The rain was getting heavier, with no signs of stopping. The chaotic, dense downpour seemed to be burying the world.
Occasionally, flashes of lightning would streak across the dark sky, each one followed by thunder that shook the earth. However, the explosion high up on BioTech's rooftop was far more disturbing than the thunder in the sky.
Vehicles streamed continuously on the road, pedestrians holding umbrellas, and company employees watching from windows in other buildings all witnessed this small but shocking explosion.
The blast's aftermath wasn't widespread, but the meaning it carried stunned many.
The NCPD patrol officers nearby rushed to the scene, only to find nothing, standing around the entrance of BioTech's building, too hesitant to approach.
As the lowest-level patrol officers, they had minimal combat gear. The Night City Police Department wouldn't waste resources on these lower-ranking officers.
As a result, they often only had a handgun and a standard bulletproof vest, facing down dangerous criminals and relying on their lives to make up for the lack of equipment and cybernetic enhancements.
Knowing they were outmatched, these officers dared not rush into the building. They gathered at the entrance, pretending that their presence was enough. As long as their superiors didn't order a full-on assault, they might be able to get away with their lives.
It seemed that luck was on their side. From the time they surrounded the building until the security team hired by BioTech arrived, they never had to face the intruders directly.
Instead, the security team arrived, claiming that the situation was under control, and drove the officers out of their perimeter.
The brief commotion was quickly silenced. Reporters from News Station 54 and WNS, like cats drawn to the scent of blood, arrived at the scene with their assistants and drones.
However, despite their dedication, the information they gathered was inevitably processed and altered.
...
"Hahaha!" A man's hearty laughter echoed from a dark alley near the company plaza.
Maine stood at the alley's exit, gazing at the BioTech building's entrance.
The chaos of the NCPD, reporters responding to the scene, and the security team was deafening. Several hovering vehicles had arrived, and bright spotlights illuminated the area as if it were daylight.
"Well done! Well done! Lin Mo, you've made me so happy! Look at those company dogs, running around like headless flies, never realizing we already made our escape. Let them keep looking for clues like fools!" Maine said with a laugh, his mood as refreshing as his loud voice.
Not only had the mission been successfully completed, but even Sasha had been safely rescued, and they had also played the company's goons for fools. Maine's mood was exceptionally good tonight.
He turned around, looking into the alley.
The entire alley was sheltered by tall buildings, offering a brief respite from the rain outside, making it an ideal place to avoid the downpour.
In the dim alley, Lin Mo sat in the corner, not caring about the dirt on the floor, leaning against the wall and rubbing his forehead.
—When the booster failed, it really hurt.
Sasha sat next to him, pressing her hand against her healed abdominal wound. Her gaze lingered on the boy who had saved them tonight, and her bright cybernetic eye showed a trace of tenderness.
Maine walked into the alley and stood in front of Lin Mo, bending down to look at the boy sitting on the ground, admiration in his eyes.
"I have to say, you did well, kid. From the entrance to the top floor, and you even saved someone. I've changed my opinion of you. How about joining us for more work in the future?" Maine grinned widely, offering Lin Mo a sincere invitation.
Lin Mo gave him a half-hearted glare, shaking his head. In a teasing tone, he replied:
"Let's skip it. Today was just an accident. I don't want to team up with a stupid gorilla standing downstairs."
"Hey, look at you!"
Maine raised his hand and was about to flick Lin Mo's forehead, but the boy quickly blocked it with his hand.
"See, you're embarrassed now," Lin Mo grinned, enjoying the moment. Maine chuckled bitterly and lowered his hand.
"I guess you won't agree, but this invitation still stands. If you ever want to join us, you're always welcome."
Maine sat down next to Lin Mo, his smile warm but gradually fading as he became serious.
"Alright, enough of the fun talk. Let's talk business. You owe us an explanation, Sasha."
Sasha lowered her head, her gaze distant. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lin Mo looking at her.
Finally, facing the two of them, she parted her pink lips and began to explain the reason for her reckless behavior tonight.
The alley was filled only with her usual soft and charming voice. Hearing her past, both Lin Mo and Maine stayed silent, listening intently until she finished recounting the entire story.
"Damn BioTech, damn company! I should've just fired a few grenades right at their door!" Maine muttered, as if he wasn't blaming Sasha, but instead regretting not leaving his mark inside the building.
He thought to himself, "At least I could've gotten some participation credit!"
After a moment of contemplation, Maine comforted Sasha:
"You did well, Sasha. Your reasons are valid, and don't feel guilty. People like us on the edge need to seek closure, or we wouldn't be edge-dwellers at all. But things like this, you should've discussed it with us beforehand. We're a team…"
However, as Maine tried to brush off the matter, he noticed Sasha wasn't paying attention to his words. Instead, her gaze was fixed on Lin Mo, who had his head lowered in thought.
Maine, noticing their intense focus on Lin Mo, turned to look at him as well. It felt strange to Lin Mo, who looked up and saw both Maine and Sasha staring at him. He shuddered slightly.
"What are you looking at? Want to hear a young brat's high-minded speech?"
Lin Mo's expression was awkward as he rubbed his face, unsure if there was anything special on it.
"I want to hear your thoughts, Lin Mo," Sasha said softly.
What thoughts could I have...
Lin Mo's face clouded with frustration as he subconsciously rubbed his temple:
"What thoughts could I have? This is just a case where everyone has their own reasons. You're willing to risk your life to solve your emotional knot... and I'm willing to risk my life to save you. If you ask me why, it's simple — I'm just doing it to save you."
"There are enough tragedies in this city. I can't fix everything, but at least I still have the ability to control the situation right in front of me."
"I can't just watch people I know die in front of me... If I do, then I'm just a useless person with a simulator." Lin Mo thought to himself.
Maine suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, patting Lin Mo on the shoulder in satisfaction.
"Is this your answer? Kid, you're really to my liking!"
Lin Mo shifted his body, trying to shake off the hand on his shoulder, but Maine held it tight.
Reluctantly, Lin Mo continued:
"You ask for my opinion, but the answer is simple. I won't judge your actions. But next time something like this happens, I hope you'll tell us, not just leave us with a 'sorry.'"
Sasha listened quietly to Lin Mo's response. When he finished, the tension on her face disappeared, replaced by her usual gentle and warm smile.
She slightly curved her eyes, her smile blooming like a flower. Her short hair gently swayed in the rain breeze blowing from outside the alley.
Luckily, you saved me.
Luckily, you didn't blame me.
-
-
-
🧠 My Cyberpunk 2077 Simulator
📢 System Online! 📢
This novel has 100+ chapters ahead on Patreon! 💻🔥
Level up before the public readers do.
🛑 Also available:
Star Wars: The Rise of Mandalore
Cyberpunk: The Relentless
Cyberpunk: Lucy Adopted Me and I Got a System
My Girlfriend's a Cyberpsycho—Who Knew?
Game of Thrones: Secrets Beneath the Dreadfort
Dragon King of Ice and Fire
The Rebirth of Harry Potter
Star Wars: Relics of the Past
R18: Reincarnated in Her World
🔗 www.patreon.com/c/MrMagnus👤 SrMagnus🐦 https://x.com/SrMagnusBook
⚠️ Power Stones determine who updates faster!