With Jack gone, only David and Victor remained in the clinic.
For a moment, the room was silent, filled only with the soft hum of medical equipment.
Victor, still focused on inspecting Lucy's implant, broke the silence first. "So, kid… You're a friend of Jack's?"
"Yeah, we met a few days ago." David nodded. "He's joined my mercenary team—we're teammates now."
Victor raised an eyebrow and glanced at David. "Jack doesn't trust people easily. Teaming up with someone he just met says a lot. You from out of town?"
"Yeah. Just got here recently."
Victor chuckled. "Thought so. Can't imagine anyone from Night City being as polite as you."
David offered a small smile but said nothing.
Victor adjusted one of the monitors and continued his examination. "Don't worry too much. From what I can see, it's a leftover virus from when her nervous system got hacked. It didn't fully clear out, which caused compatibility issues with her implant—sort of like a glitch. The overload made her body shut down temporarily."
"Is it serious?" David asked, concern tightening his voice.
"Nah, nothing I can't fix." Victor waved a hand dismissively. "I'll clean out the Nervous 01 virus, reprogram the implant, and she'll be good as new."
Hearing this, David finally felt his heart settle. "Thanks, Victor."
"Don't mention it. Any friend of Jack's is a friend of mine," Victor said with a grin. Then his expression grew serious. "But listen, kid… Night City's not a playground. Leading a merc team isn't a game. You're responsible for your teammates' lives—Jack included. Make sure you're ready for that kind of weight."
David met Victor's gaze without hesitation. "Don't worry. As long as I'm around, I won't let any of my teammates get hurt."
His tone was calm, almost casual—but there was an unshakable determination beneath his words.
Victor studied him for a moment, then chuckled. "Heh. With confidence like that, maybe you'll actually make it in this city."
Meanwhile, in the kitchen of Misty's Esoterica & Curios, Misty was boiling water while Jack clumsily cleaned the coffee cups.
"Jack… That friend of yours—David, right? He's from the East?" Misty asked thoughtfully.
"Yeah. Came from the Dragon Kingdom." Jack set down a cup. "Why?"
"I don't know… He feels different. There's an aura around him—something mysterious. Not like you, Victor, or anyone else I've met in Night City."
Jack's eyes lit up. "Heh! I knew it! I told you he's special! The guy's got this crazy power—like something out of a comic book."
"Power?" Misty tilted her head curiously.
"Yeah! He can control metal. It's like—bam!—stuff just moves when he wants it to. It's wild. And that's not all…" Jack leaned in, his voice dropping conspiratorially as he began to recount more of David's abilities.
Back in the clinic, Victor wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped back from the operating chair. "All done. She'll wake up after a bit of rest—shouldn't be any more problems."
David let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Thanks again, Victor."
"Don't mention it." Victor pulled a cigarette from his pocket and tossed one to David. Lighting his own, he exhaled a plume of smoke. "Your team's pretty well-equipped. That girl's got Tier-2 hacking gear—top-of-the-line stuff. Not something you see every day."
David nodded but said nothing.
Victor glanced toward the door. "Where the hell are Jack and Misty? How long does it take to make coffee?"
"Want me to go check?" David offered.
"Nah, I got it." Victor stood and stretched. "You stay with your friend."
With that, he headed toward the shop, leaving David alone with Lucy.
For a moment, David simply stood there, watching the girl lying on the chair. Even in sleep, she looked strong and resilient—but there was a softness to her features that stirred something inside him. Without thinking, he reached down and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Victor stepped into the shop and found Jack and Misty still chatting in the kitchen.
"Hey! What are you two doing back there?" Victor called out. "You making coffee or going on a date?"
Jack nearly dropped the cup he was holding. "Wha—?! No! We were just talking!"
Misty chuckled softly, unfazed, and turned off the stove. "Sorry, I lost track of time. Jack, pass me the coffee beans."
"Uh—r-right!" Jack scrambled to hand her the beans, his face red as a tomato.
Victor shook his head. "Two years, Jack… Two years you've had a crush on her, and this is the best you can do?"
"Victor, c'mon—!" Jack protested.
Misty hid a smile as she poured the coffee, but said nothing.
By the time they returned to the clinic with steaming mugs of coffee, Lucy had woken up, her color visibly improved.
"Hey, Jack… You brew this coffee or interrogate the beans?" David teased.
Jack's face burned even redder. "We were just—!"
"Yeah, yeah…" Victor waved him off. "Honestly, if I hadn't gone to check, you two would still be back there, flirting."
Misty coughed lightly into her hand, cheeks slightly pink.
"I-It wasn't like that!" Jack protested, his words tripping over themselves. "We were talking about—about serious stuff! Right, Misty?"
Misty simply smiled and took a sip of her coffee.
David shook his head with a smirk. Jack's hopeless.
Lucy, watching from the chair, exchanged a knowing glance with David. As a woman, she could tell—Misty liked Jack too. He just needed to stop overthinking things.
Once everyone settled with their coffee, David recounted the details of what had happened to Lucy before she collapsed. Victor listened carefully, offering occasional nods.
"Hey, David," Jack piped up. "I was telling Misty about your abilities just now—she's curious about the whole metal thing."
Victor blinked, looking between them. "Wait… Metal? What're we talking about here?"
Jack grinned. "David's got powers! Like, real-deal superpowers! He can control metal with his mind. It's the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
Victor arched an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.
David just chuckled and shook his head.
"David." Misty leaned forward slightly. "Would you mind if I did a tarot reading for you?"
David blinked. "A tarot reading?"
Misty nodded, her expression calm and open. "I can sense there's something… unusual about you. I'd love to see what the cards reveal—if you're willing, of course."
Jack nudged David's shoulder. "C'mon, man—do it! Misty's readings are crazy accurate."
David hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"
Misty set her coffee aside and pulled a deck of tarot cards from her pocket. The worn edges of the cards hinted at years of use, yet they still carried an air of mystery.
Spreading the cards in a fan shape across the table, she looked at David. "Draw three cards—one at a time."
David reached out, his fingers brushing the cool, glossy surface of the cards. Without overthinking, he drew three and placed them face-down on the table.
Misty flipped the first card.
The Magician.
Her eyes widened slightly. "The Magician represents power, potential, and the ability to manifest your desires. It suggests you have the tools to shape your destiny—if you learn how to harness them."
She turned the second card.
The Sun.
"This card symbolizes vitality, success, and enlightenment. It suggests that you bring light and warmth to those around you—someone who inspires hope and confidence."
Finally, she flipped the third card.
The World.
At this, Misty's breath caught slightly. She stared at the card for a long moment before meeting David's gaze.
"The World signifies completion, fulfillment, and unity. It represents the end of one journey and the beginning of another—someone destined to achieve great things that will impact more than just themselves. It also hints at a connection between different realms… or worlds."
Silence fell over the room as her words lingered in the air.
David shifted slightly, feeling the weight of her gaze. "Is that… good or bad?"
Misty smiled softly. "That depends on the choices you make. But one thing's certain—you're meant for something more."
David held her gaze, unsure why her words sent a shiver down his spine.
To Be Continued...
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