"Jackie, I'm glad to see you back in one piece!"
"Funny you should say that, Viktor, I am too."
Viktor and Jackie burst into laughter upon meeting, shaking hands vigorously while slapping each other hard on the shoulder with their free hands.
"But what happened to your face? I don't recall driving all the way to Pacifica just to kick your butt."
"Ah, this? Don't even ask," Jackie said, rubbing his face sheepishly.
"Pacifica isn't exactly peaceful, so a few bumps and bruises are inevitable."
Jackie, making himself at home, pulled up a chair and enthusiastically addressed the three of them.
"You guys wouldn't believe it. Right now, Pacifica is full of gunfights, ruins, and flames. In that desolate place, several factions are fighting until their brains spill out."
Jackie counted on his fingers, listing them off like treasured possessions.
"The Animals, who grew up soaking in hormone tanks, the Scavengers, and the mystical Voodoo Boys—those three gangs are fighting tooth and nail over territory."
Watching Jackie vividly describe the chaotic situation in Pacifica, Berry also nodded.
To be honest, it was true.
Although other parts of Night City were also full of gangs and vendettas, Pacifica was the real heavy hitter.
Pacifica was originally a failed investment attempt by major corporations, and after a particularly terrible gang war, not only did the corporations abandon that wretched place, but even the Night City government withdrew.
Since then, the Pacifica district has become a true lawless zone.
Gangs control everything there. It's so chaotic that the Night City council excludes the area when calculating gang homicide rates, otherwise, the statistics would be unreadable.
In short, that area is a genuine war zone—no order, no laws, just gangs carving up territory and spilling brains.
"But you know, even though it's chaotic, there are quite a few interesting things there."
At this point, Jackie was clearly more energized.
Berry guessed he was about to explain the origin of his facial injury.
"The Animals love to fight. There are street brawls everywhere. Damn, you wouldn't believe how many pumped-up spectators and how much real cash the Animals manage to attract."
"Me? I was bored, so I participated. I even won a bit at first—this shirt is from those winnings. But then, I ran into a tough opponent, and well, this is the result."
Jackie pointed sheepishly to the bruise on his face.
After hearing Jackie's account, all three were speechless.
They didn't know what to say.
"So, you're saying you couldn't stay still during your less-than-two-week trip there, got beaten up, and then came back?"
Finally, Berry, with a metaphorical black line appearing above her head, summarized the situation for him.
"Uh, pretty much."
Jackie wore a genuinely earnest expression.
"Jackie, how should I put this? What a surprise."
Although V said this, the speechless look on her face clearly indicated that she was not surprised at all.
Jackie was just that kind of restless person.
"Heh, well, regardless, the important thing is that you're back."
Viktor smiled and shook his head, offering Jackie some comfort.
After all, a fighter knows a fighter; he understood Jackie's feelings.
"Even though you nearly lost half your life, the best news is that you guys are all back together again."
Yes, listening to Viktor's words, Berry also nodded in agreement.
Everyone was still alive—that was the best thing.
As for the future, there would always be a way.
Or rather, this was just a brand new beginning.
However, Viktor missed one point: there were more than just three of them.
"Jackie, do you have any news about Bug?"
Berry turned her head and asked Jackie.
"After that escape, we couldn't get in touch with Bug. Has she left Night City?"
Berry asked curiously.
Like Jackie, Bug also avoided the death ending from the game.
But after escaping, Berry and the others couldn't contact Bug.
Maybe she ran out of the city. After all, staying in the city under those circumstances would be a dead end, and Bug wouldn't make such a mistake.
Among the group, Bug was the one who knew Jackie best; perhaps he had news of her.
"Oh, you mean Bug? I actually do have news about her."
Jackie nodded, confirming he knew about Bug.
"Not much, though."
"I received an encrypted message from Bug a few days ago. It only said she had left Night City. She didn't give details, and she seemed rushed."
"Maybe she decided to retire, just like she always said she would—to go to Sicily and find those big bearded Greek old men."
"Good, as long as she's alive."
Hearing this news, Berry finally relaxed.
As long as she was alive.
No matter where she went, with Bug's skills, she would be fine. Plus, she had saved up enough money for retirement and could live comfortably anywhere, unlike Jackie and V, who were always short on cash.
Trying to make a living with Jackie and V meant starving two out of every three days.
Bug was safe, and Jackie was back. It was finally a relatively happy ending.
Speaking of which.
"Speaking of which, Jackie, do we need to drive you to the Wolf Bar? Mrs. Welles must be dying to see you."
Saying this, Berry thought of Jackie's mother.
Mrs. Welles had shown them great concern after their troubles, even planning to contact "Father," the Fixer for the Heywood district, to get them out.
Luckily, Berry talked her out of it in time, preventing such a massive effort.
Now that her own son Jackie was back, she would probably be even happier.
However, it was better that Berry hadn't mentioned Mrs. Welles; as soon as Jackie's mother was brought up, Jackie gave a forced laugh.
"Hehe, I was just about to get to that."
Saying this, Jackie turned to look at Viktor, his eyes even carrying a hint of pleading.
"We really messed up big time this time, not just with the corporations, but with my mom too. She's practically boiling mad. If I go back now, she'll definitely lock me up for ten days or half a month."
"So, uh, Viktor, could you lend a hand and let me stay here for a few days until my mom cools down before I go back?"
"Please."
Jackie rubbed his hands together awkwardly.
Jackie, who looked like a rough street thug, was actually a mama's boy. Although it sounded strange, Jackie undoubtedly respected his mother greatly. After all, when he was young, the reckless Jackie, who had nearly had half his skull blown off, only managed to survive thanks to Mrs. Welles.
Therefore, the only person in the world who could control Jackie was his mother.
"Hoo-hoo, so someone is about to be in big trouble."
Berry immediately realized this.
Since she and V were physically girls, Mrs. Welles hadn't scolded them much, offering only sympathy. But Jackie, that thick-skinned idiot who never learned his lesson, if he went back to the Wolf Bar now, he'd probably be chewed out so loudly that half of Heywood would hear it.
"Heh, no wonder you brought all your luggage. So that was your plan."
V crossed her arms and mocked him mercilessly.
"Hey, come on, you two, stop laughing at my expense and help me convince Viktor! You don't want to see me suffer, right?"
"Sigh, it's a pity, Jackie, but we have no choice but to sell you out this time."
Unfortunately, when faced with Jackie's attempt to play the friendship card, V and Berry simply spread their hands, indicating they couldn't help.
"Neither of us dares to offend Mrs. Welles, so you'll have to pray for yourself."
"Hey, you two are disloyal."
Looking at the two scoundrels, Jackie gritted his teeth.
Those two knew exactly what he was afraid of.
Unable to rely on them, Jackie looked pitifully at Viktor again.
"Viktor, we've been friends for so many years, you wouldn't not help me, would you?"
Seeing the flattering expression on Jackie's face, which was completely out of character, Viktor felt a chill and almost twisted a screw too hard with a trembling hand.
"No, Jackie, I still want to live a few more years, so please get rid of that expression."
Viktor shook his head helplessly and agreed to Jackie's request.
"Alright, you can make do in the repair bay for the next few days, but let me warn you, if Mrs. Welles comes knocking, don't blame me if I can't save you."
Recalling the hot-tempered Mrs. Welles, Viktor also shook his head helplessly; she was someone even he dared not offend.
"Thanks, Viktor, you're a true brother!"
Seeing that he was finally saved, Jackie beamed with joy, his eyebrows twitching as if dancing.
"I'll go put my luggage away now."
Jackie seemed afraid Viktor would change his mind, so he picked up his two bags and headed in to put them away.
"Don't rush, sit down first."
Watching Jackie's impatient demeanor, Viktor shook his head and stopped his work.
"Viktor, what's wrong?"
Seeing that Viktor looked like he had something to say, Jackie put down his suitcase and blinked at him.
"By the way, what are you three planning to do next?"
Viktor stopped his work, turned his chair, and looked back at the three of them.
"Uh, what do you mean, 'what to do'?"
Jackie stared with wide eyes, expressing his confusion.
"Let me guess, this job fell through, and you probably didn't get a single cent, and I bet you even lost quite a bit. So what are you going to do next? Are you still planning to mess around on the streets, or are you going to try to get into some legitimate business?"
Viktor laid out his thoughts.
Indeed, Jackie and V were Mercenaries from the streets, the kind of lone wolves who had to rely on themselves with no backing. One botched job meant losing everything, not to mention this time they almost lost their lives.
To be honest, even V, if not for Berry paying, might have been kicked out by her landlord by now. That's how it is in Night City: no money, and life immediately shows its ugliest side.
"Hmm, this is indeed a big problem."
After hearing Viktor's words, the three fell into contemplation, especially Jackie, who felt a deep sense of realization.
His plan to get rich overnight had fallen through, and he had spent a lot of money during their escape. Now, Jackie's pockets were empty, cleaner than his face.
Now he had to think about how to make some money next.
Maybe he should go back to working on the streets to catch his breath first.
Jackie was about to say this, but then Berry stepped forward and spoke first.
"I say, Jackie, V, why don't you two come work for me?"
Her words were startling. Berry suddenly jumped in with this suggestion, causing the two to look at her sideways.
"Work for you?"
Jackie was especially confused, looking at Berry's confident expression with a face full of questions.
Had his little sister gotten rich without him knowing?
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