Players Invade Cyberpunk-Chapter 713 - 229: We Are the World (Part 3)
Nishikawa Lingmei looked a bit embarrassed and lowered her head, her two feet in leather shoes rocking back and forth, but she didn't lower the hand holding the sticker. Qiwei's body went stiff, feeling Lucy's gaze beside her as sharp as a dagger.
"...Hmph...annoying little brat, can't do anything about you, just this once."
Qiwei's face turned slightly red, she threw the cigarette in her hand onto the table, lowered her head to let Lingmei stick the sticker onto her metal clasp, and when she lifted her head, Lingmei had already happily run off toward Mann and the others.
"Haha..."
Lucy laughed so hard she was out of breath.
"I...I still like the way you were before when you were stubborn."
Qiwei's face turned even redder, so she simply ignored this annoying woman, fortunately, someone else came to the rescue.
"Everyone!!! Look over here! The concert is about to start!!!"
The well-known otaku Youzi Chef didn't care about others' gazes and went on stage with his 'beautiful girls'. Though these holograms were now just simple programs being controlled, he believed it wouldn't be long before he could snatch a few AIs from the old net to brainwash and insert into them.
Besides the cyber idol group, there were also some newbie players who could sing and play instruments following Youzi Chef onto the stage. Some carried trumpets or drum kits, and someone even sat on a piano on the temporary stage.
You can always count on the players' diverse talents; nobody knows what skills the one behind the computer might have.
Due to the many people coming on stage and the spotlight, the attention of everyone in the venue was drawn there. Meanwhile, the scene was also broadcast via holographic projection to Big Sur and Stone Ridge Mountain, and even Dragon Field had a venue ready.
After learning about Youzi Chef's arranged program, Red Killer Demon and the experts both agreed it was necessary.
And because time was limited, Youzi Chef and his musical troupe had only one song to perform. Some of them just had good voices and no stage experience. When they got on stage and faced the hundreds below, their legs trembled with intense pressure.
But as the pianist behind them started a soundcheck, the melodious yet soothing tune gradually quieted the crowd.
People were guessing what song they would sing, what style it would be.
Heavy metal rock?
That would fit the players' usual crazy style.
But when the music really started, some players who were familiar with it widened their eyes in realization, no wonder so many people were on stage, this song really couldn't be done by just one person.
They were equally surprised that Youzi Chef chose such a song as the performance piece. If they could smoothly sing it through, it might earn them an astounding number of votes.
Youzi Chef stood on stage, holding a microphone. Today he rarely changed out of his usual cosplay outfit, dressed formally, speaking with a calm, steady tone.
"Before singing this song, I must thank the creators of it. It's these artists that made me realize how terrifying a hopeless world could be."
"And it's also them who, when I was young, showed me the brilliance of humanity. Therefore, I sincerely pay tribute to him and all the pioneers in every field of cultural creation."
"This song represents him, dedicated to everyone in Night City."
With that, he returned to the musical troupe, gave a look to Jackal backstage, and the pianist received the cue and immediately began playing along with the other musicians.
As the soothing piano sound spread through the crowd, the first player sang the lyrics.
"There comes a time when we heed a certain call"
"When the world must come together as one"
Then the second player followed up
"There are people dying"
The third one
"Oh, when it's time to lend a hand to life"
"The greatest gift of all"
In this song, almost every one or two lines were sung by a different person. Without coordination, it would be easy to mix up the lyrics, but thanks to the existence of the cybernetic eye, the players didn't need to hold a lyric sheet to know when to sing. Though their singing skills were average and their lyrical prowess couldn't compare to the national teams of the golden age, some of the more challenging parts were entrusted entirely to the cyber idol girls.
What they sang with, however, was true passion, something no AI could replace.
Especially when some players in the audience sang along with the band on stage, the intense emotion brought unparalleled infectiousness.
"We are the world"
"We are the children"
"We are the ones who make a brighter day"
"So, let's start giving"
"Incredible...Did they write this song?"
On the third floor, a manager from an investment bank in an expensive suit felt a bit upset being so close to those ordinary people, but at this moment he was astonished by the players' singing.
"Maybe."
Lin Miao gave an ambiguous reply.
Unlike the casual eating and drinking below, the third floor was temporarily decorated, a hall in glistening splendor, fur carpets, golden tablecloths, and stacked champagne towers.
From what drink goes in which glass to what dish goes on which plate, everything had its protocols, each dish having its specific cutlery, the men in suits, the women exquisitely made up.
Here, 'eating' and 'dressing up' were merely forms.
The noble guests coming and going were in pursuit of not the taste of the food itself but the pursuit of 'sophistication'.
As for what exactly 'sophistication' is, perhaps even they didn't know; just because others are 'sophisticated', they must be even more 'sophisticated'.
Lin Miao didn't like this. Tasting a little could be a pleasure, but pursuing too much would only make one a slave to power and material desires.
But there was nothing he could do, he couldn't just whip up some braised pork with green onion pancakes to serve these gluttons of the greedy world.
Even though he thought green onion pancakes and braised pork tasted ten thousand times better than these plated foods.
Lin Miao could even smell the aroma of frying from downstairs.
