Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 373 135. Chippin' In
(The background music throughout this chapter is Chris singing Chippin' In)

"Boom——"

While Carl and Blanca were chatting, the lights in the banquet hall suddenly dimmed.

Carl's first reaction was to reach for the knife he carried with him, but halfway through, he stopped.

He found that the lights were only partially dimmed, and there were still some dim atmosphere lights flickering, which happened to illuminate a stage on the banquet floor. Under the light, the only illuminated place formed a sharp contrast with the surrounding darkness.

Just as the crowd on the floor gradually adapted to the dim light, the lights on the stage suddenly lit up, attracting everyone's attention.

When people's eyes regained sight of the scene under the light, a man was already standing there with a guitar.

"Om-"

As the man's fingers picked the pick under the light, a powerful piece of music sounded.

"Thump, thump, thump, thump—"

This tune is.
Carl raised his brows slightly. Carl had heard this song before, and he had heard it before he came to this world.

So familiar.

"Keri, Keri-Orodien is here!" "Keri, standing on the stage!"

As the excited voices rang out around him, Carl clasped his hands, and a fierce roar came out of the man on the stage.

Got chrome in ma' bloodstream (Man of Steel)

Got a hardwired metal soul
l'm craving serious action (I'm craving serious action)
That smack deag drunken roll (intense and exciting, intoxicating)
Kerry's singing penetrated the venue like an electric current. Every note seemed to ignite the enthusiasm of the audience. As the rhythm accelerated, the crowd began to boil and waved their arms. There were obviously many celebrities present, but under this song, everyone's eyes seemed to be shining.

The lights and music on the stage intertwined to create an almost tangible energy. Amid the roar of the guitar and the roar of the background drums, Carl looked at Kerry who was singing on the stage, and an emotion called regret arose in his heart.

Why didn’t I bring any recording equipment?

"Chippin' In——"

As the music played, Blanca drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, raised her hand to Carl, then walked to the side with a chuckle.

Kerry's singing symbolized the beginning of the banquet, and the place she should stay next should be the audience seats.

As Blanca left, Brown and Andy, who had their eyes fixed on the stage without moving away at all, came back. They each stretched out a hand and placed their elbows on Carl's left and right shoulders.

“How is it? Pretty powerful, right? Doesn’t it feel like your whole body is pierced from head to toe? The combination of the scream and the guitar is like it can penetrate your soul!”

As a bodyguard, Brown had obviously heard this kind of live performance before, and he was well prepared: "You were fascinated as soon as you heard it, right? We brought recording software with us this time. From your expression, it seems that you want a copy. I'll send it to you later."

"I really want one." Carl sighed, listening to the song that was more penetrating and more dramatic than any other song he had ever heard before. "This is what we call a live experience. I feel a little excited just listening to it."

"I want a copy of Brown, too." Andy also said, "In the past, I've only heard of Kerry's reputation, and some second-hand transcriptions of his music. Those things sounded okay, but now compared to Kerry's live singing, there's no comparison at all."

"In the past, Johnny Silverhand was just a rock singer, but he was able to motivate a group of people to follow him to charge Arasaka Tower. Now I understand why." Carl looked at Kerry, who seemed to be emitting light on the stage, making everyone around him agitated and almost leading them to party: "It was as bright as the sun, as if it could illuminate everyone, so that they didn't have to think about the darkness under the music, and just needed to follow the sun to illuminate everything."

"It's a pity that Johnny Silverhand is dead and the Samurai Band has disbanded. Otherwise, I would really like to listen to the live version, not a recording, nor a blurry picture quality, but a real performance by the Samurai Band."

Oliver's voice rang out beside the three of them, and along with it, Jack's voice also rang out: "Some things, once they are gone, will never come back, but those things always make people want them to be here forever and never disappear."

"Just like the Samurai song, it will never fade away."

V also walked over while watching the singing on the stage: "I suddenly feel that becoming a rock singer is also a pretty good dream."

“Listening to inspiring songs will always give you some special ideas, but no matter what the idea is, if you still think about it afterwards, it’s worth trying. You can start with practice V.”

Carl lowered his arms, and as his companions arrived, Kenichi and Kazuya walked slowly towards him to the final climax of the song.

"Mr. Karl, I'm not late, am I?"

l'm real (I really exist)
With the last shout of the song, Carl withdrew his gaze from the stage, turned around and put his hands behind his back.

"Eight thirty, exactly on time, not a minute late."

Following Karl’s voice, a figure approached the few people.

When the figure came near them, he nodded politely and said hello, then he said, "Guests from Arasaka, Mr. Hansen is waiting for you."

The figure was a waiter in a waiter's suit, and as he turned his head and guided their gaze, they also noticed several figures who had already sat on the arc-shaped sofa in the distance while the singing was going on.

Those people were sitting on the sofa, watching them from a distance.

"Kurt Hansen."

After muttering the name in a low voice, Carl took the lead.

As a representative, he naturally had to take the first step.

If he doesn't leave, how can the people behind him catch up?

When Kerry finished singing and the lights came back on, illuminating the entire venue, Carl came in front of Kurt Hansen.

"Welcome, KK."

Kurt Hansen took the initiative to welcome Carl, stood up, stretched out his arm, and motioned Carl to sit down.

Carl would naturally respond politely to Kurt Hansen's polite hospitality.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kurt Hansen."

Carl sat down at the seat Kurt Hansen indicated without any concern and smiled at Kurt Hansen.

A smile known as the 'KK smile' in the Black Mewtwo community
　P.S. I prefer Kerry's solo version to the band version.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)