Heavy footsteps echoed through the street.
Each step landed with a metallic clang, deep and oppressive, like a hammer striking steel.
The burly man's body was almost entirely mechanical. His towering frame and exposed cyberware made him look less like a human and more like a weapon given shape.
The moment Jackie saw him, his heart sank.
This wasn't just another mercenary.
This was a monster—something on the level of Adam Smasher.
Even in an age where Dimension Chips had eliminated rejection and stabilized neural systems, such individuals were extraordinarily rare in Night City.
Because power like this came at a cost.
Excessive cybernetic modification might not trigger cyberpsychosis anymore, but it still eroded something far more fundamental—humanity itself.
Not everyone could maintain their sense of self like Adam Smasher.
For most, over-modification led to gradual emotional decay. Feelings dulled. Empathy vanished. In the end, they became cold, ruthless machines.
The Mechanical God Cult had a name for this condition:
Humanity Attrition.
Once a person's humanity dropped too low, they would slowly transform into something else entirely—mechanical in thought, mechanical in action.
Eventually, nothing remained of the original person.
Only a powerful shell.
To prevent such beings from being exploited, the Mechanical God Cult would reclaim them, sealing them away as Mech-servants—tools that blindly followed orders.
Because of this, even the most reckless cyberpunks rarely chose this path.
They chased power, yes—but also pleasure, status, and life itself.
No one willingly turned themselves into a cold machine only to be locked away by zealots.
And yet—
The power gained from such transformation was undeniable.
Overwhelming.
Absolute.
Let alone Jackie in his current state—even at his peak, he wouldn't stand a chance.
He had heard of similar monsters before.
In Dogtown, one such figure had torn apart Phantom Hounds wearing Centaur mechs with nothing but raw force.
That was the level of threat standing before him now.
The burly man strode forward, a massive shotgun resting casually in his hand.
"Jackie Welles," he said, his voice distorted and mechanical. "SSS-class wanted criminal. Suspected assassin of Saburo Arasaka. Bounty: one million euro."
A brief pause.
"I'll be taking that."
Before Jackie could react, a metal hand clamped down on his head.
The next moment, he was lifted off the ground like a ragdoll.
"Fuck your mother—let go of me!"
Jackie roared, struggling violently. His fists hammered against the man's forehead again and again.
But it was useless.
The blows didn't even make him flinch.
Instead, Jackie felt his knuckles split open. Blood flowed freely as his bones cracked under the impact.
"Quiet," the burly man said coldly. "You've already become a legend of Night City."
A low chuckle escaped him.
"Now comes the final step—entering the grave."
His fist shot forward like a cannon.
Boom.
It slammed into Jackie's chest.
The impact crushed his ribcage inward, collapsing his entire torso.
"Pfft—"
Jackie spat out a mouthful of blood, his vision dimming as if his life force was being expelled along with it.
That single blow nearly destroyed him completely.
He couldn't move.
Couldn't breathe.
And yet—
"Fuck… you…"
Even in that state, Jackie forced out the words.
The burly man's eyes flickered with irritation.
"Your mouth's tougher than your bones," he sneered. "Bringing you back whole would fetch a better price… but just your head will do."
He laughed darkly, casually turning his shotgun to blast away a few opportunistic gang members who had tried to scavenge the scene.
Then he raised the weapon again—
Aiming directly at Jackie.
A blur cut through the air.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—Little Cat Attack! (＞^ω^＜) Meow!"
The playful voice came out of nowhere.
Before the burly man could react, something flashed past his vision.
A pink figure.
Claws gleaming.
In the next instant—
His arm—and the shotgun—were severed cleanly.
"What—?!"
He barely had time to register it.
"Good evening, Mr. Mercenary," a cheerful voice chimed. "Sleep well."
Sasha's body twisted low against the ground, her movements fluid and feline.
With both hands braced, she launched herself upward in a smooth, explosive motion—
Her long leg snapping up from below like a whip.
Crack.
Her kick connected squarely with his chin.
Elegant.
Precise.
Lethal.
The burly man's vision went black.
Before losing consciousness, he locked eyes with her—rage burning within them.
That damn cat…
He recognized her.
And silently swore revenge.
Sasha stuck out her tongue at him playfully.
Then she turned toward the shadows, where scavengers were already creeping closer, eyes glinting greedily.
She gave them a wink.
"Nya~ Sorry, Mr. Mercenary. These cute Scavengers are gonna turn you into a super popular black-market braindance."
Without another word, she grabbed Jackie with one hand—
And tossed him into the car like a sack of cargo.
Falco didn't hesitate.
He slammed the accelerator.
The vehicle shot forward, tearing down the road and disappearing in seconds.
Behind them, the scavengers emerged fully.
Like vultures circling a carcass.
They approached the unconscious cyber-mercenary with hungry expressions.
To them, this was a Jackiepot.
Even stripped for parts, the cyberware alone would sell for tens of thousands.
However—
They weren't alone.
The burly man's allies were still inside the truck.
They hadn't dared to act earlier, shocked by how quickly he had been taken down.
But now—
That hesitation vanished.
"Kill these hyenas!"
With a roar, they charged out.
Gunfire erupted instantly.
Bullets tore through the night as both sides clashed violently.
Inside the fleeing car, Jackie forced his eyes open.
His body was still shattered. Pain flooded every nerve.
He looked at Sasha, then at the others.
A bitter smile crept onto his face.
"So… you here for the bounty too?"
After everything he'd just witnessed—Sasha's overwhelming speed, her effortless takedown—there was no other explanation.
Despair welled up inside him.
He had just completed the biggest job of his life.
He was supposed to rise.
To become someone.
And yet—
Before he could even take that step, he had already fallen into the abyss.
Is this it?
Is Jackie Welles just another prey… waiting to be claimed?
His injuries were too severe.
Even the Primal Power within him had stopped responding.
There was no way out.
Then Sasha spoke.
"No."
Jackie froze.
Her next words hit him like a shock.
"We were sent by Xiao to help you."
⭐ 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