(Background music for this chapter: Kerry's solo performance of "Chippin' In") "Pop—" While Karl was talking with Blanca, the lights in the
(Background music for this chapter: Kerry's solo performance of "Chippin' In") "Pop—" While Karl was talking with Blanca, the lights in the
(Background music for this chapter: Kerry's solo performance of "Chippin' In")
"Pop—"
While Karl was talking with Blanca, the lights in the banquet hall suddenly dimmed.
Karl's first instinct was to reach for the small blade he always kept on him, but halfway through the motion, he stopped.
He realized the lights hadn't gone completely dark. Some ambient lighting still flickered faintly, just enough to illuminate a stage set up within the banquet floor. The only brightly lit area contrasted sharply against the dim surroundings.
As the crowd adjusted to the sudden shift in lighting, a spotlight snapped on, drawing every eye to the stage.
Standing beneath it was a man holding a guitar.
"Vrrrmm—"
The sound of a pick brushing strings echoed powerfully, marking the start of something electric.
"Dun, dun-dun-dun-dun—"
That riff…
Karl raised an eyebrow. He recognized that melody. In fact, he'd heard it even before arriving in this world.
It was so familiar.
"Kerry—Kerry Eurodyne is here!"
"Kerry! He's on stage!"
As the crowd around him erupted with excitement, Karl crossed his arms—just as the fierce vocals burst from the man on stage.
Got chrome in ma' bloodstream
Got a hardwired metal soul
I'm craving serious action
That smack-dead drunken roll
Kerry's voice sliced through the air like a jolt of electricity, igniting the energy in the room. Each note felt like a spark—lighting up everyone's enthusiasm. Though many of the guests were elite and dignified, under that song's thrumming pulse, their eyes gleamed like those of true fans.
Lights and sound wove together on stage, creating a nearly tangible energy. As the guitar shrieked and the drums thundered in the background, Karl watched Kerry let loose in the spotlight—and felt a flicker of regret.
Why didn't I bring a recording device?
"Chippin' In—!"
As the music soared, Blanca tossed back the rest of her drink, gave Karl a playful wave, and strolled off with a light smile. Now that Kerry's song had marked the official start of the party, her place was among the spectators.
With her gone, Brown and Andy reappeared, both locking arms over Karl's shoulders.
"Well? Feels intense, doesn't it?" Brown grinned. "Doesn't it feel like that roar and the guitar just cut right through you?"
A seasoned bodyguard, Brown was clearly used to live performances like this—and had come prepared. "Got recording software running. From the look on your face, I bet you want a copy. I'll send it your way."
"I do," Karl admitted, moved by the raw power of the performance. "This is what a real live show feels like. I'm actually pumped just listening."
"Me too, Brown," Andy chimed in. "I've only ever heard about Kerry—maybe caught a few secondhand bootlegs, but this? It's night and day. No comparison."
"Johnny Silverhand," Karl mused, watching the stage where Kerry seemed to radiate pure energy. "He was just a rockerboy, but he got people to charge Arasaka Tower with him. Now I get why."
"He was like sunlight," Karl continued. "Bright enough to blast through darkness and fire up everyone under his glow. With music like that, you don't think about shadows—you just follow the light."
"Too bad Silverhand's dead," came Oliver's voice from beside them. "And Samurai's long disbanded. I'd give anything to hear them live. Not some fuzzy recording or remaster—the Samurai, live."
"Some things, once gone, don't come back," added Jack, joining them. "But we still wish they could've lasted forever."
"Like Samurai's songs," V said, eyes fixed on the stage. "Suddenly, being a rockerboy sounds like a damn fine dream."
"Inspirational songs tend to stir things up in people," Karl smiled. "If that desire sticks around, maybe it's worth chasing. You could start practicing, V."
Karl finally uncrossed his arms. As the song surged toward its final chorus, Kenichi Hoya approached them.
"Karl-san, I hope I'm not late."
"I'm real—"
As Kerry screamed the final line, Karl turned his gaze away from the stage and faced Kenichi, hands folded behind his back.
"Right on time," Karl said. "Eight-thirty. Not a second off."
As his words fell, another figure approached.
The man gave them a polite nod before speaking:
"Gentlemen from Arasaka, Mr. Hansen is expecting you."
The newcomer, clad in a butler's suit, turned slightly and gestured toward the far side of the hall.
Over there, seated comfortably on a curved couch, several people had been watching them from afar during the entire performance.
"Kurt Hansen," Karl murmured.
Without hesitation, he took the first step forward.
As the official representative, it was his duty to lead. If he didn't move, the rest wouldn't follow.
With Kerry's song finished and the lights now back to full brightness, Karl walked straight toward Kurt Hansen.
"Welcome, KK," Hansen greeted him, rising from his seat and extending a hand to offer him a seat.
It was a courteous gesture—and Karl responded in kind.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Hansen," he said, sitting down without hesitation and flashing a grin.
It was that smile. The one known in the dark braindance circles as the "KK smile."
P.S. Personally? I prefer Kerry's solo version of Chippin' In over the Samurai one with plug-ins. Just hits different.
-
-
-
🔥 Cyberpunk: The Relentless
📢 Chooms, Listen Up! 📢
You can now jack in and get 100 chapters ahead on Patreon for Cyberpunk: The Relentless! 💾🔥
Stay synced with the chrome, the carnage, and the chaos—early access is stacked and ready. 🧠💀
🔗 Join here: www.patreon.com/c/MrMagnus
👤 Patreon name: SrMagnus🐦 Follow on Twitter: https://x.com/SrMagnusBook
⚠️ Remember, I'll always post more chapters of the novel that gets the most Power Stones!