Chapter 2 — The Big Guy and the Bigger Game
"Choom!"
The door slammed open and in walked Jackie Welles — all six feet of muscle, chrome, and that crooked-ass smile.
He stopped dead when he saw me.
Brows lifted.
"Whoa… You new, mano?"
[System Notice: Jackie Welles — Affinity Boost +10 — Reason: Max Charisma Aura]
I smirked.
"Alaric. Fresh in town. But I move fast."
Jackie's grin widened.
"I'll bet. With a mug like that? You're gonna break hearts — or heads." He clapped me on the shoulder, hand like a steel vice. "Come on, Regina set this gig up. Easy job. Smash-and-grab. You game?"
I nodded.
The system pinged again.
[Jackie Affinity Rising — Potential Ally Perk Unlocked: 'Ride or Die']
I liked him already.
Loyal. Straightforward. Exactly the kind of guy I needed watching my back in a city full of knives.
---
We stepped into his Thorton Galena.
Jackie drove like a maniac — one hand on the wheel, the other shoving a synth-burger into his mouth.
"So… You're looking for your ticket, huh? Night City's a beast, but it's got rewards if you've got the balls."
I leaned back, flashing a half-grin.
"I'm looking for everything this city's got to offer."
Jackie laughed, loud and raw.
"Hell yeah, cabrón! Now that's the attitude."
---
The system chimed.
[Main Quest Activated: The Heist — Meet with Dex]
[Side Notice: Seduction System Tracking Nearby Potential — Lizzie's Bar Recommended.]
---
I caught Jackie glancing sideways at me.
"Not to pry, Alaric… but you ever think about hitting Lizzie's? Lotta edgerunners cool off there. You know… drinks, chicas."
The system flickered a prompt.
[Decision Point: Accept Jackie's Suggestion — Gain Early Access to Judy Alvarez Event Chain]
I chuckled.
"Yeah… that sounds like exactly my kind of place."
Jackie smirked.
"Knew I liked you."
---
The city skyline rose like a neon fortress as we rolled toward the afterlife waiting for us all.
I wasn't here to play by the rules.
I was here to own the game.