Frey's Feelings and the Gray Lightning
It didn't take long for Frey, Enoch's childhood friend, to calm down. By the time Soo and Angela had polished off a bag of potato chips, Frey—having heard the story from Enoch—had turned beet red and slapped him across the cheek. Enoch blinked in confusion, clearly not understanding why he'd been hit, but Angela took Frey's side, saying she could totally get it. Of course, Soo had no idea why Enoch got smacked either.
"Anyway, no need to worry. Just show us the goods."
"You're such a bastard, you know that?"
This time, even Enoch couldn't argue back. He'd heard what Frey had said through her tears. He never imagined... that feelings like that could develop between them, after growing up together seeing every ugly side of each other. He really had no clue. And it wasn't like he'd done anything special for her. Taking in the orphan girl at a young age and letting her live with them, rescuing her from human traffickers, practically giving her the money to start her shop when she wanted to... none of it felt extraordinary. It was just what family did—what they had to do.
To Enoch, Frey was family. The last precious person he had left. That's why, after starting his mercenary work, he'd kept his distance from her. He didn't want her getting dragged into trouble if something happened to him. They only met when he came to buy gear; otherwise, he avoided contact. And whenever they did meet, she'd nag him endlessly—asking if he had a girlfriend yet, saying his personality was so rotten he'd never get married... Always teasing him like that. So Enoch never dreamed she harbored those kinds of feelings.
"...I'm gonna go wash my face. Wait here, you jerk."
With one last grumble, Frey apologized to Soo and Angela and fled to the bathroom.
"Enoch's the worst."
"Who knew Enoch was such trash."
Of course, Enoch wasn't off the hook. The moment Frey vanished, the two hyenas pounced. How long had Soo and Angela held back their itchy tongues while Enoch squirmed? They chattered away with the refreshed faces of people who'd just downed a glass of soda.
"We kept you from answering because we were here?"
"That's why you had to bring us here, huh?"
"I'm rooting for the childhood friend heroine."
"Someone who cries like that for you is bound to live happily ever after."
"So, what's your answer to Enoch?"
"We'll head to a motel nearby. Why don't you two talk it out? Might as well grab dinner too. I know a great bar close by—private, perfect for a real conversation."
"Answer... I can just text it. Don't worry about it."
Enoch's nonchalant reply made Angela's brow furrow deeply.
"She poured her heart out face-to-face, and you're gonna text back? Not even a call?"
"Yeah, Enoch. You have to look her in the eye and answer properly—especially since she likes you just the way you are."
"Hah..."
Enoch, who had been hanging his head until now, glared back fiercely and confidently.
"You gonna lecture me right now...?"
"Heehee."
Soo grinned and looked away. She stared blankly at the bathroom door where Frey had gone in.
Enoch's childhood friend. Enoch's last remaining family. The one who loved Enoch.
In novels or games, childhood friend heroines always got major screen time. Even if they were doomed to "lose," there was that irreplaceable familiarity only they could offer.
But she never appeared in Cyberpunk: Eden. Not even Enoch's inner monologues mentioned a Frey. If it was to protect her, it was too thorough—no reason to omit her even from his thoughts.
So the conclusion was clear: in the game, Enoch had truly lost even Frey.
The backstory's completely different.
Enoch's home was proof. In the game, Enoch lived in a place you could call a house in Picker Town. But real-life Enoch? He was practically homeless.
So some requests he couldn't take were inevitable. Plenty of events were Picker Town-exclusive.
The original story had diverged massively. Some changes happened after Soo met Enoch, but others clearly predated her arrival.
What could cause that level of change?
Only one thing.
Magic.
The megacorps ruling Eden had turned their gaze to magic. Their operations, their grand designs—everything had shifted. So Soo's plans needed updating too. Or rather, evolving.
"Enoch."
"What."
"Frey lives in Picker Town, right?"
"How the hell do you know that...?"
Enoch's eyes widened as he glanced at Angela. She shook her head, clueless. Not her hack. It was info Soo knew on her own.
"You should get close to Frey."
"Close or not, how did you know she lives in Picker—"
Soo hopped off her chair, swinging her legs idly until then. Right on cue, a refreshed Frey emerged from the bathroom.
"Ahaha, sorry you saw me looking like a mess. Ready to check out the goods? I'll give you a killer deal!"
"Yeah, been looking forward to it."
"Uh... wha...?"
Frey froze, overwhelmed by Soo's looks and vibe. Great that she was excited, but Soo hadn't expected her to come on so strong. Whatever—Soo grabbed Frey's hand and skipped off lightly.
"Warehouse is that way, right?"
"Y-yeah... it is, but..."
"Don't hang with boring guys like Enoch. Play with me—you'll have so much fun you won't sleep."
"Uh...?"
"I'll make sure you forget all about Enoch."
What the hell was this kid spouting? Enoch and Angela shot up from their seats like they'd been zapped.
No matter what, they had a bad feeling Soo shouldn't keep talking...
The stench of ingrained oil and worn leather hit first, followed by the charred smell of old circuit boards. Shelves towered to the ceiling in endless rows. Faint fluorescent neons tangled with yellow work lights, slicing the space apart. The floor was coated in green epoxy that squeaked under shoe soles, keeping ears entertained.
Pallets lined the floor held military bulletproof vests, half-rusted cyber arms, alloy jackets, battered HUD visors—sorted by category. Each item sported price tags and red labels like "Verified" or "On Hold." Firearms and blades were on display too, naturally. Even gear from the Big Three corps.
Drones handled the inventory—too much for humans. Seventeen maintenance drones alone. Still, Frey's warehouse felt huge and spotless. The catalog hadn't done justice; the quality was top-notch. Pricey for "used" goods... not quite stolen, but not cheap. Still, used was used—way cheaper than new.
"Not buying this anymore?"
Now fully peppy, Frey dangled a cheap-looking bulletproof vest and giggled. Enoch broke out in cold sweat and looked away. He'd thought it junk, but it was reinforced for him.
"...Planning a dermal implant reinforcement."
"Hmm, then this might be better. Even dermal implants have weak joints, right? These pads protect 'em."
Teasing aside, Frey recommended stuff that'd genuinely help Enoch. Mostly armor. She wanted him safe more than deadly.
"Not bad."
"Right? 60K credits. Buy it and I'll throw in a holder for the pads free. You love hanging junk off yourself anyway."
Enoch had earned more than Frey thought, all sunk into implants. No need for bulky gear anymore.
"Thanks."
He didn't show it, but Enoch appreciated her gesture. He might not know her romantic feelings, but he spotted her care for him fastest.
"So? Need anything else?"
"Something I need... yeah, but not sure if you have it."
"Hm?"
Frey's eyebrow twitched. Her warehouse had everything but the kitchen sink. Even bombs scrapped by the Big Three for being too powerful. No way skinny Enoch needed something she lacked.
"What is it?"
"Camoufla—"
Enoch froze mid-word, scanning around. Angela eyed goods excitedly; Frey awaited his answer. Just them. Where was the other one?
"Where's Soo?"
"Beats me? Where'd she go?"
Enoch sounded urgent, but Frey was chill.
"No need to freak. Drones monitor everything inside, and I've got two guard gatling turrets just in case. Soo won't be in danger."
"...That's not it."
Chills ran up Enoch's neck.
"It's not her in danger—it's us who might be."
"Enoch's phrasing is a bit weird, but... yeah, can't deny it."
"Huh?"
Even late-arriving Angela agreed, leaving Frey baffled. That cute, pretty little girl gonna do what to make us unsafe? Frey brushed it off.
"Psh, what could Soo do? It's not—"
Too far.
The rest went unheard.
KWAAZZZAK—!! Gray lightning slammed into the warehouse corner.