Although Night City residents were well aware of MAX-TAC's behavior, Berry still hadn't expected these guys to be so extreme.
MAX-TAC was established and became famous for combating Cyberpsychosis cases in the city, but they also frequently recruited some highly threatening Cyberpsychosis individuals to work for them.
For this behavior, Berry could only think of the term 'Bandit Soldiers.'
And these guys did not disappoint; some MAX-TAC members who maintained calm with psychotropic drugs often became overly excited during missions, thus unleashing their true nature.
The result was often many civilians being 'accidentally' caught in casualties. Of course, anyone with eyes knew these people were dealt with by the MAX-TAC officers who were high on killing.
But who could stand up and say anything, or rather, what good would it do to say anything?
This method of using controllable Cyberpsychosis to deal with uncontrolled Cyberpsychosis was very effective, and neither the corporations nor Night City's Council could abandon it.
Their stated reasons were very artful; they would say it was an isolated incident that couldn't be generalized to the entire MAX-TAC, which effectively silenced the residents of Night City.
Berry and V ultimately did not accept Inspector Lori's invitation.
After all, neither of them had the same ambition as Inspector Lori, which was to pursue "legal" killing.
Then, the journey was smooth, and the two drove to the Wolf Bar in Heywood.
They were quite familiar with this place, as they had spent their first two months in Night City there.
Mrs. Welles was very kind, providing food and lodging, and even wanted to arrange legitimate jobs for them.
But unfortunately, neither V nor Berry were interested in that.
"After five years on the East Coast, it's time to go home."
Pushing open the door, Berry looked at the usually lively Wolf Bar behind it, took a deep breath, and sighed with emotion.
V, however, was full of questions, wondering what gibberish Berry was speaking that she couldn't understand.
"Yo, it's Berry and V! A toast to you two!"
"Hoh-hoh, aren't these two 'City folks'? What brings you here today!"
Some old regulars sitting at high tables recognized the two young women and cheered, raising their glasses when they saw them.
After all, besides Mrs. Welles, the owner, the only bartender at Wolf Bar was a man, so these old regulars had a deep impression of the two girls who used to live there and occasionally helped out at the bar.
Of course, during that time, it wasn't that no one had harbored ill intentions.
But after the Cute Girl punched out an old man's teeth, everyone knew these two girls were tough characters and dared not be presumptuous.
"Hi everyone, still alive, I see."
Berry's sweet words greeted these guys in return.
There was no need to be too kind to these rascals; if you were even slightly friendly, they'd take advantage of you.
After all, people who spend all day messing around in bars have skin as thick as the Tennessee Dam.
If you don't act tough, they'll immediately start making lewd jokes.
However, despite Berry and V's firm attitude, these shameless old drunkards still managed to boldly strike up conversations.
"Mm, good, that insult hit me right in the heart, so satisfying!"
"Little Berry, say a few more words, I'm just waiting for them to go with my drink!"
In response, Berry and V were utterly speechless, rolling their eyes as they walked over to the bar counter.
These kinds of people were beyond saving.
Wolf Bar doesn't operate as a nightclub; it's simply a bar. The wall behind the bar counter is lined with colorful bottles of all brands. Anyone who comes here will definitely not be disappointed; there's always a suitable drink to poison your liver.
The place also doesn't have many staff; besides Mrs. Welles and a few Bodyguards, there's only one bartender named Pepe.
A very cute name, but unfortunately, he's a common Hispanic strongman from Heywood, with two large tattooed arms and a bulky build, completely mismatched with his name.
However, he's a good person.
Unexpectedly, he's a family man, a tough guy with a rough exterior and a delicate interior.
Regrettably, Pepe didn't seem to be working today; behind the bar was another fellow familiar to Berry and V.
Who else could it be but Jackie, their fifty-dollar good brother?
The big guy was currently grimacing as he wiped glasses behind the bar, looking so miserable and hunched over that he might as well have a chain on his hand to show his discomfort.
Oh, oh, oh, isn't this Night City's legend, Jackie? Haven't seen you in a few days, how did you get so pathetic?
V and Berry were truly Jackie's good brothers; seeing Jackie reduced to such a state, they felt no empathy and immediately decided to mock him mercilessly.
Good brothers are meant to kick you when you're down.
"Hey, isn't this Jackie? Finally decided to change professions?"
V and Berry sat on the high stools with mischievous smiles.
"Go on, you two just have to bring up what's painful, don't you?"
Only then did Jackie look up at their arrival. Before he could even feel relieved that his brothers were reliable, V uttered that remark, making Jackie roll his eyes repeatedly, feeling as uncomfortable as if he'd swallowed a fly.
However, how could they let a good brother off so easily when he was in trouble?
Seeing Jackie's uncomfortable expression, the little devil in Berry's heart fully awakened. A basket of mischievous ideas immediately popped up, and a teasing, impish grin spread across her face.
"Oh, oh, oh, isn't this Night City's living legend, Jackie? Decided to wash your hands of the business and retire to be a bartender? That's quite something!"
Seeing that smile on Berry's face, Jackie didn't expect anything good. Now, he squinted his eyes and let out a few dry laughs.
"Haha, Berry, you're really humorous, you're making me breathless with laughter."
After a deadpan delivery, Jackie shook his head, expressing his exasperation with his two troublesome friends.
Good heavens, what bad company he kept!
He had originally thought they came to help, but they started by making fun of him. Truly the brotherhood of Night City.
Seeing Jackie's expected crestfallen expression, Berry laughed even more unrestrainedly, her expression practically screaming, "Oh, you useless adult, you're just a pair of boxers, boxers!"
"Alright, never mind you two. What do you want to drink? It's rare for me to be on duty today, so let me show off my skills."
Sighing, Jackie told himself to stay calm, stay calm.
He was the boss of Heywood; he wouldn't stoop to their level.
"Alright, no more jokes. Why isn't Pepe here today? Why are you tending the bar?"
Berry rubbed her face, recovering from her mischievous mood, and got down to business.
"Pepe? I heard he had some family matters and took a day off, so I'm filling in."
Jackie pouted, expressing helplessness, and casually placed the sparkling clean glasses onto a tray nearby.
"Hurry up and tell me what you want to drink. It's my treat today; you won't get this chance again."
Jackie raised his chin, urging the two to decide quickly, adopting the air of a master mixologist.
"Oh, I didn't know you could mix drinks."
V raised an eyebrow, showing interest.
She hadn't known Jackie had this skill.
"Are you kidding? I grew up in this Wolf Bar, so my skills are top-notch, alright?"
"I can make any drink available on the market, even the hardcore 'Maelstrom Head-Down' that those Maelstrom guys drink! I can mix it for you!"
Seeing V question him, Jackie got excited.
Are you kidding? Although he aspired to be a legend of Night City, he was also a successor of this Wolf Bar, alright? Mixing a simple drink was child's play for him.
"Hmm, that's impressive, V, you'll have to give him a good test!"
Berry didn't know much about alcohol because she didn't drink much, so she had to let the experienced drinker V handle it.
"Hmm, alright, then I'll start with a Johnny Silverhand to rinse my mouth!"
Hearing Jackie say that, V also became interested. She considered herself an experienced drinker, having been a regular at the Nomad family's wild bars. She had to give Jackie a good test.
"Heh heh, 'Afterlife', huh? Johnny Silverhand, coming right up!"
Seeing the two egg him on, Jackie's excitement also rose.
Although mixing drinks primarily involves concocting base liquor, liqueurs, and fruit juices, it does require some technical skill. It needs distinct layers of flavor and proper pairing.
Not only that, but the movements also have their own specific requirements: they must be clean, crisp, and flow smoothly. By the time the drink is mixed, hey, not a single drop should be spilled.
If even a single drop is spilled, it's a fake, a show-off, and it tastes like dregs, and you won't get paid after drinking it~
"Good, I'll have one too, make it a 'Sassy Kettle'—no, a 'High Kettle'!"
Berry's nature was to enjoy a good show, so she fanned the flames and eagerly joined in.
"Just you two watch!"
Seeing his craftsmanship challenged, Jackie smiled confidently, putting in 120% effort, ready to show off his skills.
Jackie straightened his back, concentrating his mind and spirit. His whole aura changed instantly, exuding the demeanor of a master, making people feel a prickling sensation on their backs, refreshing and invigorating, their attention focused on his hands.
He bent down, pulled out two thick-bottomed glasses, and a deep mixing glass.
The three glasses were crystal clear, without a speck of dust, especially the thick-bottomed ones, which held a great deal of significance.
What's so special about them?
Hey, you wouldn't believe it, there's a lot of knowledge in there.
These glasses, they have a specific design: an eight-centimeter-high base, a four-centimeter diameter, and a spout on the rim. It has to be exactly like this, not even a tiny bit different. Everything must follow the specifications of Night City's Old Town. If it's an inch off, it won't have the right flavor.
After the glasses were selected, next came the shaker, tweezers, jigger, dropper, and various 調劑s, all laid out in a row.
What's called professional? This is called professional.
Seeing the tools all set, Jackie began his operation.
V and Berry were fully focused, watching intently, not daring to let their minds wander for a moment.
Bartending is about the whole performance, not just when you drink it. You have to watch from the sidelines, from the very beginning of the making process, all the way to the end, and then take a sip—that's what makes it truly beautiful.
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