Chapter 5: Gloria Martinez

January 8, 2074, was the happiest day Xida Castedei had spent since her exile to Night City.

Whether it was receiving a mission reward of over ten thousand euro for the first time, or meeting a strange AI named Yahweh who "wanted to become human," both were reasons worthy of celebrating with a few drinks at the Afterlife bar.

"How about it, little girl? Mission accomplished well?" Claire Russell, the bartender at Afterlife, was wiping a wine glass when she saw Xida return from turning in the mission to Rogue, hopping along as she walked.

"Today was absolutely fantastic!" Xida quietly made a subtle gesture, then let out a goofy chuckle.

Seeing Xida's adorable expression, Claire's lips curled up in a smile as well.

"I'm buying today, kid," Claire said with a smile; indeed, it was a good day worth celebrating.

"Ha! Thanks, Claire!" Xida looked even happier. She didn't refuse the bartender's kindness, slowly taking a seat at the bar. "Give me a glass... let me think... give me two 'Johnny Silverhands'!"

"Two Tequila Sunrises, plus some beer and chili..." Claire muttered the recipe while quickly mixing the drinks; her skills were always excellent.

"Thanks..." Xida took the two glasses from Claire's hands.

"One glass, to this Night City, to all the friends at Afterlife, and to that rock legend with a heart burning like fire!" Xida raised a glass with a smile, glanced around, and without hesitation downed it in one gulp, feeling the liquid fire slide down her throat into her stomach. The taste was sweet, mixed with a hint of spiciness.

"Well done! Kid!"

"So cool!"

"Awesome!"

Not just the bartender Claire, but most of the Mercenaries who frequently came and went at Afterlife knew Xida. Seeing the young girl's valiant and spirited appearance, they didn't hesitate to offer their cheers.

Although she had only been in Night City for a few short months, Xida Castedei had already gained a bit of fame at Afterlife due to her stunning beauty, her kind and lively personality, and her outstanding mission completion efficiency. Although Rogue had subtly provided some care, in the world of Night City Mercenaries, those without ability were long since thrown into the dump.

Xida, feeling the lingering taste of the strong liquor in her mouth, waved to the surroundings in response.

"There's one more glass I want to drink with someone," Xida pursed her lips, pointing to her own eyes which were glowing blue, looking as if she were contacting someone. Claire and the other Mercenaries tactfully stopped disturbing her, leaving the happy young girl a private space.

In reality, Xida was simply talking with Yahweh; it looked exactly like she was on a call, which saved her from being misunderstood as talking to herself.

"Yahweh," Xida glanced at the man sitting beside her. Under the flickering neon lights, his figure appeared both real and illusory. "This glass is to myself, and to our meeting today..." She downed it in one gulp again, a faint blush quietly climbing onto her cheeks.

"Xida..." Yahweh turned his body, propping his head up with one hand, gazing at the girl beside him whose face was like peach blossoms, bright and captivating. The corners of his mouth rose slightly.

"Let's go... let's go home!" Xida had rested at the bar for a while; the liquor's aftereffect was surprisingly strong.

"I'll drive," seeing Xida's somewhat dizzy appearance, Yahweh decided to condescend to act as a driving AI once more to escort the little princess home.

"You? Like Delamain? That's great! Ha!" Hearing this, the drunk Xida declined Claire's offer of an escort, stating that she already had someone to send her.

Claire winked at Xida with a teasing expression. Although she was curious about which guy was so lucky, she didn't press further.

"Hmph... Xida is definitely drunk, such a child, with such poor tolerance..." On the way out of Afterlife, Yahweh followed closely beside Xida, muttering. Anyone attempting to approach with ill intent automatically moved aside as if controlled by someone. Considering Xida was drunk, Yahweh decided not to hold a grudge against the foolish act of comparing him to Delamain.

Yahweh waved his hand lightly, and the door to Xida's beloved car, Sky Hera, opened automatically. After watching the drunk Xida obediently and quietly take the passenger seat, Yahweh followed and sat in the driver's seat.

After connecting to the internet via Xida's personal terminal, Yahweh felt like a fish in water, even able to influence the real world to a certain extent with his virtual body. If it weren't for the constraints of the basic terminal network connection Crystal Yuan Xida used...

Yahweh shook his head, dispelling a thought he had already abandoned. He had made a promise to Xida and never intended to break his word.

Yahweh glanced at the girl's rosy cheeks, forcibly accessed the car system, and manipulated the passenger seat to slowly recline to a comfortable angle.

As soon as they entered the car, rain began to fall lightly over Night City. After Xida got in, she was quite quiet; she only glanced at him once before closing her eyes peacefully, seemingly asleep.

"Sigh..." Yahweh pretended to be driving. In reality, he had forcibly hacked into the old Sky Hera via the internet, simply writing a driving program, so manual operation wasn't needed. Although there was no need to pose as driving, life still needed a bit of ritual to be interesting. Yahweh seemed to realize something and nodded lightly.

Xida Castedei's little nest was located in the Super Skyscraper H4. Although the name sounded quite imposing, in reality, it was just a large apartment building. Some people rented small rooms there on meager work incomes; others, unable to pay rent at all, simply slept in the corridors outside the apartments, under the open sky.

When Xida got out of the car, most of the alcohol had worn off. Although she was very curious about how Yahweh, who lived only in her mind, managed all this, she was not in a hurry to seek the truth.

She trusted Yahweh without reason, believing he had the ability to handle everything; otherwise, her naturally cautious self would never have gotten drunk so recklessly in Night City.

"Let's go," Xida smiled brightly as she watched Yahweh get out of the driver's seat. After he locked the car doors, they walked out of the garage together, heading toward the stairs.

Yahweh simply said "Okay" in a soft voice, his virtual figure following the girl at a moderate distance. They tacitly avoided further conversation outdoors to prevent prying eyes.

The ground was wet and covered in footprints; it seemed many people hadn't brought umbrellas and were soaked by the sudden downpour, looking like drowned rats. Xida thought to herself, and on her way, she bought a cheap bento box and some snacks from a stall near the stairwell that was still open. Having been busy until now, her stomach was already empty.

By the time they slowly reached the elevator entrance, they unexpectedly met an acquaintance—Gloria Martinez.

The story of how Xida and Gloria met was a long one.

At that time, Xida had only been in Night City for half a month and had just moved into the Super Skyscraper H4. While completing her second mission, she accidentally got her arm cut by a stray bullet. Since she didn't want to waste money on an expensive Ripperdoc to treat the wound, she simply held the injury and walked all the way home.

It was at the elevator entrance that Xida met Gloria, who had just finished her night shift. Out of kindness and professional duty, Gloria treated the girl's wound, who was pretending to be strong, and took not a single cent.

Xida Castedei was a person who repaid kindness. Especially the next day at Afterlife, when Rogue scolded her harshly—"Luckily the wound was treated in time, otherwise this native arm would have been ruined."

After that, Xida regarded Gloria as one of her benefactors, occasionally buying daily necessities for Gloria and her son David, and providing free help. Although Gloria initially refused Xida's repayment resolutely, she couldn't withstand Xida's nagging at her home every few days, so she finally accepted the girl's sincere kindness.

By coincidence today, they met Gloria again at the elevator entrance. Xida thought, greeted Gloria with a smile, exchanged a few pleasantries, and mentioned that she would visit their home in a few days to chat.

Gloria nodded with a look of great distress, got off the elevator on the third floor without looking back, but the smile on her lips betrayed her true feelings.

Having struggled in Night City for so many years, single mother Gloria Martinez naturally understood the treachery of human hearts, but facing the kind-hearted Xida, she always found it hard to refuse.

"She looks very tired, Xida..." Yahweh watched the two interact silently. Only after Gloria left the elevator did he speak, pointing to the single mother's retreating figure.

"She is supporting her son's education... at Arasaka Academy... with her wages, it is indeed very hard..." Xida sighed, secretly making a firm decision to ensure Gloria's family escaped their suffering.

Yahweh looked at Xida's profile, remained silent for a moment, and spoke gently,

"Rest assured, Xida... we agreed on this... I am here too."

"Ding!" The elevator arrived. Xida said nothing, only smiling silently. Shoulder to shoulder with Yahweh, they walked out of the elevator together, heading toward their little nest.