Players Invade Cyberpunk-Chapter 898 - 291: It’s Hard to Hold Your Head High After Breaking the Tiles

As the biggest middleman in Dog Town, Handz might not have stronger connections than Gago's upper echelons, but his grip on the people at the lower levels of Dog Town is rock solid.

Many corporate dogs who fled to Dog Town took Handz's route, and nine out of ten mercenaries, smugglers, and middlemen active in Dog Town have relationships with Handz — some deep, some shallow.

These are his bargaining chips, and also his value.

No matter which company moves into Dog Town, if they want to continue operations, they have no choice but to cooperate with him.

However...

Horizon Corporation is not like other companies; Tiger Claw Gang, Valentino, Vortex Gang... which one of them isn't a local power like him? 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The reality is, if Handz wants to oppose Lin Miao, this company might kill him faster than Huang Ban could.

For survival, for profit, for the future, the best way Handz can find is to actively cooperate, even if it seems like capitulation to outsiders.

Therefore, even though surprised by Handz allowing them to comply with Horizon Corporation's seemingly absurd demands, Jason and Brianna were left with no choice but to follow orders.

On one hand, Horizon Corporation publicly overpowered Hansen's influence, and on the other hand, Horizon Mercenaries' long-standing policy of not causing harm to locals and their business logic has left the company's reputation fairly decent, not inciting much backlash.

Just when Horizon Corporation staff arrived at the Waste Yard to start work a few days later, the locals were still somewhat unaccustomed.

In front of the tree at the center square of the Waste Yard, hanging from the branches, a red banner displayed a line of yellow English, translated as

[Long Beach Waste Yard Relocation Residents Committee]

A few burly, fierce-looking men carried small stools, sat at a long table, and began their preparation work.

This committee is not only a relocation organization summoned by Lin Miao using Jason and his team, but it's also a nascent form of the grassroots government office that will exist long-term in the future Taiping Continent residential area.

Inside, apart from local celebrities like Jason and Brianna, there are also employees from Horizon Corporation.

These employees are neither players nor temporary workers hired in Night City, but Chaotic Blade Association members who underwent half a year of transformation at Dragon Field.

Their original sharp edges and outlaw spirits have been worn away in Dragon Field, and those selected for government tasks are typically outstanding achievers with proper attitudes.

Six months is already enough to change too many things that even if their selves from half a year ago, still rampant in Evil Land, stood in front of them now, they wouldn't recognize themselves.

Moreover, unlike those big-headed corporate dogs in Night City, these Chaotic Blade Association members in Dragon Field had a fulfilling six months of life, their bulky inverted triangular physique suffices to ensure any idiot communicates with them peacefully.

"How... uh... do we start the work?"

Jason speaks with caution, fearing being punched to death by this guy who looks more like a mercenary than a corporate dog.

Alongside him are the weapon shop, clothing store, pharmacy, and bar owners. These people are local powers, and logically speaking, tearing down the Waste Yard should be a heavy blow to them, but defenselessly, the guns are not in their hands, and Lin Miao's resolute stance is already set.

I will buy all your goods at market price, leaving you one store afterwards, don't think of asking for more.

Follow me, live

Oppose me, perish

A gathering place for criminals and refugees, dying there is all too common.

William White took out a stack of paper documents, solemnly addressing these local powers

"The primary task of the Residents Committee is to inform every resident in the Waste Yard about the significance of this relocation. We must ensure everyone knows and understands the compensation measures for relocation, including work content, training, future residences, and new laws..."

"Additionally, all work must be documented. The entire conversation process needs to be filmed with machines present..."

"Download this relocation app for them, anyone registering can give opinions on the relocation work or report bad attitudes of the Residents Committee members..."

This bunch of guys... is really fanatical...

"Also, find someone to hang these at the most prominent places in the Waste Yard."

William presented a bunch of banners and posters, which read

[Rebuild Dog Town, It's Everyone's Responsibility][Rebuild Dog Town with Our Own Hands][Move Into New Homes, Reclaim New Life] class slogans

While the promotional focus is simple and efficient, Jason somehow feels a rustic vibe; these are definitely not the kind of slogans viral-marketing-savvy companies would create — crude yet straightforward.

Besides, William also brought a batch of projection equipment to use simple cartoon animations for promotion. However, since these were made by some fanatical group, they included personal content

[You! Yes, you! My Super Citizen! I need you to move into your new home right now! Start a new super life!]

[Clean water, bright environment, stable work, now please start fulfilling your duty as a Super Earth citizen immediately!]

Below is a line of print that's difficult to see with the naked eye

[Those who refuse to fulfill citizen duties will be charged with treason, sent to the range for execution]

"What if someone disagrees?"

The weapon shop owner asked the question everyone had in mind.