Chapter 20Could anyone really still be intolerant to carbonation?Most of the drinks produced in Night City have something to do with carbonation, except for a small amount of high-proof alcohol and fruit juice.After all, sparkling water and sparkling wine are bestsellers in bars."Why would I lie to you? There's no benefit to it anyway…"He curled his lips and said softly.He felt quite despairing about this himself.He couldn't eat the food, and he couldn't drink the beverages; living was starting to lose all meaning.Only the young girl by his side—Lucy, like a firefly, had become his hope in Night City...Thinking of this, he involuntarily turned his head, but when he caught sight of the girl's lazy posture, his heartbeat suddenly skipped a beat.That completely defenseless, unvigilant, and relaxed state was just like a lazy cat.Lucy looking like this was inexplicably even more attractive than before, somewhat captivating.Moreover, and he didn't know if it was just his imagination, a soft fragrance seemed to linger at the tip of his nose.This fragrance was wonderful and gentle, not rich or pungent at all, intoxicating like the mellow aroma of fine wine."Oh~ That's really too bad, and your taste in clothing is terrible too."Expressing surprise at this boy who was so out of place in Night City, Lucy thought for a moment, set the beer and cigarettes aside, slid down from the windowsill, and landed right beside him.Similarly, David withdrew his gaze without a trace, and before Lucy could make a move, he spoke up first:"And what about you? Isn't it the same for you? Putting such a retro poster in this room."Somehow, these words inexplicably slipped out.By the time he realized it, it was already too late."Got a problem with that?"Lucy's voice instantly dropped to freezing point, even the smiling expression from just a moment ago vanished without a trace in a flash, and her gaze gradually grew cold.This was the only softness in her heart, as well as her taboo that no one was allowed to touch."Ah no, it's not that, it's just that hanging such a yellowed poster in a room like this…"His gaze kept darting back and forth between the moon poster and Lucy, and then he sighed: "It… must be very important to you, right?""Your New Life Awaits"This was the corporations' external propaganda slogan.Except that, just like the glamorous publicity of the Crystal Palace, it was all fake.The so-called new life was merely leaping from one hell into another.Much like seafood sold on the streets, they struggled to crawl out of the tank, wanting to regain freedom, but when they actually crawled out and fell into the water, they were merely changing from an old tank to a new one.Just like the propaganda of Night City.Every day, it repeatedly instills in you words about becoming a legend and how wonderful and free it is.It's just that these wonderful things and freedoms are built upon the bones of countless people.It couldn't be more appropriate to describe it using words once spoken by someone—"This history has no era; every crooked page is written with the words 'freedom and beauty', but after staring closely for half the night, I finally made out words between the lines—the entire book is written with two words: 'cannibalism'."But for those corporate elites, whether it was the Crystal Palace, the lunar base, or Night City, it was indeed the most wonderful paradise.But then again, in this scarred world nowadays, where isn't a hell?Where isn't a new Night City?Moreover, places outside of Night City, though freer, exact an equally cruel price."You seem to know a lot."After Lucy said this indifferently, she leaped back onto the windowsill, lay sideways there, and smoked silently as the flame burned away rapidly.Her tone wasn't as lively as before, but was instead filled with apathy.But those dark violet eyes seemed to pierce right through his heart.However, regarding Lucy's remark, he merely shook his head in denial."It's not that I know a lot, it's just the experience and lessons gained in this city of desire."Wife.jpg25. Wherever the eye can see, it is all hellTo call Night City a glamorous-looking monster on the outside that devours people without spitting out their bones on the inside wouldn't be an exaggeration in the slightest.Every day, countless people flood in here trying to carve out a career, but most of them become its bait and food.Even if a small fraction of people carve out a career and fame, they merely end up becoming corporate dogs or being buried in nameless graves.Just like Johnny Silverhand, whose ultimate end was simply having his soul digitized, then packed and uploaded to Mikoshi, while his corpse was abandoned in the outskirts, becoming part of an oil field.Some unlucky bastards are even thrown directly into food factories and made into canned goods for external sale.Printed on top are a few prominent characters—Canned Meat."As expected of a spoiled rich kid who can afford to go to the academy.""Stop joking around…"David curled his lips and took a large gulp from the bottle.But this time he didn't spit it out; instead, he forced it down.It seemed only in this way could the pain in his throat disperse some of the depression in his heart.This world is indeed too terrible.To survive in this crazy city, one has only to become crazier than this city."Isn't it? Being able to study at Arasaka Academy is enough to prove you're a young master."Seeming to evoke some bad memories for Lucy, the word Arasaka made her speak in a somewhat sarcastic tone."No way…"He shook his head gently, then slowly shifted his gaze to the ceiling fan."I don't know who my father is, and my family has no money; I shouldn't have studied at Arasaka Academy in the first place…"He carefully recalled this memory that now belonged to him, and slowly poured his heart out.When mentioning certain things, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile.But whether because this memory was too heavy or too bitter, it left a rather unpleasant taste in his mouth."Snap!"Before he knew it, Lucy had finished smoking one cigarette and immediately lit a second one.Throughout the whole process, she didn't interrupt, just quietly listening to him recount the past, tasting the life journey of this half-grown boy."My mother, Gloria, worked extremely hard and desperately squeezed herself, just to send me into that academy.""However, I've known for a long time that I could never fit in with them."Seeming to think of his previous experiences at the academy, a self-deprecating smile slowly surfaced on his face: "Because we are simply not cut from the same cloth…""Then why did you stick it out at the academy for so long?"Hearing the past he described, Lucy's attitude underwent a subtle shift, and her tone wasn't as icy as before, gradually softening.Much like a private talk between old friends, casual and plain."Because, you see, that was my mother's wish... She hoped I could enter the corporation and climb to the top of the corporation."Thinking of this, he laughed involuntarily again.Climb to the top of the corporation?How to climb?Arasaka was the empire of that undying old man Saburo Arasaka; even when facing his own children wanting to seize power, he could ruthlessly deal fatal blows without hesitation.Just like at the end of the Devil ending, Saburo Arasaka replaced Yorinobu Arasaka's body to prolong his own life.An outsider like him, how could he possibly climb to the top?Therefore, from start to finish, wanting to climb to the top of Night City left only one road to walk—Smash Arasaka Tower to pieces, stomp Adam Smasher and the other two corporations ruthlessly underfoot, and make that son of a bitch Saburo Arasaka crawl back to his grave.Finally become a legend of Night City."But that's someone else's dream."Suddenly, Lucy leaned her head closer and asked."Someone else? Mother shouldn't count as someone else, right?""But you and your mother are ultimately two different people; why must you live to fulfill her wish?"Lucy couldn't understand his words.In her worldview, putting in effort for someone else and fulfilling someone else's dream was a hard thing to understand."That doesn't belong to your dream, right? Your own dream shouldn't belong to anyone else.""Dreams?"What a truly unfamiliar word.He slowly leaned his back against something soft, but didn't pay attention to it, just staring blankly at the ceiling.Honestly, his current thoughts were just wanting to get stronger, smash Smasher to pieces, smash Arasaka, and thoroughly experience the life of V in the game.But what about after that?I don't know.How will it end?I don't know either.If possible, he hoped to walk forward together with the girl beside him and the yet-unmet Rebecca.But what the road ahead holds is yet unknown.Whether they are willing or not, he doesn't know either."Then what about your dream? Lucy."He suddenly realized that asking like this seemed a bit strange, so he changed his tune: "Besides heading to the moon base on that poster, what do you want to do after that?"Lucy gazed at the boy leaning against her lower abdomen, showing no sign of rejection, and the words slipped out accordingly:"I don't know."With a snap, she lit another cigarette, then withdrew her gaze from him and looked out the window."...I just want to fly far away.""Perhaps, to you, that place is hell, but to me, this place is hell.""…"He turned his head silently, looking at Lucy's profile and the direction outside the window—That was the location of the Orbital Air and Space Center.Every so often, rockets would launch on a fixed schedule, heading toward that distant and mysterious deep space.But what moved him even more was Lucy's profile filled with sorrow, and her words, which gently plucked at his heartstrings.Stirring up another memory within his heart, he couldn't help sighing: "Yeah, you're right.""This place is indeed hell; a friend of mine once said the same thing.""Your friend?"
Chapter 21Lucy turned her head in surprise, "What do you mean?""She said that this city is like quicksand, and people walk on bubbles called desire.""When the bubbles burst, people will sink into the quicksand, and by then, the harder you struggle, the deeper you sink.""Once it covers your knees, you'll never get out, until the quicksand completely swallows you up..."Just like Evelyn Parker.A self-righteous woman, a woman who thought she could hold everything in her own hands.Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sneer at Evelyn Parker.This line was the ending in the game, spoken to him by Judy.It was also a line etched in his memory.It was just slightly modified by him and brought here."Oh~? I didn't expect you to be able to make such a friend, and a female one at that~"Lucy's tone carried a teasing nuance once again, but this time David didn't have the reaction she expected."Well, it's all in the past..."He slowly shook his head and gently waved his hand.The current Judy and him were still complete strangers who had never met."Is that so? Did she leave in the end?""Maybe she left, maybe she didn't, still struggling desperately in some corner of this city.""What is this..."Lucy smiled upon hearing this, then slowly stood up: "Come with me, I'll show you something."Without thinking, it was obvious it was Lucy's prized braindance.That braindance that recorded everything on the Moon.Tutu.jpg26. Is this considered a honey trap?A few minutes later, with a palpitating heart, he lay on that pink circular bed with Lucy.Enhanced by the pink ambient lighting, the atmosphere seemed to become ambiguous.Especially since a discarded wrapper that looked like chewing gum was lying by the bed.But unfortunately, what was loaded inside was a braindance, not the one he had imagined."You look very nervous, is it your first time?"The two of them resting on the same pillow, Lucyturned her head slightly to glance at him, full of playful teasing.Although he knew Lucy was deliberately teasing him with such an ambiguous tone, he still nodded involuntarily.After all, syncing up to watch braindances with someone else was truly his first time.And sharing a bed with such a pretty girl under this kind of ambiguous atmosphere..."So, we're going in~"As the voice fell, a blinding white light gradually occupied his entire field of view.A strange humming echoed in his ears.At this moment, it wasn't just vision and hearing that changed, all five senses changed along with them.That feeling was as if the soul was pulled, dragged out from the flesh and placed into a new vessel.Soon, this dazzling light dissipated like a tide, and the environment before his eyes underwent earth-shaking changes.Above was a scorching and dazzling light, beneath his feet was a desolate white earth, and before his eyes was a huge blue planet.That was Earth.And here... was the Moon.Fortunately, this was just a braindance, and Lucyhad adjusted it; otherwise, without ozone, the surface temperature of the Moon after being irradiated could reach 150°C, enough to roast a human.However, here he experienced the feeling of his first moon landing, the floating weightlessness under his feet, and the scorching heat cast by the sun overhead.This experience was much better than the feeling brought by his inferior braindance wreath.Both touch and physical sensation were much more realistic.Like a curious baby, filled with excitement and joy, he made all sorts of weird movements on the lunar surface, occasionally falling flat on the ground.Such a comical move made Lucy couldn't help laughing out loud."Hhahahaha~ What kind of posture was that?"In reality, Lucy, who had an aloof "keep strangers away" look and occasionally played pranks on him, seemed to have shed all her psychological defenses and disguises at this moment.Laughing happily, just like an innocent and lively little girl.This smile was perhaps the most beautiful and purest smile he had ever seen.But that's right, in the real world, who isn't living behind a mask?Whether communicating with people or doing anything, they wear layers upon layers of masks, and only at this time can they truly take off these masks and relax completely to enjoy this fleeting moment.Afterwards, the two of them played around on this illusory lunar surface.Lucy took him across every corner of the moon, introducing it to him, her voice filled with pride, like a child showing off her best toy to others.Then they drove a vehicle, speeding wildly across the lunar surface.At this moment, the soul seemed to break free from restraints, leaving the ground to soar freely at this altitude of 360,000 kilometers.Tired of playing, they shared a drink together.A string of petite tooth marks still remained on the straw.Without thinking, he drank it down, and even imagined some other scenes in his mind.But these wonderful images were instantly shattered by the high-intensity irritation in his throat."Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough—"Unsurprisingly, he choked.And a string of conspicuous large characters was written on the packaging bag—[Zero-gravity Carbonated Drink]"You tricked me again!!!""Hhahahahaha~"Lucy let out the joyful laughter of a successful scheme, and the two of them played and fought together like children.Their laughter quietly echoed across the moon surface, as if the entire moon had become their playground.This was the first time he had been so happy since coming to the cyberpunk world and Night City, and similarly, this was the first time Lucy had felt so relaxed and happy.All the troubles were thrown behind, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, far away from the towering steel fortresses, and those ubiquitous, disgusting false advertisements.There was no need to think about anything, no need to imagine how tomorrow should be spent, and even less need to outline the future.Just need to enjoy the present.Finally, they came to a huge crater, sat side by side, and admired the huge and blue planet before them.Lucy gently swung her lower legs back and forth, looking very relaxed.Although everything in this braindance was fake, to him, the person in front of him was the most real."This is the first time I've brought someone else here."As she spoke, Lucy raised her head to glance at him, then cast her gaze back to the abyss below the crater.The two exchanged their truest inner thoughts and confided in each other.It was really hard to imagine that they had known each other for less than a day.However, this beauty was soon ruthlessly shattered."You know what? I think we'd make good partners."A smile slowly curled up the corner of Lucy's mouth, while a flash of orange light flickered in her eyes, seemingly a communication sent by someone, or something else.After a while, a rough voice came into his ears."Finally found you, kid."Then the braindance wreath worn on his head was brutally ripped off, and his whole body was forcibly dragged out of the braindance space.Accompanied by a trance, his hazy vision gradually returned to normal.Coming into view was a strange trio; the one closest to him holding the braindance ring in his hand was a strong man with a blond flattop, built like an ape.Beside him was a strong woman of similar bulk with half-bangs...?And there was a thin freak with a Mohican hairstyle, especially his two arms, which were particularly eye-catching."Kid, sorry to interrupt your mood, but that implant is mine."The leading strong man showed an arrogant smile, those white teeth somewhat dazzling under the ambient light.He instinctively glanced at Lucy, who had long since gotten up and was sitting aside with her legs crossed, slowly lighting a new cigarette.Just as if nothing had happened.At this, he couldn't help shaking his head helplessly, sighing in his heart: "Sigh, is it really still like this..."Then he raised his head again and said teasingly: "Hey buddy, what is this? A honey trap?"This nonchalant posture made the three of them burst into laughter."Hhahaha, does this brat really understand what's going on right now?"The sarcastic and harsh laughter echoed in the room.The one speaking was the long-armed freak with the Mohican head—Pilar.The remaining muscular man was Maine.The muscular woman beside him was Dorio.Maine's crew made their debut right here.27. Believe it or not, I'll kick your head off?"Doesn't matter, whether he realizes the severity of the matter or not, it's time to return it to its rightful owner."Maine slowly stretched out his modified giant hand toward him, and his shadow gradually enveloped his entire body.One could clearly see orange energy light glowing on the lines of the palm, and then it slowly clenched into a fist.It looked like he still intended to beat him up first.But was the current David still the same one who could be bullied at will before?The next instant, David's figure suddenly disappeared from the bed, leaving the three of them instantly dumbfounded, completely unable to find David's trace.Seeing this scene, Lucy hurriedly stood up, clenched her fists and shouted loudly: "David—"Whoosh——A fierce wind whistled in, pouring into Pilar's ears, buffeting his eardrums along the cochlea.David's figure had already appeared behind Pilar, raising one leg high, the soft heel of his sneaker steadily stopping right beside Pilar's ear.No emotional color could be seen in his wide-open eyes, his expression filled with coldness, like a ruthless combat machine.However, Lucy's cry caused his expression to gradually soften, and he retracted his raised whip kick, turning his head slightly to reveal a smile at Lucy.That smile seemed to say—"Don't worry, I won't kill them."
Chapter 22But with that posture, saying he wasn't going to kill? It's a bit hard to believe.If it had been just a few milliseconds later, Pilarwould probably have been kicked flying, and it would be a miracle if that kick hadn't killed Pilar.However, in that split second, the three of them also recovered, turned around, drew their handguns, and aimed their pitch-black muzzles at David."You've got some guts, kid."Maine's expression remained as defiant and unruly as ever, but the eyes behind his sunglasses were filled with vigilance.Pilar, in particular, even carried a hint of lingering fear, cold sweat pouring down.This brat is a bit terrifying..."Maine, you guys stop too."Lucy spoke up once again, except this time her voice wasn't shouting like before, but carried the usual detached tone she always used.Then she jumped off the round bed, pushed down the firearms in their hands, and stood over by David, turning around to block in front of him as if to protect him."This is the person; I hope he can join us.""Huh?"With Maine's gasp of surprise, the sunglasses on his face slid down slightly, revealing a pair of blank eyes.The other two hadn't processed it at all either, wearing blank expressions.What is she talking about?And that Lucy would actually help speak up for an outsider?What on earth happened?Not only those three, even David was completely dumbfounded.What kind of situation is this anyway?Seeing the foolish looks on the three people in front of her, as if they were looking at some rare exotic animal, Lucy closed her eyes and shook her head helplessly, her sparkling short hair swaying slightly in the moonlight."It's like this..."Lucy told the three of them everything that happened today.A few minutes later, the three of them sat on the sofa and nodded with a half-understanding look."In other words, he saved you from a cyberpsycho?"The one speaking was Dorio; besides Maine, she was responsible for taking care of the other team members.Therefore, she held one hundred percent trust in what Lucy said, and thus looked at the teenager named David in a whole new light.But Pilar on the side raised doubts:"Hey hey Lucy, you're saying this kid killed a cyberpsycho head-on? And used it over thirty times in just a few days? You can't be joking like that."As if hearing something utterly ridiculous, she shook her head like a rattle-drum, completely disbelieving this nonsense."This stuff isn't something a kid can handle. With a scrawny build like that, using it a few more times would probably...""I'm not joking."Before Pilar could finish, Lucy interrupted and said calmly, "Besides, you just experienced how formidable he is."She had long anticipated that this kind of thing would happen, so she didn't stop it at the beginning.It wasn't until David made a move that she spoke up."Please, stop hyping him up. Maybe just now was just a coincidence...""Then... should I perform it again on the spot?"David, sitting on the sofa opposite the three of them, leaned forward slightly, a bantering smile hanging on his face."You...""Enough!"Before Pilar could argue further, Maine waved a large hand to interrupt the two's argument."Let's put this matter aside for now; I have other things to ask you, kid."The gaze beneath the sunglasses turned fierce again, but in reality, this guy was considered a good person; even right now, it was all an act.Not only that, everyone in Maine's team was actually quite alright, except for the traitor Kiwi.He knew this deep down in his heart.So just now with Pilar, he just wanted to teach a slight lesson; he didn't intend to kill at all."Hey, kid, are you listening to me!"Maine's sudden, fierce shout interrupted his thoughts."Huh? Ah, I didn't quite catch what you said.""I said, how come you're equipped with my Sandevistan?"Maine repeated what he said earlier once more, but this statement made him tilt his head slightly: "Yours?""That's right, I bought this from a supplier, but as soon as I finished paying, she cut off contact.""Who told you to pay first? Serves you right.""Haha, hard to believe.""Cut the crap!"Dorio and Pilar's cynical remarks made Maine lose a bit of face, but he still patiently explained it to them once."She said she urgently needed cash, and she was a trusted partner; I'd never been stood up like this before!"By the end, Maine was even gritting his teeth slightly.His trust had been wasted just like that.But to be fair, Maine this mercenary actually had a conscience, knowing to give money and pay an advance.If it were replaced by other black-hearted mercenaries, they'd probably put on a show of double-crossing you on the spot.Paying money?Sorry, that's called zero-dollar purchasing, understand?"Maine, the supplier you mentioned is Gloria Martinez, right?"Just then, Lucy, who had been maintaining silence, suddenly spoke up."Huh? Yeah, what about it.""That's perfect, his name is David Martinez; you can ask him what's going on."She pointed at David beside her."Oh? Kid, what's your relationship with Gloria?"Maine turned his head and narrowed his eyes slightly."Nothing much, Gloria is my mother, and she passed away nearly a week ago."Nani??!!Mother?!What kind of bizarre plot twist is this?!The three of them had their brains somewhat short-circuited by this answer.The supplier's son equipping military-grade implants, what kind of operation is this?"You're Gloria's son?? Gloria is dead??!!""What happened?""Got caught by the NCPD?"Maine's voice became somewhat strange, but more than anything, it was filled with regret; the other two were the same.Unlike Lucy, who was indifferent to worldly affairs and knew nothing, they had a certain understanding of Gloria.Many of the cyberware on their bodies were bought from Gloria.Therefore, Maine would say she was a trusted supplier.But hearing the news of Gloria's death now, how could they not be shocked.28. Because I Believe in You (Third Update)"That's right, exactly like that. I'm Gloria's son. As for the car accident, it was because a few days ago the Animals were chasing a corpos, and then it got us involved. The car flipped, and my mother died just like that...""No wonder she didn't call back...""My condolences."Dorio and Maine successively expressed their regrets, and even that prank-loving Pilar couldn't help falling silent.What a pity, such a great supplier."However, that's still no reason for you to equip the Sandevistan I purchased!"Although feeling very regretful about Gloria's death, right now the implant was more important; at least they had to get their hands on this thing."Stop talking, Maine, there's another Sandevistanhere."With a thump, Lucy tossed his black bag onto the coffee table.Fortunately, the blood on it had already dried, so it didn't dirty the tabletop."There's a Sandevistan in here?"Maine looked at the black bag in front of him in disbelief. When did military-grade Sandevistans become so common?And this package belongs to that kid, right?A kid can just casually own a second Sandevistan?"That's right, it's from the cyberpsycho encountered today; I watched him strip it off.""Hmm..."Since she put it that way, he tentatively believed it.But just as he grabbed the zipper, David spoke up to stop him."Sorry, forgot to mention, that Sandevistan and the Kerenzikov have already been sold.""Ha?!"This voice was Lucy's, and she was extremely astonished.Clearly it happened this afternoon, and in just this short while it got sold away?As for who it was sold to, without thinking it was definitely the ripperdoc named Viktor.But it was too late to go after it now; the degree to which this kind of thing was in hot demand was beyond imagination.Basically, a buyer could be found shortly after getting one's hands on it.Viktor successfully took the blame for him."Tch, stop joking, how could a brat like you have a channel to sell..."Before he could finish speaking, Maine's voice had already stopped.Seeing the opened package, besides a few firearms, there indeed was no trace of the Sandevistan."Dammit!"With a crash, the package was casually tossed aside by Maine, who immediately drew his handgun and pressed it against David's forehead."Damn brat, how dare you play with me!"Being angered to this extent was to be expected.After all, missing out on two military-grade cyberware passes by one's fingertips, anyone would panic/get furious."Calm down, Maine."
Chapter 23Dorio grabbed Maine's shoulder with one hand and gently shook her head.Leaving aside the issue of the Sandevistan, just the few tricks that brat pulled at the beginning were not something the three of them could handle.The level of bizarreness was already comparable to that bunch from MAX-TAC."Well, it's just a Sandevistan, I'll find you one next time, no need to get so excited."At this time, David Martinez said with a nonchalant attitude.His next target would definitely be set on cyberpsychos, and would a cyberpsycho lack a Sandevistan?The answer, of course, was impossible.This gadget was basically standard equipment for cyberpsychos."However, you also have to give me a chance.""A chance? What chance?"Calming down, Maine plunked back onto the sofa, staring intently at the frail teenager in front of him."I'rather... I'm very short on money right now, so let me join you.""...""...""..."Just like that, Maine watched him for a long time, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter."Hahahaha, join us? What can a rookie like you do?"He held completely no hope for this fledgling half-grown brat.What he wanted right now was simply to get a Sandevistan.Because the upcoming gig would probably be very dangerous without this thing."Are you looking down on me?"Just as they were laughing heartily, he merely said this flatly, drawing the gazes of all three.That gaze...Was it really something a 17-year-old, wet-behind-the-ears brat could possess?Maine felt that gaze was filled with coldness; at this moment of eye contact, Maine wavered a bit."Not a bad look in your eyes, kid."Slowly standing up, he decided, "Since it's like this, I'll give you a test.""No way, are you really going to take him in?"Pilar hugged her head with a dejected look, full of skepticism about Maine's decision.Just being able to fight wasn't enough to make a living in the mercenary business; one also had to be bold, meticulous, and smart.Otherwise, sooner or later someone would stab them in the back."I knew it..."Dorio also crossed her arms helplessly; obviously, this kind of decision wasn't the first time."After all, I owe Gloria some favors, hmm.""Then thank you, Mr. Maine."Hearing this decision, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.If he really couldn't join, he was planning to look for another way out, like becoming a solo.Then tag along by Lucy's side to make some extra cash and foster some feelings along the way.Right at this moment, Lucy on the side suddenly walked over, pounced onto him, and wrapped her arms around his neck."Don't struggle, this is a tracking program, no virus."With soft words echoing in his ear and fingertips quietly brushing across his neck, feeling this throb of excitement, a shard was plugged into the slot.[Ding, illegal program implantation detected. Do you want to counterattack?]"No."He chose to accept.Although the tracking program was illegal, it was indeed useful.Just like that time Rebecca was kidnapped; without the tracking program, who would know where Maelstrom's lair was?Seeing that he had already been implanted with the tracker, Maine nodded in satisfaction."Alright, I'll contact you tomorrow morning."After saying that, he took the two and left this place.The room returned to silence once again, and Lucysat quietly on the other person's sofa smoking a cigarette.The two remained silent throughout.After a while, Lucy spoke up and asked, "Hey, don't you have anything you want to ask me?"David's calmness made her feel somewhat strange; if it were anyone else, they would have long shouted things like "Are you playing me?", "You traitor!", or "You're using me!".They wouldn't be as calm as they were now, just sitting there blankly without saying a word."No, because I trust you."David's answer made her freeze slightly, and then she burst out laughing: "Hahahaha, you... are you an idiot? How can you be so naive?"This innocence literally made her stomach hurt from laughing.He really was a very interesting person.Clearly meeting for the first time, yet trusting this much...But this trust made her mood become slightly complicated."However, I am indeed a bit curious about one thing. Why did you speak up for me just now?"He clearly remembered that Lucy wasn't the type to meddle in other people's business like this.Even when watching the former David get beaten to a pulp, she had no intention of stepping in to stop it, only saying— "Don't make my place dirty."But now...Facing his confusion, Lucy just smiled slightly and said mysteriously,"I won't tell you~"29. How about you pay me first before we talk"Ding——Ding——"A familiar melody sounded in his mind, waking David up from his sleep."Who is it? Early in the morning..."With sleepy eyes, he couldn't clearly see the caller on the display screen, so he rolled over on the big bed and casually tapped to open the communication.After all, Maine had said before leaving yesterday that he would call him."Good morning, Mr. Martinez."It was the principal of Arasaka Academy.That little chubby guy with glasses said in the video call: "I'rather... I'm intruding today to ask, how have you considered the conditions proposed the other day?""Conditions? What conditions?"He tried hard to search his brain for the conditions the other person had mentioned.But because he was too sleepy, his brain was still numb and he simply couldn't remember.That little chubby guy also saw that he hadn't fully woken up, so he kindly reminded him: "It's about Arasaka Corporation deciding to grant you a scholarship and allowing you to return to school, but requiring you to apologize to classmate Tanaka.""Oh~"Hearing it put this way, he remembered; there indeed was such a thing.It was a few days ago, at this exact time, that he received a phone call telling him about this matter."Sorry, my decision is still the same, I won't do any apologizing." He rubbed his eyes, trying to make his somewhat hoarse voice return to normal.Apologize? It was impossible to apologize in this lifetime.With the virtue of that piece of trash Katsuo Tanaka, he should thank the heavens and earth that he wasn't turned into a sex doll and sold on Jig-Jig Street.He actually still wanted him to apologize?Keep dreaming.However, seeming to think of something else, his tone suddenly changed: "However, if you guys can deposit the scholarship into my account first, it's not like I can't consider this matter."The corners of his mouth slowly curled into a wanton smile.He was quite keen on harvesting leeks.Especially harvesting the leeks of a corporation; that would be even better.Anyway, he only said he would consider it, didn't say he agreed to apologize."Please don't make it difficult for me, Mr. Martinez. You know this is impossible.""Ah, is that so? Then there's nothing else to talk about. Goodbye."He hung up the phone immediately.Wanting people to do this and that without spending money, who do you think you are?High-level executives of Arasaka Corporation?Even that local emperor Saburo Arasaka couldn't make a stranger do this and that for him without paying some price.Moreover, this was Night City; using that set of threats was even more impossible.Although this patch of land was carved up and managed by a few major corporations, wanting to threaten a person in this intricate territory was truly quite difficult.Because you never knew which faction was actually standing behind the other person.However, the next second, a new phone call came in.Except this time there was no avatar on it, and the name was garbled code; it must have been Mainecalling."Kid, it's time to work." A gruff voice rang out on the phone."OK, coming right now.""Hmm... I'll send the address to your email."The phone was hung up crisply, and at the same time an email was sent over."You really are cautious..."Looking at the encrypted email in his inbox, he couldn't help smiling helplessly, getting up and walking towards the bathroom.Although he hadn't installed any hacker cyberware yet, after the system's training, his understanding of hacking technology could already be considered introductory.At least uploading a Daemon or something wasn't too big of a problem.After casually washing his face and rinsing his mouth in the bathroom, he put on the yellow EMT work uniform left behind by his mother and left the room.The hallway was still the same old story: dirty, messy, and poor; trash in the corners went unmanaged; vagrants lingering here were all over the ground, holding wine bottles and living in a drunken dream.Some were even smoking contraband.Saying this was a high-tech slum had no problem at all, because this was Santo Domingo.The only thing that could make people feel a bit more comfortable were the vending machines flashing with bright colors and lights everywhere."Tch, once I make money, I must move out of here."He glanced around in disgust, then took the elevator downstairs.This lousy place, he had really had enough of it...
Chapter 24The hum of the elevator slowly sounded, while the TV played advertisements for Biotechnica and High-Tech Military Industry, along with some unimportant news..."Welcome to News 54, and now bringing you local news.""Yesterday afternoon, a shocking murder occurred on Monorail Line 3, where a cyberpsycho appeared inside the carriage and launched an indiscriminate attack on passengers. According to insiders, this cyberpsycho came from Militech, but Militech stated that this was a rumor...""Oh wow, I didn't expect yesterday's cyberpsycho to actually come from Militech?"Listening to the news broadcast, he felt a trace of surprise, but wasn't too surprised by Militech's actions.After all, corporations.They're all this damn way.Right at this moment, an unfamiliar call suddenly came in."Hello, who is this?""Hey, David. I'm Regina Jones. If you want to take gigs in Watson, give me a call."A capable female voice sounded from the other end of the phone."You... how did you find me? And you even know my name?"He frowned slightly.Regina Jones, this woman, he understood her somewhat.She was a woman wearing a black eyepatch of Chinese descent, dressed somewhat like the NCPD, but she was a fixer other than Rogue—the Queen of the Afterlife Bar.A fixer specializing in dealing with cyberpsychos.But how did this woman suddenly come looking for him?It's weird.But the other party's response was still the same old routine."I know where to gather information, you could even call me an intelligence broker. See you around, David."It was as prompt and decisive as ever, as if rushing to be reincarnated; before he could ask another question, the call had already been hung up."Damn..."Looking at the hung-up phone, he was somewhat speechless.Clearly, it was only his first day joining Maine's crew, his first day becoming an edgerunner, and he hadn't even made a name for himself yet, someone came looking for him?It really is too weird.But thinking on the bright side, it wasn't bad; at least a fixer had already sought him out now.Then that could also be considered knocking open the door to Night City's path of legends.The most crucial thing is that he can also make a lot of money.Right now, he was indeed very short on money.Every day when he opened his eyes, he would receive standard deduction messages containing rent, internet fees, utility bills, and a whole bunch of messy bills, which gave him a headache just looking at them.The savings in his wallet weren't even enough to toss around.What a bullshit city of dreams; waking up every day waiting to be wrung dry of surplus value is what's real.Furthermore, he clearly recognized one issue.This wasn't a game where you could hit a Maxdoc or Bounce Back and be back to full health.This wasn't a game where you could slash mechs with blades, use clothes for bulletproofing, or casually evade NCPD pursuit after killing people on the street and brutalize MAX-TAC.It was a reality where people could die at any moment without scripted deaths, not making a damn bit of sense.Therefore, he really needed money; at least having money would allow him to swap out cyberware and constantly grow stronger.To scrounge and survive in this bullshit world.30. I want to install this thing tooSanto Domingo, an abandoned warehouse in the suburbs near St. Amaro Street.This was the gathering place of Maine's crew.He found this place according to the map, hunching over as he walked in through the half-open warehouse door.The warehouse was naturally full of dust and looked dilapidated, but parked in the center was a van used by the crew when going on missions."Kid, you're here, come over here."Right at this moment, a rough call came from beside him.He saw Maine standing in a doorframe about the same height and build as himself, gesturing for him to go inside."Oh."He casually acknowledged and followed him inside.As soon as he entered, his vision was blocked by swirling smoke, and he could only vaguely see the layout inside.The lighting in the room was poor, and the only table held an ashtray already filled with cigarette butts.It was hard to imagine how many cigarettes these people had smoked here.A rough estimate was probably around a hundred.No wonder Lucy's hands always had a cigarette going; she probably learned it from these guys.However, aside from that, four people with different postures sat on the only sofa in the room."Yo, kid."The first to greet him was Maine.Still the same old look, bulky like an ape, except it was propped up by cyberware."Looks like he really is a kid, looks like the news is true."The one speaking this time was a woman, the fourth weirdo besides the eccentric trio seen yesterday.Neat light-orange short hair, a pretty face, sharp eyes, but wearing a pink object resembling a mask.Her body was dressed in pink attire, her slender fingers slightly crossed, hugging her own calves.If you removed that eyesore of a mask, she could also be considered a beauty.However, he also had some understanding of this woman.Her name was Kiwi.Maine's crew's main netrunner, an experienced veteran netrunner, while Lucy was the substitute netrunner.And Lucy was also brought into this team by Kiwi.It's just that Kiwi wasn't all that optimistic about this newcomer."Whether he makes the cut or not, we'll know in a bit."Actually, Maine didn't know if taking David in was the right choice.But since Lucy spoke up, as the team leader, he naturally had to ponder it.Hopefully this kid had enough luck."Haha, I know he's your type, train him up well.""He's definitely better than you."Kiwi narrowed her slender eyes a bit more.Facing Pilar's teasing, she not only didn't mind in the slightest, but instead launched a decisive counterattack.But hearing these words, why did it feel like the relationships among the crew members were a bit messy?"This is Kiwi, you've already met Dorio and Pilar.""Yes yes yes, whatever gig there is, just spit it out."Maine's introduction was ignored by him as he walked straight over to the table and sat down.However, strictly speaking, introductions weren't necessary at all; what kind of ending each person would ultimately meet was already clear to him.But his composure made the few people present look at him in a different light."Oh~ Looks like you've already prepared yourself, kid.""Of course, how could I have come if I hadn't prepared myself?"David shrugged indifferently, then turned the topic back to the main point: "So, what's the gig?""Hmph."Maine's smile seemed to become a bit brighter as he took a shard out of his pocket and placed it in front of him."Plug in the shard, the job details are all inside."The mission content was neither simple nor difficult.The target was a man named Maxim, a bodyguard and driver for Arasaka Corporation.What needed to be done this time was to copy the navigation data of the limousine he drove.Maxim usually liked betting on boxing matches, hanging out in underground fighting arenas whenever he had time.He was sure to be seated in the arena watching the match every weekend.The boxer he favored was called Butcher the Executioner, a tall woman, but she had a special ultimate move.Called the One-Punch Kill.Don't look at the name as both tacky and chuunibyou; it really had some substance, rumored to be able to punch someone down and keep them from getting back up.Just like right now..."Thud——"A heavy punch landed fiercely on the petite fighter in front, sending her flying away to crash against the wall, kicking up a burst of dust.Just watching here, you knew how painful that was.At least if it were changed to his small stature right now, he'd probably kick the bucket from one punch, right?But that fighter climbed up from the ground, charging toward Butcher once more, fists pouring down like raindrops.Yet the arrogant Butcher raised both hands, letting the opponent beat her at will.As long as she could be knocked down, it'd be a loss!Until the opponent's punch hit her chin from underneath.Schwing——The tiny sound made from the fist was covered by the wave-like shouts at the scene; a suddenly protruding steel spike instantly pierced through Butcher's head, and then quickly retracted.Just like the hidden blade in Assassin's Creed.Just like that, Butcher lost, taken out by a single punch.The audience at the scene let out disbelieving doubts and curses, among whom the most excited was Maxim; he had bet his entire month's salary on it.And it just lost like this?!However, David on the other side of the venue took all of this into his eyes."Quite an interesting piece of cyberware..."A faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, pondering that he seemed able to install this thing too.Doing stealth gigs and the like in the future would be much more convenient than twisting necks with your hands.By the way, the cyberware here wasn't as single-faceted as in the game; the varieties were numerous, and you could even have multi-purpose arms.If you can think of it, there's nothing Night City can't do."Alright, stop looking and let's go."Maine, hidden in the crowd, led him away from here."When that guy loses money, he goes to nearby bars to drown his sorrows in alcohol."
Chapter 25"When he is dead drunk, that is the moment for you to make your move.""Understood, understood."Sitting in the corner of the bar, David Martinezsipped his oolong tea while silently keeping an eye on Maxim not far away, who was downing glasses of high-proof alcohol one after another.However, just as he was eyeing an employee of the Arasaka Corporation, Arasaka was keeping its eyes on him as well.Inside the Arasaka Tower located in the City Center Plaza.On the virtual giant screen in that familiar server room office, the intelligence on David Martinezappeared once again.Only this time, it was related data on eliminating a cyberpsycho, the kind deduced by a machine.Tanaka quietly watched the data on the screen, his face showing not the slightest ripple of emotion, but his small black pupils had already grown fiery.Although this data was deduced using a computer, its accuracy reached as high as eighty percent.That is to say, the current David Martinez already possessed the ability to eliminate cyberpsychos, an ability that completely surpassed that of Adam Smasher back in the day."Marcus, well done.""Thank you for your praise, Mr. Tanaka."Marcus's voice came through the comm: "However, there is some bad news I need to tell you.""Speak.""Yes, David Martinez has rejected the Arasaka Academy principal's request to return to school."Hearing this, Tanaka's eyelids twitched unnaturally."Why?""It seems to be because classmate Martinez refused to apologize to your son, Katsuo Tanaka.""That idiot..."Tanaka gnashed his teeth in hatred.The order he gave at the time was clearly to make David Martinez return to school at all costs.But why did this idiot principal act on his own authority and propose the condition of making David apologize to his son, Katsuo Tanaka?However, this faint anger was instantly suppressed by him, and he said calmly:"Tell him not to act on his own authority and propose such conditions again. Make David Martinezreturn to school at all costs.""What about your son's side then?""Never mind him!""Yes."As expected of someone from the Arasaka Corporation, as long as they could climb upward, even their son's dignity could be discarded.But that was right, as a corp-rat, what dignity was there to speak of.In Night City, dignity was the least valuable thing; power and wealth were of paramount importance.31. Maxim: My car!!!"David, the plan has changed, bring the key and get in the car!"Just as he had stolen the chip-like car key from Maxim and was copying it, Maine told him that the plan had changed.The reason was very simple: Maxim, who was supposed to be dead drunk in the bar all afternoon, suddenly received a call from his boss demanding that he return to the corporation right now.This was the fate of a corp-rat: no human rights, no rest, and as long as there was a demand, they had to be on duty 24 hours a day, the kind who came at a moment's call.But compared to sympathizing with Maxim's shithole treatment, they were the ones who were most anxious right now."Damn it, it's too late.""Rebecca, stall him!"Just as he was walking to the door of the bar holding the car key, he subconsciously stopped in his tracks because of Maine's new order.Turning his head slightly, he saw a petite girl with twin tails holding a drink, gradually approaching Maxim to buy some time.That was Rebecca, no doubt about it.She was also a character that left people filled with lingering regret.Her ending when storming Arasaka Tower was being smashed into a Rebecca-flavored wife cake in the plaza by Adam Smasher dropping from the sky."Hey, David Martinez, what are you spacing out for!""Ah, yes, yes, yes."Facing Maine's urging, he just perfunctorily brushed it off, unhurriedly taking strides out of the bar.Only Lucy had arrived faster than expected, waiting for him by the luxury car parked on the roadside.It was still that familiar outfit with the jacket half-off, just like when they first met."You take the driver's seat, I'll handle the data.""OK, then I'll trouble you."The two sat in the luxury car, and he looked idly at the scenery outside the car window, occasionally casting his gaze toward Lucy who was working.At this moment, Lucy was using her PDA to connect to the vehicle terminal to play a match-three game.It's just that this speed aspect... was truly touching.Reasonably speaking, couldn't a netrunner's quick hack be done by plugging in a cable and casually breaching the ICE?Was it really this much of a struggle?Or was it because this runaway Arasaka GPU waifu was too weak?"It seems... that really is the case...""Quiet."Lucy let out an inadvertent reprimand, and he immediately stopped the heartfelt words he had accidentally blurted out.However, his inner daydreaming didn't stop at all, and a joyful expression surfaced on his face, as if he had thought of something happy.Then he shifted his gaze to the luxury interior of this car.Tsk, a corporation's treatment was indeed different; the car they drove was an Alvarado produced by Villefort.This was the favorite vehicle of fixers and gang high-ranking bosses in Night City, low-profile in appearance but luxurious and comfortable inside.Similarly, the price was extremely expensive.It was the best choice besides the Herrera Outlaw GTS and Rayfield, which specialized in high-end supercars.However, he still preferred the Guinevere and Caliburn produced by Rayfield; those were the fastest cars in all of Night City.Driving it out would make him the flashiest guy on the streets of Night City!Mhm, when he got rich, he definitely had to buy one!While he was plotting in his heart to buy a Rayfieldsupercar, Maxim inside the bar was also preparing to leave.Rebecca, who was responsible for stalling time inside the bar, had also done her utmost, but Maximhad no intention of staying whatsoever.After all, with the boss's call coming in, he dared not delay.But just as he walked two steps, he found that his car key was missing, and right now he was running out of the bar in a rage.Kiwi: "Can't stall anymore, he's coming."Maine: "Where's the data?"Lucy: "Still need to wait a moment."Kiwi: "Time's up, fall back quick."Lucy: "Almost done!"Lucy suddenly accelerated the hacking rhythm, her slender fingertips operating rapidly on the keyboard, leaving behind trails of afterimages.The progress bar below suddenly surged from fifty percent to seventy-five percent, then completed in an instant.Lucy: "Got it."However, getting it now was already too late.Lucy tried to open the car door, but the door had been locked again, and that muscular man in a suit, Maxim, was also walking toward this side angrily.Lucy: "Security measures recovered again?"Kiwi: "Ara ara~ Looks like he caught you guys."I don't know if it was an illusion, but it always felt like Kiwi was gloating, with a look of watching a good show.Talk about loving to stir up trouble."Little brat, what are you doing in my car?! Don't play tricks on me, open the door!"Seeing his car being broken into, Maxim angrily slapped the car window, and the entire vehicle shook slightly along with it.Finding that it couldn't be opened this way, he immediately pulled out a handgun and began firing at the car glass."Bang bang bang!"Several shots in succession, and the car window was already covered with snowflake-like cracks.David Martinez: "Looks like the plan needs to change."Looking at the furious muscular man outside the car window, he decided unhurriedly.Kiwi: "?"Maine: "?"Lucy: "?""David Martinez, what do you want to do?"Lucy had a premonition in her heart, a premonition that something big and bad was about to happen."Well, you just take responsibility for sitting tight, buckle up your seatbelt, and next just watch my performance."As he spoke, he unhurriedly fastened his seatbelt, completely ignoring Maxim who was yelling outside the car.Then he took out the homemade immunosuppressant given by Viktor and took two big puffs.Mhm, feels great, condition OK!At the same time, the snowflake cracks on the car window were becoming denser and denser, almost making it hard to see people clearly.Really had to marvel at how good the quality of this car glass was.However, seeing his confident appearance, Lucywas even more puzzled."David Martinez?""Well, well, don't rush."Responding perfunctorily, he said to the system in his heart: "System, redeem vehicle driving technology for me."[Ding, deducted 30k, driving technology has been uploaded.]"Tsk, it really is expensive..."A single driving technology actually cost thirty thousand eddies?What a scammer!David Martinez felt as if his heart was bleeding.How many shard chips and implants would he have to sell for this!But it was still worth the money; the moment he gripped the steering wheel, the feeling instantly came to him, as if possessed by the Akina Mountain racing god."Little brat, open the door for me!! I'm going to chop you into pieces!!!"Outside the car, Maxim's fat face was already distorted with ferocity, pressed tightly against the car glass, not caring whether the glass would scratch him.However, the next second, the roar emitted by the engine startled him.The whole person suddenly panicked.
Stop it, stop right now! My car!!!""Bye-bye~"He even considerately smiled and waved goodbye to Maxim outside the car window, then slammed his foot all the way down on the accelerator.Roar——Clearly a business van, it was now emitting a roar like a sports car.Under the action of the brakes, the other tires not locked up by the brakes spun wildly on the ground, kicking up pitch-black tire-burning smoke."Hehe."A crazy smile curled the corners of David's mouth, and he instantly released the brake.The entire vehicle shot forward like a sharp arrow, even sending the streetlights ahead flying."Ugh ah——"Lucy's cry of anguish rang out inside the car, the damn G-force pressing her tightly against the backrest.32. Need for Speed Spin-off: CyberpunkThe scenery outside the window began to change rapidly, and Maxim behind him dragged his bulky body intending to catch up with the vehicle, but instead got a mouthful of exhaust fumes, and his car was getting further and further away from him...The Alvarado sped furiously down the avenue, brushing past the surrounding vehicles by the skin of its teeth every single time.A drop of cold sweat slowly slid down Lucy's temple.This was far more thrilling than when she drove David wildly down the road on a stretcher back then.It was the first time she had ever seen such a brutal way of driving.To call it a novice's first time driving, yet it could accurately and flawlessly avoid the vehicles on the road.To call it a veteran, this brutal and wild style didn't quite look like it."Hahahahaha, pretty capable, kiddo. I'm really glad you're not driving my car."Maine's bold, gloating laughter came over the comms."What about next? Drive the car straight back to the camp?"David asked while flooring the accelerator.A business vehicle was now being driven by him to feel like an American muscle sports car."Yeah, drive it straight back. Aldo will be waiting for you there.""Right, did you cut off the navigation?""It can't be operated from inside the car, I'm using a jammer."Recovering from her shock, Lucy once again focused her gaze on the PDA and began operating it, her orange-glowing eyes continuously scanning the screen."But the encryption code keeps changing, it'll expose our coordinates. I need a stronger jammer.""Yeah... hold on until... Aldo's... place, should... be no problem."Click——The comms were cut off right there; due to the excessive speed, they had already gone out of communication range."Tch, is this brat a professional race car driver by trade? To actually drive so damn fast."Maine, sitting inside his own car, couldn't help clicking his tongue when he found the comms disconnected.Originally, according to his expectation, it wouldn't cut off for at least another thirty seconds, but he didn't expect it to cut off right now.Just how fast was this kid driving the car?He couldn't possibly imagine that David was currently starring in a Fast & Furious on the road."David, watch out!!!"Lucy, who was operating the PDA and planning the navigation route, inadvertently looked up to find a truck appearing right ahead, rapidly enlarging in her vision.Visual estimation indicated it would crash in the next second."Leave it to me!"Screech——David slightly turned the steering wheel, the sudden change of direction causing the tires frantically grinding against the ground to emit a harsh, agonizing screech.The entire car body swayed violently, dodging the truck ahead by the narrowest of margins.Seeing this, Lucy finally let out a sigh of relief."Hehe, my driving skills aren't bad, right?""Not bad indeed, but it must be because the car's autopilot system is just too good."Lucy, who had already planned the navigation and put down the PDA, started teasing him once again.But she didn't get the reply she expected."Well, maybe that's true."The smile on David's face grew increasingly radiant: "However, this can also be considered a thank-you gift for you taking me on a wild ride on the road last time.""Eh?"This answer slightly startled her expression, and she soon revealed a delighted smile: "Then you'd better drive well and let me thoroughly enjoy this, M · r · D · r · i · v · e · r."Seeing a heartfelt, delighted smile emerge on Lucy's exquisite, pretty face, the corners of his mouth also hooked into a pleased arc:"Of course, hold on tight!"Saying that, he shifted gears once more, accelerating the vehicle."Yahoo—— Haha~"Feeling the intense G-force, Lucy opened the car window, letting the howling wind outside blow into the car to stir her beautiful hair, raising her hands high and letting out a joyous sound.This kind of madness, she liked it very much.The fully throttled Alvarado sped across the road like a super sports car, the roaring sound waves and airflow causing pedestrians on both sides of the road to exclaim in surprise.It was also thanks to Night City's NCPD not caring about street racing, otherwise he would definitely make it onto the NCPD's wanted list right now."Someone's coming."Just as they drove onto the overpass, Lucy manually pulled up a pop-up window.On the screen, two gang members riding motorcycles, holding chains and dressed like cyber-punks, were chasing after them."Holy crap, old friends the Tyger Claws...""Oh? You have a grudge with the Tyger Claws?"Hearing his sentimental words, Lucy's curiosity was stirred up once again."Well, it doesn't count as a grudge, just exchanged blows a few times."This matter goes back to when he was wandering and hunting in Watson.Back then, he happened to run into a firefight between the Tyger Claws and the Moxes near Lizzies Bar, so he casually helped the Moxes out, helping them wipe out that bunch of Tyger Clawsscum.That katana cut in half by a cyberpsycho before came from the hands of the Tyger Claws."Ho~ I didn't expect your experiences to be quite rich."Lucy shot him a smiling, side-long glance.Not knowing if it was an illusion, he always felt like the other person was speaking with hidden meaning, but he didn't care and just shrugged helplessly:"Can't help it, I need money.""Mm-hmm~"Seeing his helpless look of wanting to explain, Lucysmiled happily again, and once again operated the PDA in her hand to crack the new encryption code.Otherwise, if this kept up, they'd have endless trouble."But then again, these guys are really fast..."On the screen, the two members of the Tyger Clawswere getting closer and closer to them.But that made sense; no matter what, this car was still a business van, and its speed definitely couldn't compare to those custom super sports cars and illegally modified motorcycles.Only, Lucy seemed to have misunderstood something."Well, after all, they're hired by Maxim. Don't look at them as just a corporate dog, they've got power and influence.""Besides, most gangs basically do anything for money."Especially those Scavengers."What are you running for?!""Come out and fight me one-on-one, coward!""Where do you think you're going!"The two Tyger Claws members trailing them were spewing foul language in fluent Japanese."These bastards..."Although he couldn't understand what these guys were barking about, the tone was enough to piss him off.So he released one hand and felt for a Lexington pistol from his waist."Lucy, favor to ask, help me hold down the accelerator.""What?"Hearing this, Lucy instantly stopped her hand movements.When she looked up, David had already used his elbow to completely shatter the teetering car window beside him."I'm counting on you.""Eh? Wait... David!"By the time she spoke out, it was already too late; half of David's body was sticking out, one foot slightly hooking the steering wheel to maintain direction.With no other choice, she quickly stretched out her foot to step on the accelerator, ensuring the vehicle's speed."Hahaha, finally dare to come out, huh? Coward!"Seeing David with more than half his body sticking out, the two Tyger Claws people laughed wildly.They twisted the throttle again to fiercely catch up, swinging the iron chains in their hands intending to have a high-speed clash on the road."Come on, you bunch dejected dog bastards!!!"The gale was tearing at his jacket, and as he stuck his body out, he continuously provoked these two Tyger Claws.From time to time, he also paid attention to the large truck in front whose distance was gradually closing, then shouted loudly:"Hold on tight, Lucy!""What?"The wind noise outside the car window was too loud, causing her not to hear clearly what David was saying at all, only vaguely hearing the words "hold on tight".Afterward, she saw David's foot hooking the steering wheel give a sudden twist, and immediately the whole car crashed into the inner lane divider and flew up.The sudden change caught the two Tyger Claws off guard.One of them crashed straight into a MilitechBehemoth and flew out, crashing heavily onto the road, and was then swept under the car's bottom.In the blink of an eye, he turned into Tyger Claws-flavored ketchup, severed limbs and internal organs along with fresh blood scattered in the middle of the road, leaving behind an elegant trace from the wheels.As for the other one, although he also managed to turn the handlebars in time and leaped up the divider to fly into the air, David activated the Sandevistan mid-air.A surge of current instantly flooded his spine, and everything around him was instantly slowed down countless times, as if time had been frozen.In this frozen space-time, he was the only person who could move.He quickly raised his pistol, aimed at the motorcycle's fuel tank, and forcefully pulled the trigger.Bang bang bang!Three sharp bullets burst out of the chamber, and time resumed its flow once again.
Chapter 27Rumble——A lotus-like blast wave expanded in the air, the motorcycle's fuel tank was detonated, and the person riding on it was instantly swallowed by the blast wave and flames.Rough estimate, this guy had been blown to smithereens."Phew——"After finishing all this, David Martinez wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead, and smoothly squeezed back into the car amidst the vehicle's bumps.However, it seemed that because he went a bit too far just now, his lower back might have been sprained...A sharp pain would shoot through him with the slightest movement, as if it was about to snap."Hiss, ouch ouch ouch ouch..."Holding his waist with one hand and sucking in cold air, he used the other hand to steer the vehicle against traffic on the road.However, Lucy in the passenger seat was not doing so well; her entire body was slumped against the seat, her slender delicate hand gripping the car's interior handle tightly, refusing to let go."Lucy, what is wrong with you?""Hehe... Hehehe..."Hearing this, Lucy slowly turned her head, her face full of lingering fear while the corners of her mouth twitched awkwardly."You really are..."Just as she wanted to open her mouth to say something, she suddenly swallowed it back down.What was there to say?What should she say?Crazy?She found that this word was far from enough to describe the teenage boy driving beside her.This was much crazier than she had imagined!If not for his speech still being normal, she would have suspected whether the person sitting beside her was a cyberpsycho.That kind of extremely dangerous behavior from just now was something a normal person could never do...Finding that Lucy seemed to have nothing to say, David Martinez shifted his gaze back to the road and curled his lips:"Tch, although those two people were successfully taken out, those cyberware are a bit of a pity...""..."What a money-grabbing brat...Regarding David Martinez's money-grabbing behavior, she could only silently complain like that, but immediately afterwards, a delicate arc slightly appeared at the corners of her mouth.Although sometimes this boy's actions and behaviors were overly crazy, this feeling... she did not dislike it.Other image.jpg33. Maine's crew former netrunner — — Sasha YakovlevaAt night, Maine's crew, having completed their mission, decided to throw a party as a relaxation after completing the mission and also as a welcome reception for David Martinez officially joining the crew.The location was arranged in front of a restaurant named turbo in Japantown, and there were also a few small stalls at the entrance selling Japanese yakitori and other snacks.Gathered here were not only the people from Maine's crew, but it seemed many strangers also participated.It looked like some didn't even know Maine, and just came over to buy food and drinks because it looked lively.The manager of turbo was also standing at the entrance smoking and chuckling; with Maine's reputation around, those ruffians and punks did not dare to come over and cause trouble."Hula! Hula! Look at this! Soulei!"Pilar was using her pair of nimble long arms to perform wine bottle acrobatics, making everyone laugh.Then, utilizing her superb hand speed, she performed the ultimate pumping technique.The kind where you could only see layers of afterimages.However, if one really pumped in this way, it would probably grind an iron pestle into a needle on the spot, right?Dorio and a man dressed like a restaurant waiter were sitting in chairs watching Pilar's performance.That was the crew's exclusive driver, Falco.Lucy was silently drinking alone, but her head was swaying left and right, as if she was looking at something;Kiwi was alone at the table, smoking, her eyes revealing a bit of dazedness and a bit of trance, as if she was thinking about something.The slender legs usually hidden under the trench coat and tightly wrapped in brown-striped stockings were now slowly crossed together and exposed to the air for all to see.And David Martinez was sitting on the hood of Maine's muscle car, quietly watching the lively crowd.Just at this moment, Maine's tall figure slowly walked over from not far away, seemingly holding two bottles of beer in his hands."Here, this is for you, kid."Maine handed over one of the beers, except that the beer bottle looked like a miniature version in those huge palms."Thanks."He took the beer, took a small sip, and then felt the hood shake.It was Maine, who sat down heavily right beside him."Good performance today, kid.""Thanks for the praise, this is what I should do."David Martinez perfunctorily replied while picking up the beer bottle again to take a sip.But his gaze never left the lively scene in front of him.The joyful scene coming into view at this moment made his thoughts drift slightly far away.How wonderful would it be if time could pause at this moment?Only laughter and joy, no deceit, and even less bloody slaughter.Even his body and mind were infected by this relaxed atmosphere, involuntarily relaxing and leaning backward slowly..."Hiss——Ouch ouch ouch!"His movement pulled on the injured muscles in his waist, and he immediately sucked in a breath of cold air."Hmm? What's wrong?""It's nothing, just accidentally bumped my waist when dealing with those two small-fries from the Tyger Claws."He slowly rubbed and massaged his injured area with his hand."Hahahaha." Maine suddenly burst out laughing: "This is the disadvantage of a natural body.""So, hurry up and save some money to buy yourself some upgrades. This natural body of yours simply cannot withstand the toll of the Sandevistan.""I know."The pain in his waist slowly subsided, and he propped his hands on the hood again, looking up at the bustling and gorgeous neon colors spilling from the vault of heaven, rendering the dark night sky like watercolors.How could he possibly not understand this logic?The system had already prompted him last time.Although not as direct as Maine, it was also telling him that with his puny build, he simply couldn't handle the toll of the Sandevistan.Just looking at today's stunt in the car, bumping his waist muscles was considered light; who knows, one day when using the Sandevistan, causing muscle tears and bone fractures wouldn't be out of the ordinary."Well, but speaking of which, do you have any plans to become a professional driver?"Maine's sudden remark made his expression pause slightly.Regarding what happened on the road today, Lucyhad truthfully reported it to Maine.Especially the fierce battle on the road, Lucy tried her best not to use words loaded with emotional color to describe it, but Maine still felt shocked.He believed that this kid named David Martinez beside him seemed more suited to be a professional driver than a mercenary.But David Martinez himself didn't think so, and regarding Maine's statement, he only gave a slight smile: "What, do you intend to persuade me to change careers?""Or... does my performance today not meet your expectations, and you don't plan to take me in?"His face was full of banter."Hahahaha." Maine laughed again, stretching out a palm comparable to the size of a head and gently pressing it on his head, "Rest assured, we'll take care of you."Saying that, he picked up the beer bottle that completely didn't match his body size and gulped it down, then changed the subject:"But don't forget, in this world no one can be completely trusted, except yourself."At this moment, the resolute expression shown by Maine couldn't help but make him think of JackieWelles, but an older brother who made people feel even more at ease than Jackie Welles.Emmm, a bit like Commander Orga.After the two looked at each other for a few seconds, Maine slowly withdrew his gaze: "If you don't want to die, grow up quickly."This was not alarmism, but solid, honest truth.He himself knew this point deeply as well.Even for Maine's crew, getting to where they were now, they didn't know how many batches of team members had been replaced.In Night City, the lives of most people wouldn't be very glorious and magnificent, even until the moment of death it was the same.Even like right now, maybe in the next second, a lunatic holding a weapon would pop out from over there and blow your head to pieces with a single bullet.Completely without any warning, without any omen, just so casually, dying miserably on the roadside like a stray dog.Life was just so humble, and also so worthless.Thinking of this, he instinctively reached into his pocket, took out a cigarette, and held it in his mouth.Snap! A faint flame ignited on the lighter, slowly lighting it.Then he took a blissful drag, his gaze revealing a bit of dazedness.Seeing his action, Maine only glanced at it and quietly drank his beer.After a while, an old woman holding two paper bags placed them beside Maine."Here, this is for you, today's pay."Maine placed one of the paper bags beside him, and not only that, transferred a large sum of money to him as well."So much?"Looking at the thirty thousand euros extra in his account, he was slightly surprised."You get paid for how much work you do, that has always been my principle."Although that was said, this thirty thousand euros was probably close to the entire reward this time.And this paper bag...Out of curiosity, he casually opened the package, but his brows furrowed slightly.It was filled with jars and bottles, and the labels on them prominently marked the words "Biotechnica"."Biotechnica's corporate goods?""That's right, produced by Biotechnica, they're considered high-end goods on the market, these are enough for you to use for a month.""Looking at your expression, is there a story behind this?"Not knowing if it was an illusion, when mentioning Biotechnica, Maine's tone was slightly disappointed, and a trace of worry also appeared on his face."It's not really much of a story..." Maine took a bottle from his own bag and held it high toward the sky, the translucent liquid inside reflecting the neon colors, filling his eyes with a look of reminiscence."An old partner of mine went missing because of Biotechnica... and hasn't been heard from since.""And I don't know if they're still alive now."Maine's voice was filled with nostalgia.That missing team member was the crew's only and best netrunner before Kiwi arrived.However, on a certain day of a party at the Afterlife Bar, she suddenly left them.And there was never any news or whereabouts of her again.