Berry must get the relic chip.
And this doomed commission was her best opportunity.
The Relic is an interface and component of Arasaka's flagship experimental project, "Soul Killer."
It uses the concept of personality transfer, converting human nervous system data into a digital imprint, which is then stored as a consciousness on the Relic bio-chip.
In other words, it allows people to achieve immortality.
But Berry knew the true purpose for which the relic chip was created.
Saburo Arasaka, the corrupt ruler of the Arasaka empire, planned to use the relic chip to transfer his consciousness into the body of his offspring, achieving resurrection and thereby ruling his immortal empire forever.
Of course, Berry couldn't let the old man's plan succeed.
Some people, when alive, can make the world a better place, but if some people live, others can forget about living.
Saburo Arasaka was such a person; Berry certainly did not want to become part of this cruel empire, both mentally and physically. If that was the case, then Arasaka, along with other equally inhumane corporations, had to die.
But this was only one aspect.
Another reason Berry wanted the relic chip was that the hidden knowledge within it could potentially lead everyone to a foreseeable, ordered future.
In Berry's opinion, those idiots at Arasaka were completely incapable of utilizing this valuable technology, and she already had a wild idea: if her hypothesis was correct, she would eliminate all corporations, eradicate all injustice and exploitation in this world, and establish a true paradise on Earth.
In that pure land, she, V, Jackie, and indeed everyone else, could live lives that humans had never dared to dream of since their birth.
And first, she had to get the relic chip containing Johnny Silverhand.
This was the quickest way to access an unmodified, genuine relic chip—not the watered-down versions sold to the wealthy.
"And who are you?"
With an excited Jackie leading the way, the three went down the stairs, entered the bottom floor, passed through a corridor, and were stopped by a burly security guard in front of a large door.
Through the door, colorful lights and explosive music faintly emanated. Beyond this door was the legendary "Afterlife" bar of Night City.
"My name is V, and this is Jackie Welles." V said, crossing her arms, looking at the security guard who stopped them.
"Hmph, why, is that name supposed to be impressive?" The burly security guard scoffed dismissively. Clearly, the currently unknown V and Jackie's names held no sway.
"It will be soon. We're here to see Dexter." Jackie said, hands on hips.
"Yo, Dexter. I've got two people here who say they're looking for you." V and their names might not have meant anything, but at least the name of the black-gold fat middleman was useful.
Hearing that the three were looking for Dexter, the security guard didn't dare to be arrogant and immediately contacted him. "Hmm? Oh, alright."
"He wants you to wait a moment. Order whatever you want to drink." This security guard wasn't one to look down on people, as he still maintained his grumpy face even after knowing V and the others were Dexter's people.
"You don't have to tell us, viejo (my friend)." Jackie led the way in.
Green and blue mixed lights, sparkling metallic colors everywhere, as if the entire bar was clad in a layer of stainless steel.
"The heart of Night City!" Jackie came back to his senses, looking excitedly at V and Berry. Clearly, coming to this place greatly excited the big man from Heywood; he was finally making it.
"Right here—constantly beating. Do you hear it?"
Isn't that just the sound system?
Berry complained in her mind.
She didn't find this "Afterlife" particularly amazing.
It was pretty much like any ordinary bar, but the people coming and going were all Mercenaries and gang members covered in cyberware and dressed in bizarre outfits.
Every single person here was a tough character on the streets, which could be seen from the calluses on their hands and the knife scars on their faces.
However, what was unusual was that with so many tough people, no one was causing trouble; the colorful crowd was all obediently drinking and talking business in booths or at the bar.
And they were very well-behaved, with no discarded paper boxes or empty wine bottles lying around.
It seemed that the owner of "Afterlife," Rogue, had excellent methods, being able to keep these tough characters from various gangs and factions peacefully together on her turf. One must know that some gangs had ancient feuds with each other.
"Can you imagine? Susan Forrest, Old Snake, and even Morgan Blackhand..." Thinking of all the Night City legends he had heard about since childhood who frequented this place, Jackie became extremely excited, his wide grin never closing.
"They've all sat on these stools and slept on this bar counter."
V and Berry followed the excited Jackie to the chairs in front of the bar.
"Looks like it's our turn." V echoed.
Her tone was clearly less excited than Jackie's; after all, she was from the Nomads and didn't have much longing for those legends.
As soon as the three sat down, Berry glimpsed a figure in a yellow crop top, swaying her hips and walking quickly past on the side of the road.
Not only Berry noticed that figure, but Jackie did too.
"Hey, see that old lady over there?" Jackie whispered, pointing his thumb behind him at the yellow figure.
"She's Rogue—Night City's most powerful Fixer."
"Aren't you Dexter's best?" Suddenly entering a new environment and hearing so many new names, V was a bit confused. Who was this Rogue?
"Rogue is the owner of this 'Afterlife' bar, and also the most powerful Fixer in the business. Do you know Johnny Silverhand? Rogue is his ex-girlfriend... well, one of them." Berry added.
"Johnny Silverhand?" V frowned. She seemed to have heard that name before.
"The terrorist who blew Arasaka Tower to smithereens? My goodness, he's a figure from half a century ago."
"That's why people say he's amazing. When Rogue made her debut, Dexter was still in diapers." Jackie enthusiastically imparted street knowledge to V.
"Is it possible for someone who isn't an amazing person to live this long in Night City?"
After hearing Jackie say this, V nodded in deep agreement. She had personally experienced the dangers of Night City, and now she began to admire this Rogue, who could live so comfortably at such an old age.
"What can I get you?" Just as V finished speaking, the Afterlife's female bartender came over.
Looking at the female bartender in front of her, Berry thought, this is an old acquaintance too.
The Afterlife's female bartender was named Claire, and she had absolutely no cyberware on her, a pure, unadulterated meatbag.
She wore a high ponytail and a light gray work suit, which seemed a bit out of place with the Mercenaries in the bar who exposed metal, wires, and welding marks on their bodies.
"Jackie, you order." V, being here for the first time, gestured for Jackie to order.
"Two old-fashioned tequilas, with beer and chili." Jackie finished speaking and then looked at Berry.
"Berry, how about you? The same?"
"Me?" Seeing the bartender Claire look at her, Berry smiled and replied.
"vodka with ice, mixed with little coca-cola, and by the way, an unopened can of little coca-cola."
"Two Johnny Silverhands, one David Martinez, plus one can of little coca-cola. Coming right up."
"Looks like someone did their homework." The bartender reached into the counter for bottles, smiling and pointing at Berry and Jackie with both hands.
"What kind of slang are you two speaking?" V frowned, very confused. Jackie was one thing, but Berry was also being mysterious. Why was she the only one who didn't understand anything?
Country bumpkin V expressed her confusion due to lack of knowledge.
"It's an old rule here. Drinks are named after regular customers."
"Oh, that's what it means." V's brow relaxed slightly.
"Hehe, V, you should really learn from Berry. Look at her, she came to the city with you, but she knows Rogue, she knows David Martinez..."
"Alright, alright, we understand Rogue, and we know Johnny Silverhand, but who is this David Martinez?"
V helplessly crossed her arms, waiting for Jackie to tell her some legendary stories or something.
But this time it was Jackie's turn to be stumped; he stammered a couple of "uh-huhs."
"Well, David Martinez is also a street legend, but you know, I'm not very familiar with him. He seems to be a new face, from the Santo Domingo area. I haven't heard much about his deeds in our Heywood area."
"I know this person."
At this moment, Berry spoke up, causing the two to look at her.
Berry smiled nostalgically and said, "David Martinez, born great, died glorious. He was also a fighter against Arasaka. Last year, there was an explosion at the Arasaka Tower in the city, said to be a terrorist attack, but it was actually him who did it."
"Oh, you mean that time." Jackie suddenly understood when it was mentioned.
"Those news media outlets, sucking up to Arasaka, completely suppressed the information about that incident. I didn't even know such a big thing was done by that guy."
"Amazing, Berry, looks like you're getting street smart too!" Jackie admired Berry, giving her a thumbs-up. To have information that even he, the gossip king, didn't know, was worthy of his respect.
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