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Lin Mo noticed Hiro's awkwardness and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, smiling casually.
"Don't worry about it. I made some money today, and it's my first time completing a job. You just need to put in a good word for me with Wakako, and this one's on me!"
Hiro looked conflicted for a moment, but he eventually nodded. He had already accumulated quite a debt of gratitude toward Lin Mo, and a little more wouldn't hurt at this point.
Originally, Hiro had planned to grab some quick street food and spend the night in the alley near the clinic, staying close to his sister. But with Lin Mo's offer, and knowing that his sister was stable and in good hands with Viktor, he decided to accept and unwind for a bit.
The two of them quickly agreed on the plan. After informing Viktor and Misty of their outing, they headed off to explore Little China for the evening.
Their "exploring" was really just finding a decent enough place to grab dinner—cheap synthetic food that was barely palatable, but it filled their stomachs.
After dinner, Hiro led Lin Mo to Lizzie's Bar in the Kabuki District—a bar well-known across Night City.
Lizzie's wasn't just a bar—it was one of the most famous braindance clubs in the city.
In truth, many of Night City's entertainment spots—whether bars or BD clubs—revolved around three main attractions: alcohol, braindance, and sex dolls.
These three elements were like inseparable sisters, always appearing together in every nightlife establishment, and Lizzie's Bar was no exception. Besides serving drinks, the club offered premium braindance sessions.
The bar was controlled by a small but notable gang—the Moxes, one of Night City's more recent gangs, founded in 2067.
As they approached the bar, they came across a nearly full parking lot and several women hanging around the entrance, equipped with blunt weapons like baseball bats. Their appearances were striking, with vibrant outfits and neon-colored hair, some donning doll-like enhancements, characteristic of their trade.
"Lin Mo, do you know much about the Moxes?" Hiro broke the silence as they walked toward the entrance, making small talk to break the quiet.
Lin Mo shrugged.
"I've heard a bit. I know they protect street workers, and I think they have beef with the Tiger Claws."
In the game, the Moxes didn't play a significant role in the story, so Lin Mo hadn't paid them much attention back then. Even now, after living in Night City for a while, he wasn't exactly an expert on the gang.
Hiro nodded thoughtfully.
"The Moxes were born out of tragedy. I was with the Tiger Claws when it all went down. If you're interested, I can tell you the story."
"Go ahead," Lin Mo replied, curious to hear the details.
Hiro began explaining.
"It was back in 2067. There was a doll named Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Borden. She ran a club called The Red Queen's Race—and unlike most club owners, she cared about her employees. Treated them with respect."
Hiro's expression darkened as he continued.
"But that same year, one of her workers was brutally assaulted by a few Tiger Claw members. Lizzie took matters into her own hands, grabbed an axe, and killed three of them. Decapitated them, actually, and hung their heads outside her club."
Lin Mo raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Damn, sounds like she was a real badass. Is that when the Moxes were formed?"
"Not quite," Hiro said, his voice heavy. "That same night, the Tiger Claws retaliated. They hit her club, hard. Officially, she was murdered, but the truth is... she was tortured to death. It was a brutal message—the Claws don't tolerate defiance."
His tone was detached, as if it were just another fact of life in Night City.
Lin Mo shook his head. "Classic Night City."
"After her death, things spiraled out of control. What started as a small act of revenge led to city-wide unrest. Street workers banded together, and eventually, they built this bar on the ruins of Lizzie's old club. They renamed it after her in her memory."
Hiro's voice grew quieter as he finished the story.
"Guess it's just people trying to survive, coming together when they have to," Lin Mo mused, looking up at the neon-lit sign of Lizzie's Bar as they reached the entrance.
Before they could enter, one of the Moxes standing by the door stepped in front of them—her eyes locked onto Lin Mo.
"Hey, kid, you're not even old enough to be here, are you?"
The Mox was dressed in skimpy clothing, typical for Night City's nightlife. Despite the cool night air, her revealing outfit did little to shield her from the breeze. She glanced dismissively at Lin Mo—while he was undeniably handsome, his youthful appearance didn't seem to impress her much. In Night City, beauty came in many forms, and not everyone was into the boyish look.
Hiro cleared his throat, stepping forward.
"Hey, Rikki, it's me."
The woman's gaze shifted to Hiro, her expression softening slightly.
"Ah, Hiro. Long time, no see. So, what's the deal? This kid your new apprentice, or are you switching up your preferences?" she teased, twirling her bat playfully.
Lin Mo's eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could say anything, Hiro moved closer to Rikki and lowered his voice.
"Rikki, I'd advise you to watch your words. You can say what you like to me, but you'd better show some respect to Lin Mo. Trust me on this."
Rikki blinked in surprise, realizing Hiro wasn't joking. She glanced at Lin Mo again, this time with a bit more caution.
"My bad, choom. Welcome to Lizzie's," she said with a warmer smile, stepping aside to let them in.
Hiro chuckled, smoothing things over as he gestured toward the door.
"Come on, Lin Mo, I promise you won't regret coming here tonight."
Inside the bar, the atmosphere shifted immediately. The music wasn't the harsh, thrashing kind often associated with Night City's edgerunners. Instead, it was a slower, sultry beat that filled the room. The decor was awash in deep purples and pinks, a mesh of lustrous neon and soft lighting. Spotlights moved across the room, casting shadows and weaving together a web of sensuality that enveloped the patrons.
Some were dancing under the hypnotic lights, while others sat at the bar, nursing drinks. In a corner, a few customers were fully immersed in BDs, lost in their own personalized dreamscapes.
However, what caught Lin Mo's attention the most was a strange figure slumped on one of the couches. His eyes were hidden behind what looked like a pair of cybernetic goggles fused into his skull, his skin a sickly grayish-blue, as if he hadn't seen sunlight in years. His long, spindly arms were fully cybernetic, extending unnaturally down to his legs as he lounged in his seat.
Beside him was another man dressed like an old-school cowboy, complete with a wide-brimmed hat and a thick mustache that curled above his upper lip. Both men were hooked up to BD rigs, clearly enjoying their escapist fantasies.
Lin Mo glanced at them but didn't dwell too much on the sight. He turned to Hiro and asked, "Didn't the Tiger Claws used to give you trouble? How come they didn't try to stop you from coming here?"
Hiro shook his head, his voice steady.
"I left the Tiger Claws a long time ago. Most of the gang doesn't care for me much now. I've still got a few old friends, but for the most part, I'm on my own. The Moxes don't hold a grudge against me, though."
Lin Mo nodded thoughtfully. "I see... The enemy of my enemy is my friend, huh?"
Hiro smirked, clapping Lin Mo on the shoulder. His voice was louder now, competing with the rising volume of the club's music.
"Enough talk, Lin Mo. Tonight's about fun. Let's have a good time!"
Author's Note:To avoid getting flagged, "The Red Queen's Race" was referred to as "The Red Queen's Club," as I'm sure you all understand.