The two walked in silence toward the parking lot, the neon lights of Night City reflecting off the wet pavement. The air carried the usual mix of engine smoke, cheap synth-alcohol, and overheated circuitry.
Evelyn Shaw approached a sleek sports car and activated the vehicle through her neural interface. The car's system came alive instantly, its internal HUD glowing faintly behind the tinted windshield.
She slipped into the passenger seat and looked at Arthur Vale.
"Let's go. Didn't you say you were taking me somewhere interesting?"
Arthur glanced at the car again. It was a Herrera Outlaw GTS, one of Herrera's newest performance machines. Herrera had been building high-end vehicles for decades, and the GTS was their latest statement—fast, aggressive, and designed to be seen.
The Outlaw had sharp, angular lines and a low, flowing body. Its fiery red paint almost glowed under the city lights. Despite being a sports car, it had four seats and a surprisingly spacious interior. Comfortable, but still built for speed.
Arthur stepped into the driver's seat and synced briefly with the car's system. The engine roared to life, deep and powerful. With smooth precision, the Outlaw rolled out of the parking lot and merged into the glowing streets.
Arthur rolled down the window and rested his arm casually on the frame. Neon signs streaked past as they drove.
Night City at midnight was different. Compared to the chaos of rush hours, the streets were slightly calmer. Fewer vehicles. Less noise. But the city never truly slept.
Within minutes, they arrived at their destination.
Under the massive structure of Super Skyscraper H8 in Japantown, near Turbo Bar, flames flickered in the open space nearby. Music pulsed through the air.
Arthur had chosen this place for a reason.
It was known as a regular celebration spot for Maine's crew from Edgerunners. After completing contracts, they often gathered here—drinks, music, fire, and loud laughter under the corporate skyline.
It wasn't far from the twisted alleys of Japantown, but instead of a closed bar, Arthur preferred the open air—the raw cyberpunk atmosphere. Tonight, there was even a bonfire party going on.
Evelyn was slightly surprised.
"This is your idea of a good place?"
Arthur smirked. "You'll see."
The moment they stepped out of the car, several mercenaries turned their heads. A red Herrera Outlaw always drew attention. And a Corpo-looking woman stepping out beside a heavily modified man only added to the curiosity.
Arthur ignored the stares. He bought two drinks from a nearby street vendor, then stood at the edge of the gathering with Evelyn. They watched the mercenaries celebrate.
Most of the people here were independent edgerunners—cyberpunks who lived contract to contract. Chrome arms. Optical implants. Exposed cables. Tattoos glowing faintly in the firelight.
Evelyn frowned slightly. She looked uncomfortable. Corporate towers were her world. This chaos was not.
Arthur, on the other hand, felt relaxed.
He let his mind wander, just enjoying the noise.
And then he saw familiar faces.
Maine's crew.
They must have just completed a job. They were celebrating loudly near the center.
Maine, tall and powerfully built, his dark skin shining under the flames, sat with Dorio beside him. The two were leaning close together, laughing loudly over metal chairs.
Pilar and Falco were in the middle of the crowd, showing off small stunts and hyping people up. Every time Pilar did something reckless, the crowd roared.
Sasha Yakovlev stood slightly apart from the chaos, holding a drink in her hand.
Her eyes scanned the area lazily—
—and then she froze.
Her expression changed instantly.
She saw Arthur.
Standing near him was Evelyn Shaw.
Beside Sasha stood Rebecca, small but fierce, sipping her drink with boredom written all over her face.
Rebecca noticed Sasha's sudden smile.
"Hey? You were sulking a second ago. What happened? You see someone special?"
Sasha didn't answer immediately.
Rebecca followed her gaze and spotted Arthur and Evelyn talking quietly.
Rebecca's eyes widened.
"Oh? That your boyfriend? And he brought a Corpo date? That's bold."
Sasha rolled her eyes. "He's just a friend. Don't start trouble. He's a very kind Ripperdoc."
Rebecca nearly choked on her drink.
"A kind Ripperdoc? In Night City? That's a myth. And look at him—he's packed with chrome. He looks more like a cyberpsycho than a doctor."
She squinted suspiciously.
"And since when do Ripperdocs not deal with Scavs? I don't buy it."
Rebecca leaned closer.
"Unless… you're the side girl."
Sasha shoved her lightly, laughing. "Stop it."
She took her drink and walked straight toward Arthur.
Rebecca hesitated for half a second—then followed. Just in case.
Their movement didn't go unnoticed.
Dorio nudged Maine.
"Looks like Sasha and Rebecca are heading toward that Corpo over there."
Maine turned his head. Arthur gave him the impression of a well-built bodyguard. Evelyn looked every bit like corporate elite.
Maine shrugged. "If it gets messy, we step in."
They continued watching casually.
Meanwhile—
Arthur noticed Sasha approaching and smiled.
"Sasha. Long time no see. I heard there was a bonfire party tonight. Didn't expect to run into you."
Sasha's smile widened.
"I just wrapped up a big job today. Payment cleared. So we came here to celebrate."
Arthur nodded knowingly but pretended not to understand.
"We?"
Before Sasha could answer—
"That's us!" Rebecca popped her head out from behind Sasha.
Her light green twin-tails bounced slightly as she grinned. She wore her oversized black jacket open, a simple binder underneath. Her cybernetic eyes glowed faintly red in the firelight, red tattoos stretching along her skin.
She looked small.
Dangerously small.
Sasha gently patted Rebecca's head.
"I told you about my new teammates before, remember? Wakako recommended me for a big contract. That's how I joined Maine's crew."
Arthur raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Maine's crew?"
"Yeah. Maine's the leader. Big guy. Loves heavy chrome. He's probably planning more upgrades soon. I'll introduce you later."
She smirked.
"Don't forget to give me a cut if he becomes your client."
Arthur laughed softly. "Deal."
Rebecca crossed her arms and glanced at Evelyn.
"Shouldn't we head back? Your 'Dr. Arthur' looks busy negotiating with a Corpo."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow at that.
Before Rebecca could continue, Sasha stopped her.
"Enough. Arthur and I are just friends. And if you ever need a Ripperdoc, he's good. Really good."
Rebecca looked unconvinced but said nothing more.
After a moment, Sasha dragged her away.
Arthur watched them return to the group.
Then Evelyn spoke.
"So. You're a Mercenary, right?"
Arthur tilted his head slightly. "Sometimes."
"Tell me something," she said quietly. "I've heard some squads in Night City are… chaotic."
"Chaotic how?"
She looked at the crowd, then back at him.
"I've heard that in some mercenary crews, certain female members are pressured into… keeping morale up. Handling everyone's stress."
Arthur immediately understood what she meant.
He shook his head.
"There are crews like that. Night City has every kind of story. But the people I know aren't like that."
He glanced toward Maine's group.
"They fight together. They survive together. That's it."
Evelyn studied his face carefully.
"Good," she said softly. "I'd hate to think you were part of something like that."
Arthur didn't respond immediately.
The fire crackled louder.
In the distance, Rebecca suddenly jumped onto a metal crate, yelling something loud and reckless that made the crowd cheer.
Pilar howled with laughter.
Maine lifted his drink high.
Dorio smiled faintly.
Sasha stood slightly behind them, watching everything with calm eyes.
Arthur watched too.
For a brief moment—
the chaos of Night City felt almost peaceful.
Above them, corporate towers pierced the sky like cold steel spears.
Below, mercenaries laughed around open flames.
Two worlds.
Side by side.
Never truly touching.
Evelyn looked at Arthur again.
"You don't really belong to either world, do you?"
Arthur's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Maybe that's why I get along with both."
In the distance—
Rebecca suddenly noticed Evelyn staring at the crew and made direct eye contact with her.
For a split second, tension flickered between Corpo and Cyberpunk.
Then Rebecca grinned wildly and raised her drink in challenge.
Evelyn didn't smile back.
But she didn't look away either.
The night carried on.
Music grew louder.
Flames burned brighter.
And somewhere deep in the city's electric heartbeat—
new connections were quietly forming.
Unstable.
Dangerous.
But real.
-------------------------------
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