The accident just now involved many vehicles, but looking closely, only the Tyger Claws on their motorcycles suffered the greatest losses.
As a result, the road congestion caused by this accident was in a barely passable state.
Jackie carefully drove the stolen car through the mess.
"After the bridge, find a place to drop them off."
Arthur said, not forgetting to glance back.
"I thought you two were friends."
Jackie looked in the mirror and only saw Lucy, her face impassive.
The traffic was moving at a snail's pace, likely due to the aftermath of the shootout.
"Those guys with flashing lights on their foreheads are just a bunch of unevolved apes."
The traffic jam frustrated Jackie; he slammed the steering wheel, his gaze constantly darting towards Arthur.
"You, if you have a problem, just say it."
Hearing the reply, Jackie smiled and spoke.
"Hermanos, brother, how did you do that just now?"
Shrugging, Arthur repeated the excuse he used to fool David.
"Hard work, plus a bit of talent."
"Alright, but once this job is done, you have to teach me."
As the car left the overpass, the congested road conditions eased.
In the back seat, David was casually tossed aside, his head resting against the car window.
With each bump of the car, the poor kid's head repeatedly hit the window, making thudding sounds.
Arthur looked at Lucy, who was looking out at the scenery on the other side, with a strange expression, then motioned for Jackie to stop the car.
"Alright, you two get off here."
Lucy clearly knew he was talking to her, but she showed no intention of getting out.
"Westbrook, this is Tyger Claws territory, and we just caused a big ruckus here.
Getting out now would be suicide."
Seeing her determined to stay, Arthur felt helpless.
"But we have important business, and it's not convenient to bring you along."
As he spoke, his gaze turned to David.
"And you! Stop pretending! Is your head made of iron?"
As his voice fell, David, who had been feigning unconsciousness, sat up, scratching his spiky hair with an embarrassed smile.
"We can help you."
Saying this, he raised Lucy's hand, revealing a small black box there.
"Lucy is a Netrunner; this little thing is what's masking your car's tracking signal."
Arthur looked inquiringly at Jackie, laying the situation out.
"I've only met these two once, and we haven't even exchanged ten words."
This was his job, after all, so Jackie would naturally decide about these two.
"The car's signal is indeed a problem, and we need to gather intelligence, so having a Netrunner would be perfect."
The car set off again, heading towards the location given by the Father.
During the short journey, the talkative Jackie didn't stop, and soon started chatting with the equally talkative David.
"Hey, how did you guys get those sick cats' asses, that so many people chased you out?"
David replied, but he didn't foolishly spill all his secrets.
"It was a small matter initially, and there usually weren't many people around there, but for some unknown reason, the Tyger Claws happened to be gathered in that area."
"Those guys have tires for brains; they're like sharks smelling blood whenever they see any commotion. You're lucky to have escaped."
Westbrook was clearly the most prosperous area in all of Night City. It was right next to City Center, and most so-called corporate dogs chose to settle here.
At least the roadside no longer smelled like shit like in Watson, and there were no more blank-eyed homeless people lying on the streets.
Although people verbally cursed corporate employees as dogs, it was mostly out of envious red eyes; everyone wanted to settle in Westbrook, or even City Center.
The car stopped outside Japantown, and the group got out one by one.
At this time, the afternoon was nearing its end, but it was far from getting dark.
But when you step onto this street, the sun is no longer the focus in the sky.
In this wild street, the penetrating light of neon signs intertwined from the buildings overhead and the streets on both sides, as if a rainbow had been crushed and sprinkled here.
The colorful lights wove into a long net, falling over this street and, even more so, on the hearts of every tourist who stepped in.
Men and women, once they arrived here, transformed into two types of people—those seeking pleasure and those selling pleasure.
They were dressed provocatively and sensually, smearing impulse and hormones all over their bodies, smooth and lustrous everywhere.
This was Japantown, dressing money in stockings and blinding people with neon lights.
"That's a multi-functional nightclub; they do everything inside, and secretly, it's a Tyger Claws stronghold."
Jackie's eyes sparkled as he reviewed the information given by the Father.
The main structure of that nightclub was underground, with three floors open to the public, which were the first floor and the two floors below.
To go further down, there was only one elevator, and that elevator was very secure, making it difficult to get down from there.
"What, should we go in and have a few drinks? To throw people off? To gather information?"
Standing in front of the nightclub, it was still early for night, not the best time for consumption, but quite a few people had already gathered at the entrance.
Arthur glanced at Jackie; this guy, when he was drunk, regretted drinking before doing things, but now that the alcohol had worn off, he couldn't control his mouth again.
But then again, Arthur also wanted a drink; a little drink for pleasure.
Stepping into the nightclub, the group was instantly enveloped by a suppressed, alluring atmosphere.
Ambiguous purple filled the entire first-floor lobby.
They first ordered some food, and after filling their stomachs, they ordered a few more drinks.
They couldn't drink too much, so they naturally savored it, and the group also took the opportunity to inquire about each other's situations.
Jackie was the most outspoken, and he was the first to introduce himself.
"I grew up in Heywood, and I can guarantee that it's the most humane place in all of Night City, so I had a good life."
As he spoke, his eyes grew brighter and brighter; Jackie's childhood was made cheerful by his personality.
"After that, I naturally joined the Valentinos. A group of people treated me like a kid, teaching me all sorts of odds and ends. But no one expected that when I grew up, I'd become one of the biggest guys around."
As if to prove his words, he lifted his arm, striking a pose to show off his biceps.
David was a kid who loved stories, and seeing Jackie stop, he immediately pressed on.
"Then what? Why aren't you in the gang anymore?"
"My dad was a bastard, always hitting me and my mom with his belt. He was a member of the Valentinos, so my mom never liked it there.
Later, my mom found out, and I naturally left the gang.
Also, I always wanted to make something of myself, to give my mom a good life.
If I stayed in Heywood forever, I'm afraid I wouldn't have a chance in this life."
Perhaps it was the mention of his mother, but David's expression quickly fell, losing all the initial enthusiasm.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing David's abnormality, Jackie placed his hand on the other's shoulder and asked with concern.
"I also wanted my mom to enjoy life, but she's gone, and I personally sent her to hell."
At this point, the kid was already sobbing uncontrollably; it could only be said that David's emotions were indeed a bit rich.
At this moment, even David didn't know why he would let down his guard so much and directly speak of the most painful thing in his heart.
"I never met my dad since I was born; he abandoned me and my mom to struggle in this city.
To give me a good life, my mom sent me to Arasaka Academy, hoping I would work for Arasaka."
He spoke, but didn't notice Lucy's abnormality sitting next to him.
But all this did not escape Arthur's eyes; when David mentioned Arasaka, she visibly trembled slightly.
It seemed that this beautiful Netrunner lady had something going on with Arasaka.
David was still talking.
"She worked several jobs every day, not wasting a single penny, just hoping I would graduate from Arasaka Academy and someday stand at the top of Arasaka."
But hearing this, Jackie didn't smile and agree as usual; instead, his face became serious.
"While I don't know your mother's exact situation, if she was already a high-ranking official, I have nothing to say; but if not, then it means your mother might have been wrong."
Seeing David's face visibly darkening, Jackie quickly explained.
"I have a friend I grew up with who works in Arasaka's Counterintelligence Department, so I know a few things."