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“Dios.
This is Source-series cyberware?
Damn, that is cool.
Maine was showing off out there like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Hermano, be gentle.
We’re both men here.
I can handle it myself.”
“You know, I’m actually jealous of you.
Handsome, rich, living high society, and most importantly, you see the living room?
Lucy isn’t the only gorgeous chica in there who likes you.”
“Okay, okay.
I’ll shut up.
Promise.”
After Dorio’s modification was finished, Jackie was called in.
Jackie could not stop talking.
The moment he entered, he rushed to the three remaining cyberware frames and began stroking them gently, like a kid staring at a luxury display.
Fortunately, after one glare from Rook, he went to the installation table without another word.
Even as he walked, his mouth kept running.
Suppressing the urge to sew Jackie’s lips shut, Rook was about to help him remove his jacket and hang it up.
Then the big man started acting up again.
Lying on the table, he still refused to behave, shielding the important parts while mumbling about what was happening outside.
Only when Rook picked up an electric drill and made it whir twice did Jackie immediately shut his mouth.
Still, he only lasted a few minutes.
The moment Rook pushed the anesthetic into his neck, Jackie spoke again.
“Speaking of which, I do want to know which Source frame I’m getting.”
“Don’t you like dual pistols best?
I remember you have a precious pair called La Chingona Dorada, right?”
Rook patted Jackie, who was already getting drowsy, and spoke with satisfaction.
“So I spent quite a while choosing this one for you.
Source Frame: Gunslinger.”
Whether he heard it or not was anyone’s guess.
…
After finishing Jackie’s modification, Rook added a pair of pistols identical in appearance to La Chingona Dorada.
Only then did he throw Jackie out while the man showed off his new toys.
The next person to enter was Hare.
Just as Rook had once said in front of everyone, William Hare was a pure soldier.
Outside the battlefield, Night City had no place for him.
Powerful.
Obedient to orders.
Kind to the weak.
Pitiful in a way that made Rook remember him.
Even now, Rook still remembered that aside from Jackie, Hare had been one of the few people from his memories of the old timeline he had genuinely wanted to save.
Unfortunately, Night City had taken his last hope from him.
In 2077, when V returned, this soldier who clearly deserved a better future chose to put a gun to his own head.
Luckily, this time, he had met Rook.
Once the cyberware frame was installed and his dedicated operating chip loaded, the instability and PTSD eating at him would finally be under control.
No extra words.
No hesitation.
After learning that this was his only chance to change his fate, Hare naturally held it tight.
He lay calmly on the operating table, closed his eyes, and waited for Rook to begin.
“Hare, I think highly of you.
In the days ahead, I hope you can become like the frame I chose for you: someone who pushes against the current and breaks the chains that hold him.”
“I will devote my life to you, Mr.
Mercer.”
Hare opened his eyes and answered with absolute seriousness.
Rook smiled, then slowly injected the anesthetic.
“Source Frame: Liberator.
This is your cyberware frame.”
…
Information about the implanted frame flowed from the skill module, and images from the dream still echoed in his head.
He gave Rook a solemn military salute and walked out.
At last, it was Kiwi’s turn.
She was the only person who had joined Maine’s crew while Rook still could not fully trust her.
Rook dismantled the final frame and calmly waited for her arrival.
“Mr.
Mercer, thank you for giving me this opportunity.”
The moment Kiwi entered the workshop, her respectful attitude and carefully hidden fear were already obvious.
Rook stopped working and turned to look at her.
“Kiwi, you are ambitious.
You have your own clear ideas.
Or to put it another way, in Maine’s crew, you are always making sure you remain valuable to the team, while also looking for chances to protect your own interests.”
The words hit Kiwi hard.
Fear showed plainly in her eyes.
“Do not waste time.
Take off your clothes and lie down on the operating table.
I am only telling you a few facts I want you to understand.”
He stood, quickly prepared the last anesthetic needle, and walked to the side of the table.
His voice was cold as he looked down at her.
“For example, right now, you successfully obtained one of the first-generation frame installation slots.
But rather than saying you earned it through your performance, it would be more accurate to say I gave you an opportunity.”
“Remember this.
This is your chance to change yourself.
Keep the side calculations to a minimum, stay with the crew, and do your job.
Your future will be much better than anything you could scheme up on your own.”
“One last thing.
Never forget that what I can give you, I can also take away.”
He placed a gloved hand against Kiwi’s sternum and pressed her down onto the operating table.
“Source Frame: Shadowblade.
It is a meaningful frame.
I hope you don’t become a thorn in the crew’s side.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.