Cyberpunk - Badland Madman [Cyberpunk 2077]

Megabuilding H4, Santa Domingo,

There was a new BD on the market. A BD so damn popular and in demand that it was impossible to get his hands on it. It wasn't illegal or XBD, but instead it was distributed by Fourth Wall Studios itself, one of the largest studios on the West Coast.

David Martinez didn't watch the news much, so he wasn't aware of the Scav hunting incident that had taken place that night. The next day, when he got to school, he heard others talking about it. One of them was boasting about seeing it.

Curious, he searched it on the CitiNet and learned the details. The killer was none other than Cypher Blackwell, his mom's employer. The article said the man killed over thirty Scavs alone. And then there was Gillean Jordan's interview.

He watched it all and learned that Cypher Blackwell was the owner, CEO, founder, and pretty much everything behind Obsidian. He'd heard about that company so much by now. Some of his rich classmates talked about their dads securing the patents.

That was when David learned the truth behind Cypher Blackwell's wealth and influence. But it still took another day to drive the lesson home of how dangerous that man was.

He had his ways. The very next day, he finally bought a pirated copy of the BD. Since it wasn't anything illegal, he watched it at home right before school that day. He lounged in the living area while his mom cooked.

Holy shit!

He watched the BD and forgot to breathe for the entire duration of the fucking massacre, not that it was hunting. He saw Cypher eat bullets and react like it was nothing. And the fighting style was so different, using the collar of the suit as a shield while pumping bullets into the enemy.

The accuracy was insane. Each bullet struck where it was needed. All the rolls, the leaps, the jumping on the heads, and the shooting of skulls. It was like watching an action movie, but this was reality.

The music was also blood-pumping. He watched Cypher save the captives, and then watched the leader of the Scavs explode. The explosive gore part was censored, but he didn't give a fuck.

"Fuck!"

As David removed the Wreath, he realised he was panting and his body was sweating. He turned his head and looked at his mom in the kitchen. Realising that she was working for this man and was close enough to have his number made him feel excited, smug, and also scared.

"I… Mom!" He jumped and ran up to her. "Mom, can you call Mr. Blackwell? I… I need to talk to him."

"Huh? Miho, I warned you never to ask that again."

"No, Mom, you don't get it." David nearly begged, still sweating. "I gotta say sorry to him. I almost ratted him out. Choom's flat-out crazy Mom! And crazy rich. That's a very, very bad mix."

"I don't think he even remembers you, David."

That almost… hurt?

David frowned and looked at his mom's face. She had the usual smile on her lips, like everything was fine. But that made him relaxed too. He backed up, nodding.

"How's work at the new place?"

"Love it! No need to chase gigs all over the city. It's safe. Even if it runs late into the night, I still sleep nice and easy and also..." She pulled him into a hug. "I get to spend time with my miho! What's not to like?"

David embarrassingly groaned and pulled out, fixing his school uniform.

"In fact, I think Mr. Blackwell said the club will set us up with housing down the line. It won't be in the same building, but it'll be in the Glen. Isn't that amazing? You'll be close to your school."

David nodded. He had to agree with that. Since Arasaka Academy was in the City Center, and the Continental was in the Glen, it made sense to live there. But it was the most expensive part of the city.

"Can we even afford it?"

"It's company housing, David. Now take this plate, eat, go to school, and study hard. Maybe one day you'll work at Obsidian."

David frowned, wondering when it changed from Arasaka to Obsidian? Wasn't Arasaka still the top dog?

He said nothing and took the home-cooked burrito to the table.

I wanna see the club one day.

####

Little China, Watson,

Cypher arrived at Urmland Street and walked straight into Misty's shop. Atlas was always there, helping him make sure people around him didn't recognise him. It was too easy with everyone having a neural link.

As usual, mystic music was playing in the background once he entered. Misty was leaning against the table counter and reading a customer's cards.

Uh, already?

"Ah? Not hitting the good cards again? Gotta be real, I ain't exactly loving this reading. But hey, something about the vibe keeps dragging me back, chica."

Cypher walked over and took a seat, and listened to the man, none other than Jackie Welles, with that weird hairstyle, talk nonsensically. Was he flirting? Was he just being friendly? It was impossible to tell.

He noticed the way Misty side-eyed him multiple times.

"I don't control it, Jackie. It's fate."

"Heh, can't argue with that. Like fate dragged me right here, I feel it. And Viktor, too. How does it feel like being the landlord? Preem spot you got, and a shop, and you're the owner as well."

Cypher cringed at the attempt made there.

"Is he trying to flirt with her, Atlas?"

[I believe he is, Cyph.]

"It's good vibes. Viktor should be clear now. You should head down, Jackie. I got people waiting."

"Ah, yeah, yeah. That's right. Customers."

Cypher noticed Jackie staring at him and getting closer.

"Choom, you look real familiar. We met before?"

Cypher looked up at Jackie's face, especially that yee-yee ass haircut. It was interesting how the man couldn't recognise him despite his face being on the news everywhere.

"Get that a lot these days," Cypher replied and got up to walk over to Misty's counter.

He waited for Jackie to vanish through the back door before eyeing Misty intently and asking, "Busy?"

"Yeah, a lot of people keyed into this these days, energy's shifting."

"Good to hear. I hope not at night, though. You didn't even come to my club's opening. Everything good with you?"

Misty uncomfortably looked down and let out a sigh. "Cyph… I just… We're not dating, right?"

"I don't think so," he answered. He'd never even hinted at being a couple, or tried to lead her into thinking she should expect it. They had just started 'doing it' before any real talking.

"That's right," she replied. "Sorry. Shouldn't have ghosted your party. Been eating at me ever since. My head was all static. I… You're nova, Cyph. But I think I need to try something serious. Something real."

Cypher frowned and scratched his stubble.

Huh? Why she sounding like it's a breakup?

"Hold up a sec, Misty. Why are you looking all guilty? Wanting something real and steady ain't bad. Hell, that's kinda great, finding your person to stick with for years." He clarified quickly.

"You're not angry? Or disappointed?" she asked back.

"Why would I be? Like I said, we weren't dating. It just happened, that's it. Unless you're mad at me about it, I don't really get a say. I can't stop you from doing your thing. You probably felt weird and skipped the party so you wouldn't have to see my face. Well, it's pretty screwed, I wouldn't wanna stare at it myself, but you get me, yeah?"

Misty's face lit up suddenly, going from worried and solemn to calm and smiling. "You holding up okay? Saw the headlines and your interview."

"Ah, that? Nah, don't sweat it. I'm good, seriously. Hell, I ain't felt this good in a minute. Huntin Scavs kinda wakes you up, you know?"

"I'm glad you're not hurt," Misty said and walked around the counter to his side. "I'll come by your club later, if that's alright. Kinda wanna check the vibe."

"You should. Especially every third Friday of the month. We're setting it up as nineties night, all the colors, the vibe, the music, drinks from back then. And every third Saturday's gonna be two-thousands night. It's gonna be sick." Cypher revealed the secret, as Atlas was still managing all the supplies to make it a success.

"Really? I can't wait to see it."

"Drinks are on me for you," Cypher said, glancing over at the old wall clock Misty had. "I'm gonna bounce. Got a meeting with the City Council. Take care, Misty. Hit me up if you need anything. You've got a friend in a high place now."

He turned to leave.

"Cyph!"

Suddenly, Misty called him, and he turned to her again. "Misty?"

"Cypher, are we… Still friends?"

"Huh? I ain't big on that word, but you a gonk or what? Yeah, we are, girl. We're chooms, if you wanna call it that. And if I gotta lay low one day, I'm crashing at your place," Cypher said and walked over to her and gave her a warm, strong, friendly hug. "Stop overthinking."

That's what she's worried about? Losing me as a friend? I ain't that petty.

"Thank you." Misty hugged him back, her arms wrapping around his chest.

After a moment, doing his best to ignore the softness against his chest, Cypher stepped away, really leaving this time. He walked back to his parked car and sat inside for some time, not driving.

"I get it, man. Still feels like I just got dumped," he muttered.

"You were never dating," Atlas replied from the car's speakers while his avatar appeared on the passenger seat.

"I know, I know. She just made it weird by getting all emotional. So is she with Jackie already or nah? I can bet there's still a lot of time before it happened."

"Do you want me to examine her holophone?"

"Fuck no!" Cypher fired up the car. "Who am I to pull that? We weren't a thing, and her dating life ain't mine to judge. I can't keep them all forever, Atlas. Gotta leave some pussy for everybody else. Alright, lock in, time to buy the lake and the dam."

He drove south from Little China, through the City Center, and arrived at the Glen. He parked at his reserved spot under the building and took the elevator to the club's floor. There was activity everywhere at that hour as the Microbots prepared everything for the night.

The club was open, but it wasn't ready.

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A/N: No, there will be no Misty X Jackie deep romance(Sex). Making this clear before some of you start crazily typing cuck and calling me a cuck.

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Check out Cypher X Gloria, Cypher X Judy, Cypher X Rebecca NSFW ART, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens

Advance chapters on [PATREON] are in long-form format. I have 10 long chapters of this story on P@treon. That's equal to 35-45 NovelFire chapters.