There are many theories on the market, but among these causes of cyberpsychosis, the one I disagree with most is the immunity theory.
To be precise, the immunity theory is very one-sided.
When an implant is first installed, immune rejection does occur, but the immune system is adaptive; it will desensitize over time, or at least not worsen.
However, cyberpsychosis is clearly not that simple; the disease will worsen over time until it becomes uncontrollable.
Saying that, Viktor returned to the operating table and started working.
"He's fine, he'll wake up in a few hours."
After removing the auxiliary device from his hand, Viktor finally had some free time and smiled at Arthur and Jackie.
"Looks like your big job is done."
"It's done, but we didn't enjoy this job."
When mentioning this mission, Arthur couldn't help but recall what was in that chip.
Seeing Arthur's gloomy expression, Viktor also became curious.
"What do you mean, you were set up?"
"No, it's just that our employers are a bunch of animals.
Biotechnica collaborates with Scavengers, using them for live experiments.
What they wanted us to retrieve were three half-finished reagents and a chip containing experimental data."
After hearing Arthur's words, Viktor sighed heavily.
"Sigh...
In this city, you'll see all sorts of disgusting things. That's why I've locked myself in this basement, keeping my eyes shut."
His tone was filled with disappointment, as if he was mocking his own self-preservation.
Seeing the despondency on Viktor's face, Arthur's brows furrowed, and he patted the other's shoulder.
"Viktor, at least when I was lying on the ground almost dead, you were the one who dragged me back.
No one can manage everything in the world. If you can save a stranger, you have nothing to apologize for."
Viktor smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"I know my own business; I've been hiding my whole life. Anyway, enough about me, what are you going to do about this?"
"I'll take the money, that's my reward, but I'll also get involved in this matter. Since I've seen it and want to meddle, I won't force myself to tolerate it."
Arthur's tone carried a killing intent. He adjusted the gambler's hat on his head. This Western god of death, even in Night City, was still the same Arthur Morgan.
As soon as he finished speaking, Arthur felt a weight on his shoulder—Jackie had slung his arm around him.
"Since I found this job, I naturally have to provide after-sales service."
This mission finally came to an end. The few of them rested for a night, waiting for David to wake up.
It was in the morning when the kid suddenly sat up from the operating table, looking around while his hands felt for his waist.
Arthur watched this scene, a smile on his face.
"Alright, I won, you're buying the next round of drinks."
Jackie, on the other hand, was holding his forehead in annoyance.
"The Sandevistan should have cost more."
"Jackie, some things can't be measured by price."
David finally noticed the two of them.
"What are you doing? Where is this?"
With a mischievous smile on his face, Arthur clenched his fist and slowly moved closer.
"This is a clinic, of course.
As for what we're doing, hehe, I have a small question for you."
As he spoke, he had already walked in front of David.
"Can you drive?"
"Of course, although I'm a novice, I'm surprisingly talented in that area."
Perhaps because he had just woken up, David was still a bit dazed and didn't notice Arthur's unusual expression.
"Of course?"
Squeezing out two words through gritted teeth, Arthur directly raised his fist.
"I'll show you 'of course,' and 'talented'..."
After a flurry of commotion, David, with black rings around his eyes, found Viktor.
"Arthur said you could help me."
Looking at David's eyes with amusement, Viktor nodded.
"Your Sandevistan was installed very crudely.
And, if I have the data, I can indeed greatly reduce the stress it puts on you."
After a moment of contemplation, David still chose to trust Arthur.
He had been attracted by the other's methods and aura, actively approaching him to make friends, and there was always a strange sense of trust.
Even if it hurt again, it would be worth it.
"Doctor, thank you for being willing to help me."
Saying that, David lay back down on the operating table.
"Hahaha, you kid."
Viktor pointed at David and said with a laugh.
"I need to prepare some medicine, you go to the side for now."
At this moment, only Viktor and David were in the clinic.
Lucy had left before resting last night, and Arthur and Jackie had also left; they went to Westbrook to find a priest to settle a commission.
After David ended his call with Maine and Lucy, he wandered around the small clinic.
There were many instruments and devices whose functions he didn't understand, and an extremely clean environment. Compared to this clinic, the place he usually went to was like a butcher shop.
He didn't dare to touch anything, casually strolling to the back of the clinic, where a metal life-support pod was placed.
This was clearly a device for people, and he walked over curiously.
Above the pod was a small glass window, and indeed, a person was lying inside—a woman, with red hair spread around her, and wearing a respirator...
David's gaze gradually solidified—
Within those wide-open eyes, two lines of tears instantly streamed down her cheeks.
His mouth was wide open, but his throat felt as if something was lodged in it, unable to make any sound.
It really seemed like...
His head was currently turned to one side; he didn't quite have the courage to look a second time.
What if it wasn't, but... it looked so similar.
His limbs became incredibly stiff at this moment; every muscle prayed. David twisted his head with all his might, squeezing his entire body against the small glass window.
Tears dripped onto the small viewport. He trembled as he gently wiped away the tear stains, as if afraid of damaging the metal life-support pod.
Yes, the implant at the corner of her right eye, yes, that face, the gentleness visible even in sleep.
His mother was still alive...
Viktor was busy when an unusual thud echoed from the back of the clinic.
Following the sound, he saw David sitting on the floor next to the life-support pod, tears streaming down his face.
Frowning, Viktor walked over, looking at the young man strangely.
"What's wrong?"
Just a moment ago, he was a reckless and energetic young man; how did he suddenly turn into this ghost-like state?
Hearing Viktor's question, David laboriously lifted his head.
Although his eyes were blurred by the tears in front of him, David could still make out who the person was.
His throat felt as if a branding iron had been shoved into it, choked and burned by intense emotions, and the few words he managed to utter felt heavy, as if they wanted to sink back into his stomach.
"My, there, still alive."
He had more or less guessed something. Those instruments wouldn't make someone so emotional, so it must be because of the lady lying in the life-support pod.
"Who is this lady to you?"
"My mother."
"It seems you mistakenly thought she was dead. Come here, don't get too happy too soon."
It took about ten minutes for David to recover from that state. He sat with his head down at a table, occasionally wiping his face.
"How is she?"
His voice sounded as if it had just been rubbed with sandpaper.
"Her condition is not good. Arthur rescued her when he escaped from a Scavengers' den.
At that time, she was already in a state of suspended animation; even the Scavengers thought she was dead. It was the emergency tracheal dilator in her neck that saved her life.
When I brought her back, a small part of her brain had already died from lack of oxygen, and the rest was in shock.
Although she ultimately survived, the result is a coma, and it's uncertain if she'll ever wake up in this lifetime."
"Is there any way? No matter what, please tell me."
David's tone was filled with determination.
"There's no immediate good solution. Fortunately, she can afford to wait. Even if she never wakes up in this lifetime, she can still die of old age."
Viktor patted David's shoulder, comforting him.
"You don't need to feel too much pressure. I see many problems with her body; lying there recuperating might not be a bad thing."
"Doctor, how are the preparations coming along?"
David suddenly looked up. If one ignored the tear stains at the corners of his eyes, his gaze had matured considerably.
"Sigh, I told you not to feel too much pressure."
Viktor shook his head, pointing to the operating table.
"Go lie down, we can start."