Players Invade Cyberpunk

Another soldier, Des, said

"Ah... just bear with it, Mann, since those guys’ offensive has slowed down anyway. Let’s take a break; maybe there will be battle tasks in the afternoon."

The soldiers didn’t want to bother with these reporters, but Henry wouldn’t let them off.

He came here not only for inspiration for his Mewtwo but also to solve his inner questions.

With a drone in tow, he approached Des and curiously asked,

"Can you tell me why you joined the army?"

Des smirked.

Why did he join the army?

Of course, it was because those Horizon Mercenaries physically rectified him and dragged him into Dragon Field for transformation.

But that answer obviously wouldn’t be good, as it would lead the audience in the live-streaming room to misunderstand the corporation and them. After thinking for a bit, Des hugged his gun and said.

"I... had a teacher at Dragon Field who told me that all the suffering I’ve encountered in the past was because of injustice. Someone was willing to let go of past grievances and guide me out of the wrong path, so... I should also pass this gift onto others. We must fight for everyone in the world who suffers."

Nice words...

That’s not what Henry wanted to hear, and words like "hypocritical" and "invader" flooded the live-streaming chat.

"It sounds like your life wasn’t easy before. Can you be more specific? I’ve watched your combat Mewtwo. It’s very brave and impressive. I want to know where your courage comes from."

"I..."

Des glanced at Mann, and after receiving a nod of approval, he sat down on the ground, leaned against the wall, and began to speak slowly.

"I’m from Night City; it’s... a place where buying a gun is cheaper than buying a knife. Many people start mixing with gangs from childhood."

He pointed to himself and said with a smile,

"I joined the Tiger Claw Gang when I was seven. On my first day in the gang, I received a handgun and eight bullets. My first job was robbing a Vortex Gang brothel. I’ll remember that scene for life—when I stormed in with a gun, those patrons and prostitutes were still working, and upon seeing me and my gun, they immediately shriveled."

"The guy who robbed with me was only nine years old. After storming in, he shot and killed seven people for no reason, just thought that killing was prestigious. Do you think doing this is right?"

The sinister murder intent in Des’s eyes made Henry shiver, and he shook his head repeatedly.

".....No... no matter what, random killing is wrong."

Humans have their own internal logic system, which must be consistent and legitimate.

Simply put, whenever you do something, you’ll always tell yourself that it’s right and justified.

This is the self-protection mechanism of human consciousness. Once a conflict arises, you’ll feel down, either change the topic or self-deceive unless you can completely shatter and rebuild your logic system.

No sane person would kill at random knowing it’s wrong, unless born as an anti-human, antisocial element.

Just like those Tsarist Russia beasts that stormed through the streets of Paris back then. Having lived in confusion for decades, once witnessing democracy and freedom, they went back and sparked the December Revolution.

"Yes, but that’s Night City—gangs, drugs, casinos, prostitutes, gunfights... That’s where I live; everyone thinks it’s normal."

"If we don’t join gangs, we have no way to survive and get bullied by gangs and police. If we don’t peddle drugs, rob, kill, or collect protection fees, we won’t have meals, and all of Night City is ruled by gangs."

"That lousy host said something about daily deaths in the double digits. In reality, just in our area, seven or eight people die in one morning. Nobody cares; even the police won’t come to the slums to collect bodies."

This is a world Henry has never contacted, yet it’s also the world most live-stream viewers experience.

Regarding the information bubble on soft media platforms, companies have mastered it without being taught. The circles of the upper class rarely see the life of the lower class. Occasionally, if they glimpse some, they only sigh.

"Why don’t you go to work?"

Henry curiously asked this question.

The education he received is rooted in neoliberal economic theory, meaning individuals must be responsible for themselves, embrace free competition, and that governments should reduce authority and welfare measures while opposing market intervention.

Which means, you’re poor because you’re not trying hard enough.

Others have money because they try harder than you. So don’t be jealous; just work honestly. If working 12 hours doesn’t suffice, work 16. If one job can’t support you, then take on three.

Did you know?

Rich people actually try harder than you!

These words seemingly correct are actually more worthless than pop psychology.

Of course, those who formulated this theory understand its pitfalls, so they erased debt issues from initial Catholic and Christian teachings, and regular people hardly learn debt knowledge in classes.

"Huh."

Des thought this guy was just provoking him.

"Because they can’t afford school and without qualifications, they can’t find jobs."

Standing aside, David couldn’t help but speak. He’s probably the most educated among the first batch of Dragon Field Soldiers, and his language organization skills are much stronger than Des’s.

Huang Ban Academy graduate, this qualification already defeats 99.9% of people in Night City, all because Gloria fought everything to acquire it for him.

"In Night City, only 10% are employed because companies only need these people. The rest are jobless so they have no money, meaning their kids can’t afford school and naturally can’t find jobs. With this vicious cycle, they have no choice but to join gangs."

"If working hard meant survival, assembly line workers toil sleeplessly for 16 hours daily. Do you think you’re more diligent than them? Then why can’t they survive?"

"We come to Cuba to fight, to rescue people here, not to invade this land or for money, but to avoid having others suffer like us. Horizon Corporation pulled us from the mud, so we should help more people."

"Do you know how many families worldwide are ruined every year because of drug addiction? Do you know how much crime stems from drugs here annually? Do you know the miserable life Cubans live under these drug traffickers?"

"We can fight until the last moment of life, until death."

David gripped his gun and stared at Henry and the others. That strong sense of justice and unquestionable legitimacy even stirred guilty feelings in these ’journalists’ from Europe.

They never thought about these things.

But now, thinking about it, maybe it isn’t too late.