Another night of drinks, laughter, and good company filled the air.
"Hey, David, the fluorescent pattern on your jacket looks sick!"
With a smile, Claire joked as she mixed drinks behind the bar. "Is that your crew's logo or something?"
Jack grinned as he took a sip of his drink. "Lucy helped us design it, and David approved it. Team effort, you know?"
"Exactly," Claire replied with a mock glare at Jack. "So why are you hogging the credit?"
David and Lucy burst into laughter.
Claire leaned closer across the bar. "You free Friday night?"
"Yeah, I should be." David nodded.
"Perfect. Don't forget what I asked you to do," Claire said with a wink.
David immediately understood. "Gotcha. I'll be there."
"Good. I knew I could count on you." Claire smiled, picked up a drink, and walked off to tend to other customers.
"Hey, David, what's Claire need you for?" Jack asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
"She asked me to help her with something related to driving," David replied with a shrug. "I promised her a while ago."
Lucy's expression shifted slightly. "David, are you sure about that?"
"Yeah, why not?" David looked at her, puzzled.
"Nothing. Just... remind Claire to buckle up when the time comes," Lucy said with a teasing smirk.
Jack burst out laughing. "Sounds like someone doesn't trust your driving skills, David!"
"Yeah, right. Like you're any better!" David shot back.
"Hey, I drive just fine!"
"Which kind of driving are we talking about?"
Their banter echoed through the bar until the entrance doors swung open. Three women walked in, catching the trio's attention.
They approached the bar and took seats across from David and the others.
"Excuse me, are you David?" one of them asked.
David turned to look.
Seated in front of him were three striking women: a dark-skinned beauty with a voluminous afro, a woman with pink hair and leopard-print patterns on her outfit, and a girl with red and green highlights wearing one-shoulder overalls.
David instantly recognized the third woman—Judy Alvarez, the braindance tech from Lizzie's Bar.
"You're with the Mox, right?" David asked.
Lucy and Jack exchanged glances, both surprised by the sudden appearance of the Mox members.
"Giggle... I didn't expect you to be so sharp, handsome," the dark-skinned woman teased. "I'm Susie Q, one of the Mox's managers."
"And I'm Jennie Moran," said the pink-haired woman with a playful smile. "So, you're the guy who took down Jotaro Shobo from the Tyger Claws?"
"Giggle... Who knew a hero could look so cute?" Susie chuckled, her voice dripping with playful seduction. "We're here to meet you and say thanks in person."
"Yeah, those Tyger Claw bastards have done enough to hurt our girls," Jennie added, her smile softening. "You did us a solid by taking out Jotaro. Seriously, thank you."
"It was nothing," David replied modestly.
"Well, it meant a lot to us."
Jennie offered her hand, and David shook it politely.
Then he turned to Judy and extended his hand. "Hey, I'm David."
"Uh... hi. I'm Judy."
She hesitated briefly, then shook his hand with a small smile.
"Since you're already at the Afterlife, what can I get you to drink?" David offered like a true host.
"Giggle... Such a gentleman," Susie purred, biting her lip playfully. "Surprise us. Whatever you mix, we'll drink it."
"Better not leave that to Susie, though," Jennie teased. "Three Long Island Iced Teas, extra ice. Thanks."
As David prepared their drinks, he thought to himself that while the Mox had a wild reputation, they weren't bad people—certainly better than the Tyger Claws or the Maelstrom gang.
Once the drinks were served, they all settled into casual conversation. Lucy, however, stayed unusually quiet throughout the interaction, her gaze flickering toward Judy every so often.
After chatting and exchanging contact information for potential future collaborations, Susie, Jennie, and Judy stood up to leave.
"If you're ever near Lizzie's Bar, drop by sometime," Susie said with a wink before the three of them strolled out of the Afterlife, their laughter fading into the night.
"Hey, David! Let's check out Lizzie's when we get the chance!" Jack's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I heard it's packed with hot girls!"
"Oh? And what about Misty? She won't get jealous?" David teased.
"Hey, what Misty doesn't know won't hurt her," Jack replied with a cheeky grin. "Right, Lucy? You coming with us?"
"Yeah, right! You wish!" Lucy rolled her eyes. "Men... you're all the same."
After hanging out at the bar until around 1 a.m., David decided to call it a night. Being a foreman at the Afterlife had its perks—he could clock out whenever he wanted.
As the three of them stepped outside, the city lights shimmered against the wet pavement. Neon signs flickered overhead, painting the streets with vibrant hues of red and blue.
Unbeknownst to them, a faint glint of light reflected from a distant rooftop—the lens of a telescope.
"Boss, boss! The Long Kingdom kid just left the Afterlife!"
A young Tyger Claw member whispered urgently into his comm.
Zhumushan Zhengguchi, seated nearby with a drink in hand, immediately stood up. His eyes narrowed with cold determination.
"Alert the others," he ordered. "Prepare to move in the alley near the Afterlife. And make sure not to attract the NCPD's attention."
The night air grew heavy with anticipation as shadows began to stir in the dark alleys of Night City...
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