261-265

Chapter 261: The More Charming the Man, the More Dangerous  

Being stuck here wasn’t a big deal for the crew. The place was cramped, and the passages leading down to the research lab were narrow, barely wide enough for anything bigger than a small vehicle.  

This meant that no matter how many goons the enemy threw at them, numbers wouldn’t matter much. It all boiled down to a classic gekokujō—a narrow-path showdown where only the bravest would come out on top.  

As for the risk of being buried alive, no one was sweating it. The yōkai-like stragglers from Yurei Yagyō (Night Parade) coming here were after the same loot stashed by their crew. If they blew this place up, they’d be screwing themselves out of the prize. No way they’d take that bakeneko-level gamble.  

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Yurei Yagyō’s goons descended into the research lab. Gunshots and screams echoed through the corridors as the jinzōningen (android) squad guarding the lab’s entrance clashed with them.  

Those screams? Definitely coming from the Yurei Yagyō punks.  

When they had the cover of armored vehicles or were weaving through on motorcycles, those yōkai wannabes could hold their own, blasting the jinzōningen with everything from rifles to rocket launchers. But in these tight quarters? They were out of their league.  

Without their vehicles, they were no match for the jinzōningen, especially now that these androids had been upgraded with “Rc saibō” (Rc cells) and were wielding weapons that obliterated any tech gap.  

“Puchi! Kacha! Kacha!”  

The sound of blades slicing through flesh rang out—scratch that, not just flesh. These weapons cut through steel like it was tofu. Gotta hand it to Kenritsu, the company behind these blades. Their quality was sugoi—absolutely top-tier craftsmanship. The Yurei Yagyō goons were getting carved up so badly, you could practically hear their tamashii (souls) crying out in pain.  

By the time Jack, V, and the others reached the scene, it was a massacre. The jinzōningen were swinging Kenritsu weapons like they were in a shinken shobu (life-or-death duel), cutting down the Yurei Yagyō goons like they were chopping bamboo. The enemy was screaming, limbs scattered across the floor, blood painting the ground a vivid crimson.  

“What the heck is going on here?”  

The crew froze, jaws dropping. Did they even need to show up? This was a one-sided satsuriku (slaughter).  

“In a narrow-path fight, the brave win. Compared to these jinzōningen who follow orders without flinching, those Yurei Yagyō punks don’t have the guts,” Riku said, not surprised at all. In terms of raw combat power and maneuvering in tight spaces, the Yurei Yagyō goons were doomed, even if they brought ten times their numbers.  

Brandishing their kagune (ghoul-like tendrils) and wielding chainsaw swords and thermal katanas, the jinzōningen effortlessly pushed back the enemy.  

“Get ‘em! Don’t let a single one escape!”  

Jack snapped out of it and rallied the crew to charge in. This was their chance to wipe out every last one of these stragglers.  

V, Sasha, Lucy, Panam, and Mitch rushed forward, joining the jinzōningen in the attack.  

This time, Riku didn’t just stand by. His shadow flickered across the ground, darting to the entrance outside. In a flash, he materialized, taking out the handful of Yurei Yagyō goons guarding the exit with a casual swipe. He blocked the way out, trapping the rest inside.  

The fight ended hayaku (quickly). The already sparse Yurei Yagyō stragglers were cleaned up in no time. The narrow research lab passages reeked of blood, but nobody cared.  

Once they confirmed no one had slipped through, the crew’s attention shifted to Yurei Yagyō’s stash. The only thing standing in their way now was a tightly sealed door. Unfortunately, “Razor” Steve Kowalski had no clue about the password.  

“No dice. Only the boss knows the code, and he changes it all the time. He’s the one who opens the door—we just follow him in,” Razor Steve said cautiously, clearly worried he’d lose his usefulness and get shinigami’d (killed) on the spot. After all, he hadn’t exactly delivered on his promises.  

“…”  

Jack and V exchanged glances. This was a problem. They’d come in too fast to bring any blasting gear. Then their eyes landed on Riku. With him around, who needed explosives? That door wasn’t stopping him.  

Riku raised an eyebrow and manipulated his shadow to slip into the warehouse. The door wasn’t perfectly sealed, so getting in was a breeze.  

His form appeared on the other side. Calling it a warehouse door was generous—it was more like the gate to the deeper parts of the lab. Inside were countless rooms, big and small, all converted into storage spaces.  

Though the lab was abandoned, Yurei Yagyō had clearly restored some basic functions after taking it over. Riku opened the door from the inside, letting Jack, V, and the others in.  

“Whoa, what kind of jutsu is this?!”  

Panam, Mitch, Scorpion, and the other nomads stared in awe, looking at Riku like he was some kind of kaibutsu (monster).  

“Space teleportation? That’s just… yabai (insane)!”  

Mitch Anderson’s jaw dropped, unable to process it. He’d fought in the war a few years back for the Free States, going toe-to-toe with New America and Militech. But he’d never seen tech like this. In just a few years, had tech really advanced this far?  

“Secret hiden (technique),” Riku teased with a grin, offering no explanation and letting them speculate.  

“Always so mysterious,” Panam muttered, rolling her eyes before joining the others to check out their haul, dropping the topic of Riku’s “tech.”  

Beyond the door was another passageway, lined with warehouses that were probably once labs or dorms. Now, they were packed with Yurei Yagyō’s goods.  

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!”  

The crew’s eyes widened at the sight. There were stacks of eurodollars, but honestly, not as many as expected. V, Jack, and Riku, who’d previously raided the vault of a big-time yakuza-like boss, weren’t impressed. It felt a bit sho-boi (pathetic) for Yurei Yagyō’s reputation.  

But Panam, Mitch, and Scorpion? Their jaws hit the floor. The Bright family wasn’t exactly swimming in cash. They rarely did the stereotypical nomad gigs, keeping things mostly legit. Seeing boxes of eurodollars had their eyes sparkling—not out of greed, but because it meant their clan might finally catch a break.  

“This’ll take some weight off Saul’s shoulders,” Mitch said, exchanging a glance with Scorpion. As supporters of Saul Bright, they knew how much pressure the guy was under.  

Since taking over the Bright family, Saul had been scrambling to improve their situation. His only real win so far was the deal Riku and V had cut them, but that wasn’t exactly his doing. He was desperate to show results, not just rely on being fair and selfless.  

Reaching out to corpos was Saul’s latest move, but it stirred up drama within the clan. Panam, for one, wasn’t on board.  

The last time the Brights worked with corpos was after the Fourth Corporate War, when they were hired to clear nuclear blast ruins. They took heavy losses, only for the corpos to ditch their promise of medical support, leaving the nomads to fend for themselves.  

Even though that was decades ago, the scars lingered. Some clan elders who lived through it were still around, so Saul’s push to reconnect with corpos was bound to cause a stir.  

Still, plenty of folks understood Saul’s reasoning. Nomads couldn’t survive completely cut off from corpos unless they wanted to go full sengoku jidai (warring states era) and live like primitives.  

Everything in this world—seeds, tech, you name it—was controlled by corpos. The Brights, like all nomads, had it rough. Those who backed Saul figured limited corpo contact was fine, as long as they didn’t end up as corporate inu (dogs).  

“Yurei Yagyō’s got a ton of firepower stashed here,” V noted.  

Besides cash, the warehouses were loaded with weapons. From standard gear to rare finds like Ashura and Nekomata rifles, they had it all—everything short of the super high-end stuff you rarely saw in Night City.  

“Heck yeah, I’m not passing this up!”  

V grabbed a Nekomata sniper rifle, grinning like a kid with a new shonen manga. She’d been hunting for one of these forever. Brand-new, fresh off the line, it was love at first sight.  

Riku shook his head, ignoring V’s fangirling as he checked out the deeper warehouses. Beyond cash and weapons, there were motorcycles parked in some of the rooms.  

The lab’s passages were just wide enough for bikes, and Yurei Yagyō clearly had a thing for them. Compared to cars, bikes had that jiyū (freedom) vibe, perfect for tearing across the open land like a samurai on horseback.  

“Not bad,” Riku said, nodding in approval. This kind of arsenal wasn’t easy to come by, even with cash. Buying this much at once? Good luck. In Night City, Arasaka would never let that slide—they were the real shogun pulling the strings.  

“Perfect for arming my jinzōningen squad,” Riku mused. Cold weapons like Kenritsu’s thermal katanas, chainsaw swords, and power swords were great, but his androids needed firearms too. The stash here would fill the gap nicely.  

“Time to split the loot,” Jack announced after they’d scoped out every warehouse. Everyone had put in work, so it was only fair to divvy it up. No one was greedy enough to try hogging it all.  

“Biggest credit goes to us, no question,” V said, clutching her Nekomata, sounding cocky but not wrong. Nobody argued. Riku’s jinzōningen had carried the fight, and everyone saw it. Questioning that now would be straight-up bushi-nai (dishonorable).  

Sure, the loot was tempting, but no one had the muscle to take it all and wipe out the others. Riku could, but he wasn’t about that life. Sharing some with the nomads was fine—they could be useful allies down the line.  

In the end, Riku’s crew took a hefty 70% of the haul, leaving the remaining 30% for the Bright family and the other nomads to split. Riku didn’t care much for the cash, focusing on the gear instead. Since he was the main muscle, no one dared object to his picks. Plus, him skipping the eurodollars suited the nomads just fine—they needed cash more than weapons.  

The split went smoothly, everyone playing nice as they carved up Yurei Yagyō’s stash. Riku started moving his share into his Kagekai (Shadow Realm), saving the hassle of hauling it out. No other storage spot could handle this much loot anyway.  

“Whoa…”  

Panam, Mitch, and Scorpion gawked as Riku made the goods vanish in an instant. They’d thought his “teleportation” was some personal-use kagaku (tech), but this? This was on a whole other level—yabai didn’t even cover it.  

Their imaginations couldn’t stretch to the idea that Riku had his own pocket dimension the size of a small city. They just assumed it was some crazy space-warping tech.  

“Who is this Devil guy?” Panam muttered, her curiosity spiking. There was something about this Devil—Riku—that screamed nazo (mystery). She had to admit, he was even more kakkoii (cool) than last time, enough to make her want to sneak a few extra glances.  

“Don’t get too curious about a guy like that. The more mysterious they are, the more trouble they drag along,” Mitch warned, his tone heavy with concern. Even he, a rough-and-tumble nomad, couldn’t deny Devil’s charm—a charisma that even the toughest samurai types had to respect.  

“Tch, you think I’m some shoujo heroine?” Panam shot back, rolling her eyes. She knew Devil’s fancy tech meant he was no ordinary guy. Whatever was behind him was probably a mess of yami (darkness).  

Chapter 262: Aspiring to Be a Big Shot 

“Need any help from me?”  

Riku asked Panam and the others with a smile, not minding lending a hand. 

The offer made Panam hesitate for a moment. She looked at Riku, whose sincere expression was hard to doubt. Deep down, she knew he had no reason to trick them. If he wanted to keep more of the loot, he could’ve just given them less from the start. After all, Riku group called the shots on how the spoils were divided—they had no say in it. 

“Alright, thanks, Devil!”  

Panam accepted his offer干脆ly, not overthinking it. She trusted Riku wouldn’t screw them over and didn’t give Mitch or Scorpion a chance to object. 

“…” 

Mitch Anderson and Scorpion exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of resignation. Riku was in charge of dividing the loot, so they could only go along with Panam’s decision. If Riku didn’t want to share, he wouldn’t bother with this gesture. 

The Jinzōnin—artificial humans—stood nearby, their terrifying combat strength plain for all to see. Sure, the other families brought their own people, but they doubted they’d fare any better than the Night Riders against them. Strength was power, and right now, Riku held all the cards. They had no choice but to follow his lead. 

The other wandering tribes were the same—obediently handing everything over to Riku to handle. 

“Let’s go.”  

Riku understood their thoughts but didn’t bother explaining. He packed up the loot and headed outside. 

Leaving the research facility, they retraced their steps. Riku accompanied them, ensuring each group got their share. V, Jack, Sasha, and Lucy tagged along, basically taking a tour of all the wandering families around Night City’s Badlands. 

“Mr. Devil, call us anytime you need us!”  

That was the most common thing Riku group heard along the way, said with heartfelt sincerity. The wanderers were thrilled with their haul. A few losses were nothing—wanderers were used to casualties. A long trip could mean not coming back at all, but this time’s gains were way bigger than any long haul. 

Riku agreed to their offers, making sure Jack, V, and the others exchanged contacts. He especially wanted the wanderers to reach Jack Welles. Riku saw potential in Jack and planned to groom him for leadership. Jack had the chops to take charge. 

“Thanks, Devil. Wanna swing by our family camp?”  

The last stop was the Bright Family. After handing over their share, Panam extended an invitation. 

“Yeah, Mr. Devil, come hang out! Let us show some hospitality,” Sol Bright chimed in, trying to keep them. He was in his thirties, steady and sharp, clearly someone with a plan. 

“Nah, we’ve gotta head back to the city,” Riku said with a smile and a wave, declining the offer. Sol’s expression told him the guy had a ton of questions for Panam, Mitch, and Scorpion. 

“Yeah, we’re in a hurry, so we won’t stay,” Jack added, backing him up. V threw in a few words too. 

Seeing their insistence, Sol and Panam didn’t push further. They saw them off, with Sol even escorting them partway before heading back. 

Once Sol and his crew were out of sight, Jack let out a relieved sigh. Sol’s enthusiasm was overwhelming—any further, and they’d practically be back in Night City. Truth was, Jack didn’t want to go back yet. He was having too much fun in the Badlands. 

“That fight was a blast. I’m sticking around to help old Mosby clear out the Night Riders. You guys head back,” Jack said to Riku, V, and the others. He clearly hadn’t had his fill and wanted to stay longer. It wasn’t just the Badlands he loved—it was the feeling of being treated like a big shot. The wanderers gave him serious respect. 

“Do whatever,” Riku said, unbothered. If Jack wanted to stay and hunt Night Rider stragglers, that was his call. It wasn’t exactly a fun job. 

“Fine, stay here then,” V said, clearly thinking of the dust and grit of the Badlands. She had no interest in eating sand or playing big shot for the wanderers. With a fat stack of cash from the job, she’d rather head back to Night City and knock back a few drinks. 

“We’re heading back too,” Lucy and Sasha said. They had no reason to stay either. In the end, Jack was the only one who stayed, which he’d expected. 

It wasn’t just about soaking up the “big shot” vibes. Riku was deliberately setting them up to gain more influence, maybe even unite the wanderers. Jack could feel it. He wanted to put in the effort, get to know the wanderers’ ways and thinking, build connections through shared interests, and back it up with strength. It was simple but effective. Still, he wanted to dive deeper into their world. 

“Stay safe,” Riku said with a nod, parting ways with Jack. He wasn’t too worried—Jack could hold his own anywhere. His bold, friendly personality meshed well with the wanderers, and the Night Riders were no threat to him. 

“Don’t go trying to be a big shot and end up flipping in a ditch,” V teased, earning a middle finger from Jack. He hopped on his bike and tore off toward the Red Ocher Family’s camp. They were Riku most loyal allies, the most reliable, and gave Jack the most respect, so he planned to link up with old Mosby and his son. 

“Let’s head back,” Riku said, switching out the Warhorse for a Thress, a sleek business car better suited for Night City. He took the driver’s seat, with the three girls piling in, and drove straight into the city via Watson District. The bridge to downtown was heavily guarded, but Watson and the Badlands? Barely checked. Watson was a mess—smugglers, stowaways, all kinds of chaos flew under the radar. Seal off the bridge, isolate Watson, and it wouldn’t touch the precious corporate lords downtown. 

That’s why Watson was the perfect hideout for all sorts of shady characters—a place where everyone showed their true colors. 

They parked in front of Afterlife Bar. It was late, but the place was still buzzing, packed with Cyberpunks talking big. 

“I’m telling you, we hit the jackpot this time! Be jealous!”  

As Riku, V, Sasha, and Lucy walked into Afterlife, a familiar voice rang out. Sure enough, it was Mann, drinking and bragging. Dorio, Pilar, Rebecca, Kiwi, and even Falco were there—quite the crew. 

“Made bank, huh?” Riku said with a grin, greeting Mann’s group. Thanks to Sasha, their two crews were pretty tight. 

“Hell yeah, we pulled off a big one!” Pilar said, laughing as he slung an arm around Riku. Riku had trained under Pilar to pick up some Tech Specialist skills, so he was close with the quirky siblings. 

“Don’t get cocky, Pilar. Our ‘big one’ probably doesn’t compare to theirs. Otherwise, why would Sasha run with them?” Mann said, his tone a bit sour. He clearly wasn’t thrilled that Sasha kept working with Riku crew. 

Mann didn’t have any special feelings for Sasha—he cared about all his team members. He and Dorio were tight, too. 

“Ahem, Mann, don’t put it like that,” Sasha said, a bit embarrassed. She’d made the choice herself, and Mann’s words made it sound like she was just chasing the bigger paycheck. 

Truth was, she teamed up with Jack and V’s crew not because of Riku but because Kiwi was free, and she preferred working with Lucy over Kiwi. Both sides had hackers, so she could pick either. She’d been getting along great with Lucy lately, so the choice was obvious. If Kiwi wasn’t available, she’d help Mann’s crew. If Lucy wasn’t free, she’d still join Riku side—especially since they’d helped her take on Biotech. That was enough to tip the scales. 

“Haha, just messing around, don’t take it serious. So, how’d you guys do?” Mann laughed, smoothing over the awkwardness. Despite his rough, Jack-like exterior, he was just as sharp and caring, always looking out for his people. He was just a bit salty about his teammate being “poached” but had no real beef with Riku crew. 

“We cleaned house—took out the Night Riders,” V said bluntly, eager to brag about their big win. In Night City, who hadn’t tangled with the Night Riders? For Cyberpunks like them, the Night Riders were old news. You weren’t legit in Night City unless you’d scrapped with them. They were the kind of punks everyone hated but everyone dealt with. 

“What?! For real?”  

V’s words stunned the crowd. Mann’s jaw dropped, and even Pilar, who’d been yammering at Riku, froze, staring at V in disbelief. 

“Of course it’s real. Why would I lie? You think I’d brag about something you could fact-check by taking a trip outside the city? I’d be called out in a second,” V said, leaning back in the booth after ordering drinks, talking big. She’d teased Jack for soaking up the “big shot” treatment in the Badlands, but now in the city, she was just as eager to spread the word. 

Riku could only chuckle. Street kids like V and Jack were cut from the same cloth—dreaming of fame, becoming big shots, and pulling off earth-shaking jobs. It was their whole deal. 

As V’s loud voice carried, more Cyberpunks took notice. Someone claiming they wiped out the Night Riders? That was too juicy to ignore. Even Rogue, the old legend herself, strolled over, drink in hand, a smile on her face. The crowd parted automatically, letting her take a prime spot. 

“Wow, even Rogue’s here,” the crowd murmured. Seeing Rogue at Afterlife wasn’t rare, but getting her attention was. 

“Keep talking, I’m just listening,” Rogue said, nodding at Riku. They knew each other through Taz Santiago. 

Speaking of Taz, Riku wondered how their adventure turned out. They weren’t finding Johnny Silverhand’s body, that’s for sure—Riku had already cleaned out Los Alamos Lab. Their trip was a bust. 

Riku narrowed his eyes, noticing Rogue’s look of awe. It was odd—she’d never seen his strength firsthand, so why the reverence? Then it hit him. Had Taz’s crew already been to Los Alamos? If so, it made sense. Seeing the lab emptied out, they’d likely connect it to Riku, since he’d gotten the lab’s details from them. They’d avoided going with him, suspecting he had his own agenda. 

“Rogue, guess you’re out of business with the Night Riders now,” V said, fearless even in front of a legend like Rogue, raising her glass with a smug grin. 

“Good. Those bastards are finally gone. Cheers to you—justice served,” Rogue said with a sly smile, raising her glass to V. 

Rogue believed V. She wasn’t sure about V’s skills, but with Devil involved? No question. She trusted Riku power. If he could clean out a place like Los Alamos, wiping out the Night Riders was child’s play. 

Chapter 263: David Martinez 

“Holy kami! That’s intense!”  

V’s storytelling had everyone at Afterlife hooked, feeling like they were right there on the battlefield where nomads clashed with reckless abandon.  

The folks drinking and bragging at Afterlife were no strangers to danger—hardened ronin who lived on the edge. But their usual gigs were nothing compared to this kind of all-out war. The wildest they got was maybe dodging a hundred or so goons chasing them down. A real battlefield with hundreds, even thousands? That was a whole different shinken (serious fight).  

Not everyone had V’s sengoku-level skills or experiences. For normal people, escaping a hundred pursuers was already the stuff of legends, a straight-up kiseki (miracle).  

In this era, the gap between people was bigger than the gap between humans and inu (dogs). These cyberpunks, among regular folks, were like sengoku warlords cutting through enemies with ease. But their rivals weren’t pushovers either—far from ordinary humans.  

When everyone’s superhuman, the only ones who could truly take on a hundred foes single-handedly were freaks like Adam Smasher or V “Thunderclap”—people who’d gone full kaibutsu (monster), shedding their humanity entirely.  

“That’s some yabai stuff. You guys have that much pull with the nomads now?”  

Rogue took a sip of her drink, her voice tinged with awe. She wasn’t focused on the war itself but on the fact that Riku and his crew could spark a conflict like this. Not just anyone could rally nomad clans to storm Yurei Yagyō’s turf.  

“We put in the manpower and muscle. It was too good a chance for them to pass up,” Riku explained. The nomads weren’t fools—if the opportunity wasn’t golden, they wouldn’t have risked it.  

“…”  

Rogue eyed Riku, her gaze unreadable. To her, he was a dangerous figure, cloaked in a nazo (mystery) that made it impossible to gauge how deep his connections ran.  

V, meanwhile, was eating it up. With Rogue hyping her up, none of the cyberpunks doubted her story.  

Everyone was floored, buzzing about their strength and influence. The way they looked at V and Riku had changed—like they were staring at daimyo (big shots). V could feel it, and she was loving every second.  

Riku couldn’t help but think Jack would be kicking himself if he knew. Becoming a legend at Afterlife, leaving his name etched in its history, had always been Jack’s yume (dream). But now? V was stealing all the spotlight. By the time Jack got back, the hype would’ve probably fizzled out.  

Then again, maybe Jack’s standards had risen. Maybe “being an Afterlife big shot” didn’t even faze him anymore.  

Under the crowd’s cheers and curiosity, V drank herself silly. By the time they left, Riku was practically carrying her out, her legs wobbly from booze.  

“Geez… how do you even get this drunk?”  

Sasha shook her head at V, who was draped over Riku like a ragdoll. Among them, V was the only one who’d gone all out, chugging nonstop. Riku didn’t drink, and Sasha and Lucy only had a few sips, so they were fine.  

“Get in. I’ll drive you back,” Riku said, tossing V into the backseat. The street punk was surprisingly chill when plastered, sprawled out and out cold.  

Sasha and Lucy climbed in, keeping an eye on V to make sure she didn’t do anything crazy. Their places weren’t far, and the drive was quick.  

Lucy hopped out first, waving to Riku and Sasha. She walked off with a spring in her step, probably because she’d scored a fat stack of cash—more than most cyberpunks could dream of.  

“Lucy’s always wanted to go to the moon,” Sasha said as the car pulled away, watching Lucy’s figure fade. Clearly, she and Lucy were tight enough for Lucy to share her yume.  

“What a random dream,” Riku remarked. The moon? What was so great about it? Was she just fed up with this world, craving a fresh start somewhere else?  

“Yeah, kinda out there,” Sasha agreed with a chuckle. Even as Lucy’s friend, she thought it was a weird goal.  

Riku shook his head. He knew Lucy’s dream stemmed from a lack of purpose. Getting revenge on Arasaka? She didn’t think it was possible. Her biggest jab at them was swiping their employees’ chips on the sly.  

As a former kōzan-musume (mining girl), Lucy had seen too much of the world’s ugliness after escaping the mines. Revenge felt out of reach, so running away to the moon seemed like a decent escape.  

Sure, she knew the moon wasn’t the paradise the ads made it out to be. But could it really be worse than this messed-up world?  

“Getting Lucy to ditch the moon idea is simple,” Riku said. “Just give her something—or someone—more important than escaping. If she finds a reason to stay in this rotten world, she’ll drop it.”  

He spoke from experience. Too bad David Martinez never really got Lucy. They were both all-in for each other but terrible at communicating, always tripping over misunderstandings.  

“You sound like you know her better than I do. Planning to be her special someone?” Sasha teased, covering her mouth as she laughed, her eyes twinkling.  

“If you want, I wouldn’t mind helping you keep your friend around,” Riku shot back through the rearview mirror, his tone playful. Sasha’s expression froze for a second.  

“Pfft, what’s that got to do with me? I don’t need your help. Do whatever you want, just don’t use me as an excuse,” she huffed, glaring at him. In her head, she was roasting him—this guy’s got some nerve, trying to flirt under the guise of helping me!  

“I didn’t say I was doing anything. You brought it up,” Riku laughed, teasing her further as Sasha’s eye-roll reached tenkai (heavenly) levels.  

Speaking of David Martinez, Riku realized something. That kid’s story might not even happen anymore. Riku had already thrown the world’s plotline into chaos.  

With Hanako Arasaka learning the truth early, her showdown with her old man, Saburo Arasaka, was on a shinigami (death god) timer. Night City—no, the whole world—was about to go yami (dark). Whether the rest of the story would play out was anyone’s guess.  

“Alright, I’m home. Drive safe.”  

Soon, Sasha reached her place. The cat-eared onna (lady) bounced out, twirling to wave goodbye to Riku.  

Vroom.  

Riku nodded, starting the car and pulling away. He was thinking about reaching out to David Martinez. The kid was the shujinkō (protagonist) of this anime, after all. Converting him might unlock some unique tokushitsu (trait).  

Riku had noticed his motivation for chasing down random plot characters came from the thrill of possibly scoring new traits—like pulling a rare card in a gacha game.  

As for whether David would agree to being converted? Riku didn’t care much. Harsh as it sounded, being converted by him was David’s lucky break. In this twisted world, a kid like David, with his background, was just shigen (fodder). No one would blink if he died. If he wasn’t the shujinkō, Riku wouldn’t even bother—there were too many like him to convert them all.  

Lost in thought, Riku drove back home. He could’ve taken a shortcut—stashing the car in his Kagekai (Shadow Realm) and teleporting—but there was no rush. He didn’t mind cruising through Night City.  

Back when he played the game, he’d drive around just to soak in the scenery, a total outsider. Now, living in it, the “scenery” wasn’t so pretty. All he saw was the blood and tears of the shomin (common folk).  

Parking the car, Riku carried V out. They’d upgraded from their old skyscraper shoebox to a swanky high-rise daimyo mansion V had just bought.  

Riku had been crashing at V’s new place since his old spot was basically a warehouse. The mansion was huge, with plenty of room for him to stay.  

V didn’t mind at all—she owed her new digs to Riku’s help. Kicking him out would be bushi-nai.  

Carrying V, Riku noted she wasn’t exactly light. Street punk or not, her cyberware probably weighed more than her flesh.  

“Come on, can’t you kick on your metabolism mod? You’re drunk for, what, five minutes? Why keep it going?”  

Inside the lavish mansion, Riku dumped V on the couch, grumbling. With her body, she could sober up instantly if she wanted.  

“Nope! I’m good!” V mumbled, rolling over on the couch. She was a bit clearer than before, at least enough to sass him back.  

“Whatever,” Riku said, rolling his eyes. He plopped onto the couch and started studying the hacking materials Sasha and Lucy had given him. Time to fix his hensachi (weak subject).  

With cash and time to spare, picking up hacking wasn’t a bad move. His strength gave him the luxury to branch out.  

Hacking was benri (useful) in a high-tech world like this, no question. Even in other worlds, it wasn’t useless. It might not pack a punch in a fight, but it could counter electronic kaibutsu or devices.  

The room went quiet. V rolled over, eyeing Riku. Her cybernetic eyes flickered as she sobered up, ditching the drunk vibe.  

“You’re seriously studying now? Talk about discipline,” she said, grabbing a can of cola from the table and chucking it at him.  

Snap.  

Riku caught it without looking, popped it open, and took a swig. “Thanks,” he said casually.  

“Tch!” V clicked her tongue, annoyed that he ignored her jab. This guy doesn’t even see me as a woman, does he?  

“What, you expect me to take advantage of you while you’re drunk?” Riku teased, smirking as he sipped his cola.  

V’s mouth twitched. She didn’t bother responding, just stormed upstairs to her master bedroom in the duplex mansion. Riku’s guest room was downstairs.  

“What a guy,” Riku chuckled, shaking his head. He didn’t need sleep, so he spent the night grinding through the hacking basics, mastering the fundamentals by dawn.  

First thing in the morning, he called Captain, asking him to track down David Martinez. Riku vaguely remembered where David lived but didn’t have the exact address. Time to let the local yakuza handle it.  

Captain was on top of it, sending over David and Gloria Martinez’s address in no time.  

“V, I’m heading out to handle something. Wanna come?” Riku called up the stairs.  

No answer, just the sound of V rolling over in bed.  

Riku laughed to himself, unbothered. Shadows enveloped him, and he vanished from the room.  

He zipped to Santo Domingo, meeting up with Captain. The guy looked the same as ever—scruffy, laid-back, but respectful. Riku had saved a ton of Santo Domingo folks and cut Captain in on the organic meat deal, so the guy was loyal.  

“Mind setting up a meeting with Gloria and David?” Riku asked. He didn’t want to just show up at their door—that’d make it seem like he was desperate. This was just a whim, after all.  

“No problem,” Captain said, grinning. He didn’t go himself but made a quick call, and his crew got to work.  

“Done,” Captain said soon after, faster than Riku expected. Turns out, his people had been keeping tabs on the Martinez duo, figuring Riku might want to reach out later.  

Chapter 264: Mother and Son 

Gloria was utterly confused, completely thrown off. She had no idea why Old Captain’s men had come looking for her, specifically asking to meet both her and her son. It left her totally baffled. 

In the Santo Domingo district, the Old Captain’s name carried serious weight. He was the real deal—a local kingpin with eyes and ears all over the city. Especially in the working-class neighborhoods, if a suspicious stranger showed up, he’d be the first to know. 

To Gloria, Old Captain Muammar Reyes was a big shot, someone who could change their lives for better or worse with a snap of his fingers. Her first instinct was to run—natural for an ordinary person facing something unexpected. 

But she quickly ditched that idea. It was obvious the Old Captain’s men were watching them closely. 

At home, Gloria was pacing like a cat on a hot tin roof. By the time her son David got back, she’d already run through a dozen possibilities in her head. 

“Huh? You’re home?” 

David Martinez pushed open the door, surprised to see his mom there. Gloria was usually swamped with work and rarely got home before him. 

“David, did you get into some kind of trouble?” 

Gloria, her auburn hair framing her anxious face, looked up. Her question caught David off guard. 

“Trouble? No way! Why would you even ask that? Come on, am I the kind of guy who’s always stirring up problems?” 

David blinked, then answered with a hint of annoyance. Getting interrogated the second he walked in made it sound like he was some delinquent always causing a ruckus. 

“Really?” 

Gloria let out a sigh of relief. Her question wasn’t out of the blue. While waiting for David, she’d mentally reviewed everything she’d done recently. She was certain she hadn’t crossed the Old Captain or his crew—or anyone, for that matter. 

If it wasn’t her, her thoughts naturally turned to her son. The Old Captain’s men had specifically asked for both of them, so it wasn’t a stretch to wonder if David had gotten himself into something. Though she didn’t want to believe David would cross someone like the Old Captain—he’d always been a good kid, never causing her trouble—it seemed like the only explanation after ruling out everything else. 

Thankfully, David denied it, and Gloria let out a long breath. 

“What’s going on, Mom?” 

After grumbling, David Martinez dropped his backpack and moved closer to Gloria. He could tell something was off—way off. 

“Trouble?” 

David wasn’t clueless. From his mom’s earlier question, he could piece together that they were in some kind of mess, and it wasn’t small, or she wouldn’t be this rattled. 

Knock, knock, knock. 

Before Gloria could respond, there was a knock at the door, followed by a gruff but polite male voice. 

“Ms. Gloria, please come with us, and bring your son. Our boss has been waiting to meet you both.” 

The man kept knocking, urging them to respond, as if worried something might happen if they stayed inside. 

Gloria peeked out the window. Sure enough, a few burly guys in work overalls were stationed downstairs, smoking and occasionally glancing up at their apartment. Even though they lived on a higher floor, the men were clearly keeping an eye out in case they tried to slip away through a window. 

This only confirmed that the Old Captain was taking this seriously, which made Gloria’s stomach sink. Why were they so important? She couldn’t figure out what value she and David could possibly have. 

“Mom, who’s outside? What’s going on?” 

David frowned, confused but with a spark of excitement. This felt like a scene straight out of a choomu (a braindance sim)—was a fight about to break out? 

“Don’t ask. Just follow me and keep quiet.” 

Gloria took a deep breath, giving her son a firm instruction. She opened the door to find another burly guy in overalls, looking like a factory worker—simple, unassuming. 

David felt a twinge of disappointment. He’d half-expected something more dramatic, though he wasn’t really hoping for trouble, especially with his mom there. 

“Let’s go,” Gloria said to the man, signaling him to lead the way. 

“Right this way,” the man replied with a nod, visibly relieved by Gloria’s cooperation. He didn’t want any trouble—this was a job for Devil-sama, someone he respected deeply. After all, Devil had saved his own son’s life through his work with Riku. 

David followed his mom, his curiosity growing. The guy didn’t seem like a bad sort—polite, even. So why was his mom acting like they were walking into a Naraku (hellish situation)? 

Downstairs, David’s confusion deepened. They were ushered into a sleek Seresu car, flanked by two other vehicles for protection. Talk about VIP treatment. 

“What the heck is going on?!” David blurted, looking at his mom, who was just as shocked and bewildered. 

Gloria’s mind was reeling. What was all this about? They were just ordinary people! Even if she traced things back to David’s deadbeat dad, he was nobody special either. Were they being dragged into this because of him? 

With no other possibilities, Gloria started to wonder if David’s father was the key. It wasn’t like they were secretly royalty or some zaibatsu heir, right? 

“It’s the Old Captain who wants to see us,” Gloria finally said quietly, once they were settled in the backseat, trying to calm herself. 

“The Old Captain?!” David exclaimed, loud enough to draw glances from the driver and the guy in the passenger seat. He quickly shut his mouth, but his mind was racing. The Old Captain was a big name in Santo Domingo. David had heard stories from his gimmick doc (cyberware doctor), who, despite being a shady guy, spoke well of the Old Captain. But what did someone like that want with them? And why all the courtesy? It didn’t add up. 

David could feel his mom’s anxiety—the kind of nervous excitement that came with being treated like someone important but not knowing why. 

“Actually, it’s not the Old Captain who wants to see you—it’s Devil-sama. The Old Captain is just handling things for him,” the guy in the passenger seat clarified, sensing their confusion. He didn’t want them to get the wrong idea about who was calling the shots. 

“Devil?!” David blurted again, earning a surprised look from Gloria. Did he know this “Devil” person? Was that why they were being summoned? 

“You know Devil-sama?” the man asked, turning to David with curiosity. It wasn’t impossible—why else would Devil want to see this random mother and son? 

Gloria and David were stumped, and so were the men sent to fetch them. Nobody could figure out why Riku wanted to meet this ordinary pair. They were nobodies in Santo Domingo, blending into the crowd like extras in a shonen anime. 

But that’s fate for you—David Martinez was the protagonist of this bangumi (anime series), a fact nobody else could touch. 

“The Devil you’re talking about… is that Daivo Collins? The immortal akuma who made a big splash before?” David asked. He didn’t know Riku personally, but he’d heard of Daivo Collins, the guy who’d caused a stir in Night City. David had even daydreamed about having that kind of power—total choomu material. 

“Uh, probably not,” the passenger-seat guy replied, scratching his head. “Devil-sama is super ikemen (handsome) and kind, the type you instantly feel drawn to. Totally different from that demonic Daivo Collins guy.” 

“Oh, okay,” David said, rubbing his neck. Guess it wasn’t the same person—just a similar nickname. In a place like Night City, “Devil” was probably as common as ramen stands. 

Ahem. Gloria cleared her throat, shooting David a look. How had she not noticed how bold her kid was? Chatting away like that when she’d specifically told him to stay quiet. Didn’t he know the saying, “Kuchi wa wazawai no moto” (the mouth is the source of trouble)? 

David shrank back, getting the message. Better to play it safe and not risk offending anyone, especially if this Devil guy had a weird temper. 

The Martinez duo fell silent, and the men in the car didn’t push the conversation. The Seresu sped through the streets, soon arriving at the Old Captain’s junkyard. 

As Gloria and David stepped out, guided by the man in overalls, they immediately spotted Devil. The guy’s earlier description hadn’t been exaggerated.  

Riku was perched on the hood of a car, chatting and laughing with the Old Captain, practically glowing with charisma. It was like he had a shonen protagonist aura, drawing every eye in the yard. 

“Boss, Devil-sama, they’re here,” the man announced. 

Gloria snapped out of her daze, realizing Riku’s gaze had landed on them. His eyes briefly swept over her before locking onto David. 

Her mother’s intuition screamed: This guy’s here for David. 

“Devil-sama, is there something you need from us?” Gloria spoke up, her voice steady despite the fear and worry churning inside. As a mother, she had to step up, especially now that she sensed this was about her son. She needed to divert his attention. 

Sure enough, Riku’s gaze shifted to her, his smile disarming her just a bit. 

“Ms. Gloria, relax. I mean no harm,” Riku said with a warm chuckle. To him, Gloria Martinez was the classic shonen mom—a devoted mother who’d do anything to give her son a shot at a better life. Even in his past life, that kind of selfless love was something to admire, especially in a gritty world like this. 

“Having a mom like you makes David one lucky kid,” Riku added sincerely. In a dog-eat-dog world where everyone was clawing for the top, ready to sell out anyone for a profit, Gloria’s dedication to her son stood out like a sakura in a junkyard. 

“Uh, I know,” David mumbled, scratching his head. He wasn’t being stubborn—he genuinely understood. He knew how hard his mom worked to keep him in Arasaka Academy, a place where he stuck out like a sore thumb among rich kids. His classmates never let him forget he didn’t belong to their world. His spot there was all thanks to Gloria’s relentless grind—a bittersweet burden for him. 

David hated school, hated being the odd one out, but he also knew how much his mom sacrificed. So he studied hard, not wanting her efforts to go to waste. Like any shonen hero from a humble background, David matured faster than most kids his age. 

Chapter 265: You Guys Sure Know How to Play 

Riku’s words gradually calmed Gloria’s tense nerves. Her mind couldn’t help but drift back to what the burly man who drove them here had said. 

She had to admit, this Mr. Devil had an astonishing charisma that could quickly put people at ease. 

Even Gloria, who had always been on guard, genuinely felt that this Devil-sama probably wouldn’t make things difficult for her and her son. 

In truth, Riku’s charm stat wasn’t that exaggerated, but with the [Socialite] trait boosting him, combined with the gap in their statuses, he came off as incredibly approachable. 

If a random stranger smiled at you, you wouldn’t think they’re charming—you’d probably find it weird. If they’re polite, you’d just think it’s normal, because being hostile to strangers usually means something’s off. 

But when someone who holds power over your life and death smiles at you and speaks kindly, they seem incredibly charming. 

That’s exactly how Gloria Martinez felt in front of Riku. She even thought he was empathetic, as if he could understand the struggles of a single mother like her. 

“David, I really admire you. Come work for me. You’re destined for greatness.” 

Riku didn’t know what Gloria was thinking. He got straight to the point. Originally, he wanted to say, “David, be my son,” but considering the boy’s mother was right there—and a single mom at that—it felt inappropriate. Some anime-style gags just don’t land in real life. 

“?!” 

Riku’s words snapped Gloria back to reality. This Devil-sama had just been talking about how hard it was for her to support David’s education, urging David to appreciate her efforts. So why the sudden shift to recruiting David as a subordinate?! 

Understanding her struggles as a single mom, only to suggest David drop out of school? That’s not how it works! 

“You two think it over. I can give you power, money. If you want to keep studying, I’ll cover your education. If you don’t, I can arrange a job for you directly.” 

Riku continued, laying out the benefits. When recruiting talent, you’ve got to talk perks, and his offer was undeniably generous. He wouldn’t shortchange David. 

“This…” 

David Martinez was stunned. He hadn’t expected Riku to pull something like this—recruiting him early? He didn’t even know he had this kind of potential to be worth such an investment. 

Destined for greatness? Honestly, David didn’t feel it. His life was painfully ordinary. Compared to those rich kids, he was as plain as a roadside weed. 

“Mr. Devil, David’s studying at Arasaka Academy. I hope he can join Arasaka one day, make something of himself, live an easier life—at least not have to toil every day like me.” 

Perhaps because Riku seemed kind and approachable, Gloria spoke more freely, earnestly sharing her plans for David’s future. 

“Tch.” 

The old captain, who’d been silently listening, clicked his tongue. Her idea was naively optimistic, full of simplistic fantasies about the life of a corporate dog, as if it were some dream job. 

In reality, corporate dogs were just expendable to megacorps like Arasaka—chewed up and spit out, bones and all. They churn through employees in droves, but only a handful ever climb the ranks. 

The competition among corporate dogs is cutthroat, with no morals—backstabbing, betrayal, assassination, anything goes. It’s a winner-takes-all game. Thinking you’ll live the good life as a corporate dog? That’s wishful thinking. 

“What’s… what’s wrong?” 

Gloria glanced at the old captain, speaking cautiously. Riku looked handsome and kind, like some noble ouji-sama, but the captain had a rough, streetwise vibe—cigarette in his mouth, a sneer on his face, clearly unimpressed with her words. 

“You’re pushing your son into a fire pit.” 

The old captain didn’t mince words, bluntly stating his view. 

“Why would you say that?” 

Gloria pursed her lips, a bit defiant. Everything she did was for David’s sake—how could she be pushing him into a fire pit? 

Working at Arasaka as a corporate employee meant social status, personal safety, and a good salary—every aspect better than scraping by on the streets. Plus, there was room to climb. 

“How do you expect your son to compete for corporate resources against second, third, or fourth-generation elites with deep backgrounds?” 

The old captain hit the nail on the head, pointing out David’s biggest weakness: his lack of family connections. It was an unchangeable gap that would always hold him back. 

Other things might be overcome with effort or talent, but not family background. No matter how hard you work or how gifted you are, it’s never enough in the face of privilege. 

“That’s just how society works. Someone like your son, even if he makes it into Arasaka, will just be a pawn for others. Dirty work, grunt work—it’s all on you. The credit and rewards? They go to someone else.” 

The old captain went off, tearing into the corporate dog life with biting sarcasm. He’d seen it all—happening every day, all the time. 

As for safety? What a joke. Countless corporate dogs get taken out by cyberpunks as collateral damage during missions—not even targeted assassinations. Regular employees don’t even qualify for a named hit; they’re just nameless NPCs, killed without a second thought. 

And don’t forget the corporate dogs who crack under pressure and take their own lives. They might look glamorous on the outside, but they’re just poor souls who sold their lives to the company. The corp can strip everything away in an instant. 

“This… this…” 

Gloria wanted to argue, but she realized she didn’t know how. She didn’t understand the corporate world—only its shiny surface. 

Compared to her, these big shots clearly knew more. The old captain spoke with such conviction that it didn’t sound like he was making it up to trick her. And why would he? Was David really that important to them? 

Gloria had to admit that David was her everything, her pride—but to these people, he probably wasn’t that significant. 

“I just want to know why.” 

David Martinez, who’d been silent, finally spoke up. He looked at Riku, his eyes full of confusion and a spark of anticipation. 

“Because you’re different, David. I trust my eyes—I see that potential in you.” 

Riku smiled as he answered. It wasn’t some Sharingan insight—he just wanted David’s… well, not his body, but the traits he could bring. 

“Have we… met before?” 

David was even more confused. He didn’t recall ever meeting Riku. Someone this striking would’ve left an impression—he’d never forget a face like that. 

“I’ve seen you. That’s enough.” 

Riku’s smile didn’t waver. Seen him? He’d watched David’s story multiple times, like binging an anime series. 

David fell silent. He was already leaning toward agreeing. He didn’t know why, but he felt this Devil-sama wouldn’t lie to him. He could change his life completely. 

Riku shifted his gaze from David, knowing the boy was already hooked by his subtle genjutsu-like persuasion. Gloria was just one step away. 

“Getting a job at Arasaka is easy. I can arrange for David to join Arasaka directly. Arasaka Michiko works for me.” 

Riku dropped a bombshell, leaving everyone stunned. Even the old captain’s face screamed “WTF?!” 

“Arasaka Michiko?!” 

Among the three current Arasaka heirs, Arasaka Michiko was undeniably the most popular and well-known in Night City. She’d built her name in New America, her identity tied to the region. 

The Arasaka family had only re-entered New America a few years ago, but Michiko was born and raised there, in Night City. With her status, background, and cunning, she was a household name. 

Beep. 

Riku dialed Arasaka Michiko, putting the call on speaker. 

“Devil-sama, what’s your command?” 

The call connected, and Arasaka Michiko’s voice came through. This post-2000s heiress was sharp, instantly switching to mission mode. Whatever Riku asked, she’d do without hesitation—resistance was futile, so she embraced it. 

“There’s a David Martinez at Arasaka Academy. Arrange a position for him—no work, just a paycheck.” 

Riku didn’t hold back, issuing the order directly. Gloria and David were floored. A job like that?! Was this Devil-sama messing with them?! 

“Got it. Arasaka, or my Dangerous Girl company?” 

To the mother and son’s shock, Michiko agreed without a second thought—and even offered a choice! 

“Arasaka, of course. He’s not interested in your Dangerous Girl.” 

Riku teased with a grin, making Gloria anxious to clarify but too afraid to speak up. 

“Hmph, that’s a terrible choice. My Dangerous Girl is way better than Arasaka—better pay, better boss. Plus, Arasaka’s about to get messy.” 

Michiko didn’t hold back, hyping her own company while spilling some tea—Arasaka Lai Xuan had secured something big and was on his way to Night City. 

“Then put David Martinez under your company too. Double the salary.” 

Riku didn’t dwell on Arasaka’s drama, instead doubling down with another paycheck for David. 

“No problem.” 

Michiko didn’t question it, keeping things professional. The call ended, and she immediately set things up for David. 

“Congratulations, Mr. David Martinez. You’ve been hired by Dangerous Girl as a private detective. Salary: 20k/month.” 

Before David could ask anything, a message from Dangerous Girl popped up, along with a direct deposit of 20,000 euros. 

“It’s… real?” 

David was dumbfounded. He’d thought Riku had no reason to toy with them, but seeing it actually happen felt like a dream. 

“What’s real? You got into Arasaka?!” 

Gloria froze, then looked at David in shock, clearly floored by the news. 

“No—” 

David started to clarify that it was Dangerous Girl, not Arasaka, but before he could finish, another message arrived. 

“Congratulations, Mr. David Martinez. You’ve been hired by Arasaka Night City Branch as a logistics clerk. Salary: 20k/month.” 

Reading this, David went numb. He replied to his mother mechanically: 

“Yeah, I got into Arasaka. And Dangerous Girl. Both jobs pay 20,000 euros a month.” 

This news hit Gloria like a Rasengan, leaving her speechless. Her worldview was shattered. 

At the same time, she truly grasped what the old captain had said. Compared to those second, third, or fourth-generation elites, David’s background was a massive gap—an uncrossable chasm. 

Riku’s maneuver made it crystal clear. The powerful really knew how to play the game, securing resources for their people that were beyond imagination. 

“Devil-sama, let David work for you.” 

Gloria quickly pivoted, agreeing to Riku’s offer. She couldn’t find a reason to refuse. All she wanted was a better, easier life for David, and following Riku clearly offered that. 

The old captain’s words and Riku’s actions had shown her the corporate world wasn’t so simple. You needed someone powerful backing you, and Riku could be that for David. 

Gloria wasn’t naive. The opportunity was right there—she had to seize it. Besides, Riku had already arranged everything. Refusing now would be foolish. 

She also worried that if she turned down his kindness, this Devil-sama might just eliminate them. It wasn’t impossible. 

“David, what do you think?” 

Riku nodded to Gloria, then turned to David Martinez. 

“I’m in.” 

David wasn’t naive either. He sensed Riku wanted something from him, but he had nothing to lose. With Riku treating him this well, even throwing himself into the fire for him seemed worth it. 

Plus, with these two jobs, his mom wouldn’t have to work so hard anymore. He could take care of Gloria now. 

(Chapter End)