Chapter 282: Side Story: A Young Man’s First Sandevistan

Words : 2078 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Kabuki District Slums. Jotaro was already dead in the H8 Megabuilding, and along with him, NCPD Deputy Chief Jerry Fort was now behind bars. The remaining Tyger Claws in Westbrook were trembling under the terrifying rule of the "Hamburger King," reining in their grasp on the illicit industries. At the very least, no one was roaming the streets, kidnapping ordinary people to film illegal braindances or force them into prostitution anymore. But there was still one loose end in the chain: Scavenger Lee Jaehyun. Countless people came to Night City chasing dreams, seeking a new beginning in the big city. Many had nowhere to go, abandoned, outcast, or unwelcome. To Lee Jaehyun, these societal rejects were nothing more than plump sheep to be slaughtered. He kidnapped them, had the Scavs strip them of their biomonitors and cyberware, erased their identities, and ultimately turned them into property for scum like Jotaro. And no one cared about their disappearances. Even if someone did, how do you even begin to track down a person who no longer exists in Night City? Lee Jaehyun was Jotaro's loyal supplier, a subordinate who thrived under his influence within the NCPD, running a thriving human trafficking operation. Living bodies, fresh corpses, even newly harvested organs—he could process them all. [Message from: Regina] [Regina: The "Hamburger King" has already chopped off the most vicious head of the hydra. Now it's time to deal with the smaller ones.] [Regina: Lee Jaehyun is in the slums.] [Regina: David, do a good job. This will be your first step toward making a name for yourself.] David flexed his arms, feeling the weight of his newly installed military-grade spinal cyberware. He had completely transplanted Katsuo's Sandevistan into his own body. [Cyberware: Dynalar Sandevistan Mk. 3] Effect: 50% time-dilation effect.Description: An improved model featuring Dynalar's proprietary neural impulse acceleration technology, enhancing sensory perception and combat efficiency. David checked his Liberty pistol, pulling back the slide to chamber a round. Maine and Dorio flanked him on both sides, taking point as the main breach team. Maine glanced at David, patting him on the shoulder. "You're packing the best cyberware among us now—don't choke when it counts." "Hey!" Rebecca protested over the comms. "You trying to psych him out or something?" "I'm just saying." David shook his head. "Maine's right. Tiago, any last-minute advice?" "Of course." Tiago—the veteran who fought Katsuo to a standstill—sat inside the van as backup and instructor. He was here to pass down his combat expertise in exchange for his debt being settled. The slums were a chaotic maze of scrap metal, rotting wooden boards, and salvaged building materials. Plastic sheets and stitched-together tarps stretched overhead to shield against the rain. The stench of garbage and decay hung thick in the air. David, Maine, and Dorio advanced through three parallel alleyways, their eyes scanning every shadow. Then, Tiago's voice crackled in David's cybernetic ear. "Your first time using a Sandevistan is gonna feel... weird." "People's footsteps, falling raindrops, even bullets in flight—they're all gonna seem slow." "As the world slows down, your senses will sharpen—sight, sound, every tiny detail." "The flickering neon signs in the distance, the echo of footsteps behind you..." "You'll feel your heartbeat pound, your blood surging, priming your body to exceed its limits—" "So keep your focus. Some rookies get too caught up in the sensation and forget to move." "You might think you're reacting fast—but if you freeze up, you're just another dead man." David exhaled, grounding himself—just as a door creaked open nearby. A gun barrel emerged— But it wasn't a Scav. Just a terrified civilian, recoiling at the sight of him. David motioned with his gun for them to go back inside. BANG! A gunshot rang out! Raindrops and footsteps slowed to a crawl— Then, in his augmented vision, a bullet streaked through the air. His perception had expanded to its absolute limit. He could see the bullet slicing through the rain, tearing into the stillness of the world. But his body was still too slow. He had focused too much on watching the bullet, mistaking enhanced reflexes for actual speed. BANG! The shot pierced through a wooden panel, embedding itself in the wall beyond. David forced himself to move, and the world sped up accordingly— He turned toward the gunfire, slamming his fist through the flimsy barricade— The shooter barely had time to register his presence. BANG! David fired, blood splattering the walls. But before he could react— Gunfire erupted from every direction! Over the comms, Tiago shouted at lightning speed: "THIS IS THE BATTLEFIELD! YOU THINK HAVING CYBERWARE MAKES YOU INVINCIBLE?! WAKE UP!" "HOLD YOUR WEAPON! FOCUS! KILL EVERY ENEMY YOU SEE—THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS!" "DRAW! SHOOT! MOVE! YOU HEAR ME, ROOKIE?! MOVE!!" David's head snapped up— Two Scavs burst from the alley ahead! His gun snapped up— His Sandevistan engaged again— BANG! BANG! Gunfire rang out. At the same time, he heard a sound to his right and instinctively aimed to his side. From a pile of garbage on the ground, the barrel of a gun emerged. But before the ambusher could even pull the trigger, David had already pressed his own gun to the man's forehead! Bang! Ambushes were useful, but Sandevistan was just too powerful! In the slowed-down world, David saw the fragile slum wall being blasted open by a Scavenger, and a shotgun blast fired through the breach. Through the shattered wall, he spotted a gun barrel behind the roaring Maine! With a powerful step, David launched himself into the air, pulling the trigger before the hidden enemy could fire! Boom! Time resumed its normal flow. Bullets whizzed through the slum. In a daze, Maine saw David crash down in front of him, a bullet grazing his cheek. Bang. Turning around, he saw a Scavenger collapsed on the ground, his skull blown open. David climbed to his feet. Maine gave him a thumbs-up before raising his gun and pushing forward. Inside the van, listening to the ongoing gunfire, Tiago stopped his yelling. He knew the battle had reached its peak. As for whether that kid could truly adapt to Sandevistan—that would depend entirely on his own talent. But judging by the sounds, it seemed like he was managing just fine. In the driver's seat, Lucy disconnected the link. Two gunmen who had just reached higher ground clutched their eyes in pain and fell to their knees—before being taken out by Pilar and Rebecca. It was already a foregone conclusion. "How does it feel using Sandevistan for the first time?" "Weird." Tiago pulled out a pneumatic injector and handed it to David. "First-time use causes a spike in blood pressure. Some capillaries will burst, causing minor bleeding. Use this to stabilize yourself." David took the shot without hesitation, reflecting on the events of the day. He had taken down six Scavengers all on his own!! Sure, he got hit once because he lost focus for a moment, but still—pretty damn impressive! He couldn't help but wonder—if he had more cyberware, how much stronger could he be? Like Adam Smasher... That thought led him to a question: "Adam Smasher—that Tyger Claws guy with optical camo—why didn't he use it when fighting us?" Tiago looked at David, as if seeing right through him. "Still thinking about that feeling? Be careful. Cyberpsychosis starts exactly like this." "Cyberware makes you feel invincible, but in this world—" Tiago's expression darkened. Cyberware is not omnipotent. People augment themselves to survive—to scrape together a living. Cyberware makes you feel stronger, but in reality, it doesn't change the world. Even the fastest Sandevistan can't outrun regret. He hesitated, but after glancing at David—at how he looked at Lucy—he decided to say a little more. "You're asking the wrong question." "It's not about why that Tyger Claws guy didn't use his camo. You should be asking why he got so much cyberware in the first place." "There's always a reason people choose to modify themselves. But when those reasons are gone... what's left?" "You augment yourself to protect your loved ones—to fight for your dreams. You turn yourself into a machine of steel and wires." "But when you look back and find that everything you fought for is gone—that your life has been shattered into a bloody mess—what's left?" "Nothing but combat cyberware. Nothing but the instinct to kill." "Adam Smasher—maybe he just forgot. Or maybe he didn't care. Either way, by then, he was no longer human." "Just another cyberpsycho, capable of anything." When a person loses all meaning and reverts to pure instinct... And when even that instinct has been warped by cyberware... All that remains is violence. That's cyberpsychosis. David looked at Tiago, and a strange, uncomfortable feeling crept into his heart. He thought about the files he had seen from Regina... and as he looked at Tiago now, he suddenly saw himself in this exhausted, middle-aged man. A kid from the streets, growing up in a life of struggle... Until one day, he had a daughter. His first ray of light. To give his daughter a better future—to keep her safe from the violence he had known—he waded deeper into blood. He worked for Militech. Fought in their wars. And when he finally came home— His daughter was gone. Turned to pieces. Then he thought about what Arasaka and their dogs had done... Nobody could stay sane after that. This was just one of countless stories in Night City. And for most people, it was how their story ended. That's why people idolized legends. The ones who defied fate. The ones who saved those they loved—even if it meant being torn apart. The van came to a stop. Tiago patted David's shoulder. "The side effects are only just starting." "You did well for your first time using Sandevistan. A little rough, but expected. Only a handful can go full-on rampage mode on their first try." "Just remember why you got cyberware in the first place." Tiago stepped out of the van and walked toward his apartment. A little girl, the one they had saved, ran to him with open arms. Tiago picked her up, waving at David as he carried her inside. David looked at them. Then at Lucy. She was already looking at him. "...What are you staring at? Drive." David grinned. "Hey, have you seen the news? About the Moon? They said—" "Yeah, yeah, I've seen it. More than you have. When we get back, you should see a ripperdoc. Don't go cyberpsycho on me." "No way! I'm still full of energy! I may not be top-tier, but I'm not half-bad, huh?" "Ugh, you look like an idiot—you're bleeding!" David laughed as blood dripped from his nose. As Lucy shouted in concern, he fumbled for medicine, but his mind was already growing foggy. Elsewhere, Kabuki Slums. V sneezed. She and Jackie sat at a street stall, eating noodles. [Regina: David completed the mission successfully. Your recruit's got talent.] V spread her hands. "Well, there goes the fun." Jackie chuckled. "So, what's up with you and Leo? Any progress?" V sighed. "I looked up some guides and tested the waters. You know what they said?" "What?" "That he might be a damn robot." "Pfft—!" Jackie nearly spat out his noodles. V groaned. "I mean, would Scavs harvest organs from a cybernetic human?" "Dude, your logic is wild. He's normal!" "...Then why does he act like that with me?" Jackie crossed his arms. "Absolutely no idea." V grumbled. "Guess I'll just wait and see." Jackie shrugged. "You could just be direct, y'know?" "Yeah, but what if I misread everything? That'd be awkward as hell." "Fair point." Jackie scratched his head. "Misty said it's almost time for the Lunar New Year or something. Got any wishes?" V leaned back, looking at the night sky. "...I made one at the start of the year, back in Atlanta." "Yeah? What was it?" "To make a shit ton of eddies. What else?" Jackie laughed. "Classic V." But now, V had another wish. She looked at the stars. "Maybe... just maybe... Leo could finally get a clue." [TN:Trust me V alot of readers too]

Chapter 282: Side Story: A Young Man’s First Sandevistan

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