While Arnold was operating Stott, Berry wasn't just watching; she was busy with serious business.
The centaur exoskeleton mech, a semi-enclosed mech, was about the size of four refrigerators stacked together and weighed nearly half a ton. "Hive" operatives used a large truck to haul it back from the location Stott mentioned, and only after borrowing a forklift were they able to reluctantly drag the thing into Viktor's Clinic's warehouse.
Just like any new large toy, the moment the mech arrived, Berry's eyes lit up. She got to work, wiggling her little butt, and had it completely disassembled by the end of the morning.
Through continuous dismantling, Berry gradually gained a clear understanding of the internal neural conduction system and matrix algorithms. Now, she was very confident she could build a functional large combat mech herself.
Of course, she still couldn't build one the size of a Gundam.
However, that wasn't the main point.
The main point was that the technology inside the Centaur Exoskeleton Mech could be used to enhance a small gadget Berry had previously built—the kinetic arm guard.
This device had played a significant role in the previous battle against the Scavengers.
After putting it on, firearm recoil was reduced to the extreme; shooting felt almost like playing with a squirt gun. Given this performance, Berry highly valued its potential.
So, Viktor was receiving guests outside... Hmm, why does that sound so strange?
It should be that Viktor was serving his patients outside, while Berry was locked in the small warehouse tinkering with her gadgets.
Finally, after covering her face in oil and ruining six screwdrivers and a welding torch, the brand new kinetic arm guard was finished.
"Kinetic Arm Guard Mark II: [Epic]
Rating: An excellent combat support exoskeleton, possessing the ultimate power and maneuverability. It's also great for deboning chicken feet."
The name in the system finally turned deep purple, representing [Epic] equipment.
Berry looked at her creation with satisfaction.
The lattice-style arm guard glittered with silver light thanks to the new manganese steel plates attached. When worn, the cold metallic feel paired perfectly with the elegance of the streamlined design.
Each arm was fitted with two micro-batteries. Whenever the arm guard activated, blue light would emanate from beneath the overlapping 'V' shaped metal plates, giving it high prestige—clearly the kind of item that belonged in a display case, too expensive to buy.
With this gadget, not only were you great at shooting, but you could also claim to be Johnny Silverhand's brother—Johnny Two Silverhands.
Just as Berry was basking in the glory of her kinetic arm guard, V's call came in.
"baby, you haven't forgotten we still have to meet Dexter DeShawn this afternoon, right..."
Berry was startled when she heard that. She looked at the wall clock; it was already two in the afternoon.
She had been so engrossed that the afternoon had arrived without her realizing it.
"Hehe, of course I didn't forget. On my way, on my way."
Feeling guilty, Berry hastily hung up on V, grabbed a towel to wipe her hands, quickly wiped her face, threw on her jacket, and rushed out the door.
Just outside the small warehouse was Viktor's consultation room. Dr. Viktor, having finished his morning's work, sat comfortably in his leather chair, turned on the TV to his favorite boxing channel, and opened a takeout pizza box, preparing to enjoy his leisurely midday break.
"I'm going to be late! I'm going to be late!"
Watching Berry rush out, Viktor smiled and shook his head.
Youth is great; always rushing around, always having so much to do.
"Wait, wait..." Before the thought finished, Berry rushed back in a gust of wind.
Halfway out, Berry suddenly remembered she hadn't eaten yet.
"Thanks, Viktor!" Using a table knife, Berry sliced off a small portion of the pizza, picked it up, put it in her mouth, and rushed out again in a hurry.
"That Berry..." Viktor shook his head helplessly, looking at the rapidly departing Berry as if she were his own wayward young daughter.
Carefree and never giving anyone peace of mind.
Dexter DeShawn, this black-and-gold fatty who operates out of the Afterlife, naturally arranged for V and her crew to meet at the Afterlife Bar.
The Afterlife Bar, an exclusive nightclub located in Watson, is an icon of Night City.
The nightclub is owned and operated by Night City's most formidable Fixer, Ms. Rogue, and is a common destination for all levels of Edgerunners.
Whether you're meeting a contact, dropping off a package, or just having a good drink, the place always welcomes everyone.
The Afterlife is Night City's most famous information hub. Years ago, it was a morgue, but after being renovated by its operator, the place is now fully equipped for secret meetings.
For the "Solo" mercenaries who live dangerously in the city, doing business at the Afterlife is proof of their capability.
Here, you can find the most lucrative, yet highest-risk, jobs. From corporate giants to the Night City City Hall—the most formidable powers, both overt and hidden, in Night City—you can offend them all here, depending on whether you have the guts.
Just like the bar's name, "Afterlife," coming here is the first step toward becoming a legend, and also the first step into the grave. If you risk your life here, prepare to meet your Afterlife, in every sense of the word.
And now, this challenge had fallen upon V and her crew.
Although the Afterlife has a huge reputation, it's not some skyscraper. In fact, it's very low-key, located beneath a rundown alleyway. People who don't belong to the dark world could live here their whole lives and likely never know such a place existed right under their noses.
Turning the car into the alley, V parked in the rundown parking lot inside.
Jackie was already waiting for her at the stairwell entrance.
"...Oh my god, Mom! You'll know tomorrow!" Jackie was leaning against the stairwell, talking on the phone. V knew who he was talking to: Mrs. Welles, Jackie's strict mother.
Since Mrs. Welles hadn't installed any cyberware, Jackie specially used a cell phone to talk to her. Only his mother received this exclusive treatment.
"I gotta hang up, Mom. Yeah, love you too." Jackie ended the call and closed his phone.
"It's almost time, choomba!" Jackie greeted V as she walked over.
Although Jackie pretended nothing was wrong, V could still see the worry between his brows—an emotion rarely seen on the cheerful big guy.
"Why do you look like you just finished a marathon? Is something wrong?" V asked curiously.
"I've been hustling for years, but every time I talk to my mother, I still panic and sweat." Hearing V's question, Jackie sighed and rubbed his forehead wearily.
"But she can't help it, you know. She's terrified I'll end up like most of the men in the Welles family, rotting away in a trash can on the street."
"I really can't stand it. The more I tell her nothing's wrong, the more I feel like I'm lying." Jackie shook his head irritably, his tone slightly depressed. He was clearly frustrated that he couldn't put his mother at ease.
"Never mind, let's not talk about this distressing stuff." Jackie clapped his hands, cheering himself up, and flashed his usual confident smile.
"Right, where's Berry? Isn't she with you?" Snapping back to attention, Jackie looked behind V in confusion, surprised not to see Berry. Normally, the two were like conjoined twins: seeing Berry meant V was nearby, and seeing V meant Berry was definitely right behind her.
The fact that they weren't together today made Jackie feel a bit strange.
"She's coming up behind. She should be rushing over right now. It's fine, let's wait for her." V wanted to laugh remembering Berry's panicked look after being reminded. She was probably running here at top speed right now.
After spending so much time together, V could generally guess what Berry was thinking from her every expression; she certainly couldn't be fooled.
"Speaking of which, V, you're really something." Mentioning Berry seemed to energize Jackie, who winked and nudged V with his elbow.
"You said you wanted to learn from me, but in the blink of an eye, didn't you win her over?"
"Hmph, you know it." Mentioning this, V crossed her arms and smiled confidently. "But mainly, Berry and I are soulmates, a match made in heaven. See? I didn't have to do anything; she just smoothly fell into place."
"Alright, alright, V, you're really cheesy."
Seeing V's smug look, Jackie shrugged with a pout, looking utterly disgusted.
He thought he was cheesy enough, but V was on a whole other level.
Mm-hmm, V almost believed it herself; after all, the collector's edition of "Emotional Strategy Handbook" she bought for three eurodollars had already been deleted, so now it was up to her to say whatever she wanted.
"Hey, what are you two talking about?"
Berry walked in from the alley entrance with her hands in her pockets, and immediately saw Jackie and V leaning against the stairwell, animatedly talking about something.
Her female intuition immediately made her suspect they were talking bad about her.
"Hehe, it's nothing, nothing, just discussing our big deal this time!" Jackie lied without batting an eye, instantly adopting an honest and sincere look, which successfully fooled Berry.
"Yeah, Afterlife..." Berry raised an indifferent eyebrow, looking down into the dark stairwell, and said with a sigh.
Finally, it's come to this, Berry thought.
"Yeah, Afterlife!" Jackie repeated the same words, but with a clenched fist and an excited tone.
"Starting tomorrow, we'll all be different! Afterlife, here we come!"
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