The sudden burst of sunlight made everyone involuntarily squint slightly, but fortunately, their prosthetic eyes instantly adjusted the exposure, allowing them to quickly adapt to the brightness.
Everyone still didn't speak. After getting out of the car, the group quietly started to move their things and then returned to their own vehicle.
"After this, let Pan'an lead the way for you. From Santo Domingo straight to the highway, heading east will reach our territory."
Norman reminded them, and then said, "I need to send Scorpion and them back to bring our car over; leaving it for too long, I'm afraid someone might steal it."
"No problem, just let Pan'an lead us."
Mercer nodded and agreed, while Cassidy also noticed the strange atmosphere among the kids, but he said nothing, just reminded them not to get distracted and to follow behind the car.
Driving in the city is not like the wilderness. This group, driving without a license and as minors, still needs to be careful, or they'll have to start racing to avoid getting caught by the NCPD.
Mercer started the car, and Lucy sat routinely in the passenger seat next to him.
The car began moving forward along the highway.
Mercer turned on the radio and, for the first time, clearly received the city's broadcast signal. Quickly finding the familiar station featured in his games, 98.7, Body Temperature Radio.
There were no songs matching his memories, but the somewhat soothing music playing at the moment made Mercer stop his hand, deciding to settle and listen.
"...I'm sorry."
Lucy suddenly spoke.
"Hmm? No need, I know you mean no harm."
Mercer genuinely didn't mind; he could see Lucy's intentions, only feeling unfair on his behalf.
"...I'm just a bit angry. You got us out alone, went through so much, and once we're here, they want to run.
We discussed so much on the road, but when it came time for them to contribute... It feels like being betrayed by those close to me once again."
Lucy indeed seemed quite upset, but then, she just bowed her head:
"You always say let us do what we want... Don't you feel wronged? Clearly treating them so well, yet they don't appreciate it at all!"
"Aren't you appreciative?"
Mercer laughed broadly, turned his head to look at her, speaking gently:
"Aren't you standing in my shoes right now, thinking for me?
That proves everything I've done isn't meaningless. Leon wanting to stay there isn't something to criticize.
Lucy, rescuing and bringing you all here wasn't for you to repay me and die for me.
Fighting big corporations, surviving in Night City, really isn't as glamorous as I mentioned before.
People die here every day; as Tetsuya Daichi said, they even gamble openly on the death toll, turning it into television programs.
I'm not afraid, but it doesn't mean I should ask others not to be afraid.
Lucy, aren't you afraid?
Perhaps even as we're driving, a bullet might just come through the window, passing from my temple to yours...
Such occurrences aren't impossible in Night City."
Once the car was speeding along the highway, the immense neon city was just ahead, but Pan'an didn't choose to lead the group into it; there's no road leading to the wilderness there.
They'd just entered the city, turning into the slightly run-down, old Saint Domingo District to advance.
Most households here display the flag of New America; it's Sixth Street Gang territory.
Everywhere you see a group that looks distinctly 'American', armed, congregated by their homes, eyeing the passing unfamiliar cars.
"Think well about it, Lucy. I know you're actually a very kind and sentimental person, but don't blindly follow me to hell because of it."
Mercer looked at his future quite clearly:
"An unknown nobody or famous worldwide? It's a question everyone coming to Night City should ask themselves.
I've already chosen the latter, but in Night City, among those so-called legends... nine out of ten end up dead, and the remaining one's just counting down."
Lucy remained silent but didn't stay silent for long. She resolutely turned her head to look at Mercer:
"Just tell me one thing... For the things you want to do, can I actually help you?"
"If it's you, I think you can."
Mercer spoke seriously: "Sometimes I charge ahead too recklessly and carelessly; even having just one person to pull me back then could perhaps keep me alive for a few more years."
"Then... I'll go with you."
Lucy, after taking a deep breath, said:
"But you have to promise me not to fight a hopeless battle... Don't take me to die meaninglessly, simply put."
"Alright." Mercer agreed succinctly.
Seeing this, Lucy frowned, eyes glaring at him:
"You yourself aren't allowed to dash towards death...
No matter what you do, a dead person can't change anything.
Even Bartmos, such a proficient hacker, ended with a mess?
Humans can't control what happens after death, so..."
"I know, I will live well...
At least try my best to live, rest assured, I haven't lived enough yet.
Strictly speaking, I wish to achieve greatness and live comfortably with lots of money for hundreds of years..."
Mercer laughed heartily: "What kind of image am I in your eyes?"