After hearing Axel's question, the surrounding pedestrians immediately looked at him as though he were an idiot.
Among the crowd, a few people with enhanced optical implants showed brief flashes of interest.
One of them couldn't help blurting out:
"What the hell? Are rich people this outrageous now?"
"Seriously. I've seen wealthy people with minimal cyberware, but someone without even a bio-chip? That's a new one."
"He's wearing clothing with advanced projection tech, but no bio-chip. How does he even communicate?"
"Wait, something's off. If he doesn't have cyberware, how did he wipe out those gang members?"
"Damn, did Kang Tao release some new prototype?"
"No way. Don't tell me they've developed another game-changing product."
As the whispers spread, the crowd instinctively moved farther away from Axel.
Axel casually shook the blood and brain matter from his hands before speaking again.
"What are you all muttering about? Can't you answer a simple question?
This is Night City, right? Where's Afterlife?
Can somebody with a functioning brain tell me?"
He bent down, picked up a pistol from one of the dead gang members, and fired two rounds into the air.
The shots echoed through the street.
A large man equipped with Gorilla Arms finally stepped forward.
"Buddy, you're clearly dangerous, but you don't know where Afterlife is. You're not from Night City, are you?
And without a bio-chip, are you even sure you can follow directions?
If I were you, I'd grab a car. If someone's inside, put a gun to their head and make them drive you there.
If it's empty, use the autopilot. Problem solved."
Axel grinned and rubbed his chin.
"Damn, I've really been away too long. I actually needed someone to tell me that.
You're right, Buddy. Thanks."
With that, he walked directly toward the man.
The man's eyes widened.
"Wait, what are you doing?"
"Obviously. You're taking me to Afterlife."
"I..."
Slap!
Axel cut him off with a backhand across the face before grabbing his collar.
"If you didn't want to help, why answer?
Come on. Where's your car? I'm going to Afterlife. I've got business with Rogue."
The man instinctively tugged at Axel's wrist.
After realizing his Gorilla Arms couldn't move Axel even slightly, he gave up.
"I knew I should've kept my mouth shut. Fine. My car's nearby. Follow me."
Under countless amused stares from the crowd, he led Axel to a Colby C240T.
Axel glanced at it and curled his lip.
"What kind of junk is this?"
"If you don't like it, don't get in. Just stop insulting it..."
The driver looked genuinely miserable.
Under Axel's stare, however, he quickly climbed behind the wheel.
As the vehicle started moving, he continued talking.
"I'll take you to Afterlife, but if the Maelstrom or Tiger Claws come after us because of what you did, you'd better be able to handle them.
Honestly, I still don't know how you appeared out of nowhere.
And those clothes are incredible. Projection technology like that usually only shows up on luxury vehicles. Your outfit actually changes shape. That's insane."
"Haha. You've seen nothing yet. Drive."
Axel patted him on the head and leaned back in the passenger seat.
Looking out the window, he suddenly asked:
"By the way, what year is it?"
The driver stared at him.
After a long pause, he asked:
"You seriously look like you escaped from a laboratory.
You're not some secret Kang Tao experiment, are you?
Those Asians have already taken a huge chunk of Arasaka's smart weapon market. If they've made something like you..."
"Shut up. What year is it?"
Axel pressed the barrel of the pistol beneath the driver's chin.
The driver immediately nodded.
"Okay! It's 2076."
"Got it."
Axel nodded and returned his attention to the city outside.
Towering buildings.
Filthy streets.
A pale sun hidden behind layers of industrial haze.
People openly modifying their bodies, buying and selling enhancements, and treating human life as just another commodity.
The city perfectly embodied the cold, merciless beauty of a cyberpunk future.
It was paradise for countless dreamers.
Technology could synchronize senses, allowing people to experience entertainment in ways unimaginable elsewhere.
Yet it was equally a nightmare.
Outside the privileged elite, most people spent their lives struggling merely to survive.
Corporations no longer influenced governments from the shadows.
They had become the governments.
Power and money had become inseparable.
Humanity had finally discarded its mask.
Blood.
Organs.
Freedom.
Life.
Everything had a price tag.
Everything was for sale.
Lost in thought, Axel watched the city pass by until the car eventually stopped.
The driver immediately raised both hands.
"Buddy, we're here.
Go through that entrance and head down one level. That's Afterlife.
I've never actually gone inside. It's a place for major players.
Can you get out now?"
"No problem."
Axel smiled and nodded.
Then he kicked the passenger door off its hinges.
The door flew across the street and embedded itself in a nearby wall.
The crash instantly drew everyone's attention.
Inside the car, the driver stared at the missing door in horror.
"Repairing that is going to cost at least twelve hundred Dollars.
I... damn it. I'll just pretend..."
"Haha, don't worry, Buddy.
You brought me all the way here. Naturally, I've got a gift for you.
Stop driving that piece of junk.
Come on, get out. I'll get you a new car."
Before the driver could respond, Axel grabbed him by the collar, pulled him out of the vehicle, and lifted him off the ground.
Holding him there, Axel looked around.
Soon, his eyes landed on a black-and-gold Herrera Outlaw parked nearby.
"What do you think of that one?"
"Boss, please don't mess with me.
That thing costs a fortune.
Even if I owned it, I couldn't afford repairs. Somebody would steal it in a week.
How could I possibly..."
"Oh, I see. You like it."
Axel interrupted him and dragged him over.
Standing beside the Herrera, Axel reached out and snapped off one of the side mirrors.
The vehicle immediately began screaming its security alarm.
Inside Afterlife, a man mixing drinks in a private booth abruptly stood up.
"Fuck! Who touched my car?!"
Outside, the driver's jaw dropped.
"Buddy, we're standing outside Afterlife!
Every luxury car here belongs to someone dangerous.
Please don't do this. I may look tough, but I'm terrified right now!"
"FUCK!"
A furious roar came from inside the club.
"Who touched my car?!"
Moments later, a fierce-looking man with glowing green cybernetic eyes stormed out.
His gaze landed on Axel and the driver.
After taking a closer look at Axel, he noticeably slowed down.
Approaching cautiously, he asked:
"Buddy... you and my car?"
"Nice car," Axel replied with a grin.
"How about giving it to this young man? He did me a favor."
The man's forehead immediately twitched.
Even so, he somehow restrained himself.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke as politely as possible.
"I don't know whose son you are, but I've never seen someone without cyberware or a bio-chip.
That's genuinely impressive.
Still, this car cost me one hundred sixteen thousand Dollars and it's practically new.
If you're willing to compensate me, then sure, I'll do you a favor.
Mutual respect keeps the streets running."
While speaking, he carefully studied Axel's suit.
Its craftsmanship was obviously extraordinary.
After a moment, he seemed to reach a decision.
Stepping forward, he grabbed the driver's hand and shook it.
"Tyron Jakub.
Lucky Punch Gym coach.
Used to fight in Six Street underground matches, right?"
Tyron blinked.
The man continued:
"You're lucky.
Not everyone gets noticed by someone like him.
The car is yours.
Thank the boss and get out of my sight."
He immediately transferred ownership of the vehicle.
Tyron looked completely stunned.
The former owner merely snorted.
Then he turned back toward Axel.
"Sir, your gift has been delivered exactly as requested.
Since I've just lost my favorite car, may I at least buy you a drink?"
"A drink?"
Axel tilted his head.
"I came here to drink with Rogue.
Will Rogue be at your table?"
The man's smile became even more respectful.
"Definitely not.
The Queen of Afterlife is far above my level.
Allow me to introduce myself.
I'm Andre Laurence, a fixer with some connections in the Badlands.
Nothing special.
If you're here for Rogue, I'm not qualified to share a table with you.
But I can take you to meet her.
As for the car, that's nothing.
Getting your contact information is worth far more."
He gestured toward the entrance.
Axel followed him inside.
At the door, the massive bouncer looked Axel up and down.
For a brief moment, he froze.
Then he immediately stepped aside.
"Please come in."
Andre's smile widened even further.
Once Axel disappeared into the club, the bouncer quietly touched his earpiece.
"Rogue, a major player just arrived.
Asian male.
No bio-chip.
Completely original.
I couldn't find anything on him, but I sent his picture."
After ending the call, he resumed his post.
Inside Afterlife, Rogue received the message and frowned.
Data streams flashed through her cybernetic eyes.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Then the information vanished.
Her expression became even more thoughtful.
In 2076, nearly everyone received a bio-chip at birth.
Even the heirs of Arasaka and Militech weren't exempt.
Only a handful of individuals from the most powerful corporate dynasties could avoid that system entirely.
Which raised a question.
Who exactly was this man?
And more importantly, why had someone of that status suddenly appeared and involved himself in the conflict between Maelstrom and the Tiger Claws?