---
A Profit-Driven Opportunist
A guy like Faraday—driven purely by profit—was soone David originally thought he wouldn't have to deal with unless their paths crossed.
But since Faraday had co knocking on his door, there was no way David would let the opportunity slip away.
After a brief discussion with Rogue, they reached a simple agreent:
She would leak the ti and place of his next appearance to Faraday.
As for what happened next?
That was David's business to handle.
Rogue didn't doubt David's confidence for a second.
Because if he couldn't even deal with a small-tir like Faraday, how could he dream of taking on Arasaka?
With the plan in place, David walked out of Rogue's private room and returned to the main bar.
---
A Promotion Worth Celebrating
"Hey, brat, what were you and the boss talking about?"
Behind the bar, Claire was polishing a glass as she casually tossed him the question.
David leaned against the counter, smirking.
"Nothing much," he said lightly. "Just a little upgrade to my status."
Claire raised an eyebrow. "Upgrade?"
David tapped the table with his knuckles.
"Starting today, I'm no longer just so rc for hire—I'm a shareholder of Afterlife."
...?!
Claire almost dropped the glass she was holding!
After catching it just in ti, she stared at him in disbelief.
"Wait, wait, wait—you're joking, right? We don't just let people buy shares in Afterlife!"
David chuckled.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
To prove his point, he knocked on the counter again.
"Sis, pour a drink—sothing strong. Let's celebrate."
Just as Claire was about to ask more, a sultry voice cut in.
"Oh, congratulations, Mr. David!"
David turned toward the source of the voice and saw three familiar figures approaching the bar.
Judy Alvarez, Susie, and Jenny—three key mbers of the Mox.
Susie, ever the flirt, sat beside him, crossing her legs with a teasing smile.
"I haven't seen you in just two days, and you're already a shareholder of Afterlife?" she purred. "Guess the sky's the limit for you, huh?"
David smirked. "You should start calling Mr. David now, out of respect."
Susie giggled. "Yes, yes—congratulations, Mr. David."
---
Gratitude from the Mox
David leaned back in his seat, arms crossed.
"Alright, what's the reason for your little surprise visit?" he asked, his tone casual but sharp.
"Don't tell you just happened to be in the neighborhood?"
Susie leaned in, her dark brown skin glowing under the neon lights.
"Well," she said coyly, "maybe we just missed you?"
David chuckled. "Not buying it."
Judy, the most serious of the three, sighed and cut to the chase.
"We ca to thank you," she admitted. "For helping us take down Jotaro and for rescuing those girls from Cloud."
David raised an eyebrow.
So they already knew about what he did to the Tiger Claws.
Judy continued, her expression sincere.
"Without you, we never would've been able to stop that bastard. We owe you, David."
David's gaze flicked between the three of them.
"And how exactly do you plan on thanking ?"
A playful glint flashed in Susie's eyes.
"Any way you want."
She ran a finger along the edge of David's thigh.
"Money? Power?" she murmured.
Then, with a sultry grin, she added,
"Or... maybe we express our gratitude in a more... personal way?"
She winked.
"All three of us, if you like."
David raised an eyebrow.
Judy coughed awkwardly, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Ahem—ignore them," she muttered, looking away. "They're just ssing with you."
Susie turned to Judy, smirking.
"Co on, Judy," she teased. "Are you sure you don't wanna join in? Guys like David don't co around every day, you know."
Jenny chuckled. "She's right. Don't miss your chance."
Judy's face turned an even deeper shade of red.
"You two are impossible!" she huffed.
The sound of Susie and Jenny laughing echoed through the bar.
David watched the exchange with mild amusent.
Who's thanking who here?
For a mont, he thought back to the rumors—wasn't Judy supposed to be into won?
Then why was she blushing?
David smirked but didn't press the issue.
Instead, he simply said,
"You don't need to thank ."
That caught them off guard.
Jenny raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
David nodded. "I didn't know those girls were from Cloud at the ti—I just let them go because it felt like the right thing to do."
Susie pouted. "Still, we insist on showing our gratitude."
Jenny nodded. "Yeah, whether you like it or not, the Mox consider you a friend now."
"As far as we're concerned," Susie added, "you're one of us."
Then, she grinned mischievously.
"As a token of appreciation, you'll have free VIP access to Lizzie's Bar and Cloud. Anything you want—on the house."
David blinked.
Did they really just offer him free access to Night City's most exclusive braindance club?
He almost rejected it.
But then—an idea hit him.
"Alright," he said, changing his tone.
"There is sothing you can do for ."
The three of them exchanged glances.
Jenny leaned in. "Na it."
David's eyes darkened slightly.
"I need information on soone," he said.
"A girl nad Evelyn Parker."
At the ntion of the na, Judy's expression stiffened slightly.
Jenny, too, seed surprised.
"Why are you looking for her?" Susie asked.
David simply smiled.
"If you really want to thank , then don't ask questions," he said smoothly.
Jenny hesitated for only a second before nodding.
"Alright. We'll find her for you," she promised.
David smirked. "Good. Let know when you do."
---
A Step Closer to the Relic
As the three won left, David leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Once I find Evelyn, the Relic chip will be within reach.
And once I have the Relic...
Johnny Silverhand will be back.
Everything was falling into place.
David swirled the drink in his hand, watching the neon lights reflect off the glass.
The ga had just begun.
And he was one step ahead.
---
To Be Continued...
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