36. Misty

After leaving the hospital, Karl and the others first headed to Victor's clinic, as they still felt a lingering sense of unease regarding Arasaka.

Several hours later.

"These cyberware pieces are truly among the finest available on the market right now... There are even a few proprietary models that the corporations never release to the public. Just what on earth were you guys up to this time? Not only did Karl lose half an arm, but he's got this hardware installed that doesn't even have a backdoor. Tsk tsk tsk, the craftsmanship on this installation is no simple matter."

Ripperdoc Victor closed the rising screen beside the operating table, clicking his tongue in wonder at Karl's new arms.

"Old Vic, didn't you watch the videos everyone in the city has been sharing these past couple of days?"

Jackie pointed to the computer on Victor's desk. "Just search 'mercenary' and 'ACPA' and you'll know what Karl ran into."

"ACPA? You guys actually ran into that stuff?"

Victor adjusted the data on his screen and said, "Well, if you managed to come back alive from that, you can consider yourselves lucky."

"You're telling me."

Oliver rested one hand on his hip and let out a yawn. "I've been dreaming of gunfire for days."

"Want me to prescribe you some sedatives?"

"Better not. I feel like I'm almost getting used to it by now."

Amidst chatting with Oliver, Victor completed the final data calibration.

He put down the data pad, looked over at Karl, and said, "Alright, you can get up now. I've run all the checks, nothing's wrong. You're as healthy as can be."

"Thanks, Old Vic."

With a grateful smile, Karl hopped down from the operating table and extended an invitation to Victor. "Are you free tonight to come over to our place for dinner, watch a movie, and have a drink? Consider it a celebration of our safe return."

"Tomorrow works. Got another patient tonight, probably going to be busy the whole evening."

Victor rolled his chair back to his desk cluttered with computers. "You guys go ahead and celebrate amongst yourselves tonight."

"Old Vic, aren't you one of us?"

Jackie said with a cheerful chuckle, but Victor just waved his hand. "Forget it, I'm too old. Can't keep up with you youngsters and your high-energy antics. Go have fun, but don't stay out too late. You'd better come back tomorrow for another check-up, just in case there's any sign of rejection."

"Alright then, we'll bring Karl back for a check-up tomorrow, and incidentally drag you over to our place for food and drinks."

After bidding farewell to Victor and stepping out of his clinic, the group naturally made their way over to Misty's Esoterica, the spiritual shop run by Jackie's girlfriend, Misty.

Jackie pushed open the back door and greeted his girlfriend inside.

"How's business, Misty?"

"Same as usual, hardly any customers... Are you guys done with the check-up?"

Jackie's girlfriend, Misty, was a blonde woman wearing smoky eye makeup. Before turning around at the sound of Jackie's voice, she had been sitting bored behind the counter, gazing out at the street in anticipation of customers.

"All checked out, everything's fine."

Jackie naturally walked over to Misty's side, resting one hand on the counter as he leaned in a little closer to her face. "We're planning to invite Old Vic over to Oliver's place for a get-together tomorrow. Want to come hang out with us?"

Jackie and Misty hadn't been dating for very long, but they had known each other since childhood, practically sweethearts from back in the day. Their interaction was quite effortless, yet Misty still turned down his invitation.

"You guys go ahead and have your guys' night. I really don't feel like having to lug a drunken you back home later."

As a woman, Misty obviously couldn't just crash overnight at Oliver's place the way Jackie, Karl, and Victor probably would. If she went over, she'd eventually have to head back, and Jackie wouldn't feel comfortable letting her walk alone, which would likely result in him having to drunkenly accompany her home.

"How about we change the venue then?"

Oliver suggested from nearby upon hearing Misty's remark. "We could go to the Afterlife bar instead. Relaxing over there would al—"

Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a tug on his arm. Instinctively looking to his left, he saw Karl glaring at him with a look that clearly said, 'What on earth are you talking about?'

'What?'

Feeling slightly bewildered, Oliver noticed Karl glancing toward Misty and suddenly remembered.

'Crap, I'm an idiot.'

Perhaps it was the lack of proper sleep making his head fuzzy, but Oliver's previous suggestion had completely overlooked one crucial detail.

Heading to the Afterlife might just be the worst possible suggestion for Misty, because Mama Welles would be there.

Mama Welles wasn't particularly fond of Misty as Jackie's girlfriend; she much preferred Jackie's previous girlfriend from the Valentinos. Consequently, the atmosphere between the two women was somewhat awkward, and if they happened to run into each other, neither would know what to say.

"Uh..."

After uttering a few awkward noises, Oliver rubbed the back of his head. "Just pretend I didn't say anything, Misty. Sorry."

"It's fine, it's no big deal."

Though she said it was no big deal, a shadow of sadness crossed Misty's eyes. She truly cared for Jackie, her childhood sweetheart boyfriend, but matters of the heart interwoven with family dynamics were always complicated.

'The classic mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflict.'

Looking at the flustered Oliver and Jackie, who wanted to comfort his girlfriend but didn't know what to say, Karl sighed inwardly.

Misty was a good girl—that was something anyone could tell after even a brief interaction. Karl was genuinely happy for Jackie that he had such a wonderful girlfriend. On the other hand, Karl also deeply respected Mama Welles, and knowing the tension between Misty and Mama Welles, he truly had no idea how to mediate it.

Even as an outsider, just watching it made his head hurt. Jackie sure had his hands full.

However, this slightly awkward atmosphere was abruptly shattered by a new incoming call on Karl's comm.

'Whoever you are, I seriously thank you right now.'

"Hello, who's this?"

Answering without even looking at the caller ID, Karl spoke intentionally loud so the others could hear. Just as he anticipated, the ringing comm immediately drew the attention of the other three.

"I've got a gig you'll be interested in, KK."

That voice is...

"Blanca?"

"Yeah, what, can't recognize the number, can't even recognize the voice anymore?"

"No, of course not."

Karl always maintained a great attitude toward employers who paid generously. "I just didn't expect you to start talking to me with a fixer's tone."

"A fixer's tone? Is that how fixers usually sound? Never mind. Karl, do you know the Afterlife? I'll be waiting for you there. Drop by, I've got some work we need to discuss in detail."

Karl had his speakerphone on, so everyone heard the voice clearly. At the mention of the Afterlife, both Oliver and Jackie's eyes lit up.

The Afterlife?

Could it be that Afterlife bar?

That legendary bar where, aside from clients and fixers, only elite mercenaries were ever granted entry?!

Just like that, the awkward atmosphere vanished completely.