Gearbound: Cyberpunk 2077-Chapter 208

Lucy tossed her jacket aside and wrapped her arms tightly around Leo from behind, refusing to let go.

Standing at the entrance of El Coyote Cojo, V saw the scene but didn't feel a trace of jealousy. On the contrary, she understood completely. She had been by Leo's side through life-and-death battles. Though it was dangerous, she was always right there beside him. Lucy, on the other hand, had stayed in safer places, but her heart was constantly on edge, filled with anxiety and fear. If they hadn't made it out of Konpeki Plaza alive, if they had died on that mission... V didn't even dare imagine what Lucy might have done.

That night, even though El Coyote Cojo had already passed closing hours and should have been dark, the lights remained bright. Around a table near the bar, Leo, V, Lucy, Jackie, and Mama Wells sat together. The table was covered with all kinds of carefully prepared dishes, rich aromas filling the air and making mouths water. In front of each person sat a large glass of fine liquor. Jackie, in high spirits, gestured wildly, exaggerating as he recounted to Mama Wells and Lucy how they'd infiltrated Konpeki Plaza and how they'd fought their way out when things went sideways.

When Mama Wells and Lucy heard that Adam Smasher, the legendary mercenary, had blocked their path, their hearts leapt to their throats. Lucy gripped Leo's hand tightly, her gem-like eyes filled with worry.

"Don't listen to Jackie's nonsense—it wasn't that dramatic," Leo said lightly, gently patting Lucy's hand, his face calm and relaxed.

But Jackie kept going, undeterred. "At the time, V and I were freaking out! Adam Smasher! That's the Smasher, the guy who even took down Johnny Silverhand!"

Crash—

"What was that sound?"

Everyone turned their heads.

It was a spider-shaped robot knocking over a bottle and shattering it. Leo, V, and Jackie exchanged glances, and in the end, it was Jackie who scrambled to smooth things over. "Ah, I almost forgot to pull out the control chip—got a little too excited, hahaha!"

"I'll take the bot upstairs," Leo said, standing up. Seeing V and Lucy instinctively rise to follow, he waved them off. "No need. You two just relax and eat."

Leo brought the robot along, but instead of going upstairs, he slipped out the back door into the alley behind El Coyote Cojo. He looked left and right—empty. With an annoyed grunt, he tossed the robot onto the ground.

"What the hell, Johnny."

Leo hadn't told Mama Wells or Lucy about the robot's true nature. For Lucy, he planned to explain tomorrow—it hadn't been convenient with Mama Wells around. As for Mama Wells, she was an outsider, and the less she knew, the safer she'd be.

The short-haired figure, Johnny's hologram, rolled his oversized eyes dramatically. "Adam Smasher—you really killed him?"

"Of course."

"No way. I can't believe it!"

Leo spread his hands. "Can't you go online? There's a terminal inside. Log into Arasaka's official site and check their casualty list."

Seeing Leo's confident, matter-of-fact expression, Johnny, though he hadn't actually gone to verify it, was half convinced. After all, there was no point in lying about something like this. But he still found it hard to believe this kid had actually taken down Smasher. How the hell had he done it?

"You've got some nerve, kid—reminds me a little of myself back in the day."

Others might admire Johnny, but Leo didn't admire him in the slightest.

Besides, Johnny had a pretty twisted personality. Sure, the guys from Samurai missed him now, but back when Johnny was alive, they'd had no shortage of fights. Especially with Alt—one moment they'd be passionately tangled up, and the next, they'd be screaming at each other loud enough to tear the roof off.

So while Leo was willing to show Rogue some respect, he wasn't inclined to give Johnny the same courtesy.

It's simple: treat me well, and I'll return the favor. Act like a pompous jerk, and don't blame me for giving you a cold face.

"Yeah, right. You're full of it."

"Hey, you little shit... If I weren't already dead, if Samurai were still around, I'd seriously think about pulling you into the band."

"And do what? Become a terrorist?"

"Now you're talking crap, and I don't like that. Acting all high and mighty, huh?"

Just as Johnny was about to argue more, the back door of El Coyote Cojo creaked open, and a beautiful figure stepped out. Both Leo and Johnny immediately stopped bickering.

Leo turned to look at the woman bathed in moonlight. Under the pale glow, her bare skin glimmered faintly. Maybe it was because she was dressed so lightly, but Lucy's body shivered slightly in the cold night air.

Leo hurried to shrug off his white trench coat—only then realizing Lucy had earlier thrown it to the ground. He quickly stepped forward, taking her small hands in his and rubbing them to warm them up, breathing softly against them.

"Why'd you come out? Feeling bored inside?"

"I just wanted to look at you properly."

Leo thought she was worried. "Don't worry, I'm fine—not a scratch on me."

Lucy gently pulled her hand free, placing it softly on Leo's cheek, her voice tender. "Next time, don't leave me behind, okay?"

Looking at Lucy's heart-wrenching expression, Leo couldn't bring himself to refuse. He nodded solemnly and pulled her into his arms, one arm wrapping around her waist, the other frantically waving at Johnny Silverhand to scram and stop ruining the mood.

Johnny, walking away, shot Leo a middle finger, as if to say, "You think I enjoy watching this lovey-dovey crap?"

...

In the days that followed, the whole crew gathered at El Coyote Cojo, not taking on any new gigs. Even though fixers were practically blowing up Leo's phone, Leo, V, and Jackie had already made up their minds.

Forget jobs for now—they were taking a whole month to slack off.

After everything they'd been through, Jackie realized something: money wasn't everything. If you were dead, no amount of cash mattered. Better to spend the time with family.

That day, a tired-looking girl pushed open the door of El Coyote Cojo, glancing around as if searching for someone. The bar was quiet during the daytime. Mama Wells was out on errands. Chihiro and Pepe were out stocking up. Only Leo, V, and Lucy were inside.

Seeing the girl clearly looking for someone, Leo stood and approached. "Looking for someone?"

"Excuse me... Is Jackie Wells here?"

Of course he was. But earlier that morning, Misty had come by to find Jackie. Right now, he was in the garage, wrapped up in some quality time with Misty.

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