Chapter 17: Sasha’s Invitation – A New Partner Emerges!

After calming himself, David decided to take stock of the abilities he had developed so far with his magnetic fruit:

Manipulating basic magnetic forces to repel or attract metals using the 'S' and 'N' poles.

Short-range control over electromagnetic waves, albeit with limited distance.

Generating electrical energy and inducing related forces by controlling the movement of charges in his magnetic field.

These abilities, David realized, would grow stronger as his physical fitness improved and as he gained more proficiency in controlling the fruit. With enough accumulation, his power could reach a tipping point—unlocking the fruit's awakened abilities. The upper limit of this awakening remained a mystery.

After assessing his progress, David wasted no time and dove into his training.

Training the Magnetic Fruit

David grabbed a few items lying around his rental room and decided to practice lifting them using magnetism. Starting small, he focused on controlling a nearby mini-refrigerator.

"1... 2... 3… 100!"

By the time he completed 100 repetitions of lifting the 40-kilogram fridge, David was drenched in sweat.

"Phew... this is harder than it looks," he muttered, panting heavily. The exercise drained his physical energy. He took a short break, grabbed a quick meal, and resumed his training.

This cycle of practice, rest, and eating continued for an hour. By the end, David could feel tangible improvements in his control over metal.

After a large dinner, he sprawled onto his bed with a satisfied sigh. Now he needed a nap—he had work at the Afterlife Bar later that evening. Setting his alarm, David quickly drifted off into a much-needed sleep.

Meanwhile, Lucy had her own plans unfolding. After leaving the Watson District, she arrived in Little Chinatown and abandoned her car near a quiet park. She sat on a bench, her sharp eyes scanning her surroundings, waiting for someone.

A few moments later, a girl with short, ear-length hair and vibrant energy approached her. The girl's round eyes sparkled mischievously, her pink leather jacket and playful demeanor giving her a youthful charm.

"Sister Lucy!" the girl called out with a sweet smile, skipping over to her.

Startled, Lucy turned around. Recognizing the girl, she relaxed. "Sasha? What are you doing here? Where's Qiwei?"

"Hehe, Sister Qiwei and Brother Mann are busy, so they sent me to meet you," Sasha replied cheerfully, plopping down on the bench across from Lucy. "Sister Lucy, how many chips are you selling this time?"

Without wasting time, Lucy handed over a bundle of microchips. "Here. They've been sorted. All Arasaka Corporation chips, many of them platinum-level."

Sasha's eyes widened in awe as she examined the package. "Wow, this is way more than usual! Are you low on money, Sister Lucy?"

Lucy chuckled, lighting a cigarette. "When am I not low on money? The cost of moon travel went up again. It's 700,000 euros now."

Sasha pouted as she continued counting the chips. "You can't make that much just by selling these, Sister Lucy. Have you thought about joining us? Brother Mann and the rest of the team would love to have you onboard. Even Sister Qiwei says your hacking skills are better than hers and mine combined!"

Lucy exhaled a puff of smoke, gazing thoughtfully at the sky. "Thanks, Sasha, but a team doesn't need three hackers. Besides, I've recently found a new partner. My work efficiency has already improved a lot."

Sasha tilted her head, curious. "A new partner? What's he like?"

Lucy smiled faintly. "He's a guy named David, from the Dragon Kingdom. I'll introduce you to him someday."

"Okay! I'll be waiting." Sasha grinned, making an OK gesture. She stood up and waved. "See you around, Sister Lucy!"

"Goodbye," Lucy replied, watching Sasha skip away. Taking another drag from her cigarette, Lucy murmured to herself, "700,000 euros... that's not going to be easy to earn."

She glanced up at the night sky. Near the horizon, a faint glowing arc marked the direction of the moon.

Ding-ding-ding!

The alarm clock blared, waking David from his nap.

Stretching his arms, he felt the satisfying crack of his joints. "Ah, that feels great!"

As he flexed his limbs, he noticed a marked improvement in the strength of his magnetic field. The training had paid off. It reminded him of the muscle pump after a good workout—tangible proof of progress.

"Haha! I didn't expect such a noticeable boost in my abilities after just one day of training," David said with a grin. He was confident that if someone fired a gun at him now, he could stop the bullets—so long as the firepower wasn't too overwhelming.

This was just the beginning. With more practice, life in Night City would become increasingly manageable.

Glancing at the clock, David saw it was time to head out for work. He quickly freshened up and prepared to leave.

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