"Tsk, tsk. Connections everywhere, truly worthy of being a father.
But what is she doing in New Orleans? Learning how to make chicken wings? Hah.
Knowing where she is is enough. I'll find her when I have the time.
Valerie... Valerie. So it's a woman, huh?
In that case, Jack, you're really a pathetic loser."
Axel laughed to himself before waving at the stunned Jack standing in front of him.
Seeing the gesture, Jack blinked in disbelief.
"You... you mean..."
"Didn't you complain that I never take you along when I'm causing trouble? Heh. I'm not the kind of person you complain about so casually.
Even Arasaka is practically finished because of me, and sooner or later President Myers will end up in my bed.
So tell me, with my temper, you still had the guts to complain about me. Are you ready for the consequences?"
Axel waved again.
Jack swallowed hard before stepping forward and spreading his arms.
"Damn it!"
He cursed loudly.
"This has nothing to do with Father. This is entirely because I couldn't keep my mouth shut.
If you want to kill me, then kill me. It's only one life. But can you let me call my mom one last time?
I... fuck.
I should've known better. You can hear things from miles away and I still ran my mouth.
Forget it.
Come on then. Kill me, you damn gods!"
As his words fell, Jack clenched his teeth. His expression was full of reluctance and frustration as he glared at Axel.
Axel pursed his lips.
"Like a fighting rooster. Not bad."
He beckoned with one hand.
Instantly, Jack floated into the air.
At the same time, Axel drifted back toward the Astra, while Jack helplessly followed behind him.
Once inside the vehicle, Axel took a seat and pointed at the stiff-backed Jack.
"Rogue, change of plans. We're not going to Afterlife anymore. Let's head to Jack's Wild Wolf Bar and get something to eat."
To be clear, Axel wasn't cursing. The bar really belonged to Jack's mother.
Before Rogue could answer, the resentment on Jack's face disappeared completely.
"No, no, no. God, wait. Not my mom's place.
If somebody has to die, let it be me. I offended you, not her.
Don't drag my old lady into this.
I actually caused this mess. I..."
His body began trembling.
Death itself didn't scare him.
What terrified him was bringing disaster to the people around him.
Across from him, Axel grinned.
"This is only the beginning, buddy. One Wild Wolf Bar isn't nearly enough for someone like you.
Rogue, make a stop at Misty's Esoterica too. And bring..."
Thud.
Before Axel could finish, Jack dropped to his knees.
Looking up at Axel, he opened his mouth to speak.
Axel raised a hand to stop him and handed him a glass of wine.
"Young man."
Chuckling, Axel patted him on the shoulder.
The Astra wasn't particularly spacious, and everyone sat close together. Jack was practically right beside him.
After patting him twice, Axel continued.
"With that kneel, you've acknowledged me as your boss.
From now on, you're one of mine.
And not just you. Mann, the rest of you, all of you need to remember something.
The things I can give people are beyond what most can imagine.
If you earn my approval, you gain the chance to become figures who shape the world itself.
But understand this.
I chose you because each of you has something I value.
Once you've obtained power and status that were never meant to belong to you, don't become the sort of people I despise.
Power corrupts. Status corrupts. Every one of you will be tested by both.
I don't hate evil people. Good and evil are rarely absolute.
What disgusts me isn't evil itself.
It's becoming the reason evil exists.
All of you, remember that.
When today's events are over, when the future arrives and the corporations are gone, don't become the thing that replaces them.
You can command others. Under my protection, you can rise from workers to leaders.
But never forget who you were.
Because if you do, I promise you'll die more miserably than Saburo Arasaka."
When he finished speaking, Axel raised his glass and clinked it against Jack's.
Jack stared blankly before taking a sip.
"I... don't really understand what you're saying."
"It means you're about to become a big shot, kid."
Rogue shot him an irritated look and lifted her own drink.
Jack immediately nodded and emptied his glass.
When he lowered it again, he felt dizzy.
The wine hadn't done it.
Reality had.
He remained in a daze all the way home.
Only after stepping through the doors of the Wild Wolf Bar did he finally regain his senses.
Inside the bar, Mrs. Welles stared at the approaching Axel.
The dried blood covering his clothes made her freeze.
She set down her cigarette and swallowed nervously.
"Cough, cough!"
Accidentally inhaling smoke, she coughed, hurriedly switched off the television that had been broadcasting news about Axel, and approached him cautiously.
After glancing worriedly at her son, she took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, sir. The bar isn't open yet. We open at two in the afternoon..."
"Haha, hello, Mrs. Welles."
Before she could finish, Axel stepped forward and gave her a hug.
Fresh bloodstains immediately transferred onto her clothes.
With an arm around her shoulders, he smiled.
"You know who I am, right? I saw you watching the news earlier.
So I'll keep this simple.
Your son is a good man. Responsible, ambitious, and willing to take risks. I like that.
And as you can see, he's working for me now.
So let's forget business hours. I'm your son's boss, after all.
At least treat me to a meal."
Axel waved toward Rogue.
"Rogue, forget the pork stew with vermicelli. I just remembered the pork around here tastes a little gamey.
Let's have Mrs. Welles make some Mexican food instead."
"Oh... uh... no problem. I'll start right away. Please make yourselves comfortable."
Mrs. Welles hurried toward the kitchen.
Jack stepped closer and gently tugged at Axel's bloodstained shirt.
"The bathroom's over there. Want me to show you?"
Axel turned toward Lucy with a mischievous grin.
"Did you hear that, Lucy? The bathroom's that way. Want to wash up together?"
Lucy paused before awkwardly rising from her seat.
Seeing that, Axel immediately pressed her shoulder back down.
"Damn, you need a little restraint. That's what makes things interesting.
Learn to play hard to get. Don't make yourself..."
Smack!
A crisp sound echoed through the room.
Axel looked down.
Rebecca's hand was planted firmly on his backside.
Holding the pose proudly, she flashed a thumbs-up toward Pilar and Mann.
"Guys, this lady's about to hook up with a god alongside Lucy. You all enjoy yourselves!"
Laughing wildly, the barely five-foot-tall Rebecca shoved Axel toward the bathroom with all her strength.
As she passed Lucy, she grabbed her wrist.
"Come on, sis. How often does an opportunity like this show up? He's a god!"
Lucy nervously brushed back her hair and allowed herself to be dragged along.
After the three disappeared, Rogue released a long breath.
She found a seat, sat down heavily, and surveyed everyone present.
A suffocating pressure filled the Wild Wolf Bar.
Even the bartender in the distance stayed silent.
Rogue slowly poured herself a drink.
After taking a sip, she spoke.
"This all feels unreal to me too.
But no matter what happens next, kids, raise your glasses.
To our future team."
"Okay."
"Got it."
"I understand."
"Yes."
Everyone felt the weight of Rogue's presence and quickly drank.
Far away, in a New Orleans apartment, a woman with green and silver hair suddenly sat upright in bed.
"Damn it!"
She rubbed her head in frustration.
"Am I drunk or what? Why do I keep hearing some idiot talking in my head?
What was his name? Axel something?
And he's an Asian guy?
Why the hell would I dream about an Asian guy?"
Valerie shook her head repeatedly, trying to clear away the lingering effects of a hangover.
She staggered into the bathroom, planning to take a shower.
Nothing came out of the faucet.
"Fuck!"
She slammed a fist into the wall.
Her eyes had landed on the unpaid utility notice.
Overdue.
Again.
She was broke.
Again.
Unfortunately, this wasn't Night City.
Night City at least offered opportunities.
New Orleans belonged entirely to Biotechnica.
Every decent job in the area ultimately led back to the corporation.
And Valerie hated that kind of work.
She absolutely hated it.
===
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