Cyberpunk: Starting in 2071

Chapter 45 Homecoming
"There are a few reasons."

Mercer said earnestly:

"First of all, you're beautiful. Just looking at you makes me feel good. Panan, why are you rolling your eyes? Why do you think I'd ask you to drive me instead of Mitch or Scorpion?"

Mercer, looking at Panan who was staring at him speechlessly, said confidently, "Look at V's face and figure. Even those sex dolls from Genting Highlands, you can't get this kind of look without spending 100,000 euros, let alone V being natural."

He spent almost half an hour comparing a lot of data before creating it; to be honest, he really likes it.

"What about the second one?" Panan looked at him with a somewhat disdainful gaze—a precocious child, already like this before he's even fully grown, what will he be like when he grows up?
Mercer scoffed, turned to look at V, who showed absolutely no embarrassment, and continued:

"Secondly, it's your potential."

Even if you can't tell yourself, who is this guy?
At first glance, I can tell that your physical attributes are definitely not low. Your reaction is at least 17 points or higher, and your physical potential is certainly terrifyingly high.

What's lacking now is experience and a cybernetic body—if you had a S'anwestan, you could easily take down ninety percent of the mercenaries in this bar.

"Third, I can't say. I have a little secret that I can't reveal to you right now."

After Mercer finished speaking, V was quite pleased to be praised, but upon closer reflection, he realized that the guy still hadn't explained why he had come directly to him.

She racked her brains, but the most she could come up with was that this lecherous little dwarf had taken a liking to her face and then followed the trail to find her online.
Well, that's understandable. Ever since she was thirteen, there have been plenty of people in Heywood who wanted to date her, but she wasn't interested in just anyone.

Aside from that, V really couldn't figure out what was so special about herself that made her stand out.

Surely I can't actually be some kind of genius, right?

Mercer didn't urge her to accept immediately, but said, "Go back and think about it carefully. But there are some things I have to say beforehand, so you don't feel like I've harmed you."

V, for this city, I am still a newcomer. Although I think I am capable enough and awesome enough, to be honest, here, the real genius is the one who survives.

I'm not one of those guys who do petty theft and are content with living in a mansion and driving a nice car.

I have big ambitions and a lot to do. I want to become a true legend in this city!
So, following me means that all ordinary life will be gone, and you will only encounter countless enemies more terrifying and powerful than Fenrir in your future life.

Even I can't guarantee that everyone who works with me will live to retirement with all their body parts intact. I'm not even sure about my own future.

But no matter what, even if I die, I will die like Barthes, turning this world upside down.

V, go back and think it over carefully, then give me an answer. Whether you agree to join or not, we can still be friends.

Nobody or famous?

V, what do you think?

Mercer's sincere tone and bold words left V speechless for a moment. After a while, she said with some difficulty, "A, I need to go back and think about it carefully."

"no problem."

Mercer replied, and then transferred 2000 euros to her first.

"What are you doing?" V was caught off guard—trying to corrupt your sister V with money? That's too direct!

"Go pay your rent first, and I'll deduct it from your pay after the job is done." Mercer made no attempt to hide the fact that he had already thoroughly investigated her.

V hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "Okay, thanks, A."

"Call me Mercer or whatever you prefer."

Mercer said, then stood up and said, "That's all for today. I'll contact you when I get the mission information."

"No problem, I promise I won't let you down."

V said earnestly, "A, thanks, I... I really need this money right now."

Without those 2000 euros, she was really afraid that she would be kicked out by the landlord before Mercer even assigned her any work.

Mercer just smiled and said, "I told you, even if we can't work together, you're quite to my liking. Let's be friends, and I'll just let you know if I need anything."

V nodded emphatically: "Okay, buddy, I got it."

She stood up with a street-style flair, reached out and bumped shoulders with Mercer, then downed her drink in one gulp: "Then I'll go back and wait for your news."

“Hmm,” Mercer said, “How about trying Johnny Silverhand?”

V was taken aback, while Panan looked at Mercer with disdain—this guy hadn't given up yet. He failed to fool him, and now he wanted to trick V into experiencing the same pain.

"What Johnny Silver Hand?" V looked at Mercer blankly.

"A glass of wine, named after a legendary mercenary named Johnny Silverhand, which was his favorite drink in his next life."

After Mercer finished speaking, V noticed Panan's expression.

"Uh, I've heard of this guy before. What's this wine paired with?"

she asked cautiously.

“Old-fashioned tequila, beer, and chili,” Claire explained simply.

V immediately shook her head: "Forget it, I don't think I can get used to it."

Mercer looked regretful and shook his head: "Alright, then I'll drive you?"

"No need, I'm driving. It's a bit shabby, but it's still drivable." V smiled and left first, looking somewhat preoccupied.

It seems she's quite interested in Mercer's proposal for collaboration.

Panan sat at the bar and waited for V to leave before saying sarcastically, "Stop looking. She's gone, what are you still staring at? I think that girl is tempted, she's probably going to be tricked into getting on the boat by you."

"Something doesn't quite ring a bell to me about what you're saying," Mercer said, giving her a teasing look. "It's not like it's about tricking people into bed or recruiting them for business. Can you really call that a scam?"

“Fine, I can’t argue with you,” Panan said bluntly. “But I just feel that your motives aren’t pure.”

Mercer glanced at her sideways without any politeness: "Do you think my purpose in asking you to drive me is innocent?"

Panan looked disgusted: "Don't mess with me, I'm really not a pervert."

"Ha," Mercer chuckled twice. "Panan, let me ask you, do you think V is capable enough?"

"He's a bit clumsy, but his skill level is not bad. Just now, even I almost couldn't keep up with his reaction."

Panan spoke the truth, but then stared at Mercer, suddenly becoming angry: "What did you mean by pushing me away just now?"

"Why are you getting angry with me? I saved your life, Panan."

Mercer glared at her, his temper no less fiery: "You should say thank you to me!"

"Get lost! You think your sister needs your help? Next time, you better stand back and behave yourself, you hear me?"

Panan stared at him defiantly: "If you hadn't pushed me away, I would have drawn my gun halfway out."

"Then you fire a shot, but it doesn't kill him. Instead, he chops you up with a knife?" Mercer loves to tell the truth.

“You invited me here to take the fall for you, and now you want me to hide in the back when things go wrong? Then why did you call me here in the first place?” Panan retorted sharply.

"Why are you so stubborn, woman? Has it come to the point where you have to take the blame?"

Mercer was even more defiant, slamming his fist on the table: "I hired you to be my driver, not to have you die for me."

"I," Panan didn't finish his sentence.

Claire quickly interjected, "What are you two doing, A? Don't tell me you don't know what she really means—she's just angry that she didn't protect you well."

"She shouldn't be angry with me. What did I do to offend her? I saved her, and I still get scolded? Does that make any sense?"

As Mercer spoke, Panan was speechless this time, but he turned his face away and took a couple of sips of beer.

After a long pause, she finally turned her head back and said, "I'm sorry."

"Alright, I know what you mean."

Mercer, however, said irritably, "If you act so unreasonably again, I'll start swearing."

Panan remained silent for a while before muttering, "Lucy was right, you really are born to be a big brother, you're just as fierce as Thor."

"You don't need to tell me. Let's go, stop drinking, or I'll have to be your driver. Also, thanks, Claire."

Mercer rolled his eyes at Parnan, then thanked Claire.

"It's nothing. But next time you come for drinks, don't make it so exciting." Claire nodded with a helpless smile.

Panan put down the bottle, nodded, and greeted Claire. Mercer had already paid. As the two walked to the parking spot and got into the car, Panan suddenly fell silent again and didn't start the car.

After waiting a while, she turned to look at Mercer and said seriously, "Thank you, Mercer. I was just suddenly a little angry."

"Oh." Mercer hadn't taken off his mask yet, so his expression was unreadable.

Panan sighed and apologized earnestly:

"It was then that I suddenly felt a bit scared. If V hadn't fired that shot, and you hadn't been able to disable that guy's prosthetic body in time, that shot wouldn't have killed Fenrir."
I can only watch helplessly as you die in front of me.

I know you've always considered yourself the older brother, but in my eyes you're still a child.

I'm angry at myself.

I've never experienced anything like that before. When I first saw him make his move, my mind went blank for a second. Oh well, anyway…

Panan scratched her head for a long time, unable to explain why she was angry. She herself felt that her sudden anger was a bit unreasonable.

"I know."

Mercer, however, had almost completely grasped her thoughts.

At that moment, he took off his mask and rubbed his face: "Alright, no need to apologize. I know why you had your episode just now."

Although Panan was a little angry when he had his episode, he couldn't think of any reason to be angry after thinking about it carefully, so he could only stay silent and listen obediently.

"It's because you still see me as a child from the bottom of your heart that when I was in danger, you found that I not only didn't run away, but also took the initiative to go over to me, so you wanted to take the position of an adult and educate me."

At first, I didn't react because the scene was too exciting and I hadn't recovered yet. Once I recovered, I realized that I hadn't accomplished anything this time.
Then you start getting angry at yourself, and when I talk to you, your anger comes out on me.

I understand, but, Panan, you can't do that again.

Mercer looked at her earnestly: "And stop treating me like a child, so that similar things won't happen to you again."

Panan thought about it carefully and realized that it was true. If it had been Scorpion Mitch who had helped her up, she would have thanked him honestly. But why was she suddenly throwing a tantrum with Mercer?

She just thinks he's a child, and that he should shrink back when there's danger, while it's her, as an adult, who should be in front.
In addition, feeling somewhat embarrassed for not being able to help at all and even being saved by Mercer, I felt a strange sense of pride and wanted to teach him how to handle situations.
But what right do I have to educate others?
Not only did they bring their entire family with them when they ran away from Arasaka, but they also found a reliable prosthetic doctor, Victor, in just one day.

He also met Roger, the most powerful middleman in Night City, and stepped into the Rebirth Bar, a place that countless mercenaries never even entered before they died.

Incidentally, he and V also killed a cyber psychopath covered in horrific gear.

She's completely fooled by V, this seemingly reliable mercenary. She'll probably officially join Mercer's crew once he finishes his tasks.

She had no idea how he had accomplished all of these things. Now that she thought about it, even setting aside her limited understanding of hacking techniques, he was truly incredibly skilled.

Panan bit his lip, and after a long while, he didn't know what to say. He could only scratch his head and say again, "I'm sorry."

She felt a little embarrassed; she was an eighteen-year-old adult, yet she'd been taught a lesson by a thirteen or fourteen-year-old. It was truly...
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I know you're not a bad person at heart."

Mercer gave her a way out, then glanced at her and laughed: "What? You can't expect me to apologize to you, can you? Shouldn't I have said I hired you just to drive me?"

But that's really what I think. I didn't hire you to be my bodyguard this time.

I'm already very grateful that you stood firmly by my side no matter what happened today. You don't need to worry about anything else.

"What? How about you officially join me and work for me? Then I'll stop saying things like you're just a driver."

Panan awkwardly turned her face away like a little girl: "I don't care. Anyway, don't tell them when you go back, it's too embarrassing."

"I understand." Mercer smiled and shook his head—this girl really has no guile or bad intentions, she's frighteningly innocent, and she says whatever comes to mind.

"Let's drive. When we get back, I need to test my hacker chair. Finally, I can start deep-sea diving."

I still need to find a place in Night City where our whole family can stay. I wonder how much it will cost. Sigh.

Mercer said, fastened his seatbelt, and Panan drove off.

The car drove steadily through the traffic under the neon lights of Night City. Panan felt a little embarrassed and didn't dare to talk, while Mercer was also a bit tired, so he simply turned on the radio to listen.

Listening to the music, quietly enjoying the feeling of walking through the city at night, gazing at this city that has been buried with countless lives to grow so beautiful, Mercer was lost in thought.

Even now, he still feels somewhat unreal—as if he's still wandering.

I don't really have much of a sense of belonging.

Even today, he still occasionally has the illusion that he is just playing a game, and when the game ends and he wakes up, he will return to that ordinary yet hopeless daily life.

Mercer tilted his head, leaned against the car window, and thought carefully: perhaps for the people here, his past life was simply paradise.

With a stable social environment, you don't have to worry about being taken away by a stray bullet while walking down the street, or about getting into an argument with someone in a bar and that person suddenly going crazy and starting to kill.

The food wasn't exactly high-class, but it was all genuine beef, lamb, and pork, and the vegetables were all fresh.

A home with clean water, a place where you can sleep peacefully, and a stable job.

Even if everyone is cursing the company for being stupid, at least in the real world, capitalism hasn't evolved to the point where people would be grateful for only having five days off a year.
Mercer was a little homesick, but not really—looking at the flashing neon lights and traffic on the street, he felt like he was probably really going crazy.

The scene of almost being shredded by the cyber madman was still fresh in his mind, yet he was already savoring it and looking forward to the next exciting encounter.

Perhaps it was precisely because he longed for an extraordinary and unusual life that he clicked on the option in the game before time travel?
Mercer slightly opened the car window, and the unique, slightly foul-smelling air of Night City rushed into his nostrils.

Ironically, the fragrance wafting from Panan in the car made him feel a little unreal, but the stench suddenly made him feel real that he was in Night City.

He stretched out his hand, feeling the shape of the air in his palm, and unconsciously revealed a faint smile.

What are you doing?

Panan looked at him, his face still so young, stretching out his hand to feel the wind outside the window, and couldn't help but purse his lips—although he had a small face, he certainly didn't look like the kind of expression a child would make.

I always felt that he seemed somewhat relieved, yet also somewhat melancholic.
Did you know that wind at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour forms the shape of a D-cup?

Mercer's tone was as if he were reciting poetry.

Panan couldn't hold back and burst out laughing: "Damn! Mercer! You little brat!"

Mercer merely curled the corners of his lips and turned to look back at her: "Do you know where Johnny Silverhand was when Arasaka Tower exploded?"

"Huh? Why are you suddenly bringing this up? I don't know him. Where is he?"

Panan shook his head.

"Him? He's everywhere, laughing out loud!"

After Mercer finished speaking, he burst into laughter.

Panan was taken aback at first, but then he burst into laughter, and the awkward atmosphere from before completely disappeared.

Mercer closed the window and retreated into the car, chatting and joking with her until the car stopped. She then caught sight of Lucy sitting at the campsite entrance, gazing at the stars in a daze, and stopped talking.

"Oh, someone's waiting for you to come home."

Her intention was to make fun of Mercer. She knew that, just as he didn't like being treated like a child, he also didn't really like being teased about his relationship with Lucy.

Because he always thought of himself as a mature adult, he felt that making such jokes with young girls was perverted.

But no one else cared about that; the more embarrassed he was, the more amusing it was to see the adult expression on his little face.

However, to Panan's surprise, Mercer's expression suddenly changed into a very complicated expression and look in his eyes.

Panan didn't know what that look and expression meant, only that Mercer waited for two seconds before suddenly smiling with a sense of relief.

"Yes, there are still people waiting for me to come back, that's great."

He pushed open the door, and Lucy, sitting on a plastic box on the outskirts of the camp, looked at him. Her cool expression under her short hair instantly turned into a faint smile.

"You got back very late, did everything go smoothly?"

Lucy asked, slowly getting up and looking him over: "You've dyed your hair black and changed your clothes. You look pretty good, it suits you well."

"Hmm~ I even bought you new clothes, come and see?"

He smiled and opened the trunk of Parnan's car, and Lucy walked over to him, put her hands behind her back, bent down slightly, and looked at the many things in the trunk.

Lucy complained a little, "You should be more careful with your money. Zeta Technology even sent you some stuff today. Where did you get so much money?"

"Thanks to our special agent Arasaka's friendly sponsorship, since you're already here, why don't you help me move in? Let me tell you about the exciting things that happened to me today. There were quite a few things that happened today."

Mercer just smiled and shoved the things directly into her hands. Lucy frowned, carrying several large bags, and was so heavy that she could hardly walk. "Sigh, I should have known better than to come out."

Even so, she still struggled to keep up with Mercer, because she was carrying a lot of things and walked like a waddling little penguin.

Panan stood by the car with his arms crossed. After a while, he chuckled, shook his head, and decided not to think about the reason since Mercer seemed quite happy anyway.

She also lent a hand, carrying all the miscellaneous things Mercer had bought while shopping that day.

"Wait, when did you buy so many Mewtwo chips? Sailor Moon? Oh my god, you watch that?"

Panan laughed and followed.

Mercer turned his head and stared at her speechlessly: "I bought it for Xingzi."

"Really?" Lucy chuckled. "Don't worry, no one will bother you while you watch this."

"Go to hell," Mercer laughed, and walked deeper into the camp.

The starry sky in the wilderness is still bright.

Like the reflection of neon lights in a city at night.

Mercer's first day in Night City was drawing to a close.

But his story in Night City was only just beginning.

(End of this chapter)