Meeting the Examiner! Cyberpunk2077/Edgerunners!

Yes, I know. Another story. Longer note at the end of the chapter for those who care.

This will be a Cyberpunk 2077/Edgerunners fanfiction. I've played the game years ago and watched the anime. Also read almost all the fanfictions on the site and others. Some incredible, some good, and quite a bit are atrocious. 

Hopefully, mine will fall in the good category.

I will preface that characters from the anime and game will show up at some point, whether this will be a harem or not is up for debate, but I'm leaning towards yes. Why? Dark dystopian society and an overall shit place to live, in my opinion. If not here, then where? Live with no regrets, smoke cigarettes, do drugs(this is a joke), fuck all the women you want.

Here's the story.

When I'm sitting in front of this…god? Angel? Receptionist? I don't know, this person has been shifting through papers and hasn't said a word, but anyway, I wonder how I even ended up here.

I got off a long shift and was just chilling before heading to bed, and then when I did get some sleep, I found myself sitting here.

I'm quite aware and have pinched myself a few times, so this is definitely not a dream. I'm pretty open-minded about these things, or I just hoped for something new in my monotonous boring life; the former is less depressing to think about, so I'll just go with that one.

The…whatever was just sitting there before finally, what felt like ages, even having a whole monologue like I'm some main character, looked at me.

This being had a pure white suit and gloves while his head was just a black wisp of flowing matter with two white dots for eyes.

"Marcus, is it fine if I call you that?" The being asked.

"Yeah." What else was there to say to that?

"I'm sure you have questions, so let me explain. You have been given a chance to become a Reincarnator. The metrics in which we decide will not be explained fully, but someone in your situation is ideally selected." They explained.

I thought as much since this is a pretty cliche setup, but it sounds like it could be fun. Imagine going to worlds such as One Piece or Naruto. Some may call me crazy for wanting to be in such dangerous worlds, but I liked the thrill and supernatural powers they have. A chance to become a god-level existence in Naruto or wielding such incredible haki that fodder simply can't stay conscious in your presence? Sign me up. I don't care about the danger. I am the danger…that's pretty cringe. Only someone like him can say that.

"So, do I get to select my world and do I get any wishes or stuff like that?" I'm not too optimistic about the wishes, powers, or system since being able to live another life is already a gift, but I had to ask. Choosing my own world would also be nice.

"Ah, while you have the chance to become a Reincarnator and have those things, you will first be a Trial Reincarnator, where you will have to undergo a test and your Mortal Scale will decide what benefits you'll have." The being explained further.

I haven't heard that one before. Trial Reincarnator and a test? Wonder what that's about. 

"What's the test and…Mortal Scale?" I asked hoping for clarification.

"Trial Reincarnators must go through a test and that will be determined on what world you go to. I am the Examiner, so I have already chosen your world and test. The Mortal Scale is basically the weight of your life and the bigger your impact, achievements, and so on will determine what you can get from it. Also, impact and achievements are relative to you, but also to the world you live in. I won't explain how it exactly works, but know that your actions matter." The Examiner explained everything in detail.

Well, it sucks that I won't have free will to do what I want, but hopefully, the test will be something like being the strongest or something. I can get behind that.

"Thanks, so what's the world?" I couldn't help but feel excited at the opportunity. One Piece, Naruto, Pokemon, My Hero Academia, or a plethora of fantasy worlds sounds great.

"Cyberpunk 2077." 

…

"How about you kill me yourself and save yourself the trouble." I had a look of mourning as my hopes and dreams were mercilessly crushed. No insane feats of haki or devastating ninjutsu, but of cyberware and hoping I don't turn into a murder hobo.

No privacy, synthetic food, and fake water. Devastation across the planet. Corporations sucking the life out of those not at the top and even their souls aren't safe anymore. A complete nightmare world to live in. It's only a step above Attack on Titan because you can at least get a gun relatively easily and get some cyberware to defend yourself.

I can also make a name for myself and be remembered. Futuristic tech like Brain Dances and netrunning. Being an edgerunner also meant some freedom to do whatever I wanted so long as I had money. Cops typically didn't give a shit. Trust is difficult but once you have it, they are ride or die. 

Maybe it's not that bad. It couldn't been worse like Berserk. 

"I understand that it will be difficult, but this is an optimal testing world to show what you're made of. If you truly don't want to, I'll send you back to your world with this conversation being erased." The Examiner understood the thought and gave a way out.

"Nah, it's fine. It has its own charm, but what would the test be?" I'm truly curious about what I'd be doing. I had some ideas, but who knows?

"You would be going the Blaze of Glory route. Make a name for yourself and be unforgettable, how you do that is up to you. Being in the shadows and living a quiet life is strictly forbidden. Failure to abide by this would immediately revoke your status as a Trial Reincarnator followed by the termination of your life." The Examiner warned with a heavy voice.

That's the test? So there's nothing to worry about then. Would I really go to the Cyberpunk world just to live as Mr. Nobody? I'm already doing that with my current life, so no thank you. Blaze of Glory all the way. I'll live this life like it's my last.

"Sounds good to me. What next?" I smiled in anticipation.

"Next you'll choose your benefits using your Mortal Scale. You can ask for anything other than powers or items from other worlds. Each selection will use a percentage out of a hundred. Make your choices." The Examiner informed.

Alright, now to choose what I want other than powers and items, so no haki or chakra. What about the game itself? The stats and everything.

"What about the game system from Cyberpunk 2077 that V has?" I asked.

"100%" The Examiner replied.

I winced at that. The system would take up everything I had, but could I make adjustments to it?

"Let's change some things. Can I get the system without the OP Maxdoc heal and crafting. Also remove the leveling feature and only have attributes and stats level up with effort. Get rid of perks as well. Oh and the fact the V can go without sleep forever. Remove that too." I made my adjustments.

"42%. I've also made changes to the system that makes more sense." The Examiner notes down the choice.

Damn, that knocked it down quite a bit. Perhaps a bit more?

Wait.

"What kind of changes?" I inquired.

"Cyberware tolerance will be decided by Reflexes. You will gain influxes of muscle memory and knowledge from level-ups. Also, certain skills will be added. The maximum human limit would be 10, but those with potential would go beyond it with a maximum of 20. The leveling curve from an attribute or skill will increase." The Examiner informed.

Nice. That sounds pretty good. Don't know why cyberware tolerance was in the Technical Ability tree, but I digress. 

Let's knock it down a bit more.

"Get rid of the XP boost sleep mechanic and also the map would be limited to Night City, could I also make notes at certain locations?" He asked and changed a bit more.

I didn't really need it and if I could save some percentage points, all the better.

"40%" The Examiner notes again.

Great. What else should I get?

I kept thinking for a few minutes before recalling back to The Examiner's earlier words.

"You said that I couldn't get outside powers or items, but could I get things like potential or physiques?" I asked in hope.

"Yes."

Grinning in excitement, I made my next choice.

"I want a One Piece body."

"No. It exceeds your total Mortal Scale."

Damn, that should've been expected. People in One Piece can just keep training and get stronger limitlessly and not to mention being able to use techniques like Shave or Moon Walk. Also, their bodies may be linked with haki, but maybe not. That would be insanely busted in this world. 

"How about John Wick's potential for combat?" I crossed my fingers in hope.

"20%" The Examiner notes that down.

Yes! Okay, but one question though.

"How would potential interact with the system?" I needed to know how exactly that worked.

"Certain skills would take less XP to level up. Since you've chosen John Wick. Related skills would cost half as much as normal." The Examiner explained.

That sounds pretty good. A faster leveling speed means I would rise much quicker.

Now what about Netrunning? John Wick wouldn't know any of that so I'd have to use an in-universe person for their potential. 

Got it.

"I want Rache Bartmoss' potential for netrunning." This will be massive.

"25%" The Examiner notes down the selection again.

Okay, so I'm at 85%. What else should I get here? Maybe go back to physiques? David comes to mind but maxing out Reflexes will do that for me anyway. What could I get that won't break the world? Hmm.

Oh. Demon Slayer maybe? They say that they're regular humans but they definitely aren't, but with level 10 being the human limit, perhaps there's a chance, but who?

Ah, the goat of course, but would I have enough?

"Could I get Yoriichi Tsugikuni's physique?" I asked.

"25%. You don't have enough." The Examiner points out.

That's a bit steep but I also don't want to get rid of the XP reductions from John Wick and Rache Bartmoss. Who else would be good? Tanjiro would probably be something similar. I didn't ask for Yoriichi's talent, otherwise I'd probably be shut down on that avenue of thought.

Oh right.

"How about Gyomei Himejima's physique?" That would be good. I vaguely remember a one-off line from Kokushibo about his body being perfect…or perfectly sculpted for combat. Something along those lines, but that would be good.

"3%" The Examiner noted down selection.

"Also, would physiques work similarly to potential?" I had to ask.

"Yes, but only for the Body Attribute and Athletics skill. It's a 50% XP reduction up to level 15." The Examiner informed.

Well, I won't say no to easier leveling.

Now, I'm at 88%. What else could I even get?

Maybe some items?

"Could I get Johnny Silverhand's Malorian and 100 rounds of ammo?" Could never go wrong with a hand cannon.

"1%"

Damn, that was cheap.

Should I get fun stuff now? I remember most of the music being…interesting to say the least outside of a few bangers.

"Could I get a playlist of all the music I know within my neural interface? Or would I have to pay for a neural interface too?" I requested.

"You would have a neural interface and chipsockets. 1%" The Examiner informed before noting down the choice.

90%

"How about all the games from PC and consoles while also being able to play multiplayer with my old world with hacking protection while also not being able to communicate with them." I had to have some form of entertainment. Brain Dances sound cool but lots of erotic shit is a turnoff.

"2%"

The multiplayer might've raised it, but oh well. I'm competitive and only playing single-player would suck.

Now onto an important question.

"Do I have a say in who I'd be, parents, living condition?" Should've probably thought of this before but I could always remove some things.

"No. Your name would still be Marcus." 

Well, that stinks.

What could I do to help myself once I got in?

Oh right.

Money.

"What would be the conversion rate for eurodollars?" Hopefully, it's not too bad.

"1% for 20,000 eurodollars."

That's not bad.

"I'll use 3% for 60,000 eurodollars then." I made up my mind.

"You have 5% left." 

Damn, what else do I get?

I can't really think of anything. Using the remaining 5% for money would give me a total of 160,000 Eurodollars, but what would I use the money for? Not like I can buy a bunch of cyberware and implant it. I'd definitely go psycho with my low Reflex attribute.

Well, it's not like I can't save for it. 

Oh, wait!

Training shards!

I almost forgot about it, since it's not really brought up outside it being used as a tutorial.

"How about a training shard and Brain Dance wreath with perfect configuration to level up my attributes and skills?" Almost sold by almost forgetting that.

"I'll give you a more in-depth one for 2%." The Examiner offers.

I nodded as that would be fantastic.

What else? I have 3% left.

"Just use 2% for 40,000 eurodollars and surprise me with the last 1%." I really couldn't think of anything else.

"Surprise you? Haven't heard that one before. Very well. Do you wish to finalize your choices?" The Examiner asked.

"Yes." I've done all I could do.

"Alright, I wish you luck then, Marcus. Be remembered. Blaze of Glory." The Examiner snapped his fingers.

I was enveloped by pure blackness.

I felt tired and my eyes closed beyond my control.

I knew nothing after that.

First chapter is done! Hope you like my own twist on this.

Now, for fans of my other stories.

As you can see, I am very undisciplined but that's just how it is. I like writing what I want and if I lose interest then I stop.

Writing takes a lot out of me, but so long as I like what I'm putting out and have the motivation to continue the story, then I'll keep doing it, but if not, then I won't.

Not a satisfactory answer, but I'm a human being. I'm not going to write what I don't care for anymore.

Now, does that mean I won't ever return? Of course not. A few times I almost went back to a few stories, but once I had the document up, I just couldn't bring myself to type.

Sorry if that's not what you were hoping for, but I hope you'll join me for another ride.

Let's get it.

Thanks for reading and I'll see you in the next chapter.

Later!