I stumble through the neon-lit streets, the raindrops sizzling on my skin like hot coals. Sweat dribbles down my forehead, mingling with the rain, and I can taste the sour whiskey on my tongue. The city skyline towers above me, a menacing fortress of concrete and steel, its glow reflecting off the oily puddles below. This is Night City, a place where darkness thrives and humanity crumbles.
I clutch a half-empty bottle of cheap bourbon in my trembling hand, the liquid burning my throat with each desperate swig. I’ve seen things in this city, things that would make a hardened cop lose their breakfast. But I’m not a cop. I’m just a washed-up private eye with a knack for finding trouble.
My name is Jack Malone, and tonight, trouble has a name: The Witcher. Rumors have been swirling around the city about this mysterious figure, a mutant warrior with silver hair and eyes that glow like embers. They say he’s a monster hunter, a man-for-hire who takes care of the unholy creatures that roam the dark underbelly of Night City.
I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with these creatures. Late at night, when the shadows come alive and the monsters prowl the streets, I’ve seen things that would make your blood turn to ice. But this Witcher, he’s something different. Something more dangerous.
As I stumble into a dingy bar, the air thick with cigarette smoke and desperation, I catch wind of a lead. A gang of cybernetically enhanced thugs has been hiring the Witcher to take out their rivals. Word on the street is they’ve got a score to settle with a rival gang called The Neon Serpents. And where there’s trouble, there’s usually money to be made.
I approach the bar counter, my clothes soaked through with rain and my face pale as a ghost. The bartender eyes me warily, a scar running across his cheek like a permanent reminder of the violence that plagues this city.
“Gimme another one,” I slur, sliding the empty bottle across the counter. The bartender obliges, pouring me another shot of liquid fire. I down it in one gulp, the burn in my throat momentarily distracting me from the task at hand.
“Hey,” I croak, leaning in closer. “You ever heard of this Witcher fella?”
The bartender’s eyes narrow, his voice a low growl. “You don’t wanna mess with him, friend. He’s a killing machine, like something out of a nightmare.”
I chuckle, the sound hollow and bitter. “Nightmares are my specialty, pal. Tell me what you know.”
He sighs, wiping a dirty glass with a rag. “Word is, he’s been spotted around the docks. Keeps to himself mostly, but when he comes out to play, heads roll. They say he’s got powers, magic or some shit. And that sword of his…it can cut through anything.”
I nod, the gears in my whiskey-soaked brain slowly turning. The docks, huh? Sounds like my kind of party. But first, I need to sober up. I stumble out of the bar and into the rain-soaked streets once more, the city spinning around me like a fever dream.
Hours pass as I wander through the maze of alleyways and dilapidated buildings that make up Night City’s underbelly. The rain has let up, leaving behind a thick fog that clings to my clothes like a wet blanket. I’m close now, I can feel it in my bones.
Eventually, I arrive at the docks, an eerie silence greeting me as I step onto the damp concrete. The moon hangs low in the sky, casting an otherworldly glow on the abandoned warehouses and rusted shipping containers. The air is heavy with the stench of decay and desperation, a fitting backdrop for the horrors that await.
I stumble into a dimly lit warehouse, the sound of dripping water echoing through the cavernous space. Shadows dance on the cracked walls, and I can hear the distant hum of machinery. Something doesn’t feel right. My hand instinctively reaches for the gun holstered at my side, my fingers trembling with anticipation.
Suddenly, a figure emerges from the darkness, his silver hair glinting in the moonlight. It’s him. The Witcher. He stands tall and imposing, his armor gleaming like a predator ready to strike.
“Well, well, well,” he growls, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a lost lamb.”
I smirk, my drunken bravado failing to hide the fear creeping into my bones. “You think you scare me? I’ve seen things that would make your blood turn to ice.”
The Witcher chuckles, the sound filled with a dark amusement. “Oh, I don’t doubt it. But you’re out of your element here, detective. This is my city now.”
I raise an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. “Your city? Last time I checked, Night City wasn’t big enough for both of us.”
He takes a step forward, his eyes locked onto mine. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m here to clean up this cesspool, one monster at a time.”
I laugh, the sound manic and unhinged. “Monsters? You think you’re some kind of savior? The only monster here is you.”
The Witcher’s expression hardens, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, detective. You’ve seen the horrors that lurk in the shadows, but you’ve never faced them head-on. You’re just a drunk with a death wish.”
Anger bubbles up inside me, fueled by the whiskey coursing through my veins. “You don’t know me! I’ve fought my own demons, and I’ll be damned if I let some mutant freak take over my city.”
In one swift motion, the Witcher unsheathes his sword, the silver blade gleaming in the moonlight. “Then show me what you’re made of, detective. Prove to me that you’re more than just a lost cause.”
We circle each other like predators, our eyes locked in a deadly dance. The air crackles with electricity, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. As we clash, steel on steel, I can feel the weight of the city on my shoulders.
Hours pass, the sounds of our battle echoing through the abandoned warehouse. Blood stains the concrete floor, mixing with rainwater and swirling down the drain. My body aches, my muscles scream for mercy, but I press on. I won’t let this city fall into darkness.
Finally, I land a blow, my fist connecting with the Witcher’s jaw. He stumbles back, his silver hair matted with sweat and blood. For a moment, he looks almost human.
“You fight well, detective,” he grunts, wiping the blood from his split lip. “Perhaps there’s more to you than meets the eye.”
I smirk, my victory tasting sweet on my tongue. “Told you I’ve seen things that would make your blood turn to ice.”
The Witcher nods, a begrudging respect in his eyes. “Maybe you’re right. Night City needs someone like you. A protector.”
I raise an eyebrow, the whiskey-induced fog in my brain starting to clear. “And what about you? What’s your role in all of this?”
He sheathes his sword, the tension in the air dissipating. “I’m just a Witcher, trying to survive in a world gone mad. But maybe, just maybe, together we can make a difference.”
As the rain starts to fall once more, washing away the blood and sweat of our battle, I realize that maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for this city yet. The Witcher and I stand side by side, two flawed heroes in a city teetering on the edge of oblivion.
Night City may be a dark and dangerous place, but with a little bit of luck and a whole lot of grit, maybe we can carve out a brighter future from the shadows.
Author: Opney. Illustrator: Stab. Publisher: Cyber.
