As soon as she finished speaking, Rogue gave David one last pat on the shoulder before walking back toward Axel.
Leaning against the car door, she plucked the cigarette from Axel's lips, took a long drag, and exhaled a stream of smoke.
"Kindness is a rare thing in Night City. Tell me, what city are you from?
"For someone like you to stop in the middle of all this just to save strangers, the place you come from must be the most peaceful city in the world.
"When I get too old to walk, maybe I'll retire there."
Axel immediately burst into laughter.
"You want to retire in my city?
"What, is your life not exciting enough already?
"Are you planning to toss a couple of grenades at your own grave a week after you die, or are you worried nobody will show up to dance on it, Buddy?"
Still laughing, he honked the horn and motioned for her to get in.
Rogue climbed into the passenger seat with the cigarette hanging from her lips.
The moment the door shut, Axel started the engine.
"Contact the media and spread the word that I'm heading to Arasaka.
"I don't have much time. If one day isn't enough for me to become a legend, then I've wasted my effort."
"Huh?"
Rogue stared at him as if he were insane, then gave him a thumbs-up.
"If you're determined to make a spectacle of yourself in front of every camera in Night City, then I'll help.
"I know plenty of reporters.
"Most of them hate corporations.
"They'll love you, assuming you don't die too quickly."
Axel grinned.
"Death doesn't worry me.
"What worries me is Arasaka's corporate dogs dying too fast and ruining my fun."
The engine roared.
The car shot forward, racing toward Konpeki Plaza.
Behind them, David watched the vehicle disappear into the distance.
Slowly kneeling beside Gloria, he held her hand.
His mind was blank.
There was nothing he could do now except wait.
A miracle?
Maybe one had already arrived.
Tears finally rolled down his face.
"Mom...
"You have to hold on until the ripperdoc gets here.
"We still need to thank that guy together."
Meanwhile, Axel's car tore through the city.
By the time he reached Corporate Plaza, five NCPD cruisers were in pursuit.
The car screeched to a halt.
Looking at Konpeki Plaza ahead of him, Axel chuckled and stepped out.
Police vehicles surrounded him from every direction.
Inside the car, Rogue gripped her pistol and watched nervously.
The first officers jumped out and immediately began shouting.
"NCPD!"
"You ran four red lights!"
"You smashed eleven vehicles!"
"You maniac!"
"Hands up!"
"Get on the ground!"
"Hands behind your head!"
Several pistols were pointed directly at him.
Axel merely smiled and glanced toward Rogue.
"I still haven't spoken to Hanako Arasaka, but her family's building is already right in front of me.
"Anyone with ambition dreams of storming Arasaka alone.
"Don't steal my spotlight.
"Find somewhere comfortable and enjoy the show."
Before Rogue could respond, Axel leaned through the window and fastened her seatbelt.
Then he placed one hand against the vehicle.
Whoosh!
The car shot away like a launched projectile.
It slid more than eighty meters before finally stopping near the edge of the plaza.
Rogue sat frozen in her seat, staring ahead.
The officers were equally stunned.
Then they opened fire.
The earlier pursuit had been an attempt to arrest a reckless driver.
Now they understood they were facing something entirely different.
A monster.
Gunfire erupted across the plaza.
Axel casually shook one hand and began walking toward them.
Bullets struck his body without effect.
He even whistled cheerfully as he advanced.
The officers' expressions changed instantly.
"Damn it, he's a cyberpsycho!"
"Call for backup!"
"Request MAX-TAC immediately!"
One officer frowned.
"Why is he moving so slowly?"
The sentence never finished.
Axel suddenly appeared directly in front of him.
His pace had never changed.
Yet somehow he had crossed the distance in an instant.
The contradiction nearly made the officers' brains reject what they were seeing.
Axel gently grabbed the officer's head.
"Buddy, have you ever seen a cyberpsycho as handsome as me?"
Twist.
Crack!
Blood and sparks exploded simultaneously.
The officer's head came free in Axel's hand.
Holding it up, Axel examined the shattered neck.
"So much cyberware.
"Honestly, I can't tell whether I'm killing people or dismantling machines anymore."
Gunfire and screams echoed around him.
Axel raised the severed head and looked into the officer's lifeless eyes.
"Sorry.
"I don't have the time to investigate whether each of you is good or bad.
"My target is Konpeki Plaza.
"I've never liked that name.
"You police officers aren't my target.
"So I'd suggest keeping your distance."
Then he paused.
"Oh right.
"I almost forgot.
"Once I enter Arasaka territory, this stops being your problem.
"Arasaka security should be dealing with me instead.
"Looks like all this happened because of a misunderstanding.
"I wonder if it's too late to apologize."
With that, he seized the officer's exposed mechanical spine and crushed part of it into a jagged metal rod.
Then he mounted the severed head back onto the corpse.
The result was crude and grotesque.
Axel clasped his hands apologetically and gave a slight bow.
"My craftsmanship isn't great.
"But your sacrifice did remind me of something important.
"You saved your coworkers with your life.
"That makes this a meaningful death, Buddy.
"Congratulations."
Ignoring the horrified screams around him, he continued walking.
As he passed the final officer, he casually draped an arm over the man's shoulder.
"Buddy, if I were you, I'd take the day off.
"Need help coming up with an excuse?
"A workplace injury sounds convincing."
Without warning, he tore the officer's arm off.
The officer screamed as Axel kicked him away.
Carrying the severed mechanical limb, Axel strode through the chaos and stopped directly in front of Konpeki Plaza.
Luxury vehicles filled the parking area.
Rayfield Caliburns were everywhere.
Several Rayfield Aerondights stood among them, vehicles so rare that only a handful existed in Night City.
Delamain cabs were scattered throughout the lot as well.
But in moments like this, luxury meant nothing.
A million-dollar car crashed just as easily as any other.
As terrified drivers fled, vehicles collided throughout the plaza.
Covered in blood and carrying a severed cybernetic arm, Axel transformed the entire entrance into a scene of panic.
And finally, someone arrived to greet him.
Arasaka security.
Rows of armed personnel poured out from the building.
The moment Axel saw them, genuine excitement appeared on his face.