A/N: Shoutout to my first patron, Milton Skipper!
In his honour, I'll be releasing 5 chapters here on Webnovel and an additional 5 chapters exclusively on my Patreon, bringing the total to 25 early-access chapters. Enjoy the extra content!
patreon.com/Masterworks951
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How did it go with that netrunner?" Wakako leaned back, lightly blowing on her tea before taking a slow sip."If it's someone you recommended, Grandma, I trust them. Her skills are solid," Lin Mo responded, mirroring her relaxed posture.
"And how's the tea?" Wakako placed her cup back on the table, giving Lin Mo a curious look.
Lin Mo smacked his lips, savoring the lingering aftertaste. "It's excellent. I've never had anything quite like this at home."
"It's just a lab-cultivated blend. With how polluted the world is now, any tea grown outdoors is tainted. The tea I had as a child, grown in untouched soil, was something else entirely," Wakako sighed, a wistful look crossing her face.
Lin Mo smiled politely, opting not to respond further.
"So, where's your sister today? She didn't join you?" Wakako asked nonchalantly.
"Work's been keeping her busy, more than usual lately. We don't see each other much," Lin Mo replied, feigning a tone of disappointment as he placed his cup down.
There was a subtle flicker of interest in Wakako's usually calm eyes. "Really? I wonder what kind of job could take so much time away from a sister who loves her brother dearly."
"Oh, it's nothing special—just regular overtime," Lin Mo answered cautiously, sensing her subtle attempt to pry.
This shrewd old lady really doesn't miss a beat, he thought. According to the game lore, Wakako was born in the early 2000s, making her a seasoned veteran by now.
"I see. Well, if you ever get bored staying home alone, you're always welcome here. There will always be a warm cup of tea waiting for you," Wakako offered kindly.
If Lin Mo didn't already know her true nature from the game, he might have believed she was just a sweet, caring grandmother. He kept his composure, offering a gracious smile. "Thank you, Grandma. I'll definitely take you up on that sometime."
The rest of their conversation drifted into small talk, with Wakako occasionally probing for more information, trying to extract anything useful. But Lin Mo was careful, giving nothing away.
As noon approached, their conversation was interrupted by an incoming call. Wakako gestured for Lin Mo to step outside for a moment while she handled "business."
When he was allowed back in, Wakako's gaze was sharper, as if she had come to a decision.
"Tell me, boy, have you been thinking about becoming an edgerunner?" Wakako asked, her calm tone betraying a hint of certainty.
Lin Mo nodded, unbothered by the directness of her question. He had expected this. After all, the Dream Simulator had shown this scenario.
An edgerunner—someone living on the edge, taking jobs that required flirting with death. Whether they were mercenaries, netrunners, or freelancers, these people walked the razor-thin line between life and death every day.
"Why?" Wakako asked, leaning forward slightly.
If it had been anyone else asking this, Wakako wouldn't have cared about their reasons. But Lin Mo wasn't just anyone—he had a sister in a corporate position, high enough to guarantee him a life of luxury.
People like him didn't need to get their hands dirty. He could easily pay others to do the dangerous work for him, enjoying his life in safety.
But Lin Mo wasn't like most people. His resolve was steely as he smiled, his words sharp as knives.
"Either I make a name for myself, or I'll disappear into obscurity. And I choose the former."
Wakako studied him for a moment before sighing. "Do you even understand what it means to live as an edgerunner? You're young, boy. The glamorous stories you hear don't tell the whole truth. In Night City, the road to becoming a legend ends in a shallow grave."
Lin Mo returned her gaze, his thoughts racing. He could tell what Wakako wanted. She wanted him to stay safe, to be a client, not a runner. That way, she'd have a wealthy repeat customer.
If not for the Dream Simulator, Lin Mo might have taken her advice. But the simulator's rewards—those valuable attribute points and perk upgrades—could only be gained through real-world action. Becoming an edgerunner was the quickest way to achieve his goals.
Wakako, reading the determination in his eyes, sighed again. "Very well."
She pulled out an old-fashioned phone from her pocket—surprisingly rare in this age of neural links. After a brief moment of tapping on the screen, a notification appeared in Lin Mo's HUD.
"A man just called me. Said the Tiger Claws kidnapped his sister. He needs help getting her back. It's not a high-risk job. If you're interested, I'll give it to you."
Lin Mo glanced at the details before nodding. "I'll take it."
Wakako's eyes narrowed. "Don't treat this as a 'maybe.' You either commit, or you'll die fast."
Lin Mo acknowledged her warning, then shifted the conversation. "By the way, Grandma, do you have any connections for a Sandevistan?"
Wakako raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden question. "You mean the speed-enhancement implant? I do. But if you're looking for the Mk. III, I'm afraid I don't have it. That's strictly corporate and military-level tech. The available stock is extremely limited."
Lin Mo's face fell slightly. He had hoped Wakako might have access to the higher-end gear, but it seemed even she couldn't get her hands on the Mk. III Sandevistan.
"However," Wakako continued, "if you're desperate, you could commission a job. Pay enough, and someone might take down a corp transport for you. Or, if you're less picky, the Scavs might have some 'pre-owned' versions, though who knows how many hands they've passed through."
Lin Mo mulled it over. Ideally, he'd get the Sandevistan Mk. IV directly through his sister's connections at Kang Tao once it was released. But that wasn't an option yet.
"How much?" Lin Mo finally asked.
Wakako seemed mildly surprised but didn't pry further. "It's not a job I usually deal with. But I'll keep an ear out for any corp shipments. The fee will be 35,000 eurodollars. I'll need 30% upfront as a deposit."
That's steep, Lin Mo thought, wincing inwardly.
Still, it was worth it. He transferred the funds with a slight sigh of resignation.
"Good boy. I'll let you know when I hear anything," Wakako said, her wrinkled face smiling.
"I'll take care of this job first. I need to meet with the client and discuss the details," Lin Mo said, rising from his seat.
"Take care, boy," Wakako called after him, watching as Lin Mo exited the parlor.