Chapter 240: One Ton of Gold
Valerie took half a step forward, her voice steady but holding an uncompromising persistence. "Jackie and I can choose to pledge allegiance, but Boss, you previously promised Jackie and me a settlement fee. I want to see that money."
She looked straight into Joric's crimson optical lenses. "After all, this is money for our lives. You have to let us feel our deaths are worth it, right? And I recall, Boss, you promised gold."
Jackie subconsciously tugged at her sleeve, whispering, "V, isn't talking about this right now a bit..."
Valerie shook off his hand, her gaze unwavering.
Joric's synthesized voice held no ripples. "The promise remains valid."
A Servitor standing silently nearby stepped forward at the command, placing two unassuming silver-gray metal cases flat on the ground.
The moment the latches sprang open, the entire workshop seemed to brighten.
The gold bars neatly stacked inside reflected the cold overhead lights, the heavy golden hue almost overflowing from the cases.
"Fuck..." From behind Maine, the sound of Rebecca sucking in a cold breath was audible.
Even the usually composed Dorio involuntarily leaned forward. Maine's mechanical fingers tapped unconsciously on his arm armor—they had indeed received more precious augmentation upgrades, but this most primal symbol of wealth before their eyes still instinctively made the hearts of these street mercenaries race.
"Damn," Pilar leaned into Maine's ear and whispered, "this is enough to buy half of Kabuki..."
Kiwi clicked her tongue softly, while Lucy silently calculated the circulation value of this gold on the black market.
Joric took in everyone's reactions and spoke plainly. "Precious metals are to me merely industrial raw materials with acceptable conductivity." His optical lenses swept over Maine's squad. "If you prove your value, such resources are inexhaustible."
This sentence caused several restrained gulps to echo in the workshop.
Rebecca was already tugging at Maine's arm with shining eyes, only to be gently held down by Dorio.
Jackie let out an exaggerated whistle, his eyes wide as saucers.
He had seen plenty of dirty money deals on the streets in his life, but wealth of this scale right before his eyes still exceeded his imagination.
"Let me touch it; this is fucking real gold!" He muttered, impatiently squatting down and grabbing the handles of a case with both hands.
As he exerted force abruptly, the expected scene of the case lifting easily did not occur.
Instead, Jackie's face instantly turned red, veins bulging on his thick arms. The case seemed welded to the floor, not budging an inch.
He lost his center of gravity and staggered back a step, nearly falling on his butt.
Just as the heavy metal case was about to crash down with terrifying weight, likely injuring his arms in the process, the Servitor standing silently nearby reached out with inhuman speed. Its steel fingers steadied the bottom of the case firmly, placing it back in its original position soundlessly.
Jackie gasped for breath, staring incredulously at the case of gold bars before him, then at the other case of equal weight beside it. His face was a mix of shock, lingering fear, and the dizziness of being thoroughly hit by immense wealth.
He wiped his face vigorously and turned to Joric. All previous hesitation and nervousness were replaced by an emotion mixing gratitude and fanaticism.
"Boss! Say no more!" He slapped his solid chest, his voice cracking slightly from excitement. "This life of Jackie Welles is yours from now on!
"Spent half my life in Night City, helped so many fixers, and fuck me if they all added up to be as solid as one case of your gold! From now on, if you say go east, I, Jackie, won't even glance west!"
His declaration carried the unique street vibe of Heywood—straightforward and passionate. The weight of that one ton of gold had solidly crushed all his doubts.
Valerie didn't speak. She squatted down silently, picked up a gold bar, and weighed it in her hand.
The cold, heavy tactile sensation was incredibly real.
She looked up at Joric. Her eyes flickered with complex emotions for a moment before settling into calm.
"Same as Jackie," her tone became decisive. "In Night City, one gold bar like this is enough for countless people to sell their lives. Trading our two lives for this much... we're the ones profiting. We accept this deal."
Her analysis remained rational, but she was equally won over by this "advance payment" that far exceeded expectations, bordering on the absurd.
Such a generous employer was practically an urban legend in Night City.
Joric nodded slightly. His crimson optical lenses recorded the two distinct yet convergent reactions.
"Value is defined by me," he stated flatly. "The potential you have demonstrated, and the services you may provide in the future, are worth this investment."
David took a deep breath and looked up at Joric. There was no desire for gold on the young face, nor fear of the otherworld, only a near-stubborn purity. "Mr. Sage, you promised that as long as I work for you, you'd teach me the method to cure my mom, right?"
"Correct." Joric's answer held no delay. "The core of the agreement is the bestowal of knowledge. Based on your obedience and service, you will obtain the necessary medical knowledge and operational skills to radically cure your mother's injuries. Simultaneously, during her recovery, she will receive proper livelihood security."
"That's enough," David replied almost immediately, a relieved expression appearing on his face. "I agree. As long as I can learn the knowledge to save Mom, I'm willing to do anything."
His motivation was simple and direct; mastering the ability to save his mother was his sole core concern.
Joric's crimson optical lenses paused briefly between David and Lucy. His processing core instantly analyzed the subtle biological signals and interaction patterns between the two.
"I have noted the connection existing between you two," his synthesized voice rang out steadily, as if stating an observation result. "The Adeptus Mechanicus does not prohibit such long-term stable relationships based on biological instincts. In certain situations, they have even been proven helpful in maintaining the stability of members' physiological and psychological states."
These words startled both David and Lucy. The boy looked away somewhat flustered, the roots of his ears turning slightly red; Lucy subconsciously crossed her arms.
"However, David Martinez," Joric's tone did not shift in the slightest, remaining cold and objective, "your primary task is to complete the standardized education protocol I have formulated for you.
"You have one year to master the basic knowledge I bestow. If you fail to pass the final assessment, it will be deemed a failed investment, and the agreement to impart advanced medical knowledge will automatically terminate."
He paused slightly, making the following words exceptionally clear.
"At that time, to compensate for resource loss, your nervous system will be connected to a specific entertainment interaction interface. This vessel of yours will be modified into a carrier for a 'Virtual Idol' conforming to mass aesthetics, repaying the debt in the most direct manner through continuous performance activities."
"Therefore," Joric concluded with unquestionable logic, "before you prove your learning ability, it is best to concentrate all cognitive resources on your coursework. The priority of the emotional module must be placed lower."
These words, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, made David's face turn completely red. Lucy also turned her face away. A subtle atmosphere mixed with embarrassment and tension permeated the air.
As for Mower, she needed no further declaration. She simply took a step forward, bowed slightly, and demonstrated her long-unwavering stance through action.
(End of Chapter)