Cyberpunk Patriarch

(Bonus chapter for reaching powerstone target🎉)

(Extra 50 chapters in patreon)

Although Arthur managed to borrow a vehicle from his Sixth Street brothers, he and David ended up taking the tram to Arasaka Academy anyway.

"What is going on? I haven't been back to Night City in over ten years, and the neighbors are already making a fuss?" Arthur grumbled.

"All I did was use a mantis knife to have a friendly chat with the neighbors, and now everyone's calling me crazy? So rude!"

David rolled his eyes. He had seen his father cheat others before, but never like this. If Arthur weren't so well-known around their neighborhood, David was sure even the Terrorist Mobile Team would be knocking on their door.

"Dad, I really think your cyberpsychosis is getting worse. How about you go see Dr. Victor? Maybe it's time for some professional help."

David's concern for his father's mental state was growing. If things had been different, he would've already called the Terrorist Mobile Team to cart Arthur off to a clinic.

Before Arthur could defend himself, a familiar voice called out from beside him.

"I think your son is right. You really should go see a doctor," the voice said.

Arthur turned to see a woman with white hair that shimmered with rainbow colors under the sunlight. For a moment, Arthur wondered if the colorful effect was some kind of wig. Was Lucy actually bald?

Lucy, looking calm and collected as ever, raised an eyebrow and continued, "I've seen cyberpsychosis before, but yours seems more intense than anything I've witnessed. Were you the one causing all that commotion in Watson North District yesterday?"

Arthur immediately recognized her. He grinned and slapped David on the back of the head.

"Why are you being so rude, kid? This is my good friend, Lucy! Call her Aunt Lucy, got it?"

David winced, the sting from his father's slap lingering. He couldn't believe his ears. His father wanted him to call Lucy "Aunt"? The woman who couldn't be older than 25?

Lucy nearly dropped her cigarette, staring at Arthur in disbelief. "Aunt?" she muttered under her breath. "I'm in my 20s! You want him to call me 'Aunt'?"

David felt the tension rising and quickly realized the situation wasn't good. Lucy's glare was like a death sentence, and he knew better than to push it further.

"Sorry, sorry!" David stammered, bowing his head apologetically. "I didn't mean it!"

Arthur, now playing the role of a caring father, added, "My son's just shy. Don't mind him. I'll teach him some manners when we get home."

Lucy exhaled a long, frustrated sigh, took a deep drag from her cigarette, and shook her head. "Arthur, I'm telling you, you really need to see a doctor. You're pushing it, asking your son to call me 'Aunt.' Are you trying to buy an urn in advance?"

Arthur shrugged nonchalantly. "Come on, Lucy. It's 2076! Who cares if he calls you Aunt or Sister? It's all the same at this point. By the way, why are you out here so early? Are you taking your kids to school or something?"

Lucy lit another cigarette, more out of habit than anything, and took a long drag. "It's not for kids," she replied, her tone still a bit sharp. "Just making a little extra cash on the side. It's a small personal project."

Arthur, never one to back down from his own brand of madness, suddenly grabbed Lucy's cigarette from her mouth and lit it for himself. "Girls shouldn't smoke," he said, matter-of-factly. "If you need some extra cash, I can help. I've got something big going on today, and I could use a hacker. It's nothing dangerous, just some minor program modifications. You up for it?"

Lucy wasn't even surprised. "You just took my cigarette, and now you want me to work for you?" she said, unfazed. "Well, what's the catch? What's the pay?"

Arthur scratched his head and began explaining, "Well, it's nothing major. It's just that I've been gone from Night City for a while, and my reputation's gotten a little... questionable. So my business hasn't been great. I've been thinking of switching things up—maybe even becoming a 'conscientious capitalist,' or something like that."

Lucy, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "A 'conscientious capitalist'? Really? You? What's the actual job, Arthur?"

Arthur leaned back, looking totally unfazed. "It's nothing dangerous, really. Just a little change in a program. A simple job, you know? Nothing you can't handle."

Lucy, though she still doubted the simplicity of it all, felt a flicker of curiosity. Her recent financial situation wasn't ideal, and the offer was tempting. Plus, Arthur had a habit of getting himself involved in situations that were far more complicated than he let on. But, what was the harm in hearing more?

She took another drag from her cigarette and nodded, "Alright, I'm in. Tell me the details."

Arthur grinned, satisfied that Lucy was at least somewhat intrigued. "You won't regret it," he assured her. "Let's meet up later and I'll fill you in on the details. Trust me, it's nothing like the crazy stuff I've been involved with before."

Lucy shook her head, still skeptical but willing to take a chance. "I'll believe it when I see it. But I'm in. Let's see if you actually have a plan this time, Arthur."

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