After the last time Alex Carter hacked directly into her core system, Maiko Maeda had spent a fortune hiring top-tier hackers from the Tyger Claws gang to reinforce her system's ICE defenses.
Even some Arasaka hackers she contacted through back channels claimed that not even the most skilled hackers could now break into her system without specialized equipment like a hacker chair.
In other words, what Alex had pulled off last time wouldn't happen again — at least not to her.
For the typically cold and aloof Maiko Maeda, Liana Forrest's smile faded instantly.
Instead, Liana shot Maiko a cold glare but said nothing more.
Meanwhile, Alex, V, and Judy — already familiar with Maiko's attitude — simply ignored her.
Instead, everyone turned their attention to business.
Sitting comfortably on a barstool, Alex asked with mock curiosity,
"Alright, Judy, let's hear it. What's your big idea?"
Judy's face lit up with pride.
"I modified the behavior chip."
She then launched into her explanation, much like the "083" subplot Alex had previously encountered.
In short, Judy had written a new reflex algorithm for the behavior chip.
The result? Ordinary citizens could now perform the precise, lethal moves of a trained killer.
During the demonstration, Maiko scoffed and sneered from her seat, clearly unimpressed.
Meanwhile, Tom and Roxanne looked excited, while V and Jackie seemed genuinely amazed.
Liana, however, appeared deep in thought.
Only Alex ignored everything and kept wolfing down slices of hot pizza.
To prove her invention's effectiveness, Judy asked Tom to activate the chip.
Grabbing two kitchen knives, she hurled them at the wall.
Thud! Thud!
Both knives hit their targets with precision.
Still, Maiko remained unimpressed. She sat cross-legged on the couch, completely unfazed.
"If you want me to believe it, you'll have to show something real. Aren't there three professionals right here?"
"Wait... you mean... have them fight?" Judy frowned.
Tom, clearly still high on his victory, turned to Alex with a cocky grin.
"Wanna give it a try?"
Midway through his pizza, Alex rolled his eyes.
This unlucky idiot...
Of all the people here, Tom had chosen him?
Clearly, he figured V was too unpredictable, and Jack looked too tough — so Alex must've seemed like the easiest target.
Big mistake.
Alex sighed. Losing to Tom would spare Judy's feelings, but if he embarrassed himself in front of Liana, she'd never let him live it down.
No way. Not happening.
Waving dismissively, Alex said,
"If you want to prove yourself, fight Jack instead. Beating me wouldn't mean anything."
"Yeah, what's the point of challenging Alex? Fight me instead!" Jack cracked his knuckles eagerly.
Alex was a beast — even a Smasher-class hammer wouldn't faze him.
No way a behavior-chip-enhanced Tom was going to put up a fight.
However, not everyone caught on to what Alex and Jack were really saying.
Maiko's eyes glinted, and she sneered.
"Oh? Isn't Mr. Carter supposed to be some big-shot badass? Why's he backing down now?"
Before Alex could reply, Liana — who had been quiet until now — spoke up with icy contempt.
"Didn't your parents teach you manners?"
Her voice was calm but sharp.
"If not, that's unfortunate... because you've just lost the one redeeming quality your people are known for."
Damn.
Alex almost burst out laughing — he had to admit, that was brutal.
Looking over, he saw Maiko's face flush bright red with rage.
"You... you...!" Maiko stammered, unable to come up with a comeback.
For someone as cunning as Maiko — who had climbed from being a doll to a powerful figure in Night City — being silenced like this was a rare sight.
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Advance chapter in PATREON
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