Hayden’s next stop was a dimly lit bar tucked into a corner of the lower districts. The sign above the door flickered faintly, spelling out The Black Circuit in glowing red letters. Inside, the air was thick with smoke and tension. Patrons huddled in dark booths, whispering over drinks as music thumped faintly in the background.

  The Codex guided Hayden to the bar, where a tall woman with an augmented arm was pouring drinks. “What’ll it be?” she asked, her voice rough.

  “Information,” Hayden said, sliding onto a stool.

  She raised an eyebrow. “That’s not on the menu.”

  “It is if you know the right people,” Hayden said. “And I’m guessing you do.”

  The woman studied him for a moment, then nodded toward a door in the back. “Talk to Griff. He handles the side business around here.”

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Hayden made his way to the back room, where a burly man with cybernetic implants was seated behind a metal desk. His eyes flicked up as Hayden entered.

  “Another drifter looking to make a name for himself?” Griff said, his tone dismissive.

  “Not just any drifter,” Hayden replied, stepping closer. “I’ve got something you might be interested in.”

  He placed a second Syndicate data drive on the desk, watching as Griff’s expression shifted from boredom to intrigue.

  “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” Griff said, picking up the drive. “This kind of thing could put a target on your back.”

  “I’m counting on it,” Hayden said with a smirk.

  Griff chuckled. “Alright, kid. You’ve got my attention. What do you want?”

  “I need access to the upper districts,” Hayden said. “And I need people—fighters, hackers, anyone willing to take on the Syndicate.”

  Griff leaned back in his chair, a calculating look in his eyes. “You’re asking for a lot. But… I might have something for you.”

  He reached into a drawer and pulled out a small device. “This is a neural uplink. It’ll enhance your reflexes and hacking abilities—if you can handle the installation.”

  Hayden’s chest tightened at the sight of the device. The Codex hummed faintly, its voice laced with approval. “Accept the upgrade. Our evolution requires sacrifice.”

  “I’ll take it,” Hayden said.

  Griff grinned. “Good. Let’s get started.”

  As the neural uplink was installed, pain shot through Hayden’s skull, but he gritted his teeth and endured it. When it was over, he felt a surge of power coursing through him.

  ?Upgrade Acquired: Neural Uplink. Enhanced hacking and combat capabilities unlocked.

  Hayden clenched his fists, feeling stronger than ever. He was one step closer to his goal, and nothing would stand in his way.