Chapter 7 — The Game Behind the Game
The ride to Dex's meet wasn't long.
But the tension inside the car was thick as oil.
Jackie sat beside me, bouncing his knee like a wired-up prizefighter.
"You sure about this, mano?"
I smirked, leaning back against the seat.
"Dex wants a player. I'm giving him one."
The System pulsed, lines of data sliding across my HUD.
[Mission Zone: Dexter DeShawn's Stronghold]
[Active Scan: Key Players Analyzed]
---
The door opened.
Dexter DeShawn — a mountain of chrome, gold-plated smile gleaming under low light.
His laugh boomed before he even spoke.
"Alaric. Been hearing whispers about you already."
I stepped inside — calm, measured.
"Hope they're good ones."
Dex chuckled, big hand offering a shake.
"Best kinda whispers… the dangerous kind."
[Dexter DeShawn — Affiliation: Fixer — Trust Level: Neutral]
[Recommended Approach: Respectful, Slight Edge of Cocky Confidence]
I took his hand — firm grip, eyes locked.
Dex's brow lifted a fraction.
"Huh. Got some steel under that charm. I like that."
---
Seated around the table were his crew.
T-Bug, cool eyes behind her netrunner visor.
Kirk, leaning back, arms crossed, sizing me up.
[T-Bug — Loyalty: 65% to Dex — Interest in Alaric: Cautiously Curious]
[Kirk — Loyalty: 20% to Dex — Jealous of Alaric: +40]
I let my gaze sweep the room — slow, deliberate.
The System fed me intel like a private briefing.
---
Dex leaned forward.
"Job's big. Real big. And I need a guy who ain't afraid of sticking his neck out.
Evelyn says you're… interesting."
He let the word hang.
I smirked.
"Guess she's got good taste."
T-Bug gave a soft snort — more amused than annoyed.
Kirk shifted, arms tightening.
Dex roared a laugh.
"Man's got balls!"
---
[System Notice: Social Read Successful — Dexter DeShawn's Confidence in You +15]
Dex leaned back, grin wide.
"Alright. You're in. Just don't get dead."
I rose, giving him a nod.
"Not planning on it."
---
As I turned, the System chimed softly.
[Seduction Side Note: Evelyn Parker — Now Observing — Approval +5]
I caught the faintest reflection — Evelyn, watching from a side room… and smiling.
---
Night City was full of players.
But I wasn't here to play by their rules.
I was here to rewrite them.
---
Romance Targets After Chapter 7 Recap:
Evelyn Parker — Interest: +60 — Stage 2: Watching & Intrigued
Judy Alvarez — Interest: +45 — Stage 2: Guarded but Intrigued