Chapter 107: Signing Event (Part 3)

Chapter 107: Signing Event (Part 3)

What a start with a heavyweight question!

The host jumped straight into asking Lin Qingshan whether *Edge Runners* was always intended to have a tragic ending. This was precisely the burning question on the minds of all *Edge Runners* fans, and it wasn't an easy one to answer.

No matter how Lin Qingshan responded, it would surely spark discussion among the fans.

The host certainly knew how to ask a probing question. Fans were now quite pleased, as they had expected this interview segment to be a boring pre-signing routine, but it was turning out to be engaging.

In reality, Lin Qingshan and Ito Ayumi were already aware of the questions and had prepared their answers in advance. However, the fans were not privy to this.

The fans eagerly awaited Lin Qingshan's response.

Lin Qingshan picked up the microphone and first...

"Hello, can everyone hear me?"

The sound echoed clearly throughout the venue.

Everyone, including the host, had a look of exasperation. It was quite evident that his words were being heard.

Gu Qianli sighed helplessly from the audience. Lin Qingshan... while his psychological report clearly indicated some issues, was it really necessary to act so unusually in such a public setting?

Lin Qingshan himself was puzzled. Being called mentally unstable wasn't entirely inaccurate, but he was different from typical mentally ill individuals. He didn't constantly annoy people; his occasional behaviors were more surprising than irritating.

In simple terms, Lin Qingshan had intermittent episodes but was mostly a normal person.

"Ahem, Teacher Qingshan, our microphone is working fine," the host said, trying to refocus.

The interview could not be delayed too long; the main part of the event was the signing.

"Ah, I see…"

Lin Qingshan cleared his throat and said, "Yes, actually, *Edge Runners* was always meant to end tragically."

A stir went through the crowd.

"In the world of Cyberpunk, tragedies are inevitable. Life is destined to be exploited, and in the Cyberpunk world, humanity is exploited even more thoroughly."

"Even if David hadn't chosen to become a Cyberpunk, even if he graduated from Arasaka Academy and became a member of Arasaka Corporation, his fate wouldn't have been any better—in fact, it would be even worse."

"At Arasaka Corporation, he would still work 16 hours a day, with no days off, relying on various stimulants to keep going, with less than 5 days off per year, and would need to take out loans for cyberware and medical insurance just to protect himself."

"In such conditions, he wouldn't live long. Even without any other accidents, Night City is full of unforeseen dangers, and many people, like Gloria, lose their lives easily in terrorist conflicts."

"In such an environment, individual tragedies are predestined."

"And even if David and Lucy defeated Adam Smasher, with Arasaka Corporation's influence spread worldwide, where could they escape to?"

"Thus, it's better to have David make a dramatic stand at the Arasaka Tower, securing Lucy's survival and leaving an indelible legend in Night City!"

Lin Qingshan's words led to deep reflection among the fans.

In such a despairing world, where could David and Lucy possibly escape?

Even if they tried to flee, it would only be a temporary reprieve.

It was better to create a grand and glorious legend before death.

"Thank you for your explanation, Teacher," the host said. "This profound creative philosophy might be why *Edge Runners* is so beloved by fans."

"Next, I'd like to ask Editor Ayumi."

The host turned to Ito Ayumi and asked, "As the editor for Teacher Qingshan and *Edge Runners*, what were your thoughts when you first saw this work?"

"When I first saw *Edge Runners*, I thought… the setting was extremely unique and bold, and the storyline was very compelling," Ito Ayumi responded confidently. "That's why I decided to take it on."

"Thank you, Editor Ayumi."

The host then turned to Lin Qingshan and asked, "Teacher Qingshan, it is well-known that there is a concept called Cyber Psychosis in *Edge Runners*."

[Translator: sauron]

"I've seen in your written interviews that Cyber Psychosis is caused not only by cyberware eroding the nerves but also by external pressures. Could you elaborate on the concept of Cyber Psychosis?"

"Cyber Psychosis, huh…"

Lin Qingshan thought for a moment and said, "As I've mentioned before, the distorted social environment created by the Cyberpunk worldview imposes immense pressure on people living in that society."

"In Night City, nearly everyone suffers from anxiety, depression, and mania."

"Cyberware modifications further exacerbate their unstable mental states. The more cyberware one accepts, the higher the chance of developing Cyber Psychosis."

"Even David and Mannequin aren't exempt. This is because cyberware modifications blur the boundaries between biology and human perception of physical and self-awareness."

"For example, if you have cybernetic legs, you no longer feel fatigue when running. If you have cybernetic lungs, you no longer experience shortness of breath."

"Cyberware modifications, along with the removal of natural flesh, make you no longer feel your own existence as a human. Everything about your body can be replaced, gradually causing you to lose your sense of self, becoming numb."

"Under these conditions, a person's consciousness falls into an endless abyss, losing the ability to distinguish between reality and illusion, becoming a Cyber Psycho."

Hearing Lin Qingshan's insightful explanation, the fans realized the nature of Cyber Psychosis.

It made sense why even a unique character like David, with increasing levels of cyberware, would eventually become a Cyber Psycho.

"Therefore, Cyber Psychosis is essentially a psychological disorder. Lucy's ability to restore David's awareness is due to their deep emotional connection. Human emotions are the anchor that maintains human soul existence, so…"

Lin Qingshan paused, "Love is the highest-grade immune suppressant."

(End of Chapter)