KyokaSuigetsu
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Chapter 60 – Mechanical Ascension II: Its Name is Kerenzikov!
🕑 Added 2025-05-07 11:09:02 +0000 UTCAs soon as the words left his mouth, both Vik and V turned to look at him.
Leo himself felt a little awkward—first time meeting Vik, he borrowed money; second time meeting him… he was borrowing money again. The air of cool competence he'd worked so hard to maintain was about to come crashing down.
"Wait… all these past few days, you were spending like a maniac! I thought you were rich! How are you broke already?!"
V was the first to cry out in disbelief.
Thinking back on Leo's recent extravagance—buying top-tier guns, signing up for Trauma Team platinum membership, enrolling in Arasaka Academy—it all hit differently now.
It wasn't about money worship—it was about financial responsibility. If she'd known his funds were limited, she'd have stopped him earlier.
But Leo was too proud to back down now.
"Who said I'm broke? I just allocated my funds elsewhere."
He glanced around furtively like a thief, then leaned in and whispered to them:
"Don't tell anyone. I used the money to open a smuggling route between here and back home. I've already fronted the cost. When I head back, my first job is to pick out products. Once I haul those luxury goods back, the money will pour in."
V was suspicious at first, but when she remembered he was about to meet someone on the level of "Saburo Arasaka," she wasn't so sure anymore.
She was a street kid. She didn't understand the scale of power someone like that might hold. Maybe what seemed impossible to her was just a passing whim to someone like him.
Even Vik was intrigued. "Smuggled goods from the East? Luxury goods… What are we talking—smart weapons? Chips?"
"Nope," Leo shook his head. "For the first run, I want to stick with something safer—like high-end alcohol and fresh organic food."
This plan came from many long discussions with Purewhite.
Considering the high tech, low life nature of the cyberpunk world, they figured that items considered mundane in Gotham could sell for massive profits in Night City.
Especially alcohol.
Take 100% pure grape wine, for example. In Gotham supermarkets, you could get a bottle for a couple of euros. Bring it here and flip it several times over—easy 1,000% profit. Even the greediest capitalist would drool.
Vik thought for a moment, then added, "Fair warning—alcohol's fine, but selling organic meat in Night City is illegal."
"I know. I saw it online…"
Leo found it absurd too. What kind of backward law was that? Then again, when megacorps replaced the government, what did you expect?
That damn All Foods Corp would do anything to maintain their meat monopoly. No shame at all.
"We'll keep the organic stuff for ourselves," Leo said. "The wine's for sale. I've got a line on unblended, original vintage bottles."
"Heh, sounds like a plan. I'll be happy to mooch off that when it comes," Vik chuckled. "Alright, fine. I'll count your original eyes as worth €80,000 in store credit—but only for cyberware from me."
"That's the idea. Thanks, Vik!"
Leo felt relief wash over him. His remaining €25,000 could now go toward ammo. Load up on grenades and keep them in his storage—turn himself into a one-man war machine. It was just smart insurance.
When he looked over, he saw V still staring at him.
"What is it now?"
"Nothing," V scratched her cheek. "I thought you were just pretending to be rich, so I was giving you the side-eye. Didn't expect what you said might actually be true… Hey, bring me back a bottle of tequila, will you? I wanna taste the real stuff."
"Sure. I was planning to bring a few kinds back anyway. See what sells best."
With that out of the way, it was time to get to business.
Leo browsed Vik's inventory and shortlisted several attractive options.
But remembering the warning not to overload on implants all at once, he went with a more survival-focused build:
Kerenzikov Mk II – A downgraded, always-on version of Sandevistan. Enhances reflexes and simulates bullet-time. Great for dodging gunfire.
Subdermal Armor Mk III – Boosts physical defense. It's like wearing a top-grade bulletproof vest under your skin.
Biomonitor + Blood Pump Mk II – Automatically injects emergency medicine when critically wounded. A perfect backup for life-or-death moments.
Titanium Skeleton Mk II – Reinforces your bones, ensuring your frame can take a beating.
Leo wanted to pick more, but Vik raised a hand to stop him.
"Christ, don't go overboard. You cram in too much, and your hormones and bioelectric currents will spiral out of control. Especially the Kerenzikov—it's mounted on your spine. That's as invasive as anything in the brain."
Leo suddenly remembered that awkward moment when he first met V… and his fingers froze.
"These four okay?"
As for the implants needed to attend Arasaka Academy, he'd deal with that next time.
"These four? Hmm… Based on your potential readings, should be fine."
"Then let's do it. Same as last time—don't wake me up until it's done."
"No problem. Let's see… Huh, you sure like premium brands. Alright, I'll give you a discount—€27,000 flat."
Vik prepped himself with a self-injection, then turned to V. "Gotta close the door for the surgery. Minimize interference. What about you?"
"I'll wait ou—"
"No," Leo cut her off. "Stay here. As soon as I'm done, it's your turn. Don't go wandering."
V pursed her lips. She wasn't used to this kind of unconditional trust.
Usually, getting someone to stay during cyberware surgery was something only close friends or family would do.
Vik glanced between them, a small smile playing at the edge of his mouth.
He said nothing. Just shut the door and told V, "Feel free to look around—just don't get too close to the table."
"…Okay."
V wandered over to Vik's desk, occasionally stealing glances back at Leo.
As the anesthesia kicked in, Leo's mind quickly blurred.
In the haze, he started dreaming again… of returning to Night City with crates of high-end goods, raking in money, outfitted with top-shelf cyberware, single-handedly crushing V the Unstoppable…
He had no idea how much time had passed when Vik's voice finally reached him.
"Leo…"
"Leo, wake up."
He blinked, and his vision came into focus.
Vik was watching him closely, shining a small flashlight into his eyes.
When his pupils responded normally, Vik said gently, "All done. Took about an hour and twenty minutes. The operation went smoothly."
Leo stared at him, puzzled.
Not that there was anything wrong with what he said—but…
Why did Vik's lips and arm movements look like they were in slow motion?
Was the anesthesia still wearing off?
