Meanwhile, in the plaza outside Konpeki Plaza, Axel lounged comfortably in a beach chair, having changed into casual beachwear.
Behind him, an Arasaka employee massaged his shoulders. Every movement brought her close enough to brush against him, but Axel paid little attention.
To his right, a female member of the Tyger Claws knelt beside him, holding fruit and drinks.
At his feet, two older women knelt attentively.
They were not ordinary employees. Both were senior executives from Arasaka's Night City branch.
Despite their age, they maintained polished appearances and carried themselves with the confidence of corporate elites.
Enjoying the attention, Axel lifted his glass and looked at Rogue, who sat across from him with one leg crossed over the other.
"Rogue, how much time has passed?"
"Axel, if you're going to wait, you should learn some patience.
It's only been a little over forty minutes since you announced your challenge to the media.
Arasaka responded immediately, but transporting Adam Smasher here still takes time.
If you're truly bored, and not worried about losing to Smasher..."
Rogue paused and gestured toward the women surrounding him.
"Then you could always find a room upstairs in Konpeki Plaza."
"Heh."
Axel shook his head.
"You're suggesting I disappear upstairs with them before Adam Smasher gets here?"
His gaze swept across the women around him.
One of the executives at his feet looked up with unmistakable anticipation.
The expression immediately soured Axel's mood.
Without much effort, he picked up a grape from a nearby plate and flicked it forward.
The grape shot through the woman's eye and exited the back of her skull.
"Damn it."
Axel waved dismissively toward the distant crowd.
"Another corporate drone. Learn some self-awareness."
Then he turned back toward Rogue.
"You know, Rogue, whatever satisfaction I could get from disappearing upstairs isn't even close to what I'm enjoying right now.
Look around. How many people are watching?
For a moment, it feels like the entire world is focused on me.
Isn't that exhilarating?
Power, strength, money, I've already got access to all of that. Those things stopped being exciting a long time ago.
What still interests me is standing at the center of everything.
That's the real thrill."
He laughed loudly.
Rogue swallowed and nodded.
"If I had your level of power, maybe I'd feel the same way."
His eyes drifted toward the executive lying dead nearby.
The remaining executive trembled slightly before gathering the courage to speak.
"Mr. Axel, Naomi only wanted to serve you. She meant no har..."
Before she could finish, Axel casually spat.
The impact instantly destroyed her head.
"Wow."
Rogue gave a few slow claps.
Watching fresh blood stain the area around his feet, Axel smirked.
"You're good at this, Rogue. That applause almost makes me feel appreciated."
"What can I say? I haven't survived this long without learning a few things."
As Rogue spoke, a flicker of digital activity passed through his optics.
A moment later, he looked back at Axel.
"I received another message.
This one comes from the Mayor of Night City.
I checked the source. He's acting on behalf of Biotechnica.
That pretty much confirms you aren't connected to them. Otherwise they wouldn't need to approach you through intermediaries."
"Haha, of course I'm not some Biotechnica asset."
Axel waved dismissively.
"So what does the mayor want?"
"No request for a meeting yet. Just an invitation from Biotechnica delivered through him."
"Heh."
Axel leaned back.
"An invitation?
Why exactly do they think they're qualified to invite me?
Tell me something. Does the mayor have a daughter?"
"Yes."
"Good. Send me a picture."
He paused.
"Actually, never mind. I don't have any cyberware for file transfers.
Rogue, can you get me a portable computer? Something that works normally without needing neural links?"
"No problem."
Rogue immediately signaled one of his subordinates.
At the same time, new attendants arrived while the bodies were removed.
The replacement women approached nervously.
Axel beckoned with a finger.
Both hurried over.
He rested a hand against one woman's side before casually patting her hip, treating the entire situation as though it were perfectly ordinary.
Far away in the crowd, Mann's crew stood speechless.
Dorio stared at Axel and slowly exhaled.
"Can someone really become that powerful?"
"Yeah," Pila muttered enviously. "He can do whatever he wants. Even MAX-TAC just stands back and watches."
Nearby, Rebecca's eyes glowed pink.
She pumped a fist into the air.
"This is awesome! Dead corporate suits everywhere!"
"Rebecca, that's not awesome at all," Lucy replied. "He's just another tyrant. What he's doing is disgusting."
The moment she finished speaking, Mann and the others noticed something strange.
Axel suddenly turned his head.
Despite the enormous distance and the MAX-TAC officers standing between them, his gaze locked directly onto Lucy.
An uneasy chill ran through her.
Some instinct told her that Axel was staring specifically at her.
Lucy swallowed and immediately looked away.
At the same time, Axel's attention shifted elsewhere.
Her eyes widened.
Could he really hear conversations from that far away?
What kind of monster was he?
Back near Konpeki Plaza, Rogue continued speaking.
"As long as you survive today, the mayor's daughter won't be your biggest opportunity.
If you wanted someone far more influential, they'd probably line up for the chance to meet you.
That's how much power victory today would give you.
So, do you want to see the mayor?"
"No."
Axel dismissed the idea instantly.
"After dealing with Smasher, I'm heading to Arasaka headquarters in Japan.
A mayor isn't important enough to interrupt my schedule.
Tell him to get in line if he wants a meeting."