Chapter 155: David’s Remarkable Journey (Part Two)
“You said this isn’t a good choice—so why did you take this path?”
David turned to Maine and couldn’t help asking.
“Hah. You think people like us actually have a choice?”
Maine let out a scornful laugh. “No job, no money—nothing but this body. What else can you do? You sell your body for cash. If it’s work either way, I’d rather pick something that pays better.”
He paused, then added,
“But I’m a bit different from most of these guys now. I’ve got a goal—kind of an ambitious one. It’s just… still pretty far away.”
Maine lit a cigarette and spoke slowly with it between his lips.
David frowned and waved his hand.
“Could you at least be a little careful? The smoke’s blowing right into my face.”
“Heh, almost forgot you’re still a little kid.”
Maine chuckled and switched the cigarette to his other hand.
“I’m not a kid anymore.”
David protested, but Maine ignored him and kept walking.
“Hey—so what are you exactly, Maine? An edge-runner or a soldier?”
“Look at what I’m wearing,” Maine rolled his eyes. “Do I really need to answer that?”
“Then your goal must be to become a general in the military, right?”
“No,” Maine shook his head. “My goal is to become a legend in Night City.”
“Isn’t that more of an edge-runner’s goal?”
David stared at him, completely confused.
“Being a soldier now doesn’t mean I’ll stay one forever,” Maine replied calmly.
“The military isn’t what it used to be, kid. The government doesn’t give a damn about what happens to you afterward. Once the war’s over, you’re on your own. Especially after you sign that contract.”
Maine spoke slowly, cigarette in hand.
As for that contract… he had signed it too—trading his body for cyberware. The reason was simple.
They needed combat power.
They needed test subjects.
Maine was one of them.
“So what’s military life like?” David asked curiously. “Compared to edge-runners?”
“Pretty boring,” Maine shrugged. “Training, patrols, day in and day out. Hardly any real missions. Every now and then some Wraiths wander too close and we chase them off—but they’re not stupid. They run the moment they see us.”
“Then what about edge-runners?”
David’s eyes lit up. “Is it like in braindance movies? Living wild and free, cigarettes, booze, beautiful women, settling scores?”
“What are you imagining?” Maine snorted. “That’s the life of big shots. Real edge-runner life isn’t anything like what you see in braindance flicks.”
“Then what’s it really like?” David asked. “Is it exciting?”
“Exciting?” Maine spread his arms dramatically. “Living every day with your head hanging by a thread—how could it not be?”
“Drop those unrealistic fantasies. Your family didn’t send you to that school so you could become some edge-runner.”
With that, Maine smacked the back of David’s head again.
“Real edge-runner life means never knowing if you’ll see tomorrow. You might die in some gutter, get stripped by scavengers or bums who sell off your cyberware. In the end, no one even remembers you. How many actually become legends?”
“But you still want to be a legend in Night City, don’t you?”
David blurted out.
Maine went silent.
Just as David thought he’d said something wrong, Maine lifted his head and looked ahead.
“We’re here.”
David looked at the building in front of him and could only let out—
“Huh?”
...
“Hey, David, where are you right now?”
“Oh, Mom, I’m out grabbing something to eat.”
“Then why does it sound so noisy over there? I hear music too.”
“Uh… you know how food streets are, Mom.”
David laughed awkwardly as he answered.
Gloria felt something was off, but she didn’t press the issue. David was usually well-behaved—just a bit more restless lately, nothing serious.
“Alright. I probably won’t be coming home for a few days. I’ll transfer your meal money later. Be careful with how you spend it.”
“Got it, Mom.”
David nodded obediently.
Seeing that, Gloria said nothing more and ended the call.
“So,” Maine leaned one hand on the table exaggeratedly, “your mom checking in? Guess I should send you home to drink milk.”
David ignored the teasing. He looked around at the crowd instead.
“Why did you bring me here? And… how did they even let me in?”
“This place is just where edge-runners hang out, chat, and do deals,” Maine replied. “As for letting you in—nobody cares about that. Besides, didn’t you notice? There’s someone here about your size.”
He nodded toward a figure in the distance.
David focused his gaze. Sure enough, about the same size—but for a split second, he thought he saw someone familiar. When he looked again, the figure was gone, so he brushed it off.
“Then why bring me here?” David asked again.
“You were curious about edge-runner life. You even admired it,” Maine said. “So I brought you to see it for yourself. Just stay close to me—and keep away from that side.”
He pointed toward an area where two groups were facing off. Tension crackled between them.
The people nearby, eager for entertainment, were actively stirring things up.
One group had stolen the other’s gig—and not only refused to apologize, but kept provoking them.
“What… are they about to do?” David asked, turning to Maine.
“They came here to negotiate,” Maine replied. “But from the looks of it… that’s not happening anymore. Now it’s time to settle things.”
“How?”
“By fighting.”
Maine took a sip of his drink.
The moment his words fell, a gunshot rang out—instantly kicking off the chaos.
Both sides dropped all pretense and opened fire. In seconds, the place descended into complete mayhem.
People scrambled for cover, ducking behind whatever they could find.
Maine didn’t hesitate. He grabbed David and pulled him into hiding, peeking out carefully.
“T-this just turned into a shootout?!”
“Congratulations,” Maine said flatly. “You’re right. Too bad there’s no prize.”
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