— 1 Week Later —

I cracked my eyes open tiredly. It had been a long while since I slept for so long, and damn was it a good rest. I pushed myself up and hopped in the shower.

Today was the day we'd be doing the job for Meredith Stout. I didn't know who Padre had contacted to help me with this job, but honestly, it didn't matter.

Eddies were eddies, and getting in with Stout could be helpful in the future.

I turned the shower water off and went to my mirror, stopping to get another look at myself. There weren't really any changes besides the occasional bullet wound scar still visible on my tan skin-

Oh, and the fact that I was chromed the fuck out.

Well, to say I had a bunch of cyberware would be a lie. I installed my Sandevistan, an extra heart, and got some new legs cyberware—specifically the Reinforced Tendons and the Fortified Ankles.

The Reinforced Tendons allowed me to double jump mid-air, further enhancing my abilities. The Fortified Ankles allowed me to charge jumps and blast off. Being able to move at an incredible speed using my Sandevistan and then stacking Ren on top of that was a considerable boost. However, charging a powerful jump and then double jumping in the air made getting around much more manageable.

Whenever I wanted to go somewhere, I'd hop around the rooftops. It was incredibly convenient and saved a great deal of time.

I also got two high-end gorilla arms installed, which made my jobs a lot easier.

So yeah, I was pretty fucking chromed out, and some might even say I had too much. They'd be correct, but I didn't have to worry about going cyber-psycho, thanks to the perk Resistance, which made me resistant to all poisons, diseases, and radiation.

I got dressed and made my way out of the door. Padre wanted to meet us at midday, and I was already running late.

I crouched down, charging my jump and activating my Ren before blasting off. As I felt myself reach my peak height, I used a double jump to blast a bit higher. Then, I let myself fall. My first apartment wasn't very far from Coyote Cojo, about a fifteen-minute walk, but these cyberware implants made traveling around so much faster.

I landed outside of the bar after only two minutes of traveling.

And I wasn't even pushing myself that hard. I could have shaved off a lot more time if I used my Sandevistan.

I made my way inside and looked at Padre's booth. I immediately paused. A massive grin tugged at my lips.

I didn't expect to see familiar faces!

As I approached the booth, I forced the grin off my face. Padre's eyes locked on my approaching form, and eventually, the others waiting noticed me.

"Good, you're here." Padre smiled.

"This him?" One of the guys sitting in the booth asked. He looked me up and down, sizing me up before nodding. "You've got some serious chrome for a rookie, amigo."

"Can't make a name for yourself without a bit of metal." I shrugged, offering a hand to the man. He looked at it before grinning and grabbing a hold of it. "The name's Jacky Welles; lookin' forward to a tiempo de diversion, amigo."

"Maliketh Aeneas." I grinned back, shaking his hand and looking at the others.

"Gustavo Orta."

"Norio Akuhara."

Both men gave quick greetings and nods, which I returned. I knew all of them here. Jackie is V's best friend in Cyberpunk 2077, and Gustavo is one of Jackie's chooms working in the Valentino gang. If I remember correctly, his brother is the leader, and he acts as second in command.

My eyes locked on the biker helmet-wearing man and narrowed minutely.

Norio Akuhara. A tough motherfucker, and even those words didn't rightfully do him any justice. He was easily one of the more challenging cyber-psycho fights in the game and an absolute sword beast.

"Now then, shall we get to business?" Padre asked, and I slid into the booth, sitting beside Jackie. "Data shards."

Padre's bodyguards walked over and slid three data shards on the table. The three guys grabbed them and put them in their NeuroPorts. I had already learned all I needed about the job, and Padre knew I didn't need a refresher.

As the glow left their eyes, they pulled the shards out and placed them back on the table.

"I can see why you got a team like us." Norio crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yes." Padre nodded, taking a sip of his glass. "You all know what to do. Don't mess this up."

"Right." I sent the man a quick grin and pushed myself out of the booth. The others followed me toward the exit.

"Riding with me?" Gustavo questioned me.

"Yeah, I don't got wheels," I admitted. I didn't typically need one, but having my own set of wheels would be great not only for getting around but also to embody one of the greatest events Night City had to offer.

Races.

"Hop in with us then." Jackie grinned, slapping his arm on my shoulder. "What about you, Norio?"

"I'm fine, thanks." Norio walked past us; moments later, a motorcycle rolled up on autopilot. He hopped on the motorcycle and took off toward the meetup site.

"Eh, we'll grow on him." I shrugged. If things went well and we got our handsome pay, I doubt the guy would want to avoid such jobs like this; after all, his whole purpose in life was getting enough money so he and his girlfriend could leave Night City together.

"Estoy seguro, mi amigo." Jackie nodded, patting my shoulder once more. I really needed to get a translator. I knew what he said last, but I didn't know Spanish enough to understand the first.

Gustavo's ride pulled up half a minute later, and we all hopped in, with me taking the back seat. Once we were all secure, Gustavo floored the gas, blasting us off through the city toward the meet-up site.

We were in Heywood, specifically 'The Glenn,' which was just below the city center. Our destination was the northeast side of Night City called 'Northside.' It was a place primarily desolate of people, at least the meetup site was. It was a really good spot for a bunch of Corpos to meet with some Mercs for work.

"So, how long ya' been doin' work in Night City?" Jackie questioned, and judging by the side-eye Gustavo gave him, he was unhappy with him for asking such a thing.

"A few months, give or take."

"Well, you seem to be handling yourself well. Good for you! This city is where legends are born, after all!" Jackie flared his arms dramatically, all while seemingly caught up in his dreams of grandeur.

"Jackie, enough." Gustavo piped in.

"No fun," Jackie whispered, crossing his arms and leaning back in his seat.

The rest of the ride was quiet. I didn't speak up, and it seemed like Jackie was the only social one among the two men.

I don't know how much time passed before we finally reached our destination, and I didn't care. I could practically smell the shit in the air as I opened the door and stepped outside. On the plus side, it also smelled like something else-

Eddies. Good old eddies.

The other two hopped out of the car, and we all looked up at the abandoned factory. Militech wasn't here yet. That was fine; we could wait.

"Damn, Corpos gonna have us waitin'!" Jackie frowned, kicking a rock as he made his way over to the front of the factory. Norio was already there, leaning against the massive entrance door with his arms crossed over his chest.

I decided to keep my distance. I didn't think of Padre as one to set me up, no I trusted him-

But I didn't trust Corpos.

They were the kinds of people who would do anything in their power to get a leg ahead of others, and if it meant killing a few rising mercs to avoid having to deal with us at their peaks…I wouldn't put it past them.

The only solace I found in this situation was that it was Meridith Stout. She was the kind of lady to do everything I just mentioned before, but beyond that, getting the bastard who is trying to take out her associate would definitely be a higher priority to her than just taking us out.

And I could work with that, but I wouldn't let my guard down.

Jackie, Gustavo, and Norio managed up a little small talk. Mostly Gustavo and Jackie. Norio seemed perfectly content with not talking to any of us. I didn't hold it against him.

There were very few people you could trust in Night City, and people in this business were likely the most untrustworthy of them all.

After around fifteen minutes of waiting, we heard a truck pulling up. I was sitting across the street on the curb while the others were in front of the factory. The truck stopped, and moments later, several people hopped out. Mostly, men dressed up in camo pants and gray shirts. Although as heels clicked against the ground, I couldn't help but grin as I got a good look at the lady herself.

Meredith Stout. She looked damn good in that tight dress she liked to wear. It was really good at clinging to that heart-shaped ass of hers.

Even if this job turned out to be a bust, I'd say it wasn't all bad, not after this delicious sight in front of me.

Meredith walked over to the other three guys, being trailed by her own three men. One of them turned around and made eye contact with me before whispering in her ear. She turned around to see me sitting casually.

Well, I guess it's go time.

— Chapter End —