"What are you thinking about?" Lucy asked softly, pressing him toward the back of the van.
The van was packed with several children and a pile of boxes, forcing everyone to squeeze together, shoulder to shoulder.
"I'm thinking… what to do next," Mercer admitted, "planning a detailed action plan."
"Haven't you been thinking about it all the way here?" Lucy leaned against him, resting her head naturally on his shoulder, and made some room for Rosie at her side.
"Before, I only had general ideas… but now that it's time for action, I need to consider the details," Mercer replied, listening to the hum of the van's engine starting.
Norman, who was driving, spoke from the front:
"Since you don't want to be discovered, stay quiet when I slow down. I'm raising the partition now, so no one can see you from my side. Once it's safe, I'll open it first, then stop the car and open the door. Don't open it yourselves—if someone else tries, something's wrong."
"Understood," Mercer said, noticing the retractable partition inside the van. When it was raised, it completely blocked the space between the cabin and driver. Darkness swallowed the van, leaving only the hum of the moving vehicle.
The near-airtight darkness made Lucy instinctively lean closer to Mercer, half-shrinking into his side. After confirming his position, she whispered, "After passing the inspection, will we be in Night City?"
"Hm. If I remember correctly, the checkpoints are all near Biotechnica farms. Straight ahead, and you'll enter the city," Mercer said softly. "But we won't wander around this time. Once I get fake IDs, we can explore."
"Night City… I really want to see it soon," Rosie said, a touch impatient.
Mercer had spoken of Night City endlessly, filling everyone with expectations for the so-called free city of dreams.
Daichi Tetsuya, however, was less optimistic. Sighing, he said, "I looked it up online. Sure, people boast about it… but Night City broadcasts 'Death Lottery' every day. They literally bet on how many people die. It's dangerous, Rosie—don't be careless."
"I know…" Rosie's excitement dimmed slightly, but she still trusted Mercer completely.
"Other places aren't much better, are they? And didn't Mercer say this is the only place to truly leave Arasaka behind?"
"…Being a nomad isn't so bad," Leon said suddenly.
The van fell silent. Lucy's voice turned sharp: "You plan to stay outside? After Mercer helps you get a new ID?"
"…I was just saying," Leon replied, shrinking under her stare.
"Don't be like that, Lucy," Mercer said gently, easing the tension. He chuckled, adding, "Being a nomad isn't a bad life. Cassidy is reliable, and the Aldecaldos are safe. Living free in the wilderness might actually be a good way out."
"…And you? You brought us all this way, and we're just going to enjoy freedom while you face gangs and corporations alone?" Lucy's voice carried a mix of worry and anger.
"Do you think I can handle it on my own? That it doesn't matter if you help or not?"
Rosie, flustered, reached for Lucy's hand: "Lucy! Mercer… she didn't mean it like that!"
The van slowed, and Norman's voice came from the partition: "Almost there. Stay quiet until after the checkpoint."
"Received," Mercer said, glancing at Lucy. "Let's talk about separating when we reach the camp."
Leon remained uneasy, and Mercer, eyes closed, waited. Beside him, Lucy trembled. Silently, he wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of his hand. She turned away, burying her face in his shoulder.
Minutes later, the partition lowered, and sunlight flooded the van. Cybernetic eyes adjusted quickly, and everyone quietly moved their belongings back into their own vehicles.
"Panam Palmer will lead you. Take the highway east to our territory," Norman instructed. "I need to send Scorpion and the others back for the cars. Can't leave them too long."
"No problem. Panam will lead," Mercer nodded. Cassidy noticed the tension among the children but stayed silent, only reminding them to stay focused.
Driving in the city demanded caution. Unlicensed and underage, they had to avoid the NCPD or risk a dangerous chase.
Mercer turned on the radio, finding 98.7, Body Heat Radio, a familiar station from his memory. Though none of the songs were familiar, a lyrical track played, and he stayed put, listening.
"…I'm sorry," Lucy said suddenly.
"Hm? No need. I know you didn't mean harm," Mercer replied.
"I was just angry. You worked so hard to bring us here, and they just… want to run away. We discussed so much on the road, but when it came time to act, I felt betrayed."
Lucy lowered her head. "You always tell us to follow our hearts… Don't you feel wronged? You're so good to them, and they don't appreciate it!"
"Don't you appreciate it?" Mercer laughed. "Aren't you standing in my shoes right now? That proves what I did wasn't meaningless. Leon being afraid doesn't negate that. Fighting corporations in Night City isn't glamorous. People die daily. And yes, the so-called Death Lottery exists, just like Daichi said. I'm not afraid, but I won't force others to be either. Aren't you afraid, Lucy?"
Lucy was silent.
"Sometimes I charge recklessly," Mercer continued, "without regard for danger. If there's even one person who can pull me back, it might let me live a few more years."
Rosie squeezed Lucy's hand, a subtle reassurance.
Lucy's voice softened. "You just need to tell me one thing… Can I really help you with what you're about to do?"
"If it's you, I think you can," Mercer said seriously. "Sometimes I need someone to stop me from being reckless. You might just be that person."
"I'll go with you," Lucy said firmly. "But promise me… no hopeless battles. No dying meaninglessly."
"Okay," Mercer agreed.
Lucy frowned, scrutinizing him. "You yourself can't rush headlong into death. A dead person can't change anything. Even legendary hackers like Bartmoss… ended up in a mess. You can't control what happens after death."
"I know. I'll live—at least as much as possible. I haven't lived enough yet. Strictly speaking, I want fame, fortune, hundreds of years, money, enjoyment…"
Mercer laughed heartily. "What kind of image do you have of me?"
"…Someone who brings hope," Lucy said, turning away. "So… don't die. Otherwise, hope is gone."
Mercer stayed silent for a moment, watching the 6th Street Gang members on the streets and rooftops. Finally, he asked:
"If it were just you choosing—nobody, or legendary?"
Lucy laughed softly. "The old me would rather live miserably than risk it all. But now… doing something big before dying isn't bad. But rather than me becoming legendary, I want to see you achieve it. Alive."
"A living legend? Not easy. But I like difficult things. Be ready—because…"
He rolled down the car window, flipping a middle finger at a 6th Street Gang member peeing on the street: "So small and already showing off? Idiot!"
The gang member froze, startled by a flashing "Invaded" prompt in his cybernetic eye. Emojis filled his vision. He fumbled, turning it off: "Damn it, whose virus…? Help! I can't see!"
Lucy laughed with Mercer, sticking her body out the window: "Bye~ Don't be rude next time!"
Mercer pulled her back, raised the bulletproof glass, and stomped the accelerator. Predictably, the gang fired, but the car sped forward.
"Woohoo!" Lucy cheered. Mercer laughed, pulling her close: "Seatbelt! Seatbelt!"
Panam Palmer's voice came over the walkie-talkie: "What the hell are you two doing?"
Mercer laughed back: "Panam, let's race. Show me your driving skills!"
"Damn it… don't cry if you lose!"
Cassidy sighed over the walkie-talkie: "Next time, warn me, okay?"
"Aha! Race begins! Let's see who leaves this street first!"
Mercer floored the accelerator. He didn't care.
Nobody? Ha!
I came to this world to become legendary!
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