World Runner: A Merc's Trial in a Spiritual Dystopia Ch.20

I took a sip from my drink, ‘Sky Eyes’, as it has properly become known in the El Coyote Cojo, which is named after yours truly. 

Seriously, having a drink in a bar was a tradition for Night City legends, and I fulfilled it. Sure, it wasn’t a drink in the Afterlife, yet, it was still a drink in a popular bar in Night City, and for now, that was good enough for me. 

Around a month has passed since Dorio, Jackie, and I went on the car stealing job, and in that time we’ve done a lot more jobs together, solidifying our little group within the world of Mercs.

Most of the jobs we took were spread around various fixers. As much as I cared for Padre and respected him just as much, we couldn’t really gain more street cred just doing jobs for him. The locals already acknowledged us as some bad motherfuckers, and it was time for the rest of city to see that as well.

The old man himself, Padre, didn’t have a problem with it and understood that business was business at the end of the day. We’d still be taking jobs from him, just not as much for the time being. 

“What you thinkin’ about there?” 

I turned to the large woman beside me and gave her a small, almost unnoticeable smile. 

“I was wondering if we should get another gig.” I took another sip as Dorio leaned forward on the counter. 

“Well, you know I’m always down for anythin’.” She grinned, lightly knocking on my shoulder. 

I really didn’t know if we should do another one. I got a call from Deshawn offering a pretty well-paying gig, but I didn’t feel like taking it. That car stealing job paid a fuckton, and I think we’re good as we are. 

Plus… 

I glanced at the blonde-haired woman beside me, earning her attention and a smile. This wasn’t just my gang member and fuck buddy anymore. Dorio is my woman now and she has been for the last month. 

Did I really want to endanger her now with another troublesome job just for a bit of cash? 

I dodged her attempt at punching the back of my head and gave her my attention. She was frowning at me as she crossed her arms. 

“I know that look, you wanna do the job but you’re worried about me again, aren’t you?” Dorio asked while not looking very happy. This wasn’t the first time she figured out my reason for hesitating when it came to the harder jobs. 

“It’s not like that.” I shook my head. It kind of was, but not in the way she thinks. She thinks I’m underestimating her, thinking she’s weak and a helpless woman who needs my help in everything she does, but all it takes is for me to look at her to know that isn’t true. 

No, the reason why I’m concerned is because this is Night City. Anything can happen, and with us making ourselves a lower-ranked enemy of Arasaka with that car-stealing job, we may one day have to reap the consequences of that, and while I don’t mind fighting Saka, I’m not dumb enough to think they don’t have someone who can give me a fight, excluding Smasher. 

If they can kill me…they can kill Dorio, and that thought alone sours everything. 

I dodged another punch by moving my head away.

“You’re doing it again.” Dorio said quietly as she stared at me with a frown. 

“I…just don’t wanna mess up Dorio.” I glared down at the ground. “I can’t mess up.” 

Dorio watched me for a moment before reaching her hand out and lightly punching my shoulder. 

“Then stop thinking about shit yourself, dumbass.” She smiled, taking a sip from her glass. “You got Jackie and I to think for you, so stop being so hard on yourself and trust us.” 

I stared into Dorio’s eyes for a moment and quickly realized that she understood the true meaning behind my words but chose not to speak on it, at least not here. 

I didn’t want to mess up and get her killed simply because of my own ambitions. 

Yet here she was being selfless and trying her best to keep me going forward by taking the decisions out of my head and into hers and Jackie’s. It was obvious what they would decide if I let them to it, the last thing they wanted to do was hold me back from reaching my goals, especially when they both believed it was only a matter of time before I did. 

But what was the point of reaching the top if I didn’t have anyone to share this city with? 

I reached out under the counter and grabbed her hand, interlocking my fingers with hers, which caught her off guard. 

I shook my head and smiled at her. “Thank you, Dorio.” 

She returned my smile after getting over her initial surprise. “Anytime.” 

We sat in the bar for a few more minutes before getting up and leaving, making our way back to the safehouse to chill. 

And as time passed by, I found myself naked in bed with Dorio’s head resting on my chest as she breathed softly. I stared up at the ceiling, my mind running a million miles a second as I thought about how the future could potentially play out. I knew things could end up going bad, but maybe it’s best if I don’t think about that, or rather, I prepare so the worst case never comes to fruition. 

I glanced down at the sleeping woman in my arms, a small smile split my lips as I held her just a bit tighter. I had no idea how nice it would feel to have a woman I love in my life. Dorio…she’s changed me, and I’ve changed her, and I think both of us have done so for the better. 

In that moment, I made up my mind. I was gonna take Deshawn’s offer. It’d pay a good amount and while it’d be dangerous, we’ll be in a better place afterward. 

I refuse to let Dorio die, but who the hell am I to baby her? 

“You’re…an idiot.” Dorio whispered out as she slept, making a chuckle rise in my throat. Even when she was sleeping she had something to say.

— Next Day —

“Maliketh Aeneas.” The overweight, bearded, dark-skinned man greeted me with a grin.

“Dexter Deshawn.” I returned his grin along with a nod as I sat down in his booth. 

“You look different.” He eyed me, his eyes trailing down my body. “Stronger.” 

“I’ve been training.” I shrugged. 

After I had told Deshawn about my willingness to take on the job he offered, he called me to the Afterlife so we could talk about the details. Jackie is at his place, and Dorio is at mine, waiting for me to finish up here. 

“Good, damn good. Maximize that potential, remember, only two people in this world.” 

“I understand.” I took a sip of the drink he had offered me and relaxed my body in the booth. “Now then, why don’t we move things along.” 

“In a rush?” He asked before stopping himself. “Ya know what? None of my business, let’s keep shit pushing.” 

My kind of man.

“Lay it on me.” I leanded forward as Deshawn snapped his finger. One of his guards reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a data shard and handed it to the Fixer. He eyed it for a moment before offering it to me. 

I grabbed it and inserted it into my neuroport. Information began to dance in my brain. 

I closed my eyes as I processed the info. It was a gang clearing job, honestly some nasty shit. 

There is a rising gang in Westbrook that is starting to cause some trouble, and if things persist as they are, the gang will become a threat. The rate at which they’re amassing members is abnormal, and it seems that most of the members have access to the systems, which is very unusual. 

I mean, what are the odds you come across several Hunters/Haki-Men naturally? It just didn’t happen. Most people that possess the systems don’t even know they do, and beyond that, even if they do, they’re most likely hiding and living normal lives. 

Even being super powerful doesn’t change the fact that Night City is still Night City. Being an Edgerunner and living fast is a good way to meet your end, and the people of NC know that. 

So how…how did the gang manage to gain so many superpowered members? 

“I can see the sparks burning in your head, choom.” Deshawn said with a grin as he leaned forward. “Think ya can take em?” 

“Of course.” I pulled the data shard out of my neck and pocketed it. “Jackie, Dorio, and I can handle it.”

“I like your confidence, it soothes my spirit.” He chuckled before reaching into his pocket and pulling out another data shard. “But I’m a man that likes a bit of…insurance.” 

I frowned at the extra data shard and took it from him, eyeing him for a moment before I pressed it into my neuroport. 

“I want this job done well. No members survive, so I have two mercs who can help you make sure no one escapes.” 

The images of two people flashed in my vision and my eyes widened. 

Information about the brother and sister pair flooded my mind and a wicked grin tugged at my lips.

“I got no problem with this.” I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms with a massive grin. “Now, let’s talk pay.” I said as I pulled out the data shard and handed it back to him. 

“Of course, that’s the most important part after all.” Deshawn nodded, leaning back and throwing one of his arms over the booth. “How does a hundred thousand eddies sound?” 

“Like you’re smoking dick.” I answered immediately. What the fuck was he thinking? This was a job that could very well get us killed due to the sheer number of superpowered fuckers they have, and he offered a measly 100k. That’d be twenty thousand eddies each if we split it evenly, which isn’t bad, but for the job it’s horrendous.

“Oh, do you have a problem with that amount?” He raised an eyebrow as a frown dominated his face. 

“Let’s cut the shit.” I leaned forward, placing my hands on the table. I watched as the guards reached for their waists, a sign of intimidation to ward me off of trying anything stupid. “You’re asking us to take out a gang of Hunters and Haki-Men, a job that would require at least ten to fifteen veteran mercs to even begin to approach that amount of fire, and you’re offering a measly 100k for all of that?” I was more disappointed than angered. Did he seriously take me for a gonk? 

“I can see your logic.” He nodded. “How does a 120k eddies sound?” 

“Like you didn’t listen to a word I just said.” I narrowed my eyes. 

“I ain’t gonna go back and forth with you, Beard.” Deshawn leaned back, placing both his arms behind the booth to show just how relaxed he was. 

“...150k, not an eddie less.” I offered.

“...” He remained quiet for a moment before reaching his hand out. “We got ourselves a deal.” 

I took his hand and shook it, but I knew his game from the beginning. He knew how much this job was worth from the beginning, but he wanted to avoid paying as much as he could. Hell, he probably would have went even higher if I asked for more, but sometimes you can’t tell with motherfuckers like these. 

“When?” I asked, wanting to get the hell out of here. 

“Whenever you’re ready, but no longer than a week. The longer you wait, the stronger those gonks grow.” He waved his hand. 

I nodded and stood up. “Then I’ll get it done as soon as possible.” 

“I was hoping you would. Take care, Beard.” He waved and I made my way out. I really hated doing business with people besides Padre for this very reason. At the bvery least, Padre considered me as someone important, not just for what I had to offer, but as a person. I’m the best damn lie detector in the world, no one can fool me so easily, and Deshawn is no exception. 

I’m nothing more than an asset to be used and discarded whenever I run out of uses. The only real thing that separated me from the rest of the trash in his eyes is the fact that I have some potential, and anyone who knows him knows he values potential. 

I walked out of the Afterlife, but not before meeting Rogue’s gaze. Every time I came into this bar she would eye me from a distance but never say anything to me. I had no intention of going over to her anytime soon. I could make it in this city just fine without her. 

I walked out of the bar and hopped into the air. I hadn’t taken my car because I don’t like leaving it alone. Not when someone could put a tracker or bomb on it, or just outright steal it when I was in foreign territory. The Glenn was a much simpler place. Everyone knew everyone, so problems rarely occurred.

I smiled at that thought. Just a few months ago, I had been dropped into this world with nothing, but now, I knew a bunch of people, and I was one of the most desired Mercs around. The only thing that was keeping me from a higher status was the lack of a gang. Sure, Dorio and Jackie are members of the gang I have begun forming, but in terms of numbers, three people is nothing compared to even the lower-ranking gangs. 

We need numbers, and with this job, I think we’ll finally be able to get some more heads on our roster.

— Three Days Later —

“This the place?” Jackie asked, crinkling his nose in disgust. Night City has never been a clean place, but this part was just downright disgusting. Shit on the ground, trash thrown everywhere, and BD potatoes laid out ass naked with their nasty bodies bringing about a horrible sight to all that passed by. 

“Apparently.” I frowned, ignoring the groaning man who was laid out on the ground enjoying his BD. 

God…it’s wild how far people can fall when their lives are shit. 

“Ugh, let’s just head inside.” Dorio stepped forward, passing the trash and filth and walking into the very unsanitary looking apartment building. 

We walked up the stairs because the elevator didn’t work and made our way to the third floor before walking down the short hallway. We reached a door, our destination, and stopped. 

I gave the door two knocks, and the three of us waited. 

I frowned, not hearing any footsteps approaching, but with my Observation Haki, I could sense someone approaching slowly. The intent I felt from them was not friendly. I reached down to my hip and pulled out my Ticon, and as the door swung open, I pressed the gun against the girl’s head. Meanwhile, her gun was pressed against the upper half of my stomach, just below my chest. 

We both stood there for a moment, her looking surprised, while I looked down at her with a smirk. 

“Is that how you say hello to your co-workers, Rebecca?” I asked mockingly. Had I been of normal height, her gun would have been pointed at my head, but thanks to these new legs of mine, I was a giant, standing at around 6’9.

Her expression gradually shifted from surprise to a cheeky grin as she retracted the gun and spun it in her hand. 

“Glad to see you’re not a dead man walking, Beard-Man.” She cackled, turning around and walking into her apartment. 

I frowned at her state of dress as she was wearing nothing but a bra and panties, and by the way she had just walked away randomly, the only rational thing to assume was that she was inviting us in. 

Jackie, Dorio, and I shared a glance with one another before nodding and walking in. 

As we closed the door, the first thing I did was thank all the gods above for finally putting an end to that shitty smell. The inside was much better smelling. It wasn’t a good smell per se, it still smelled like sweat, ass, and shitty food, but that was much better than literal shit and cum. 

“Hey, bro! The Beard is here!” Rebecca called out, rounding a corner and disappearing from our sight, we followed after her to see that there was a room around the corner with an open door. We walked into the room to see Rebecca with her hands on her waist as she watched a man working on his cybernetic arms. 

“You say something?” The man, Pilar, asked as he looked up at his sister. His eyes stayed on her for a moment before looking past her to see us. “Why the hell did you invite a load of gonkheads into our apartment?!” 

“We got a job to do with them, dumbass! How the fuck are you gonna call people gonkheads and then act like a gonk?! Make it make sense you fucking brainrotted fuck!” Rebecca shouted, forcing Pilar to cover his ears as he frowned at her. 

“Why the hell didn’t you say that then?” He let out a sigh as he looked at us. “So you’re the Beard?” He asked, standing up on his mechanical legs and approaching us. 

“Maliketh Aeneas, but yes, you’re free to call me that if you want.” I shrugged. I then pointed at the two members of my gang. “Dorio and Jackie.”

“I’m Rebecca, and that dumbass is my brother, Pilar.” She introduced herself and jabbed her thumb at him. 

The introductions were kind of stupid in my opinion. Deshawn gave me a data shard on them, so he likely gave them a data shard on us, but I guess at this point it’s more of a pleasantry between future co-workers than something that’s mandatory. 

“Deshawn said Pilar is good at making bombs, is that so?” Jackie asked, stepping forward and passing Rebecca to eye his work. The room we were in seemed to be a storage space/bedroom mixed into one, and there tons of metal pieces and equipment thrown around here and there. 

“Ain’t gonna find anyone better than me!” Pilar laughed and Jackie followed suit a moment later. 

“Then I’m sure we’ll get along well, mi amigo!” Jackie threw his arm over Pilar’s shoulder as the two cackled. 

…That’s Jackie, the kind of man that can walk into another man’s house and laugh with him over nothing. 

“He got a circuit lose?” Rebecca asked, looking at me with a frown. 

“Jackie’s just a…people person.” I explained as nicely as I could, getting a frown from the man himself and a chuckle from both Dorio and Rebecca. 

“Well then, we got a job to do, did you plan on doing it soon?” Rebecca questioned, crossing her arms under her non-existent bust. 

We didn’t communicate at all before meeting, so we hadn’t formulated any ideas or plans to execute together yet, that was the point of today’s meeting. 

“Yeah, tomorrow if we can.” I supplied, and her eyebrows shot up. 

“The hell do you mean tomorrow?!” She shouted, frowning at me. 

“I mean, we storm their base and wipe out their numbers tomorrow, and if we have to, we bomb them fuckers to high hell.” I scratched my beard in thought. 

“That sounds like suicide!” / “Nova!” 

Both Rebecca and Pilar shouted at the same time. Pilar held his hands up and chuckled as Rebecca glared at him. 

“Let me do the talking assfuck!” She glared then looked back at me with an unsatisfied frown. “Tomorrow ain’t gonna work, too many Powa fucks around.” 

“Powa fucks?” I asked. 

“Hunters and Haki-Men.” She explained, and I could tell she was losing her patience. 

“That’s…one way to address them.” I chuckled.

“And what do you call them?” Her eyes narrowed. 

“Well, if I had to shorten it, I’d probably just call them supes.” I frowned, stroking my beard sagely. 

“Powa fucks works better.” She shook her head. 

“Alright then, are you one of those “Powa fucks?” Dorio asked, deciding to cut me off before I could respond. A smart choice, I was ready to go back and forth all night. 

I’m a Haki fuck!” Rebecca grinned, punching her fists together. 

BANG

Her fists clashed together and produced a loud sound. Blackish pink covered her hands, bringing about a frown from me. 

It was good that she had Haki, but she didn’t make it immediately cover her forearms. Can she not yet? 

“How long have you had it?” Jackie asked, suddenly looking very interested in Rebecca.

“Forever, I think?” She shrugged.

“How long have you known about it?” I corrected, facepalming. 

“Around a month.” She said as she fell into thought. “I think.” 

So she’s known she had Haki for a month. Unlike Nen, Haki was much harder to even access, much less master if you had no knowledge about it beforehand. Even people who have it can’t use it well if they have weak wills, which makes it an incredibly rare and difficult power system to use. 

“Why the hell are all of you questioning me? Are you feds?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. 

“Just curious,” Dorio answered for us. I was interested in who taught Rebecca about Haki, but honestly, that can wait until later, especially if she wasn’t happy about us asking so many questions. 

I looked toward the older of the two and stepped toward him. “Do you think you can have the explosives done by tomorrow?” 

“I’ve already finished them.” He waved his large, stretchy hand in front of my face with a grin. “Did you think I sat doing nothing for three days?” 

“Wouldn’t surprise me, you lazy fuck!” Rebecca growled at him, making him laugh. 

“Good, then we’ll attack tomorrow. It was…something, meeting the two of you.” 

“Yeah, see you, Beard-Man,” Rebecca said dismissively as she continued to glare at Pilar. 

Ah, to be young with siblings, how I miss that life.

“Let’s Delta,” I said and left the room. Both Dorio and Jackie followed me and quickly made our way downstairs and back to the large jeep we had taken here, another car Jackie had stolen after we left the last one behind. 

Jackie took the driver's seat while Dorio and I sat in the back. 

“I saw you staring.” She glared at me as soon as I got in. 

“...What?” 

“You heard me.” Her eyes narrowed deeper, and I could tell that there was no way to avoid what was to come; there was only one problem. 

Jackie started to whistle but quickly stopped when Dorio directed her anger at him and told him to “shut up.” 

I really wasn’t staring. Rebecca had been wearing panties and a bra, and I still kept my eyes from looking for too long. I won’t lie; my eyes did trail down to Rebecca’s thighs once and her ass twice, but it was a quick glance rather than a few-second stare. 

“I looked a couple of times, and that was it.” I shrugged, unbothered by her glaring eyes. 

“You must have forgotten.” Her hand reached down to my thigh and slid over to my package. “This is mine.” 

I raised an eyebrow at that. Ah, that’s fair, I suppose. Only there was one problem with that. 

“Do you even actually care, or are you just trying to guilt me into fucking you tonight?” I asked, crossing my arms. I already knew the answer, and judging by the way her eyes twitched at the question, I knew I was right. 

“You’re an asshole.” She frowned as she removed her hand from my crotch. 

“I thought I was an idiot.” I return, grabbing her hand and placing it back in its rightful place, causing Dorio to blush.

“You’re both.” She retorts with a gentle squeeze.

Well, it wouldn’t hurt to get some extra training in before tomorrow.

— Chapter End —

Author’s Note: