Cyberpunk Edgerunner: CyberReaper

Chapter 7: Cyber Reaper: Chapter 7 : Tick Tack



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The heavy rain slicked the streets of Night City as neon lights reflected in growing puddles, painting the world in a chaotic dance of colors. The Edgerunners had scattered for their individual tasks, but Lucy remained in the hideout, her fingers dancing across her terminal as she sifted through layers of encrypted data.

Her obsession with tracing Diablo had become more than professional curiosity. There was something hauntingly familiar about his movements and his mastery of his Techniques—a kindred understanding that tugged at memories she tried to suppress.

Lucy's POV

Lucy's eyes narrowed as she hit a breakthrough. A faint, corrupted signal pinged on her screen—a remnant of Diablo's last appearance. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

Lucy: Got you.

Using her implants, she traced the signal, bypassing layers of interference. The trail led her to an abandoned district on the city's edge, a place untouched by corporate greed and forgotten by the masses.

Her gut told her this was no coincidence.

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Diablo's Hideout

Diablo stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the AI chip floating in a protective field above his desk. Its glow was steady now, almost tranquil, but he knew better. Sentience like this was a powder keg waiting for a spark.

AI Chip: "User detected. Warning: surveillance attempt detected."

Diablo frowned. His Nano suit activated instinctively, its systems interfacing with his monitors.

Diablo: "Location?"

AI Chip: Unidentified source. Signal disrupted before precise coordinates could be determined.

He tapped a control pad on his desk, launching a trace countermeasure, but it was too late—the signal had vanished.

Diablo: That not some ordinary runner for Someone's this persistent could it be arsaka?, MaxTac? Or...

He glanced at the AI chip, his maroon eyes gleaming with suspicion.

AI Chip: "Probability analysis: unknown. Advise caution."

Diablo: Unknown huh? Means this runner is good well i have a jest who is it..

Diablo's fingers tightened on the edge of the desk. He wasn't one to gamble, but Night City thrived on risks. If someone was bold enough to track him, they either had a death wish or a purpose.

Diablo: Let's find out then

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Lucy arrived at the outskirts of Night City, her movements are cautious. The silence here was oppressive, broken only by the hum of the occasional power line.

Her implants buzzed faintly—a warning that she'd crossed into a no-signal zone. Whoever operated here didn't want visitors, and that only confirmed her suspicions.

Lucy: This has to be his base..

As she ventured deeper, a sudden distortion flickered across her HUD. Then, without warning, a blinding surge of data overwhelmed her senses, forcing her to halt.

Lucy: "Damn it! Countermeasures…"

A voice, calm and deep echoed through her comms.

Diablo: look like my guess are correct well you're persistent. I'll give you that.

What kind of plot hole is this the mask and the armor are malfunctioning or something?how did she find this?

I thought silently while staring deeply at her eyes

Lucy froze, her instincts screaming at her to retreat.

Lucy: "So, you do talk."

Diablo: "Depends on who's asking. You've been digging where you shouldn't, Lucy."

She stiffened at the sound of her name, her mind racing.

Lucy: "You know me."

Diablo: "I know enough. Turn back."

Lucy's lips tightened into a thin line.

Lucy: "Not until I get answers."

There was a pause before his voice returned, quieter this time but laced with an edge.

Diablo: "Answers come with a cost. Are you ready to pay it?"

Before she could respond, the signal cut off, leaving her in silence.

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Maine's Gig

Meanwhile, the rest of the Edgerunners had regrouped for their next gig: a high-stakes heist on an Arasaka convoy transporting prototype tech. Maine, Rebecca, and Dorio reviewed the plan as Kiwi patched into their comms.

Kiwi: "Intel confirms heavy security, but nothing we haven't handled before. Stay sharp."

Maine: "Good. Let's move."

As they closed in on the convoy's route, an unease settled over the group. The road was too quiet, the air too still.

Rebecca: "Something's off, Maine. Feels like a setup."

Before Maine could respond, a deafening explosion rocked the area. The convoy ahead erupted into flames, and out of the smoke emerged a lone figure cloaked in shadows—Diablo.

Rebecca: "No way… It's 'him'!

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Diablo's Intervention

Diablo moved with surgical precision, his katana slicing through Arasaka drones like paper. The Edgerunners watched, stunned, as he dismantled the convoy's defenses in minutes.

Maine: "Stand down! We're not getting in his way."

But Rebecca, ever impulsive, opened fire. Her bullets ricocheted harmlessly off Diablo's armor, and he turned to face her, his mask glinting under the flames.

Diablo: "Wrong move."

In an instant, he was in front of her, his blade hovering inches from her throat.

Maine: "Enough! She's with me."

Diablo's maroon eyes shifted to Maine, and for a moment, the tension crackled like a live wire. Then, he lowered his weapon.

Diablo: "You should control your team better."

He stepped back, his tone neutral but firm.

Diablo: "This tech isn't yours to take. Walk away."

Maine: "And if we don't?"

Diablo's silence was answer enough.

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l

As the standoff unfolded, Lucy arrived at the scene, her gaze locking onto Diablo. She approached cautiously, her voice steady.

Lucy: "You didn't answer my question."

Diablo turned to her, his expression unreadable behind the mask.

Diablo: "And yet, you followed."

Lucy: "Because you're not just some ghost. You're hiding something—something worth knowing."

For the first time, Diablo hesitated.

Diablo: "Maybe you're right. But some truths are better left buried."

Lucy stepped closer, her eyes unwavering.

Lucy: "Not to me."

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To be contacted


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