Chapter 75: Gathering

Japan Street in Night City is always bustling, whether day or night.

Many fashionably dressed, provocative women stand on the streets, waving at passing strangers.

Beneath their flaring short skirts, the scars of cybernetic modifications stand out conspicuously.

In the narrow alleys untouched by light, several pairs of crimson cybernetic eyes lie hidden, patiently waiting for the right prey to step into the trap.

The biting wind howls, yet cannot extinguish the flames of countless desires.

An Xianyuan took Laura by the hand and left the upscale apartment on Charter Hill.

"So beautiful…" Laura whispered.

"Hm?"

"Why is it so beautiful…"

"The night view of Japan Street?"

"Mm… I used to live there, but I never noticed it before…"

"Your perspective—or rather, your standpoint—has changed, Laura." An Xianyuan gently knelt down, slowly pulling Laura into her arms, resting her chin on the girl's confused little head.

"Perspective? Standpoint?"

"Before, you were in hell, so you could only feel its cruel torment and the ever-present stench—mixed with blood and sulfur."

"And now?" Laura, slightly bewildered, rubbed her head against the woman's smooth chin.

"Now… perhaps you've reached the border between hell and the human world."

"I don't quite understand…"

"I just want to say… don't be deceived by the painted illusions, like the glittering night you see before you." An Xianyuan gently pinched Laura's slightly puffed cheek, continuing, "The stars shine bright, yet evil brews in their shadows."

Before her words faded, a grand firework exploded in the distance.

Laura instinctively let out a soft scream and buried herself tightly in An Xianyuan's warm, safe embrace.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid—you'll get used to it. This is Night City." An Xianyuan gazed at the car wreck burning fiercely, glancing subtly at the Company's covertly deployed private guards.

One arm held Laura; the other pointed to the sky, making a gesture.

Instantly, countless shadows surged, silently eliminating all unstable elements.

"It's safe now. Want to get something to eat?" An Xianyuan stood upright, holding Laura, and looked toward the now largely empty Japan Street.

"I want something warm…" Laura whispered, exhaling rings of vapor that vanished instantly.

◎

"One more… BlueFairy." V whispered, wiping beads of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

"Mind if I ask… why is your alcohol tolerance so high?" Gil asked curiously, operating the cocktail machine.

"Workplace stress… it's intense," V sighed lightly. "After every job, when I feel down, I have a drink… and before I knew it, my tolerance went up."

"So… being a powerful woman isn't easy, huh?" Gil nodded in agreement, placing the glass gently before V.

This was the ninth drink of the day.

Inside the glass, the usual gradient hues of mixed alcoholic drinks remained.

Bright blue and deep blue stood sharply side by side, like the sky and sea echoing each other, with no land to separate them.

V withdrew her gaze, picked up the glass, and slowly let the shimmering blue liquid slip between her lips.

"How is it?"

"Very sweet… very mild."

"Ah! I forgot to warn you—brush your teeth after drinking this…" Gil slapped her forehead, feigning regret.

"Huh? Why? Is it too sweet?" V rubbed the back of her head, confused why the bartender suddenly made such an exaggerated expression.

"Just… your teeth will turn blue." The regretful expression shattered into uncontrollable laughter. Gil pulled a small round mirror from her pocket and handed it to V so she could see for herself.

V took the mirror and gave herself a standard, toothy smile.

The blue-stained teeth made her once-stunning smile look absurd.

"I can use this later to scare Jack and the others…"

V didn't mind Gil's friendly little prank—instead, she chuckled inwardly, already plotting.

"I was worried you'd get mad," Gil carefully watched V's face, not missing any flicker of emotion.

"Am I that petty?" V puffed her nose, sticking out her tongue at Gil.

"Not anymore…" Gil burst into laughter, shoulders shaking, clutching her stomach, nearly bent double.

"Gil has an unexpectedly low sense of humor?" V set her empty glass back on the bar and teased the bartender, who was laughing so hard tears formed.

"It's the contrast—the contrast is too extreme. I never imagined you making a face like that…" Gil rubbed her aching abdomen, gasping.

The cold, aloof woman suddenly dropped her icy demeanor, poking her nose with her finger to form a pig snout—the contrast made it hilariously funny.

"I never thought V was like this…" Gil mimicked V's expression, making a silly face.

"Hah… yeah, it really is funny." V blushed slightly, scratching the back of her head, her toes instinctively curling inside her shoes.

Amid laughter, the second and third guests of the night pushed open the bar's door together.

"Hey! V! And Miss Gil, good evening!"

Hearing that loud voice, V didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Jack! Lower your voice—you're hurting my ears." V grumbled.

"Good evening, Mr. Wells," Gil replied politely, out of professional courtesy.

"Good evening, V, Gil." Only after they greeted Jack did Misty, who had remained silent, softly offer her own greeting.

After some small talk, the small bar suddenly came alive.

"So you and Jack have been here before?" V pulled Misty over to sit beside her, leaving Jack alone.

"Twice…" Misty covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, her eyes constantly flicking toward Jack, who was shaking his head and drinking like a cow.

"How about it, V? The bar I recommended isn't bad, is it?" Jack let out a refreshing sigh. "The GutPunch here is still the most authentic!"

"Mm, mm, mm..." V nodded perfunctorily.

"You two are truly amusing." Gil, having silently observed the entire process, offered his neutral opinion.

"By the way, Misty, I want to show you something."

If not for Gil's subtle glance reminding him, V would have almost forgotten to play a prank on Jack and Misty.

"What?"

"Come closer and you'll see." V struggled to maintain the curve of his lips, not letting his smile leak out.