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Jack sat in the backseat, hands on his head, looking utterly defeated. The revelation about his idol's secrets still weighed heavily on him. If he could choose, he'd much rather abandon this mission entirely.
Arthur drove on, navigating the bustling streets of Night City. Before they could leave the vibrant singing and dancing district, a motorcycle roared past them. Moments later, it slowed down, aligning itself with Arthur's car.
"Hey, brother! We meet again. Taking your son out on a date?" called the rider.
Arthur glanced sideways and smirked. It was the same young Tiger Claw member he'd encountered earlier in Kabuki.
"Yeah," Arthur replied, leaning out the window. "The kid hasn't seen much of the world. Thought I'd take him to Westbrook to broaden his horizons."
The Tiger Claw rider blinked, momentarily stunned. A date in Westbrook? Most people went to Taipingzhou to see the sea or splurged on love hotels. Who took someone to Westbrook to admire plants?
But the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a genius idea. After all, visiting Westbrook didn't cost a thing.
"Brilliant," the rider said, giving Arthur a thumbs-up. "You're really something. The money saved on hotels could feed an army. I gotta try that one day!"
The rider's admiration grew. To him, Arthur seemed like a man with unparalleled wisdom.
He slowed his bike further, letting it drift alongside the backseat window. Curious, he wanted to see what kind of "date" a guy with such high emotional intelligence would bring along.
Jack, seated in the back, was rolling down the window to air out the confined space. His mood was still sour, and the lingering embarrassment of wearing a pink dress hadn't faded.
When the Tiger Claw rider got a glimpse of Jack, his jaw nearly hit the handlebars. He almost lost control of his bike, the front wheel wobbling dangerously as he scrambled to steady himself.
"Good God..." the rider muttered under his breath, eyes wide with disbelief.
Arthur noticed the young man's horrified expression and smiled sheepishly. "What can I say? Everyone has their preferences. I happen to like the stronger type."
The Tiger Claw rider shook his head in astonishment. "Brother... your taste is truly unique. I'm willing to call you the best in this field!"
After a brief pause, he throttled his bike and sped off, disappearing into the distance.
Jack, meanwhile, was too lost in his thoughts to care about the biker's reaction. He had already endured the humiliation of dressing in drag. His pride had hit rock bottom, and nothing else could faze him now.
Arthur chuckled softly but didn't say anything.
Sometimes, people have fantasies about others, and those fantasies make them see only what they want to see. They idealize someone, excusing even their most nonsensical behavior.
It's like how some people believe fairies don't poop. Ridiculous. Even in 2076, people like Hanako Arasaka still had to handle basic human functions.
As they drove on, the skyscrapers of Night City began to thin out. Office buildings and residential towers became sparse, and occasional patches of greenery peeked through the gaps.
In a city dominated by steel and neon, these glimpses of nature were rare treasures. Yet, people often forgot the price of that green—a price paid in human lives and corporate exploitation.
The History of North Oak
North Oak, part of Westbrook, had once been the largest refugee camp in the region. It was a chaotic, lawless place, plagued by violence and poverty. Eventually, the corporations stepped in, claiming to "restore order."
In truth, it was a mass eviction disguised as a cleanup operation. Those who refused to leave were labeled criminals. Those who complied were deemed good citizens. It was that simple.
The corporations turned the area into an exclusive residential district, rebranding it as a haven for the elite.
Now, North Oak was a stark contrast to the rest of Night City. The streets were clean and quiet, with expensive cars gliding past. Even the air smelled different—a crisp scent that reeked of money.
Arthur slowed the car as they approached a roundabout, driving toward the gated villa community on the hill.
The silence was almost unsettling. In a city overflowing with chaos, North Oak felt eerily serene.
"This place feels like a different planet," Jack muttered, breaking his silence.
Arthur grinned, glancing at him in the rearview mirror. "Cheer up. We're almost there. You look too haggard. Where's your Twisted Street charm?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "You make it sound like I'm picking up clients on Twist Street. I'm doing this for the mission, Arthur."
Still, he slapped his cheeks lightly, forcing himself to focus.
Arthur slowed the car even more as they approached the security checkpoint. NCPD officers and private security guards signaled him to stop.
Arthur turned to Jack, inspecting his expression. "You don't look like someone meeting a rock star. You should be honored to meet Kerry Eurodyne!"
Jack glared at him. "You're enjoying this way too much, Arthur."
"Hey, I'm just saying. Uncle Kerry's attention is a privilege. Look excited, will you?"
Jack groaned, staring at his reflection in the car's vanity mirror. He looked ridiculous in the pink dress, but there was no turning back now.
Arthur reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a syringe. "Here," he said, tossing it to Jack. "It's a stimulant. Won't save your life, but it'll give you a boost. You need to look lively."
Jack sighed, examining the syringe. "I swear, Arthur, if this mission fails..."
Arthur just smirked, rolling the car to a stop at the checkpoint.
The Smell of Money
The guards approached, their high-tech gear glinting under the streetlights. They scanned the car and waved Arthur to lower the window.
Arthur flashed his best smile, handing over his forged credentials. Beside him, Jack adjusted his posture, forcing a polite smile despite his embarrassment.
The guards barely glanced at the documents before stepping back and allowing them through.
As the gate lifted, Arthur accelerated gently, steering the car toward their destination.
The air grew fresher as they climbed higher into the hills. The sprawling villas of North Oak loomed ahead, each one a testament to obscene wealth. The carefully cultivated greenery surrounding the mansions was a rare luxury in Night City.
Arthur smirked as he glanced at Jack in the rearview mirror. "You smell that? That's the smell of banknotes."
Jack scoffed. "Smells like fertilizer to me."
Arthur laughed. "You're not wrong. This greenery is expensive to maintain. Costs more than an entire year's worth of Night City taxes."
Jack shook his head. "Rich people are weird."
Arthur chuckled, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Welcome to the world of the elite, Jack. Play your part well, and maybe we'll survive this mission."
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