Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 909, 119. Either truly live, or die.

"Cracking Relic"

Carl was indeed tempted by the AI's proposal.

He didn't care about the cyber damage Relic could cause, nor did he care about the possibility of immortality contained within Relic. However, he was very concerned about whether Relic, which stored Johnny's consciousness, could truly bring Johnny back to life.

Now that we have the biotechnology and Arasaka-related data, creating a new body for Johnny is not difficult. However, the most crucial issue is Relic. Karl is still considering whether to use the method of biological experimental subjects to replace the brain with Relic because no one has figured out the core data of Relic.

However, if AI can use its knowledge from before the data crash to decipher the secrets within Relic for Carl, then the final obstacle to Johnny truly possessing a physical body can be overcome.

Perhaps then Johnny's consciousness can remain in his body not as Relic, but as self-awareness.

Carl immediately told Johnny about this important development, as his possession of AI was no secret to his friends.

Although there were people on the team like T-Bug who were wary of AI, after confirming that Carl had access to the core data, she only reminded him to be cautious and set up a monitoring program before saying nothing more.

Now that this AI has demonstrated its crucial value, Carl naturally shared it with Johnny without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Carl also contacted his companions who were busy in various parts of Dogtown, letting them know the news as well.

After all their companions learned the news, almost everyone fell silent.

Because this is a very important matter.

No one can say for sure whether cracking Relic will affect Johnny's existence. It would be terrible if, like disassembling a refrigerator, you accidentally took it apart and couldn't put it back together. Although cracking it might indeed allow Johnny to truly exist, it would be bad if Johnny were erased during the cracking process.

Rather than that, it's better to play it safe. The combination of biotechnology and Arasaka's research and technology has confirmed that Johnny can control his body in chip form. Although this may not be perfect, it is a safe measure with successful precedents. Rather than taking risks, it's better to do it this way for now.

But no one can make the decision for Johnny.

This concerns his existence, his consciousness, and whether he continues to 'be himself,' a choice that only Johnny Silverhand can make.

Wiping his katana, named 'Barker,' V, who had just finished clearing out a drug sales point and was directing the others, connected to the channel.

V, besides Carl, is the most adept at commanding personnel among his companions.

He couldn't explain why himself. Maybe he really had a talent for it, or maybe his nominal position in Arasaka really affected him to some extent. He was the fastest to lead the team to handle the assigned area, even Oliver, who came from the Sixth Street gang, couldn't compare. So he was also the first to finish his work and ask Johnny.

"Johnny, what do you think?"

What do I think?

Even when faced with a choice that concerned his own survival, Johnny only thought for a second.

Then, he spoke lazily:
"Give me a cigarette and a drink."

"A cigarette, and then a Johnny Silverhand, huh?"

Carl didn't ask any questions. He quickly had someone bring him cigarettes and bartending tools, and then he learned to mix a drink named after Johnny himself.

This request itself made his choice clear to all his companions. Sure enough, after slowly finishing his cigarette and savoring the drink in this body—Johnny stored the last drop of liquor inside him and made his decision.

"Well done, almost up to Claire's level, Carl. Alright, bring it in."

He pointed to his body, then to the chip that carried his consciousness: "This is a damn cage. Whether it's for me or some other bastard, it's all the same. Now that I have a chance to pry it open, do you think I'd choose the 'safe' cage?"

Johnny's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable resolve.

“This damn chip keeps me ‘alive,’ but only ‘alive.’ It’s Karl, it’s you all, and it’s this changed, godforsaken place.” He looked around Dogtown, then into the distance, at Night City: “It makes me feel like I’m truly alive again, and now I have the chance to make this ‘life’ a little more real, even if the risk is total annihilation—”

He paused for a moment, then his body automatically opened the connection port.

"--That's fucking worth it. I don't want to spend the rest of my life as a ghost living in a chip, a parasite that can only breathe because it can't fully control its body. It's either live truly or die cleanly. Hesitating and fussing is not my style, Johnny Silverhand."

He looked at Karl one last time, his eyes becoming unusually serious: "Go ahead, Karl. Release my 'soul' from this damned box. I believe in you, even if... even if you really mess things up in the end and 'format' me."

His virtual projection took a deep breath of air that wasn't actually there.

"That's still better than being trapped in Relic. That's my opinion. Don't worry about Carl. If something unexpected happens, it's definitely not your fault. If that happens, don't blame yourself. Otherwise, even if I die, I'll find a way to come back and slap you."

Johnny made a decision he didn't intend to make his friends feel guilty about.

Johnny was an absolute scumbag in the past, and definitely not a good person, but he still had some genuine feelings for his friends.

Now that he's back, he sees things more clearly, or perhaps he's been influenced by it; he's now more like a human being.

That's why, after making his decision, he comforted Karl, just as he had comforted Kerry before going to venture into the desolate tower. He was prepared and willing to accept it.

"Now?"

Carl looked at Johnny, at the room where only he and Johnny were: "Aren't you going to wait for everyone to come back, or even inform Roger and Kerry?"

"Why bother with all that, like a funeral? Roger and Kerry, they've already experienced Johnny Silverhand's 'death' once. Do you want them to watch me die again lying down?" He shook his head. "No need. If it succeeds, I'll personally give them a 'surprise.' If it fails..."

He paused, his tone relaxed.

"Then let them remember me as I am now, rather than remember how I died before."

“Carl, come on, don’t be too rough, I don’t like men.” His projection gestured with his chin toward the connector. “Come on, friend.”

"You're crazy. You say you don't like it, but you're being so ambiguous. Are you sick in the head?"

Despite saying this, Karl did not hesitate at all.

He connected with the AI ​​and then completed the connection with Johnny.

It's either live or die, but Karl only wants, and will only let, the former happen.

(End of this chapter)