Finally, with Lucy's help, David managed to return to his humble residence in Watson District.
The environment was a stark contrast to the bustling vibrancy of Little Chinatown. Trash piled up in the streets, beggars and homeless people lay sprawled on sidewalks, and the alleys reeked of decay. It was a monochrome world, where any trace of color seemed drained from the frame.
As Lucy glanced out of the car window at the grim surroundings, she frowned. "David, are you sure you don't want to come with me? Maybe just sit and talk for a bit?"
David chuckled lightly. "Thanks, but I'm really not free today. I have some things I need to take care of."
Lucy raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You're passing on an invitation to unwind? Well, suit yourself."
The truth was, David knew he couldn't afford distractions right now. After everything he'd experienced, he realized that survival in Night City required focus. Love and relationships could wait. The priority was to get stronger and secure his footing in this cutthroat world.
"If I can't even protect my own life," David thought, "what's the point of love? It's a waste of time for both me and anyone else."
Lucy tilted her head, studying him with curiosity. "You're a strange one, you know that?"
David shrugged with a smile. "I'll let you figure me out when there's time."
"Is that so?" Lucy smirked and leaned out of the car window, extending her hand. "Then promise me something."
She hooked her pinky in the air, her delicate finger standing out against the grime of the surroundings.
David hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand and linked his pinky with hers. "Alright, I promise."
Lucy giggled and added, "By the way, give me your number. I'll call you if I come across any jobs you might like."
David nodded and dictated his number, which Lucy promptly saved. After confirming it, she gave him a wink. "Be careful around here. There are cyber-psychos lurking in places . If anything happens, call me."
With that, she started her car and drove off, leaving David standing by the roadside. He watched her vehicle disappear into the traffic before sighing and turning toward his rundown apartment.
Inside his home, David locked the door, tossed his jacket aside, and lay down on his creaky bed. Taking a deep breath, he activated the interface of the "Traveling Frog" system in his mind.
His little frog companion was still immersed in its book, its expression one of peaceful concentration. David smiled at the scene.
"Alright, little guy, time to get you ready for your next trip."
He opened the frog's virtual backpack and began preparing the essentials: the cheapest lunchbox and the four-leaf clover amulet provided by the system. It was said the amulet could increase the frog's luck value, though David wasn't entirely sure how that worked.
Once everything was arranged, he confirmed the frog's departure by paying the required travel fee: 40,000 euros.
As soon as the payment went through, the system's notifications popped up:
[Travel fee paid successfully! Frog Cub is ready to embark on its journey!]
[System Mall has been updated with new items. Please check!]
David blinked. "The mall has new items?" Without hesitation, he navigated to the system's shop interface.
The store displayed the usual items for the frog's journey—lunchboxes, amulets, and other basic necessities. However, as David scrolled further, he noticed a new category of items that had been added.
There were healing products like Trauma Medicine
Curious, David examined their descriptions. "So these are cyberpunk-style upgrades for the frog? Are they meant to help it survive in tougher environments?"
The prices, however, were staggering. The cheapest healing product, Trauma Medicine, cost 100 clovers. David glanced at his clover balance: 80.
"Guess I'm not buying anything today," he muttered, closing the mall interface. "I'll stick to the basics for now. If I really need these items later, I'll figure something out."
Just as he was about to relax, another notification appeared:
[The next trip will cost 200,000 euros.]
David's jaw dropped. "200,000 euros? That's insane! For that price, the frog might as well be booking a trip to the moon!"
But the system's rules were absolute. There was no negotiating with it.
"Fine," David sighed. "Let's hope the little guy brings back something valuable this time. Otherwise, I'm going to have to hustle like crazy to cover the cost."
Later that evening, David sat on his bed, reviewing his plans. The frog's journey was underway, but he couldn't rely solely on it to change his fortunes. He needed to make progress on his own.
He opened the system interface again, studying the potential upgrades and items available. While the shop's new additions intrigued him, he knew his priority was earning enough to stay afloat in Night City.
David clenched his fists. "One step at a time. First, survive. Then, thrive."
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