Cyberpunk: I'm Not a Scavenger - Chapter 18: Night City at 4 A.M. (Patreon)

Faced with Pantheon's almost supernatural marksmanship, even the most stubborn gangsters knew better than to argue.

The better someone understood shooting, the more impressive those shots seemed. With aim like that, killing everyone present would merely be a matter of time.

Tommy swallowed and quietly holstered his gun.

How was he supposed to compete with that? There wasn't even a contest!

Jackie clutched his head with both hands, mouth hanging open in disbelief.

When they'd been drinking together, Pantheon had casually mentioned that he was pretty good with a gun. Jackie hadn't given it much thought.

Pretty good? That was what he called pretty good?!

"I lost, King. I honestly can't think of anyone in Night City who could outshoot you."

Tommy gave him a thumbs-up, conceding without the slightest resentment.

Across the street, José finally recovered from his shock and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Tommy's performance had frightened him. For a moment he'd thought the Valentinos would have to swallow the humiliation of being shown up by 6th Street.

Before he could think of a way out, Pantheon had stepped in.

Every time José pictured those two bottles shattering from a single shot, a chill ran down his spine. He couldn't imagine how hopeless it would feel to have Pantheon as an enemy.

His shooting belonged in one of those mercenary novels, where the gunslinger's skills bordered on magic. It had extinguished 6th Street's fighting spirit and thoroughly intimidated the outlaws of the Valentinos as well.

"Anyone have a problem with the result?"

Pantheon smiled as his gaze traveled around the crowd.

Neither gang objected. Even the arrogant red-haired woman lowered her head and kept her mouth shut.

Satisfied, Pantheon nodded. "Then this matter is settled."

Lisa's eyes lit up. A chance to put the whole thing behind them had finally appeared.

She stepped forward, bowing to everyone as she spoke.

"We couldn't have done this without you two. And thank you, all of you, for giving my dad a break.

"I know we've made a spectacle of ourselves these past few days. To apologize and celebrate, let me buy everyone a round at El Coyote Cojo! Everything's on me!"

Even the older gang members couldn't find it in themselves to object after seeing how graciously she'd handled things.

"Old Benito's lived all these years, and his daughter still has more sense than he does!"

"Oh, a party! Long live Lisa!"

The younger gangsters erupted in cheers, instantly forgetting their earlier grievances.

...

Inside El Coyote Cojo, the lights were dim, but the atmosphere was lively. Rock music blared from the speakers at full volume.

Pantheon and Jackie sat at the bar, a pair of ice-cold beers in front of them.

There were so many customers that Pepe couldn't possibly serve them all. Mama Welles had to step in herself, and she'd even roped Jackie into carrying two crates of beer.

"Come on, eat up, boys. You must be exhausted."

Mama Welles finally found a free moment and brought them a generous platter of fried meat and fries with ketchup.

"I heard what you did today. I'm so proud of you!"

She gently stroked Jackie's cheek, smiling with delight.

"Mom?!"

Jackie was a grown man and looked mortified, but all he could do was endure his mother's fussing.

Mama Welles released him, then turned and swept Pantheon into a warm embrace.

"You're a good boy. Thank you for helping Jackie find a better path."

Pantheon opened his mouth to respond, but she hugged him tighter before he could get a word out.

"Get some rest. Don't work yourselves too hard."

Mama Welles went back to tending the other customers. Watching her go, Pantheon suddenly felt a little envious of Jackie.

He had a mother who loved him.

Pantheon, on the other hand, was still an orphan, even after being transported to another world.

"Come on, King! Let me buy you a drink!"

José approached with a glass in hand and a broad, friendly smile.

But Pantheon noticed the complicated look in his eyes, including a faint trace of hostility.

"If you ever need anything in Heywood, come find me. José will take care of it."

He slapped his chest enthusiastically, then drained his glass.

"I'll hold you to that, then."

Pantheon smiled and clinked glasses with him, still a little puzzled.

After José walked away, Jackie leaned closer with a mouthful of fries, plainly enjoying Pantheon's confusion.

"Strange, isn't it? You don't get it, do you?"

"What's there to get? Am I missing something?"

Pantheon's curiosity only grew.

"Lisa's pretty, she's smart, and she grew up with José and the others. You really think none of them have ever had a thing for her?"

"Then some outside merc comes along, saves the damsel in distress, and steals all the attention. They can't complain, so they have to swallow their jealousy. No wonder they're acting weird."

Pantheon finally understood.

Damn it. That cursed charm of his was causing trouble again.

Just then, Tommy joined them.

Unlike José, Tommy's expression was filled with naked admiration. He'd practically become Pantheon's biggest fan.

"King! How did you learn to shoot like that? It's incredible! I couldn't do that even in my dreams!"

Tommy seized his arm and bombarded him with questions.

"Is that some secret technique? Can you teach me?"

"Ahem..."

Pantheon took a strategic sip of beer to hide his embarrassment.

His mind raced as his gaze wandered around the bar.

Then he spotted something. He lifted his head and, putting on a profoundly serious expression, asked in a low voice.

"Have you ever seen Night City at four in the morning?"

It worked perfectly. Tommy froze, lost in thought.

"Four in the morning..." he murmured.

Having successfully bluffed his way through, Pantheon turned aside and pretended nothing had happened.

Jackie was about to burst out laughing. He could only keep stuffing fries into his mouth to hold it in.

"Jackie, what's so funny?"

Pantheon caught a faint whiff of perfume. Lisa had arrived without either of them noticing.

She'd changed out of her stiff corporate uniform into an ordinary white T-shirt and jeans, looking fresh and youthful.

After thanking Jackie and Pantheon again, she brought up the payment for Padre's gig.

"My dad really doesn't have much money. I added some of my own, but after Padre takes his cut, you'll probably get less than three thousand eddies each."

Pantheon didn't care about such a small amount. Neither did Jackie.

He scratched his head with a smile and said, "Helping our neighbors is what matters. The rest isn't a big deal."

Lisa finally smiled. She brought over two drinks, took a seat beside Pantheon, and handed him one, her large eyes shining.

"I really don't know what I would have done without you today."

She downed her drink in one go, a rosy blush spreading over her warm, tan skin.

Perhaps she couldn't hold her liquor. She leaned against the counter with her head resting on one hand and gazed at Pantheon with such open admiration that her eyes practically sparkled.

Pantheon accepted his glass and drained it with a wry smile.

What could he do? It would have been rude to refuse.

The bar's music changed to a lively dance number, and the crowd began streaming onto the dance floor.

Lisa's eyes glimmered. She parted her red lips and asked softly.

"King, would you dance with me?"

The nearby gang members whistled and cheered. Jackie waggled his eyebrows and gave Pantheon a teasing nudge with his elbow.

Pantheon hesitated for a moment. He was just about to accept when...

Beep! Beep!

A message appeared across his retinal display.

Lucy: Found a buyer.