《Cyberpunk: gained body》


 Ch-1

    "Good morning! Night City''s¡­"


    A familiar voice blared from the radio. Peter, who had been sleeping soundly in the back seat of a car, frowned, half-opening his eyes to glare at the noisy device.


    "Damn it, I can''t even sleep properly," he muttered, clearly annoyed.


    But something felt off. As the fog of sleep cleared from his mind, Peter sat up abruptly, blinking at his surroundings.


    What the hell is this? Where am I?


    Peter struggled to piece things together. The last thing he remembered was going to bed after spending countless hours in Cyberpunk 2077, ruthlessly hunting down Adam Smasher. Yet here he was, waking up in a car he didn''t recognize, in a place that seemed eerily familiar but out of reach for reality.


    Peter opened the car door, stepped outside, and immediately froze. He recognized this place¡ªit wasn''t possible, but he knew it.


    This was the Badlands, on the outskirts of Night City, the grimy dystopian future brought to life in the game. His heart sank as he scanned the barren, sun-bleached terrain and the makeshift garage nearby.


    "No way," he whispered. "I''m not dreaming¡­ right?"


    But every detail confirmed it. The two people nearby, locked in conversation, were unmistakable. One was a repairman fiddling with the hood of a car. The other was a tall, silver-haired woman in tattered clothes, V, the protagonist of Cyberpunk 2077.


    "Oh, come on," Peter groaned. "Just because I spend too much time playing the game doesn''t mean I deserve to wake up inside it!"


    The repairman spoke up, his voice tinged with mockery. "Looks like your car''s electrical coupling module is fried. You''ll need a replacement."


    V crossed her arms, her silver hair catching the harsh sunlight as she responded coldly, "Just fix it. I don''t have time for your games."


    The repairman''s gaze lingered on her longer than it should have, his expression sleazy. "Not many pretty faces like yours around here," he said with a smirk. "Most beauties are in Night City. Guess you''re the exception."


    Peter clenched his fists at the man''s tone. He didn''t need to hear more to know the repairman was going to drag this out for as much money as he could squeeze out of them.


    "Look, just fix the damn car," Peter interjected, stepping in front of V. "We don''t have all day."


    The repairman snorted. "Oh, tough guy, huh? Fine. Try fixing it yourself, if you think you''re so smart."If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Peter didn''t hesitate. He shoved the man aside and peered under the hood, his hands moving almost on instinct. Having played this mission countless times in the game, he knew exactly what to do.


    "Bypass the coupling," he muttered to himself, pulling out a wire. "Then rewire this¡­ and connect the ignition¡­"


    The repairman watched in stunned silence, and even V raised an eyebrow as Peter worked. Within moments, the car roared to life.


    "Well, I''ll be damned," the repairman said grudgingly. "Didn''t think a drifter like you had it in you. But don''t expect it to last long¡ªyour compressor will be running on fumes soon enough."


    Peter shot him a glare. "It just needs to last until we get to Night City."


    V smirked. "Nice work, Peter."


    Peter shrugged, brushing off the compliment, but his satisfaction was short-lived. A loud screech interrupted the moment as the garage''s metal shutter door rolled open.


    In walked a man with a badge pinned to his chest¡ªa sheriff, judging by his self-important swagger. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and radiated arrogance. Peter recognized him immediately.


    Andrew Jones, he thought with a grimace. The narcissistic sheriff from the prologue mission.


    "Mike," the sheriff said, addressing the repairman, "you didn''t tell me we had visitors."


    Mike shrugged, clearly uncomfortable. "They just got here, Sheriff. Figured it wasn''t worth bothering you."


    Andrew Jones sauntered over to the car, placing a boot on the front bumper as he eyed V with thinly veiled interest. "Well, well. What do we have here? A couple of drifters wandering into my town without saying hello to the sheriff? That''s not how we do things around here."


    V''s expression darkened, but she kept her tone measured. "Our car broke down. We''re just passing through."


    The sheriff ignored her words, puffing up his chest. "Name''s Andrew Jones. You might''ve heard of me. ''Silver Shotgun.'' I fought in the last Corporate War, special forces. Ring any bells?"


    V was about to dismiss him, but Peter cut her off, forcing a polite smile. "Of course. Who hasn''t heard of Andrew Jones? A real legend."


    Jones'' expression softened slightly at the praise. "Glad someone around here has some respect."


    "But," Peter continued, "we''re not part of any family or clan. It''s just the two of us. We don''t want trouble¡ªwe just need to get to Night City."


    Jones narrowed his eyes, clearly weighing their words. After a tense moment, he stepped back from the car. "Fine. But don''t let me catch you stirring up trouble in my town. And don''t overstay your welcome."


    With that, he turned and walked away, but not before shooting one last lingering glance at V.


    V exhaled sharply as soon as he was out of earshot. "That guy''s a walking ego trip. Let''s get out of here before he changes his mind."


    Peter nodded, climbing into the passenger seat as V started the car. The engine rumbled to life, and they pulled away from the garage, leaving the sheriff and the repairman in a cloud of dust.


    As the open road stretched out before them, Peter couldn''t help but wonder what he''d gotten himself into. Somehow, he had ended up in the world of Cyberpunk 2077, and he had no idea how¡ªor if¡ªhe would ever get back.


    For now, though, one thing was certain: if they were going to survive in Night City, they''d need to stick together.


    Peter glanced at V, who was focused on the road ahead. "Hey," he said, breaking the silence. "Thanks for not freaking out back there."


    V smirked. "Don''t mention it. You handled yourself pretty well for someone who just woke up in the middle of nowhere."


    Peter leaned back in his seat, letting out a deep breath. "Yeah, well, something tells me this is just the beginning."


    And he was right. In Night City, the line between survival and destruction was razor-thin. And Peter was about to find out just how sharp it could be.

 Chapter 2: Can I Become Stronger By Basking In The Sun?

    "I don''t believe it. You homeless people just stick together," the sheriff sneered, shaking his head dismissively. He didn''t buy V''s story, but it seemed to amuse him more than it irritated him. If V had mentioned a family he didn''t recognize, he would have detained her on the spot.


    As for Peter? The sheriff barely gave him a second thought. Wasn''t he the lone drifter who had been causing trouble around town, the one the locals claimed had been dealt with?


    V, unfazed, kept her tone even. "Our family has been disbanded. It''s just the two of us now, and we''re heading to Night City."


    "Oh, to Night City?" The sheriff''s lip curled into a sneer. "Just you two hard-working lovebirds?"


    "This has nothing to do with you," V shot back, her patience clearly wearing thin.


    Peter watched the exchange in silence. He could feel the tension rising, though he knew better than to jump in.


    "Our car''s antenna is broken," V continued. "I saw a signal tower nearby. I need to use it to contact someone."


    The sheriff smirked, tugging his belt in a show of authority. "You can use it, but don''t stick around town too long. I don''t want to see you loitering or stirring up trouble. Understand?"


    V gave him a curt nod, not wasting any more words. She climbed back into the driver''s seat and turned to Peter. "I don''t want to cause any trouble, and you don''t need to either. Let''s go."


    Peter slid into the passenger seat, and V started the car. They drove out of the small, dusty town in silence. After reaching the signal tower, V managed to contact Jack, confirming their meeting spot.


    The desert stretched endlessly around them as they continued driving. The heat shimmered off the road, making the landscape look almost surreal. Peter leaned back in his seat, watching the scenery blur past. Something about it all felt too real¡ªtoo vivid.


    As his surroundings settled into a strange familiarity, Peter''s mind began to absorb the memories of his new body. This body''s name was also Peter. He was the son of drifters, part of the same family as V. A few days ago, their family had been disbanded after a failed mission. Both his and V''s parents were gone, casualties of this unforgiving world.


    In the cyberpunk world, this was normal. The average life expectancy barely hit thirty.


    Peter sighed, the weight of this new reality settling in. He turned his attention to V, who was focused on the road ahead. She had long silver hair and striking blue eyes. Her skin was tanned from years of exposure to the harsh desert sun, but her features were undeniably beautiful.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Peter found himself smiling faintly. "V, why did you tell the sheriff you knew him? We obviously don''t."


    "If I didn''t," V replied without looking at him, "we might not have been able to leave the town without trouble. Sometimes it''s worth stroking an idiot''s ego just to get by."


    Peter nodded, understanding her reasoning. V sighed, glancing at him briefly. "To be honest, if the family hadn''t fallen apart, I wouldn''t have reached out to a fixer to get us to Night City. But here we are. It''s just the two of us now."


    Peter felt a pang of guilt. If the family hadn''t been destroyed, V wouldn''t have had to take on this burden. But this world didn''t allow time for regret. Survival was all that mattered.


    As Peter stared out the window, his thoughts drifted back to his life before this one. He remembered the anime, the hours spent playing the game. If he hadn''t been so obsessed with this world, would he have ended up here?


    His thoughts were interrupted by a strange sensation. He stretched his hand out the window, letting the sunlight hit his skin. A warm, almost electric energy flowed through him, filling his veins.


    "Hey, V," Peter said, his voice hesitant. "Do you think there''s a prosthetic out there that gets stronger by basking in the sun?"


    V shot him a confused glance. "What? Did you catch some weird malware? Why are you talking nonsense?"


    Peter shook his head, flexing his fingers as the warmth continued to flow. "I''m serious. This feels...different."


    "Peter..." V leaned over, placing a hand on his forehead. Her touch startled him, and he froze.


    "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice a bit higher than he intended.


    "Checking for a fever," V replied with a smirk. "You''re acting weird."


    Peter turned his face away, trying to hide his embarrassment. "I''m fine. Just...forget I said anything."


    V laughed, her teasing tone lightening the mood. "Are you blushing? Seriously? We''ve known each other forever, and now you''re getting shy?"


    Peter grumbled, "It''s nothing. Let''s just focus on the job."


    They continued driving, the strange warmth still lingering in Peter''s hand. He didn''t understand it yet, but something had changed.


    Eventually, they reached their destination. V double-checked the coordinates before parking the car.


    Inside the dusty building, Peter immediately recognized the man waiting for them. Jack. His broad frame and mischievous grin were just as he remembered.


    "If you''d taken any longer, I''d have started farming just to survive," Jack said, leaning back casually. "You two must be V and Peter."


    "That''s us," Peter replied with a smile. "And you''re Jack Wilson, right?"


    Jack grinned. "Dios m¨ªo. Nobody told me my contact would be such a beautiful lady." His eyes lingered on V, who didn''t seem amused.


    "This has nothing to do with you," V said sharply. "We''re here for the job. I hear you''ve got some goods that need moving?"


    Jack raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Chica. It''s just tradition to get to know your partners before doing business."


    "Fine," V muttered, crossing her arms. "But let''s keep it professional."


    Jack turned to Peter, his grin returning. "What about you, Hermano? You seem chill."


    Peter chuckled. "Let''s get the job done first. Then we can talk about traditions."


    Jack clapped his hands together. "I like this guy! Let''s get to work."


    As the three discussed the details of their mission, Peter couldn''t shake the feeling in his chest. That strange warmth from the sun¡ªit wasn''t going away. If anything, it was growing stronger.


    But for now, he pushed the thought aside. Survival always came first. For more episode visit patreon.

 Chapter 3: Turned Out To Be a Man of Steel?

    "Alright, Jack. Shouldn''t you show us the goods we''re delivering this time?" V said, turning to the man who was still chuckling at his own jokes.


    Jack grinned and patted the large metal box beside him. "Here it is, my friends. This is what we''re delivering."


    "What''s in it?" V asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.


    "Honestly? I don''t know, and I prefer not to. Our job is to deliver it, not ask questions. Trust me, it''s better that way." Jack shrugged nonchalantly.


    "You''re willing to transport something without knowing what it is? Especially something stolen from a corporation?" V pointed at the company logo stamped on the side of the box, her expression growing darker.


    "Whoa, whoa, ''stolen'' is such a harsh word," Jack replied, laughing nervously. "Let''s just say some fool left it lying around, and another fool picked it up. Happens all the time in this world."


    "You don''t think they''ll come looking for this?" V asked incredulously.


    Jack waved dismissively. "By the time they figure out it''s missing, we''ll be sipping drinks in Night City. Don''t worry about it."


    V sighed, shaking her head, but she didn''t argue. "Fine, load it into the car. Let''s get this over with."


    "Now we''re talking! I thought you were going to chicken out," Jack teased as he hefted the box toward the car.


    "Zenima, this thing''s heavy," Jack grumbled as he placed the box into the trunk, dusting off his hands afterward.


    Peter leaned against the car, watching the exchange unfold. After a moment, he spoke up, explaining the incident they had with the sheriff earlier.


    Jack nodded along, his expression shifting between amusement and disbelief. "That sheriff sounds like a joke. Never heard of a ''silver shotgun'' in my life. But, hey, at least the guy had good taste." Jack shot V a cheeky grin, clearly enjoying her growing irritation.


    "Just shut up and get in," V said, rolling her eyes as she got into the driver''s seat.


    Jack moved to take the passenger seat, but V stopped him with a glare. Reluctantly, he climbed into the back while Peter took the seat next to her.


    As the car began to roll down the desert road, Peter leaned his arm out of the window, letting the sunlight warm his skin. A strange, comforting energy flowed through him, like nothing he''d ever experienced before.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    It had been hours since Peter realized something was different. Since the moment he stepped into the sunlight, he could feel a steady increase in strength coursing through his body. His senses sharpened, and he could swear his skin was becoming harder¡ªmore resilient.


    Could it be? Could he really have the powers of Superman''s Man of Steel?


    The thought was both thrilling and terrifying. Peter had spent his previous life obsessing over superheroes in games and shows, but to actually live it? To wield such unimaginable power in the harsh, unforgiving world of Cyberpunk?


    If this was true, then corporations like Arasaka and Militech wouldn''t just be threats¡ªthey''d be ants.


    "Yo, what''s your story, man?" Jack''s voice pulled Peter out of his thoughts.


    Peter glanced at him. "What do you mean?"


    "You and V. You''re not exactly the typical pair I''d expect to see out here."


    "We''re siblings," V said curtly, her focus on the road ahead.


    Jack raised an eyebrow, his skepticism clear. "Siblings, huh? Doesn''t look like it. You sure there''s nothing else going on between you two?"


    "Don''t push your luck," V snapped, her cheeks reddening slightly.


    Peter chuckled to himself, choosing not to add anything. Instead, he focused on the comforting sensation of sunlight warming his arm as the car sped toward their destination.


    "Alright, alright, I''ll shut up," Jack said, leaning back with a grin. "You two are a weird pair, though."


    As the checkpoint came into view on the horizon, tension filled the car. V adjusted the radio, trying to drown out her own nerves with music, but her rigid posture betrayed her unease.


    "Jack," Peter said, breaking the silence, "the middleman gave you a cargo list for this job, right?"


    "Of course," Jack said, rummaging through his pockets before handing over a slip of paper.


    Peter scanned the document, his expression darkening.


    "What''s wrong?" Jack asked, his voice tinged with worry.


    "See this here?" Peter pointed at a section of the paper. "LOA. It means this cargo will trigger an automatic scan the moment we cross the border."


    Jack''s face went pale. "You''re kidding. Isn''t that basically screaming, ''Hey, we''re smuggling''?"


    "Exactly. The good news is, we can bribe the guards to look the other way. The bad news is...you did bring enough money for that, right?" Peter raised an eyebrow.


    Jack laughed nervously, pulling a credchip out of his pocket. "Of course I did! What do you take me for?"


    V rolled her eyes. "Great. Let''s just get this over with."


    The car rolled into the checkpoint, the guards already signaling them to stop. The blockade ahead was intimidating, but Peter kept his expression calm.


    "Drive into the inspection area," one of the guards barked.


    V complied without hesitation, pulling the car to a stop in the designated zone.


    "Everyone in the vehicle, step out for further questioning," another guard ordered.


    Jack shifted nervously in his seat, muttering, "This doesn''t feel right..."


    "Stay calm," V snapped. "If you panic, they''ll know something''s up."


    Peter placed a reassuring hand on Jack''s shoulder. "Relax. Let me handle it."


    Jack let out a shaky breath. "Alright, Peter. I''m trusting you on this."


    As the guards approached, Peter stepped out of the car first, his expression calm and confident. He knew the rules of this world¡ªconfidence and quick thinking were often the only things that stood between life and death.


    "Papers," the guard demanded, holding out his hand.


    Peter handed over the documents without hesitation, meeting the guard''s gaze with a steady look.


    The guard scanned the papers, then glanced at the car. "What''s in the cargo?"


    "Just some supplies for a client in Night City," Peter replied smoothly. "Nothing illegal, I assure you."


    The guard''s eyes narrowed. "And the LOA trigger? Care to explain that?"


    Peter smiled faintly, slipping a credchip into the guard''s hand. "Just a misunderstanding. I''m sure we can sort this out, right?"


    The guard hesitated, then pocketed the chip with a grunt. "Fine. Move along."


    As Peter got back into the car, Jack let out a loud cheer. "Hermano, you''re a lifesaver!"


    V smirked, glancing at Peter. "Not bad."


    Peter shrugged, but inside, he couldn''t help but feel a surge of confidence. If he could handle this, maybe he really was ready for what this world had in store for him.


    The sun dipped below the horizon as they sped away from the checkpoint, the faint glow of Night City beckoning in the distance. But as Peter looked out at the darkening sky, he couldn''t shake the feeling that his journey was only just beginning.    for more Episodes visit patreon.

 Chapter 4: Peters Rage

    With the manifest and chips in hand, Peter walked into the checkpoint building, his steps steady despite the tension in the air. He eyed the guards armed to the teeth, their fingers itching to use their weapons. Though Peter knew his steel-like body might withstand a bullet or two, he wasn''t willing to test his limits. Not now.


    "Please hand over your weapons here," barked a guard at the entrance, gesturing to a nearby window.


    Peter nodded, pulling the pistol from his waistband and placing it on the counter. The guards tensed as he moved, their rifles shifting ever so slightly in his direction. They relaxed only when Peter''s gun was securely handed over.


    "Proceed to Interrogation Room 2," the guard ordered, waving him through.


    Peter walked down the dimly lit hallway, finding the door marked "2" and stepping inside. Sitting behind a desk was a familiar figure: a checkpoint officer with an air of smug arrogance.


    "Your documents," the officer said flatly, barely looking up.


    Suppressing his irritation, Peter handed over the cargo manifest. The officer scanned it briefly, a flicker of recognition passing over his face as he noted the "LOA" label on the manifest¡ªan indicator that the cargo would be flagged once it crossed the border.


    "What are you transporting?" the officer asked, his tone laced with suspicion.


    Peter kept his expression neutral. "It''s all written there."


    The officer raised an eyebrow, then leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette. "Well, sometimes things aren''t as clear as they seem. Anything else you''d like to declare?"


    Feigning compliance, Peter pulled out a chip and slid it across the table. "An additional item for the manifest," he said coolly.


    The officer''s demeanor shifted as he pocketed the chip. He placed the manifest over it as if nothing had happened. "Which group do you belong to? Saul''s crew? Viper Gang?"


    Peter hesitated only for a moment. "Saul''s crew," he lied smoothly.


    The officer nodded, seeming satisfied. "Alright, you''re clear. The roadblocks outside have been lowered. Move along."


    Peter left the room without a word, reclaiming his weapon at the counter before heading back to the car.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "How''d it go?" V asked, glancing at him anxiously as he slid into the passenger seat.


    "Handled. Shouldn''t be any problems now," Peter replied confidently.


    "I don''t know... something still feels off," Jack muttered from the backseat, fidgeting nervously.


    "Oh? Do you always get these feelings, Jack?" V teased, her tension easing slightly.


    "Of course not! I''m just saying..." Jack trailed off, his unease apparent.


    "Relax," Peter said, leaning back in his seat. "Just keep driving."


    The car rumbled down the dusty road, the desert stretching endlessly on either side. The checkpoint was behind them, and for a moment, the trio allowed themselves to breathe a little easier.


    But then Jack''s voice broke the fragile calm. "Uh... guys? Is it just me, or are those cars coming straight at us?"


    Peter and V turned to see a convoy of vehicles speeding toward them. The Tiger Claw Gang insignia was unmistakable.


    "Shit," Jack cursed.


    Peter''s jaw tightened. "Guess the checkpoint guard sold us out." His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white. The veins in his arms bulged, his fury barely contained.


    "We don''t know that for sure," V began, but her words were cut off as the first car in the convoy opened fire.


    "Leave the cargo, you bastards!" one of the gang members yelled, their bullets pinging off the car.


    "Fuck them," Peter snarled, pulling his pistol and leaning out the window. Without hesitation, he began firing at the attackers, his movements sharp and precise.


    Jack, not one to be left out, grabbed his own gun and joined the fray, though his shots were more about suppressing fire than accuracy.


    Peter, however, was a different story. Each time he squeezed the trigger, a Tiger Claw member dropped. His focus was laser-sharp, the world around him slowing as his targets came into view.


    "Jesus, Peter! Your aim is insane!" Jack shouted, his admiration clear even in the chaos.


    Peter didn''t respond. He was locked in, his heightened senses picking up every movement, every sound. His bullets found their marks effortlessly, taking out drivers and gunmen alike.


    Within minutes, the gang''s convoy was in disarray. Cars veered off the road, some crashing into each other as their drivers fell. The remaining vehicles turned tail and fled, the surviving gang members shouting in panic.


    "Yeah, you better run!" Jack hollered, leaning out the window and firing a few celebratory shots into the air.


    V pulled the car over at the entrance of a rundown motel, cutting the engine and exhaling deeply. "Well, that was fun," she muttered sarcastically.


    Peter stepped out of the car, holstering his pistol. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders was unmistakable.


    "Hermano," Jack said, slinging an arm around Peter''s shoulders. "You''re a damn sharpshooter. Ever think about partnering up permanently?"


    V, still seated in the driver''s seat, watched Peter closely. She''d known him for over a decade, but the man who had just taken down a convoy of armed gangsters with chilling precision felt like a stranger.


    Peter ignored Jack''s question, his mind elsewhere. The Tiger Claw Gang''s ambush wasn''t random. Someone had tipped them off, and Peter had a good idea who.


    He glanced back toward the horizon, where the checkpoint sat in the distance. His fists clenched again. That guard would regret underestimating him.


    For now, though, they had bigger problems. Night City was close, and it wasn''t the paradise the checkpoint guards had mocked it to be. It was a battleground, and Peter was ready for whatever came next. More Episodes available in patreon.

 Chapter 5: A Gadget Worth Two Hundred Thousand

    "So, you''re saying we''ll stay in this rundown motel tonight and head to the city tomorrow?" Peter asked, glancing skeptically at the dilapidated building before him.


    Jack laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Ahahaha, well, Hermano (brother), the middleman isn''t ready to meet us tonight. It''s better to wait until morning when the city guards are less vigilant. Besides," he added sheepishly, "I''m a little tight on cash."


    Peter sighed and nodded in resignation. "Fine, looks like we don''t have much of a choice."


    Jack went ahead and booked two rooms at the motel. Peter initially planned to share a room with Jack, but before he could say anything, V grabbed his arm and dragged him into her room.


    Jack stood by the counter, watching them disappear into the room with an amused expression. "Sister and brother, huh?" he muttered knowingly to himself.


    Inside the room, Peter looked around at the mess. The place was a disaster¡ªstained walls, dried blood splatters, discarded tissues, and empty cans scattered on the floor. He wrinkled his nose. At least the bed looked... somewhat clean.


    "Well," Peter muttered, "it''s not like we can expect a five-star hotel."


    As he examined the room, V stepped closer, her face just inches from his. Peter turned crimson and quickly averted his gaze. "Uh... V? What''s wrong?"


    V crossed her arms, her expression a mix of worry and suspicion. "Peter, are you hiding something from me?"


    Peter froze, unsure how to respond. V was the closest thing he had to family ever since they''d lost their parents. They''d grown up together, doing odd jobs for the family just to scrape by. She knew him better than anyone.


    "I''m serious," V continued, narrowing her eyes. "What was all that back there with the Tiger Claw Gang? Your aim was... insane. That''s not something you just pick up overnight. What''s going on?"


    Peter hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. "V, do you remember earlier today when I asked you about prosthetic tech that could be enhanced by sunlight?"


    V tilted her head, recalling the conversation. "Yeah... you mentioned something about that on the way to meet Jack. Wait... are you saying¡ª"


    Peter nodded. "Something''s changed. I only discovered it today, but... well, let me show you."


    Before V could respond, Peter vanished from where he stood. She blinked in surprise, spinning around to find him now standing behind her.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "How did you¡ª" V started to ask, but Peter interrupted by walking over to the bed. With one hand, he lifted the entire frame off the ground like it weighed nothing.


    V''s jaw dropped. "Peter... what the hell?"


    Peter set the bed down gently and turned to face her. "I don''t know how, but it''s like my body has been... upgraded. I feel stronger, faster. And when I''m exposed to sunlight, it''s like I get even more powerful."


    V stared at him, her mind racing. She knew Peter better than anyone, and there was no way he''d undergone any major cybernetic upgrades. Yet, here he was, displaying abilities far beyond anything she''d ever seen.


    "This is... incredible," she said, finally finding her voice. "But Peter, you need to be careful. If the corpos find out about this, they''ll want to dissect you like some kind of lab rat. You can''t let anyone see what you can do."


    Peter nodded solemnly. "I know. Don''t worry, V. I''ll be careful."


    Before they could continue, a knock came at the door.


    "Who is it?" V called out, her voice tinged with caution.


    "It''s me, Jack," came the reply. "I''ve got something to discuss with you."


    V glanced at Peter, then walked over to open the door. Jack stepped in, carrying a large metal case. He set it down with a grunt, wiping sweat from his brow.


    "Damn, this thing''s heavy," he muttered before straightening up. "Hope I''m not interrupting anything."


    "No, it''s fine," V said. "What''s up?"


    Jack grinned mischievously. "So, I''ve been thinking... instead of just handing this over to the middleman tomorrow, why don''t we take a peek at what''s inside? Maybe we can flip it ourselves and make a bigger profit."


    V frowned. "Jack, are you serious? You know how dangerous it is to mess with a middleman. If word gets out, you''ll have a target on your back."


    Jack waved off her concern. "Relax, I''ve already talked to my contact¡ªFather, from the Valentino Gang. He''s interested in whatever''s in this case. Trust me, it''ll be fine."


    Peter shrugged. "I don''t see the harm. Let''s open it and see what we''re dealing with."


    V sighed, clearly unconvinced. "Fine. But if this goes sideways, it''s on you, Jack."


    Jack grinned and quickly popped open the case. As the lid lifted, a rush of cold air escaped, and inside, they found a small creature curled up in a frosty compartment.


    "No way..." Jack whispered, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Dios m¨ªo... it''s an iguana. A red one, no less!"


    Peter stared at the animal, equally stunned. "A red iguana? I''ve never seen anything like it."


    V leaned in for a closer look. "Is this thing even worth anything?"


    Jack laughed. "Worth anything? Hermana, this little guy is worth at least two hundred thousand eddies in Night City!"


    V''s eyes widened. "Two hundred thousand? Are you serious?"


    "Dead serious," Jack said, his tone brimming with excitement. "This isn''t just some ordinary pet. Exotic animals like this are insanely rare, especially in Night City. We could make a fortune!"


    Peter crossed his arms, his mind racing. Two hundred thousand eurodollars could change their lives. It could buy them a better home, better gear¡ªhell, it could even get them out of the nomad life altogether.


    "So," Jack said, clapping his hands together. "What do you say? Are we in this together?"


    Peter and V exchanged a look. They both knew the risks involved, but the potential reward was too great to ignore.


    "Alright," Peter said finally. "Let''s do it."


    V nodded. "But we need to be smart about this. No mistakes."


    Jack grinned. "Smart''s my middle name, Hermana. Trust me, we''re gonna pull this off."


    As the trio began making plans, the red iguana stirred slightly in its compartment, its bright, reptilian eyes opening for the first time.


    The game was on, and Peter, V, and Jack were ready to take their first big gamble in Night City. for more Episodes visit patreon

 Chapter 6: Night

    "Two hundred thousand? For this thing?!"


    V''s voice rose in disbelief as she stared at the iguana in Jack''s hands.


    "Of course," Jack replied with a grin, holding the small creature up like a prized possession. "The big shots in Night City love exotic pets. And this little guy? A rare, mutated red species? It''s like finding a golden lottery ticket."


    Jack''s eyes gleamed with excitement. He''d owned a pet shark once, though it had been short-lived due to the high costs of keeping it. But this iguana¡ªthis was on a whole different level. Green iguanas were practically extinct in the cyberpunk world, and finding a red mutant like this was unheard of.


    "But still," Jack sighed, his excitement dimming slightly. "We''ll only end up with about a hundred thousand euros after all''s said and done. The priest has to handle the middleman and find a buyer, and he''ll take his cut."


    "Come on, Jack," V said, crossing her arms. "How many gigs would we have to take to even get close to a hundred thousand? Be happy with that. It''s a hell of a lot more than the twenty thousand we would''ve gotten if we''d just handed the case over without question."


    She wasn''t wrong. The payout for most jobs in Night City barely covered the basics¡ªrent, repairs, maybe a half-decent secondhand car. Even their last job together had barely netted them fifty thousand euros, most of which had gone straight to the family.


    Jack scratched his head. "Yeah, I guess you''re right. Fine, how about this? Tomorrow, Peter, you and V come with me to meet the priest. We''ll split the money there."


    Peter nodded, and Jack gave him a knowing smirk as he headed for the door. As the door clicked shut behind him, Peter let out a breath, knowing Jack was treating him like one of his own now. That smirk? It was Jack''s way of showing trust¡ªa far cry from the brash, arrogant attitude he''d had when they first met.


    "Oh, I''ve been running around all day. I''m gonna shower first," V said, stretching as she headed to the bathroom.


    Peter nodded absently and collapsed onto the bed. For the first time since he''d arrived in this world, he was lying on an actual mattress. Clenching his fists, he felt the overwhelming strength coursing through him¡ªa strength he barely understood but instinctively knew how to control.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Looking at the ceiling, Peter made a silent promise. "V, I''ll make sure we have a good life in this city."


    Closing his eyes, Peter let the exhaustion of the day take over. While his body didn''t feel tired, his mind had reached its limit.


    "Peter, what are you¡ª"


    V''s voice cut off as she stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, only to find Peter already asleep on the bed.


    The corners of her mouth twitched in annoyance. "This brat doesn''t even know how to cover himself with a blanket."


    She grabbed the edge of the quilt he wasn''t lying on and gently pulled it over him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she looked at Peter''s sleeping face, her expression softening. Memories of their childhood flashed through her mind, reminding her of the bond they shared.


    At some point, V leaned back against him, her eyes closing as sleep overtook her.


    ---


    Morning


    Peter blinked awake, staring groggily at the cracked ceiling of the motel. He shifted slightly and froze, realizing his arm was trapped. Glancing to the side, he found V sound asleep, her arm wrapped around his.


    His face flushed. Don''t panic. Don''t move.


    The last thing he wanted was for the towel she wore to shift, creating an awkward¡ªor potentially dangerous¡ªsituation. He stayed perfectly still, pretending to be asleep, until he felt her stir.


    Peter waited for the sound of the bathroom door closing before sitting up, running a hand through his hair. A faint warmth lingered on his arm, and he smiled faintly, his protective instincts toward V growing stronger.


    A few minutes later, V emerged, fully dressed. Her casual demeanor betrayed no sign of embarrassment. "You fell asleep last night without showering, Peter. Go clean up¡ªwe''ve got to meet the priest soon."


    Peter grabbed his backpack and hurried into the bathroom, grateful for the excuse to escape the awkwardness.


    ---


    Standing under the shower''s spray, Peter glanced at himself in the cracked mirror. His reflection showed a man with a perfectly proportioned physique, lean and muscular, but not bulky. It was the kind of body he''d always dreamed of having in his previous life, though no amount of exercise had ever gotten him there.


    Drying off, Peter stepped out of the bathroom to find Jack lounging on the sofa in their room.


    "Finally! Hermano (brother), you''re out. I''ve been waiting forever!"


    "Sorry," Peter muttered. "I was exhausted last night and passed out before I could clean up."


    Jack smirked, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Busy night, huh?"


    Peter raised an eyebrow, catching the implication immediately. He glanced at V, who seemed oblivious to the remark, and gave Jack a pointed look.


    Jack grinned but didn''t push further. "Alright, let''s head out. Time to meet the priest."


    V grabbed her jacket, and the trio made their way downstairs. As they stepped out into the streets of Night City, Peter couldn''t help but feel a sense of anticipation.


    This wasn''t just about the money or the rare iguana. It was the first step toward building something bigger¡ªa future where he and V wouldn''t have to scrape by just to survive.


    And Peter wasn''t going to let anyone stand in the way of that future. for more Episodes visit patreon.

 Chapter 7: Order? A Rich Mans Toy

    "Do you think this car will even make it to Night City?"


    "No idea," Jack replied with a shrug. "But I think we''ll be fine."


    Moments later, black smoke erupted from the vehicle''s hood, and the engine gave a final, sputtering groan. Jack coughed, stepping out of the car with a string of curses. "Ahem! Damn it! This piece of junk didn''t even make it all the way here. What a f***ing waste."


    Peter and V exchanged exasperated looks, black lines forming on their foreheads as they stared at the car. They had tried driving slowly, hoping to keep the car alive for the journey, but their efforts had proven futile. The car was officially dead, just as they reached the outskirts of Night City.


    Jack kicked the car''s tire in frustration, but Peter raised his hand to stop him. "Getting mad isn''t going to help. Let''s focus on finding a new ride."


    Jack glanced at Peter, noting his calm demeanor. It struck him that Peter was a perfect balance for his own fiery temperament¡ªsomeone who could keep his head in tense situations. In Night City, where trust was a rare commodity, finding someone reliable was like striking gold. Jack grunted in agreement, knowing how many so-called "brothers" in the city would sell you out for the right price.


    "So, where exactly are we right now?" Peter asked, breaking Jack''s train of thought.


    Jack pulled up a map, his face darkening as he scanned the location. "Desafortunado (bad luck). We''re in Santo Domingo. Not good news."


    V raised an eyebrow. "What''s so bad about it?"


    Jack sneered, leaning back against the car. "This is the Sixth Street Gang''s turf. A bunch of ex-military types who started off as ''protectors'' for the neighborhood. But now? They''re just gangsters with a fancy excuse."


    Peter''s mind clicked into overdrive, recalling the information he''d picked up about the Sixth Street Gang. His supercharged brain made it easier to piece things together. The gang was made up of about 2,300 members, mostly veterans who claimed to keep their territory safe. They rarely crossed into other gangs'' areas, but within their own turf, they were known for extorting small businesses under the guise of "protection fees."This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    While the Sixth Street Gang wasn''t the most dangerous group in Night City, Peter knew better than to underestimate them. It was better to pass through their territory than risk running into the Tiger Claws again. After all, the Tiger Claws hadn''t sent their top enforcers last time, but Peter doubted their next encounter would be as "lucky."


    "Ding~"


    Jack''s holo-communicator lit up, and he scowled when he saw the name flashing on the screen. It was the middleman for their current job.


    "Tch, esto es realmente dif¨ªcil (this is really difficult)," Jack muttered before answering the call. "Yeah, it''s me. What''s the problem?"


    The voice on the other end was sharp and impatient. "Jack! You were supposed to deliver over an hour ago. Where the hell are you?"


    The speaker was Toby Jais, a low-tier middleman who was practically pulling his hair out over the delay. Toby knew how valuable the red iguana was¡ªso much so that he had spent 50,000 euros bribing a corporate employee to "lose" it. He''d even forked over another 10,000 euros to grease the wheels with the border police.


    Toby wasn''t a big-time player like Tanaka, the Priest, or the Captain. He scraped by on the scraps the major middlemen didn''t want, and this iguana was supposed to be his ticket to the next level.


    "Look, Toby," Jack interrupted, his voice steady. "We got hit by the Tiger Claws crossing the border last night. If you want to yell at someone, go take it up with them. I''ve got to go now."


    Before Toby could respond, Jack ended the call.


    "Jack Wells!" Toby''s voice exploded in fury, though the line was already dead. Slamming his communicator onto the desk, Toby fumed. He was practically broke, with only one loyal lackey to his name. Everyone else under his command was a mercenary, ready to bolt the moment the money dried up.


    Night City was ruthless that way. Loyalty only lasted as long as your wallet was full.


    "F***! Jack Wells, you''ll regret this!" Toby shouted, but deep down, he knew he was powerless to do anything.


    Meanwhile, Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "He thinks he can threaten me? That guy''s all bark and no bite."


    V clapped Jack on the shoulder, laughing. "Wow, big guy. I didn''t take you for the type to cheat someone."


    Jack shrugged, unbothered. "In Night City, you don''t survive by playing nice. Even if you''re just a beggar on the street, you''ve got to be ready to screw someone over if it means living another day."


    Peter frowned but didn''t say anything. Jack had a point. Night City was a chaotic, lawless mess where morality often took a backseat to survival.


    The trio resumed their search for a new ride, their boots crunching against the dusty pavement. The heat was oppressive, and the air smelled faintly of oil and decay. Santo Domingo wasn''t the worst district in Night City, but it wasn''t exactly paradise either.


    "What about the police?" Peter asked after a while.


    Jack laughed bitterly. "The NCPD? They don''t care about order. As long as you don''t mess with the corpos or the rich, they''ll turn a blind eye to just about anything. Hell, they''re practically a gang themselves."


    Peter nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. He had only been in this world for a short time, but he already understood how it worked. Survival came first. Trust was a luxury.


    As they moved further into Santo Domingo, Peter''s mind began racing again, forming plans and contingencies. The Sixth Street Gang might not be the worst enemies, but that didn''t mean they could afford to let their guard down.


    Whatever lay ahead, Peter silently vowed to protect V and Jack. In this city of broken dreams and jagged edges, they were the closest thing he had to family.


    for more Episodes visit patreon.

 Chapter 8: Lucy and the Cybermaniac

    "So, Peter, your grand plan is for us to take the public light rail to Heywood?"


    Jack''s voice was tinged with disbelief as he looked at Peter.


    To be honest, Jack had expected some grandiose plan to sneak through Santo Domingo¡ªa scheme filled with twists, turns, and maybe a shootout or two. But Peter''s suggestion? Take the light rail.


    Peter rolled his eyes at Jack. "What did you expect? A blockbuster action scene? Taking the light rail is the most practical and inconspicuous option. Unless you want to call a Delamain taxi to take us to Heywood. You know, the expensive but safer route."


    Jack scratched his head, looking sheepish. "Yeah, uh¡­ I didn''t think about that."


    V smirked. "Jack, you should take some pointers from Peter. Using your brain every now and then wouldn''t hurt. Otherwise, you''re just going to slow us down when we''re out on jobs."


    Jack grinned, unapologetic. "That''s why I picked you two as my partners. I don''t have to think too much."


    The trio continued their banter, paying little attention to the rest of the passengers in the light rail car. What they didn''t notice was the man standing quietly in the corner, muttering to himself with his back to the rest of the group.


    "Destroy¡­ kill¡­ destroy¡­ kill¡­"


    Peter''s sharp eyes scanned the carriage. His attention was momentarily drawn to the muttering figure, but before he could focus on him, something¡ªor rather, someone¡ªcaught his eye.


    There she was. Short white hair, a sleek, form-fitting outfit, and an air of confidence that made her stand out.


    "Lu¡­ Lucy?" Peter muttered, his eyes widening in shock.


    It couldn''t be. Lucy¡ªthe legendary netrunner who had retired from the game long ago¡ªwas here, right in front of him. And not just here. She was discreetly stealing a corporate chip from some suit''s pocket.


    While Peter''s mind raced to make sense of the situation, the muttering man in the corner suddenly erupted into a yell.


    "Kill!!!"


    The entire carriage froze as the man''s arm transformed into a deadly weapon. A machine gun barrel unfolded from his prosthetic limb, and he began firing indiscriminately.


    "Danger!" Peter shouted, instinctively grabbing Jack and V as they dove for cover. Bullets sprayed through the air, shattering windows and ripping through passengers.


    Lucy, still mid-theft, froze in shock as the muzzle turned toward her.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Peter didn''t hesitate. Moving at a speed invisible to the naked eye, he lunged toward Lucy, tackling her to the ground just as bullets tore through the space where she had stood.


    Lucy barely registered what had happened. One moment, she was bracing herself for death. The next, she was on the floor, staring up at the man who had just saved her life.


    "Kill! Kill!"


    The cybermaniac wasn''t satisfied. He turned his weapon on a terrified passenger nearby, firing without remorse. Blood sprayed across the carriage as the victim crumpled to the floor.


    "F***ing cyberpsycho!" Jack growled, tightening his grip on the package they were carrying. "Peter, this is your fault! You had to jinx it by choosing the light rail. We should''ve just hijacked a car!"


    "Stop whining, Jack," V snapped, her face grim. "We''ve got bigger problems right now."


    Jack followed her gaze, his eyes landing on Peter and Lucy sprawled on the floor. He let out a sharp laugh despite the chaos. "Of course, Peter''s busy picking up girls in the middle of a firefight."


    Peter ignored them, his focus on Lucy. "Are you okay?" he asked.


    Lucy nodded shakily. "Yeah¡­ Thanks to you. If you hadn''t¡­"


    "Save the thanks," Peter interrupted. "We''re not out of this yet."


    The cybermaniac''s rampage continued, leaving a trail of blood and carnage. Peter clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing. He couldn''t let this go on.


    "Hey, psycho!" he shouted, zipping across the carriage in a blur of motion.


    The cybermaniac froze, his head snapping toward Peter. The speedster''s taunt had worked, drawing the man''s attention away from the remaining passengers.


    "Kill!" the cybermaniac roared. Ten long needles shot out from his arm, glinting menacingly in the light. Peter''s sharp eyes caught the faint sheen of liquid dripping from the tips¡ªpoison.


    "Peter!" V''s voice rang out, filled with panic.


    "Be careful!" Lucy added, her voice trembling.


    Peter smirked. "Don''t worry about me."


    The cybermaniac lunged, his needles aimed straight for Peter''s chest. But Peter was faster. Sidestepping the attack with ease, he delivered a swift punch to the man''s side, sending him staggering.


    "Is that all you''ve got?" Peter taunted, keeping the man''s attention focused on him.


    The cybermaniac roared in frustration, firing another volley of bullets. Peter dodged effortlessly, moving so fast that he seemed to blur out of existence.


    Meanwhile, Jack and V worked to evacuate the remaining passengers. "Go! Get out of here!" Jack barked, waving people toward the nearest exit.


    Lucy watched Peter with a mix of awe and disbelief. She had heard of people with enhancements, but this? This was something else entirely.


    Peter darted behind the cybermaniac, grabbing a fire extinguisher from the wall. With a sharp swing, he smashed it against the man''s head. The cybermaniac stumbled but didn''t go down.


    "Persistent bastard," Peter muttered.


    The fight dragged on, with Peter using his speed and agility to stay one step ahead. Finally, with one last burst of energy, he delivered a devastating blow to the cybermaniac''s neck, severing the connection between his prosthetics and his brain.


    The man collapsed, his body twitching as the lights in his eyes dimmed.


    Peter exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Well, that was fun."


    Jack and V approached, their faces a mix of relief and exasperation.


    "You''re insane," V said, shaking her head.


    "Yeah, but it worked," Peter replied with a grin.


    Lucy stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "You¡­ You saved my life."


    Peter shrugged. "I couldn''t just let you die."


    Lucy''s lips curved into a small smile. "Well, I owe you one."


    Jack groaned. "Great. Another stray for Peter to pick up."


    Peter laughed, but his mind was already racing. Lucy''s sudden appearance on the light rail wasn''t a coincidence. Something bigger was at play, and he was determined to find out what.


    For now, though, they had to get to Heywood¡ªand hope their luck held out. for more Episodes visit patreon.

 Chapter 9: Cyber Psychosis? This One?

    Although, to everyone else, the cyber maniac''s speed seemed incredibly fast, to Peter, it was nothing more than a sluggish crawl.


    As the cyber maniac lunged forward, his needle-tipped prosthetic hand aiming for Peter''s face, Peter''s world slowed down. His heightened senses kicked in, and time seemed to pause.


    Peter''s eyes locked onto the incoming hand, and in a split second, he grabbed the maniac''s arm with one hand. Without hesitation, he yanked hard.


    CRACK! SNAP! POP!


    "Wha¡ª?"


    Even in his deranged state, the cyber maniac froze, momentarily stunned. He had been certain his attack was about to hit its mark. But now, something was wrong.


    His arm was gone.


    The cyber maniac''s eyes widened in shock as he heard the faint crackle of electricity and the metallic clang of his detached prosthetic arm hitting the floor.


    "AARGH!!!"


    The pain hit him like a freight train. Though the arm was mechanical, the nerves and connections integrated into his body still sent searing pain signals through his system. For a cyber maniac, whose fusion with prosthetics was extreme, the agony was magnified tenfold.


    Peter didn''t give him time to recover. He darted behind the man and delivered a swift, devastating kick, sending the cyber maniac sprawling to the ground. Before the man could move, Peter planted his foot firmly on his back, pinning him in place with ease.


    The sheer force behind Peter''s foot was enough to crush the heavily modified prosthetic body, leaving the cyber maniac immobile.


    "Hey, chica! Peter''s always been this badass?" Jack muttered nervously, swallowing hard.


    When Peter had rushed toward the cyber maniac earlier, Jack had thought he''d lost his mind. After all, cyber maniacs were notoriously unpredictable and dangerous. One moment, you''re holding their arm, and the next, they''re pulling out hidden blades or weapons from places you wouldn''t expect.


    As the fight unfolded, the NCPD''s hovercars arrived, dispersing the panicked crowd. No one dared to get too close, not even the usual thrill-seekers who lived for danger. This wasn''t a fight anyone wanted to spectate.


    The hovercar landed, and the NCPD began securing the area. Passengers who hadn''t already fled rushed out of the light rail in terror.


    "V, maybe we should get out of here," Jack suggested, clutching the package they were carrying. "We don''t want to get caught in this mess."Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    "Go ahead if you want," V snapped. "I''m not leaving while Peter''s still fighting that thing."


    Peter, overhearing their conversation, called out. "V, Jack! Get out of here now! I''ll catch up with you. If the NCPD gets too curious, it''s going to be a headache for us all."


    Reluctantly, V nodded. Despite her worry, Peter''s words reassured her. "Alright. But don''t play hero, Peter!" she shouted as she and Jack moved toward the exit with the package.


    "You better not get yourself killed!" Lucy added, her face still etched with concern. She had already made her way toward the door but hesitated for a moment.


    "Don''t worry," Peter said with a smirk. "I''ve got this."


    Just as Peter turned his attention back to the cyber maniac, the deranged man began to thrash violently. His body twisted at unnatural angles, and new weapons and limbs began to emerge from hidden compartments.


    "Damn it, can''t you stay down?" Peter muttered, his foot pressing harder against the maniac''s back.


    "You just shut up!"


    Without waiting for a response, Peter lifted his foot and brought it down on the maniac''s head with enough force to make the entire light rail car shake.


    SQUELCH!


    The cyber maniac''s body went limp, his hands and feet occasionally twitching as the last remnants of his malfunctioning systems sputtered out.


    Peter stared down at the unmoving body, unimpressed. "Cyber psychosis? That''s it? I thought this would be more of a challenge."


    Before Peter could reflect any further, the sound of heavy boots echoed through the car. The NCPD''s violent crimes response team stormed in, weapons drawn and scanners ready.


    Their leader barked an order. "Where''s the cyber maniac?"


    The team froze in their tracks when they saw the scene in front of them. A young man in tattered clothing stood over the lifeless body of the cyber maniac, holding the detached prosthetic arm like a trophy. Blood and oil pooled beneath his feet.


    "Officer, are you talking about the guy under my foot?" Peter asked casually, motioning to the mangled cyber maniac beneath him.


    The response team''s tension didn''t ease. If anything, it heightened.


    "You''re not allowed to move!" one officer shouted, his weapon trained on Peter. "Stand still and submit to a scan!"


    The team was on edge. They knew from the surveillance footage that the cyber maniac was dangerous, but the man standing before them had taken him down without breaking a sweat. That kind of power was enough to make anyone nervous.


    Peter sighed, shaking his head. "You''re welcome, by the way," he muttered. "But I don''t have time for this."


    Before the officers could react, Peter vanished.


    "What the¡ª?!"


    The team leader''s jaw dropped. Their advanced prosthetic scanners, capable of detecting military-grade speed, couldn''t even register Peter''s movement.


    "How is this possible?" another officer whispered, scanning the area in disbelief.


    The team leader sighed, motioning for his team to stand down. "Forget him. Let''s clean up this mess."


    Outside, Peter reappeared in an alley a few blocks away, where V, Jack, and Lucy were waiting.


    "About time," V said, her relief evident. "What took you so long?"


    "Had to teach that psycho some manners," Peter replied with a grin.


    Jack shook his head, a mix of amazement and exasperation. "You''re insane, you know that?"


    Lucy stepped forward, her expression serious. "You''re not just some random guy, are you?"


    Peter shrugged. "Let''s just say I''m good at handling trouble."


    Lucy''s lips curved into a small smile. "Good. Because I think we''re about to run into a lot more of it."


    As the group disappeared into the night, Peter couldn''t shake the feeling that this encounter was just the beginning. Cyber psychosis was dangerous, sure, but something much bigger was brewing in the shadows of Night City. And he was determined to be ready for it. for more Episodes visit patreon

 Chapter 10: So Simple?

    "V, do you think Peter can escape?" Jack frowned as they hurried down the dimly lit streets of Night City. Truth be told, Peter was far more dangerous and unpredictable than a cyber maniac or even the NCPD.


    After all, taking down a cyber lunatic with ease was a feat even the elite officers of the Terrorist Mobile Squad couldn''t manage without overwhelming numbers and heavy firepower.


    "Peter will be fine," V replied, though the unease in her voice betrayed her. She was clearly more worried than she wanted to admit.


    Jack and V were making their way to find the priest. They had spent so much effort securing this ridiculous lizard in the package they were carrying that they needed to finish the job as quickly as possible. Jack had already shared the priest''s address with Peter. If Peter managed to escape, he''d know where to find them.


    Meanwhile, Lucy stood amidst the dispersing crowd, her gaze fixed on the light rail car. She had left before the Terrorist Mobile Squad stormed in, unwilling to risk being scanned by NCPD. If her tracks, hidden so carefully all these years, were discovered now, it would all be over.


    She didn''t get to see Peter crush the cyber lunatic beneath his foot, but she couldn''t shake the memory of him saving her life. For some reason, her usually composed heart was unsettled.


    "What are you looking at?" a familiar voice asked, startling her.


    "Ah!" Lucy spun around, clutching her chest, and saw Peter leaning casually against a nearby pillar, a small grin on his face.


    "N-Nothing," she stammered, trying to regain her composure. "I''ll be on my way now."


    "Wait," Peter said, stopping her in her tracks.


    Lucy hesitated. She didn''t know what he wanted, but for some reason, she felt compelled to listen.


    "I saved your life, didn''t I?" Peter said, his tone playful yet firm. "You''re not just going to walk away without saying thanks, are you?"If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ---


    Lucy took Peter to a small ramen shop in the Heywood district, one of her favorite spots. She sat across from him, sipping her favorite carbonated drink, while Peter devoured the steaming bowl of ramen in front of him with unrestrained enthusiasm.


    "I didn''t expect Heywood to have such good ramen," Peter said with a satisfied sigh, finishing a spoonful of broth.


    Lucy rested her head on one hand, watching him with a mix of amusement and disbelief. "So, is this good enough to count as a thank you?"


    "More than enough," Peter replied with a grin. "Thanks for the meal."


    He wiped his mouth and extended his hand. "The name''s Peter. Used to be a homeless wanderer, but now I''m just trying to make a living in Night City."


    Lucy stared at his hand, caught off guard by his straightforwardness. Life in Night City had taught her to be wary of everyone, yet here was Peter, laying his cards on the table like it was no big deal.


    After a pause, she shook his hand. "Lucy. There''s a saying in Night City: never reveal too much about yourself to strangers."


    Peter chuckled. "Fair enough. To be honest, this is the first time I''ve shared my story like this. Guess I figured I could trust you."


    Lucy''s eyes narrowed slightly, trying to read him. Trust wasn''t a currency Night City dealt in, but Peter didn''t seem like the typical city dweller.


    Peter leaned back in his chair. "So, what''s your story, Lucy? You were doing something back in that car, weren''t you?" He mimicked her earlier movement when she had stolen the corporate chip.


    "Hey! Keep it down!" Lucy hissed, grabbing his hand to stop him. Her eyes darted around the shop, ensuring no one was listening.


    "Oh, relax," Peter said with a grin. "It''s not like I''m going to rat you out."


    Lucy sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Fine. I''m a netrunner, alright? I''ve only been in Night City for a month, and I stick to stealing from corporate scum."


    Peter smirked. "Sounds risky. But hey, as long as you don''t get caught, right?"


    Lucy''s lips pressed into a thin line. "Risk is part of life here. You should know that by now."


    Peter shrugged. "True. As long as the NCPD doesn''t grab you on the spot or you don''t piss off some corpo bigwig, you''re good. Even if you''ve got a bounty on your head, they usually outsource that work to mercs."


    Lucy studied him for a moment. His casual demeanor felt so out of place in a city where everyone was either paranoid or out for blood.


    "You seem pretty skilled," Peter said, breaking the silence. "What do you say about joining my team?"


    "Your team?" Lucy raised an eyebrow, her tone skeptical. "Didn''t you just say you''re new here?"


    Peter grinned confidently. "Doesn''t matter. You saw what I can do. Took down that cyber lunatic and slipped past the Terrorist Mobile Squad like it was nothing. I could use someone with your skills."


    Lucy couldn''t help but feel a bit surprised by his enthusiasm. Most people in Night City kept their cards close to their chest, but Peter was an open book.


    "Why me?" she asked, her tone softening slightly.


    Peter shrugged. "Because I think you''re good at what you do. And I trust my instincts."


    Lucy stared at him for a moment longer. There was something about Peter that felt different. Maybe it was his honesty, or the fact that he didn''t fit the mold of the typical cutthroat Night City resident.


    "Alright," she said finally. "I''ll join you."


    Peter blinked, surprised by how easily she agreed. "Wait, really?"


    Lucy smirked. "Yeah. But don''t think I''m doing this out of charity. You''d better prove you''re worth it."


    Peter laughed, his excitement evident. "Deal. Let''s make this city ours, partner."


    As they left the ramen shop, Peter couldn''t help but wonder: Was it really this simple to earn someone''s trust in Night City?


    for more Episodes visit patreon

 Chapter 11: 60,000 Eurodollars in the Account!

    "What? You invited me to join your team, and now you''re having second thoughts?"


    Peter blinked in surprise at Lucy''s teasing remark. The slight grin on her face betrayed her amusement, and for some reason, Peter found himself caught off guard.


    Lucy, trained as a netrunner since childhood and hardened by the harsh realities of Night City, had long grown numb to emotional swings. Since escaping the research facility years ago and surviving on her own, her life had been marked by cold calculation and survival instinct.


    But talking to Peter stirred something unfamiliar¡ªa lightness she hadn''t felt in years. She smiled, genuinely, for the first time in what felt like forever.


    "Lucy, you look even better when you smile. You should do it more often," Peter said with a grin, catching her off guard again.


    Lucy''s expression shifted to mild embarrassment, though she quickly masked it with a sarcastic scoff. Peter couldn''t help but feel a sense of triumph. He had expected Lucy to be distant and guarded, like her cold demeanor in the stories he''d heard. But getting her to open up had turned out to be much easier than he''d imagined.


    Just as he was about to say something else, his phone buzzed. A call from V.


    "V, are you done with the deal?" Peter asked as he answered the call.


    "Peter, you managed to shake off the NCPD, right?" V''s voice came through, filled with concern.


    "Obviously. Do you think I''d still be alive to call you otherwise?" Peter joked. "By the way, I''ve found someone who can help us¡ªa master netrunner. We''re at Dashan Ramen. If you''re done, come meet us."


    "A netrunner? Where did you find one?" V sounded intrigued.


    Peter smirked. "Let''s just say I have a talent for recruiting. Come over, and I''ll explain everything."


    After sending the location, Peter hung up.


    Lucy had been silently observing him. When he put down his phone, she spoke hesitantly. "Peter, I''m not used to meeting a lot of people. I prefer to work solo. If you need my skills, I can just give you my contact info."


    Her guarded tone reflected years of isolation and distrust.


    "Don''t worry," Peter assured her. "My team is trustworthy. Besides, it''s better to know each other now rather than being forced to work together unprepared during a mission."Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Forced to work together? What do you mean?"


    Peter scratched the back of his head, realizing he needed to explain. "It''s an old saying from my hometown. It''s like throwing unprepared ducks into water and expecting them to swim. It''s a mess."


    Lucy blinked, then chuckled softly. "Ducks in water? That''s¡­ an odd metaphor, but I get your point."


    She thought about his words for a moment. He wasn''t wrong¡ªteamwork required trust and understanding, especially in a place as unpredictable as Night City. Reluctantly, she nodded.


    "Alright, I''ll meet your team," she agreed, surprising even herself.


    Peter grinned. "Great! You won''t regret it."


    ---


    As Peter finished his third bowl of ramen, a familiar voice boomed from outside the shop.


    "Peter!"


    Looking up, Peter spotted Jack and V standing near the entrance. He waved them over.


    "Here! Over here!"


    Jack approached with his usual jovial demeanor. "You''re full of surprises, my friend. I can''t believe you managed to slip past the Terrorist Mobile Squad."


    Peter rolled his eyes. "You''re making it sound like I''m some kind of cyberpsycho. I''d appreciate it if you didn''t make me sound so¡­ dangerous."


    V glanced at Peter, her brow furrowing. "How did you find this place? It''s not exactly on the beaten path for someone new to Night City."


    "Lucy brought me here," Peter said casually, nodding toward the woman sitting beside him.


    "Lucy?"


    Peter gestured toward her. "Yeah, the netrunner I mentioned earlier. She''s the one."


    V''s eyes shifted to Lucy, who raised her hand in a small wave before returning to her drink.


    Jack, however, was less reserved. He leaned in, his grin widening. "Wow, Peter. I leave you alone for a couple of hours, and you find yourself a beautiful netrunner to join the team? You''ve got talent, my friend."


    Peter groaned, shooting Jack a look. "Knock it off, Jack. Can''t you be serious for once?"


    Jack shrugged with a chuckle. "Hey, I''m just saying what''s on my mind."


    "Peter, I''ll transfer your share of the payment now," V interjected, pulling out her device to handle the transaction. "I''ve already taken out my cut from the priest''s payment."


    Peter''s interface flashed as his balance updated. Seeing the total climb by over 60,000 eurodollars, he couldn''t help but feel a wave of relief.


    ---


    The ramen shop bustled with the sounds of sizzling woks and chatter as the group settled into their conversation. Peter noticed Lucy observing the dynamic between him, V, and Jack. While she remained silent, her gaze softened slightly, as if the camaraderie intrigued her.


    "So, Lucy," Jack began, leaning back in his chair, "how''d you end up in Night City?"


    Lucy glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Same as anyone else, I guess. Trying to survive."


    Jack nodded. "Fair enough. But I gotta say, you''re lucky Peter found you. Guy''s got a knack for picking the right people."


    Peter shook his head with a laugh. "Don''t inflate my ego, Jack. We''re all just trying to make this work."


    Lucy sipped her drink, her lips curving into the faintest smile. She wasn''t entirely sure why she had agreed to join Peter''s team. Maybe it was his sincerity or his unconventional optimism in a city so devoid of trust.


    For the first time in a long while, Lucy felt like she might belong somewhere.


    And for Peter, seeing the balance in his account and the people around him, he couldn''t help but think: Maybe this team could actually work.


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon

 Chapter 12: Buying an Apartment

    "Hi, I''m V."


    "Lucy, a hacker."


    Compared to Peter and Jack''s carefree communication, the exchange between Lucy and V seemed much more subdued. But was it really as simple as it appeared on the surface?


    Peter studied V as she glanced at Lucy. The short white hair framed Lucy''s delicate face perfectly, and her outfit gave off an air of understated confidence. Peter couldn''t quite put his finger on it, but something about Lucy made him feel a sense of unease, even though he couldn''t identify why.


    While Peter was focused on Lucy, she, in turn, was looking at him. Although Peter''s skin tone wasn''t as pale as Lucy''s, it had a healthy, sun-kissed glow that contrasted sharply with the delicate porcelain of Lucy''s complexion. His silver hair and curvy figure, on the other hand, seemed to draw Lucy''s attention as well.


    "Hey! What are you two beauties talking about?" Jack''s voice broke through the moment as he leaned in, grinning widely. "I''m Jack, Jack Wells, but you can just call me Jack like Peter does."


    Jack''s attempt at starting a conversation was as brash as usual.


    "Lucy," she answered shortly, offering no further elaboration.


    Seeing that Lucy wasn''t interested in chatting, Jack didn''t take offense. Instead, he happily dug into the bowl of ramen the boss had just brought him.


    "Oh! This ramen is really good! I didn''t expect you to find such a place, Peter."


    Peter had assumed Jack was simply looking for somewhere to eat, but the ramen was far better than expected.


    "Ahaha, glad you like it," Peter replied, though he didn''t mention that Lucy had brought him to the shop. She might not want anyone to know that.


    Jack, seemingly unfazed by the lack of a reply, dug into his noodles with enthusiasm. "Whew! This is amazing! Anyway, where are you planning to live? I saw you transferred a large sum of money just now."


    Jack''s voice was muffled as he hadn''t swallowed his noodles yet, making it sound slightly garbled.


    "Can you swallow your food before speaking?" Peter asked, a little speechless. It wasn''t like this was an urgent matter after all.


    "Well, I''m not sure which place to rent yet. After all, V and I just arrived in Night City," Peter said, glancing at V, who was deep in conversation with Lucy. Peter couldn''t help but feel a little confused.


    Why were they talking about things like cosmetics and luxury goods in this cyberpunk world? He''d never imagined such topics would come up in this environment, and V and Lucy didn''t seem like the type of women who would care much about these things.


    "V, what kind of place do you want to live in?" Peter asked, trying to get an answer from her.


    Without even looking up from her conversation with Lucy, V waved her hand dismissively. "You decide. Don''t interrupt my chat with Lucy."


    Peter sighed. He knew better than to argue with her when she was in one of these moods. "Jack, do you know of any good places for rent?"Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Jack''s eyes lit up, and he was quick to offer a solution. "Oh, of course! I know a few great buyout apartments. You pay upfront for one year, no additional utility bills or electricity charges."


    As Jack spoke, a holographic menu appeared in front of Peter, displaying four different options.


    ---


    Option 1: Japan Street Apartment


    Rent: 15,000 Eurodollars


    Details: Located next to the Cherry Blossom Market, this apartment features two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and an independent bathroom. The view from the window allows you to enjoy the style of the neighborhood.


    ---


    Peter looked at the listing, considering it for a moment. The rent wasn''t terrible, but he found the layout too small for his liking. It wasn''t ideal for him, but the design felt strangely familiar.


    "Damn it, Jack! You just sent me an ad!" Peter said, realizing that Jack hadn''t sent him original listings but rather copies of ads he had found elsewhere.


    "Hey, don''t worry about the details, amigo," Jack grinned. "Just pick the one you like. After all, the money you and V made this time should be enough for a nice apartment."


    Peter couldn''t help but laugh. Jack wasn''t wrong. He had the money now, and he couldn''t afford to be too picky.


    Peter turned back to the listings and scrolled through the options.


    ---


    Option 2: Corporate Plaza Apartment


    Rent: 55,000 Eurodollars


    Details: Located next to the Company Square in the city center, this apartment includes one bedroom, a living room, a cloakroom, and an independent bathroom with dry and wet separation. There''s also a home bar counter developed by Araba Group, with quality assurance.


    The apartment is stylish and offers complete security features, making it an ideal home. The view from the bed allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Night City.


    ---


    Peter frowned as he read the description. The rent was absurd for a space that wasn''t any bigger than the Japan Street apartment. The only reason for the steep price was its proximity to the Arasaka Tower.


    "Forget it," Peter muttered. This place was far too expensive for what it offered.


    ---


    Option 3: Northside Apartment (Buyout)


    Cost: 5,000 Eurodollars


    Details: Located in the North District, this small apartment includes one bedroom and a living room. While compact, it''s practical and comfortable for one person.


    ---


    Peter considered this option, but quickly dismissed it. While the price was appealing, the space was simply too small for both him and V to live in comfortably. It wasn''t practical.


    ---


    Option 4: The Glen Apartment (Buyout)


    Cost: 40,000 Eurodollars


    Details: Located in the Heywood district, this two-story apartment offers a lower floor for living and an upper floor for sleeping. The apartment features a unique industrial design with exposed metal textures. It has plenty of space and is equipped with all the necessary facilities.


    ---


    This one seemed like a good fit. The space was large, the price was reasonable, and the location wasn''t too far from other important areas in the city.


    "That''s the one¡ªthe Glen apartment, Jack," Peter said, making up his mind.


    Without hesitation, he signed the electronic contract that appeared before him. The words "-40,000" flashed in the lower corner of his vision.


    Peter winced slightly at the amount, but it was worth it. He had secured a good place to stay, and that felt like a small victory in itself.


    ---


    "So, which one did you choose?" Jack asked, his mouth finally empty of noodles.


    "The Glen apartment," Peter replied, giving him a nod.


    Jack grinned. "Great choice! It''s got character."


    Peter looked at V and Lucy. "All set. Are you guys done with your conversation?"


    V looked up from her chat with Lucy and raised an eyebrow. "About time. Let''s check out your new place."


    Lucy nodded, giving Peter an approving glance. "It should be fine."


    ---


    When they arrived at the Glen apartment, Peter was immediately impressed. The industrial design was a pleasant surprise¡ªexposed pipes and steel beams gave the place an edgy, rugged feel. The two-story layout made it seem even more spacious, and the view of the Heywood streets added to the charm of the place.


    "This is nice," V commented, clearly satisfied with the choice.


    Lucy seemed more focused on the practical side of things. "It''s functional."


    Jack slapped Peter on the back. "See? Told you it was a good pick!"


    Peter smiled. For the first time since arriving in Night City, he felt like he had a place to call his own. It wasn''t just a temporary shelter¡ªit was a starting point.


    Now, all he had to do was make sure he survived long enough to make the most of it.


    ---


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon

 Chapter 13: Toby at the End of the Way

    "Peter, I just bought an apartment in Heywood. Should we go and check it out now? The apartment isn''t far from here," V said after Peter finished all the arrangements.


    "Oh? You chose an apartment? I trust your judgment, but let''s go take a look anyway," V added, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.


    "Lucy, would you like to come along too?" Peter asked.


    "Huh? Isn''t that a bit inappropriate, V?" Lucy asked, her tone tinged with uncertainty.


    "What''s inappropriate about it? Peter just bought the apartment, and I think it''d be nice if you came along to see it too. Do you agree or not?"


    "Of course, I agree! How could I disagree?" Peter said with a grin. It made him happy to hear V''s request. There was no way he''d turn it down.


    Lucy didn''t push the matter further. After all, she had spent some time with Peter and V already, so it wasn''t unusual for her to join them. Though, she didn''t particularly recommend staying with them either.


    "Wow! Peter, your choice is incredible! The view and the decor here are amazing!" Jack exclaimed from the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring down at the city below with envy. He couldn''t help but feel impressed. If it weren''t for the debts he had racked up in the past and his obsession with motorcycles, he might have considered buying a similar apartment for himself.


    "Yeah, it really is nice," Peter replied, a bit exasperated. He was glad about the apartment, but the fact that Jack, who loved to tag along, had shown up too was a bit annoying. Peter had wanted to visit the place privately with V and Lucy, but Jack had a way of showing up uninvited.


    Peter muttered under his breath, I''ll call your phone later when you and Misty are dealing with business, Jack!


    Lucy, on the other hand, didn''t react as strongly as Jack did. Though she didn''t say anything, the envy in her eyes was clear. She''d only been in Night City for less than a month, and still, she hadn''t found a decent apartment for herself. The money she made by stealing chips was just enough to cover her stay in a modest hotel, and the money from selling those chips to poorly skilled prosthetic doctors wasn''t enough to secure anything long-term.


    Seeing how Peter had completed his first job on his first day in the city and could already afford a 40,000 Euro apartment made the disparity in their situations painfully obvious. For Lucy, the gap between her reality and Peter''s felt like a gulf too wide to cross.


    "What''s the matter, Lucy? What''s going on in your head?" Peter asked, noticing the distracted look in her eyes.


    "What''s your problem?" V echoed, raising an eyebrow.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Both Peter and V were aware of something strange in Lucy''s behavior.


    "It''s nothing, really," Lucy replied quickly. "I just think it''s impressive that you and Peter are doing so well. You''re able to buy such a nice apartment on your first day here."


    When she realized what she had said, Lucy immediately regretted it. Damn it! Why did I let that slip?


    Before either Peter or V could respond, Lucy quickly excused herself. "I¡­ I''ll go to the bathroom for a bit."


    "Lucy, what''s going on with you today? You haven''t been this off before!" Peter called after her, but Lucy was already heading toward the bathroom.


    Inside, Lucy washed her face and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were tired, the exhaustion of living alone for nearly ten years showing through. How could she not be worn out? Peter and V were both homeless, just like her. Yet, for some reason, they''d allowed her to relax her usual guarded persona around them, like she was part of their makeshift family. It was easy for Lucy to let her mask slip around them, even if just for a moment.


    ---


    Night


    Some Outdoor Bar in Night City


    "Oh? Isn''t this Toby? I heard you got tricked by a third-rate mercenary and two homeless people. What brings you here to my place for a drink tonight?" Mann''s voice dripped with mockery as he eyed Toby Jais, who sat across from him, downing bottle after bottle of beer.


    "F**k you," Toby snarled, his eyes bloodshot. "I''ve never been so furious in my life! I''ll use my last bit of savings to pay you if you go and kill that damn mercenary and those two homeless bastards!"


    Toby''s voice was wild, devoid of reason, his anger boiling over. He had been humiliated, and now, in his rage, he didn''t care what it cost.


    "How much can you pay me?" Mann asked, his voice casual but carrying an undercurrent of amusement.


    Toby, desperate and humiliated, gritted his teeth. "I''ll give you the last 5,000 Eurodollars I have."


    Mann gave a small, mocking laugh. It wasn''t about the money¡ªit was about Toby''s desperation. He was easy prey now, and Mann had no intention of letting that go to waste.


    "Alright," Mann said with a grin, "What''s the name of that mercenary?"


    Toby, his eyes burning with fury, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small data pad. He handed it to Mann. "Here''s the info. The mercenary is Jack Wells, from Heywood. He used to be part of the Valentino gang. And the other two are V and Peter. They''re both homeless."


    Mann nodded, accepting the information. "Got it. I''ll make sure to take care of it. Killing a third-rate mercenary and a couple of homeless people? No problem."


    Toby slammed his beer bottle down on the table. He could feel the alcohol numbing his brain, but his anger was far from quenched. "Jack! You made me do this!"


    Toby couldn''t get Jack''s mocking tone out of his head. "You''re a joke," Jack had said earlier that day, and Toby had been humiliated in front of everyone.


    He remembered the words of others who''d laughed at him.


    "Toby, you let a third-rate mercenary screw you over? Hahaha!"


    "Out of money? You still want to be my boss? Get lost! You''re nothing compared to me!"


    It didn''t matter who he turned to now; everyone was laughing at him. The word was already out. In just a few hours, Toby''s humiliating defeat at the hands of Jack and the others had become the latest gossip among the low-level mercenaries of Night City.


    ---


    Toby had made his decision. He was going to make Jack and those two pay for the insult, and he didn''t care what it took. It didn''t matter how much money he had left¡ªit was about his pride. If he had to sink lower to get his revenge, he would.


    But little did Toby know, his story was about to intersect with Peter, V, and Lucy in ways he couldn''t even begin to imagine.


    ---


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon

 Chapter 14: Moon Walk

    Midnight


    Peter stood in front of the large floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the brightly lit Night City below, holding a beer from the fridge.


    The city was aglow, as expected from a place like Night City, where lights and fire often shared the same sky. But despite the vibrant scene, Peter couldn''t shake the restlessness in his chest. No one wants to spend their first night in a new home sleeping on the sofa in the living room, especially when it''s their own place.


    The reason? V had invited Lucy to stay at their house, knowing that Lucy didn''t have a fixed place to live. Since there were only two beds upstairs, it was only natural that Peter ended up on the sofa in the living room.


    He hadn''t expected that V and Lucy would become such fast friends after just half a day together. He didn''t know what the two of them had in common, but it was clear they''d connected quickly.


    "Can''t sleep?"


    Peter turned around to find Lucy walking down the stairs from the attic.


    "Not really. You?" Peter asked, already knowing the answer.


    They didn''t need to say much. Although Peter had superhuman abilities, it felt like those powers hadn''t fully activated yet. He''d been running the numbers in his head, trying to understand the extent of his abilities.


    Super strength, super brain, super speed¡ªbasically, he was a man of steel.


    But other abilities, like the Cyclops, flying, and biological stance, seemed to be dormant. Perhaps the sun hadn''t been exposed to him enough to unlock those powers.


    "I''m not used to living with people," Lucy admitted, hesitating before speaking her truth.


    Peter gave her a comforting smile. "Hey, don''t worry about it. You can stay here as long as you need. I''ve already asked Jack to get in touch with a middleman to find a place for you once you can afford it."


    Peter sat down on the sofa, taking another sip of his beer.


    "Do you have any more?" Lucy asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity.


    Peter grinned. "Let me check. How many bottles do you want, and I''ll bring them to you?"


    "Just one more," Lucy said, settling down beside him.


    And so, a man and a woman sat on the sofa, drinking beer, the silence between them not uncomfortable, but easy.


    "So, why did you and V come to Night City?" Lucy asked, her voice breaking the quiet.


    Peter raised an eyebrow, turning to face her. "Why did you come to Night City? Family issues. V and I decided to make our way here."The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "I know that''s not what I''m asking." Lucy''s tone was teasing, though a little strained.


    Peter laughed softly. "Okay, fair enough. I came to become a living legend in Night City."


    Lucy paused, processing his words. Then, she took out a device that could play Mewtwo and, from her pocket, a chip. She showed it to Peter.


    "You have Chaomeng equipment too, right?" Lucy asked, holding up her chip.


    Peter reached into his backpack and pulled out his own Chaomeng device, though it looked a little old.


    "Is this good enough?" he asked.


    Lucy nodded. "Perfect. Let me connect with you and share this super dream."


    Peter exposed the connection port on his neck, and once everything was set, they both lay down on the sofa, prepared for the connection.


    A flash of white light.


    In an instant, Peter and Lucy found themselves standing on the surface of the moon.


    Peter leaped into the air, jumping easily five meters up, just to test his abilities. (This was the data of a normal person using Chaomeng equipment. If Peter''s superhuman physical strength was used, he''d probably leap off the moon entirely.)


    "This is an amazing feeling," Peter said, grinning. "So, your dream is to go to the moon?"


    Lucy shook her head. "No, I want to live on the moon."


    Peter chuckled. "That''s a good dream."


    Lucy looked at him with a slightly skeptical gaze. "Don''t you think that''s a little childish?"


    Peter smiled, shrugging. "Childish? Maybe. But everyone needs something to pursue, right? Let''s just enjoy our time here on the moon for now."


    Peter leaned back, allowing himself to fully enjoy the sensation of weightlessness. If only the warm sun from Chaomeng could absorb energy for him.


    As the two of them walked on the moon, Peter found himself thinking back to when he was just an eighteen-year-old college student, fresh out of school. Even though he had been maintaining his rationality since time traveling, he still carried a youthful, positive attitude. It was one of the things that Lucy lacked. She always seemed to live in fear, always worried that one day she''d be caught by the company again.


    Peter couldn''t help but wonder if his carefree attitude could be what Lucy needed. She had been through so much, and seeing her dream of living on the moon felt like a bittersweet reminder of how much hope she had in her.


    One day, Lucy had seen an advertisement promising people could live on the moon. That was when her dream had taken root.


    Before Peter realized it, he was sitting on a lunar exploration vehicle, holding Lucy''s hand.


    "This can be opened," Peter said with a grin, already fiddling with the controls.


    Lucy watched with wide eyes as Peter turned the manual gear and made a few adjustments. With a hum, the vehicle began to move, and Peter stepped on the accelerator.


    Swish!


    The lunar vehicle shot forward, speeding across the barren surface of the moon.


    "Wuhu! This is amazing!" Peter shouted, his excitement contagious.


    Lucy couldn''t help but laugh. "Hahaha, this is incredible!"


    "Stop here, Peter," Lucy said, tapping him on the shoulder.


    "Okay!" Peter turned the steering wheel, slamming on the brakes.


    The wheels of the lunar vehicle screeched as it came to a halt, kicking up dust in its wake.


    "Here, try on these astronaut helmets," Lucy said, pulling two helmets out from the back of the vehicle.


    Without hesitation, Peter put on the helmet. It wasn''t much of an experience, aside from the vision becoming slightly dimmer.


    "How do I look?" Peter asked, glancing over at Lucy.


    She stood opposite him, looking a little silly in her own helmet.


    "Hahaha, you look funny!" Peter laughed.


    Lucy blushed slightly. She had never imagined that one day she''d be on the moon with someone else. She had always been alone in her super dream, but now, having someone with her, made the experience even better.


    Lucy didn''t feel embarrassed, though. She joined in, laughing heartily with Peter.


    "O(¡É_¡É)O haha~" Lucy laughed, feeling more free than she had in a long time.


    Peter and Lucy shared that moment, the stars overhead and the moon beneath their feet, realizing that sometimes, dreams come true in the most unexpected of ways.


    ---


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon (Noan994)

 Chapter 15: The Scared Abernathy

    "So, is this all the footage you got from that car?"


    A well-dressed woman sat at the head of the conference room, her gaze fixed on the screen projected before her.


    "Yes, we found this man in the surveillance footage from the public light rail, where the cyberpsychotic incident occurred this morning," the man in the black suit answered respectfully.


    Abernathy, the woman in charge, rewound the video with a disinterested expression. "But the man in this video doesn''t seem to have anything special."


    The screen showed Peter.


    In the footage, Peter appeared behind the cyber-psychotic, moving with incredible speed. Then, he single-handedly subdued the cyber-psychotic, stomping on his head before boarding a vehicle with the Terrorist Mobile Team.


    "The interesting part is, I installed the fourth-order model Sean Westin, probably with some military-grade prosthetics in his arms. But if you''re bringing me to the company''s confidential studio just for this, I promise you''ll be out of the barren tower by tomorrow," Abernathy said, a hint of annoyance creeping into her voice.


    Despite her cutting words, she knew this was probably a matter her subordinates could handle. As one of the high-level executives at Arban, she didn''t have time to deal with every minor issue that came her way. But today, something felt different. This man¡ªthis Peter¡ªwas piquing her curiosity.


    "Please, just take a look at this chip. We initially thought it was just military prosthetics, but we discovered something far more surprising."


    The man in black trembled slightly as he handed a chip to Abernathy.


    "Fine," she said, taking the chip and inserting it into her Mewtwo device. "But this is the last time. If I don''t see anything of value, you''re going to regret this."


    As the chip loaded, Abernathy''s perspective shifted¡ªshe was suddenly seeing through the eyes of the cyber-psychotic. The video began at the moment Peter appeared in the cyber-psychotic''s line of sight. As the shooting started, chaos erupted in the carriage, with everyone falling to the ground¡ªexcept for the white-haired woman, who remained frozen in place.


    "Hmph, stupid. You deserve to die," Abernathy muttered to herself. Cyber-psychotics, once they''ve drawn their weapons and are ready to fire, don''t stand idly by. Especially not in Night City, where gunfights were a daily occurrence.


    But just as the bullet was about to strike the white-haired woman, she disappeared from the cyber-psychotic''s vision.


    "What''s going on? Is there something wrong with the Chaomeng?" Abernathy frowned, confused.


    "Director, rewind the video half a second and slow it down by a hundred times," the man in black suggested, a hint of urgency in his voice.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Abernathy did as instructed. The video slowed down dramatically, and for the first time, she saw it¡ªPeter had appeared beside the white-haired woman, and just as quickly, disappeared from sight.


    Even slowed a hundred times, all Abernathy could see was a faint afterimage of Peter.


    Then, the video continued to show Peter''s swift movements as he avoided the cyber-psychotic''s attacks.


    "How is this possible?" Abernathy muttered under her breath. "This man can use four or five fourth-order Sean Westins in a few minutes?"


    She was genuinely surprised. Even second-order Sean Westins required seasoned veterans to operate them effectively. A fourth-order prosthetic was supposed to be a death sentence for most people¡ªit was simply too much to handle. Yet, this man was using it over and over, without any sign of fatigue or strain.


    "Well, it seems he might be worth your attention after all. Send me his information," Abernathy said, snapping back to her cold, calculating demeanor.


    But before the man in black could respond, he added, "Director, you should run a scan to verify. That''s why I reported him to you in the first place."


    Abernathy raised an eyebrow. She hadn''t run the scan yet, but based on her judgment and what she had seen in the video, she assumed Peter was just another wanderer who had acquired a fourth-order prosthetic somehow¡ªmaybe even by stealing from a military convoy.


    But then, the scan results came up, and Abernathy was stunned.


    ''Ye Fei, previously part of the Buckle family, entered Night City this morning.''


    The initial information was consistent with her theory¡ªjust another rogue who had separated from his family, maybe even a thief who had stolen military-grade prosthetics. But then came the unexpected.


    ''Scan results: None of the prosthetic bodies contain normal human organs.''


    What?


    The words appeared in front of Abernathy in bold, glaring letters.


    "Impossible!" she muttered under her breath, barely able to process what she was seeing. "His speed can''t be achieved by any human body. We''ve already tested this at the company."


    Abernathy was shaken. As the head of the company''s intelligence department, she had seen countless modified individuals equipped with advanced prosthetics. She had even crossed paths with the legendary Adam Heavy Hammer, a renowned mercenary in Night City, and she had the authority to give Adam orders at a moment''s notice. But even with all that, she had never seen anyone who could fight with prosthetics using just their bare hands and feet¡ªnot to this extent.


    Peter''s abilities were beyond anything she had ever encountered.


    She had dealt with cyber-psychotics before, and they were typically individuals who had modified themselves to the extreme, often to the point of insanity. Their prosthetic bodies were almost entirely altered¡ªmore than 60% of their bodies were prosthetics. Fighting such cyber-psychotics was not just about skill; it was about power. And yet, Peter had done it with ease, despite not being heavily modified himself.


    Abernathy took a deep breath. This wasn''t just another case of some rogue with advanced prosthetics. This man was something else entirely. But the question remained: who was he, and where did he come from?


    Was he a fluke, a one-in-a-million anomaly who had somehow bypassed the system, or was there something more to him¡ªsomething even the Arban company hadn''t anticipated?


    She narrowed her eyes, thinking of her next steps. This Peter wasn''t just another rogue with military-grade prosthetics. He was something far more dangerous, and he needed to be watched closely.


    "Send me everything you''ve got on him. Now," Abernathy commanded.


    The man in black nodded quickly, scrambling to gather all available data. Abernathy''s mind raced. The situation had shifted from a routine surveillance report to something far more dangerous, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it. The last thing she wanted was for someone like Peter to slip through the cracks.


    She stared at the screen in front of her, wondering just how deep this mystery ran. This was no ordinary person¡ªand Abernathy was starting to fear that she had just uncovered a much bigger threat than she''d anticipated.


    ---


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon( Noan994)

 Chapter 16: Breakfast

    "Director Abernathy, our technicians have scanned everything, and all faults have been eliminated. Hurry up. This homeless man named Peter doesn''t have any prosthetic body except for the simplest chip slot and operating system."


    The man in black knew the importance of this matter. It was likely to be the breakthrough he needed to rise in the company, so he was deeply invested in the outcome.


    "Send the company''s lower-level personnel to find this homeless man. Remember, I want him alive," Abernathy instructed after a moment''s thought.


    It seemed straightforward. Since the company''s technicians had scanned Peter and found no prosthetics¡ªonly the most basic chip slot and operating system¡ªit was clear that he didn''t have any advanced modifications. If the scanning systems were faulty, it would be a rare coincidence, and Abernathy was more inclined to believe in the latter.


    However, she dismissed that as unlikely. The real priority now was to find Peter and bring him to the company''s space research institute before other corporations could get to him. If another company, like Kangtao or Military Technology, managed to analyze how a superhuman like Peter was created, it would be a major setback for Arban. Abernathy could not afford to let that happen.


    What she didn''t know was that Peter''s abilities were far beyond anything Arban could control. What he had wasn''t just advanced technology¡ªit was the power of the gods, something even the most powerful corporations couldn''t hope to replicate.


    ---


    Inside a luxury apartment in Night City, Jefferson sat back, deeply focused as he watched the video sent by his confidant in the NCPD.


    "Are you saying the guy in this video is a homeless man who just arrived in town?" Jefferson asked.


    "Yes, Jefferson. I think you should recruit him and have him work for you."


    Wayne''s voice was filled with excitement. He didn''t know what prosthetic body the person in the video had, but the fact that he could easily defeat cyber-psychotics in seconds was enough to pique anyone''s interest. If Peter could be convinced to join the violent Terrorist Mobile Team and take out cyber-psychopaths, Jefferson could use his media connections to spin the story and position him as a hero. That could give Jefferson a huge advantage in his mayoral campaign.


    "Alright, I''ll have someone investigate this homeless man," Jefferson said after considering the potential benefits. Recruiting Peter could definitely help him secure the position of mayor.


    If Peter knew Jefferson''s thoughts, he would pity him. Despite Jefferson''s promising youth and his ambition to become mayor of Night City by his thirties, he was still a pawn in the hands of a mysterious organization. His memories, thoughts, and even his very personality were under control, and his life was closely monitored.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Peter had suspected for some time that someone was pulling the strings behind Jefferson''s every move. It could be the Arban company, or perhaps it was Mr. Blue Eyes, the mysterious figure who had manipulated V into robbing the Crystal Palace during the King of the City finale.


    ---


    "Thank you for listening to me about this seemingly ridiculous dream, and for being there with me during Chaomeng," Lucy said as she sat next to Peter, her voice soft but sincere.


    Peter looked at her calmly. He had always been there for Lucy, and she had come to trust him deeply.


    "I think your dream is amazing too, Lucy. You even went to the moon for free¡ªthank you for sharing it with me."


    Lucy smiled genuinely, a rare moment of peace overcoming her. She drank the last of her beer, then stood up and made her way to the attic.


    Peter understood. By telling him about her dream of going to the moon, Lucy had opened up her heart to him. It wasn''t just about dreams anymore¡ªit was about connection. With that in mind, Peter lay down on the sofa and fell asleep, knowing he had an important appointment with Jack the next day to buy some new equipment.


    ---


    The next morning, Peter woke up as the sunlight streamed through the windows. His first action was to use his own operating system to place an online order for breakfast¡ªeggs, bread, and milk. He made sure to choose healthy, organic ingredients. The meal cost him 500 Euros in total. While a decent meal at a street stall might cost less than 10 Euros, Peter wasn''t willing to compromise on quality. The eggs alone set him back 400 Euros, while the remaining 100 Euros went toward buying high-quality bread and milk.


    The robot delivery service was fast. Within 20 minutes, his order arrived at his balcony.


    After a little time spent preparing the breakfast, Peter sat in the best-lit spot of the apartment. His whole body basked in the sunlight, soaking up the energy it provided. This wasn''t just for relaxation¡ªPeter knew that the sun had a powerful effect on his body, enhancing his abilities.


    "Peter, are you sunbathing again?" V asked as she entered the room, not surprised to see him there. After all, V knew that Peter grew stronger under the sun''s rays.


    "Yeah, V. Why don''t you have some breakfast first? I made it fresh, and there''s more in the fridge," Peter replied.


    V raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You made breakfast? Well, I guess I''ll try it."


    It was unusual for Peter to cook, but V didn''t mind. After living with him for more than ten years, she had gotten used to the high-tech synthetic meals they ate while living in the homeless camp. Those meals were practical but bland. It was nothing to write home about.


    V took her first bite of the steaming bread, then moved on to the golden fried eggs, which emitted a delicious aroma. She picked up the eggs with her chopsticks, savoring their flavor. They weren''t complex dishes, but the natural taste of the non-polluted eggs, combined with Peter''s careful seasoning, made the scrambled eggs taste like the finest delicacy she had ever experienced.


    "I didn''t expect you to be such a good cook. From now on, you''re in charge of our meals," V said, her voice filled with appreciation.


    "Alright," Peter replied nonchalantly, though he didn''t expect to take over the cooking duties. He had never considered himself a chef. The cooking videos from his past life were only for leisure, and he never really used them. But since activating his super brain, he had been able to recall everything clearly¡ªwhether from this life or the previous one. Those cooking videos played like memories in his mind, and he had learned the basics.


    Unlike the food stalls outside, which Peter considered unsafe, he preferred to make his own meals. After all, in the world of high-tech cyberpunk, who knew what was really in those processed foods? The sausages might have been filled with starch, for all he knew.


    ---


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon (Noan994)

 Chapter 17: The Good Guy Victor

    Lucy came downstairs just as V was wolfing down breakfast at the dining table.


    "Lucy, are you awake? Come, try Peter''s breakfast! I can guarantee this is the best thing you''ve ever eaten."


    V waved her hand, beckoning Lucy to sit down at the table.


    "This¡­?" Lucy hesitated, unsure of what to expect.


    "Stop hesitating and eat," V insisted, picking up some eggs with Lucy''s chopsticks and stuffing them into her mouth.


    "Okay, this is delicious. Is this a pollution-free egg?" Lucy asked, surprised as she chewed the soft, perfectly cooked eggs.


    At the same time, she felt a little embarrassed. She had occasionally browsed pollution-free vegetables and ingredients online, and she knew how expensive these ingredients were. Even though she could spend a whole day''s meal budget on just one of these ingredients, Peter had bought them like it was nothing.


    "It''s fine, as long as you like it. We''ll make more money in the future," Peter replied with a grin. He always believed that money wasn''t something to be saved but something to be earned.


    After the breakfast episode, Peter and V took Lucy out, and about half an hour later, the three of them arrived at Misty''s shop.


    Jack was sitting in a full-body chair, enjoying a massage from Misty.


    "Jack, you seem to be in a good mood. Did you finish the commission last time?" Peter asked, looking at his old friend.


    "Hey, Peter, I made a lot of money on that job. Come closer, I''ll tell you how much I made," Jack replied, his smirk revealing more than his words.


    "Hey! Jack! What are you doing?" Peter raised his voice on purpose, interrupting Jack before Misty could kiss him.


    "I''ll go! Peter! Don''t hold grudges like that!" Jack was taken aback, but before he could get angry and teach Peter a lesson, he looked up and saw who it was.


    "Forget it, you can''t afford to mess with the guy who tore apart the cyber-psychopaths," Jack muttered under his breath.


    "What grudge? Didn''t you ask us to come here for prosthetic body installation?" Peter asked, pretending to be confused.


    Jack''s teeth itched with hatred. He couldn''t argue, since Peter didn''t know Misty, and besides, he wanted Peter out of here quickly to avoid any more interruptions to his and Misty''s plans.


    "Alright, alright. There''s a step down the back door; you can go straight to Dr. Victor inside."


    Without saying a word, Peter walked in the direction he knew well.


    ---


    A familiar voice greeted them as soon as they entered.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Huh? You''re the ones Jack introduced, right? Come on in and tell me what kind of prosthetic body you want to install."


    Peter instantly recognized Dr. Victor''s voice. In the game, Victor had taken good care of V. First, he installed a military-grade prosthetic eye for her for free, and later, he helped her selflessly during the storyline. He treated V like a daughter, which was a rarity in the cyberpunk world.


    Victor was unsurprised to see the trio. Jack had already informed him about their visit yesterday.


    "I don''t need any prosthetics, but V, Lucy, why don''t you two decide what you want installed?" Peter said casually.


    After all, what would Peter need prosthetics for? He was the scariest weapon in the room. The idea of installing a prosthetic body didn''t even cross his mind.


    It wasn''t that he looked down on prosthetics. Even with his current strength, a fifth-tier military-grade prosthetic body wouldn''t stand a chance against him. Peter knew this well enough.


    "Victor, I want to know what kinds of prosthetics you have here," V asked, her curiosity piqued.


    Victor immediately began listing his available options.


    "The second-tier Crossroads prosthetic eye costs 3,000 ohms. The third-tier subcutaneous armor is 6,000 ohms. If you''re just looking to install a prosthetic body, I recommend starting with these two. You can always upgrade later once you get used to them."


    Peter nodded slightly. Victor spoke the truth. Though in the game, V''s prosthetic body installation pushed her toward mechanical ascension, Peter knew it was all due to the relic chip. V, in her current state, was still human, and installing too many prosthetics at once could have negative consequences.


    "V, I agree. These prosthetics are perfect for you right now. Plus, with the commissions we can take on, these options are just right."


    "Okay, then. I''ll install these two prosthetics first," V said, making up her mind.


    Although she didn''t fully understand the specifics of prosthetic installations, V knew when it was best to defer to the experts. Especially when it came to something as technical as this, it was best to trust the professionals.


    Victor turned to look at Lucy, who had been quiet until now.


    "So, what about you, miss? Do you want anything added?" Victor asked.


    "Huh? Me?" Lucy raised her hand, a little embarrassed. "Sorry, but I don''t think I have enough money for a prosthetic body."


    She quickly waved her hands, shaking her head. She had a bit of savings, but there was no way she could afford the cost of prosthetic installations. V had just installed two prosthetics for 9,000 Euros, and Lucy had no idea how much work she would need to do to cover that expense.


    "Don''t worry about it," Peter said with a reassuring smile. "Your installation today is my reward to you in advance. I''ll deduct the cost after you complete the task."


    Peter patted his chest. Despite only having 20,000 Euros left, he could still afford to get a decent prosthetic body for Lucy.


    "It''s fine, Lucy. If Peter doesn''t have enough money, I''ll help you out," V added, giving Lucy a reassuring smile.


    Lucy hesitated for a moment, then finally decided it was worth the investment. She had been relying on outdated chips and her own computing power for years. It was time to upgrade.


    "Alright, then. I''ll take a chip that can speed up cracking."


    Lucy took a deep breath and made her decision. After nearly ten years of escaping the institution, her body''s chips and nervous system were outdated. She often relied on her own abilities to find weaknesses in other people''s programs, but it was clear she needed an upgrade.


    "Good choice. I''ve got just the thing for you. This one''s a parallel line from Military Technology. It''s not the best chip on the market, but it has multitasking capabilities. If you have a basic hacking foundation, you''ll be able to adapt to it quickly," Victor explained, pulling a chip out of his workstation.


    "Then, I''ll take this chip too. Dr. Victor, please give me one as well. I don''t need a prosthetic body, but I can still use the chip," Peter added.


    "Alright, here you go," Victor said, handing over the two chips. "Just insert them into your card slots, and you''ll be good to go."


    "Since this is our first time working together, I''ll charge you 19,000 Euros. The cost of the prosthetic body installation is on me."


    ---


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon  (Noan994)

 Chapter 18: A System Without Vulnerabilities

    Since Lucy and Peter only needed a chip, they didn''t require any modifications from Victor. So, they decided to wait in Misty''s shop while Victor worked on V''s prosthetic body.


    "Oh? Peter, you two don''t need Victor to modify the prosthetic body?" Jack asked, seeing Peter and Lucy walk out of Victor''s clinic so quickly.


    Peter replied, "Lucy''s a hacker, and I just need to replace a better operating system. I don''t need a prosthetic body. V chose a subcutaneous armor and a second-order Crossroads prosthetic eye. It should be installed soon."


    "I see, suit yourself," Jack said, not pressing further.


    "By the way, have you received any new commissions?" Peter asked.


    "No, but the priest just posted a big job. Are you interested?" Jack replied, glancing at his message panel. He didn''t see any new intermediaries contacting him, but he did notice a job request from the priest.


    "Oh? Tell me about it," Peter said, intrigued.


    "A man named Sally Will''s son was kidnapped by the Maelstrom gang half an hour ago. He''s offering a 40,000 Euro reward for rescuing his son," Jack explained.


    Peter nodded upon hearing the 40,000 Euro reward. Although they had made 200,000 Euros from their previous scams, that kind of payout was nearly impossible to repeat. After all, no matter how lucky they were, they could never find another two Red Lizards again.


    "Alright, we''ll take the job. We''ll go after V is refitted," Peter decided.


    "But Peter, how are we supposed to find this son? He was just kidnapped," Jack scratched his head, confused. After all, the Maelstrom gang likely kidnapped the rich man''s son for ransom, so tracking him down wasn''t going to be easy.


    "Are you really this stupid?" Peter asked, shaking his head. "Let me ask you this: the Maelstrom gang caught a cash cow¡ªshouldn''t we protect it?"


    Jack nodded in agreement.


    "Then, where would you put someone who''s well-guarded?" Peter pressed.


    Jack shrugged, "I don''t know."


    Peter sighed. "Their old den, the Whole Foods factory, is likely the most secure place."


    Jack''s eyes widened as he realized what Peter meant. "Ah, right. That makes sense."


    Peter couldn''t help but feel a little exasperated. Jack really didn''t like using his brain, but at least he was following along. Even in the game, V could disagree with Jack, and Jack would still immediately accept her decision and follow suit. Peter respected that, though it was clear Jack was more of a fighter than a strategist.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Alright, I get it," Jack muttered, now understanding what Peter meant.


    Peter started tinkering with the military parallel cable he had just installed in his chip slot. The operation panel was filled with data flashing at high speeds, which was a little dizzying for Peter, but he could still make sense of it.


    Lucy, who was sitting beside him, was also busy replacing her system and hadn''t finished adjusting it yet.


    In less than two minutes, Peter had fully absorbed the new operating system. He activated scanning mode and observed the streets. To his surprise, it seemed that Victor had sent them an NCPD backdoor system, which allowed them to see certain tasks issued by the NCPD.


    Peter''s gaze wandered to the vending machine at the entrance of Misty''s shop. With a quick look, the data in his eyes shifted, and the vending machine''s security was breached. A bottle of carbonated drink popped out of the machine.


    "Is it really this convenient to operate?" Peter marveled. With just a little manipulation, he had hacked into the vending machine and selected a lemon-flavored drink without any trouble.


    Lucy, meanwhile, had just finished debugging her system.


    "Lucy, is your system set up?" Peter asked, handing her a small bottle of Coke.


    "Yeah, it took a little time to replace and debug the data, but I''m almost used to it now." Lucy took the Coke from Peter''s hand, clearly pleased, as she liked drinking carbonated drinks.


    "What about you, Peter? Can you operate the system well?" Lucy asked after taking a sip of her drink.


    "Me? I feel like I''ve adapted to this program without needing much debugging," Peter said with confidence.


    Lucy raised an eyebrow, frowning. "You''re too reckless. Let me check it for you."


    Even someone as experienced as Lucy took about ten minutes to debug her system. How could Peter, who had never installed a hacking system before, have it running so smoothly in such a short time?


    Lucy pulled a connecting cable from her palm and plugged it into Peter''s neck. Peter didn''t resist; he stood still, allowing her to check.


    "Huh? It''s really all debugged?" Lucy looked at the data in front of her with surprise. She had expected to find some flaws, but to her astonishment, the system was flawless. No bugs, no vulnerabilities. The system was solid.


    Lucy frowned, her mind racing. Even the best network monitoring hackers couldn''t ensure their systems were completely free from bugs. It was common practice to install traps and backdoors in the data systems to deter other hackers. But Peter''s system? It didn''t just lack vulnerabilities; it actively prevented her from checking certain aspects.


    "How is this possible? Your system doesn''t have any flaws?" Lucy asked, utterly puzzled.


    Peter stood still, waiting for Lucy to finish her checks. To be honest, he was aware of how strange this was, but he didn''t feel the need to hide anything. His system wasn''t just good¡ªit was advanced.


    Lucy pulled the cable out and stepped back, still in disbelief. "I''ve never seen anything like it. Even real hacker masters, when debugging systems, always leave some kind of trace or hole to make sure they don''t get caught. But yours... there''s nothing. I couldn''t even find any traces, and your system blocked me from checking further."


    Peter shrugged. "I guess I''m just that good."


    Lucy shook her head in amazement. "I don''t know if I should be impressed or worried. This is the first time I''ve seen a hacking system with no vulnerabilities."


    Peter gave her a sly smile. "Well, maybe I just don''t like leaving things to chance."


    Lucy stared at him for a moment before speaking again. "You''re not the kind of guy who takes chances, are you?"


    Peter only chuckled, not responding. It was clear that he had everything under control.


    ---


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon (Noan994)

 Chapter 19: Lucy Lives in Bengbu

    "It''s nothing, I just casually debugged it. There were a few loopholes in their chip, which I optimized directly from the data panel," Peter said, somewhat pretending, though he didn''t mean to deceive, only stating the facts.


    "Lucy, would you like me to check your system?"


    Although Lucy looked uneasy at Peter''s words, she couldn''t resist a system without any vulnerabilities. After all, no hacker wanted to be counterattacked and have their brain overloaded while hacking into a system.


    "Okay, then. Help me take a look," Lucy agreed, exposing the small port near her neck.


    "Uh, Lucy, I don''t have a connection cable. Why don''t you use your connection cable to connect with me instead?" Peter asked.


    Without hesitation, Lucy pulled out the cable from her palm and connected it to Peter. However, before Lucy could reverse the input, Peter was already checking her system.


    "Huh, here and here... Wow, this is amazing! There''s even a back door left by network surveillance?" Peter muttered as he examined the data flashing in his eyes.


    In just a few minutes, Peter refreshed Lucy''s system and modified the data as he went along.


    "Okay, Lucy, check your data now," Peter said after patching up all the vulnerabilities in Lucy''s system.


    Lucy disconnected, but her mind was reeling. During the connection, Peter had entered her system as easily as walking into his own home, effortlessly finding and fixing vulnerabilities while modifying the system. He even found a backdoor left by network surveillance that Lucy hadn''t noticed at all. It was a good thing it hadn''t been activated. If it had been discovered during a hacking attempt, the opponent could have overloaded her brain.


    "No need, Peter," Lucy said, her voice quiet and a little hesitant.


    Lucy''s reluctance to check didn''t mean she fully trusted Peter; it was just that, during the connection, she knew Peter hadn''t inserted any vulnerabilities. He had only improved the system, working within her own program. She could tell that the system Peter created for her was not only optimized but also customized to fit her usage habits, based on her previous system debugging.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Peter, have you really never worked on hacking systems before?" Lucy couldn''t hold back her surprise anymore. If Peter had just copied her system or made a few tweaks, Lucy wouldn''t have been this shocked.


    But Peter hadn''t simply copied her system. He had filled in the gaps while simultaneously customizing it to her preferences. This level of skill was beyond what even top mercenary hackers in Night City could do. Not to mention that even supervisor-level network surveillance tasks would be nowhere near as advanced.


    "No, today was the first time I''ve written and modified a system," Peter said casually, as if it were no big deal. His tone was so nonchalant it almost sounded like he was talking about buying a drink.


    "Peter, what kind of hacking system are you two working on? What''s it even for?" Jack asked from the side, watching Peter and Lucy talk. After a few words, he connected again, but confusion soon spread across his face.


    "Hey! Damn it! Why can''t I stop moving my hands?"


    Jack suddenly felt his palm raise uncontrollably and pinch his nose.


    "That''s how it''s done," Peter said with a grin as Jack''s hand returned to normal.


    "I''ll be damned! Peter''s never tried his own brother before!" Jack exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. The sensation of his limbs not responding to his commands had been terrifying.


    "Come on, it was just a quick demonstration. I wasn''t really messing with you. But I''m sure your brain is already in a bit of a mess after that," Peter joked.


    Lucy, watching the exchange, was at a loss for words. She had never seen a hacker quite like Peter before. Usually, hackers in Night City could at most short-circuit someone''s prosthetic body, but Peter''s ability to directly manipulate another person''s prosthetic body like that was pure fantasy.


    "Peter, how did you manage to manipulate someone else''s prosthetic body like that?" Lucy asked, genuinely curious.


    "I''m not really sure how to explain it," Peter said, scratching his head. "I can just control the operating system all the way through."


    Peter couldn''t really explain the feeling, but it was as if he could break through the system''s defenses with his thoughts and take control of the prosthetic body. The operation wasn''t something Peter could do with multiple people simultaneously, though. The amount of calculations required was still too large for his undeveloped brain to handle at this stage.


    If he spent another month soaking up the sun, Peter might be able to achieve multi-line operations and control multiple prosthetics. But right now, the energy he absorbed from the sun prioritized enhancing his physical body, and his brain could only process a small fraction of it.


    Despite the impressive abilities of the hacker flow in the game, with its small armies of hackers in black, Peter still preferred the feeling of raw combat. After all, superheroes win battles through sheer power, and hacking had always been more of a whim for him than something meaningful.


    Even if a network was infected, it would take time to crack the prosthetic body''s program. Peter doubted that even his speed could match the time it would take to fully disable an enemy. For now, it was more about flexibility than efficiency.


    ---


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon (Noan994)

 Chapter 20: The Whirlpool Gang

    Peter and the others continued to wait for more than ten minutes before receiving a message from Victor.


    "V, how are you feeling now? Is anything uncomfortable?"


    Although Victor had done his best to use painless anesthesia when installing the prosthetic body, he couldn''t rule out the possibility of the body rejecting the new modifications.


    "Well, I don''t feel anything unusual," V responded.


    "Okay, then you can try scanning the surroundings using the prosthetic eye of the Qilusi I installed," Victor instructed.


    After Victor finished speaking, V began scanning the area.


    Scanning... Kangtao computer, general electronic products...


    Scanning... Victor, prosthetic doctor...


    As long as the objects were scanned, V''s system would display basic information about them.


    "I''ll go! Victor, you''re really amazing," V couldn''t help but praise Victor. This was the first time using such a convenient prosthetic body, and V was thoroughly impressed.


    "Hehe, it''s good that you''re getting used to it," Victor replied, his voice calm and reassuring.


    "Doctor Victor, your technique is so good, I can''t even see any traces after installing the subcutaneous armor," V said, raising her arm and inspecting herself. There wasn''t a single mark to indicate any transformation had been done.


    "Hehe, if I didn''t do a good job on you, I''d be doing a disservice to Jack for trusting me to bring you here," Victor chuckled. But to be honest, there were very few prosthetic doctors who could perform painless modifications and hide the evidence of the work.


    For most other prosthetic doctors, if they offered such services, it would cost several thousand euros more. And in a city like Night City, there weren''t many doctors who possessed these skills. If V had gone to someone like Brother Finger, she would have been lucky to leave with her valuables still intact.


    Peter, remembering the anime "David" he had watched, noted that some transformations were extreme, like the complete reinvention of someone''s body.


    "V! Have you been remodeled? You don''t have any marks on your body," Peter asked, walking up to V and looking her up and down. There was no difference from before.


    "Por favor (please), Victor is one of the best prosthetic doctors in Night City. There are probably only a few in Arasaka Tower who can compare to him," Jack chimed in confidently.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Don''t flatter me, Jack. If you want a modification later, I won''t be giving you a discount," Victor joked as he wiped the sweat from his brow, sitting back in his chair.


    "V, now that you''re ready, let''s head to Whole Foods and talk to the boss of the Maelstrom Gang," Peter said, looking at the others.


    The group decided to take the public light rail, while Jack chose to ride his prized ARCH motorcycle, worth 25 million euros.


    "Hey, Peter, V, and uh..." Jack trailed off, suddenly uncertain.


    "Lucy," Peter interjected.


    "Ah, yes, Lucy, how do we get in now?" Jack asked.


    Before Jack could finish speaking, Peter disappeared from view. Less than 20 seconds later, he reappeared.


    "After taking a look, it seems the only way to break in is through the front."


    As Peter spoke, he had already sent the layout of the area around the factory to Jack and the others.


    In addition to the main entrance, there was also an underground passage, but Peter didn''t trust the back entrance. Who knew if the Maelstrom Gang had cleaned those areas?


    "Jack, V, you enter through the warehouse door below. Lucy, you''ll provide support remotely outside. I''ll go through the main entrance and have some fun with them," Peter outlined his plan. The others nodded in agreement and set off without hesitation.


    ---


    When Peter walked up to the door of the Maelstrom Gang''s territory, he ran into a guy with prosthetic eyes covering his entire head, looking more than a little unsettling.


    "Who are you? Don''t you know this is the Maelstrom Gang''s territory?" the man asked.


    "Who am I? I''m Peter!" Peter replied with a smirk.


    Before the man could react, Peter grabbed him with one hand and slammed him into the rolling door of the Maelstrom Gang.


    Boom!


    A massive hole was smashed into the door, sending debris flying.


    "Who''s there?"


    "Who dares to make trouble in our Maelstrom Gang''s territory?!"


    "Let me see which fool dares to act so recklessly here!"


    The gang members, who had been playing cards inside the factory, immediately went on high alert upon hearing the door crash.


    Peter walked confidently into the processing factory and immediately felt a sense of disgust. The place was filled with gang members who had undergone extreme body modifications. Some had mechanical legs, others had entire heads replaced with cybernetics, and some even had large holes in their chests, completely transformed into machines.


    Peter couldn''t understand what kind of taste these people had, but he had little time to dwell on it.


    "Where is your boss? Hand him over," Peter demanded in his usual arrogant tone.


    This immediately infuriated the Maelstrom Gang members present.


    "Who do you think you are?" one shouted.


    "How dare an unmodified bastard act so arrogant?!" another yelled.


    In an instant, every gang member raised their weapons and began firing wildly.


    Bullets whizzed through the air, smashing into the walls and the ground, kicking up clouds of dust and debris as they ricocheted.


    Stop!


    A guy with a mohawk, who seemed to be the leader, shouted for everyone to halt.


    "Hmph, this is what happens when you mess with the Maelstrom Gang!" the mohawk guy sneered.


    "Ha! I don''t believe anyone can survive our firepower!" one of his underlings laughed.


    Peter, however, was already standing on the ceiling beam, smirking.


    A large data panel appeared in front of him, displaying the control systems of the prosthetic bodies of the Maelstrom Gang members.


    "Then let''s have some fun," Peter said with a wicked grin, tapping on the data panel as he prepared to disable the gang members'' prosthetics one by one.


    ---


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon (Noan994)

 Chapter 21: The Happiness of Hackers

    Peter glanced around the dimly lit factory and quickly noticed a man at the far end of the Maelstrom Gang''s hideout, casually holding a small pistol. Without hesitation, Peter brought up his operation panel and hacked into the man''s prosthetic body.


    The gang member, oblivious to Peter''s interference, was in the middle of celebrating with his comrades over what they believed to be their successful ambush of an intruder. The joy on his face froze as his hand suddenly turned, pointing the gun at a fellow gang member.


    Bang!


    A gunshot rang out, and the targeted gang member collapsed to the floor, lifeless.


    "What the hell are you doing, Colin?!" one of the gang members shouted in shock, staring at the man holding the smoking gun.


    The others froze, their expressions a mix of confusion and fury.


    "Have you lost your mind, Colin?!"


    "Ricky! Ricky! Get up, man!"


    Before they could make sense of the situation, Colin''s hand moved again, this time firing wildly at another nearby gang member.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The sound of gunfire echoed in the factory as Colin''s bullets tore through another member of the gang. Chaos erupted.


    "He''s lost it! Kill him before he takes us all out!" shouted Clyde, the gang''s little boss, as he drew his gun.


    The rest of the gang followed suit, opening fire on Colin. Though the gang was notorious for their cybernetic enhancements, they knew the risks of cyberpsychosis¡ªthe condition where an overreliance on cybernetic implants drove individuals insane. To them, Colin was now just another victim of the dreaded condition.


    Colin tried to explain, his face a mixture of panic and confusion, but it was too late. Bullets riddled his body, and he crumpled to the ground, lifeless.


    Clyde spat on the ground, muttering curses. "Damn it, what a mess. Butcher, get Colin''s body out of here."


    Butcher, one of Clyde''s subordinates, nodded and stepped forward. His cybernetic arm whirred to life, ejecting a set of rusty mantis blades. However, instead of complying with the order, his blades slashed toward Clyde with terrifying speed.


    "Clyde! Behind you!" one of the gang members shouted.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Clyde, already on edge, threw himself to the ground, narrowly avoiding the attack. He rolled to his feet, his face pale with rage and confusion.


    "Butcher! What the hell are you doing?!"


    Butcher''s face twisted in terror as he fought to control his malfunctioning body. "It''s not me, Clyde! My arms... they''re moving on their own!"


    The mantis blades swung again, forcing Clyde to dodge. The factory descended further into chaos as the gang members turned on each other, unable to trust their own cybernetic enhancements.


    Above it all, Peter watched from a hidden vantage point, a smirk playing on his lips. The hacking system he''d installed earlier had exceeded his expectations. What started as a mere experiment had turned into a source of entertainment.


    As the chaos unfolded, Clyde finally pieced together that something was wrong. Nine of his men were already dead, their prosthetic bodies having turned against them. His gaze darted around the factory, and then he saw him¡ªPeter, perched on a beam, watching the scene with amusement.


    "You!" Clyde roared, raising his kinetic revolver and aiming at Peter.


    Peter noticed the movement and turned his gaze toward Clyde, his expression calm. With a simple command, the revolver in Clyde''s hand twisted, pointing back at its owner.


    "No! No, no, no!" Clyde''s eyes widened in horror as his finger involuntarily pulled the trigger.


    Bang!


    Blood splattered across the factory floor as Clyde fell, his body lifeless. The remaining gang members panicked, screaming and scrambling to escape the cursed factory. To them, it wasn''t cyberpsychosis anymore¡ªthis was something far worse.


    Peter chuckled softly as he manipulated his system, ensuring he remained hidden. The factory, once filled with the arrogant laughter of the Maelstrom Gang, was now eerily silent except for the frantic footsteps of those trying to flee.


    Suddenly, the wall of the factory exploded, debris flying everywhere. Dust filled the air as a figure clad in half-baked exoskeleton armor stepped into the chaos.


    "Alright, boys!" the figure, known as Blake, shouted. "Take down these intruders! No one messes with the Maelstrom Gang and gets away with it!"


    Blake, unaware of the carnage within, marched forward, his heavy steps echoing in the ruined space.


    As the dust settled, he finally noticed the bodies scattered across the floor. His confident stride faltered, and his expression twisted in disbelief.


    "What the... What happened here?!" Blake''s voice trembled with rage and confusion. "Who did this?!"


    Before he could process the scene, two more figures entered through the hole in the wall¡ªV and Jack, who had been pursuing Blake. They stopped in their tracks, taking in the aftermath.


    "Whoa," Jack muttered, his eyes wide. "Did Peter do all this?"


    V crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Looks like it. Guess we underestimated him."


    Blake''s fury boiled over. "You think this is funny?!" he bellowed, turning to face V and Jack. "You two did this, didn''t you?!"


    V shrugged. "Not us, buddy. But you''re welcome to join the pile if you''re that upset about it."


    Peter, still hidden above, watched the scene unfold with satisfaction. The Maelstrom Gang had been a thorn in his side for too long, and dismantling them had been easier¡ªand more entertaining¡ªthan he''d expected.


    Blake roared and charged at V and Jack, his exoskeleton-enhanced body giving him a speed and strength advantage. The two braced for impact, ready for a fight.


    But before Blake could reach them, Peter intervened. With a flick of his fingers, he hacked into Blake''s exoskeleton. The armor screeched to a halt, locking Blake in place.


    "What the¡ª?!" Blake struggled against the sudden paralysis, his eyes darting around in panic.


    Peter finally stepped into view, descending from his perch with deliberate slowness. "Looking for me?" he asked, his tone mocking.


    Blake''s eyes narrowed. "You... You''re the one behind this!"


    Peter spread his arms theatrically. "Guilty as charged. You know, for a gang that prides itself on technology, you guys are surprisingly easy to hack."


    Blake growled, his muscles straining against the frozen exoskeleton. "I''ll kill you for this!"


    Peter tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "You can try, but I don''t think you''ll get very far." With another command, the exoskeleton powered down completely, leaving Blake immobilized.


    V and Jack exchanged glances before approaching Peter.


    "Not bad," V said, nodding in approval. "Didn''t think you had it in you to take down a whole gang single-handedly."


    Peter shrugged. "What can I say? I like to keep things interesting."


    Jack grinned. "Remind me not to piss you off."


    The three of them stood amidst the wreckage, the remnants of the Maelstrom Gang scattered around them. For Peter, it was just another day in the chaos of the city¡ªa reminder that even in a world dominated by technology, control belonged to those who knew how to wield it.


    for more Episodes visit


    patreon (Noan994)