You know those quiet side jobs that start with a text and end with you questioning whether you did the right thing? No Easy Way Out is one of them. I've run it a couple of times in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and even in 2026, the Angie decision still gets players arguing. Here's how it plays out, plus what I wish I knew before picking a side.
First, the mission starts after you get a message from Coach Fred. If you have Phantom Liberty installed and have access to Dogtown, keep an eye out for that text. When it arrives, follow the waypoint northeast to a boxing ring in Dogtown. Aaron is already mid-fight when you show up. Once the fight ends, you can talk to him. In that conversation, you learn he needs help with a ripperdoc named Domir, and you'll get a new waypoint to meet Aaron at Terra Cognita.
From there, Aaron leads you to a building where Domir's clinic is located. It sounds simple, but naturally, a bunch of scavs are camping between the entrance and the clinic. You'll need to clear them out while climbing ladders through a tall vertical interior. Once the building is quiet, the waypoint takes you straight to Domir's clinic, and Aaron opens the door. This is where things get messy.
Not long after entering the clinic, Angie and her Animals crew show up. Angie wants to keep her hold on Aaron. At this point, you have to choose: make a deal with Angie or refuse and fight her.
If you accept the deal, Angie tells you to wait for her contact. You need to wait three in-game days, and then a text message arrives telling you to return to the ring where you first met Aaron. When you get there, Angie reveals that the status quo has been maintained. She also transfers the agreed eddies to V. Here's a weird detail: even if you tell her to keep the money, the transfer still happens. So if you don't mind Aaron staying under the Animals' thumb, you leave with extra cash and less blood on your hands.
If you refuse Angie's deal, you have to kill her and her crew. Aaron wakes up shortly after the fight, and after a brief conversation, you're told to leave the scav hideout. Before you leave, do not forget to search Angie's body. She carries the Cheetah Iconic Power Pistol, and it's one of the main reasons to go this route. The Cheetah isn't just a trophy; it can absolutely fit into a handgun-focused build.
Outside, wait three in-game days and read the text from Aaron. The message sends you to the Dream Gig bar. When you arrive, a server tells you that two men came to visit Aaron earlier. That clue leads to an alley behind the bar. Unfortunately, you find that Aaron has met a grisly fate. So by refusing the deal, you free Aaron from Angie but don't actually save him.
So which option is best? Honestly, it depends on your V. Here's how I break it down:
| Choice | Aaron's Fate | Main Reward | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accept Angie's deal | Stays alive but remains under the Animals' control | Eddies from Angie | Low body count runs, roleplayers who want a quieter resolution |
| Refuse the deal | Dies later, but free from Angie | Cheetah Iconic Power Pistol | Handgun builds, collectors, players who would rather give Aaron freedom at any cost |
If you really need an Iconic pistol or you believe Aaron is better off dead than owned by the Animals, refuse the deal. If you prefer to avoid unnecessary killing and don't mind the cynical ending, accept the offer and take the eddies.
One more tip: after you leave the clinic following the refusal path, don't rush out. Loot Angie's body before you leave the building. If you miss the Cheetah, you won't get another shot at it in that playthrough.
No Easy Way Out is a short side job, but it captures what I love about Phantom Liberty. There's no clean hero option, and the game doesn't pretend otherwise. Even if you make the "good" choice, Dogtown has a way of reminding you that freedom and survival don't always go together.