Cyberpunk: The Magnet fruit

It turned out to be just as Rebecca had guessed.

The reason David answered Rogge's question so straightforwardly?

He had his own little plan:

First: He had a dispute with the Beast Gang and the Scavengers. He needed to use today's opportunity to give them a certain level of deterrence.

Otherwise, they would keep pestering him like a persistent thorn in his side!

Second: This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove himself in front of all the big names in Night City. It wasn't just about having strong personal strength; successful people also had to know how to seize opportunities.

Tonight, in the Afterlife Bar, this was David's chance to make his mark!

As expected, as soon as David gave his answer, the low-level crowd watching the scene erupted into excitement!

"Fair--!"

"Fair--!!"

…

The shouts rang out, and Delais, who had been trembling just moments ago, suddenly felt confident. "Ms. Rogge, you heard the crowd. The employee of your bar rear-ended our car first and beat my brother."

"This matter… shouldn't you give us an explanation?"

"Don't worry, everyone is watching. I'll give you a satisfactory explanation," Rogge replied, ignoring Delais's semi-threatening words, and turned to look at David with a smile on her face. "Young man, what's your name?"

"David, you can call me David Jiucheng."

David replied seriously.

Rogge nodded and continued, "David, you've seen the current situation. You were the one who caused trouble in the first place, and you also hurt their brother. Even if you're my bar employee, you need to give an explanation to the Beast Gang."

David nodded in understanding.

"So, are you going to compensate them, or what?"

Rogge stared at David quietly, her deep blue eyes watching him carefully to see what choice he would make.

"Hey, kid!"

Claire, who had been watching from the side, couldn't help but pull David aside and quietly warned him, "I advise you to admit your mistake quickly and pay the compensation. As long as those guys from the Beast Gang don't open their mouths, I have some savings I can lend you. Your life might be at stake."

"Haha, don't worry, sis, I can handle this," David said with a smile, patting Claire's arm to reassure her.

Then, he turned to face Delais and said in a deep voice, "Don't you, the Beast Gang, value strength the most?"

"You want to fight me? If I lose, I'll pay the compensation; if I win, this matter will be wiped clean. You won't bother me in the future!"

As soon as David said these words, the place that had been shouting for fairness fell into a dead silence!

Complete silence!!

The onlookers were all staring at David with wide eyes.

"Hey, gang, did I hear that correctly just now? Did this… this kid from the Dragon Kingdom just challenge the Beast Gang to a duel?!"

"Uh… Okay, I think I heard that too."

…

The next moment, the Afterlife Bar was filled with a wave of excited noise.

"Hahaha, you've got guts! Damn, I've seen people who are not afraid of death, but I've never seen someone as fearless as this!"

"Boy, if you win today, there will definitely be a place for you in Night City!"

"Haha! Kid, do you want to become a legend in Night City?!"

"Do you know where the legends of Night City gather? In the cemetery!"

…

The crowd was buzzing with excitement. Of course, most of the shouts were mocking David.

The Beast Gang members howled with excitement. Rather than monetary compensation, they preferred the pleasure of tearing their opponent apart and breaking their bones!

"David, are you out of your mind?" Claire's first reaction was to grab David and scold him. "Why would you fight the Beast Gang? Don't you think your life is too precious to waste like this?"

"Damn it, I should never have let you work at the bar in the first place!"

"If you really end up dead, I'm not collecting your body!"

…

Claire's scolding was harsh, but David knew it was her way of caring for him.

"Sis, don't worry."

David remained calm, his expression serious. "I'll be fine."

Looking at David's composed face, Claire was stunned. She realized that the boy in front of her was no longer the timid kid he had been when he first arrived at the Afterlife Bar a month ago.

Could it be… that he really had a way to save his life?

"What the hell!"

In the end, Claire had no choice but to say, "Whatever. We're not related, so I don't care whether you live or die!"

Jack, who had been standing next to them, now wore a worried expression. "David, I admire your courage, but… is this really okay?"

David simply smiled and nodded. At this point, anything he said would be pointless.

"Okay!"

Jack patted David on the shoulder and said solemnly, "You're a damn man. Stay alive. I'll wait for you!"

"David, are you really sure you want to do this?" Rogge asked once more, her eyes locked on him. "You're still young. Think about it carefully."

While speaking, she looked into David's eyes, as though trying to read something from them.

"Don't worry, this is my decision."

David met her gaze without flinching, his eyes filled with calmness and unwavering confidence.

For a brief moment, the two locked eyes.

In David's gaze, Rogge didn't see fear or madness. What she saw was sheer confidence, a self-assurance that seemed unshakable.

For that short moment, Rogge couldn't help but feel distracted.

How long had it been since she had seen such a confident young man in Night City?

She couldn't remember.

Whether it was David's "suicidal" courage that impressed her or if something in him reminded her of someone from her past, Rogge's face, which had once been a queen's smile, softened into one of sincere amusement.

"Haha… alright. I hope your strength matches your confidence," she said, finally breaking the silence.

Turning to Delais, she added, "Did you hear that? My employee, David, has proposed a duel with you. Are you afraid to take him on?"

"Hahaha--!" Delais laughed, his impatience clear. "I've been waiting for this!"

He gestured around and said, "If I lose, not only will I not cause trouble for this kid in the future, but I'll also spend an extra 20,000 euros on bar maintenance!"

"How does that sound, Ms. Rogge?"

"It doesn't matter whether you compensate or not," Rogge shrugged and then added with a cold expression, "But I must remind you—don't let this turn into a life-or-death situation."

"If David dies, your Beast Gang will not have an easy time. I, Rogge, said so!"

The queenly authority of the Afterlife Bar was undeniable.

Delais' eyes twitched, but he nodded, acknowledging her words. "Hehe, alright. Since you've spoken, I won't take the kid's life."

He then whispered to himself with a sinister smile, "Isn't it more fun for him to live than to die…"

Of course, only Delais himself could hear these words.

With both parties having reached an agreement, there was no need for more words.

Rogge raised her hand and called out, "1V1 fair fight in the Afterlife Bar, starting immediately! Everyone, clear the dance floor!"

Wow!

As soon as she spoke, everyone on the dance floor quickly moved aside.

The huge dance floor was now empty, turning into what looked like an octagonal cage fighting arena!

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