Chapter 17 — Death Looped
The escape was textbook… until it wasn't.
I knew this part.
The flatline.
The Relic cooking us from the inside.
Jackie bleeding out.
I'd seen it… died to it… over and over.
But now?
I wasn't letting fate roll the dice.
---
We hit the lobby elevator — alarms screaming, Arasaka's death squads closing in.
Jackie shoved the container into my hands.
"Mano… this thing's gonna fry us both!"
I locked eyes with him.
"Not this time."
---
[System Notice: Critical Event Override Engaged]
[Relic Containment Protocol Activated]
---
The pain hit — white-hot, searing.
Jackie grimaced, clutching his chest.
"Shit—!"
I grabbed his arm, my system channeling a surge of bio-regulation override.
Jackie gasped — the pain easing slightly.
I forced a breath.
"Stay with me, Jack… I've got you."
---
The elevator doors opened — enemy fire blazing.
But this time… I moved before they did.
Shots cracked — I returned them clean, center-mass, dropping the guards before Jackie even blinked.
---
[System Notice: Combat Reflex — Max Efficiency +100%]
---
We bolted for the AV — bullets slicing the air behind us.
---
We hit the street — hell raining down — and I felt it again…
The death creeping in.
But I wasn't letting go.
---
"Jackie… get in!"
We slammed into the getaway car, doors locking.
I triggered the system's final override.
---
[System Notice: Relic Damage Stabilized — Critical Flatline Prevented]
---
Jackie panted, clutching the container.
"Holy shit… you actually—"
I met his eyes.
"Yeah. I did."
His grin split wide.
"You're a freakin' legend, hermano."
---
And for the first time in every loop I'd lived…
We both made it out alive.
---
— Later…
The city lights burned as I stood on the balcony of my safehouse.
My holo pinged.
Evelyn.
I answered.
She stared at me — lips parted, eyes sharp.
"You're alive."
I smirked.
"Disappointed?"
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
"Hardly."
Her gaze dropped — slow, deliberate — before lifting again.
"You saved Jackie… saved the job.
Not many could've pulled that off."
I stepped closer to the holo.
"I'm not 'many,' Evelyn."
She gave a soft laugh — low, dangerous.
"I'm starting to see that."
Her hand lifted — fingertips brushing her collarbone as she spoke.
"You planning on cashing in that favor… or were you just here for the job?"
I met her gaze — hard, hungry.
"I don't do favors… I take what I want."
Evelyn's eyes darkened — pulse quickening.
"You better mean that," she whispered.
I leaned in — voice dropping.
"Oh, I do."
---
[System Notice: Evelyn Parker — Interest +20 — Erotic Tension High]
[Harem Progress: Evelyn Parker — Stage 4 — Physical Advance Available]
---
She smirked — sultry, daring.
"Then… come take it."
The holo cut off — invitation hanging in the air like a loaded gun.
---
I smiled to myself.
This game…
Was finally mine.
---
Romance & Loyalty Recap After Chapter 17:
Evelyn Parker — Interest: +170 — Stage 4 Unlocked — Physical Moves Open
Judy Alvarez — Interest: +60 — Stage 3 — Personal Tease Active
Jackie Welles — Loyalty: +70 — Bond Strengthened, Life Saved