"Okay, I understand."
Judy didn't refute it, nor could she.
What a person cannot deceive is their own heart.
She already couldn't go back.
"...Eve, pack some clothes. We need to hide at Lizzy Bar for a while. It's no longer safe here."
Ultimately, Judy chose to avoid the topic.
All meaning was contained within that.
"Okay."
Evelyn nodded, answering clearly and brightly.
She didn't ask why; her trust in Judy didn't require her to pursue the matter further.
And on her face, the composure that comes after experiencing everything reappeared, and the smile she offered was no longer forced.
After going through so much, she had learned how to let go.
Although the romantic aspect of her relationship with Judy was completely severed, Judy was still her best friend, the person she cared about most in the world.
Knowing just that was enough for her.
As for the rest, let the wind take it away.
As the two, with their differing thoughts, simply packed their luggage and headed to Lizzy Bar, Berry was also facing a choice.
This was the second day.
The tense yesterday had passed.
In the end, there were no Tyger Claws, no attacks.
It seemed yesterday's events were over, but Berry knew that nothing could end so simply.
Night City was never such a simple place.
And today, in this building, the headquarters of "The Hive," Berry held a unique "shareholder" meeting.
After all, speaking of shareholders, it seemed Viktor was the only one.
The others were all Berry's closest comrades-in-arms.
In the third-floor conference room, a large metal round table was placed in the center, surrounded by nine metal chairs, neatly spaced apart.
The chair at the head was taller, bearing a hexagonal Hive logo projected in blue and white light, which floated coldly in the air, gazing down upon everything below. Even the seat height seemed slightly higher than the others, clearly marking it as the main seat, exclusively for The Hive's boss.
In short, this was a post-modern Round Table Conference full of sci-fi flair.
Berry's aesthetic sense was truly hopeless.
A Cyber Round Table Conference? Would there be an Electronic King Arthur?
But regardless, Berry was very satisfied with the setup.
And now, around the round table, Berry and her close comrades-in-arms had taken their seats.
The most eye-catching figure, naturally, was Berry, seated in the main chair beneath the massive floating Hive icon.
Berry, Night City's most benevolent cyberware manufacturer, specializing in fleecing the poor... *cough*, specializing in serving the lower class. At the same time, she was the boss of Night City's most vibrant emerging organization, "The Hive."
In short, her reputation was unknown, and her achievements were limited to these.
Mmm, delete the latter parts, delete them.
And now, under her great radiance, The Hive organization was gathering stars—advisors like rain and fierce generals like Clouds.
Although only four of the nine chairs were occupied besides Berry, making it look a bit empty.
But Berry dared to guarantee that those seated here were not only The Hive's capable officers but also influential figures in Night City who could stir up trouble anywhere.
Hmm, it was truly a situation of vibrant vitality and flourishing growth.
These heroes seated at the table must be introduced one by one.
"Dragon of the Nomads," "Bai Rui's Blade," named Valerie, known in the underworld as the famous V.
"Tiger of Heywood," "Strongest of the Wells Family," Jackie Welles.
"Iron Fist Doctor," "Owner of Viktor's Clinic," Cyberware Doctor Viktor Vector.
"Braindance Technician," "Orgasm Modulator," Judy Alvarez.
These were the four capable officers under The Hive. Looking at the faces seated below, Berry felt spirited and proud, as if the sun and stars were right before her, ready to be plucked.
Although the people seated below might not even know they had so many nicknames or were so formidable, it didn't hinder Berry's mental high.
She now felt full of vigor, like Prime Minister Cao of old, preparing to head to Chibi to wipe out the Sun-Liu Alliance Army in one fell swoop, or like Sun Quan, King of Wu, leading a hundred thousand troops north to suppress the bandits, just waiting to seize Hefei.
In short, she was unstoppable.
However, no one was aware of Berry's mental state. The few people seated below, having been hastily summoned, were boredly thinking about their own matters since Berry wasn't speaking.
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