Chapter 84: David Martinez's Thoughts

David Martinez... felt like something was off.

No—actually, he had felt uneasy ever since leaving his apartment.

David lived in Megabuilding H4 in Santo Domingo, a massive residential complex mostly occupied by low-income workers.

Having grown up in an environment full of exhausted, empty-eyed people, he had a sharp sense for spotting unusual attention.

He could instantly recognize the eyes of a junkie, the gaze of a thief, and... like now—the feeling of being watched by someone with an agenda.

He was being followed.

David trusted his instincts.

After all, it was this very sense of danger that had helped him survive in Night City, despite his overworked mother not always being able to watch over him—and despite never carrying a gun himself.

His eyes scanned the street.

At the end of the block, he spotted an NCPD patrol officer.

In the NCPD, being a patrol cop was the most dangerous, least respected job—but ironically, their presence was one of the few things keeping the streets from complete chaos.

That said... in Santo Domingo, it was probably the 6th Street Gang that really ran things.

David stepped toward the cop, hoping that just being near law enforcement would scare off whoever was following him.

This trick had worked many times before—if he ever felt unsafe, he would stick close to either the NCPD or the 6th Street Gang.

Compared to random street thugs and ruthless scavengers, even the corrupt police and violent gangsters were the lesser evil.

But today...

Today, it wasn't working.

Even as he approached the cop, that intense gaze on his back didn't fade.

If anything, it felt even stronger.

Whoever was following him wasn't afraid of the NCPD.

David wasn't just being stalked by some random street thug.

Did I do something to piss someone off?

Why the hell is someone after me?

If Megabuilding H4 wasn't right behind him, he would've already turned around and gone straight home.

But...

No. I can't go home.

If he led them back to his place, they'd know where he lived.

And if this person was bold enough to ignore the NCPD, then his mom could be in danger too.

David touched his pocket.

Not much money—but just enough to buy a disposable pistol from one of the automated vending machines.

A 5-euro plastic gun.

It only held a single bullet, but it had enough stopping power to kill an average person.

I've never fired a gun before.

Can I do it?

I have to.

Taking a deep breath, David forced himself to stay calm.

Pretending not to notice his stalker, he casually walked past the NCPD officer.

He had considered asking for help, but he knew exactly what kind of person a street patrol cop really was.

If things got violent, that cop would probably run away faster than him.

Hell, the guy might even use him as a human shield.

After all, what did a beat cop really have to rely on?

Just their uniform.

Certainly not their cheap-ass Lexington pistols.

If he turned around and pulled a Lexington on a real gangster, they'd probably laugh before shooting him.

As David walked past the cop, he tilted his head slightly—just enough to catch a glimpse of his pursuer.

It was only a split-second glance.

But that one glimpse was enough to burn the image into his mind forever.

Behind him...

A towering, broad-shouldered man.

Long black hair, tied into a small ponytail.

Wearing a bulletproof jacket.

His waist looked heavy—not with some cheap Lexington, but something much bigger.

Just from the silhouette, David knew—whatever was in that holster was serious firepower.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Who the fuck is this guy?!

Why the hell is someone this dangerous following me?!

He didn't look like a Scavenger—

But his stance, his presence—

If someone told David this guy was a corporate bodyguard for a high-ranking exec, he would've believed it.

How did I—just a normal kid—get on this guy's radar?!

In that single moment, David Martinez rewound his entire 17 years of life in his mind, desperately searching for an answer.

And the Sad Truth Was...

David couldn't think of a single reason why this was happening.

His life had been... ordinary, right?

He had grown up in Santo Domingo just like any other kid.

He had been a good son, following his mother's wishes—studying hard, staying out of trouble.

He had enrolled in Arasaka Academy, where—sure, he was constantly looked down upon by the corporate brats, but still—he had managed to study, day after day, just like everyone else.

So why the hell was this happening to him?

A phrase suddenly flashed through his mind.

"In Night City, you never know what'll come first—tomorrow, or the unexpected."

David kept walking at the same steady pace, pretending like everything was normal—but his mind was made up.

He reached a vending machine by the sidewalk, casually buying a drink—taking a sip like he was just quenching his thirst.

The moment the liquid hit his tongue, David realized he had fucked up.

Too focused on the man behind him, he hadn't even checked what drink he bought.

It was Tiny Cola.

Tiny Cola wasn't the problem.

The problem was—David couldn't handle carbonated drinks.

But right now... he couldn't afford to react.

Keeping his expression completely neutral, he acted as naturally as possible—his hand moving casually to the weapon vending machine beside him.

He pressed the button.

Transaction complete.

"Click."

The plastic clatter of something dropping inside the machine made David freeze for a second.

It sounded almost like a gun's slide being pulled back.

For a split second, he thought the guy behind him had cocked his gun.

His heart almost stopped.

But he forced himself to stay calm, quickly reaching down to pick up the disposable pistol that had just dropped out.

Then, acting as naturally as possible, he tore open the packaging and gripped the gun tightly in his hands.

There had been more expensive options.

One disposable pistol even came with a 36-round magazine—but it cost 100 eddies, way more than David could afford.

So he had settled for the cheapest model.

One shot.

Only one chance.

"Deep breaths, David. Deep breaths."

He reassured himself.

"This isn't a Lexington."

He recalled the ad.

"This gun has serious firepower. It can punch through cheap kevlar vests."

"But the recoil is strong—strong enough to break a rookie's wrist."

"Don't panic."

"If you mess up the shot, the recoil might throw your aim off... and then it's over."

Then—

He heard footsteps approaching.

His stalker was getting closer.

Had they seen him buy the gun?

Were they coming for him now?

Here?

Right here?!

David was shaking—but his grip on the gun never wavered.

He clenched his teeth, about to turn around and fire—

But before he could—

Heavy footsteps suddenly sped up.

A large hand shot out—gripping his hands tightly around the gun.

David had no time to react.

His experience just wasn't enough.

"Shit."

David's face went pale.

He thought—this is it. I'm done.

But then—

A deep voice, laced with barely suppressed amusement, spoke from beside him.

"David Martinez. Your little black-market BD business got busted. You're coming with me."

Author's Note:

I originally planned to take it easy today since I got home late... but then my editor contacted me, saying the novel is getting officially published tomorrow.

Well... what can I do?

Had to finish today's chapter before midnight—otherwise, it'd be locked behind a paywall.

Also—it's my birthday tomorrow.

Really great timing, huh?

Expect one more chapter before midnight.