Chapter 186 – Cyberpunk: Edgerunner (1)
「Cyberpunk: Edgerunners」
A prequel animation based on 〈Cyberpunk 2077〉, an AAA open world RPG.
After the first release, there was a lot of worry about the animation because the original work was below expectations, but contrary to the worries, it was done very well and became a huge hit.
All kinds of memes were created, and many people heaped praise on it. The benefit extended to the original work as well, selling millions of additional copies.
Seojun also saw the work at this time.
And for a while, I fell into the aftereffects, and was so obsessed with cyberpunk that I played the original game like crazy.
‘But the aftereffects did not go away.’
This is probably because the original work did not deal with animation content and could not be changed.
The faces of those who finally met their end shimmered.
“… “They killed off the characters too quickly.”
Well, the work may have become more perfect thanks to that, but I can’t help but feel disappointed.
So Seojun thought.
“We can’t let ugly girls die.”
Lucy, Rebecca, Gloria, Sasha.
As long as I go in, they won’t die.
“Good. Then what kind of play should we play this time?”
Seojun loosened his fingers.
In the original game, you could enjoy the play you wanted through the tech tree.
‘First, start with your origins.’
There are three representative origins of cyberpunk.
First, Nomad.
Motorists and ordinary middle-class people roam the outskirts of Night City, which has been devastated by radiation, environmental pollution, and war. They mainly gather in clan units.
Second, corporate agents (Corpo).
It is a general term for executives, businessmen, and soldiers belonging to Megacorp, and mainly corresponds to the middle and upper class of the city. Corpo is an abbreviation and relatively polite expression, and the actual name is Corpo-rat.
Third, Street Kid.
The general lower class, familiar with the streets, gangs, and city life, and closest to the darkness of the city.
“But this is different from a game.”
An origin that could not be selected in the game.
Yes, for example──.
‘It could be something like a government agency, a gang, or the police (NCPD).’
But I’m not really attracted to it.
In the cyberpunk worldview, being under someone means being deprived of freedom and becoming a puppet.
‘For now, the police and government are excluded.’
He smoothed his chin as he looked at the remaining list.
‘I’m torn between being a vagabond or a nomad.’
Gangs and corporations were also excluded.
I didn’t like the gang’s actions in many ways, and I wasn’t particularly attracted to the company as I had already enjoyed it as a leading conglomerate in other works.
In particular, it was difficult to establish contact with the heroines in this worldview, where the corporate image was not good.
In the end, there are only two left by the method of elimination.
‘Of course, if you want to travel comfortably, you’re a vagabond.’
One thing, freedom, is certain.
He nodded and moved on to his job.
Of course, the job is fixed.
“Solo.”
Solo.
A mercenary who receives personal requests or works arranged by a fixer, an intermediary, is a job commonly called a fixer.
V, the main character of the original game, is a representative solo.
‘The net runner is also a bit appealing, but since two of the heroines are net runners, there is no need to do it.’
Lucy… ‘Lucina Kushinada’ and ‘Sasha Yakovleva’.
Since there are two excellent net runners, it is enough for me to be a combat agent active on the front line.
‘Ruler. Then what should I use as a weapon?’
If possible, it would be more fun to clearly decide on the concept.
There are two big things that come to mind.
‘A swordsman and a gunman.’
In the cyberpunk world, a swordsman who only uses blades is attractive enough.
Gunfighters who use all kinds of firearms are also attractive. In particular, taking the ‘cowboy’ concept and performing quick draws with a large-diameter revolver? This too has a lot of mulberries.
“Mmm~!”
I am quite worried.
After careful consideration, Seojun came to a conclusion.
“I’m going as a swordsman.”
Gunman?
Of course, it is a very attractive concept.
However,
‘The one using the gun already has Rebecca.’
The combatant who uses a gun already has Rebecca.
He probably doesn’t need to use a gun himself.
‘Stay? ‘Why don’t you try using a bow?’
Koreans are a people of bow.
However, he soon shook his head.
‘The bow isn’t that good.’
It may be special, but that’s it.
It’s not fun, and it’s not touching. In the first place, the bow was a weapon that did not suit Seojun’s taste.
I felt that fact keenly in Konosuba.
Here, a swordsman who is fun, touching, and has a lot of fun is the norm.
‘Honestly, sword wielders are the rule in cyberpunk.’
He finished setting up the avatar as he wanted.
I also improved my physical abilities to some extent. Just at the average level of Class D.
How much is this?
If evaluated based on the hunter’s level, Muzan, the final awakening from Demon Slayer 〈 and Demon Slayer 〉, is at the highest level of E level, and Yoriichi is at the bottom of D level.
Here, Seojun possessed everything about Yoriichi, including breathing.
“This is enough to protect oneself in the Sifeng worldview.”
It’s not enough, it’s overflowing.
Even if you fight against Adam Smasher, you can easily win.
“This completes the settings.”
The avatar and entry time zone settings have been completed.
[Would you like to enter?]
“Okay.”
He entered the work right away without any hesitation.
***
Night City.
An innovative dream city established in the 1990s by entrepreneur Richard Knight.
There are currently 6,964,425 people living there, and the area is 75.42 km², boasting a very high population density.
It is the center of the economy and industry where many hackers, criminals, and those who dream of success from outside the country gather, and people have the perception that it is a ‘land of opportunity where everything is allowed and a city of dreams where they can aim for great success’, but at the same time, it is a ‘city of dreams’. It is a notoriously bad city, so much so that it was chosen as the ‘worst city to live in the United States.
Each gang has established itself in each region like a warlord and does not hesitate to engage in vigilantism, cartels, and human trafficking, and the NCPD, which is supposed to actively stop them, is outsourcing the suppression of criminals to mercenaries.
The reason why this problem has not been resolved is because Megacorp’s involvement is not at the level of suspicion but has become common knowledge among the public in Night City. Each megacorp is very actively disrupting public order by subcontracting dirty or trivial tasks to gangsters or abusing them in proxy wars between companies.
So, the number of murders reported per year exceeds 7,000.
If you include the unreported shadows, it is confirmed that the number is at least 10,000.
A factory in ‘Vista Del Rey’, said to be the worst in the ‘Heywood’ area, which is famous for having the widest gap between rich and poor in Night City.
Even though dawn was approaching, the factory was busy operating.
For drug manufacturing.
“Okay. Is it finally time for a break?”
One gang member leaned against the railing and lit a cigarette.
Phew, a long smoke billows out.
“Morrison. “Please lend me some light too.”
“Jack. “How many times do I have to tell you to carry fire?”
“Haha. Next time, I’ll really carry it with me.”
“Tch.”
Cheek!
The two started smoking together and talked a lot.
There was plenty of break time.
“Oh, right. Did you hear that story?”
“What story?”
“These days, there is a soloist who destroys gangs single-handedly with a sword.”
“Oh, no matter what, it doesn’t make sense.”
“Last time, those Wolffangs were found lying in a heap in their territory. “They say that’s what Solo did too.”
“… Really?”
“Uh. What’s even more surprising is that the pillars and walls of the cars and buildings at Wolffang’s hideout were cut as if they had been cut with a sharp knife.”
Gulp.
Jack swallowed his saliva at Morrison’s words.
If true, it is truly an absurd amount of force.
Morrison saw that and laughed.
“So what is that solo’s name?”
“The name is definitely not known. Instead, they call it this.”
Solver B.
“B? What does that stand for?”
“Blade.”
“… “Is it so named because it is cut up with a knife?”
“I think so.”
“Whoa, that’s scary. “If people like us meet, we’ll die.”
“Of course! When you see a monster like that, it’s best to run away. Oh, by the way, he always wears a black coat, and I heard he has an extremely handsome face.”
“Shit. The world is so unfair.”
“Kkeuk, that’s right. I’m not in a good mood. Would you like to go for a drink together after work?”
“Oh, great! There again this time──.”
Jeopuk.
In an instant, the two stopped talking.
Because there was a sudden sound of footsteps.
“…”
“…”
Both heads turned.
A shadow approached beyond the flickering light of the streetlamp.
Eventually, the light revealed its identity.
The hem of a pitch-black coat.
A blue knife held firmly in one hand.
And an insanely handsome face that seems to have been created with God’s favor.
“… Huh?”
“… Hey, that can’t be right.”
The eyes of the two gangsters trembled mercilessly.
That obsession with impressions.
It matched the existence I had just mentioned.
“Fuck!”
Bang bang bang!
Morrison’s judgment was quick.
I immediately shot him with a pistol taken from his waist.
However,
“… Me, crazy! “What is that!”
The gunman dodged all of his bullets by simply twisting his body and head.
Looking at the two in shock, Solver B… Seojun smiled.
“Looks like you’ve come to the right place.”
He kicked the ground.
The distance of 20 meters narrowed in an instant, and in the blink of an eye, their heads flew through the air.
Fu Chemical!
Blood gushing out.
Seojun left behind and swung his knife to shake off the blood and fat.
“Let’s work hard to complete the request today.”
The factory is still bright.
Seojun entered inside with leisurely steps.
Soon after,
Bang bang bang! Toda da da da!
The sound of a gunshot rang out loudly.
But after a while.
Wow!
Save me!
It’s a monster!
The gang’s screams continued and soon quieted down.
As if nothing had happened.
