The communication ended. The gods withdrew.
V turned to the two NetWatch agents and said, "I've had rooms prepared for you at Konpeki Plaza. All expenses will be covered by Arasaka 2077. You've come a long way—get some rest, take it easy for a few days."
That was clearly a polite dismissal.
The male NetWatch agent had witnessed everything from start to finish. He knew the tide had turned. To be honest, he felt a bit like a rabbit mourning the fox—but after a moment's thought, he realized this was also a chance to correct mistakes and start over.
NetWatch's upper echelon had grown blindly arrogant long ago. They deserved to have their eyes washed clean—washed with their own blood.
"President V, most people in NetWatch are good people. They've always worked diligently to protect humanity. I hope you—"
"Relax," V said, patting him on the shoulder. "I know where to draw the line."
She was the one being investigated, yet she was more trustworthy than those who had ordered the investigation.
Why?
Because V had already proven herself through action.
So when she spoke, the NetWatch agent believed her.
When she spoke, the corporations believed her.
And when she spoke again, the world would believe her too.
As Xu Shiming had said, this entire incident was nothing but a farce. Jefferson Peralez's so-called exposé was meaningless—no matter how many words he spoke, they wouldn't equal a single sentence spoken by V herself.
The only reason she hadn't spoken yet was because the time wasn't right.
Whether the powerful liked it or not, this was now the Age of V.
One person—suppressing the entire world.
"K… do they really want me to be the head of NetWatch?" the female NetWatch agent asked nervously inside the Arasaka 2077 AV. "I don't even know how to do that job."
"It's simple," the male agent said with a smile. "Just follow V's lead."
Leaving the inner thoughts of the two NetWatch agents aside, V contacted two more people.
Joanne Koch and Xu Ling appeared on the big screen.
Joanne's hair was a mess, her eyes swollen—clearly suffering from severe sleep deprivation. "I hate anything that isn't research-related," she said. "So just give the order, V. Let's end this quickly."
Xu Ling looked just as disheveled, eyes puffy too—but in the way of someone who had slept too much. "You Night City people really have endless bullshit. But the old man told me to help, so just say the word—who to kill, where to kill them, and how many."
The contrast between the two was stark.
V shook her head. "It's just an ordinary politician. No need for you to step in. I've got this."
Xu Ling yawned. "Then why'd you call us?"
V smiled. "Stout's coming back. I called you to welcome her, of course."
Xu Ling's eyes lit up instantly. "Drinking?! Then I'm not sleepy anymore! Wait for me—don't start without me! Fuck, where are my underwear?!"
Joanne Koch was also pleased to hear Meredith Stout was returning. As she stripped off her lab coat, she said, "The only thing that can pull me away from research is friends—especially when that friend is the President of New America. Out of respect, I'll go take a shower first. But we're on the same side later, alright? I've never seen a president puke before."
V figured a puking president probably didn't look much different from a drunk street bum.
Still, Joanne's suggestion sounded fun. No reason to refuse.
"Alright. Airport, later."
The call ended.
Soon, news of the President of New America visiting Night City spread across the world.
President Meredith Stout gave a televised speech aboard Air Force One, stating:
"New America fully supports NetWatch's investigative actions and will always stand firmly against rogue AIs, defending humanity's collective interests. I am a close personal friend of V, and I share deep ties with Night City. I firmly believe that neither V nor Night City has colluded with rogue AIs, and I also believe NetWatch's investigation is not groundless. Therefore, if this incident turns out to be a misunderstanding—a false report—then there must be vile individuals behind it."
The moment the speech aired, the people of Night City finally relaxed—while NetWatch nearly jumped through the roof.
Anyone with eyes could tell: Meredith Stout was using indirect insults.
V was innocent.
NetWatch launching an investigation to protect humanity was reasonable.
So the only ones at fault were those who ordered the investigation.
Inside NetWatch headquarters, the director exploded in rage.
"Who is she calling vile?! Who the hell is she calling vile?! You said we shouldn't touch Night City—now look at how arrogant these people are! We're the ones who saved humanity! We're the saviors! I'm not trying to show off how great I am—I just want back the dignity we deserve! What's wrong with that?!"
The subordinates were fired up, loudly condemning New America and Night City alike, vowing to deal with V first and then go after Meredith Stout. NetWatch should stand supreme above all!
Then Militech released a statement—same tone, same implication as the President's.
The subordinates started to panic. Even the director felt uneasy, though he forced himself to remain calm.
"Relax. New America and Militech wear the same pants. It's all bluffing—they can't scare us."
That made sense. Everyone relaxed again.
Then Biotechnica released a statement.
Same message: trust V, support NetWatch's investigation—but added one more line.
If nothing is found, then something must be wrong somewhere.
If the investigated party isn't wrong, and the investigation itself isn't wrong, then the problem must lie with the one who ordered it.
Only then did the NetWatch director realize—it was aimed at him.
Cold sweat instantly soaked his temples.
Seeing his subordinates staring at him, he forced a smile. "V has quite the network, I'll give her that. But don't worry—we have connections too. I'll make a few calls."
Before he could dial, Kang Tao, ESA, the European Bank, Sinopec, Petrochem, and other megacorps released statements one after another.
Different wording. Same meaning.
"You can investigate—but if you find nothing, don't blame us for losing our temper."
The NetWatch conference room fell into dead silence.
One or two corporations might not scare NetWatch—but when over half the megacorps turned against them, NetWatch had no room to resist.
"Quick!" the director snapped, slamming the table. "Get K to explain things to V!"
K didn't answer.
You made me your scapegoat back then. Since I didn't die, someone else has to.
The male NetWatch agent spoke earnestly to the female agent. "Remember this lesson. Hackers excel on the Net. Playing politics is using your weakness against others' strengths—and it'll get you killed every time."
She nodded repeatedly, then pleaded, "K, let's go drink at the bar. I've never even seen booze this expensive!"
"Drink? Memorize V's Habits and Preferences first. This is for your own good," he said, tossing her a chip.
She groaned and slotted it into her neural port. When she looked up, she saw him walking toward the door.
"K, where are you going?"
"First-floor bar to drink. You've never seen booze this expensive—neither have I."
Female agent: "..."
Jefferson Peralez's exposé had thrown Night City into chaos.
The megacorps turning their guns on NetWatch threw the entire world into chaos.
And the mastermind behind it all—V—was getting blackout drunk with old friends in a private room at the Afterlife.
Xu Ling went down first. Joanne Koch followed. Alcohol already helped with sleep, and drinking with close friends was the best sedative of all.
V pulled Xu Ling out from under the table and laid her beside Joanne on the couch. Meredith Stout took off her presidential jacket and draped it over them.
"Pretty generous," V teased.
The blonde executive woman grinned easily. "It's just clothes."
They exchanged a smile, as if returning to the very beginning.
"How does it feel to be president?"
"Exhausting. Amazing. By the way—how did you piss off NetWatch again?"
"I didn't. They came looking for me."
"Then NetWatch really has a death wish. How are you handling this?"
"Pull the radish, bring out the mud. Whoever caused trouble gets caught—until we find the real mastermind."
"Heard it's a rogue AI?"
"That's right."
"You can handle it?"
"No problem. Songbird's with me."
"Oh. Then yeah—no problem at all. Call me if you need backup."
"Will do. Today's for welcoming you back—no work talk. Just drink."
"Good. Drink till we drop."
Only Meredith Stout could keep up with V's drinking. One glass after another—they drank until total collapse.
When they woke up, Jefferson Peralez had already been bagged and dragged back.
No gun in hand, and you dare challenge the emperor of Night City?
What, you filming a cartoon?
"Let's go." V downed a shot of tequila to sober up and tossed the glass aside. "Time to work."
Meredith lit a cigar. Joanne injected herself with a banned stimulant. Xu Ling kicked the door open like a street tyrant.
Four people—none of them looked like decent human beings. Pure villains, all of them.
Jefferson Peralez was a handsome middle-aged man—polite, upright, respectable. He'd been giving a street speech when arrested. Now in Arasaka Tower's executive office, even facing V, he remained calm.
"Your arrest of me is neither legal nor reasonable. It is a grave violation of judicial fairness. The people of Night City will speak for justice and prove that this city is not Arasaka's personal dictatorship!"
Before he finished, Jenkins slapped him hard across the face.
"Bullshit! We're Arasaka 2077!"
He corrected only one thing.
Everything else was actually true.
Well—one more thing was wrong.
The people of Night City were speaking—but not for justice.
They were speaking for V.
Jenkins went for psychological execution too. He switched the holographic screen to News Channel 54.
Outside Jefferson Peralez's apartment building, protesters packed the streets—holding signs, crossing out his portrait, using his mother as the epicenter and his ancestors as the blast radius in a relentless verbal carpet bombing. Night City slang flew nonstop, censorship beeps rattling like a telegraph machine.
"Now you see where public opinion stands? Justice, my ass. Where do you think justice comes from? Justice was shot back with V's guns! Without V, justice would still be selling ass at Clouds! And you dare frame V—your conscience get eaten by dogs?!"
Jefferson Peralez remained stubborn. Even beaten and cursed bloody, he refused to budge.
"This isn't framing. V colluding with rogue AIs is a fact!"
Another slap.
"You say it's a fact and it's a fact? Rumors are easy, debunking takes miles. Where's the evidence?!"
"Just make V do a full-body scan and the truth will be revealed! Do you dare?!"
He stared at V. V looked at Jenkins.
Jenkins froze—then understood—and slapped him again.
Only then did V speak. "A body scan? Sure. I'll do it. But I suspect you also colluded with rogue AIs. You scan too. Dare?"
"Of course I dare!" Jefferson puffed out his chest, standing like a warrior of truth. "My conscience is clear. I fear no test!"
V laughed. "Your words. You go first. No problem?"
"Of course not!"
The scan was handled by Joanne Koch. Jefferson had worried about fairness—but V made the scan a global livestream, putting him at ease.
"After my scan, it's your turn, V. I'll expose your true face before the entire world!" Jefferson vowed.
V nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, yeah, absolutely."
"V, you'll pay for your arrogance!"
Shouting that, Jefferson lay on the medical bed. The scan began.
Countless people around the world stared unblinking at their screens.
Then—
"Mr. Stud. All night. Every night."
"FUCK!!!"
Different skin colors, beliefs, nationalities—humanity united in one universal language.
V was very satisfied. The more people cursed, the higher the ratings. She'd paid real money for this global broadcast—of course she wanted returns.
Thankfully, Mr. Stud ads were always brief. Twelve seconds later, the feed returned to the medical bed.
Dr. Joanne Koch personally conducted the scan, orange light sweeping upward across Jefferson Peralez's body.
"Bilateral leg cyberware: no abnormalities. Digestive system: no abnormalities. Bilateral arm cyberware: no abnormalities. Respiratory system: no abnormalities. Synthetic larynx: no abnormalities. Optical implants: no abnormalities…"
With each "no abnormalities," Jefferson's expression grew more triumphant. He spoke for humanity, fought for all mankind, and had always installed cyberware cautiously—there couldn't be any issues.
Then the alarm sounded.
The beam halted at his brain. Continuous warning tones filled the room.
"Abnormalities detected in the brain. Seventy-seven percent of neurons show clear signs of postnatal modification. I don't know who did this, but these newly formed neural connections prove that someone has, in theory, taken control of Jefferson Peralez's brain."
Joanne projected a hologram of the brain—red for original tissue, blue for modified areas. Blue covered almost the entire brain, especially the brainstem, glowing deep violet.
Viewers gasped. They might not understand medicine, but they knew brain modification meant altered memory and cognition.
The one who couldn't accept it was Jefferson himself. He nearly screamed:
"That's impossible! This is a trick! My brain is fine! I have free will! I know exactly what I'm doing!"
"You know what you're doing?" V sneered. "Then tell me—how often do you visit your brother's grave?"
"My brother? I don't have a brother! I'm an only child!"
V looked at Sasha. Sasha immediately displayed a household registry record on the stream—clearly showing Jefferson Peralez had an older brother.
The world was stunned. So was Jefferson.
"Want me to bring people from your hometown to testify?" V asked.
That single, ordinary sentence shattered his mental defenses.
"What the fuck is going on?! Who messed with my head?! Biotechnica? Arasaka? Kang Tao?!"
"None of them," V answered. "Night Corp."
"That's impossible! Night Corp is just a materials company!"
"Is it?"
V gestured. Jackie entered the stream, bringing a short-haired woman—the same one V had rescued from an ice bath in the Scavs' den in the prologue of her previous life.
This time around, V hadn't been fired—so it had been Jackie's solo job.
The woman was excited to see V, a figure famous worldwide—but quickly remembered her task. At V's signal, she stepped forward and held up a small chip.
"My name is Sandra Dorsett. I'm a senior employee of Night Corp. After more than a year of undercover investigation, I have conclusive evidence that Night Corp is secretly conducting an illegal experiment called Life Is Short. This experiment uses an AI codenamed CN-07 to alter human brains, with the evil goal of controlling humanity."
The world was shaken.
V colluding with rogue AIs had been rumor.
Night Corp controlling human minds was hard evidence.
Jefferson Peralez's exposé was child's play.
Sandra Dorsett's revelation was the real big exposure.
V's face turned cold.
"From this moment on, Night Corp is classified as an illegal organization. Night City will arrest its key members. Any resistance—open fire."