Chapter 22: A New Ideology (Part 1)

**Chapter 22: A New Ideology (Part 1)**

In the "Madu Sci-Fi Enthusiasts Group ①" on QQ.

**Wielder of Original Force**: "@Geek Boy Da Shi Ye, the manga you recommended is indeed quite good."

Zhou Wenwei had just bought the latest issue of "Manga World GoGo" from the newsstand when his phone rang. He pulled out his flip phone and saw the message from Wielder of Original Force, who had tagged him. Zhou Wenwei's face lit up with joy. It felt amazing to see a recommendation he made being recognized.

He typed back, "Really? But did you just start reading it?"

**Wielder of Original Force**: "Yes, I just saw it at the magazine stand this week. I found the latest chapter pretty good."

**Wielder of Original Force**: "Especially since the latest issue has a written interview with the author. I didn't expect such deep meaning in a sci-fi manga."

**Wielder of Original Force**: "I went back and read the previous chapters in one go. The setting is really well done."

Zhou Wenwei paused when he saw Wielder of Original Force's rapid-fire responses. There was an interview with the author of "Edge Runner" in this issue? And it was well-regarded with profound meaning?

He knew Wielder of Original Force usually didn't pay much attention to manga. Yet, he had gone back to read all the previous installments of "Edge Runner" after being impressed by the latest issue and interview?

**Online Romance Show Off Bird**: "I read it too. The setting is indeed fascinating, but the plot is a bit frustrating right now."

**Man Is Tired**: "The plot hit hard with no parents and the protagonist's tragic situation—it was shocking."

**Man Is Tired**: "But I think this plot arrangement is quite realistic. There's no main character halo here."

**Black Hole Gravity**: "I really like the female lead, Lucy. Hehe, my wife is really pretty."

**Wielder of Original Force**: "Nonsense! She's my wife!"

…

Zhou Wenwei chuckled at the playful banter in the chat and then returned home with the magazine.

He grabbed a can of cola from the fridge and settled into his room, opening the magazine.

He first read the latest chapter of "Edge Runner," titled "Joining the Gang."

The chapter continued from the last one, where Lucy betrayed David, leading to his capture by Mann, Dolly, Pira, and others. Their target was the military cybernetic "Sian Westan" implanted in David, which David's mother, Gloria, had secretly sold to Mann.

Gloria was already dead, and David, unaware of this, had implanted the "Sian Westan" under pressure from his tormentor, Shengnan. Mann and his team were skeptical about David's ability to handle the powerful cybernetic but were impressed by his performance.

[Translator: sauron]

Ultimately, Mann, feeling indebted to Gloria, decided to offer David a chance to join their team and earn money to repay the debt.

Meanwhile, Arasaka Corporation noticed David's uniqueness and lured him back to the academy with an invitation, setting a trap. David refused, and just then, Mann presented David's first task to prove himself and join the gang.

"Another cliffhanger! I have to wait another week," Zhou Wenwei complained.

The bi-monthly serialization of "Edge Runner" was frustratingly slow. If it were a weekly series, or if he could wait for the volumes, it might be easier.

But the setting and story of "Edge Runner" were too captivating for Zhou Wenwei to wait for the collected volumes.

"Wielder mentioned there's an interview with the author in this issue. Let's see what that's about," Zhou Wenwei said, flipping to the interview section.

The page featured the logo of Manga World Culture with a speech bubble:

"This issue, we've specially invited the manga artist of 'Cyberpunk 2077: Edge Runner'—Mr. Qingshan—to answer the top three questions from readers."

The speech bubble had a semi-profile image of David, representing the manga artist, Qingshan.

Inside the speech bubble was written, "Cyberpunk is actually an English term—Cyberpunk, composed of Cyber and Punk."

**Cyberpunk?**

**Cyber and Punk?**

As a science and engineering student, Zhou Wenwei knew that Cyber referred to networks and computers. He suddenly understood that it was a direct transliteration of the term.

But what about Punk?

"Cyber generally refers to networks and computers, but here Cyber mainly means Cybernetics, relating to control and governance. Punk is a Western music genre popular among the common people, characterized by its rebellious and liberating ideas."

"So, in my explanation, Cyberpunk means high-tech and low-life."

"Cyberpunk primarily describes a world where, in the backdrop of extreme technological advancement and powerful capitalism, people have become insignificant. With the development of technology, the line between humans and machines blurs, leading to the creation of thinking androids. Conflicts arise between artificial intelligence, hackers, and large companies controlling wealth. Marginalized individuals use high technology to escape collective consciousness and achieve individual freedom."

"Now I see."

Zhou Wenwei's confusion was resolved. He realized that Cyberpunk was a transliterated English term and a new concept created by the manga artist.

Next, he turned to the following question.

"Mr. Qingshan, what is the creative concept behind your work 'Edge Runner'?"

This question was also crucial, so Zhou Wenwei focused on Qingshan's response.

"It's mainly because I noticed that current sci-fi works emphasize the power of future technology and the benefits of interstellar exploration, but no one seems to think about how individuals at the bottom of society will fare in an era of rapid technological advancement."

"So, the Cyberpunk I depict imagines the worst outcome in a future with powerful technology."

"Technology, wealth, and knowledge are entirely controlled by the elite and capital companies, who lead the world into the third and fourth world wars and divide global power."

"People at the bottom become mere expendables and slaves. At the same time, technological advancement and material satisfaction lead to a lack of spiritual and humanistic values."

"Cyberpsychosis is essentially not just about excessive cybernetic enhancements overwhelming the nervous system but about societal pressure, mental exhaustion, and the results of excessive cybernetic modifications."

(End of Chapter)