Seras
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Ghost in the City: Early Chapter 211
🕑 Added 2025-01-15 17:00:50 +0000 UTC“She’s okay.” Hiromi assured everyone as I sat face down on the table in the back of the club. The cool towel over the back of my head helped, but…
AAAAAAAAAAAAH!
What had I just done!?
“Well, normally I don’t let randoms steal my stage, but damn if that wasn’t an act. Hell, pretty funny to be playing some amateurs songs only for her to be there.” The owner of the club mentioned laughing a bit.
“Well if she’s on the radio, and she sent your club pounding, she’s not an amateur is she?” Hiromi argued a bit hotly.
“Heh, maybe, maybe not. Solo act didn't do her any favors, but she at least knows how to play and sing. Wish I could say the same for most of the live bands I pull in.”
“Well maybe we can talk about another gig, say next friday night?”
“Hmm. I might be tempted.”
“Hiromi.” I said rising up and rubbing the damp towel over my head. “Leave it.”
“Okay Motoko, but think about it.” She needled just a little and I nodded…
Honestly other than the embarrassment, and the desire to curl up in a ball and scream… I felt better than I did after finishing with Violent Hemorrhage. At least, at least I could admit I felt some pride from the songs now. And not just a bitter boredom.
“I liked the new song.” Malcolm offered, as I took in the fact both boys were sitting across from me. The first time I realized they were even here. Jeez. I’d really been freaking when I finished up.
“Yeah it’s… Well I played a more acoustic version, but it’s a rock song actually.” I stood up. “I’m gonna head out. I’m tired.” I decided, and Malcolm and Ichi sort of checked each other before shaking their heads .
“I think I’m going to stay for a bit.”
“Me too.” Both boys confirmed, and there was definitely a hint of excitement.
“Don’t get robbed or worse.” I ordered and then picked up my equipment, and headed for the back door.
“Hey wait up!” Hiromi called out and I hummed as she held the door open for me which did help out.
The parking lot was half full, people hanging out doing drugs that would get them kicked out, or just saying goodbyes, but I ignored that and popped the trunk on the Quadra to throw my equipment inside.
“Hey, Motoko.” Alice called out, the boys with her just outside of her little van as they both walked over as they saw me.
“Jesus what is all that?” Jared asked as he looked into the trunk and saw my ordinance.
“Work equipment.” I answered jokingly, as I threw everything inside and closed up. “What’s up Alice?”
“Fuck, just… Let us work with you.” She asked, begged, and kinda demanded. All of it was there. A need.
“What?”
“You need a band, you’ve got the songs, you got the talent, but solo acts aren’t gonna get you what you need. We got a drummer, a Bass, and I play guitar… You can sing. Better than me, I’m fucking done playing… I want to be more than just some scop no life band. We’re all dedicated, we all play.” I realized that these three were serious.
“Listen that-” I started off uncomfortable at the idea of what Alice was saying.
“We can talk about it, but now isn’t the best time.” Hiromi called out saving me like usual. “Here’s my number. I’m Hiromi Mitsunashi, Motoko’s Manager. I’m sure we can have a few practice sessions, see if you’re a good fit for Motoko’s songs and style before we lock anything in.”
I turned to look at my corpo, and couldn’t help but relax a bit.
Of course Hiromi would see the situation and just hammer through it in her most corpo style.
“Ah.” Alice muttered as she reached out and took the card.
“Preem. I’m getting out of here.” I decided and started to do just that. Heading straight for the driver seat. I wanted to get far away from this club.
“I’m coming too!” Hiromi called out and I just shrugged as she climbed in.
“I’m not really heading home, want me to drop you off?”
“No way!” She cheered, smiling and I just shrugged. “Wherever you’re going is fine with me!”
Alright, I guess… Yeah that works.
—--
“When you said you were tired, I wasn’t expecting this.” Hiromi muttered.
“I am tired, but I feel… Too wired to really relax, so I’m doing this.” Then I struck and she deflected the blow and retaliated.
I’d ended up at the dojo, figuring that swinging a stick around for a while would help me calm down.
Hiromi had followed me inside, and now I was facing her with shinai in both our hands.
It had been a long time since I’ve seen her really use a sword.
I struck out a few testing pokes, and she retaliated, and then responded in kind, the clack of the shinai filling the empty dojo as only a few people were still around exercising at this time of night.
Hiromi responded competently, but I recognized quickly that despite her practice with a blade, she wasn’t a Musashi. She was competent enough though, and so I decided to enjoy the motion of my body. I felt my shoulders relaxing from the tension I’d had on them, and my face broke into a smile.
“Don’t smile like that while whooping my ass Motoko, it’s making things difficult!” Hiromi eventually gasped out, and I chuckled as we stopped clashing.
“You’re doing fine. When's the last time you really practiced?”
“It’s been a while. Too long obviously, if you can beat me now. Ugh.”
“That was fun, thanks Hiromi.”
“Yeah yeah, you seem better… Want to talk about it?”
“I-” I started only to stop so I ran my fingers through my hair scratching at my scalp. “I don’t know. It was unexpected. Jumping up onto that stage, no time to plan and just playing…
It felt good. Better than playing for VH. Better than playing some boring song that had no soul. Eh. I was being a bit toxic, the VH songs were still songs, still written by a bunch of young musicians wanting to play through soul out.
It just kinda wasn’t good.
Ugh, I felt like some stuck up asshole. Maybe I just wasn’t into whatever genre VH played.
“You were amazing up on stage you know?” Hiromi offered and I just… It was nice to hear. I liked being good at things, but it felt so weird to do musician stuff.
“Thanks.” I decided to say but then held out my Shinai. “But you need some practice.”
Hiromi looked from me to the Shinai and her shoulders slumped.
“Go easy on me.”
“Never!” I cheered and we began again. The movement and action, carefully tracking Hiromi’s attempts to bat my shinai away from poking her continuously, was quite fun.
It… Was a nice stress relief. I could be good at this without the feeling of anxiety. I could just let my body move, my brain didn’t need to worry.
I saw it, Hiromi was tricky. She lashed out with her blade below my vision, well it would be if not for my Kiroshi, and I tapped it twice, once on the top to knock it away and then another lower done causing her to stumble.
Then tapped my blade on top of her head.
“Boop.”
I laughed at her stupified look as she glared at me for a moment.
And then I stilled.
100 Reflex XP Gained
Reflex Leveled up!
I felt my muscles tense and relax, a shift in how I held myself, and Hiromi seeing me stalled out for a second lashing out.
I bent backward almost casually, and then stepped past her, my shinai not even raised as I spun with her as she tried to swing down on me, Another duck to the side and the blade went past without even ruffling my hair.
And then again.
“Okay, now you’re just being mean.” Hiromi huffed out as she stopped swinging. I reached out before she could react and lifted her up and spun around.
“Hahaha!” I cheered happily ignoring Hiromi’s squeak of surprise before setting her back on the ground. “Hiromi, you’re the best.” I told her.
Reflex 10 was… Huge. I’d finally done it! I could grind out Handguns, or Blades! And all the other skills!
Maybe I’d finally take the time to grind out Driving as well, that skill had been on the back burner for a while…
Hmm Blades first.
“Again?” I asked eagerly as I took a few steps back and held my shinai out, but Hiromi just huffed and hugged herself. Her face was a bit red, did I surprise her that much? Was she angry because I had beaten her?
“I’m good for now Motoko. You seem to have cheered up.” She said, and I blinked…
I guess I had.
—--
We left the Dojo not long after and I drove Hiromi around to grab some food and we just ate it while parked laughing at drunk people stumbling out of clubs and puking all over the sidewalk ruining any hope of them being cool.
“Look at that one!” I cheered as a lady completely bent over in half, her massive stilt heels keeping her upright and she puked basically backwards through her own legs.
“Gross!” Hiromi cackled as she stuffed some fries in her mouth.
I grabbed some and joined her, both of us laughing at the disaster people.
“Thanks Hiromi.” I said after a while as we ate.
“What?”
“For saving me when Alice asked to join ‘my’ band. I don’t even have a band!”
“I thought you wanted to be called Stand Alone Complex?”
“That’s!” I looked away. I had said that. “It’s different when it’s just like a solo band name, and an actual band name.”
“Honestly Motoko I don’t really get your discomfort. I mean it’s funny, and cute, but you have nothing to be embarrassed about. You rock.”
I didn’t know how to explain it. I had no talent with music before. In my last life, I was tone deaf. I mean sure I wanted to play the guitar or something as much as the next teenager, but I was no good.
“I just… You remember when you first heard me sing and I was super bad?”
“Yeah! That was hilarious!”
“... Mean.” I mumbled and Hiromi just laughed for a moment as she leaned over and poked at my cheek.
“It’s funny because you got good so quick. Don’t pout.”
“Yeah, but whenever I sing, whenever I go up on stage I feel like that person that couldn’t sing. I know up here, I can do it.” I said poking at my head for a moment, and then I looked over and caught her eyes. “But I feel like I’m about to sing my heart out and show my emotions and just end up laughed at.”
“That’ll never happen. You’re so good now, no one will laugh at you.”
“Yeah I know… But my heart doesn’t. When I played with Violent Hemorrhage it was like… I didn’t care, it wasn’t my music, I had no attachment, so I didn’t care that it kinda sucked, and I didn't feel much. But then I played my songs and I felt so much more. It was better, I liked it, but it also makes me feel anxious.”
“But you liked it?”
“Yeah. A lot more than playing for VH.”
“Well I’ll never stop trying to get you to play more. You’re too amazing. I want to see your name right there.” Hiromi said, pointing out the window. There in the distance at the top of a building was one of the giant ads.
Right now it was playing an ad for Lizzy Wizzy.
“Right there?”
“Right there. I’ll make sure of it. When it happens I’ll bring you right here and we can watch it together.” Hiromi said confidently, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’ll cry.”
“I’m willing to accept that.” Hiromi said almost stuffily, so I poked her just below her ribs making her squeal. “Nooo!”
“I guess I’ll just have to keep playing music so your little idea comes true.”
“That’s right! I promise! So you can’t make me a liar Motoko!” Hiromi offered back and I couldn’t help but laugh at her.
“You’re such a corpo! Making me live up to a promise you made.”
“I’m your manager, that’s my job. Gotta whip the talent into action.” She teased me and I just laughed along with her.
It was… Nice. To think about the future like that.
“Well you’ll have to schedule stuff around my mercenary contracts.”
“Pfft. They won’t be able to afford you, once you get going.”
“I like doing it though.” I countered, and she scoffed.
“Fine, I’ll just set up a group to watch your back. We can call them Section 9, or something, a couple idiots, one with a car, the other with a car that he doesn’t know how to dri-”
We both stopped and started cackling wildly, as Malcolm still had a tendency to lose control of his Caliburn.
“Really need to get Malcolm some lessons.”
“Yeah really.” Hiromi agreed. “Oh look! He’s losing it!”
We both turned to watch another drunk or drugged guy stumble out of the club and after a few moments blew chunks over his expensive boots.
Hiromi and I laughed at his misfortune.
—---
With Reflex complete, I had a new grind to get through. I had a goal, one I’d wanted to do since I first picked up a Katana.
I was gonna deflect bullets. I was gonna do it!
The dojo had been fun the night before, but it was empty even Sensei wasn’t around, but today was a bright day and I was going to get this shit done.
I drove the Kusanagi out of the apartment's garage enjoying the feel of her under my legs as I cut into an empty spot in traffic, my signals alerting everyone which way I was going, and I accelerated to the speed limit.
Yeah, a nice morning drive was perfect.
It felt like it had been a while since I just drove my Kusanagi around. I was always in my Quadra for the extra space for everything.
The californian wind in my hair felt great even if it was more chilly than normal since winter was definitely here.
Stopping at a red light, I sat up and stretched a bit as I waited, looking around as I took in all the people living here in NC. The sidewalks were packed, and I had to wait a long while even after the light had changed for people to finish crossing.
Lot of people wandering around today. I guess it just meant it was a good day.
No gang wars or the like heating up. The 6th Street, TC thing had calmed down and so NC was… Well as peaceful as it ever got right now.
The way cleared I hit the gas accelerating faster than I would since I was at the front of the pack. Shooting off until I hit the speed limit and I matched it, still more than enough to fly down the tight NC streets.
The dojo came up sooner than I would have liked. If not for my eagerness to jump into a grind I’d have just driven past and continued on, but it was time to work not play.
I parked next to the other batch of Kusanagi, all of them with the stupid upgrades, or alterations. Why they’d destroy a beautiful Kusanagi with all that junk I will never know.
I headed inside, and quickly found what I came here for.
“Sensei.” I greeted the stoic man as I headed straight at him.
“Kusanagi.”
“I need a sparring partner, someone to push me to my absolute limits for as long as I can take it. Please.” I asked, actually giving him a bow as I did so.
He was quiet as he seemed to consider what I’d just said. “Very well. Gather your blades.” He ordered before turning to the room, and releasing a single shout. Not a word but just a noise that stilled everyone even me for a moment at it’s force. “A challenge has been issued. The one who cut down Musashi will be faced. Come forward.” He called out his voice loud enough to echo around the entire room.
Well. I had wanted a challenge
I took the shinai and gave them a single flourish to feel their weight before approaching the mats.
Already not just students but some of the Tyger Claw full gangers that hung around walked over to join.
Time to get to work.
—--
“Do you need a rest?” Sensei asked as another of the students stumbled away. I’d learned quickly that this was full contact sparring not kendo.
The Shinai were struck full force and I’d matched it, quite a few bruised limbs or faces had stumbled off the mat away from me over the…
I focused on my system. Been about an hour and a half? Not bad.
But to answer Sensei’s question I shook my head, I was sweating from the exertion, and my chest was working faster, but I was controlling my breathing, and my body was more than ready for more.
“No. Next.” I demanded and he nodded looking pleased as the crowd that had only grown larger as I continued to beat every challenger.
There had been some trouble. Some had their feelings hurt, but sensei had been quick to fix that, and some of the TC guys had shut up the rest.
I was known well enough now that what I was doing was seen more as something cool, than as insulting.
The crowd was quiet for a moment as everyone seemed to try and figure out who to bring out next, but then Sensei himself stepped forward and faced me.
We began without a word, his single shinai against my dual wielding. He stepped forward and struck and our match began. I’d fought him before, but I was much more competent now. My body easily deflected his quiet powerful blows, and my skills were high enough that he wasn’t just teaching me but actually facing me fully.
The clack of our Shinai was quite loud, a repeated noise as I swung and stabbed and deflected. Forced back, before shifting my style a bit to focus on more fast paced swings.
Back and forth, and neither of us actually got a hit on the other. Sensei was truly a skilled Swordsman. It made me wonder what he was doing at this small dojo instead of as some Arasaka ninja or something, but then again.
Who says he wasn’t?
I wasn’t the only person that moonlighted as something else.
But I was also tired, hours of fighting was enough to drain anyone, and I miss timed a defense and got a bonk on the head that sent me stumbling back a bit.
“I believe that is my win.” Sensei offers out, noticeably more out of breath than normal.
“Heh!” I offered him with a smile because he’d gotten me another XP alert. “Seems so… Again?” I offered and I noticed he actually seemed surprised.
“Still more?”
“Yeah? I’m close. I can feel it.” I told him, lying, but it was accurate enough.
“I see. Then you will face the challenge again.” He called out and everyone looked surprised but eventually one of the first boys I’d fought stepped forward and bowed to Sensei and then me.
Oh we were going through the whole thing again?
Okay.
I grinned and raised my blades.
The other guy swallowed and raised his.
—---
A towel dropped over my face wasn’t exactly the most comfortable thing.
“Thanks.”
“You hit your limit. There is no shame in it, but do not overdo it again. You gain nothing from this.”
“Oh, I gained a lot.” I spoke through the wet towel. I felt rough. Muscles in my chest and back that were attached to my arms were really sore. I reached up and dragged the towel off. The cool towel was actual heaven as I ran it over my forehead and across my cheeks. Couldn’t run it over the back of my neck for relief as that was all chrome now.
I hadn’t reached the level up I’d sought, but swinging my sword until I dropped put me a good way towards it.
“But not what you came for.” He stated, and I looked up. I sat up with a groan, my abs were killing me.
“No. I’m close though.”
“Then you will come back when you have recovered.” He demanded and I couldn’t help but smile at his words.
“Yeah I’ll do that.” I agreed as I slowly rose back to my feet. Ow. I still felt like I had a big bump on the top of my head. Sensei really had to strike the same place twice in a row?
“Recover before you attempt to drive. I will not condone you dying in such a way.” He told me, surprising me as he turned and walked away.
Huh.
I think… He kinda liked me?
“Finally up Motoko?” One of the boys I’d fought twice called out as I stared at Sensei’s back.
“Uh, yeah, not feeling so overheated anymore.”
“C’mon then, we’re grabbing some lunch from the stalls. It’s on us, as thanks for the lessons.” The much older guy smiled at me happily and I had a serious sense of disconnect because usually the TC guys were glaring at me at this point.
“Sure?”
Comments
Kara Nina
Well, at first she was sort of an outsider in their space. After the first challenge she might have beaten everyone, but there was dissatisfaction (she wouldn't have won if... she got lucky...if I'd done x I wouldn't have lost...and other comments like that). Then, tired and at a disadvantage she gave everyone who wasn't convinced a chance to try and defeat her again. After losing twice the 'I could have won if' argument was mute, over and done with. If she beat sensei they would have hated her because she would have defeated the dojo, but since sensei was the clear winner there is no need to get back at her for defeating the dojo and damaging their honor. Hence she's a respected master fighter open and willing to have matches with others in the dojo now - one who doesn't disregard her opponents or make fun of anyone's skills. Of course they're more than happy to improve their relationship and respect her now.
Kara Nina
I'd say they're about equal in that regard.
RageLord
Finally caught up again. Can i just say that i love Hayato. Acting like a mafia-princess but in reality she is just a bean ;p She should take some gigs from Reyes or do some races. Never know when connections in that field could be useful. Get herself a Weiler Outlaw because pewpew and to flex. Also. Mantisblades.WHEN! She needs to be able to transform into a walking blender.
bryan k
I think a few more rockerboy chapters and a little time skip to getting the sandy would be nice. I love this story and these characters but keep thinking the other shoe will drop at some point and someone is going to get flatlined. The power gap between 'toko and her friends is ever widening and I literally sigh when I think of Malcolm or 'becca getting got because their trying to keep up with her badassery during a gig. Just more rockerboy for a while before I get sad please
Ripstick 12
It is less about the weight and more that they will get in the way of each other, chrome does help with weight and power but not with the fact that you are trying to hit your opponent without hitting your other sword, her perks must be working double-time to keep her effective. Ambidextrous is a requirement, Blades give knowledge of a custom style that will work with 2 and Parrying helps with positioning and countering the power disadvantage, chrome arms or not someone striking with 2 swords at the same time will hit with less power than 1 two handed sword. Even with body at 10 she would not get the same full body support a normal strike has, I would not be surprised if intelligence helps with keeping track of her blades. So I’m not saying it would not work in universe, it has been working for quite some time, and 2077 has much more jank thing going on compared to dual-wielding katanas. Either way something custom made will always be better for the specific user it is made for, she might prefer a slightly shorter blade just because she’s shorter herself, but with how the greater cyberpunk universe works and how the skills work, I have a feeling it more of a personal preference thing as opposed to practicality first. Edit: although with gun-fu coming up she might just use one blade and one gun and at that point dual-wielding sword ergonomics are kinda moot. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
wierdnitro7
When will Hiromi finally confess? I swear, Motoko is denser than Jun is.
carebear90
Still no reply from V to Motoko's last message a few chapters ago? I'm kinda worried about her. I hope she didn't get in trouble with the whole Listening-Post-Situation and her greedy boss...
Mr Caine
Best part is, she'll be able to craft tailor made cybernetics that are designed to help whoever they are intended for in the best way possible. For Example, for Ichi (could be misremembering his name) could be a deck that automatically compiles traffic information and road network data to provide a mental image of the nearby streets, basically specialising him as the "driver" of the group.
lizard King
Motoko should start considering designing her own cybernetics when she gets level 13 or 14 and tech and crafting. The ability to design her own cybernetics will be a huge advantage. And it will allow her and her friends to be more capable and more effective. Considering starting the initial design of her future full cyborg body. She can't work on it now but having a physical vision for your future will help in visualizing and potentially coming up with new ideas along the way. And being a rocker boy it will be a good pretext to visit cities or countries or areas which are not too to mercenaries or a good initial excuse for infiltration into the building or facility.
Sgt. Tibs
This section 9 idea is Intriguing, Hiromi might be on to something.
Bosparan
Yehaw! Another awesome chapter of GitC! Great way to return from a quick trip!
Neferyti
"And it was at that moment, he knew, he F'd up" - the first time this happens
Fortunis
Motoko bringing that Big Blade Energy! Seriously though she's going to be absolutely ridiculous when she starts designing her own unbreakable swords so she can deflect automatic weapons fire like a fucking Jedi 😆 🤣. I like that Hiromi is slowly working her up to being comfortable being famous. Hiromi's entire crew are going to be massive. Between Section 9 and being a Rocker Boy she'll be able to take gigs literally anywhere in the world and have Section 9 pull jobs there. They'll be a world wide organization. Thats pretty fucking awesome considering where they all started. And if Motoko designs full borg bodies when she hits rank 15 in Tech and Crafting They'll all basically be immortal with cutting edge capabilities. Outstanding.
Abrissgurke
I mean... technically it's a Cyperpunk 2077 x Ghost in the Shell Crossover. If you squint a little.
STORRM
man thats so nova, fighting a whole dojo twice and then she's confused why they like her more lamo
Z H
Considering she still wants revenge on the Maelstrom sect that kidnapped her there will almost certainly be future gang wars Motoko is involved in. Personally I'm hoping she adds some old school heavy metal to her song line up and seduces a faction of Maelstrom into starting a civil war.
Z H
But the most important question is in the happily married future, is Hiromi the Mayor of Night City yet? 😂
Jacob patterson
Amazing chapter 🙏🤘
Jiokuy
The energy was great in this chapter from start to finish!
Heidao
The day she first blocks bullets, will be a memorable moment Especially if it's on a BD and people realize she didn't fire up her sandi
Michael Olson
Absolutely love this story. I'll be so sad when it ends. Thankfully everything you write is awesome
Bable Zmith
I also do that, so annoying to have to care. And then I remember they have neon green shoot me markings and are scumbag gangers and lay waste to them. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...
Bable Zmith
It is very weird for her to be truly respected (Western Style) instead of just feared. That is ever gangers dream, they just don't realize their actions won't lead them there. Simping for 'The Boss' gets you nothing but a shallow grave in the end. Personal accomplishment on the other hand...
Cardio27
Soooo good!!! Love the grind!!!! Thank you Seras! I’ve been missing this.
nugitoBambino
Ah good points! I had forget to account for age here - I've been mentally clumping them all the same. Makes sense though
Alexander Jonsson
Yeah, what is the MC mentally, like mid 20s early thirties at death, and maybe 2 or 3 years in world? The team ain't even in their 20s yet, they're still kids, kids that kick ass, and make millions of Eddie's, but still kids.
Gilgamesh Archer
It's not even a crossover, which I tend to enjoy the most.
Gilgamesh Archer
Really awesome chapter. Loved the bonding time with Hiromi. Glad you are making a point to update this fic, even if it's a slower rate than before. It's still my favorite fanfic I've read.
Cyrus McEnnis
If I might be so bold - one song that 'toko might want to add to the set-list is "Killing in the Name Of". Such an amazing track, it would be an absolute anthem in NC.
Konner Morris
It's more like the age thing acting up. She can't really see them as anything but children running around acting stupid. It doesn't even connect for Motoko at this point.
Esotericbill
Great chapter as per usual. Makes me miss the days where I only had to wait a few days in between. I remember feeling like three days felt like forever. Now I want to smack my past self upside the head since he didn't know how good he had it.
Zio Peppe
Deflecting bullet with a sword, a cyborg and I presume some manner of optical camo in the future. Wait a minute... that's not the Major! That's Grey Fox from Metal Gear Solid! :P ;)
Esotericbill
I'm pretty sure she'll be getting her hands on David's Sandevistan first, timelinewise.
nugitoBambino
Hypothesis: Hiromi gets injured in some corpo nonsense and Motoko takes that very not well at all. Love that ship btw - they have such delightfully complementary personalities. Even if Mokoto seems a kinda Ace
Mr Mouse
Personally I'm wondering if she'll run into Ciri at some point
Cyrus McEnnis
By that logic 'toko should be dual-wielding toothpicks - it doesn't really work that way. Yes, sure, shorter blades are typically handier and faster. Longer blades are usually heavier and have more reach. All things being equal, someone wielding a more massive blade will exert more "force" than someone with a shorter one, but it's most often at the cost of speed. But in the particular example we're discussing here, the claim was that full size katanas aren't designed to be dial-wielded. My counter to that was simply that 'toko has chrome arms, so a lot of the issues with that approach are mitigated. And that's before we hit what her current Body stat will support.
Mr Mouse
From the shape of things, there's David's sandy, the Edgerunners plotline, the 6th Street civil war, and, with just 3 more levels and some more netdeck gear to push to Intelligence 15, Bartmoss's deck all on the horizon, plus whatever she picks up in between; This seems like solid preparation and character developement for all that
Velleity
Terrific chapter once again, but it feels like you're doing a lot of buildup, and I'm just waiting on the edge of my seat to see how you're going to blow things up. Can't wait to see what you have planned.
Velleity
Yes Chrome wrist technically could dual claymores and katanas, the problem is when she finds somebody that's as strong as her, or even nearly as strong as her. With only one hand the end of her blade is going to have a lot less Force than if it was shorter. Cuz she won't be able to exert in nearly as much force as she would be able to with one hand, meaning that anyone with strength anywhere near hers could overpower her.
Joseph Schultz
Hell yes! What an incredible chapter, the way you handled Motoko's anxiety and her friendship with Hitomi helping her felt super authentic. Excellent environmental descriptions as well this chapter, I felt present in every scene, especially her drive to the dojo. One of my favorite things you've done in this story is starting with her skill grinding and social life being with two very separate parts of her life, and the two slowly becoming more and more intertwined over the course of the story. Every part of her 'Game' advancement in this chapter felt tied to the rest of her life, this is the Gamer fic that every other Gamer fic wishes it was. Genuinely this is the best Gamer story I've ever read, one of the best Cyberpunk fics around, and just a fantastic story in general. Can't wait to see what's next, more grinding Dex skills I should think, maybe netrunning after that? Regardless, I'm excited to read about it. Thank you for the chapter, and for this whole wonderful story.
FrostyDaHomeboy
Im glad to see the band angle has taken a new form of development. To see Alice grow and realize that while she wanted to be the vocalist front runner, she doesn't have the chops is impressive. It is hard to swallow pride but I think they see the soul with which Motoko plays and they would rather join then be left behind by holding on to pride. On top of that we get delightful growth and understanding between Horomi and Motoko (more Hiromi understanding Motoko). Just great fluff and good vibes. Then you top it off with badassery in pursuit of the grind. It feels like all of this is building up to the next big arc where things pop off. I am not sure of the time frame but are we getting close to V being cut off by Arasaka and the 1 year of merc grind for V & Jackie? Because that feels like the sweet spot for another arc. Like the source of David's Sandy being a much more hectic challenge than it should be.... All these thoughts running through my head and I am just excited to see what comes next. Thank you for the chapter!
Cyrus McEnnis
Nah, 'tokos rep is starting to spread. She's been the Oni's little sister for quite some time, provisional membership in the Kamikaze aside. Now she's been seen fighting with a peak 'kuza master after absolutely spanking a fail son, and she's close to the Princess. Of course people are gonna want to hang with The Cheuksin.
Cyrus McEnnis
Chrome wrists care not for full-size katana action. Hell, with her stats, 'toko could arguably dual-wield claymores. Or, to keep it more aligned with my personal style in 2077, neo-silicon dildos. Something about defeating Adam Smasher with a floppy rubber cock is so cathartic to me >.>
Tan
Thanks for the chapter!
thomas j walters
dang, what a banger chapter
Joshua Creel
Another amazing chapter
Scarletmenace
If she calls her band, stand alone complex, the acronym for it is gonna be SAC. Let the hilarity ensue.
Aaron Greene
Lol, "challenge exceeded" +20 street cred
Akel
Gotta be one of my favorite stories.
Ripstick 12
I wonder if she’ll get herself a pair of custom made thermals that are a bit shorter to exemplify the dual wielding nature of her style and make it easier on herself, full length katana are not made to be dual-wielded.
Bryan
We need another giant Yacht-stealing-and-blowing-up kind of gig. Things had been escalating well but its been all this super low key stuff for a long time.
White Neko Knight
Is Motoko about to learn what it means to have rep? She's going to be so weirded out the whole time lol.
Joseph Lynch
Always a good day when there's a new GITC chapter. <3
JustABird
Well that was a bit aggressive... I'll point though that I didn't actually mean anything romantic by my comment. It's pretty obvious that no romance (for the main character at least) will be in this fic, for plenty of reasons that have already been explained multiple times. (Not the story's focus, weird mental age gap,etc...) I was just expressing my personal love for her character, especially with how endearing she was in this chapter. Beyond all of that, they're kids. Like barely teenagers if I remember correctly. Do I still headcanon them as happily married and in love in some future years down the line and after the story's end? Yes. But that's specifically a personal headcanon and not actually important to the story, there is no need to get so worked up about it. Whether Motoko is asexual or aromantic doesn't matter (and given that she's an author SI, a bit too personal to ponder imo), that's not what the story is about. And it doesn't mean that Hiromi doesn't deserve all the love for being such an amazing friend and endearing kid.
JaxWolf4
So peak 😭
JaxWolf4
To be fair, they are still teenagers.
Just A Dude
Normal people would be super impressed by something like this, too!
Just A Dude
If there's trouble it won't be from them. Pretty sure they just saw her do some Wuxia-grade badassery, and want to hang out with the Legendary Prodigy.
Robert Apgar
Great chapter really put the words to her anxiety perfectly
TheOne320
But she is a coward and so nothing will ever happen. I think Motoko is asexual or aromantic and so will never initiate anything.
Firefly Fanatic
Mooaaaaaaaaaaar!
Garrett Cannon
i wonder which way u will spin the encounter at the end. Maybe she makes more friends inside the TC? Maybe she gets ambushed with some petty revenge? or maybe a huge plot to someone way bigger in TC management? Maybe she will meet some dojo friends that do something else?
William Johnson
Go Hiromi! We need more rocker girl scenes! Go Seras! Write as much as you're happy writing and take breaks when you need them!
JustABird
Hiromi, you deserve absolutely all the love.
Duke of Coffee
TC members wanted to be connected huh after her spars with them.... do I sense trouble?
Teatime42
Good chapter Weird question, but will there be more gang wars and such she ends up in? After that last big Badlands gig where they got the mech, and the Yacht, I honestly wonder how she'd even get involved in a gang war like what happened with Maelstrom.
intata
I can't remember, but I think this might be the first time we've seen an actual bit of romance from one of your main characters? The flirty bits have been hilarious and great, but this one hit all the romance novel cues. Solid stuff!
Teatime42
Shooting every TC with a bounty is just shooting every TC lol I legit don't think the game actually generates non-bounty gang members?
carebear90
I honestly expected Hiromi to finally break and try to kiss her here... :D
Neric
Thanks a lot
N0ct3m
I have missed these updates! Thank you for the chapter!
Happy
Very nice.
Alex
*ahem* In the words of Hiromi, “Seras! Encore! Whooo!”
Pavlov
I started a moded game with NewGame+, can recommend.
Erik H
I have reported you to the DEA for distribution of literary crack
MikeL
As long as no one hits on her. Her brother might get a little upset with them. Even worse for them would be Hiromi.
M0och
Yessss! Always super excited to see another chapter of what might be my favourite fanfic of all time!
Matt
Tiger Claws are all giant weebs, she just did the kind of thing they all secretly wish they could do.
Straven
Lovely read and possible new future events. Thank you so much for the new read.
Carl Jarrett
Thanks for the chapter, made my day, I was re-reading something els
That Warden
Wierd I thought she leveled up her reflex but the TC's find her cool enough to hang now......tiger claws are Wierd lol
Nef Mccrimmon
Ned a pov of her actions lol would be epic
runedead56
Thank for the chapter this day.
Freya
Tyftc always love a new chapter
Giperman
I was sitting like a crazy and pointing my finger into my phone when I saw the motifocation
Suls
Thanks for the new chapter!!
GrimV
I get unreasonably excited when i see GitC updates
Apeljohn
So she just fought the entire Dojo... twice... including the Sensei... without *literally dying* from the exertion or accumulated soft-tissue damage... and now she's like "what's the big deal?" In a chapter full of Motoko moments, this was perhaps the Motokoiest.
Aihnman
She still hasn't heard back from V about the the altercation outside Hiromis school, has she?
Adam
TFTC
Lukas Guimaraes
Yessssssssss more I hunger for more 😆
Dustin Wyke
Just showed my buddy Cyberpubk 2077 Edgerunners for the first time last night, and all I could think of was GitC. Thanks for the chapter!
Docnox
woot, actually got me to start a new playthru of 2077, funny enough feeling conflicted about shooting every TC with a bounty, and then checking their names lol. RIP Akari
Nathan R Chase
almost in tears everytime new chapter YAY! loved the sass
Rake1810
Fantastic chapter. I like her interacting with the TC after everything thats happened. Was really curious how she'd be received at the Dojo
Jonas Schauer
BIG street cred grind. thanks for the chapter
Serina Tsukaya
Great stuff!
heh
Some more cute Hiromi moments are always good
Mr Caine
Thanks for the Chapter!
Hunter Rhoades
You proved yourself to the boys by doing a challenge, remember little ghost, these are gangster's, and they think like gangsters, not like normal people.
