"Are you sure your method is going to work, Karl? If you ask me, we should've just offed that Arasaka mutt and been done with it."
"And let the whole world know there was an intrusion here, right?" Karl rolled his eyes at Johnny Silverhand's suggestion. "Our gig is just to grab the data, not kill anyone. Murder costs extra."
"This is such a hassle," Johnny muttered.
"You've got to think from the client's perspective," Karl patiently tried to correct his newly initiated partner's outlook. "What the client wants is the intel. Rogue didn't ask for a body count, just the files. So we stick to that. Saves us trouble, and keeps the client out of unnecessary heat."
"Never thought about it like that..." Johnny grumbled. "Still, I bet Rogue would be fine with it."
"Which is exactly why Rogue is your ex," Karl shot back with a smirk. "Honestly, the fact that you were ever popular with anyone baffles me. You curse like a damn ganger, your manners are nonexistent... If it were me, I'd steer clear the second you opened your mouth."
"Heh, what's this, Karl? You looking to learn the Silverhand seduction technique?" Johnny laughed smugly. "Back in the day, I had people falling head over heels for me. Beg me nicely, and maybe I'll teach you a move or two."
"Yeah, no thanks. Not taking dating tips from a dog." Karl replied flatly. "If anything, copying your trashy habits would only tank my personal image. Maybe go talk to Oliver—he might actually be into that crap."
Karl had to admit—when it came to attracting people, Johnny did have a certain... something. Just look at Rogue. After more than fifty years, she still remembered him instantly, still had feelings. That alone spoke volumes.
But admiration was one thing—imitation, another. Like someone doing a backflip while pissing—you might say, "Damn, impressive," but you'd never try it yourself.
"Figures. Your reactions scream 'inexperienced.' What, never had a real relationship? Still a virgin, huh? How 'bout I take you bar-hopping sometime? Stick to my playbook, I guarantee you'll go home with someone—maybe even two."
"How about you recommend a good restaurant instead, Johnny Silverhand? That might actually interest me."
"I swear, I found a damn 'Night City Gourmet Guide' in my neural archive. You really took the time to document culinary reviews? You were playing foodie while dodging corpo kill squads?"
"Whether it's edible or not, well, that's not something you can experience without a taste module installed. But hey, beg me real sweet and I might convince V and T-Bug to get you one."
"You want me to beg?"
"Alcohol's got taste too, y'know."
"..."
Seeing Johnny fall silent, Karl shook his head.
He had to admit—after spending enough time together, Johnny wasn't that bad.
Sure, the guy was arrogant, abrasive, vulgar, and loud for someone with middling talent—but deep down, he wasn't a terrible person.
Put simply, Johnny was a textbook bastard. But in this screwed-up world, he was the kind of bastard you could get used to. Someone you could talk to. Someone who could become a friend.
Was every rockerboy like this? Because Kerry was way more pleasant.
As Karl mused, he kept checking the status of his infiltration.
He hadn't made any drastic changes to Oda's brain. In fact, with guys like Oda, too much tampering might just make them notice something's off. So instead, Karl subtly masked and redirected specific thoughts.
It's like how people sometimes don't notice a cut until they see the scab—minor injuries that don't scream pain get ignored subconsciously.
Karl edited some of Oda's memories and heightened his subconscious blind spots.
When are people most likely to overlook things? When their minds are focused elsewhere—especially when that preoccupation is emotional.
And in Oda's mind, there already existed some... not-so-appropriate feelings. Feelings of admiration and romantic affection toward the person he was sworn to protect.
Karl simply tweaked the hormone levels linked to those thoughts. Just enough so that whenever Oda laid eyes on the one he was assigned to protect, there'd be a slight surge in chemical responses—barely noticeable, yet enough to subtly tilt his mindset.
Even if Oda realized something was off, there's no way he'd dig deep into why he was suddenly more emotional. Love is a basic human instinct—especially the kind that breaks rules. Forbidden affection only makes it harder to confront or confess, and Oda would just keep suppressing it, trying to discipline himself. That internal struggle? Perfect for dulling his awareness in other areas.
"Love is life's fullness, like a goblet filled with wine." — Tagore.
It's hard for people to say no to love. They might act indifferent, fearful even, but the joy love brings makes people lower their guard.
Karl thought of that—and it made him think of Jackie.
A shot of vodka, some ice, lime juice, ginger beer... oh, and the most important part—add a little love.
That's how you make a Moscow Mule, right? Just with Karl's special touch of emotional manipulation.
Love is the most important thing, Karl.
Karl smiled faintly, remembering the conversations he used to have with Jackie.
Love really was the most important thing.
Without Jackie and the bond they shared, Karl wouldn't be where he was today.
"I've decided."
Just as Karl was finishing up his digital cleanup and getting ready to grab the intel and hit up Afterlife with the crew, Johnny finally spoke—after what felt like forever.
"Install a smoking module for me, and I'll beg you."
Clearly, Mr. Johnny Silverhand couldn't resist the temptation of booze and smokes—enough to swallow his pride.
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🔥 CYBERPUNK: THE RELENTLESS
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🔥 THE STORY DOESN'T STOP HERE. NEITHER DOES HE.
Night City breaks people every day.
Some crawl away.
Some disappear.
And some simply refuse to stop.
Cyberpunk: The Relentless has 500+ chapters ahead available for readers who want to keep going.
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⚡ NO BRAKES. NO MERCY. NO TURNING BACK.
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Every victory creates another enemy.
Every enemy leads to something bigger.
And Night City always wants another body.
🔥 500+ CHAPTERS AHEAD.
👉 Why stop now?
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