CYBERPUNK: Travel to 2075

For advanced chapters visit Patreon

. Big Job..

When reasoning fails, fists often convey truths more effectively. That's exactly what Karl did.

"Jack, move aside."

"Karl?"

Jack, who had been trying to mediate, was caught off guard. Without thinking, he stepped aside. It was only then that he noticed Karl's clenched fists and Oliver holding a medical kit.

In that instant, Jack understood what his two friends had planned.

"Looks like my polite little lecture has to end," Jack muttered.

"What lecture?"

The half-faced mechanical man didn't understand what Jack was talking about. He was about to ask when he noticed Karl approaching. The mechanical eye embedded in his face flickered as it attempted to scan Karl.

Before the scan could complete, Karl's fist slammed into his face.

The impact was so forceful that the mechanical man felt as if his face had caved in. His body tilted backward, teetering off the barstool, but before he could fall, Karl grabbed him by the neck and "helpfully" steadied him.

"What… what are you doing?!"

The half-faced man's voice was muffled, his jaw slightly dislocated. He couldn't comprehend why a conversation had escalated into a brawl.

"Nothing much," Karl said casually. "You ignored my question and pissed me off. So, I decided to teach you a lesson."

"Huh? What are you—"

Smack!

Karl's fist connected with his face again. The mechanical man, unable to brace for the impact due to Karl's iron grip, swore he heard the sound of his neck vertebrae shifting.

"Say it or not?" Karl asked, his voice calm.

"Screw you…"

Smack!

"Say it or not?"

"You're insane! I…"

Smack!

The exchange continued for several rounds. The arrogant company lackey, who moments ago had been full of bravado, now had a face covered in blood. His teeth lay scattered on the floor, and even the mechanical side of his face bore dents.

"Man, that hurt my hand."

Karl shook his hand as if disappointed. The mechanical man's face was surprisingly tough, leaving Karl's knuckles red.

"You… you lunatic! You didn't even ask…"

"Didn't I?"

Smack!

"You… you didn't…"

"Can't you answer if I don't explicitly ask?"

Smack!

Karl frowned, baffled by the man's stubbornness. How could he not understand the simple logic of answering before being asked again?

"I…"

The mechanical man finally realized he had picked the wrong fight. Karl's relentless assault convinced him that this wasn't a man he could reason with—this was a cyberpsycho in disguise.

All he wanted now was to escape.

"Ding ding ding."

The ringing of Karl's communicator interrupted the beating.

"KK, I've got a job for you. I think you'll be interested," Faraday's voice came through.

Karl sighed. A job offer from Faraday meant there was no time to waste on this corporate goon.

With one final punch, Karl knocked the mechanical man unconscious. "Jack, help me toss him outside."

Jack obliged, dragging the limp man out the door. Karl, meanwhile, retrieved his half-eaten bag of fries from Oliver and handed it to Luo, who was still being treated.

"Here, eat something. Don't worry about him. If this happens again, come to the Wild Coyote Bar and find me. I'll handle any corporate dogs who think they can mess with you."

Karl's smile was genuine. "Just make sure you keep supporting Mrs. Wells' business like you always do."

Luo's lips trembled as he looked into Karl's earnest eyes. He nodded heavily, unable to find the words to properly express his gratitude.

This young man, so unlike the corrupt and bleak Night City, radiated a brightness that seemed untouched by the city's decay. Luo envied that kind of light.

---

Back at their table, Karl, Oliver, and Jack settled into their seats.

"I thought you'd throw a few more punches," Oliver remarked. "And you shared fries. That's rare."

Karl's tone was serious. "I got a commission. No time for more. As for the fries, food comforts the soul, Oliver. I take that seriously. The guy was injured—offering fries was the least I could do."

"Besides," Karl added, popping a fry into his mouth, "these are the best fries in Night City."

Jack smirked. "If you'd waited a little longer, I would've started the fight myself."

"Same," Oliver admitted. "I was just figuring out how much force I could use."

Karl laughed, shaking his head. "Forget it. What's done is done. Now let's look at the job Faraday sent us."

He pulled up the commission details and shared it with Jack and Oliver. The three skimmed past the fluff and went straight to the payout.

"Three hundred thousand?!" Oliver exclaimed.

"In euros?" Jack asked, stunned.

"It's in euros," Oliver confirmed, his tone growing serious. "This has to be a high-risk job."

A 300,000 euro payout meant Faraday himself would take at least an equal cut. That kind of money only came with life-or-death stakes.

Whether it was the fixer, the client, or the mercenaries, someone's life would be on the line.

The big job they had been waiting for had finally arrived.

For advanced chapters visit

patreon.com/Thereator

Daily +3 chapter update in platinum tier (25+)

Daily +2 chapter update in gold tier

(12+)

Daily +2 chapter update in silver tier

(7+)