A/N: Things are really picking up, and judging by the stones, it seems you're all enjoying this. Your support is truly motivating me to continue posting quality material for you to enjoy on this platform.
patreon.com/Masterworks951 - For those who can't wait, Patreon is currently 36 Chapters ahead with 15 new chapters released every week, all for $3. Free members also receive daily updates, staying one chapter ahead.
Alright enough with the pitch. Enjoy!
-----------------
Watson District, Little China.
If you turned back the clock by a couple of decades, this district was once the beating heart of Night City, a place of thriving businesses and people. Second only to the City Center, it was a hub of life and prosperity. But all of that changed in 2069, when Arasaka Corporation descended on Night City, triggering a financial collapse that rippled through Watson.
The mayor at the time, Leighman, had been deeply grateful to Arasaka for helping Night City become an internationally recognized independent metropolis. In his desperation, during the siege by the New United States, he had begged Arasaka for aid. As thanks, he handed over control of one of Watson's four major zones to the corporation.
Today, that area is known as Arasaka Waterfront, a pristine bay reserved exclusively for Arasaka's operations.
But that massive corporate influence came at a cost. In the bloody corporate wars that followed, Arasaka systematically crushed every major company and factory in Watson, leading to the district's rapid decline. Businesses folded, and countless people lost their jobs and homes.
In the blink of an eye, Watson fell from its former glory to one of Night City's poorest districts.
Lin Mo knew this area well. The Watson District is where the protagonist of Cyberpunk 2077 begins their journey. In a way, it was the game's starting zone, the newbie area where many found their footing in the dangerous streets of Night City.
Their destination was Little China, one of Watson's four key zones. Like Japantown, the name was more symbolic of the large Asian population that lived there. The other two zones included Northside Industrial, a gang stronghold dominated by Maelstrom, and Kabuki, a bustling but grimy commercial hub.
Little China was home to many Chinese and other Asian immigrants. But unlike Japantown, it hadn't fared as well. The people here lived in deep poverty, and the area had become a hotspot for cheap labor, illegal activities, and all the vices Night City had to offer.
Still, the one thing that set this zone apart was the Night City Medical Center, located right in the heart of Little China. For all its poverty, this district was crucial for anyone needing medical attention.
As the Delamain taxi wound its way through the dimly lit streets of Little China, Lin Mo couldn't shake the strange sense of familiarity. The streets were lined with small businesses, most with signs in Chinese characters, advertising anything from noodle stands to tech repair shops.
Finally, the taxi pulled onto Bradbury Street, their destination. The street wasn't crowded, but the usual Night City suspects were present: a few sex-doll parlors, braindance clubs, and other questionable establishments.
In the middle of it all, there was one shop that stood out—something far different from the rest. Its storefront was adorned with mystical, almost occult decorations, with a large sign overhead reading "Misty's Esoterica."
"An occult shop?" Kitagawa Hiro asked, puzzled as he carried his unconscious sister on his back. Even after years of living in Night City, this caught him off guard. "Wait… Lin, are you telling me this ripperdoc is also a fortune-teller?"
Hiro's mind spun at the thought of a ripperdoc who dabbled in the occult. He imagined some old woman reading tarot cards over a corpse, chanting in a strange language.
"No," Lin Mo chuckled, shaking his head. "We're not going in there. Viktor's clinic is in the back alley. Downstairs."
With that, Lin Mo pushed open the door to the shop.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted immediately. The soft glow of orange and purple candles cast eerie shadows across the walls, filling the room with a warm, calming ambiance. The air was thick with the scent of incense. Compared to the harsh lights and chaotic sounds of Night City, the shop felt like another world entirely.
As they stepped inside, Hiro noticed a woman sitting with a customer, offering what seemed like a therapy session. The customer reclined in a plush chair, while the woman, who looked to be in her twenties, spoke in soothing tones.
Hiro eyed the woman curiously. She didn't fit the stereotype he had in his head—no old, eccentric fortune-teller here. Instead, she had a calm yet enigmatic air about her. Her short, dark gold hair framed a gentle face, and her outfit—a loose, light-blue off-the-shoulder blouse—gave her an artistic, mysterious vibe. Dark purple lipstick completed her look, adding a slight edge to her otherwise soft appearance.
The woman, Misty, glanced up when she saw Lin Mo and Hiro enter. Her gaze lingered on Lin Mo for a moment before she spoke.
"Lin Mo, I wasn't expecting you," she said softly, her tone both warm and surprised.
"Yeah, something came up," Lin Mo replied, his voice casual. "I'll explain later. For now, we need to see Viktor. Hiro's sister needs a check-up."
Misty's gaze shifted to Hiro and the girl on his back. Her expression softened, and she covered her mouth as she whispered, "Poor girl... Viktor should be able to help. He's not busy right now. You'll find him in the back, watching TV as usual."
"Thank you," Hiro muttered, hurriedly heading for the back alley.
He found the entrance to the clinic easily enough—a set of stairs leading down to a basement. Without hesitation, Hiro began his descent.
Lin Mo considered following but ultimately decided against it. He had already messaged Viktor in advance, and there was no point in crowding the small space. Viktor knew what he needed to do.
As Hiro disappeared into the basement, Misty approached Lin Mo, her eyes full of concern. "What happened, Lin? You okay?"
Lin Mo sighed and, with no reason to hide anything, gave her a rundown of the day's events. Misty had always been someone he trusted, just like Viktor. In the world of Cyberpunk 2077, Misty was one of the few truly kind souls, a close friend of V—the game's main character.
When Lin Mo arrived in this world, one of his first objectives was to connect with those central to the game's story. Misty and Viktor were natural choices. Not only were they morally good people, but they also had connections that could one day prove invaluable.
After all, if the events of the game eventually played out, these two would be essential. Perhaps, through them, Lin Mo could find V and build even stronger ties.
"That poor guy... His sister being kidnapped must have been terrifying," Misty said, shaking her head. "But you saved her. I'm proud of you, Lin. Really."
She smiled gently, though there was still sadness in her eyes.
"By the way," Misty perked up, changing the subject, "do you want me to do a quick tarot reading for you? No charge this time!"
Lin Mo froze. His face immediately tensed as he waved his hands in refusal. "No, no thanks, Misty. I think I'll pass... Maybe next time."
"Every time you say that," Misty teased, her tone light, though her eyes twinkled with mischief. "Are you sure it's not because you don't trust my readings?"
Lin Mo forced a smile, shaking his head rapidly. "Absolutely not. Your tarot readings are the best, Misty. They're just a little too... on point for my taste, you know?"
There was no way Lin Mo wanted to go through one of Misty's readings. In the game, her tarot cards were infamous for predicting the fate of the protagonist, V—including some grim outcomes.
And Lin Mo wasn't keen on knowing what her cards might say about him. Given his past, the last thing he needed was a reading that told him he was destined for some horrible end—like being dismembered by Scavs for spare parts, or worse.
Better to leave some things to fate... or to avoid them entirely.
-------------------------
A/N:
I already have a few Cyberpunk fanfics lined up for translation, but besides that fandom, what fanfics would you like me to add to my collection? Bleach, Naruto, Marvel, DC, Dragon Ball? Kindly use comments to vote. Thanks.