MHGA Chapter 225 – The Grim Reaper of the Living
"Braindance?"
V furrowed her brow. "Why would I mess with that stuff?"
"It's not what you think—it's way more intense."
Kairo Retsu flashed a dazzling grin. "Oh, and… Afterlife—here we are."
He pushed open the door, hopped smoothly out of the vehicle, and quickly walked away from it before calling back to V and Jackie:
"Come on. Time to meet the rest of the team for this job."
"Hurry up and get out. Joseph—remember to park the car…"
Jackie eagerly climbed out of the vehicle. V followed, trailing behind Kairo into the bar.
Joseph, meanwhile, went off to find parking…
Though for some reason, V had the distinct feeling that Kairo was avoiding having to stay in the car with Joseph.
The group soon reached the entrance to Afterlife.
Just then, V heard an explosion in the distance.
She saw Kairo visibly panic for a split second, then quickly covered it up:
"Let's get inside—quick."
"Huh? That blast just came from where our hacker buddy went…"
Jackie blinked.
He was halfway through his thought before Kairo shoved him up the Afterlife stairwell.
"No biggie, probably just a coincidence…"
Kairo turned his head and muttered to himself:
"C'mon, 'vehicle killer' is just a meme, right? No way someone actually blows up a car every time they drive one…"
—Elsewhere—
Joseph, having just been sideswiped by an overspeeding gang car, crawled out of the now-flaming wreckage of his own vehicle.
Furious, he kicked open the mangled door of the other car and yanked out the badly-injured ganger inside by the collar.
"FUCK! You blind, bastard?! Now the Guildmaster and Kazuma are definitely gonna mock me again as a damn 'vehicle killer!' HOW ARE YOU GONNA PAY FOR THIS?!"
"Wait a sec—you're from a gang, aren't you? This skull-spider tattoo… Maelstrom, huh?!"
Joseph roared in rage as Hermit Purple snaked into the gang member's cyberware. His hands surged with Ripple energy, taking over what little control remained in the thug's body.
Maelstrom — a brutal Night City gang dominating the industrial district. Known for their extreme cybermodding and eerie black metal tattoos, their ranks were split into cells, each controlling local crime across zones.
These guys had done more than their fair share of crimes.
"We already cleaned out a few of your squads—and you still dare to pull shit in Night City?!"
Joseph reached into his hunter's pack and drew out his current weapon: a Light Bowgun.
"Today I'm clearing my name as a vehicle killer! You bastards owe me a new car!!!"
—Back in Afterlife—
Kairo had already brought V and Jackie inside.
Both were excited, but…
They couldn't help noticing something strange.
Everyone around them was giving Kairo odd looks—like they wanted to say something, but were too afraid to speak up.
"Jackie," Kairo called over his shoulder, still smiling. "You guys ready for this? You know what drink everyone orders when they come to this bar?"
"Of course!" Jackie perked up. "I came prepared!"
"Claire."
Kairo sat casually at the bar and waved to Claire.
"Can we get some drinks? My friend here'll be ordering today."
"Your friend?"
Claire glanced at Jackie and V.
"They look like locals to me."
"Pretty much."
Jackie raised three fingers, all fired up:
"Three Johnny Silverhands! With beer and chili!"
"Alright. Three Johnny Silverhands."
Claire arched an eyebrow, then turned to Kairo.
"You having one too?"
"Yup. And bring me a Granny Felyne's Love while you're at it."
Kairo leaned back on the bar.
"How's that one been selling lately?"
"Mmh. Same as usual."
Claire shrugged.
"Until someone earns real respect, most regulars here won't acknowledge new drinks. Call it… Afterlife snobbery?"
"Ha~" Kairo chuckled brightly.
"What a bunch of tasteless losers—don't know how to enjoy themselves… Claire! Three Granny Felyne's Love drinks—for me and my two friends here."
"Alright, alright. Three 'Warm Signature Drinks of Granny Felyne'."
After placing the Johnny Silverhands in front of them, Claire went off to heat some milk.
"Holy shit, man—how the hell are you this connected?!"
Jackie gawked at Kairo.
"You know what I mean—you're this big shot, and you're here drinking with me?"
"Maybe he's planning to use you as a scapegoat," V quipped, lifting her glass.
"The hell? What do you take me for? Jackie ain't Kazuma."
Kairo raised his drink.
"I really wanna be friends with you two. And with Vik, too."
He swirled his glass at V.
"Listen—I've got a Braindance I want you to try. Trust me, you'll love it…
And when it's over, you'll have to ask me where the hell it came from."
His eyes gleamed.
"V, I see a legend in you…
Way more badass than any of the names on that menu."
"Menu?"
V raised an eyebrow and glanced at the drink list.
Plenty of names were printed there—Johnny Silverhand, Granny Felyne's Warm Signature Drink—they were all listed.
"What, only legends get to have drinks named after them here?
Then what do I have to do to get my name on it?"
"You have to die first."
Claire returned, setting down three warm cups of milk in front of them.
"And you better die spectacularly—preferably in the middle of the job."
"You really think I'm gonna be bigger than the people on this list?"
V scanned the menu again.
"These are some serious names."
"Dead legends… are just dust."
Kairo downed the entire Johnny Silverhand in one gulp, then chased it with warm milk to dull the burn.
"You're better than them.
You're the Grim Reaper of the Living, get it?"
"You could be like me."
Kairo knocked on the table and stood up, tossing a wad of cash Claire's way. She deftly caught it and slid it into the register.
"Granny Felyne's Warm Signature Drink—that's our drink.
I'm still alive, and my drink's on the menu.
Even if no one dares order it, they can't say a damn thing."
"Whatever."
Kairo grinned, showing his teeth.
"Granny Felyne doesn't give a damn how green or fussy these folks are.
This is the Hunter's mercy to everyone in here."
"Alright, big shots—get your asses moving."
He snapped his fingers at Jackie and V.
"Time to work!"
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