Chapter 5: God May Have Caught the Sh*t
Some time later, deep in the slaughterhouse-like operating room, Arthur finally found Gloria.
Even in a place as filthy and blood-splattered as this, Gloria's brilliant red hair stood out like a beacon.
It was unmistakable—blazing, vibrant, untamed. A defiant flash of color against a world soaked in grime.
Arthur pulled out a personal link wire from his wrist and jacked directly into the brain-computer interface behind Gloria's ear. A thin blue progress bar immediately popped up across his retina, steadily advancing from 0%.
He leaned against the wall, idly tapping his foot.
"Tch," Arthur clicked his tongue. "After all these years, Night City's scavenger rats still haven't upgraded their anti-viral systems? What a bunch of broke losers."
He scratched the back of his head and waited lazily for the progress bar to complete.
As it finished, a soft chime echoed in his mind, and Gloria's furrowed brows relaxed into a peaceful expression, as if she were simply taking a long nap.
Arthur looked down at her—really looked.
That flawless face still shone even through blood, sweat, and exhaustion. Her soft features and stubborn expression melted something inside him.
For a moment, an absurd, powerful impulse overtook him.