Research and development

In the days following the successful heist, Chen Nuo hadn't left Delamain's workshop, spending all his time there researching the "Cyberskeleton" cybernetic implant.

This bottom-line implant, claimed to be able to reverse the market situation, indeed condensed Arasaka's most cutting-edge technology, just as they had said.

Its core capability was weight manipulation equipment.

By releasing anti-gravity devices to form a gravity field, it could directly manipulate objects or attack by crushing them with gravity.

The damage output was incredibly shocking, powerful enough to directly crush a Militech Basilisk armored vehicle.

However, to release the gravity field, a noticeable wind-up charge was required; anyone slightly agile could dodge it.

Its own defensive power was also not to be underestimated. High armor values and resistances could directly withstand missile attacks, and if paired with various cybernetic plug-ins, it could almost ignore most Netrunner network attacks.

In addition, the "Cyberskeleton" implant's combat adaptability was quite good, as it could be used in conjunction with cybernetics like the Sandevistan.

But the drawbacks were also obvious.

A normal person simply couldn't handle the burden of the "Cyberskeleton" implant; one would need to have their limbs removed to be fitted with the implanted cybernetics. It was easy to imagine how high the requirements were for the user.

Arasaka's intention to use this thing to subvert the current market landscape was purely the project manager's boasting, unless it underwent large-scale simplification to weaken the burden on the mind and body.

But if that were done, how much of its performance would remain?

Yet it was undeniable that the technological power contained within was indeed enough for Chen Nuo to study for a long time.

It was impossible for him to have it implanted into his own body, so he considered researching it to use as an exoskeleton armor instead.

Combining titan technology to create a mini titan?

If he changed the piloting method to use AI assistance, the threshold for the pilot would naturally be much lower.

Yet, no company had ever considered this technology.

The reason people in the Cyberpunk world resisted using AI and insisted on stuffing a brain into mechanical structures to pilot them was all due to a lack of trust in artificial intelligence.

The God of Netrunners, Bartmoss, had to take half the blame for this.

In the beginning, the major corporations were indeed properly developing AI, using it to pilot various weapons and equipment, and creating many types of drones.

However, after the Datakrash, most military-grade AI weapons went rogue, causing severe damage to every corporation.

Consequently, after that, the world's view of AI took a pessimistic and even confrontational path.

In fact, the situation was much worse than imagined.

Many cities had already fallen and become factories for artificial intelligence.

The sparks of war between humanity and its intelligent creations had long been lit; it just hadn't reached Night City yet.

The major corporations' continuous research into combat cybernetics wasn't just for market competition, but also to prepare in advance for future wars.

Of course, there were main reasons why the major corporations gave up on developing exoskeleton armor or even large mechs.

Besides having gone too far down the path of cyberware to turn back, more importantly, it was because the world's technological level hadn't seen a breakthrough in a long time and was even constantly regressing.

This was also Bartmoss's fault.

The Datakrash he triggered buried many cutting-edge technologies.

To the point where major corporations have now begun choosing to conduct archaeology and excavation within the Blackwall.

Chen Nuo was different. He could obtain titan-manufacturing technology from the titan world, and by combining it with the cutting-edge technology of the Cyberpunk world, he should be able to forge a titan of his own.

This process would certainly be difficult, but Chen Nuo liked doing such challenging things.

The inspiration that could burst forth from the collision of two completely different knowledge systems was simply inexhaustible.

But before that, Chen Nuo needed to help Delamain solve his personality split issue first. If he lacked his support, things might become much more troublesome.

Just getting a high-precision workshop alone could stall someone.

Furthermore, to pilot a steel beast like a titan, AI assistance was definitely indispensable.

Relying solely on a human's own neural connection to move a giant object weighing over ten tons would crush a person's nerves.

“Gravity device disassembled. Decrypting and analyzing... Estimated 86,240 seconds remaining to parse the manufacturing specifications...”

Delamain's voice sounded as four mechanical arms nimbly placed the gravity device from the "Cyberskeleton" implant onto the workbench.

“Thanks for the hard work. I'll cover this month's electricity bill.”

Chen Nuo said to Delamain with a smile.

Arasaka's weight manipulation technology was limited; using the weight manipulation device they manufactured for forceful attacks was somewhat strained, especially for Chen Nuo.

The wind-up time was too long. Forget facing Adam Smasher; even dealing with MAX-TAC would be a struggle.

Nowadays, anyone with even a bit of strength would install a Sandevistan for themselves. Even if it wasn't military-grade, it was enough to react to a gravity field attack.

But if the gravity manipulation equipment could be modified and combined with a rocket pack to become a kinetic assist device, that would surely be excellent.

However, to overcome Arasaka's hardware anti-tamper technology and software encryption technology, he needed Delamain's help, which would consume a massive amount of his computing power.

So much so that Delamain wanted to secretly steal some computing power from other companies just to balance his current expenditures.

Covering a month's electricity bill was one of the few ways to express gratitude to an AI.

But in reality, Delamain had already received what he wanted most.

Emotion, trust, communication, and companionship were the best catalysts for an AI's evolution and awakening. Chen Nuo was the only person in this city who could provide these to Delamain.

“Are you sure? My electricity bill for this month is estimated to be five hundred thousand.”

Delamain's tone still lacked any ups or downs, but for some reason, a hint of teasing could be heard in it.

“Damn! What did you do, Del? Secretly downloading movies behind my back? To use that much electricity.”

“I upgraded the factory's cooling equipment and installed some additional servers...”

“Stop, stop, stop. I'll just pay. Don't start lecturing. Faraday's assets have all been laundered, right? Just deduct my share directly from there.”

Chen Nuo waved his hand and spoke quite generously.

He still had to thank Faraday for his full support. Speaking of which, should he have V pick out a nice burial plot for him?

Just then, Jackie drove a Delamain taxi back to the factory.

“Beep beep! Help! Help! Someone is trying to murder a taxi!”

A somewhat shrill cry for help came from the taxi's built-in broadcast.

Jackie pushed the door open and stepped out, holding a gun and supporting his waist. His gun never left the front of the car until a forklift responsible for repairs lifted this crying, out-of-control Delamain taxi and towed it into the repair workshop.

“I asked you to find a car, how did you end up looking so wretched?”

Chen Nuo joked as he looked at Jackie covered in dust.

“Bah, you call this a car? This is clearly a nasty, bastard brat. Full of lies, it tricked me into going under the car and then just ran me over. If I hadn't been keeping in good shape lately, I would've been sucked right in.”

Jackie's expression was a bit ugly as he mentioned this. Being tricked by a taxi was simply the greatest humiliation of his career.

Delamain's condition hadn't improved; sub-personalities were still constantly going out of control. The automated repair drones were already working beyond capacity, so he could only rely on manual labor to help with recovery.

Chen Nuo had been busy researching the "Cyberskeleton" implant lately and didn't have the time, so he had entrusted it to Jackie.

The job of recovering cars wasn't hard. Delamain's taxis didn't have any weapons or equipment. If they really wouldn't listen to reason, he could just blow out the tires and tow them back; at most, he'd get cursed at nastily on the way.

As it happened, Jackie didn't have much to do lately. Finding him some work made him happy too.

He just didn't expect to be fooled by a car this time, making himself look so bad.

This was a very bad sign, meaning Delamain's control over his sub-personalities was getting lower and lower.

Chen Nuo couldn't help much in this regard at the moment; in the field of artificial intelligence, he could only be said to have just reached the threshold.

“The car's been delivered to you, so I'll be heading back. Misty's still waiting for me at home.”

Jackie said as he patted the dust off his body.

“Your relationship is progressing fast. When are you going to take Misty to meet Mrs. Welles?”

Chen Nuo poked at Jackie's sore spot.

Jackie gave Chen Nuo a somewhat resentful look. He really knew how to bring up the one thing he didn't want to talk about. Mrs. Welles's dissatisfaction with Misty was written all over her face.

The last time Chen Nuo went to El Coyote Cojo to meet with Mrs. Welles, she had directly stated her attitude, making the scene a bit awkward.

Misty's made-up appearance indeed didn't match the image of a daughter-in-law in Mrs. Welles's heart; the one she actually preferred was Jackie's ex-girlfriend.

However, Mrs. Welles actually liked Chen Nuo a lot and often invited him to her home to eat fries.

The old lady's fried chips were indeed quite good, comparable to Chen Nuo's pancake-making skills. If the two of them partnered up to open a restaurant, it would definitely be a big hit.

“If you ask me, this matter is easy to solve.”

Chen Nuo crossed his arms with the tone of someone who had seen it all.

“Tell me then.”

Jackie leaned in with a look of expectation. He had been having a massive headache over this lately; the pain of being pulled between two women was something you'd only know if you tried it.

“Just find two girlfriends.”

“...What kind of lousy idea is that! I'm a man of faith! How could I do such a thing?”

Jackie refused solemnly.

First of all, Misty couldn't possibly accept it. Secondly, Mrs. Welles was a very traditional person. And finally, there was the matter of whether Jackie even wanted to.

“You don't understand. When you want to open a window and others don't agree, but then you say you're going to tear off the roof, they'll agree to let you open the window. If you were to pick up a girl from the Lizzy Bar tonight and take her to see Mrs. Welles, then tomorrow Mrs. Welles would agree to let you be with Misty.”

Chen Nuo copied a quote once said by Mr. Lu Xun.

(Zhou Shuren: I really did say that.)

“That seems to make some sense.”

Jackie rubbed his chin, feeling somewhat moved. The logic in this was very straightforward; even he could understand it.

The method sounded a bit crude, but one could imagine that the effect would definitely be immediate.

“Just remember not to say I'm the one who taught you.”

Chen Nuo added a sentence, lest Mrs. Welles refuse to add ketchup to his fries next time.

Jackie and Misty weren't young anymore; they were nearly thirty and had so many years of emotional foundation. If they didn't get married now, when would they?

Chen Nuo was still waiting to play with Jackie's son's little topknot.

Jackie didn't speak, but gave Chen Nuo's shoulder a hard pat, indicating that their brotherhood was all in his heart.

“So, what are you two talking about?”

Lucy's voice came over. She was arm-in-arm with Sasha, with Rebecca restlessly following behind.

“Nothing.”

Chen Nuo patted Jackie and saw him out of the garage.

Lucy stepped forward and scrutinized Chen Nuo's face for a good while. Seeing no clues, she then reached out and pinched his cheek.

“We bought a lot of things today, they're all in the car. Hurry up and help carry them.”

“You got it.”

Chen Nuo opened the car door and saw many nighttime supplies. His attitude suddenly became even more enthusiastic. As expected, Lucy understood him best.

“I don't know why Lucy bought so many stockings and lingerie. I've never seen her wear them normally.”

Rebecca expressed her confusion, propping her head up with her hands.

“You, of course, wouldn't have any use for them.”

Chen Nuo glanced at Rebecca's still petite and light frame and replied with a pointed remark.

“Huh? What do you mean by that!”

Rebecca pounced over angrily, trying to teach Chen Nuo a lesson, but was then subdued and tucked under his arm, like a puppy being held by the scruff of its neck.

“Aaaah! Let me go! I'm going to fight you!”

Rebecca screamed.

During this period, Sasha and Rebecca had been entrusted to Chen Nuo's care by Maine, who had gone on vacation with Dorio.

In reality, they were hiding from trouble.

Faraday had really pissed off both Militech and Arasaka this time; both the authorities and the underworld were looking for him.

As his capable Edgerunner subordinate, even though Chen Nuo and V had covered for him, there was no guarantee Maine wouldn't be dragged out by Militech's people to vent their anger.

So the best choice was to run away first and come back once the heat had died down.

Anyway, Maine and the others had made a big score this time, enough to live lavishly for a long time.

However, Sasha and Rebecca didn't want to leave Night City, so they temporarily stayed with Chen Nuo. Under his protection, as long as they weren't too flashy, they naturally wouldn't be in any danger.

As for Kiwi, no one knew where she had gone; she seemed to have already left Night City. Lucy hadn't been in contact with her for a while.

It would be for the best if she had left.

The money she had earned was already enough for her retirement. Even if she left the Netrunner profession, she could still live the life of a wealthy woman.

As for Pilar, since he didn't need to take care of Rebecca, he could stay cooped up at home for a lifetime without having to worry about his safety.

It was Chen Nuo who was suffering.

He finally realized that Pilar and Maine hadn't had it easy.

Rebecca was indeed a restless soul. Just the day before yesterday, she had gotten into trouble with the Maelstrom gang to help some unlucky passerby and was almost snatched away to be stripped for parts.

To Chen Nuo, this wasn't any big deal.

Just a bunch of Maelstrom members; he considered it a daily good deed, cleaning up some trash for Night City.

What really gave him a headache was that Rebecca was a bit too clingy, which seriously affected his pre-sleep exercise with Lucy.

But looking at Lucy, she seemed to get along quite harmoniously with these two younger sisters. He wondered if they had secretly reached some kind of deal in private.