Chapter 13: New Arrival

In a bar deep within Watson District, a hooded man slowly stepped through the doorway.

The bartender behind the counter narrowed his eyes as he took in the sight. The stranger sat right in front of him, confirming his suspicion.

This guy… probably isn’t some random thrill-seeking rich kid, is he?

The high-grade Cyberware on his body wasn’t for show, and if he was here looking for excitement, he’d definitely come to the right place.

This was a hangout for Scavengers—Kidney Cutters, as people called them. Why they liked this place was simple: it was close to where out-of-towners stayed, and the drinks were cheap.

Two birds with one stone—they could drink and shop for “merchandise.” You couldn’t find a better deal in Watson.

“A shot of vodka.”

The bartender wordlessly poured the drink, setting it in front of him. “This place isn’t exactly safe,” he warned.

“I know. That’s why I came.”

Jhin nodded slightly, lifting the glass, only to pause mid-motion with a trace of frustration—he’d forgotten one small detail. This body didn’t even have a mouth.

The bartender sighed softly, shaking his head. There was no use warning the damned. Let him do what he wanted.

After sitting for a while, Jhin finally rose and walked out of the bar.

The bartender quietly wiped his glasses as he watched the figure leave. Sure enough, moments after Jhin exited, four or five men also stood up and followed him out.

“What a waste... guess I can bump up tonight’s body count in the death pool.”

...

Jhin walked with his hands tucked in his pockets, fully aware of the men tailing him. His heightened senses—those of a top-class killer—picked them up effortlessly.

Power was intoxicating, but this new kind of freedom… it was even more addictive.

When he spotted a narrow alley, he turned and disappeared into it.

The Scavengers exchanged skeptical looks. Was this rich kid really that dumb? No matter how familiar he was with the area, there was no way he knew these streets better than them.

According to their map, this alley was a dead end—but that just made their job easier.

“Careful when you fight. Don’t damage the Cyberware—it’s worth good money.”

“Yeah, yeah. Got it.”

The five men crept into the dim alley, where flickering lights cast long shadows. A homeless man huddled in a corner, shrinking back as they approached.

One of the Scavengers kicked him aside and continued forward.

At the end of the alley, Jhin stood with his back to them, slowly pulling down his hood.

For a second, the Scavengers froze. The figure before them—no, thing before them—wasn’t human.

There wasn’t a single trace of flesh on its body.

“Shit! That’s no rich kid—that’s a damn cyberpsycho! Run!”

The leader snarled and reached for his weapon—

Bang!

A gunshot echoed through the alley, followed by a dull thud. The man looked down in disbelief at his hand.

It was gone. Only a white stump remained where his wrist had been.

“Congratulations,” a calm, magnetic voice murmured beside his ear. “You’ll be my first masterpiece in this world.”

The gentle tone didn’t soothe him—it froze his blood cold.

Boom!

Another shot. The muzzle flash burst like a serpent of fire tearing through one man’s chest. Blood and flame bloomed together into a crimson flower.

Swish—

A blur flashed through the alley, followed by three quick shots. Three more red blossoms bloomed in the dark.

The homeless man clamped a trembling hand over his mouth, too terrified to make a sound.

Jhin twirled his weapon elegantly. A soft hiss escaped as the empty magazine slid free and clattered onto the ground.

“Damn you!!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The last Scavenger screamed and fired wildly in panic. Jhin tilted his head slightly—each bullet missed him by inches.

Bang.

The next shot came from Jhin’s gun. The Scavenger’s head burst open like a flower in bloom.

Jhin slid his weapon back into its holster, spread his arms wide, and gave a graceful bow—a grand curtain call.

Then his gaze shifted to the trembling homeless man curled up in the corner.

“Oh?”

“The Great Beauty has arrived. Congratulations, my first audience. It’s a pity though—today’s numbers aren’t auspicious. I forgot to leave one behind.”

He sighed softly, then vaulted off the alley wall, leaping effortlessly onto the rooftop above.

Whoosh!

Moments later, the blood-flowers that had filled the alley disintegrated into a rain of crimson droplets, splattering across the pavement in grotesque bloom.

After obtaining the Ascension Template, its maintenance, ammo, and grenades could all be purchased with Blue Essence. Only the main weapon required separate handling.

So after selecting two compatible weapons from the system shop, Jhin stocked up on ammunition—plenty of it.

“Haah~”

Standing atop the high-rise, Jhin exhaled slowly, a faint smile curling his lips. This feeling… wasn’t bad at all.

To be honest, the killing hadn’t felt real. Maybe it was because Jhin’s method was too artistic, or because Roland didn’t truly see people outside the story as real.

Maybe it was because the victims were Scavenger trash. Or maybe… Jhin’s very nature made him numb to it.

But to Roland, maybe it was simply that he enjoyed the thrill too much.

That thought made his real body shudder. Roland quickly shook his head, forcing the dangerous idea away. Even with the Key, the Ascension Template was affecting him.

As expected... Jhin was a madman.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Night City, something big was unfolding.

“Captain… I think you’d better take a look at this…”

An NCPD officer stood pale and trembling, staring at the carnage before him.

The captain stepped forward—then immediately turned and vomited.

The eerie beauty, the overpowering stench of blood, the severed limbs—it was too much to bear.

“Goddammit! Get this reported right now! We’ve got a serious situation on our hands!!”