The bartender was a slightly chubby middle-aged woman—or perhaps it would be more accurate to say, a strong middle-aged woman.
Her name was Claire, an old bartender with a particular interest in newcomers.
Jackie rubbed his hands together eagerly, "Double the old-school tequila, with some beer and chili."
Claire immediately gave him a knowing look, "Two Johnny Silverhands, coming right up."
"That's right, chica."
"Looks like someone did their homework— but there are three of you. What's everyone else having?"
Just as Leo opened his mouth to speak, V grinned mischievously and said, "Someone here isn't of age and can't drink—just kidding, he's a weakling, can't handle alcohol."
"Weak?" Claire looked even more surprised—someone weak trying to be a merc? Even hackers need to be in good shape.
"Pushing beyond limits, you know? Pushing beyond limits is my life's motto." Leo sighed, shrugging, "Just get me some water, or maybe a soda."
"Soda's on the menu, but not many people order it. You're one of a kind."
V and Jackie nodded in agreement.
Such a person, indeed, was rare.
With drinks on the table, Jackie continued to glance around at everything with wide eyes.
Eventually, his gaze settled on the "Johnny Silverhand" in front of him, after passing through a sea of restless souls and rough bodies.
It was time to raise a toast.
The three of them raised their glasses, and Jackie excitedly declared, "To the legends of Night City!"
"To the legends of Night City!"
Night City's legends.
After downing his soda, Leo glanced at the menu on the table and sighed, "The price of becoming a legend isn't cheap."
V suddenly remembered the things Leo had said to her back in Atlanta:
"But didn't someone tell me that there are people in this world who can tear through Arasaka Tower with just basic implants, shining like the sun—are there legends like that here?"
Claire thought for a moment before responding, "If you're talking about tearing through Arasaka Tower with basic implants, there is one—Morgan Blackhand. It's said that when he took on Arasaka Tower, all he had was a black-chrome cyberarm with anodized aluminum.
As for shining like the sun, well, that would be the Arasaka Tower nuclear explosion.
Unfortunately, the people involved either disappeared or died—and it wasn't just one person, and there are plenty of stories about it."
"So... someone's been lying to me?" V glared suspiciously at Leo.
Leo just rolled his eyes at her, "It was a motivational speech from your father, filled with hope and expectations. You understand, don't you... hey, hey, stop!"
V's large hand smacked the back of Leo's neck.
Claire chuckled, "You three are quite the characters."
Jackie smiled too, then suddenly seemed to remember something, "Oh right, I'm Jackie Welles. How about I leave you my drink recipe?"
"Hmm—sure."
Claire gave Jackie a meaningful look.
This Heywood kid, who was all about becoming a legend, probably didn't realize how heavy a burden that was.
Leo suddenly spoke up, "Jackie—I know you want to become a legend, but don't do anything stupid with that mindset. That's the dumbest way to die."
Jackie opened his mouth, his thoughts suddenly filled with images of his mom, Mama Welles.
And, he still had a date with Misty—how could he go on a date if he was dead?
The mood suddenly grew heavy.
V: "Don't worry, Leo just knows how to kill the vibe."
Leo shrugged, "If you think I'm killing the vibe by saying this, it means if you died someday, you'd have a lot of regrets.
I'm just trying to tell you, don't start regretting things after you're dead—because you can't regret anything once you're gone.
Just decide how you want to live the rest of your life."
Jackie paused for a moment, more thoughts of unfinished business flooding his mind.
If he died gloriously because of his selfish thoughts, sure, it might be a glorious death, but what would it mean?
With that in mind, Jackie suddenly cooled down, no longer as hot-headed as when he first walked in.
"You're right, I was being reckless—but I still have to leave my recipe, or it'll bug me."
Claire nodded, signaling Jackie to go ahead.
"One part vodka, with ice, lime juice, ginger beer, and most importantly—a little more love."
Jackie grinned as he finished his recipe, drawing out the last word. A little more love—becoming a big shot was the best way he could think of to give his love some weight.
"Ha, I'll remember that." Claire then turned to the other two, "And you?"
V hesitated—she didn't know the first thing about making drinks.
Leo, noticing V's dilemma and seizing the chance to get back at her for her earlier teasing, quickly said, "I know!
She's good for a double shot of ethanol mixed with another double shot—just to recharge her implants—oh, and don't forget, top it off with a splash of synthetic lubricant for those cyberlimbs!"
Huh? Claire blinked, while V's mouth twitched slightly as she closed her eyes.
"Leo..."
"Haha, just kidding." Leo slid his chair back slightly, distancing himself from V.
But in the next second, V was suddenly right behind Leo—
Sandevistan, kid!
Just as V was about to deliver some righteous punishment to Leo, a black man in a black jacket and sunglasses approached the two of them.
V paused, annoyed, and turned to the big guy beside her: "What do you want?"
The black man pointed to a nearby booth, where a man with short white hair and a red suit sat, his right eye particularly distinctive.
Specifically, where his right eye used to be, there were now three small, cybernetic eyes—a multi-optic system.
Leo recognized the guy instantly—Faraday, currently the top fixer in Santo Domingo.
In front of Faraday sat a group of people, including one particularly massive guy who looked even bigger than Jackie—
Though it was clear that his size was due to extensive cyberware.
Judging by the atmosphere, their conversation wasn't going well.
Leo sent a message to the other two.
Leo: "We've got a job, but follow my lead. This guy doesn't look trustworthy."
Ten minutes earlier, Faraday had already been conducting business at the Afterlife Nightclub.
Arasaka had given him a long-term assignment, a task that had been around for a while but had seen little progress.
Arasaka operatives believed that Militech and Biotechnica had entered into a long-term research agreement, a project taking place in Night City, but Arasaka itself knew very little about it.
As Militech's old rival, Arasaka's higher-ups found this ignorance unacceptable.
In business warfare, hostile takeovers and stock manipulations are just the endgame.
The real corporate battles often involve literal guns and knives—especially in Night City.
Arasaka wanted Faraday to investigate the details of Biotechnica's project, but not many were willing to take on the job, and those who were, Faraday didn't trust enough.
Faraday was very cautious about engaging in direct conflict with corporations—his ultimate goal was to climb the corporate ladder himself.
If poor choices of personnel led to deteriorated relationships with corporations, it wouldn't be worth it.
The big guy in front of him was a well-known boss in Santo Domingo, Maine.
"We've got a new netrunner who can continue investigating Biotechnica!"
"Maine, I understand your desire for revenge, but I'm in charge here."
Faraday crossed his hands under his chin, "Your new netrunner hasn't been vetted yet, and your last operation caused me a lot of trouble.
Lastly—I give the orders, you follow them. That's the rule, isn't it?"
Maine gritted his teeth but eventually softened his tone.
"Tch, you're right."
"Good, then wait here—I'm bringing in some new recruits."
At the booth entrance, the black-jacketed man nodded to Faraday.
Leo appeared at the door.
"The scorching hot Burgerking Big Shot Squad..."
Before Faraday could finish his sentence, the expressions on Leo and his two companions had already darkened.
What a ridiculous name.