The serialization of Edgerunners continued its relentless march. Meanwhile, the voting for the annual Rookie Grand Prix had begun, following the conclusion of the previous year's award cycle.
However, of the four original rookies who had started the competition, only three remained. One of the authors had been axed mid-run due to abysmal rankings.
The industry rules were clear: if a series ranked last for four consecutive weeks, or if its popularity dropped by more than 20% for three consecutive weeks, it was cut. Even rookies weren't exempt from the "survival of the fittest" reality of the magazine.
Among the survivors, Edgerunners held a lead so vast it was almost laughable. While other series struggled to maintain a following, Aoyama's work had stabilized in the top five. During the climax of Maine and Dorio's arc in Chapter 23, it had even spiked to the #3 position.
This was a feat unheard of for a newcomer. Even twenty years back, the magazine records showed no industry debut as explosive or as influential as this. Edgerunners had become a phenomenon, crossing over from hardcore manga circles into the general public and even gaining a significant international following in the United States.
When the voting opened on the official website, Edgerunners immediately secured over 18,000 votes, while the other two finalists were still struggling in the triple digits. There was no competition.
The fans weren't just voting for the story; they were voting for the future. Everyone knew that the winner of the Grand Prix would receive an immediate anime adaptation. The readers were desperate to see Night City in motion.
In response, the editorial department was already moving Edgerunners into pre-production for its anime and planning a high-quality collected volume release as soon as the serialization ended. The "Cyberpunk" genre was currently the hottest thing in the industry. Other creators were already churning out sci-fi clones, trying to capture the same Federation-speed viral energy.
But for the fans, all that mattered was the next chapter. And Chapter 28, "Past," had finally arrived.
---
Hiroki opened his magazine, skipping straight to the credits page to find Edgerunners.
Following the previous chapters, which showed David's rise as the new leader of the crew and his new life as a high-tier Solo, the story shifted to a more intimate setting.
David had returned to their new home in the heart of the city after a job. Lucy was there to greet him with a smile. "Welcome back."
They sat together, talking like a family. The camera lingered on the urn containing Gloria's ashes and a photo of David's mother. One was massive and cybernetic, while the other was lithe and sleek. Both bore the scars of their chrome, but in the quiet of their home, they were more honest with each other than ever before.
"So..." David started.
"Hmm?"
"We've got a big contract coming up," David said, his voice hesitant.
"Sounds exciting," Lucy replied.
"I was thinking... if you could join us?" David finally voiced his wish.
But Lucy shook her head. "The team doesn't need two netrunners, David."
"You know that's not what I mean. I want..."
"Please... just give me a little more time," Lucy said, her gaze steady.
David sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. "Alright. I understand."
He changed the subject. "Did you dive today?"
"Yeah."
"Why don't you get a better suit? A state-of-the-art one."
"It's not necessary."
"We can buy the best netrunning chair on the market. It'll be... way more comfortable than that ice bath."
"Thank you, David. But I don't like wearing those suits," Lucy said, turning her face away as her mood darkened.
"I see... sorry. I didn't know."
David took a swig of his drink. The boy who had once been unable to handle alcohol was now a man who had grown accustomed to the burn.
Hiroki felt a pang of sadness. The time skip had changed so much.
Suddenly, Lucy looked at David. "David... come with me."
The scene shifted. The two of them were on a motorbike, racing out beyond the borders of Night City and into the desolate badlands.
"The stars are incredible out here!" David laughed, looking up at the sky.
"You can't see the real stars from Night City, can you?" Lucy said, her voice filled with a rare softness.
Hiroki looked at the panels. The stars Aoyama drew weren't particularly brilliant or dazzling. They weren't "beautiful" in the traditional sense.
But then he remembered the setting. This was a world of over-industrialization and environmental decay. In a world like that, even a faint, flickering star was a miracle.
"Do you think I can catch one?"
"Idiot..."
"I really wish we could see the moon."
"The stars only look this bright when the moon is hidden," Lucy explained.
"Is that how it works?"
They laughed together, sharing a moment of warmth in a world that sought to extinguish it.
"I... I think this is the first time I've ever left the city," David admitted.
Lucy's expression shifted, a shadow of pain crossing her face.
David noticed. "You lived outside before, didn't you?"
Lucy looked at the distant glow of Night City. From the desert, the neon lights looked like a cage of flickering fire.
"You remember what I told you before? That you and I are different?"
Hiroki remembered Chapter 15. The moment Lucy had first hinted at her origins.
"Do you want to know?" Lucy asked.
"I just... want to understand you better," David said.
And so, Lucy finally opened her heart, revealing the ugly reality of her past.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]