Free Web NovelChapter 299: 299 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 10
When the next day came, I took David back to the academy again.
Because David was a commoner attending Arasaka Academy on a strained budget, he couldn’t easily get along with the wealthy students who could continue their studies at leisure. Moreover, there were those who disliked David, who was always causing trouble, and at the center of them was ’Tanaka Katsuo’, the son of an Arasaka high‑ranking executive.
The problem was the parent insults and physical abuse that Tanaka Katsuo threw at him. Because of that, David couldn’t contain his anger, and he went to find Tanaka Katsuo at school with the Sandevistan implanted and beat him. This incident was recorded on video, and the fact that David was fine even after using the military‑grade Sandevistan became an opportunity to catch Arasaka’s eye. I tried to prevent this.
As expected, when we arrived near the academy, Tanaka Katsuo was seen taking David somewhere with his cronies.
"Drop out of the academy, read the room, David Martinez."
"What?"
"You’re a nuisance to our class!"
"If this is about yesterday..."
"It’s not just about yesterday! I’m not bullying you because you’re poor. I’m a progressive. Besides, it’s not your fault you were born poor. And there’s no rule saying poor kids can’t attend the academy. Of course, if you pay the tuition. What I can’t forgive is something else. Do you know what it is?"
"Sorry, I haven’t understood a word you’ve said from the beginning."
"That’s exactly it! Quit, just drop out! You’re the weirdo of our class. Trash that will never fit in. If left alone, you just make everyone around you uncomfortable. Don’t make yourself more of an eyesore."
"You just said earlier — as long as tuition is paid, there’s no problem."
"I heard your mother came to school yesterday and begged for forgiveness? She pleaded not to expel her son? Shameless... Doesn’t it seem strange to you from the start? How could your mother pay the tuition? Care to explain? David Martinez, what did your mother do to pay Arasaka Academy’s tuition? There’s only one way for the bottom feeders of Night City to make quick money. Isn’t it something illegal?"
"Unbelievable. Get out of my way."
David frowned and tried to go to the academy.
But Tanaka Katsuo blocked his way. Angry, David swung a punch at Tanaka, but Tanaka simply blocked that punch.
"Just like a commoner — using cheap chips? Is it freeware or something?"
Tanaka said that and swung his fist to hit David, but this time I moved quickly and caught Tanaka’s hand.
THUD!
"Gasp! Y-y-y-you are!!??"
Tanaka recognized me and was extremely surprised and flustered. His cronies behind him were the same.
"Hey, I use cheap chips too. Want to try with me?"
"Ah... no, that’s..."
I slowly put strength into the hand holding Tanaka’s fist.
Squeeze!
"AAH!"
"You brat, your bones aren’t even breaking, and you’re making such a fuss."
He was making such a big deal out of it, so I just let go of his hand.
"David, are you going to visit your mother in the hospital again today?"
"Yes. Of course I have to go. But how did you..."
"My house is around here too. I saw you as I was passing by."
"Ah, I see."
"Then see you later. Have a good day at the academy."
When I tried to leave, David suddenly grabbed me.
"Hey, Jin!"
"Huh? What?"
"I’m thinking of just skipping the academy today and going to visit my mother... I’m sorry, but could you give me a ride?"
"Really? Alright. It’s not that far anyway."
When I got in the car, David also got in beside me, so we left immediately. Tanaka and his group just stared blankly until we drove away.
"Jin."
As we drove, David spoke to me again.
"What?"
"If I get good implants too, can I become as strong as Jin and earn a lot of money?"
"No."
When I answered without hesitation, David, perhaps embarrassed, scratched his head and spoke.
"Don’t people usually tell you that you can?"
"If it’s not true, it’s not true. Hmm... fine! Rather than just hearing about it, experiencing it would be better. Come with me somewhere."
I turned the car toward the Badlands. Then, at a suitably quiet spot, I parked, and set three cans on a rock. Then I handed David a custom Overture revolver that I had as a spare.
"If you hit all those cans, that gun is yours now."
"Really? This expensive thing..."
David also knew how expensive my custom guns were. Perhaps because of that, his expression was very bright.
"There’s something to be careful about. That gun has a bit of a strong recoil."
"Got it."
David, feeling excited, grabbed the revolver I gave him, aimed at the cans, and pulled the trigger.
BANG!
"WAAH!!"
THUD!
As expected, David, just as I had anticipated, couldn’t fire a single shot properly and fell backward. The guns I use have strong recoil, so it’s difficult for an ordinary person to use.
I helped up the fallen David and spoke. Then David, his wrist hurting from firing the gun, started rubbing it.
"How about it, do you think you can hit even one? Want another chance?"
"Uh, no... the recoil is too strong... I don’t think I can handle it."
I picked up the gun David had been holding again, quickly aimed with one hand, and pulled the trigger repeatedly.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The bullets precisely hit the cans on the rock, and the cans bounced off and scattered in all directions.
"Wow..."
"I hate to say this myself, but the gun you just used was a well‑customized pistol used by mercenaries who have almost reached the top."
"I-I see."
"You couldn’t fire a single shot properly with that gun, but I hit them accurately. Why do you think that is?"
"Well, you have a lot more experience, and you’re well‑trained, so that’s why."
"Right. No matter how good a gun you give a beginner, they can’t shoot it properly. They’d be lucky if they don’t store it incorrectly and shoot their own thigh. Implants are the same. If you install good implants, you can certainly become stronger to some extent, but if the person using them can’t utilize them properly, it’s the same as not having them. And if you become too reliant on implants, the end is obvious. You know it too."
"Cyberpsycho..."
"You know it well. And about money — in Night City, reputation has to follow you, not just strength. That’s how your value increases, and more people will seek you out. Then the money comes on its own. A famous artist once said, ’Once you become famous, even if you shit, people will clap.’ This isn’t just limited to art."
"I see. But the ’clapping for shit’ part is a bit much. Anyway, I understand."
It sounds like a shitty philosophy, but it was my own advice for surviving Night City. I thought David would make his own judgment, and we got back in the car and arrived at Viktor’s clinic. Viktor welcomed us warmly again.
"You’re here. Your mother’s condition is improving. She should wake up in a few days."
"That’s a relief. Thank you."
David held Gloria’s hand and sat for a long time, then, as if he had made a decision, said one thing and stood up.
"Mom, I’m sorry. I can’t reach the top of Arasaka."
I was chatting with Viktor when I saw David stand up.
"I’m going home now — do you want a ride?"
"Yes."
I dropped David off at home, and I also went grocery shopping and returned home.
After that, I was taking requests with Lucy when suddenly, a call came from Maine.
"Long time no see. What’s up?"
– By any chance, do you know a kid named David Martinez?
"Yeah, I know him. The kid I helped out briefly after a car accident. Why, what’s wrong?"
– Haa... that reckless little punk... it was true... Well, you see, the Sandevistan I was supposed to receive — this kid had it implanted.
I played dumb for now.
"Really? So that was yours?" freewebnovёl.ƈom
– Yeah. I had bought it from this kid’s mother, Gloria, for myself to use.
In the end, it seemed David had implanted the Sandevistan into his own body. That must have been what he decided at Viktor’s clinic.
"So where are you now?"
– At Gloria’s place.
"Got it. I’ll come too."
I told Lucy I was going out, and drove to Gloria’s house. There, unlike the original, the entire Maine team was present. David was caught by Maine and hanging upside down. The Maine team greeted me happily as soon as they saw me.
"Long time no see, Jin!"
"Welcome, Jin."
"Yeah, long time no see, everyone."
I scratched my head and looked at David and spoke.
"Haa... this kid messed up. I told him it was a dangerous thing, and he still implanted it in his own body."
"This kid even used your name when he was cornered."
Then Pilar spoke.
"Removing it will cost money."
"Damn it! Touching someone else’s property and causing trouble."
I said to Maine.
"Put him down for now. I’ll pay for the removal cost."
Maine, hearing my words, let David go. Then David fell to the floor, hitting his head.
THUD!
"Ugh!"
Maine sat on the sofa and spoke to David.
"Kid, it’s unfortunate that Gloria is unconscious from the accident, but... that doesn’t mean you can just implant it!"
"I didn’t know it was yours."
Then Pilar laughed and spoke.
"Even so, what kind of idiot implants an implant without even knowing whose it is? This kid’s completely insane."
Dorio also added.
"He probably didn’t know how dangerous it was. His mother’s in an accident, and Jin is offering to pay for the removal, so let’s just let it go. If not for that, you’d be dead."
Then David looked at Maine and began to speak seriously.
"Are you guys cyberpunks (mercenaries)?"
"What if we are?"
"Let me keep the Sandevistan as it is. I’ll pay you. Not right now, but I’ll earn it."
"It’s not about the money. That’s military grade. It’s not something you can just buy off the shelf."
In a way, this should be seen as David saving the Maine team. Because by taking the Sandevistan, it resulted in delaying Maine’s progression into cyberpsychosis. But Maine, not knowing that, was incredulous at the fact that some kid he didn’t even know had implanted it.
"Just give me back the money my mother paid. And let me work with you."
"Hah! You must be joking. What would we do with a rookie like you?"
When Maine scoffed, David spoke proudly to Maine.
"I can use the Sandevistan!"
Pilar, who had been listening, was incredulous.
"Hah! No way. It’s not something a kid can use. With that small build, two uses a day and you’d be fried."
"I used it four times today."
"Wh-what? Hey, don’t lie!"
Everyone was surprised at David’s words and stared at him. Then David slowly stood up and spoke.
"Then shall I show you me using it right now?"
At those words, everyone tensed up and each drew their guns, aiming at David. Because the Sandevistan was not an ordinary thing, they couldn’t help it.
"Hey, don’t move recklessly."
"It’s fine, I’m just going to take his cigarette. That’s all."
David said that, then used the Sandevistan to snatch the cigarette Pilar was smoking in an instant, then put it back.
"Gasp! Huh?"
"With this, that’s five... no, six times today?"
Rebecca, watching that, admired.
"Wow~! Isn’t that cool?"
But Sasha was incredulous.
"What’s cool about it? That kid’s trying to get himself killed."
"Give me a chance!"
"A chance? What chance?"
"Give me any job. I’ll show you I’m good."
At those words, Maine looked at David and thought for a moment. For a moment, silence fell in the room. Then Maine broke that silence and stood up, speaking.
"You’ve got guts, kid. Fine, we’ll test you out. We owe Gloria a debt too."
Maine said that and signaled to Sasha. Then Sasha suddenly hugged David and inserted a shard into the socket behind his neck. David, not understanding what was happening, blushed and was flustered.
"Hey! What is it?"
"Relax. It’s a tracker. It would be troublesome if you ran away."
"I won’t run!"
"All the ones who run say that. I’ll contact you tomorrow morning."
Maine said that and then looked at me and spoke.
"Jin, if you’re free, how about a drink for the first time in a while?"
"Sure. But go ahead and wait. I have some things to say to this kid."
"Then we’ll wait at the Afterlife, so come there."
"Got it."
The Maine team left the house like that. Last to leave, Rebecca looked at David, winked, gave a thumbs up, and left with a smile.
"Are you really sure about taking this path? Was it a mistake to talk to you yesterday?"
"Jin, my mother wanted me to graduate from the academy and become a high‑ranking Arasaka executive, but I’ve realized that’s impossible for someone poor like me. Those kids you saw before — they have solid family backgrounds and connections, so they’ll rise quickly, but no matter how hard I try, I probably won’t be able to go up. Plus, my mother is in the hospital now, so I need money. I can’t keep going to school in this state."
This kid, now speaking informally to me as well, told me his resolve.
"If you’re going to say that much, I suppose I have no choice. But it won’t be easy."
"That’s why I’m asking — teach me how to become strong. Jin, you’re the best among active cyberpunks."
"I’m a busy person too... well, I suppose it doesn’t matter? Fine. But you’ll have to be prepared. Contact me when you’re not working. If I don’t answer, consider me working."
When I allowed it, David was happy.
I left David’s house, picked up Lucy, and went to the Afterlife for a drink.
"He’s a bold little punk. That David punk."
Maine had a drink and smirked.
"I thought he was cool. Not scared of us at all. He seemed to have guts."
Rebecca, having a favorable impression of David, defended him. But Sasha and Kiwi were not.
"Those kinds of guys die the fastest."
"Sasha’s right. Those types don’t last long."
Sasha — if it weren’t for me, she would already be dead — I don’t know what she’s talking about.
"One thing is certain — that kid is insane. Did his mother’s accident make him lose his mind?" ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"Hmm... we made a promise, so we’ll see once we try him out."
Pilar drank and said that. Maine thought and spoke. Then Lucy, who had been quietly listening, asked me.
"It seems a rather unique guy joined the Maine team, huh?"
"Yeah, the kid from the car accident last time..."
I told Lucy what had happened.
"When that kid’s mother wakes up, she’s going to hate it. After working so hard to send him to the academy, he ends up doing mercenary work."
"I know, right."
"Well, I suppose it can’t be helped? Given the situation. From that kid’s perspective, he probably had no options. But why did you agree to train him?"
"Consider it fate. I should at least help him last long. It would be a bit much if he died right away."
Rebecca, who had been listening to that story, raised her hand and spoke.
"I’ll help with that training too!"
"Yeah, sure. Then when you have time, you can take charge of the shooting practice."
"Got it!"
After having a drink like that and returning home, for a while, since there were no requests, I spent time making custom guns or having V make deliveries, and it was only after three days that I got a call from David.
– Maine’s test is over. He said I can train now.
"Really? Then come out in front of my building at 6 AM tomorrow."
– Eh??? That early?
"You don’t want to train? Stop complaining and come!"
– Ah, okay.
Lucy, who had been listening to my call, asked me.
"So starting tomorrow, we’ll have one more person in training, right?"
"Yeah."
It was something we always did. Even if Lucy was under my protection, she was a mercenary, so she didn’t slack off on training. The problem was that if there was no work in the evening, she lazed around at home, though.
When the next day came, Lucy and I got up, washed briefly, put on running clothes, and drove to the apartment where David lived. David was also dressed simply and waiting outside.
"What are we doing this early in the morning... and who’s this?"
"This is my wife, Lucy. She’s also a mercenary and a netrunner."
At my words, Lucy smirked. It seemed she was amused by me introducing her as my wife. But David seemed extremely surprised at those words.
"Eh??? You’re married?"
"Well, we haven’t had a ceremony, but we live together. It’s the same as being married."
"I-I see. Nice to meet you, David."
"Nice to meet you, Lucy."
Watching Lucy and David exchange greetings, I felt a strange feeling. It was probably because of the dissonance with the original. But now Lucy is my woman, so I had no intention of letting her go to David.
We ran along the waterfront road. It was the place where Lucy and David used to run together in the original. David, perhaps because it was his first day, couldn’t keep up with us at all and was running behind, huffing and puffing.
"Huff, huff, huff..."
When the running ended, David was lying sprawled on the floor, breathing heavily.
"David, listen carefully. Stamina is essential for a mercenary. Make sure to run like this every day. When you get used to it, you need to gradually increase the distance."
"What??? Every day??? And you want me to increase the distance???"
"Yeah."
At my words, David sighed deeply.
"Haa..."
"Now that you’ve rested enough, it’s time to start strength training."
"There’s still more?"
"Yeah. You need to build muscle to shoot a gun steadily."
"Haa..."
David, who seemed to have struggled just with the running, looked like he really didn’t want to, but he still finished the strength training.
"Ugh... am I going to get sick doing this???"
"At first, you’ll have muscle pain, so it will be hard, but you’ll get used to it quickly."
I handed David the lunchbox I had packed in the car earlier.
"This is breakfast. Without your mother, it’s probably hard to eat in the morning. So I prepared it. Because our work uses our bodies, we always need to eat well."
"Thanks."
"After you shower and eat, rest a bit, and then go to Rebecca for shooting practice after lunchtime. I’ve already told her, so you just need to go."
Saying that, I also handed him one ’Unity’ pistol, a pistol from Constitutional Arms. The Arms Unity is a mid‑to‑low priced pistol, the most commonly used model. Of course, it wasn’t customized.
"This is a pistol that people commonly use, but it’s just as reliable and easy to train with, so this much should be enough. And a gun is a weapon that kills people, so use it thoughtfully."
"Got it."
"Then come out at the same time tomorrow."
"Okay."
For several days, we just continued with stamina training in the same way. Lucy and I completed a few requests in between.
"Haa, haa..."
"You’re finally starting to keep up. Are you learning shooting well from Rebecca?"
"Huff... yeah..."
"Then from now on, after we finish exercising, let’s practice Gun Kata."
"What’s Gun Kata?"
"Think of it as martial arts using guns."
From that day on, I began teaching David Gun Kata. While also using simulations to create virtual enemies and having him practice realistically. This was the same training that Lucy had received.
Lucy almost never spoke to David beyond greetings. From her expression and tone, she seemed to just think of him as an annoying presence. Perhaps because of that, David never spoke to Lucy at all.
Then, after finishing request work, I went to the Afterlife with Lucy for the first time in a while, and the Maine team was there too, so we joined them and had a drink. I saw David talking to Sasha about various things. Sasha didn’t seem to feel bad about it, as she was smiling and answering him.
’Huh? That’s not right... the big ship Rebecca...’
I glanced at Rebecca. She was sighing with her brother, just drinking.
’Ah... this... is it ruined?’
