Leaving the ripperdoc's shop, David's head was still spinning. He couldn't wrap his mind around it.
Why had that grumpy, foul-tempered ripper suddenly flipped like a switch, acting so compliant?
Every time David had come here before, he'd been mocked, dismissed—the guy had never once shown an ounce of kindness.
"...What the hell did you do?"
Once they stepped back out onto the riverside walkway, David gave Lin Mo a baffled look.
Lin Mo walked casually, hands on the railing, gazing out over the wide river. The murky current flowed out toward the sea, carrying with it a cool breeze. The water might be filthy, but the wind—untouched by pollution—was still worth savoring.
"All I did was give him a choice. A very simple one."
He smirked. "Put a down payment right in his lap. Hard to refuse after that."
He leaned against the railing, eyes on the steel jungle across the river.
Haywood's skyline stretched along the far bank, its towers brushing shoulders with the City Center. Even from Santo Domingo you could see them clearly, neon holograms flickering midair, AVs streaking across the sky. All that prosperity—just one river away from Santo Domingo's decay.
"A choice, huh..." David chewed on the word, then muttered with disgust:
"Still, that attitude shift was gross. He was treating you like trash two seconds ago."
Lin Mo chuckled. "And do I look like someone who cares about other people's attitudes?"
David didn't even think. "Not at all."
"Exactly. If it gets the job done, a little humiliation doesn't matter. The money? For him it's a fortune. For me? Pocket change."
Jesus, you're filthy rich in the most inhuman way... David grumbled inwardly, then sighed.
"Sometimes I really don't get you rich people."
"You don't need to. We're brothers, not philosophers. We don't have to 'understand' each other—we just cover each other's backs. That's enough. You need something, I'll cover you. I need something, you show up. Simple."
Lin Mo clapped him on the shoulder with an easy grin.
David made a face. Every time Lin Mo did that, it felt like he'd been demoted a whole generation.
After glancing over the riverside, Lin Mo turned toward a restaurant next to the ripperdoc's place.
Plastic chairs, folding tables—looked like a cheap outdoor food stall from another lifetime. Big enough space, though. Big enough for a front.
He nudged David with his elbow and pointed.
"Actually, I'm thinking of buying that place too. But I'm not interested in haggling again right now. So I'll leave it to you and your mom. Think of it as a little mission for you two."
"As for the money—don't worry. You know how I roll."
David didn't hesitate. "Got it. I'll tell Mom."
But his mouth opened again, like he had more to say.
Lin Mo sat down on a stone bench by the path, already expecting it.
"Spit it out. No way you're suddenly this chatty just to bond with me."
David froze.
Seriously? Am I really that easy to read? Why can everyone see through me?
He scratched his head miserably.
"...This morning, I talked to Mom. Told her I want to get some implants. She said I should ask your opinion."
Lin Mo blinked. "My opinion? Gloria signed off on it?"
Normally, he wouldn't meddle in someone else's family business. Sure, if David wanted to run as an edgerunner, chrome was a must. But Lin Mo had no plans to push him into combat cyberware prematurely.
David grimaced. "Don't know what kind of snake oil you sold her, but she trusts you way too much. As for her answer... yeah, I think she's okay with it. Even if I ditched you and became some corpo dog like she wants, implants would still be mandatory."
"Fair point."
David's eyes lit up. "So... do you think I can get a Sandevistan now?"
Lin Mo shot him down instantly. "Not a chance."
David blinked. "Why? Everyone says I've got talent. Or is it that Sandevistans are dangerous?"
Because I don't actually know what your talent is supposed to be, Lin Mo thought grimly.
The Simulator had only shown vague glimpses: David would become a legend. He'd storm Arasaka Tower. But how? With what chrome? For what reason? All blanks.
Maybe his gift was hacking. Maybe it was sheer willpower, grinding through with heavy chrome. Too many possibilities. Lin Mo wasn't about to gamble David's future on a single implant.
Hell, I'll just put him through everything—hacking lessons, sword training, boxing with Jackie. Let him try it all before locking him into a path.
"Do you know why I told Old Silver Bug to go get certified?" Lin Mo asked instead.
David frowned. "Why?"
"Because I enjoy changing people. He didn't have a license—so I'll make him a proper ripper with one. Kitagawa wanted to be a samurai for his sister's sake—so I'll make him that too."
Lin Mo's smile was calm but carried a wicked edge.
"You're no different, David. You've got potential. I don't want you chained to a Sandevistan yet. Not now. If you really want chrome, I'll take you to someone I actually respect."
David's eyes widened. "Wait—you respect someone? A ripper? Who the hell could that be?"
"You'll see soon enough. For now, I just need some of your hair."
Before David could react, Lin Mo plucked a few strands clean off his head with inhuman speed.
"Fuck!" David yelped, clutching his scalp.
"What the hell, man! Why'd you rip my hair out?"
"That's classified. For now, let's go see a real ripperdoc."
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MY CYBERPUNK 2077 SIMULATOR
🧠💻 MY CYBERPUNK 2077 SIMULATOR 💻🧠
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Enter Night City with a simulator, a system, and the kind of advantage most mercs would kill for.
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⚙️ Level up.🔫 Fight harder.🌃 Stay alive.💀 Or get swallowed by the city.
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