The moment Bain activated the Sandevistan, everything changed.
The implant boosted his neural signals to an extreme level, and when combined with Arthur Vale's layered thought-acceleration tuning, the effect was almost terrifying.
Bain's reflexes skyrocketed.
At this intensity, even breathing felt different.
His pupils dilated as the world slowed.
Dust particles floated like drifting stars.
The hum of fluorescent lights stretched into a low mechanical drone.
For one ridiculous second, a dangerous thought crossed his mind.
Could I fight Adam Smasher now?
That legendary war machine of Night City—the man who was barely human anymore. More metal than flesh. The corporate executioner.
Bain clenched his fists.
Even if he couldn't win… maybe he wouldn't lose badly.
Arthur watched quietly from the side of the operating chair. He could see it in Bain's expression—the euphoria, the arrogance that came from newfound power.
Before Arthur spoke, Bain blurted out excitedly:
"Brother Arthur… do you think I can challenge Adam Smasher now? Become a living legend?"
The next instant—
Bain disappeared from the operating chair.
To the naked eye, it looked like teleportation.
A flicker.
A blur.
Then his voice came from behind Arthur.
"Guess where I am! Fast or not?!"
Arthur didn't even turn immediately.
He rolled his eyes first.
Then he slowly looked back.
Bain stood there grinning like an idiot, stretching his limbs as if testing a new body.
"Fast?" Arthur said dryly. "Of course it's fast."
He paused.
"I just hope you're that fast someday when you're with your soulmate trying to create new life."
Bain froze for a second.
Arthur continued calmly:
"As for Adam Smasher… he's a benchmark. A measuring stick."
"Don't underestimate him."
"But don't make him your life goal either."
Arthur began cleaning the surgical instruments, voice steady.
"I don't believe in lone hero fantasies. One person doesn't save the world. This isn't some idol drama."
He shrugged slightly.
"But if you really want to kill Adam Smasher someday, I can install more combat cyberware for you. Not a big deal."
Bain's eyes widened.
"More?"
Arthur nodded.
"There's Kerenzikov. Another neural regulator. Stacks well with Sandevistan. Short burst reaction boosts."
He set down a sterilized tool.
"Cyberware is just hardware. The real key is discipline."
Bain stared at Arthur silently.
As expected…
The man he chose to follow didn't worship legends.
He treated them like stepping stones.
Night City legend?
Just another target.
A strange fantasy suddenly flashed in Bain's mind—
"Good morning, Night City! Yesterday's Dead Man Lottery result—thirty Adam Smashers! Yes, the one who died… was Adam Smasher!"
He snorted out loud without meaning to.
Arthur looked up.
"If you're done fantasizing, go help organize the spoils."
He waved dismissively.
"And contact Old Captain. I need land. Big land. This workshop is too small."
Arthur lit a cigarette.
"I also need to prepare tomorrow's Destiny Potion for DeShawn. Annoying."
---
The Next Morning
Arthur sat outside Puff Bar in the sunlight.
Calm.
Unbothered.
Waiting for DeShawn.
Black Fatty had already transferred the payment yesterday.
Business was smooth.
A few minutes later, Arthur spotted David walking toward school in his Arasaka Academy uniform.
Arthur raised a hand.
David froze.
For half a second, his face tightened instinctively.
Then he forced a painfully awkward smile.
Arthur wasn't planning to drag him into anything today.
Training required balance.
Strict when needed.
Lenient when needed.
Today was lenient.
David walked faster, clearly trying to escape before Arthur could say anything dangerous.
Arthur smirked.
---
David's mind was a mess.
He hadn't slept well at all.
He hadn't told his mother, Gloria, about the ten thousand eurodollars.
How could he?
The experience felt unreal even to him.
If he told her—
She might march straight to confront Arthur.
And he couldn't imagine that outcome.
Destiny Church was ruthless.
They used EMP grenades.
They slaughtered 6th Street members without hesitation.
And Bain had forced him to pull the trigger.
But…
The kidnapped victims were rescued.
Arthur's "tell them they're dead" line had been twisted humor.
In the end, NCPD showed up and took the survivors.
David had gone home.
Paid overdue property management fees.
Renewed rent.
Fixed the washing machine.
Compared to ten thousand eurodollars, those costs were nothing.
Arthur's words echoed in his mind.
"Everything you want… is here."
It felt like a devil whispering temptation.
---
A few minutes after David disappeared around the corner, DeShawn arrived.
The big man stepped out of his vehicle with his usual booming energy.
"Arthur! What a perfect day! Seeing you improves my mood!"
Arthur looked at him blankly.
"???"
He flicked away his cigarette.
"Take the goods and go. I'm irritated."
DeShawn paused.
He replayed his words internally.
Had he said something wrong?
After confirming he hadn't, the experienced fixer gave advice.
"If you're irritated, go for a walk. Japantown. Kabuki. Twisty Street. Life isn't only work."
Arthur watched him leave.
Then he thought quietly.
He's right.
Life in Night City wasn't just killing and upgrades.
Staying in one district forever was dull.
A stroll through Japantown might not be bad.
Not looking for trouble.
Just walking.
Before he could continue the thought—
A familiar voice came from inside the bar.
"Brother Arthur… I want Sandevistan installed. I'll make you feel good for the consultation fee."
Arthur didn't even look up.
"Get lost."
Some people only ever thought with the lower half of their brain.
---
Later That Evening
Back at the workshop, Bain continued testing the Sandevistan carefully.
He activated it again.
The world slowed dramatically.
Arthur's movements became graceful arcs of motion.
Sound stretched.
Light warped slightly at the edges of his vision.
He could step around falling tools.
Catch a coin mid-drop.
Even read text scrolling on a nearby monitor in real time.
When he deactivated it, the normal flow of time felt crude and rough.
"Brother Arthur…"
Bain exhaled.
"This thing changes everything."
Arthur nodded slightly.
"It changes you."
He leaned against the wall.
"Remember that."
"Power amplifies who you already are."
"If you're reckless, it makes you die faster."
"If you're disciplined, it makes you untouchable."
Bain looked at his hands.
Not just fast.
Not just strong.
He felt… elevated.
Arthur watched him silently.
Night City wasn't kind to dreamers.
But it rewarded those who upgraded.
And slowly—
Very slowly—
Arthur was building something bigger than a gang.
Something structured.
Something evolving.
One Sandevistan at a time.
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