When you're out hustling in the streets, you have to be human — warm, friendly, relational.
It sounds hollow, even foolish, but sometimes it's worth more than money.
Because if you only talk about money, others will only think in numbers too.
And money?
It's cheap.
How much would it take for someone to betray you?
A hundred thousand?
Two hundred?
Three?
But human feelings, friendship, favors — those aren't so easily bought.
And that's what Arthur understood better than most.
The priest took a slow sip of his wine, then smiled and said,
"In addition to being today's peacemaker, Arthur, I actually have another little matter to discuss."
Arthur blinked, touching his chin.
Was there ever just one mission when you came back to Heywood?
"There's a child," the priest said slowly, as if crafting a sermon.
"He decided to take up sword and shield — to avenge the enemy who wronged him.
God is willing to give him a little help...
Are you willing to be the spear?"
Arthur sighed internally.
He had just finished one job — and now another?
Even the production team's donkey didn't get worked this hard.
"I've already completed a big order today," Arthur said.
"If you're asking me to help some street kid settle a playground fight... forget it."
Heywood's missions were usually just that:
Some dumb gang feud.
Stolen goods.
Petty revenge.
Little money. Little glory.
The priest chuckled.
"No, no, nothing so simple," he said.
"A despicable thief stole the boy's most precious possession.
He wants to teach him a lesson — not kill him."
Arthur squinted.
Seriously?
Here he was, a near-full-body cyberpsycho veteran, being asked to hunt down a pickpocket?
The priest, sensing his irritation, added,
"This job was originally meant for Jack.
But... seeing the state he's in today, it's better if you handle it."
Arthur snorted.
The only reason Jack was messed up was because he had dragged the poor guy into cross-dressing disaster earlier.
Still, he scratched his head and said,
"Fine. After I finish this bottle, I'll go knock some sense into the thief."
As Arthur grumbled, he wondered aloud:
What's the most precious thing a boy could lose?
His virginity? His dignity?
In Night City, nothing was too perverse.
Arthur decided he didn't even want to know.
The priest shook his head, smiling.
"You just need to catch him, Arthur. No need for anything more."
Arthur sighed again.
"Fine, fine. Just send me the details later."
While Arthur and the priest chatted, Mr. Ma — the worker representative — finished his call and rushed back, his face lit up with joy.
"My wife gave birth!" Mr. Ma beamed.
"She just gave birth at the hospital!"
The priest smiled warmly.
"Congratulations," he said, "according to the customs of the Dragon Kingdom, this is a great blessing!"
Arthur also smiled, genuinely this time.
A new life in Night City — a miracle in itself.
Then, Mr. Ma suddenly turned to Arthur, a bit hesitant, but determined.
"Mr. Arthur," he said carefully,
"would you do me the honor of giving my child a name?"
Arthur froze.
He hadn't expected that.
Mr. Ma probably wanted more than just a name — he wanted a connection.
Something deeper. Something that could open doors in this brutal city.
Arthur scratched his head awkwardly.
He wasn't good with names.
Especially not for newborns.
His eyes wandered, looking around the bar for inspiration —
And there, on the table, he spotted it.
A tall, frothy glass of freshly brewed beer.
Arthur's mind lit up with a ridiculous idea.
"Hey, uh, does your family sell beer?"
Mr. Ma stared blankly.
"...Huh?"
Arthur coughed, feeling a little embarrassed at how dumb that sounded.
Maybe not a great idea to name a kid after a beer.
Quickly, he smoothed it over.
"I'm not great at naming," he admitted.
"But if you want something with good luck... how about Ma Tenghua?"
Tenghua — soaring and rising like flowers.
It sounded prosperous enough.
Mr. Ma's eyes widened. He clearly loved it.
"I didn't expect Mr. Arthur to know so much about Dragon Kingdom culture!" he said excitedly.
"I thought you'd suggest something like... David."
Arthur smiled modestly but said nothing.
If only Mr. Ma knew where he actually got that idea from.
"By the way," Arthur added, "I'll transfer the worker salaries now.
Don't forget — two days from now, you and the workers head to the new factory."
Mr. Ma nodded excitedly, bowing repeatedly.
Arthur opened his account and began transferring money.
He neatly divided it:
1.2 million for worker wages.
10% bonus distributed among them.
Half of the old captain's 20% commission — just 12,000.
After the cuts, Arthur pocketed about 635,000.
Jack, even after all his sacrifices, ended up with 275,000.
Arthur thought it was fair.
After all, Jack's chastity was still (technically) intact.
Mr. Ma checked his account, his face lighting up even more.
But then...
he froze.
He seemed to have caught something Arthur had said earlier.
"Wait, Mr. Arthur..."
He hesitated.
"Did you say... the factory is in... Taipingzhou?"
Arthur nodded, puzzled.
"Yeah. Pacifica. What's wrong?"
Mr. Ma's face turned pale.
"Mr. Arthur... with all due respect... it's too dangerous there."
"If you really plan to open a factory in Taipingzhou...
I'm afraid... none of us will dare go."
He clenched his fists awkwardly, trying to stay respectful.
"We want jobs...
But we also want to stay alive."
Arthur stared at him for a moment, speechless.
Was it really that bad?
He scratched his head.
Maybe he'd underestimated how terrifying Pacifica was to normal people...
And this was just the beginning.
[End of Chapter 69: Does Your Home Sell Beer?]