Evelyn knew very well who stood before her.
This man was no ordinary figure. He was recognized across Night City as the human incarnation of the God of All Machines—a legend who had truly achieved Mechanical Ascension.
Within the Mechanical God Cult, priests could freely switch between flesh and steel, reshaping their bodies at will. It was precisely this miracle that had elevated him to divine status in the eyes of countless believers, forming an enormous religious empire around his name.
Though he had never openly acknowledged the title, his silence only made it more convincing.
Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly and examined Evelyn from head to toe, as if weighing her value. After a moment, he gave a faint nod.
"It's possible," he said calmly. "But it will cost you."
Evelyn didn't hesitate for even a second.
"Money isn't a problem," she replied firmly. "As long as I can get back everything I've lost, I'm willing to pay any price."
There was no wavering in her gaze now. Only determination.
"Good," Xiao said with a faint smile. "I like that resolve."
With a flick of his finger, a detailed list was transmitted directly into her system.
"Prepare the funds and transfer them when you're ready. You know how things work in Night City."
Evelyn stared at the newly added contact in her interface, her voice trembling slightly.
"Thank you… thank you so much!"
Being able to add Xiao as a contact was no small matter.
In Night City, that alone was enough to change a person's fate.
It wasn't just a number—it was power. Status. Protection.
Any gang, no matter how reckless, would think twice before touching someone connected to him. Even if the connection was shallow, it still carried terrifying weight.
It was like holding a weapon that could decide life and death.
Even if she only had one chance to use it… even if calling him might lead to a cold rejection…
As long as that possibility existed, it was enough.
A silent deterrent.
A Schrödinger's threat that no one dared to test.
Compared to this, Yorinobu Arasaka suddenly seemed laughable.
He had spoken sweet words, acted intimate—but afterward, he wouldn't even leave her a contact.
Worse, he would sometimes send Adam Smasher to intimidate her.
She used to think he was impressive.
Now, the comparison made her feel foolish.
"I've been blind…" she muttered inwardly.
"Just a small matter," Xiao replied dismissively.
He watched as Evelyn bowed deeply—nearly ninety degrees—and couldn't help but feel a trace of amusement.
Even in a place like Night City, the etiquette drilled into Arasaka's people had spread far and wide.
With a dull metallic thud, the door shut behind him.
Evelyn stood still for a moment.
A strange emptiness rose in her chest.
The door in front of her seemed more than just a barrier—it felt like a boundary between two entirely different worlds.
Inside was paradise.
Outside was hell.
She exhaled slowly, forcing herself back to reality, then turned and got into the waiting vehicle.
"Let's go," she said quietly.
The Tyger Claws driver nodded and started the engine.
As one of Clouds' top assets, her movements were always monitored. Every outing came with escorts—both for protection and control.
Time passed quickly.
The year was now 2077.
For reasons unknown, Yorinobu Arasaka had suddenly left Night City and returned to headquarters.
Xiao knew what that meant.
The story was about to begin.
And when Yorinobu returned again, it would mark the start of events that would shake the entire city.
That evening, with nothing urgent to do, Xiao headed to the Wild Wolf Bar.
The place was noisy, filled with strangers drinking, laughing, and boasting.
He took a seat among them, blending in easily.
As expected, the conversation quickly turned to women.
"And I'm telling you," a corporate drone with slicked-back hair said, raising his glass, "that night cost me a thousand euros."
Everyone leaned in slightly, listening.
"The moment she walked in, she started undressing. I told her to slow down, then took her out to dinner instead."
He smirked, clearly enjoying the attention.
"I served her food, wiped her mouth… you should've seen her expression. Completely stunned."
A few people chuckled.
"Then she suggested going back to the hotel. But I said no—took her to watch a movie instead. She leaned on my shoulder the whole time."
He paused dramatically.
"After that, we went shopping. Bought her snacks, even flowers. Spent hours wandering around."
"And then?" someone urged.
The man lifted his glass, took a slow sip, and said with mock seriousness:
"I told her to take a shower while I went out to buy something."
"I never came back."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"What happened after that?"
"She quit," the man said, shaking his head like a philosopher. "Found a proper job. Went crazy trying to find me all over the world."
The table fell quiet again.
For a moment, the story almost sounded… admirable.
Reforming someone. Pulling them out of hell.
A kind of redemption.
Xiao lowered his glass, thinking.
Something about it didn't quite add up.
Then it clicked.
He slapped the table and laughed.
"This is the most dramatic way I've ever heard someone describe erectile dysfunction."
"???"
The entire table froze—
Then exploded.
"Damn, he got us!"
"I knew something felt off!"
"High EQ: saved a girl. Low EQ: couldn't perform!"
"Hahahaha—!"
Laughter filled the bar instantly.
The corporate drone's face turned red.
"Bullshit!" he snapped. "You people don't understand what redemption is! What do you mean 'couldn't perform'? I'm top-tier, I don't need any damn pills!"
The laughter only grew louder.
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSim