Cybernetic Doctor Viktor

Chapter 7: Ripperdoc Viktor

Following the directions, Karl passed through an alley with an iron gate and arrived at a ripperdoc clinic converted from a basement. He politely greeted the middle-aged, black-haired man sitting in front of a computer watching a boxing match.

"Excuse me, hello."

"A customer?"

Hearing the voice, the man, wearing glasses with sharp features and a calm expression, turned his head and saw Karl and Oliver, who was following him.

"In this city, I've never seen such a polite customer before."

Ripperdoc Viktor's gaze swept over Oliver before settling on Karl.

'A young man with no augmentations.'

As an excellent ripperdoc, Viktor could tell at a glance that Karl had no cyberware installed. Because of this, he could roughly guess the reason for their visit.

"Are you planning to get an Access Port?"

"Something like that, Doctor. What models of Access Ports do you have here, and what's the approximate price?"

Oliver spoke up for Karl, asking first. If the price was too high, he could pull Karl away and leave.

"I have Militech's Parallel Line operating system for five thousand Eurodollars, and Rizco Electronics' Type 1 for seven thousand five hundred Eurodollars."

Hearing the price, Oliver's mouth twitched. "Doctor, are these operating systems all brand new?"

Oliver had previously told Karl that he had scraped together over three thousand Eurodollars, which should have been more than enough to buy an Access Port. But that was based on Oliver's habit of buying secondhand, old cyberware. If this ripperdoc dared to sell them at such a high price, it could only mean these were brand new. If he could sell old, used goods at the price of new ones, his shop wouldn't be in a poor area like Watson District.

"I'm not some gang ripperdoc or a damn organ harvester. Of course, I only have legitimate cyberware here."

Viktor casually picked up a certificate lying nearby and showed it to them. It was indeed a legitimate ripperdoc license.

"Then we're in trouble."

Oliver's eyes flickered as he looked at his savings, only to find 1,400 Eurodollars.

'Even with this, it's not enough.'

Oliver had thought about the ripperdoc selling secondhand and old goods at inflated prices and had planned to leave if it was too expensive. But he never expected them to be selling brand new, legitimate products.

This ripperdoc only sells brand new, legitimate goods. This isn't Pacifica. In Pacifica, those guys have a racial talent bonus and, with the help of gang hackers, can often snag good deals. A normal ripperdoc should be able to accommodate used goods, shouldn't they?

However, it was precisely because of Viktor's words that Oliver had decided in his heart that he would borrow money if necessary to get an Access Port for the teammate he had just met. The reason was simple: most ripperdocs who dealt in secondhand and old cyberware were often involved with those Scavengers.

Those who openly stated they only sold legitimate goods wouldn't associate with those scumbags. At the very least, the safety of the cyberware surgery could be guaranteed. He wouldn't have to worry about being knocked out with anesthesia, ending up in a bathtub, and having his organs harvested.

So, he immediately typed out a message and sent it to his sister.

'Sis, quick rescue, V needs 500 from me.'

"You need five thousand?"

Hearing the price and seeing Oliver's expression change out of the corner of his eye, Karl, realizing he didn't have enough money, counted his Eurodollars. He found that he had only 3,200 Eurodollars in total, still short of 1,800 Eurodollars even for the Militech Parallel Line.

He had just looted a gang member's stash, and he couldn't even afford an Access Port?

"Beep."

'Where have you been? Your location wasn't in Santo Domingo.'

Oliver noticed that the money had arrived in his account. It wasn't five hundred, but five thousand.

'Thanks, sis. Met a friend outside, I'll be back later. Love you.'

'You guy, you only say sweet things when you need money. I'll be back in Night City in two days. Remember to come back soon.'

'Got it.'

After finishing the conversation with his sister and receiving the money, Oliver was about to share the good news with Karl. However, Karl had already placed the 3,200 Eurodollars on the table next to Viktor and was walking towards the exit.

"Please wait a moment, Doctor Viktor. Here's three thousand two hundred Eurodollars. I'll bring the rest of the money back immediately."

Pulling the slide of his Lexington, Karl confirmed it was ready to fire and prepared to go out and find something else to do. Given the city's shootout rate, he should be able to make a profit quickly.

"Wait, Karl!"

"Hold on, young man."

Viktor, along with Oliver, who felt his companion was acting too decisively, stopped Karl.

The ripperdoc looked back at Karl and casually pointed at the stack of Eurodollars, some still stained with blood. "This money is enough. I'm not inflexible on price. Why the rush? I'll take three thousand Eurodollars from you and install the Militech Parallel Line Access Port. That's fine, isn't it? You can take the two hundred Eurodollars back."

"Huh? You can negotiate the price?"

"Of course."

A smile appeared on Viktor's face. He said to the surprised Oliver and Karl, "On the contrary, I'm curious why neither of you tried to negotiate and just accepted my price."

"I just found out ripperdocs can negotiate prices."

Wanting to appear experienced in front of Karl, but in reality, Oliver had always had his sister handle his cyberware replacements. This was his first time too. Hearing that it only cost three thousand Eurodollars, he quickly transferred the money back to his sister and then pulled Karl towards Viktor.

Viktor also stood up. He examined Karl carefully from head to toe and then spoke. "Hearing how he addressed you earlier, your name is Karl, right? How old are you? Have you had any special surgeries before?"

Karl decided to answer based on his current apparent age. "Eighteen years old. As for surgeries, I've never had any."

"So, you're a pure-blooded human?"

"Yes."

"Then this surgery might take a while, and you'll need some time to adjust afterward. Everyone has a first time, so don't be afraid. I'll give you a good anesthetic. Do you want to stay conscious, or would you prefer to feel the surgery happening to you?"

The anesthetic would numb the pain, but some sensation would still remain.

Karl pondered this for a moment. He felt that experiencing his own surgery firsthand might be something worth trying, so he chose the latter.

"Alright then, get ready. Prepare yourself mentally to be cut open. I'll go prepare the medical equipment. In a few hours, you'll be reborn."

Ten minutes later, after Karl lay down on the specialized equipment, the surgery began.