Chapter 28: A Sudden Twist (Part 1)
Chapter 28: A Sudden Twist (Part 1)
Itō Ayumi, being a rookie editor, ultimately decided to trust Lin Qingshan regarding the questionable part of the story. Lin Qingshan himself was also a novice manga artist, and though his work had garnered some attention, it was still relatively obscure compared to more established artists.
His highest rank in popularity had just barely scraped the top ten, which, while enough to catch the eye of the editorial department at Manga World, wasn't enough to draw significant attention. Because he was new, the head editor, Yang Dahai, and other experienced editors hadn't yet taken much notice of his work. Ayumi chose to trust Lin's judgment and didn't seek advice from senior editors or Yang Dahai.
As a result, the latest issue of *Manga World GoGo* was quickly printed and distributed to subscribers, magazine stands, and newspaper kiosks.
One of the subscribers, Fan Siwei, received the new issue at his doorstep on the weekend.
"Thank you, Mr. Postman," he said politely, taking the magazine and newspaper.
"You're welcome," the postman replied with a smile before driving off to deliver the next batch.
Fan Siwei hurried upstairs with his new magazine and newspaper. After placing his father's newspaper on the coffee table in the living room, he rushed into his room with the new issue of *Manga World GoGo*.
He couldn't wait to dive into it. Over time, he had become an avid fan of *Edgerunners*, mainly because of the bizarre and fascinating future technologies depicted in its world and the stunning artwork.
The variety of cybernetic implants captivated him—Manne's gun-arm prosthetic, the blade-style modifications, and even the hacking implants that could disable an opponent's cybernetics or systems. The notion of voluntarily replacing human limbs with mechanical ones, even going as far as brain modifications for network integration, was mind-blowing.
Other sci-fi works had explored similar concepts, but *Edgerunners* took it to an extreme—where characters would willingly forgo their flesh and blood for machinery. Unlike other works where characters only got prosthetics after losing limbs, *Edgerunners* depicted a world where people would enhance themselves with mechanical implants even if their limbs were perfectly healthy.
[Translator: sauron]
"Flesh is weak, but steel ascends!" This was the mantra of *Edgerunners*, and it drew many fans.
As for the plot? Truth be told, *Edgerunners* wasn't known for its storyline. The template of a protagonist who, after being downtrodden and oppressed, gets a lucky break and meets a group of comrades to rise to success, was almost cliché. However, the artist behind *Edgerunners*, Aoyama-sensei, had a knack for subverting expectations.
The sudden death of the protagonist's mother, which had a hidden cause—the scavenger doctor tearing her apart for her cybernetics—was a shock to many. Most readers would have never known the true reason for Gloria's death if not for an earlier interview. Moreover, the female lead's betrayal of the protagonist was another unexpected twist, although it eventually led him to join Manne's crew.
Apart from these twists, the artwork of *Edgerunners* was truly exquisite. Fan Siwei thought many of the panels could be turned into posters. The composition, precision, and color schemes of the artwork all had a certain artistic quality that made it stand out. This was a testament to Aoyama-sensei's dedication and talent—he must have poured immense effort into creating such beautiful work.
A talented and hardworking genius always earns admiration, and these qualities made Fan Siwei a devoted reader of *Edgerunners*. He even started to convert some of his classmates into fans by bringing the magazine and novels to school, discussing the latest developments during breaks.
Fan Siwei quickly flipped to the latest chapter of *Edgerunners* and began reading. The previous chapter ended with David using the "Sandevistan" to help Manne's crew complete mission after mission, slowly integrating into the team and forming bonds with his comrades: Pilar, Rebecca, Kiwi, and others.
As the story progressed, David's growing affection for Lucy and the subtle feelings she had in return became more apparent. Manne and Dorio noticed this and arranged for Lucy to take David on nighttime runs and training sessions. During these moments, Lucy's conflicted feelings toward David became more evident, and Manne, watching from afar, smiled knowingly.
David continued to grow stronger, seeking out the black market doctor to upgrade his cybernetics further. In his conversations with Manne, David began to learn more about Lucy's past.
"A year ago, Kiwi brought her in, said she was a natural talent," Manne explained to David.
"And before that?" David pressed, wanting to know more about Lucy.
"I don't know the details. If you want to know, ask her yourself. My main concern was whether or not they could work with me," Manne replied with a chuckle.
David smiled, "I figured as much."
The two shared a fist bump, Manne's massive cybernetic arm contrasting sharply with David's still-human fist. Fan Siwei couldn't help but smile at the display of camaraderie.
Up to this point, the chapter had maintained a lighthearted and upbeat tone. David had found a sense of belonging with Manne's crew, enjoying the camaraderie with the experienced and powerful Manne, the thoughtful Dorio, the mischievous Pilar, the quiet but skilled Kiwi, and the fiery Rebecca.
However, the story was about to take an unexpected turn...
(The chapter ends here.)