"[Confusion] How exactly did they do it? Clearly, they possess no mind-related abilities."
The battle held no suspense; once David grasped the power of Karate, the situation completely reversed.
Schwarzer didn't know how V accomplished it either. In that instant, their minds synchronized, allowing V's voice to reach directly into David's brain.
Not only that, but she also transferred her understanding of Karate to David, which was the only reason he survived a crisis of certain death.
In the end, Schwarzer could only attribute it to a miracle, the influence of destiny. David's legend couldn't end here; he had not yet become world-famous.
As usual, she was secretly observing the situation below from high in the sky. If things really went south, she would intervene to fix it.
However, there was a difference this time, because there was another person by her side.
"Why are they fighting each other? Is it PvP?"
Tendo Alice. She was given this name because her appearance was almost exactly the same.
Fundamentally, she was an android created from a Machine Ex Machina core. The halo on her head was merely an ornament, having no connection to the superhumans of Kivotos.
Yet, in just a few hours, she had become remarkably similar to Alice, including her gaming terminology and cognition. Although she had fully downloaded the knowledge provided by the 'Nursing Home's bulk meds,' it was as if she selectively took interest only in the gaming-related categories.
'This is convergence. Just as David will become a legend and V is the protagonist, Alice is simply Alice.'
The System gave an utterly unconvincing answer, and Schwarzer didn't know how to refute it.
She decided to treat it as raising a daughter. It just so happened she needed someone to help manage the Cyberpunk world; her stated plan to provide for humanity was no joke.
But could Alice do it? She glanced at the girl's innocent eyes...
"Just treat it as stealing a quest. Only one person can complete the bounty."
Schwarzer pulled up Saburo Arasaka's 100 million eurodollar bounty. Alice instantly understood what was happening; kill-stealing and quest-sniping were an inevitable part of any RPG.
"Can Alice go? They all look so weak."
"No."
A very firm denial. If she intervened, there would be nothing left for David to do. After all, she was a weakened Machine Ex Machina; not just anyone could mess with her.
Alice might not have the power to solo the world, but soloing all of Night City would be easy. To suppress her, Arasaka would have to bring in an aircraft carrier.
"Don't rush. This is a cutscene. We cannot interfere."
"I see." Alice nodded in understanding. This was the plot before the boss fight; it couldn't be disrupted.
'Do you feel no shame deceiving a child like that?' The System silently quipped.
'It's not a lie. It really is a cutscene, isn't it?' Schwarzer retorted.
The power of fate is just like a pre-rendered in-game cutscene. There was nothing wrong with her putting it that way; after all, these were things that 'must' happen.
Of course, with sufficient external force—like using cheats or modifying game files—fate could also be interfered with.
David's story had already become completely unrecognizable, yet the force of destiny stubbornly tried to guide him into becoming a legend of Night City. This was a form of correction force.
The refuted System didn't say more. It watched Schwarzer, who was unconsciously smiling. Since Alice's appearance, she had clearly changed—psychologically speaking.
Perhaps due to the connection of 'bloodline,' Schwarzer felt a high level of affection for Alice. Not in that way, of course, but rather something like... familial love?
She couldn't confirm it herself; the data samples were too few. What exactly was familial love? Who knows about that stuff!
The purpose of bringing Alice along this time was simple: to let her witness the darkness of Night City.
Violent gunfire and explosions woke the entire Night City. Many had seen the Militech troops; their Manticore was still parked on the roadside.
David, surrounded in the center, didn't look much different. A dozen soldiers lay at his feet. Apart from the machine gunner and the unlucky guy he had killed, everyone else had merely been knocked unconscious.
"What power is this? How could a Sandevistan possess such power?"
Meredith stared at the unharmed David, lost in confusion. The soldiers lying around told her that her mission had failed; no one could keep him there.
"There will always be things beyond imagination. That's how this world is; surprises and accidents are everywhere."
David didn't finish her off. As a commander, Meredith had no combat ability, so she wasn't worth the trouble.
The sound of numerous cars approaching rang out continuously, along with the clamor of people. Many had been attracted to the scene.
"This is bad, David. Someone leaked the info. Now everyone knows Lucy is here!"
V's voice trembled slightly. The worst-case scenario had occurred; they would have to face everyone in Night City!
"Sigh, I knew it would be like this."
"Let's get out of here. Lucy, get in the car. We're going to find Saburo Arasaka."
David had expected this. The commotion of the battle was significant, and most critically—he glanced at the basement nearby. That was the entrance to the Afterlife.
Those mercenaries had definitely sold every bit of information about him and Lucy. They didn't dare try to snatch Lucy directly, but they certainly had the nerve to sell some intel.
If they didn't leave now, they wouldn't be able to. Lucy instinctively leaned in, and David picked her up on his back as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
The AV had been destroyed, but he still had his legs. David was confident his speed was no less than that of a standard car, and they were smaller and more agile.
"Do you need our help?" Rebecca and the others walked out from the alley. They hadn't expected David to be such a capable fighter and were completely stunned.
"Knock it off. With our combat power, what help could we possibly be?" Maine pushed her head down.
"You guys take care of yourselves. Just don't get kidnapped again," David teased them.
The current battle wasn't something they could participate in. He had to fight the entire Night City alone...
"Don't forget about me. And what are you two doing hugging like that? Get in the vehicle, quickly."
A black-painted Manticore started up and stopped in front of him. It was V!
She had spent a bit of effort hacking the Militech vehicle. Right now, she was maxed out in Body, Reflexes, and Intelligence. Riding was definitely faster than running on legs.
David hadn't expected her to hack the Manticore so easily, but hearing the sound of car engines nearby, he didn't think twice and hurriedly boarded the vehicle.
The black AV rushed into the sky, leaving behind a ground full of unconscious Militech elites and Meredith, who was trying her hardest to lower her presence.
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