Watching Axel disappear into the distance, Lucy's shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
Everything felt real, yet now that it was actually happening, she could hardly believe what she was seeing.
As she hesitated, Rebecca suddenly lifted her head from Lucy's arms.
Her system had recovered, and her usual energy returned instantly.
"COOL!!!"
She burst free from Lucy's embrace and shouted toward Axel's retreating figure.
Without a second thought, she sprinted after him and quickly appeared at his side.
"Boss, are we really following you from now on?"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Axel smiled and nodded.
"What, not satisfied?"
"No, no, no! I'm beyond satisfied! Can I help kill Arasaka's corporate dogs too? I'll rip their heads off and shove them up their..."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it."
Axel patted her head and cut her off.
"You're still a kid. Stop saying weird stuff."
Then he looked past her toward Lucy.
"And you, what are you standing there for? Did your brain short-circuit?"
"Huh? Ah! Yes, yes, yes... no, I mean... we're coming right away!"
Lucy nodded frantically before grabbing Kiwi's arm and hurrying after him.
Seeing the three women move, Maine scratched his head in confusion and looked toward Dorio.
Dorio grinned.
"Hurry up, Maine. Maybe we're about to become important people too."
"Yeah, Maine, let's move."
Pilar followed after his sister, noticeably more serious than usual.
With things already unfolding this way, Maine took a deep breath, squeezed Dorio's hand tightly, and nodded.
"I understand."
The two of them quickly caught up, following behind Axel and Rogue under the disbelieving stares of countless people on the streets.
As they walked, Rogue glanced back at the group.
"I know them. Just a bunch of kids trying to survive in Santo Domingo. They're loyal enough, but they're young, and their netrunner is getting old. Something's bound to go wrong eventually.
And no, I'm not talking about the white-haired girl. That one's got good taste. I like her hair.
Still, if you were interested in a woman, couldn't you have just kidnapped her? Or used your so-called divine charm?
You didn't need to take in their entire crew."
"Haha."
Axel chuckled.
Behind him, Lucy's face immediately turned red, while Rebecca casually slapped her on the waist.
Axel continued,
"What kind of logic is that?
Risking your life isn't care. As long as someone's still carrying a gun, no opportunity is guaranteed. At best, it's just a chance.
I actually admire these kids.
Their skills aren't extraordinary, but anyone truly skilled in Night City is usually a complete lunatic.
Before these kids become lunatics too, I might as well lend them a hand.
I can see farther ahead than most people.
I know their personalities. They're not the type to betray others easily.
And besides, you were right. The white-haired girl is pretty.
That pink-haired little menace isn't bad either."
As he finished speaking, Axel reached back and casually pulled Lucy into his arms.
Lucy immediately stiffened, her face burning red.
Still, she said nothing. She simply lowered her head and matched his pace.
With Lucy on one side and Rogue on the other, Axel ignored Rebecca's increasingly excited stare and led the group away from the corporate plaza.
Once they reached the street, Axel released both women and waved toward a distant police cordon.
The MAX-TAC officers exchanged glances.
Eventually, their commander stepped forward.
Standing before Axel, the officer struggled not to look at the collection of high-profile criminals surrounding him.
Rogue had an enormous bounty.
The entire Edgerunners crew had bounties.
Even Axel had once possessed an astronomical one, though it had already been erased.
Before Adam Smasher's arrival, Axel's bounty had actually surpassed Rogue's.
Taking a deep breath, the commander spoke with extraordinary respect.
"Mr. Axel, what are your orders?"
"Damn, your attitude makes me uncomfortable."
Axel smiled and patted the officer's head.
"I liked you better when you looked rebellious."
The commander forced a nervous smile.
Axel continued,
"Leave one of your AVs for me. I need transportation."
"No problem, Mr. Axel. Anything you require will be provided. Please, get in."
The MAX-TAC officers immediately cleared a path.
Axel and the others boarded the AV.
Far away on a rooftop, Jack finally released a long breath as the aircraft lifted into the sky.
It felt as though he had just surfaced after nearly drowning.
Beside him, Padre exhaled as well.
"Jack, I was praying to God earlier.
Then I realized God was standing right in front of me.
And the Queen of the Afterlife was standing even closer."
Padre shook his head in disbelief.
He silently decided to visit the Afterlife later and see whether he could get another look at Axel.
Jack nodded heavily.
"I think those street kids are insanely lucky.
If I'd known this would happen, I would've gone down there too.
Maybe I'd have gotten a chance to work for him.
Compared to what he's doing, life in Night City feels boring.
What could be more satisfying than crushing corporate scum?
Still, at least I'm alive.
A lot of people died today.
At least I can still go home and see my mom."
After speaking, Jack released the priest he had been protecting.
"I'm heading home. My mom's probably worried sick."
"Be careful, my son."
Padre nodded.
Jack had barely taken a few steps when Padre suddenly gasped.
"Wait... that's impossible..."
"Hm?"
Jack turned around.
At the edge of the rooftop, the AV was hovering motionlessly.
Its side door slid open.
Axel's bloodstained, confident grin appeared inside.
Moments later, under the stunned gazes of every Valentino on the rooftop, Axel floated out of the aircraft and stopped before Padre.
He casually patted the old priest's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, old man.
There's no God in your world. I'm certain of that.
Still, I like the way you treat me as one.
After all, mortals should serve.
The more humble people there are, the better the world becomes."
He flashed a wide grin.
Padre stared at him blankly.
Then his eyes rolled back.
Clutching his chest, he collapsed.
"Oh, come on."
Axel blinked.
"Are you seriously faking an injury? I didn't even do anything."
"Boss! He's having a cardiac episode! Save him!"
Rebecca shouted from inside the AV before pulling a pneumatic injector from her bra and tossing it over.
Axel caught it effortlessly.
Then he stared at it.
Confused, he turned toward Jack.
"Hey, Jack. How do you use this thing? Why don't you handle it?"
"Huh? Ah! Right!"
Jack rushed forward, grabbed the injector, and slammed it against Padre's chest.
"Ugh!"
Padre jolted awake.
He immediately grabbed Jack's wrist.
"My old bones really are failing me. I actually fainted.
But I'm still alive.
Although your brute strength nearly finished the job."
With effort, Padre sat up.
Then he respectfully knelt before Axel.
Placing a hand over his chest, he spoke.
"Mr. Axel, how may I assist you?
I'm merely an old man.
As a fixer, I'm nowhere near Rogue's level.
Still, if you've come here personally, there must be a reason."
He looked up expectantly.
Axel grinned.
"You're a smart old man.
I do need something.
Do you know someone named V?
I could find her myself, but that sounds like too much work.
The entire world's in chaos right now because of me.
Everybody's shouting, everybody's panicking, and honestly, I'm too lazy to listen.
So answer me.
Do you know someone named V?"
"V..."
Padre searched his memory.
A moment later, his eyes widened slightly.
"Your Excellency, are you referring to Valerie?
I knew that girl when she was younger.
She was an orphan who ran away from the system.
Very ambitious.
Maybe too ambitious.
Not long after she grew up, the Tiger Claws started targeting her.
She refused to become one of their gang members, and she also refused to become a doll for the Mox.
Eventually she found a way out through Wakako and left Night City.
She moved to New Orleans around six years ago.
Is she the person you're looking for?
What is she to you?
If you need her, I can locate her immediately.
I still have contacts in New Orleans."