Meanwhile, in Night City, inside El Coyote Cojo.
Watching the news broadcast on the television, Jackie Welles shouted excitedly at the bartender.
"Hey, choom, toss me a bottle!
Damn, Arasaka Tower actually got breached by one guy! I've never seen anything like this. Can those corporate big shots really get knocked down a peg?"
As he spoke, Jackie caught the beer thrown his way, popped the cap off, and took a long drink.
Just then, the door opened and his mother walked in.
"Jackie..."
Seeing her son sitting safely at the bar, Mama Welles finally let out a relieved breath.
She grabbed a bottle for herself before walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Jackie, thank goodness you're here.
The city's gone completely insane today. NCPD is all over the place, and even MAX-TAC has started patrolling."
"Come on, Mom, you think I'd be running jobs right now?"
Jackie laughed.
"The whole city's in chaos. No way I'm heading out for work today..."
Before he could finish, Axel's challenge to Adam Smasher played across the television.
Jackie immediately fell silent.
Behind him, Mama Welles noticed the sudden change and sighed.
A few moments later, Jackie looked up at her.
"Damn it. I might have to break my promise.
If Adam Smasher actually answers Axel's challenge, then I've got to see it in person.
Mom, it's Adam Smasher!
I always thought the guy was basically a legend. When was the last time anyone even heard about him? Fifty years ago?
Back when Arasaka Tower got blown up?
Either way, this is insane. A guy who stormed Arasaka Tower alone and tore through everyone inside is openly challenging Adam Smasher.
This might be the biggest thing to happen in Night City in fifty years.
A new legend is stepping onto the stage of an old one.
Morgan Blackhand never managed to finish Adam Smasher. Maybe Axel can."
The more Jackie spoke, the more excited he became.
"Mom, don't worry. NCPD is focused on Axel right now. Nobody's going to care about some small-time merc like me.
And if Adam Smasher accepts the challenge, every street kid and merc in Night City is going to show up.
Nobody's starting a massacre in the middle of a crowd that size.
I'll find a safe place, stay close enough to see everything, and watch two legends decide who's really at the top.
If Axel dies, then Adam Smasher remains Night City's unstoppable monster.
But if Adam Smasher dies..."
Jackie grinned.
"Then things are going to get really interesting. A new legend will have arrived."
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
"Oh, damn!"
He pointed at the television.
"Mom, look! That's Rogue, the queen of the Afterlife!
Damn, legends really do stick together.
Rogue's already one of the biggest names in Night City, and she's actually friends with Axel.
See that? If you want to make it big, you've got to get close to people like that.
Just wait. One day I'll climb out of this gutter and reach the top of Night City.
Hell, maybe I'll even get Axel's autograph today!"
Laughing loudly, Jackie gave his mother a hug before rushing to grab his jacket.
Watching him prepare to leave, Mama Welles shook her head helplessly.
"I hope you'll actually find a safe place to watch instead of the closest one.
And don't come back covered in blood. It reminds me too much of when you were running around with the Valentinos at seventeen."
"No problem, Mom! Don't worry!"
Jackie waved goodbye and headed straight for the garage.
Moments later, he climbed onto his beloved Arch motorcycle and roared out into the streets.
At the same time, in Santo Domingo, another group of edgerunners was watching the same broadcast.
Their leader, Maine, a massive man built like a tank, sat on the couch with a bottle in hand as he watched Axel's footage.
"Tsk, tsk.
Looks like biotech's got a future after all.
The Animals already proved it had potential, but now somebody's using biotech to break into Arasaka Tower."
He looked around at the rest of the crew.
Across the room, Lucy sat in a folding chair with her legs crossed. Her pastel-colored hair swayed slightly as she nodded.
"Biotechnica has always pushed biotech development aggressively.
And now they've got results to show for it.
No matter who wins between Axel and Adam Smasher, biotech is about to become mainstream instead of remaining something mostly associated with the Animals."
As she spoke, Lucy glanced toward Dorio and smiled lightly.
"Dorio, ever thought about getting more biotech upgrades?
A lot of biotech enhancements work well for people like us. They're also more natural and aesthetically pleasing than cyberware."
"Absolutely."
Dorio gave a thumbs-up.
"My tendons were upgraded with biotech. My punches and jumps feel way better because of it.
They're healthier than synthetic replacements too.
I'll switch to full cyberware when I'm old."
After speaking, Dorio turned back toward the television.
Meanwhile, Pilar sat nearby repairing his mechanical arm.
A moment later, he laughed.
"Haha! Finally fixed it.
Back in business.
Speaking of which, Maine, Axel just challenged Adam Smasher on live TV.
We've got nothing going on while we're waiting for your Sandevistan.
And Gloria's running late, which is weird. She's usually punctual."
Pilar flexed his repaired hand with satisfaction.
Maine thought about it for a moment before nodding.
"You know what? That's actually a good idea.
Since we're free, why don't we head to Konpeki Plaza and see what's happening?
The entire city is paying attention to Axel right now. Every fixer in Night City is probably focused on that area."
He pointed at Rogue on the television.
"And Rogue's there too.
Maybe we'll even find some work.
Besides, I need to visit Gloria about the Sandevistan anyway, so we can handle both at once."
"No problem!"
Sitting cross-legged on a nearby bed, Rebecca immediately gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
"I was planning to go watch the show anyway!
I freaking love Axel!
Let's go raise some hell and burn Arasaka Tower to the ground!"