The next day.
Early in the morning, Loki called the supplier company and spent 5,000 eddies ordering the raw materials required for 100 doses of Stim.
He rode his motorcycle to the shop, and not long after he stepped inside, Vik followed right behind him.
“Not bad.
This place looks way better than mine,” Vik remarked, taking in the interior.
“It’s comfy, sure, but the rent is an absolute killer.”
Loki replied helplessly.
Compared to Little China, shop rent in Japantown was significantly higher, and since Loki had picked a prime location, he naturally had to shoulder a heavy rental fee.
“Heh, isn’t that just how you are?
Rent, food, entertainment—as long as it makes you happy, who cares how much it costs?” Vik chuckled at Loki’s grumbling.
“Hey, live for today, right?
That’s how you survive Night City.
Who knows how long any of us has left?
Might end up dead on the pavement tomorrow.
You get me, Vik.”
Loki had lived by this creed ever since arriving in Night City.
Before getting his cheat, working as a ripperdoc and taking the occasional gig was already the limit of what he could handle.
Enjoying himself in this hedonistic, neon-soaked world meant his life wouldn’t be wasted.
Living comfortably was what mattered most to Loki.
“True enough,” Vik agreed with a nod.
In his younger days, Vik had dreamed daily of becoming a legend in Night City, but now he understood that a quiet, simple life was what he truly wanted.
Vik handed over the cyberware he had helped order for Loki, which Loki put away and logged into the shop terminal.
Then Vik brought in another cardboard box filled with fortune cats and various strange yet stylish ornaments.
“Misty asked me to bring these for you.
Said putting them around the shop will bring good luck.”
Looking at the box full of decorations, Loki didn’t reject Misty’s thoughtful gesture.
“I appreciate the thought.
Pass along my thanks to Misty.”
But to Loki’s surprise, Vik hauled out yet another box—this one filled with trophies.
Watching Vik set gleaming golden trophies onto the counter one by one, Loki was momentarily at a loss for words.
“I say, Vik…
what are you bringing all these over for?”
“Didn’t you say yesterday you wanted to display them in your new clinic?
So I brought ’em over.”
Loki scratched his hair awkwardly, his metallic fingers making a rustling sound against his scalp.
“I was just joking, man.
Besides, I haven’t even beaten you yet.”
He had indeed said that yesterday, but it was just a joke.
Those trophies were won by Vik himself; how could Loki take them and display them in his own shop?
But Vik didn’t see it that way.
He shook his head with a warm smile.
“You were distracted yesterday.
You’ve got what it takes to beat me—I know it well.
I trained you.
Seeing you grow from a skinny kid who knew nothing into what you are today makes me proud.
There’s nothing about these trophies worth clinging to.
Displaying them here is just fine.
Jackie, whom I coached, beat me before, and now you’ve graduated from my instruction too.
Consider them a gift.”
Seeing the smile and pride on Vik’s face, Loki knew he couldn’t refuse.
Just as Vik said, he had taught Loki so much.
Virtually everything Loki had now was thanks to Vik.
Loki wasn’t one for sappy sentimentality, so he silently promised in his heart to repay Vik down the line.
“Thanks, Vik.”
“Alright, get to work.
I’ve got appointments at my clinic, so I’ll be off.
Don’t forget this old man when you strike it big, and remember to drop by for boxing next week.”
Vik waved his hand and turned toward the door.
“Vik.”
Watching Vik’s receding back, Loki suddenly called out.
“Hmm?”
Vik turned around, looking puzzled.
Loki really wanted to tell him that one day he would become a true legend, standing atop Night City, atop the world, and that he wouldn’t let Vik’s teachings go to waste.
But hesitating, Loki couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.
Better to wait until he actually achieved it.
“Never mind.”
Seeing Loki’s hesitant expression, Vik didn’t push.
If Loki didn’t want to say it, there was no need to pry.
“Catch ya later.”
This time, Vik truly left.
Loki carefully arranged the trophies Vik had left behind on the shelf beside the boxing equipment.
He set a pair of golden gloves and a few of the largest trophies right on the main counter of the clinic, where both he and any customer walking through the door would see them prominently displayed.
Placing an “Open” sign at the front entrance, Loki began waiting for customers to arrive.
Naturally, an unadvertised underground clinic wasn’t going to get walk-in customers out of nowhere.
Loki didn’t mind and spent his time studying the distribution of ripperdoc clinics across Night City.
By evening, on his first day of business, Loki hadn’t seen a single client.
Checking the time and seeing how late it was, he called it a day on his research.
Loki opened his contact list and dialed Wakako Okada.
The call connected quickly, and an unhurried, gentle voice spoke from the other end.
“Ah, L.
If I’m not mistaken, this is the first time you’ve reached out to me on your own initiative.
Speak, what’s on your mind?”
Wakako Okada was one of the top fixers in Westbrook, deeply connected to the gang factions operating in the area.
Loki had dealt with her multiple times while taking gigs alongside Jackie, so he naturally had her contact info.
However, this was his first time initiating a call; usually, when there was a gig, Wakako reached out to Jackie, who then brought Loki along.
“Here’s the deal.
I opened a ripperdoc clinic in Japantown.
Since I just opened, I don’t have much of a reputation yet.
I know you have massive influence around here, so I wanted to ask if you could send some business my way,” Loki explained.
As an unlicensed, underground clinic, lack of publicity upon opening was indeed a headache, so Loki had no choice but to seek help from Wakako, the local big shot of Japantown, to direct clients his way.
As long as people started coming and he built up a reputation, word-of-mouth would take care of the rest over time.
“So that’s how it is.
Let me guess—is your clinic located right under the megabuilding?” Wakako chuckled over the line.
“Spot on.”
“I knew it.
The boys mentioned a new clinic had popped up under the megabuilding, but I didn’t expect it to be yours.
Don’t worry.
I’ll tell them to drop by and give you their business.
I trust your skills and your character.
Sending them to you won’t tarnish my reputation.”
Hearing Wakako’s promise, Loki couldn’t help but smile slightly.
With that, his customer pipeline issue was temporarily resolved.
“Thanks a lot, Wakako.
Don’t worry—anyone you send over gets a ten percent discount.”
“Hohoho, then let’s leave it at that.
I wish you prosperous business.
Remember to drop by and take some of my gigs when you’re free.”
“Will do.”
Hanging up, Loki went back to waiting for clients.
This phone call had been part of Loki’s plan all along.
To run a business here, top-notch skill alone wasn’t enough; you also needed backing, especially for an underground operation that couldn’t advertise through normal channels.
Shortly after his call with Wakako, another call came in.
The raw materials he had ordered had arrived.