academy is renowned. Backed by the mighty Arasaka empire, it's considered the best middle school in Night City, offering the most educational resources and state-of-the-art equipment.
Knowledge is power, and that adage still holds true in this era. If you could steal the educational materials from Arasaka Academy, you could sell them for a lot of money.
Hearing this mission, Jiang Heng immediately realized it was another commission from the Military-Industrial Complex, as Arasaka and the Military-Industrial Complex were sworn enemies.
…
"So, are you guys in? Arasaka Academy's ICE is incredibly strong, but I think you can handle it. After all, you have three top-tier hackers: Qiwei, Sasha, and Ms. Lucy."
Faraday stated, clearly including Jiang Heng, Lucy, and Sasha in Mann's team.
Mann didn't immediately agree. Instead, he turned to Jiang Heng, asking, "Jiang Heng, what do you think?"
Though Jiang Heng and Lucy were working with Mann's team, Mann wouldn't take the job without their consent.
"Why not? We broke into the Biotechnological Tower. What's a measly Arasaka Academy? And while Arasaka Academy is under Arasaka, it's not the actual Arasaka Corporation. No need to be timid."
Jiang Heng said, his tone somewhat arrogant.
"Haha, Mr. Jiang Heng is a man of action. Mann has been telling me about you, how amazing you are, but I didn't believe it. Now I do. Cheers, everyone, to our success!"
Faraday burst out laughing and raised his glass in a toast.
Seeing this, everyone else raised their glasses and took a sip.
However, Mann found it odd. Today's Faraday was not his usual self. This guy was very cold and reserved, never getting too close to them mercenaries for safety reasons.
Mann's team had worked with Faraday numerous times before, but he had never offered a toast or even sat down with them for a drink.
But Mann didn't dwell on it. After all, it was just a drink.
"Alright, the deal is done. I'll be on my way. The bill for this booth is on me. Enjoy yourselves tonight. And, Mr. Jiang Heng, let's stay in touch. In Night City, more friends mean more opportunities."
After finishing his drink, Faraday got up and left. As he did, he specifically addressed Jiang Heng with that final remark.
"That four-eyed freak is weird. He's like a different person today," the chubby little Lolita, Rebecca, muttered after Faraday left.
"Yeah, he's definitely strange. I really want to slice him up,"
Rebecca's words were barely out when she heard Jiang Heng's voice next to her. Turning her head, she saw that he had somehow gotten back to her side, and his big hands were already creeping towards her twin ponytails.
Jiang Heng wasn't sure why Faraday had changed his attitude so drastically, but he knew the guy was up to no good.