The car soon arrived at Jig-Jig Street in Kabuki, the very location where rcer had committed the bloody incident the previous night.
Looking out, he could see the NCPD caution tape still wrapped around the entrance of the dark-thed doll shop in the distant alley. The scorch marks from the fire had yet to be painted over.
As the perpetrator, rcer found the sight of NCPD officers investigating at the mouth of the alley sowhat ironically amusing.
Parking the car nearby, rcer stepped out without a trace of fear.
The others followed suit, except for Kiwi, who stayed in the car, reluctant to erge. "A, I’d rather not show my face around here."
"Got it, afraid of running into soone you know, I understand. But let tell you, from now on you’re with . Stand tall, don’t be scared."
As he spoke, rcer tossed his handgun to her. "If you don’t want to co out, just stay in the car.
V, leave the keys with her. If things look bad, drive off first and call .
Later, go pick out a gun you like from the shop. Even as a netrunner, you need a reliable piece.
If anyone gives you trouble, just ssage , and I’ll send V to handle it.
Or just pull the trigger, a short press has limited range and power, but holding it down charges it up. You’ll feel the gun vibrate when it’s fully charged."
"Thank you, A."
Kiwi nodded at rcer with a reassured smile.
She felt that since eting rcer, she might have said "thank you" more tis than in the past decade combined.
rcer nodded back, then shoved his hands into his pockets and headed toward Wakako Okada’s Pachinko Parlor.
Along the way, he spotted a few Tyger Claws mbers who appeared to be casually chatting but were actually on security duty in the area.
Wakako Okada’s shop wasn’t large, just a few dozen square ters filled with over a dozen machines, all currently in lively use.
Pachinko balls cascaded inside the machines, accompanied by stimulating music and alluring images of beautiful won. rcer glanced at them briefly but showed little interest.
Pachinko, a type of gambling machine popular among the Japanese, was sothing only fools believed could make them rich.
rcer strode forward; Wakako’s office was located at the back of the pachinko parlor.
"You, what’s your business?" A Tyger Claws mber in a suit, with a katana at his waist, blocked rcer’s path with a hostile expression.
rcer glanced at him. "I just ssaged Wakako. My na is A."
"Oh, Ms. Wakako ntioned soone nad A would be coming to see her, but she didn’t say you’d brought friends."
The Tyger Claws man eyed rcer coldly, his gaze lingering on Rebecca and Pilar behind him.
"You two are too late. All the jobs have been handed out already."
He recognized these two kids, forrly Wakako’s favorite rcenaries, Papa Sunrise’s children.
Rumor had it they were supposed to follow in their father’s footsteps, but they showed up late for their first job. Truly hopeless.
rcer replied calmly, "They’re with . I can go in alone." The Tyger Claws mber’s cybereye glowed faintly, likely communicating the situation to Wakako. After a mont, he stepped aside, revealing the narrow door to Wakako’s office. "Go ahead. Ms. Wakako is expecting you."
V glanced at rcer, who simply gave her a reassuring look before walking alone toward the office.
After passing through a short hallway, a modest office ca into view.
Wakako Okada, the old-school fixer of Night City, sat behind her desk, studying rcer with a scrutinizing gaze.
The elderly woman, likely in her seventies or eighties, didn’t seem to prioritize upkeep or "maintenance" like most people. Her wrinkled face beneath silver hair gave her the appearance of a kindly grandmother.
"A, I thought you wouldn’t co to see in person."
"Originally, that was the plan. I figured with an old-school fixer like you, Ms. Wakako, it’d be best to prove my skills with a few clean jobs first before trying to build a relationship. Otherwise, any discussion would be pointless, just a waste of ti."
After rcer finished, Wakako chuckled softly.
"You’re not wrong. However, I’ve already heard about what you did yesterday at Afterlife. You effortlessly hacked a netrunner’s brain, and you and that rcenary V took down a rampaging Fenrir in one round. Not only that, but I also know a dollhouse on Jig-Jig Street was hacked last night, leaving quite a few dead. And a number of holess dolls escaped. When I looked into it this morning, one of them was a girl nad Kiwi. That was your doing too, wasn’t it, A? All for that girl nad Kiwi?"
rcer nodded without hesitation. "Ms. Wakako knows Kiwi?"
Wakako smiled and shook her head. "Of course not. But when sothing like this happens on my turf, I need to know who’s responsible, right? With so many girls running off, I had to consider if one of them had outside help. And that girl Kiwi is sowhat well-known among the kids under . Pretty girls tend to stick in the boys’ mories. I hadn’t figured out who was behind it until you showed up today. My people told they saw that girl Kiwi with you. Then it all made sense. I was wondering where Night City had picked up such a skilled unknown netrunner."
rcer didn’t deny it, simply nodding again. "So it seems this eting has brought an unexpected bonus?"
"Exactly, A. I have a job for you." Wakako Okada offered a faint, gentle smile. "It’s high difficulty, but the pay is generous."
rcer perked up.
"Please, go ahead."
Sure enough, work had arrived!
"Biotechnica has been covertly testing so new drugs out in the Badlands. So old friends of mine are very interested in their research. They want to get their hands on so drug samples, ideally with the accompanying data, so they can evaluate whether Biotechnica’s work is worth further investnt. So we need a skilled netrunner to break into the company and extract the relevant data, along with so capable rcenaries to intercept a Biotechnica vehicle and retrieve a drug sample."
The job isn’t simple, but it’s not overly complicated either, especially since you have so friends from the Aldecaldos who can help.
The pay is high. If you manage to get both the data and the sample, the reward is 300,000 eddies.
If you only retrieve one, either the sample or the data, the paynt drops to 150,000.
Normally, data stolen from a corp is priced based on its actual value, but this ti, neither I nor my contacts are entirely sure what it’s worth, so we’ve settled on a rough estimate.
So, if the data you retrieve from Biotechnica turns out to be highly valuable, don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get a better price.
But if you co back empty-handed and Biotechnica catches wind of it...
A, I’m not one to hold rcenaries accountable for failure, but I despise having my reputation tarnished or people thinking I misjudged soone’s capabilities.
So if anyone asks about Kiwi or anything else, like who botched the job, I won’t cover for you.
Consider this a test, A. If you’re confident, give it a shot. If it seems too difficult, I can always find soone else.
But once you accept the job, I expect you to see it through. I believe that if you pull this off successfully, you’ll have no shortage of clients in the future."
Wakako Okada spoke unhurriedly, her tone consistently gentle, yet her eyes behind her reading glasses were sharp, like a tigress’s.
rcer simply smiled and replied bluntly, "The pay isn’t exceptional, but as long as it’s not too much trouble, I’ll take the job. That said, I have to ask, will your old friends mind if I take a little tour through Biotechnica’s servers while I’m at it?
If I happen to co across any other interesting data, how will that affect the price?"
"It’s been a while since I’ve t a netrunner as confident as you, A."
Wakako smiled warmly. "But a skilled netrunner ought to be just like you. As long as you’re not afraid of Biotechnica coming after you, you’re free to decide how you handle the mission.
Also, this payout is quite generous. Since I don’t need to plan the operation for you and am only providing information, I’ll be honest, I’m only taking a 30% cut this ti.
After all, it’s our first collaboration. I want to see what you’re capable of, and it’s only right that I show so sincerity.
Besides, this job isn’t as difficult as you might think, you’ll understand once you review the materials.
The reason the pay isn’t higher is simple: I didn’t want to assign you sothing too challenging right off the bat. I need to see your skills for myself first.
That said, my friends aren’t afraid of Biotechnica noticing sothing amiss. So if you’re willing to take the risk and retrieve more valuable data, or even uncover so major secret this ti...
I promise, the reward will be worth your while.
I know you’re new around here. If you need extra hands, let know, I know so reliable people. Or if you require specific tools, I have connections who can supply you.
As for Pilar... Well, him and his sister, they should probably gain more experience before taking on a job of this scale."
Wakako sat in her office, yet she was fully aware of everything happening outside. Every mber of the Tyger Claws sends any noteworthy information directly to her as soon as they obtain it.
rcer simply said, "True gold fears no fire. If they have the guts to earn this money, let them test whether they have what it takes.
If they don’t, they should change careers sooner rather than later.
As for manpower, don’t worry. I’ll find the right people myself to handle the job.
But I need detailed information, the more, the better. I hate surprises, hidden pitfalls I’m unaware of, and being deceived most of all.
Ms. Wakako, I know you’re a decent person, which is why I ca to et you in person to show my sincerity.
No matter how difficult your request is, if I agree to it, I’ll get it done. So, as long as your intel is solid, just wait for news of my success."
"Very well, A. I also prefer doing business with honesty. Over all these years, no rcenary has ever accused of being unfair. Rest assured, the intel and materials have long been prepared."
Wakako smiled and took out a storage chip.
"Although the other party isn’t in a hurry, I’d prefer this job not to drag on too long. So, I’ll leave this matter to you, A."
rcer took the chip, a smirk forming beneath his mask. "Don’t worry, I’ve been wanting to take a stroll through Biotechnica’s servers for a while now."
This ti, he didn’t plan to have soone plug the chip into Biotechnica’s servers and then go there to steal sothing himself.
Because it was too difficult, Biotechnica’s security was far tighter than Night City’s municipal governnt.
So he wanted to try hacking directly from the net. That’s what a high-level netrunner should do, sitting at ho and accessing their servers’ contents.
Back in the day, Bartmoss lay in his fridge and browsed through all the corporate secrets. rcer wanted to learn from that.
"Then it’s settled... By the way, Ms. Wakako, there’s sothing I’d like to ask about the father of those two kids."
After rcer spoke, Wakako naturally knew which children he was referring to.
"Ah..."
Wakako sighed deeply. "I didn’t expect those two still haven’t let it go.
I sent their father on a mission related to Arasaka. He ssed up, got caught, and died.
There’s no other special reason, I can guarantee that.
His mission failure caused so trouble at the ti, not to ntion he was my favorite rcenary back then.
Naturally, I investigated the matter thoroughly to see if anyone had played dirty.
But in the end, that’s just how it was. No one can be successful and lucky forever. No matter how skilled a rcenary is, one mistake can cost them their life.
If what you’re asking about is... say, who emptied their father’s bank account or who cleared out their ho entirely,
then I can tell you right now."
Wakako glanced at rcer, her tone calm. "But you’d better think carefully before telling the siblings, especially that little girl Rebecca.
You didn’t bring them in with you, so I assu you already understand her and her brother’s temperants."
rcer nodded.
Only then did Wakako slowly recount the events of that year. "The one who emptied their father’s bank account was hired by his old lover.
That foolish woman thought she was being discreet and that the people she hired were reliable." But the outco was that once the money was transferred out, she ended up dead, killed by her partner. After all, it was over three hundred thousand eddies.
"Well, that partner’s na was Iwai Sho, a mber of the Tyger Claws. Unfortunately, he blew through the money almost imdiately and later died in a street fight.
The person who cleaned out that family’s ho, though, is still alive.
Her father spent lavishly back in the day, and whenever he was short on cash while out having fun, he’d borrow from just about anyone.
He always thought he could pay it back quickly, so he ended up taking various loans from a guy nad William Jas.
He didn’t take those debts seriously at the ti, just a little interest, right? He figured he’d repay everything with interest after just one job.
But he never expected to die so suddenly. After that, this William Jas showed up and cleaned out his entire ho.
William runs his casino in 6th Street territory now, leveraging his connections with the gang. He’s still in the business of operating casinos, handing out loans, and running small bars.
I don’t know much else about him, just... Well, it’s up to you. Be careful, he’s pretty well-connected with 6th Street."
rcer nodded. "Thanks, Wakako. I’ll take this job seriously. As for how long it’ll take, I’ll need to review the details first."
"Alright, A. Let’s stay in touch by phone." Wakako smiled and handed rcer her private number. rcer pocketed the data chip and turned to leave.
Pulling off a job against Biotechnica, especially one rcer intended to hit hard, required careful planning.
As Lucy always reminded him, he wasn’t a lone wolf anymore. No matter how bold his actions, he had to prioritize the safety of his crew.
So, rcer needed to verify the intel himself, double-check every detail, formulate a foolproof plan, and only then move into action.
The mont rcer stepped outside, Rebecca rushed over anxiously, grabbing his arm. "A, did you ask? About my dad!"
"I did. Let’s talk outside."
As he walked out, rcer glanced at V.
V looked puzzled. "Why are you looking at ?"
"Can’t I just admire how pretty you are? Why so sensitive?" rcer teased.
"Cut the crap. You’re definitely up to sothing, I can tell!" V said bluntly.
rcer chuckled. "Animal intuition, huh?"
"Mhm! So, what’s going on?" V crossed her arms.
"Picked up a big job from Wakako, but I’m still deciding whether to bring you in," rcer said succinctly.
V’s eyes lit up. "Co on, A! What’s the job? We’ve fought together a few tis already, where are you gonna find soone more reliable than ?"
"This one’s high risk and high difficulty, so I only want to work with my own people, you know, like Kiwi, soone who’s officially part of my team." rcer stared directly at V, making his aning perfectly clear: Co join .
His words made V roll her eyes. "Seriously? Then give the details. If I work with you, how much will my cut be?" "Depends on how much you contribute, but I guarantee even the lowest share from this op will be tens of thousands of eurodollars.
In my crew, I plan to allocate 40% of each job’s earnings to team expenses, things like base equipnt, rent, security systems, and mission vehicles.
The remaining 60% will be distributed based on contribution.
So equipnt we buy for the base might be used for our team’s R&D. For example, I research software, hardware, cybernetic modifications, and so on. If any of that leads to marketable products, those also count as team assets.
Side gigs you pull on your own are yours to keep, but private work can’t co at the team’s expense.
If you earn money using the team’s reputation or channels, 20% of that goes back into team funds to help us grow and strengthen."
rcer’s lengthy explanation made V’s head spin. She cut straight to the point. "Just tell , if I officially join your crew, how much would I get from a job like the one Wakako gave you this ti?"
"The total payout for the job is 90k eddies. How much each person gets depends on how many are on the team and what role they play, paynt is need-based."
As soon as rcer finished, V couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.
Even Rebecca and Pilar’s eyes lit up. If not for their lingering sense of reason, they might’ve dropped to their knees right then and there.
Ninety thousand eddies?
Even split a few ways, that’d be ten or twenty thousand each!
Holy shit. Is this how the big leagues roll?
"Don’t get too excited yet. We’ll talk details later, V. Focus on doing your part tonight first."
Hearing that only made it harder for V to hold back. "Damn, how am I supposed to stay calm with that kind of money on the line? What even is this job? Robbing a corp?"
rcer nodded. "Pretty much."
"Whoa... Now that’s what I call hardcore." V’s hands trembled slightly, a mix of excitent and fear. It was that flicker of fear that kept her from imdiately jumping onboard.
For a kid from the streets, corps were nothing to sneeze at.
Back at the car, Kiwi, who’d been waiting in V’s ride, quickly rolled down the window and whispered to rcer, "I feel like soone’s watching !"
"Good instincts. You were made the mont you showed up. Didn’t realize you were this well-known among the Tyger Claws."
rcer’s tone was relaxed. "Wakako didn’t say much. Looks like your troubles are over, doubt anyone will co sniffing around anymore."
"What?" Kiwi blinked, surprised.
"Wakako thinks you’re with . As long as she wants to keep working with , she won’t leak your info. If anyone tries to cause trouble, she’ll likely give a heads-up."
rcer paused, then added, "I skimd through so files on the server yesterday. That shop was run by a low-level Tyger Claws lieutenant.
Nothing the Claws do slips past Wakako. My guess is, once we finish this job, the people you’re worried about won’t bother you again.
Wakako will either stop those gonks for us or tip us off early so we can take out anyone looking for trouble first.
Kiwi, you’re free. You don’t have to worry about those assholes from your past coming after you anymore. That’s it." rcer’s words left Kiwi montarily at a loss for how to respond. She opened her mouth, only to finally say, "I see."
"Yeah, and don’t overthink why those idiots kept staring at you. I figure they were just acting on their creepy impulses.
Alright, V, let’s head to your place first. I need to go over the plan for tonight with you carefully. After that, I’ll have a proper talk with Kiwi. Since she’s decided to join us, I’ve got to take responsibility.
For now, both of you, get in the car."
After speaking, rcer casually returned to his car.
Pilar was about to approach when Rebecca pushed him away. "Get lost and stay over there. I need to talk with A."
"Don’t you go crazy again!" Pilar warned.
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "I know! I don’t need you to tell !"
As soon as rcer sat down and the driver’s door closed, Rebecca slipped into the passenger seat, staring straight at him. "A, about my dad’s situation—"
"I can tell you, but you have to promise not to do anything stupid out of excitent again. Can you do that?"
rcer’s words made Rebecca nod vigorously with excitent, her twin-tails flying behind her head.
"I can!"
rcer was skeptical of her promise. After all, it’s hard for a kid to grow up without getting a few hard lessons.
But it didn’t matter, if she dared to act out, rcer would just punch her at the critical mont.
"The person who wiped out your bank account was your dad’s lover. She did it in cahoots with soone from the Tyger Claws.
After she took the money, her partner killed her, and that partner didn’t last long either before he died.
The one who cleaned out your house is nad William Jas. He’s currently with the 6th Street gang, running a casino and loan business. Your dad borrowed so money from him and didn’t pay it back before he died. When William Jas heard, he ca to collect."
Before rcer could finish, Rebecca exclaid angrily, "Bullshit! He was just there to rob us! He didn’t even say how much my dad owed him, he just took everything valuable in the house!
Just one of the sniper rifles from my dad’s storage locker, custom-made by Malorian Arms, could sell for over two hundred thousand. And there were other things too, high-end artwork my dad collected, the safe...
I don’t even know what was in the safe, they took the whole thing!
No matter how much of a bastard my dad was, he wouldn’t have borrowed that much without paying it back! If Pilar hadn’t been smart and hidden so small gold, silver, and watches, we would’ve starved on the streets!"
rcer scratched his ear. "I told you not to get worked up."
"I—" Tears welled in Rebecca’s eyes, but her expression was fierce as she gritted her teeth. "I’m going to rip his head off myself and ask him exactly how much my dad owed him!"
rcer gave a noncommittal hum. Rebecca waited a second before realizing. "You... you’re not going to stop ?"
"You want revenge, why would I stop you?"
rcer said calmly, "I just need you to stay calm. Handle what’s in front of you first, figure out the other side’s strength, make sure you’re prepared before you make a move.
Your life is your own. If you don’t take it seriously, what can anyone else say?
Reckless revenge isn’t my style. I prefer to prepare everything first, then carry out a smooth, satisfying revenge."
Rebecca was silent for a mont before nodding firmly. "I understand... I won’t act impulsively this ti. I’ll investigate thoroughly first!"
"My suggestion is, maybe you should put revenge on hold until after you’ve joined up?"
rcer chuckled. "Once you’re one of us, the crew will have your back. You won’t have to worry so much."
Rebecca didn’t reply, just studied rcer, looking at his mask, and suddenly laughed.
rcer glanced at her, puzzled. "What’s so funny?" "I was just wondering, why would you want to recruit soone like and treat so well?"
Rebecca blinked, then suddenly flashed a rather flirtatious smile. "Do you like ?"
rcer was left speechless by her antics. "Of course I do. I don’t just like you, I like V too, and a few others you haven’t t. I like plenty of pretty girls. What, you want to get in line?"
"Tch." Rebecca’s face fell, but she quickly leaned in again with a grin.
"Hey, A. My brother and I have nowhere to stay lately, and we’re broke for food. How about... you help us out?"
Her hand slithered toward rcer like an eel, making him jolt and instinctively elbow her away. "I’m driving. Cut it out."
Rebecca huffed, puffing her cheeks as she rubbed her side and slumped back into her seat. "You’re weird. So you really only care about my skills?"
Though her actions had been a test, being rejected like this still bruised her pride a little.
"Can’t I just feel sorry for you?"
rcer didn’t mince words. "I think you’re cute. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but pretty skilled. And you’ve got a good heart, a rare kind of girl in Night City. That’s why I’m giving you a chance. Got a problem with that?"
Rebecca brightened up at the praise, quickly forgetting about the elbow. Beaming, she said, "Right? I think I’m pretty decent too."
Watching her laugh cheerfully, rcer couldn’t help but shake his head. "Alright, anything else you wanna ask?"
Seeing that he wasn’t hard to talk to, Rebecca studied him for a mont before relaxing and asking curiously, "Are you around my age?"
Even with his mask on, his voice, height, and the shape and tone of the ears and neck he revealed made it clear he couldn’t be very old.
"Eighteen," rcer stated firmly. "I’m eighteen this year."
Once he hacked City Hall and got a new ID, even God himself wouldn’t convince anyone otherwise.
Rebecca didn’t seem suspicious. "Then we’re not that far apart~ A, you’re pretty impressive for your age, already putting together your own Edgerunner team? How’d you get to know Wakako? She doesn’t hand out big jobs to just anyone."
rcer replied calmly, "Like I said before, if you’re skilled enough, fixers will co begging you to work."
"How co I’ve never heard of you before? Are you new to Night City?" Rebecca pressed further.
"Pretty much. Yesterday was my first proper hello to Night City. After this, I plan to make it my ho."
rcer didn’t hide much from her. "That’s why I’m recruiting, building a team. You can probably tell, V and Kiwi are like you, they just t too."
"But V seems to respect you a lot. How did you et Kiwi? Are you planning to bring her into your team too? Uh, not to stir the pot or anything... but Kiwi, she seems kind of... cold-blooded, you know?"
The more Rebecca learned about him, the more questions seed to pile up. rcer continued speaking at his own unhurried pace. "V might be a bit of a dumbass, but her instincts are sharp. And for the record, I t her at Afterlife yesterday after discussing so business with Rogue there.
A rookie rc getting work straight out of Afterlife, I’d say that’s proof enough of what I can do.
As for Kiwi... her story isn’t mine to tell. If you’re curious, ask her yourself.
All I can say is I pulled her out of a dollhouse on Jig-Jig Street last night.
Why bring her into my crew? Simple.
I’m aiming big, and big plans need people. Even though Kiwi used to be a doll, she never accepted that fate, taught herself so solid netrunning skills.
Even without my help, she would’ve found a way out on her own soon enough.
And I believe she ant what she said to . Soone like Kiwi, who trusts almost no one, was willing to take a chance on and join up.
So of course I’ll trust her back, give her that shot.
Trust begets trust. Skills are secondary. The only rule I have for my team is to treat each other like family."
If rcer wanted to recruit soone, he had to be straight with them about what he stood for.
He glanced at Rebecca, who seed deep in thought. "That’s also why I’m giving you a chance. You might not be the most skilled yet, and your attitude could use so polishing, but you’ve got a good heart. Soone worth trusting.
In Night City, not everyone would step in to help a waitress cornered by the Animals.
And when she snapped at you afterward, you looked hurt, but not resentful.
That tells you acted out of genuine kindness."
rcer sighed softly.
"A kid who can’t even afford a decent al, no gun to her na, grabs a butter knife and charges the Animals on impulse, all for a stranger.
Rebecca, plenty of folks in Night City would call you stupid for that. But not ."
He turned to look at her, his gaze so warm it made Rebecca uncomfortable. She glanced away, avoiding eye contact.
"That’s the main reason I want you on the team. Guess I’ve done my share of dumb, impulsive things too."
Rebecca fell quiet for a mont before asking softly, "Is that why you saved Kiwi...?"
"Yeah. I couldn’t stand those assholes buying girls and treating them like lumps of profit. So I reached out to Kiwi and got her out."
He paused, then added more seriously, "But here’s where we differ, Rebecca. You need to understand, not everyone is worth saving.
Take that waitress, for example. If she’s not even trying to save herself, if she’s already given up and accepted that life... people like that, I usually don’t bother with. That said..."
A faint smirk touched his lips. "...if I’m in a good mood, I might help anyway, whether they ’deserve’ it or not. Saving soone just feels good. At least it does for ." Rebecca pursed her lips, staring into rcer’s eyes. His tone and gaze showed no hesitation as he spoke; she could feel he wasn’t lying.
In that mont, an inexplicable joy washed over her.
For the first ti in her life, soone had affird a belief she held.
"Is that so..." She didn’t know why her nose suddenly stung. Turning away, she crossed her arms and looked out the window. "A, if soone said this to you, "Don’t pity anyone in Night City, because Night City pities no one," how would you respond?"
"Then burn this city to ashes and build a new one from the dust."
rcer laughed boldly, his tone full of bravado. "Night City, it’ll be my city in the future. What it looks like will be up to ."
"...You talk bigger ga than Pilar."
Rebecca’s tone was complex, but after speaking, she turned back to look at rcer. "A, you said if I joined up, you’d help get revenge. Do you an it?"
"I an it," rcer nodded.
"Pilar and I are broke and can’t afford food lately," Rebecca pressed, her eyes fixed on him.
"Then I’ll get you both a hotel room to stay in and give you so cash to get by. Once I’ve settled in Night City, I’ll bring you all over."
rcer said it like it was nothing.
"What if... what if I cause trouble again?" She pursed her lips, staring hard at rcer as if trying to see through his mask.
"If you screw up on your own, I’ll bail you out first. Once things calm down, I’ll have V beat the crap out of you."
rcer paused, then chuckled. "But if it’s not your fault, I’ll tell those assholes causing trouble: as long as I’m still breathing, no one lays a finger on my people!"
Rebecca raised both hands to her cheeks, then slapped her own face hard with a loud smack.
Before rcer could ask, she took a deep breath and declared fiercely, "Damn it, I’m in!"
She turned, locking eyes with rcer, her expression deadly serious. "As long as you’re not lying, and everything you just said is true, from today on, I’m officially with you!"
"There’s sothing I should tell you upfront, Rebecca. I’ve got plenty of trouble on my hands. You could say it’s because of the corps that I had to flee to Night City."
"And I don’t plan on laying low. Biotechnica, Arasaka, Militech, I plan to take them all on."
rcer didn’t want to trick her and decided to reveal a bit of the truth.
"Fuck the corps! If you’re not scared, neither am I. Let those stupid corporate dogs bring it," Rebecca shot back fearlessly.
"...Well then, Rebecca." rcer extended a hand.
Rebecca reached out and gripped his palm firmly.
"Welco to the Kindling Squad," rcer said with a light laugh, squeezing back before letting go.
Rebecca’s vision flickered briefly as a 2000 eurodollars deposit notification appeared before her eyes.
"You and Pilar stay at a hotel here with V for now. I’ll call you when a job cos up."
rcer’s voice carried a faint hint of joy, the curve of his smile obvious even beneath his mask.
Ha. Little Rebecca, secured, just like that. My charm really is sothing else!
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I’ve seen so people worry about the lack of action and feel like the MC is just collecting girls. Rest assured: you won’t have to wait long for the plot to kick in. The action starts at Chapter 60, before that it’s mainly character developnt. So keep reading, I don’t think you’ll regret it.
5500 words
If you want you can get more Chapters on p-atreon/AstartesTL
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