Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 546 Anchor Point [5.2K]

Charter Hill.

Kerry Orodien's mansion.

In the old samurai band, the only one who can be considered truly successful now is this little nobody who was once overshadowed by Silver Hand.

Perhaps Kerry's success is largely due to his cautiousness. It's worth noting that Kerry was reminding Johnny to be careful when Johnny was inciting fans to fight against the company and even causing riots in the streets.

The last argument also happened on the night Ultraman was captured.

Kerry looked at the gold decorations around his luxurious floor-to-ceiling windows, which resembled fragments of data. He sat there on the minimalist high-end sofa, watching the twin-tailed girl in front of him devour real meat.

A serving of real salmon sushi in Night City starts at at least 300 euros, thirty times the price of synthetic sushi…

Right now, the things in Kerry's food storage compartment have been almost completely shown off by the expert in front of him.

It wasn't that he was worried about the money; Kerry was increasingly skeptical of the girl's ramblings... Could that bastard's soul really reside inside her?

Kerry wanted to find even the slightest clue that this matter was indeed true.

For this reason, he made a special trip to contact Roger, his good friend Silverhand's ex-girlfriend, who said that Arasaka did indeed have this technology and that Silverhand, that bastard, was indeed alive.

"Hold…"

"What's going on here?"

Kerry stared incredulously at Rebecca's chubby cheeks, causing Rebecca, who was completely absorbed in the satisfying feeling of meat on her tongue, to pause her chewing for a moment—

"Is it still edible?"

How exactly did K get to know so many amazing people in Night City?

Kerry waved his hand dismissively, "Eat up, it's up to you..."

The members of the KIA band were all leaning back on the sofa, watching the girl.

Although no one told them the specifics, based on snippets of information, they gathered that the girl possessed the talent and skill to replicate Silver Hand's abilities, and that she seemed to have a chip implanted in her brain... called Relic?

Rebecca knew her limits; real meat sushi wasn't cheap, and once she'd had her fill, it was time to move on to the presentation.

However, the recent series of events has made Rebecca reluctant to put on any performances, but it is Rin's order, and she will obey even if she does not understand it.

The person in this world who would never harm her is Rin!

"I'm full! Thank you, you know Christang—I've been listening to your songs since I was a kid!"

Rebecca remained calm and composed, her voice soft and sweet, a far cry from the wild, shouting tone she displayed during the confrontation in Santo Domingo.

"Hmm, hmm..."

"Old sister-in-law."

Kerry is clearly struggling to let go of his sore spot.

Was that what he wanted?
Rebecca scratched her head, anticipating Kerry's interview with her.

"Do you really have that chip around your neck?"

Kerry tentatively pointed to his neck.

In an instant, everyone in the room who had been listless craned their necks to get closer, especially Mendelsohn, who was a die-hard fan of old rock bands. If he could see this girl replicate Silverhand's guitar playing skills, he would be willing to die right now!

Rebecca casually swept her twin ponytails down to her chest, then lowered her head and reached down to tear off the skin covering her prosthetic body, which had been cut open by the Arasaka ninja. A half-exposed, blood-red chip, with black and red markings surging above it, was barely the size of a fingernail in sight.

It is obvious that the chip was not inserted correctly; it was crooked in the brain-computer interface slot.

"Holy crap, this is exactly the same as that thing in the Arasaka ad!"

Li covered his mouth, after all, this thing was not cheap, but... could a living person really live in it?
Rebecca shook her head.

“This isn’t some kind of ‘ghost (soul) that protects you’!” she said with her eyes slightly closed, listing off her knowledge. “It can store the soul imprints and digital memories of living people. Johnny, that dog, lives here and he’s always going on and on.”

Hearing this, the KIA members became even more excited.

"Holy crap! Can't we at least get him to come out and say something?!"

"Fifty years... Could it really be true?"

The group started chattering away, making Kerry's already throbbing head spin even more. "Alright, alright, stop babbling! Do you think this is your mom's fan meeting?"

It has to be said that Kerry, the veteran, was the most energetic guy in this performance. The KIA members calmed down a bit, while Rebecca sat properly like an honest person.

Johnny tore through the space of his prosthetic eye. Amid Relic's disturbance, the prosthetic eye malfunctioned and the screen flickered. He casually leaned against Kerry, and the two of them seemed to have a rather antagonistic relationship.

"This idiot has been the same for years."

"Hesitating and waiting to be fucked."

Johnny pointed his thumb at Kerry.

“What are you going to do? Do you think you can convince him with just your words and the chip around your neck? You can’t play the piano, you don’t do rock music, and you have no style. Only I can do this.”

Rebecca gritted her teeth—

"Shut up, Johnny!"

She almost hated this bastard who, upon receiving the body, immediately started drinking heavily and smoking like crazy.

"Honestly, ladies, K has done me a favor, and we can't let this go." Kerry hesitated for a long time before finally speaking with difficulty, "But I finally managed to get this performance sorted out with these KIA brothers, and if K isn't here... do you think anyone can keep up with the crowd?"

Johnny slapped his thigh in delight.

"Look, there's a reason why this guy is doing so well."

Rebecca frowned slightly. "You're a rock star too."

A simple sentence became the sword that silenced Kerry.

Kerry knew this perfectly well. Even without KIA, as long as Kerry wanted, this concert against the company's hegemony could continue. As long as he sang with abandon, a super sensation would still descend...

Life is a sculptor's chisel, always shaping those who aren't perfectly round into their desired form. Just get by, and see where things take you.

It could be said that... during the time Kerry spent living alone in Asia a few years ago, he had already betrayed his past life.

If he hadn't gotten involved in some corporate battle over selling tech products, and if he hadn't been connected to the most dangerous anti-corporate figure in Night City—even the one who openly caused the Night Clan's downfall—he would probably be lying here counting the money he earned from performing at Crystal Palace.

"You see, the truth always leaves people speechless."

Johnny stood up. "Rebecca, are you really going to stick your neck out and wake up this bastard who's pretending to be asleep? I'll do it."

Rebecca closed her eyes in resignation.

“This bastard needs me to punch him. He’s a coward, but Kerry isn’t a bastard… I know him best, my old friend.”

Johnny was sincere.

Rebecca suddenly turned to Mendro, the kindest-looking man she knew, and said, "If I touch a drink or pick up a cigarette later, just tell me, 'If you dare to have even a sip or a puff, you can forget about ever leaving the house again.'"

"Okay?"

Mendelsohn didn't understand, but he did as instructed.

Rebecca took a deep breath and didn't wait for Kerry to reply.

"Kerry?"

The somewhat dazed rock star stared at the girl in front of him, who was holding a small bottle in her exaggeratedly powerful prosthetic hand, which seemed to contain some kind of medicine.

"Let him talk to you and explain why this matter cannot be botched."

Rebecca swallowed the drug, and Kerry just stared blankly as the girl closed her eyes and collapsed to the ground. Mendero quickly reached out to support her, wondering what kind of trick this was.

The fainting spell did not last long.

Looking at the blurry data particles in front of him, and the illusory silver-white on his black arm, Johnny grunted, grabbed Mendro's arm, stood up, and plopped himself down on the sofa opposite Kerry.

"you…"

This feeling was incredibly strange; all Kerry knew was that the other side was different.

Either the person opposite you is an outstanding actor, or you are just too afraid... afraid to face the past.

Johnny casually crossed one leg over the knee of the other, his toes dangling, and casually grabbed the cigarette pack from the sofa—

"One puff and you're dead."

"Uh, am I remembering correctly?"

Mendelsohn was very methodical.

Li rubbed his forehead, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "It's 'Don't even think about getting out.'"

Johnny made an annoyed snort and abruptly pointed his big middle finger at Kerry. "We meet again, little lamb."

Kerry looked like a startled rabbit, his robe almost falling off in fright, and he hurriedly sat up.

Silver Hand had given him too many nicknames, but without exception, they all attacked him for not being tough enough, for not being able to escalate the situation at crucial moments, or even for being too honest...

"Hold."

"Are you fucking kidding me? Who told you that?"

Johnny swung his leg and picked at his ear. "Look at you, it seems Nancy and the others are in pretty much the same boat as you, half-dead, right?"

One person calmly mocked, while the other frantically chanted "impossible."

The KIA members' heads were spinning back and forth... A giant Mewtwo.

This kind of subject matter would be incredibly profitable if it were remade!
Kerry, terrified, paced back and forth with his hands on his hips, staring at Rebecca. "Tell me, what else do you know?"

Johnny remained calm, almost reaching for his crotch, but remembering the word "respect," he helplessly shook his hand away. "There are plenty of examples, like... you wearing a headscarf begging me to stop messing around if we keep going, and that's how we end up dead."

Do you want me to continue?

Kerry stood there as if struck by lightning, an expression most of those present had never seen before.

It was like crying, like laughing, and like a kind of weakness that made one feel ashamed.

Johnny ignored Kerry and picked up the electric guitar, which was more decorative than practical, from beside the coffee table.

"Hey girl, how do I plug in the power? Hurry up, I'm showing off!"

Rebecca's silence nearly drove Johnny to despair.

Johnny begged and pleaded for a long time before finally getting Rebecca's guidance, like a grandson trying to get his way...

After Johnny connected to the villa's audio system using his network equipment, his silver-white hand, which was resting on the guitar, moved slightly.

With a simple melody and certain subtle gestures, Kerry could no longer suppress the past.

Who would be willing to accept this? Who would resign themselves to their fate? Who would be unafraid of death?

Despite the bloody past, he appeared just like that. Kerry was speechless and could only look at the short girl, as if a man with long curly hair wearing a bulletproof vest was watching him with a cold smile behind her.

Johnny…

That dream on the space shuttle ultimately shattered Kerry's hypocritical life.

Soloing is a fundamental skill for guitarists. Anyone can say that Johnny is a jerk in real life, but... he is really talented.

He played the song "Black Dog," but he didn't sing it; he just hummed it.

Johnny's capriciousness was another trait, and he abruptly ended his life just as everyone was reveling in it.

There was total silence.

Mendro stood up abruptly, and Johnny's eyelids twitched as he turned to stare at him.

Two pairs of pupils, each containing a completely different soul.

A pair of wide, energetic eyes represents youth, vitality, and resilience.

Yi Shuang's eyelids drooped, indifferent to everything, her expression murky yet filled with relief.

"Holy crap, is it really you?!"

Kerry laughed, but as he laughed, tears started streaming down his face.

Johnny frowned slightly, just staring at Kerry, who looked like a child, until the dissatisfaction and mockery in his eyes disappeared.

"What? Are you planning to give me a grand funeral?"

"Let everyone cry."

Kerry punched Johnny in the shoulder. "Damn, how are you still alive?!"

In an instant, everything seemed to be resolved, and the two looked at each other and laughed heartily.

Johnny Silverhand!

Lee's eyes were already sparkling. A star as big as Kerry wouldn't lie to him; this guy could only be Silver Hand!

This groundbreaking act of celebrity worship unfolded right inside the mansion on Charter Hill—

Johnny Silverhand was so arrogant that Rebecca didn't want to look at him anymore. She simply ignored everything and waited for the effects of the drug to wear off.

But this time, Johnny surprisingly followed the rules.

He pulled out a medicine bottle from his pocket. There was no point in coming out if he couldn't drink or smoke. "Before you give your body back to that girl, I want to hear your plans—you never had any plans when we were playing together."

Kerry, having recovered from his excitement and muttering to himself that he must be seeing a ghost, quickly replied upon hearing the question, "You really want to find a performance venue for these anti-establishment pioneers?"

Johnny's expression instantly changed.

Although he wasn't a good person, promises were the most important thing to Johnny. The reason Johnny wasn't lashing out at Rin now was because Johnny found it so admirable that this corporate dog had the determination to fight against this damn world.

What now?
He felt the other person was someone important, and Johnny didn't want to let him down.

"You fucking say that again?"

Kerry was like a mouse seeing a cat, "Damn... can't you let me finish? Same as before..."

As she spoke, she rolled her eyes at Johnny.

Johnny scoffed, "You weren't this good at farting before."

“I don’t know if you understand the entertainment industry these days,” Kerry muttered. “If we want KIA—that is, these rock madmen in front of you who are registered with record companies and venue owners—to have normal commercial performances, then we have to use a surrogate mother.”

"Why not just find a band that can perform normally, and have our guest performers go on stage?"

After listening, Johnny surprisingly asked with a conscience, "What if those guys got scammed?"

At this moment, Kerry pointed to himself and said, "Do you know what a big star is? Favors are priceless, and a bunch of nice girls are waiting to help me out!"

Johnny was somewhat skeptical.

The fact that Kerry managed to get by is practically proof that rock and roll is dead!
He thought this with resentment.

The girls Kerry was referring to were naturally the three fierce sisters. You should know that it took Kerry and KIA a lot of effort to find these people.

It was originally a piracy issue. Kerry didn't have much awareness of protecting his rights, but he had experienced life and death. He felt that he had been a coward all his life and was always uncomfortable being ridden on by a group of (20) 60s generation. So a group of people rushed to the backstage of the Ganglie Sisters' performance at the Dark Matter Club.

Who would have thought these girls were practically obsessed with Kerry, they were complete fanatics—

This is not.

The venue was secured. Anyway, the three fierce sisters didn't care about collaborating with a record company. The venue was big enough; it was the stadium where the Ye family football team won the championship, located in the suburbs 15 kilometers north of Xianzhang Mountain.

“Okay, Kerry.” Johnny stood up and shoved the pills into his mouth. “Wu Shi, KIA—we need to find a way to get this going, but I have more good ideas. Tell this girl, I’m always ready to hear you.”

After saying that, Rebecca, controlled by Johnny, rolled her eyes and lay down in an extremely punk pose. Kerry's outstretched hands looked somewhat lost. "That bastard..."

The KIA members, who still wanted autographs, looked at each other in bewilderment.

Is this what a rock 'n' roll kid is like?

Do whatever you want!
As they were talking, the body was taken by a different person.

Rebecca reached out and slapped the coffee table, instantly creating several cracks in the exquisite marble. Kerry was so distressed that his face twitched.

"Damn...can you wait a little while before taking your medicine? What are you pretending for?"

Rebecca was cursing Johnny.

Everyone hurriedly helped Rebecca up, amidst laughter and cheers.

"I have to say... K really is."

Mendrone's voice deepened, "KIA has worked so hard to build up its momentum, and now an even more VIP guest has arrived. We're just riding on their coattails—damn, why does this feel so..."

He meant to say, "Win without lifting a finger."

Li shrugged. "In this city, some people want to escape, some want to vent, and some... want to use all their strength, asking for nothing in return, to make certain people afraid. We can't catch up to his level—sometimes I even wonder, does this kind of guy really come from the bottom?"

Rebecca's words came out without hesitation.

"Yes, absolutely true."

"No one knows him better than me... He's stumbled and struggled along the way, endured so much hardship, and nearly died so many times..."

Rebecca lowered her eyes. "I don't seek fame or fortune. What he wants to do, I can't keep up with."

The words were subtle, and everyone present knew that these were not things a friend would say.

Lee stepped forward and patted Rebecca on the shoulder.

"Then help him get this done well, do it in a fucking awesome way! Let everyone know that KIA's spirit is still alive, and rock and roll will never die!"

The most terrifying thing is a serious, childish act.

Kerry shrugged, but a newfound passion stirred within him—a passion he had only felt fifty years ago, a passion that, though worn down by time, would never fade away.

"Fine, a bunch of silly kids."

Kerry joined this large-scale oath-taking ceremony, a way for young people to express their true feelings.

Everyone seemed to have found their place in the city and their anchor for the future.

As they were speaking, a group of people who had already been granted access entered through the gates of the Kerry residence; it was none other than Parnan.

They were going to find Ultra's communication equipment, and also to meet with Roger's people in Night City to discuss the future of the Terrorist Mobile Squad, and to pick up the information they had collected.

When the tall, spirited girl walked in and saw the cheerful expressions in the room, a slight softening appeared on her usually indifferent face.

"Looks like the party's perfectly timed? I also have some good news for you."

……

……

(End of this chapter)