Chapter 49: The Meaning of Tragedy

**Chapter 49: The Meaning of Tragedy

"The rest of the story…"

Lin Qingshan thought for a moment, then honestly said, "People will die. As for the general plot, it's that people slowly die off until only Lucy and Falco are left alive."

When Liang Zhiyuan heard this, he was shocked.

But when he heard that Lucy would survive, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Actually, the clues had been there ever since Pilar's death.

The storyline of *Edge Runners* was always going to involve deaths, but he didn't expect Lin Qingshan to be this ruthless.

Liang Zhiyuan had a bit of a premonition.

Isn't it normal for key characters to die in entertainment works?

There's nothing to be surprised about…

Ayumi Ito, who was standing behind Lin Qingshan, was somewhat dumbfounded when she heard this.

"Wait a minute…"

However, Liang Zhiyuan suddenly sensed something wrong.

"Mr. Qingshan, you said only Lucy and Falco will survive. What about David?"

He widened his eyes and asked.

"He'll die too."

Lin Qingshan shrugged. "There are no living legends in Night City."

Everyone present was stunned. In addition to Liang Zhiyuan, there were a few others in the room who were fans of *Edge Runners*.

They were younger people like Liang Zhiyuan and Wang Weijie.

Hearing such a harsh statement from Lin Qingshan, everyone found it a bit hard to take.

"But… isn't David the main character?"

Liang Zhiyuan couldn't believe it.

"It's precisely because the main character dies that the world seems all the more cruel, right?"

Lin Qingshan sighed and said, "Honestly, I don't fully understand it either, but that's just how it is. There are no living legends in Night City."

After all, he wasn't the original author, and he didn't set up this storyline.

He didn't want to change the plot based on his personal likes and dislikes.

Besides, if he really changed the ending to a happy one, *Edge Runners* wouldn't be rated so highly, would it?

"But I still can't accept it…"

Liang Zhiyuan was clearly moved and said, "Can't… David survive?"

"I'm sorry… he can't."

Lin Qingshan shook his head and said, "But if we manage to develop and release this game…"

"Then everyone can actually help David take revenge, that's no problem."

He suddenly thought of this point: if people see the ending of *Edge Runners*, and around the same time, the game *Cyberpunk 2077* is released, and they know that Arasaka Tower and Adam Smasher are in the game, wouldn't the outraged fans buy the game and storm Arasaka Tower to beat Adam Smasher?

By that time… won't the game's sales go up?

As of now, Lin Qingshan hasn't finished drawing the final chapter of *Edge Runners*.

But at the current serialization pace, with more than 20 chapters to go and a bimonthly release schedule, it'll take over a year to finish.

The serialization won't conclude until next year.

With the memories of his previous life and the help of the system, he should be able to finish developing the game in that time, right?

"Will the main culprit who killed David be in the game we're developing?"

When Liang Zhiyuan heard this, he gritted his teeth with a fierce look.

"Of course. We're aiming for a 1:1 recreation of Night City as seen in *Edge Runners*. Not just the faction divisions, but even the street scenes should be perfectly replicated!"

Lin Qingshan said.

"Then why don't we just continue using David as the player character?"

Liang Zhiyuan suggested, "That way, players can control David and personally get revenge."

"Huh? This…"

Lin Qingshan was stunned for a moment, but then he shook his head, "No, that would make it too similar to the plot of *Edge Runners*. I suggest creating a new player character."

"Fine… we'll discuss it later."

He thought for a moment and said, "How about we hold a meeting at your company later?"

"Alright… we can discuss the details of game development at our company then."

Liang Zhiyuan said.

"Okay, I'll head back now."

Lin Qingshan stood up and said.

He had been there for quite a while, and Pochita was waiting for him downstairs.

He couldn't let Pochita wait too long.

"I'll walk you out, Mr. Qingshan."

Ayumi Ito, who had been looking sad behind him, quickly offered.

…

Lin Qingshan followed Ayumi Ito downstairs.

Pochita had been waiting for a long time and looked a bit weary.

But when it saw Lin Qingshan and Ayumi Ito appear, it immediately perked up.

It stood up from the ground and tried to rush towards Lin Qingshan.

However, its leash was tied to a handle, and it was pulled back by the leash.

Seeing this, Lin Qingshan quickly stepped forward to untie the leash and patted Pochita on the head.

"Woof woof!"

Pochita barked excitedly.

"Waited long, huh, Pochita."

Lin Qingshan said with a grin, "Let's go home!"

"Woof woof!"

Pochita responded.

"Alright, Ito-san, Pochita and I will head home now."

Lin Qingshan turned to Ayumi Ito with a smile.

However, his expression froze.

Ayumi Ito's eyes were filled with tears, and she looked even more dejected than Pochita had been earlier.

"What… what's wrong?"

Lin Qingshan asked cautiously.

Ayumi Ito took a deep breath, trying to hold back her tears, and said, "Nothing…"

Lin Qingshan blinked, then suddenly thought of something.

"Is it… because I said David would die?"

He tentatively asked.

Ayumi Ito fell silent, just staring at Lin Qingshan.

Clearly, it was because of this that she was so upset.

"Mr. Qingshan… why do you have to kill off David?"

Lin Qingshan then heard her soft, downcast voice.

Lin Qingshan shook his head, "Honestly, I don't want to kill David either…"

To be honest, in his past life as a manga fan, he was also very sad about David's death when he watched the *Edge Runners* anime.

[Translator: sauron]

Not just David, but also Rebecca, Maine, Dorio, and even David's mother, Gloria—they all made him sad.

As a fan, he also hoped David and Lucy could have a happy ending.

When he finished watching *Edge Runners*, he was extremely emotional.

Then he logged into a game he hadn't played in a long time and furiously beat Adam Smasher to a pulp!

Now that Lin Qingshan is creating *Edge Runners* in this parallel world, he seems to have the power to change the plot and the ending.

But… is it really right to do that?

No, it's not.

Aside from making him happy, it wouldn't have any other benefits.

They say that tragedy is what makes a work memorable, especially a well-crafted tragedy.

But if he alters the plot and changes the ending, *Edge Runners* would become just another ordinary work, and David, Lucy, and Maine wouldn't be remembered anymore.

The original meaning of *Edge Runners* would be lost.

So he can't just change the plot for his own selfish reasons.

"The greatest meaning of tragedy is to make people remember. I hope… everyone will remember this work, remember the name David Martinez, so that he continues to live on in everyone's hearts."

"Rather than live in the tragic world of Night City."

Lin Qingshan sighed and said, "I know very well that what I'm doing makes me seem like a shameless, unscrupulous scoundrel who'll do anything for sales."

"But I have to do this. I'm sorry, Ayumi."

He then shook his head and left Mangaverse's office with Pochita.

*Emmm, there might be some plot holes in the story, but there's nothing I can do about it. I'm just a newcomer who's recently entered the industry. Though my brother will help out a bit, this is the best I can do.*

*I can only do my best to listen to suggestions and keep writing. If the writing is poor, please forgive me. If it's really unbearable, just stop reading my book.*

*(End of Chapter)*