Chapter 94 - 90: Once a Decision is Made (Ninth Update)

Regina’s people quickly arrived at the scene and took the unconscious Cedric away.

In the game "Cyberpunk 2077," this intermediary specializes in this type of work, and Lille relatively trusts her in this line of business.

Treating cyberpsychosis, even sending them home, and arranging jobs for those without homes—all of it sounds like a charitable operation.

Regina, "I’ve got the person, but this patient looks really on the brink of death."

Lille, "There was no choice; he was utterly insane when it happened. You’ll understand after watching the video."

Lille, "Also, there are two reasons for this episode. First, Biotechnology conducted experiments on him, causing severe neural pain, which severely interferes with the functioning of his implants."

Lille, "Second, this guy has a fiery temper. Once he felt slightly better, he wanted to cause trouble for Biotechnology. His mixed-brand combat prosthetics went out of control. Fortunately, it didn’t escalate."

Regina, "So, the company pushed him to the brink. Not uncommon in Night City."

Regina, "Given the circumstances, this might have big implications. Be careful."

More than just big implications—Lille was counting on those implications to make things happen.

After sending Cedric off, the three wrapped Murphy in bandages, removed his broken hand, and patched him up.

As for the hand, he would just have to get a new arm later on.

Notably, when Murphy was dragged into the sunlight, he expressed extreme discomfort, as if he would burst into flames any moment.

That kind of fear was akin to a rabid person seeing water, resulting in various neurological symptoms—difficulty breathing, swallowing, etc.

He even claimed he saw the body Cedric had brought in catch fire in the sunlight.

Looking at the corpse in the car, Lille had second thoughts.

This was a big issue.

Throughout the entire process, the young Navi from the Red Ochre tribe remained silent, appearing very introverted.

Jack continually tried to comfort the young man, "Lighten up, Cedric will be fine."

"I just..." Navi opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

Jack shrugged, "Tell me about this Andri."

"He... I only know that he had a good relationship with Cedric. Whenever the tribe ran out of water, they would gather people to search nearby settlements for filtered water.

If they couldn’t find any, they would even raid company outposts. But no matter what, he always brought back a large barrel of water, with more prosthetics on his body each time."

Navi forced a smile, "Sounds just like those terrorists on Night City Radio, doesn’t it?"

"Trust me, Night City has a poor opinion of Wanderers, but raiding companies isn’t a downside for Haywood boys."

Navi was low-spirited, deeply affected by seeing someone he knew fall into madness.

"...I just can’t accept that Cedric would become like this, and drag Andri down with him. I can’t stand that I did nothing."

Jack patted his shoulder, "Then grab your weapon, getting this far is already something."

Andri’s body had already been charred by the sun, peeling off a layer of skin.

If someone didn’t know, they might think it was rescued from a crematorium.

Looking at Andri’s desecrated body, Navi said, "We usually bury bodies on a scenic hill. Can I take care of Andri’s body?

I don’t want the tribe to know about this."

"Of course."

The two of them together placed the body into the trunk of the Viper that Navi drove.

After wrapping everything up, Jack said, "Navi, we recently want to buy a car. This car drives pretty well.

We want to trade those two V340s in your tribe for this Mackinaw. How does that sound?"

Navi thought about it and said, "In terms of value, the Mackinaw is definitely better than the two V340s. The car’s chassis is modified, and the suspension is taken from Military Technology parts, making it quite durable.

But emotionally, I’m willing to trade—but I can’t decide. You’ll have to talk to Hector."

"Okay, as long as there’s room for discussion."

As the two talked, Lille quietly took two samples of tissue from Andri’s body.

After that, Lille made a call to Hector.

Lille, "Cedric had a cyberpsychosis episode and killed several people from Biotechnology. I’ve handed him over to someone capable of treating him—not Biotechnology."

Hector, "What about Andri?"

Lille, "Navi will find a place to bury him—but Cedric mentioned a name when he had his episode: Bowen."

Lille, "Is he from Biotechnology?"

On the other end, Hector was silent for a while, then let out a noticeable sigh.

Hector, "No... he was from our tribe, now with the Chaotic Blade Association. It’s a long story, let’s not get into it."

Hector, "Thank you, Lille."

Hector, "I... I’m really starting to doubt if cooperating with Biotechnology was the right decision. Should I stop?"

Lille, "You’re the Clan Leader of Red Ochre. But if you ask me, if companies were trustworthy, pigs would climb trees."

Hector, "You’re right. I was too foolish. The neuro-suppressants only eased our symptoms; they’re nothing like Biotechnology claimed, that the condition would improve in a couple of weeks."

Hector, "I caused Cedric’s suffering."

Lille, "Since that’s the case, let me ask directly: What’s your deal with Biotechnology?"

Hector, "...Biotechnology said it was an advanced biological modification technology that would allow us to gain energy from sunlight like plants, so we wouldn’t need to eat anymore."

Hector, "I know it sounds stupid, but when I decided to cooperate with them, that’s how I convinced my people."

Hector, "In the future, we could roam freely across the Evil Land, chasing the sun to the ends of the earth."

Hector, "But now... you know everything."

Hector, "Thank you very much, Lille, truly."

Lille, "No need to thank me; we’re all friends—oh, by the way, we want to trade those two V340s in your tribe for this Mackinaw. If any extra money is needed, just name your price."

Hector, "It’s a practical vehicle, right? No need for extra money. Trading two cars for one is a good deal for me. It’s yours."

After hanging up the phone, Lille watched as Navi drove the Viper towards the Evil Land, towards the rising sun.

Jack and V looked at the desolation around them, feeling deeply reflective.

V nudged Lille, "So, what’s the deal?"

"Biotechnology claimed it was a modification technology that would allow people to live off sunlight. Hector believed them—chasing the sun to the ends of the world, how romantic."

"Sounds like a fairy tale for kids, and he bought it?"

"Actually, when he decided to cooperate with Biotechnology for practical reasons, he found a thousand reasons to convince himself.

Once someone decides on something, they’ll find ways to lie to themselves.

Alright, let’s check Murphy’s contact."

After listening, Jack looked thoughtfully at the bright sun above.

Once someone decides on something, they’ll find ways to lie to themselves.

Could it be that, determined to be someone significant, he was comforting himself in the same way:

To become a legend, even if it means dying?

...

"Got it, Mendoza agreed to meet—this kid had been snooping around about Biotechnology. I scheduled a meeting tomorrow at a place on Bruce Street.

Now, can you find me a doctor? Damn, I feel like crap..."

Murphy covered his face with his hand, appearing sensitive to the light.

This kid...

Lille showed no expression, "Do you have a prosthetics doctor?"

"I do—but I can’t go to him now, or Biotechnology will find out. Please, help me find a prosthetics doctor."

Finding a prosthetics doctor.

Obviously, recommending old Vik wasn’t an option—this was too big, dragging Vik into it would be troublesome.

In that case... there was only one choice left.

The sleazy old man at the Ripper Clinic at Preaching Seaside.