No matter what, aside from Li Pan himself constantly daydreaming about switching jobs, the rest of the team—after surviving their first missions—didn't mention resigning.
Headquarters responded quickly as well. As usual, they were lenient in their settlement: both the "Fountain of Youth" and "Goldshine Academy" missions were officially recognized as completed, with Kobayashi, Shiranui, and Yamazaki acknowledged for their contributions. Each of them received a formal company suit and a silver key, marking them as full-fledged members of the company.
Since they were now all part of the same team, Li Pan made some preliminary arrangements for his ragtag crew.
A-Qi and Rama would continue their partnership, managing the logistics department and warehouses, while also taking charge of personnel recruitment.
Regardless of ACA's interference, staffing had to go on. It was getting harder to find temps for headquarters, but the forty-one external warehouses still needed their staff filled.
Additionally, Li Pan handed over Liu Heitu's resume—obtained through Old Wu—to A-Qi to see if he could be recruited. That old Baji master could still fight, and surely he wanted his broken back healed. If the archive cabinet could restore Liu's combat strength, then a whole wave of Heavenly Dragon Society veterans could be headhunted as well.
As for Kobayashi, Shiranui, and Yamazaki—just judging from their ability to draft detailed investigative reports—they belonged in the business department. With more manpower he would have split them into intelligence, operations, and secretariat divisions, but for now, they would do.
Finally, Li Pan distributed their biggest assignment yet: the "Holy Grail Bidding War."
"This is a long-term company objective. Start preparing in the meantime: research the Grail's current holder, its storage location, and our competitors.
Of course, there's no rush. For now, focus on regular procurement and investigation. Also, to avoid people vanishing in the field, remember to work in pairs on assignments. Let's see…"
He was about to suggest pairing himself with Sister Shiranui—after all, even if they didn't train together, she was pleasant company—when she suddenly spoke up first.
"I've noticed some procurement cases involve Sealed Demon Artifacts. Kobayashi of the Sealing Clan, since you are the heir to your house, you must be well-versed in such sealings. Why don't we cooperate? We could transfer these unstable relics to the company for proper containment. That way the Iga won't seize them and abuse their power."
Kobayashi smiled politely.
"I had the same thought. I've long admired the skills of the Shiranui. With your experience, I'd no longer need to fear a sneak attack from Iga. Together, we'll seal the demons much more efficiently."
Li Pan almost cursed out loud. Seriously? You two? Don't drag your personal feud into work!
Then Yamazaki Ayato, the clueless infiltrator, raised his hand eagerly:
"Manager, I happen to know the family holding our current target. They're old acquaintances. Why don't we go procure the monster together? Perhaps I can persuade them to lower the price."
"…Fine," Li Pan sighed. "That's the arrangement."
So: A-Qi and Rama would handle recruitment. The two ninjas would pursue sealing cases. Li Pan and Yamazaki would handle procurement. Eighteen would stay behind on technical support… and keep an eye on the stock market curve.
Damn it, Blackcoin still hasn't recovered, and I had to dump two million in an emergency. Now I'm stuck even deeper. When will I ever hit my small target…
"Boss," Yamazaki said, "my friend already arranged clearance. We can fly straight to Sky City."
"What the hell—you've got friends in Sky City? Why are you still working a day job?"
Sky City was the most exclusive residential district above Night City, a floating arcology higher than the Cloudspires, its villas worth several small targets each. Even the gate guards were corporate security.
Yamazaki gave an embarrassed smile as he sent the intel forward.
"My grandfather once served as a bodyguard to the Imai family. I grew up with their heir—we've been friends since childhood."
"Imai family? Oh, the Sakai Port Guild, the old Oda vassal merchants…"
Li Pan skimmed through the files compiled by Yamazaki and Eighteen. Originally, the Oda were warriors, while the Sakai Guild were their merchants.
When the first Oda reformers abandoned the shogunate model and pivoted toward trade, Takamagahara Commerce was born. The warrior retainers lost importance, but the merchant guild masters became indispensable managers and advisors. Though they held no shares in Takamagahara, they received massive bonuses based on performance.
Thus, the model continued: samurai sat on the board, merchants ran operations. The Imai family, as Oda's chief merchants, became trusted managers with wealth to rival lords. Even when the board fought bitterly, everyone still relied on them for business. They were more than happy to enjoy their "paid vacation."
Their hovercar, guided by auto-nav, arrived at Sky City's Sakai Port.
The place was essentially a refitted colony-ship kept hovering midair for no reason other than extravagance. It could have docked on the ground or in orbit—keeping it afloat was simply burning money for style.
The difference from Night City was stark: down below was cyberpunk grit, up here was atomic-age luxury. Autonomous shuttles zipped through pristine skies, and the residents—all with sixth-level augmentations and their personal Medicare Orbs—walked about in tailored ultramodern fashion.
(For the uninitiated, Medicare Orbs were high-tech drones, each one custom-grown by offworld insurers, costing millions monthly. They offered 24/7 monitoring, instant battlefield triage, nanite restructuring, atmospheric purification, and even consciousness backup with body insurance. In short: you could nuke the whole city, and these elites would resurrect without a scratch.)
Guided by porcelain-smooth android attendants—each a QVN-networked chassis capable of transforming into a killing machine—they were led through the maze of villas to a bar-lounge where Yamazaki's friend awaited.
Imai Shōichirō reclined upstairs with three women and another young man, half-drifting in VR. As the androids led the visitors in, he logged off, floated down, and greeted them.
"Long time no see, Ayato. Have a seat. What'll you drink?"
Li Pan gave him a once-over: blond, blue-eyed, every bone replaced by top-grade augmentations, his spine outfitted with anti-gravity implants. A literal superman, far beyond anything manufactured locally. Everyone in his entourage was the same—platinum-tier elites with their hovering Medicare Orbs.
Unlike groundfolk, these "skyfolk" carried an aura of eternal leisure. They lounged in paradise gardens, idly surfing the Net, sipping liquor, their fortunes multiplying automatically thanks to legions of corporate drones working below. They were genuine heirs of infinite wealth: no power struggles, no obligations—just endless consumption.
"Mr. Imai," Yamazaki said warmly, "this is Manager Li from our company. As we discussed, we've come hoping to purchase a certain item from your collection."
Imai's smile was gentle but detached.
"You don't need to be so formal. Sit, have a drink. I've got a master's bourbon here—twelve years, charred oak, caramel and smoke—no longer in production. A shame not to share."
He pulled Yamazaki over to the bar with easy familiarity.
Li Pan was about to follow, eager for a taste, when Imai stopped him with a polite gesture toward another room.
"The item you requested is prepared. You may inspect it."
Oh, for fuck's sake. Won't even pour me a glass? Damn rich brats…
Yamazaki offered an apologetic smile, but business came first. Li Pan followed an android to the backroom.
A sandalwood chest was brought forth and opened. Inside rested the procurement target: the Golden Buddha.
It was a 50-cm standing Buddha statue from the Sukhothai Kingdom, fire-halo crown, narrow face, hooked nose, broad shoulders, slim waist, one hand raised in fearlessness, the other in granting grace. A relic symbolizing fortune and safety.
Once auctioned at a vastly inflated price, the Imai family had won it easily while Takamagahara prospered. The Monster Company, constrained by budget, could only watch.
Now, with his own eyes, Li Pan saw it clearly: the Buddha's golden sheen was tainted by black smoke, fingertips dripping red light. It was undeniably a monster.
The chest itself was inlaid with sealing talismans beneath lacquered layers, keeping the corruption in check. A flawless containment measure, sold as part of the package.
Inspection complete, Li Pan returned.
"It's genuine. Name your price."
Imai and Yamazaki exchanged a glance.
"Original purchase price," Imai said casually. "Twenty-seven million, untaxed. Invoice available."
Li Pan's face stiffened. "Too expensive. Lower it."
"Come now," Imai chuckled. "It's you who came to buy. I'm not desperate to sell. Passing it on at cost is already generous."
"Give us a discount. Call it friendship," Li Pan pressed.
Yamazaki joined in, "Yes, Ichirō. Let us take it off your hands before it causes trouble."
Imai shook his head. "It's sat in my vault for years without incident. Just a trinket, really. Still—because it's you, Ayato—I'll shave two million. Twenty-five."
Yamazaki shot Li Pan a meaningful look: That's already something. Take it.
But Li Pan hesitated. Headquarters would never approve a budget overrun this huge.
Imai smirked at his expression.
"What, can't afford it? I'm not here to give away family heirlooms for free. And since you asked, others have already made an offer."
He projected a figure.
Sixty-five million. Untaxed.
From none other than ACA, the Collector's Association.
"Damn…"
So they were already bidding against each other.
Li Pan grimaced. "Excuse me, I need to make a call."
He stepped out, haggled with headquarters, and returned.
"We'll offer ten million… for the box."
"…The box?" Imai frowned. "Cash?"
Li Pan nodded.
"Yes. Cash. We only want the chest. ACA wants the Buddha. Sell them separately—you'll make double."
Imai studied him closely. "…You really only want the box?"
Li Pan smiled faintly.
"Only the box. To prevent an incident, we'll even wait until your ACA buyer arrives. Then we'll take it. No risk, no loss."
"…So you want to meet the Collectors, is that it?"
After a pause, Imai agreed. Why not? The feud wasn't his concern. And an extra 48 million in hand was still business well done.
Thus, the deal was struck. The company bought the container for ten million. ACA would come for the Buddha that same night.
Yamazaki whispered uneasily, "Manager, is this really wise?"
Li Pan grinned.
"Headquarters approved. Free market, free competition. If ACA can't manage the Buddha, that's their problem. And if they can—well, then we steal it back. Monster contracts are always like this."
In truth, he was already scheming: if ACA paid sixty-five million, and he could seize it later and resell to headquarters… he'd pocket the difference.
Sure, the city's defenses were too tight to act now, but damn… sixty-five million. These monsters were worth more than their weight in gold.
"But what if the Buddha loses containment without the box?" Yamazaki asked nervously. "What if it destroys Night City?"
"Relax. I checked. It's not the kind that blows instantly. Ichirō said himself—it's been stable for years."
Imai returned shortly.
"The Collectors are sending agents tonight."
"Perfect," Li Pan said with a thin smile. "The sooner this is over, the better."
Imai clapped Yamazaki on the back. "Come, Ayato. Let's drink more."
Li Pan seethed silently. God, this bastard is insufferable….
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⚠️ 30 CHAPTERS AHEAD — I'm Not a Cyberpsycho ⚠️
The system says: Kill.Mercs obey. Corporates obey. Monsters obey.One man didn't.
🧠💀 "I'm not a cyberpsycho. I just think... differently."
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