2077: V really knows how awesome he is

Santiago slammed his glass on the table: "Now I know why you managed to convince me to risk my life at Arasaka Tower with just a few words."

Johnny the idiot retorted, "Because I paid you three times the money?"

Santiago smiled and shook his head, then raised his glass: "To Johnny Silverhand."

Rogge, Ott, V, and Vera all raised their glasses: "To Johnny Silverhand."

Only Johnny Silverhand didn't raise his glass, because he felt he didn't deserve it.

"I'm going out for a smoke."

Old Johnny walks towards the rooftop of Atlantis.

"Tch, stubborn mum!" The idiot Johnny downed his drink in one gulp.

After a while, V also came to the rooftop.

“They’re all resting.” V said, looking at the ancient Night City. “Johnny and Otto are in one room, and Santiago and Rogue are in another. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so if I’m not mistaken, they should be firing their long-awaited reunion cannon and their perfect ending cannon.”

"Damn it!" Old Johnny angrily threw away his cigarette butt. "Are you deliberately trying to disgust me?"

V nodded: "Yes."

Old Johnny: "You fucking..."

"Your ex-girlfriend and your ex-ex-girlfriend are both being slept with. How do you feel right now?"

Old Johnny fell silent, for he had nothing to say.

But not saying anything would seem like a loss, so he made conversation.

"Where's Vera? What's she doing? Is she poking herself?"

"No, she's playing a game console from Atlantis."

"Game consoles? Oh right, Atlantis does have a few game consoles, loaded with infuriatingly stupid games. But I remember those consoles require coins. Does Vera have the money?"

"I didn't have any money. But I cracked the game for her, so she could have unlimited coins."

"You're so good to her."

"While cracking the game, I also increased the difficulty to the highest level to ensure she had ample entertainment and satisfaction."

Old Johnny: "...Take back what I said before. Can you stop bullying Vera all the time? The kid is already stupid."

"That's why we need to hone our skills. I am her, and she is me. I just want her to become better, and aren't you the same?"

You noticed?

Even Vera noticed it.

Old Johnny gave a bitter laugh: "I thought I chose 2013 to save Ultraman, but now I realize I was wrong. The person I really wanted to save was myself. I don't want my past self to repeat the same mistakes. Nuclear explosion at Arasaka Tower was cool, but it killed many people; being turned into a Relic chip was like being a hero, but it was extremely painful. I want to correct my past mistakes, but when my past self talked about it, I was almost convinced by him."

V nodded: "At least it shows you haven't changed."

No, I've changed.

"It's okay to change, everyone changes."

Old Johnny sighed, "People can change, they can become anything, but they can never go back to who they were before."

V couldn't help but complain: "Damn, I can't change it or I can't stay the same, you're so hard to please."

Old Johnny smiled and said, "I'm going to tell them what the future holds, is that alright?"

"can."

V's straightforwardness surprised older Johnny a bit. He tentatively asked, "Really? Won't it cause some kind of spacetime paradox? I've seen it portrayed like that in science fiction movies like Mewtwo."

"Yes, everything has a price. Just as a jump can cause frost, time travel will inevitably cause some disasters. Although we cannot determine exactly what they are, the more we interfere in the past, the greater the gap between the new world and the target world will be, and the greater the impact of the disasters will be."

Old Johnny was shocked: "So when I said I wanted to tell them what the future held, you agreed without hesitation?"

"Otherwise, what's the point of going back to the past and doing nothing? Going back to the past for nothing, just to eat the same shit again?" V said calmly. "Going back to the past is about changing it. It will cause disaster, but agricultural development inevitably leads to barren land, and industrial development inevitably pollutes the atmosphere. To stop developing just because there's destruction is a stupid, short-sighted approach. If the land is barren, we'll develop artificial fertilizers; if there's air pollution, we'll manufacture air purifiers. Technology is no longer just a tool for capital to exploit; its purpose is to offset the costs people incur in pursuit of a better life. So do what you want to do, no matter how big the mess you make, I'll support you, the AIs will support you, and the V world, the Vera world, the Witcher world, and the Alder world—23.272 billion humans and non-humans will support you!"

Old Johnny turned his head away, rubbed his eyes, and when he turned back, he was back to his arrogant self.

“V, believe it or not, Johnny Silverhand really has a lot of fans.”

V asked, puzzled: "What, are you bragging?"

“No, I just want to tell you that Johnny Silverhand changed a lot of people, and you changed Johnny Silverhand.”

V was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled: "That's the best compliment ever!"

The two returned to Atlantis together.

“Hey, you seem different,” Vera said as she frantically tapped on the arcade machine.

Older Johnny asked curiously, "How did it change?"

"You looked like you'd been masturbating for thirty minutes but couldn't get it done, your face was full of bitterness and resentment."

"now what?"

"It's like a wall full of bullets now."

V laughed heartily, while the elderly Johnny was speechless.

"It's almost six o'clock. Want to go out for breakfast together? If I remember correctly, there are a few stalls around here that serve pretty good food. The owners are all older generations, the kind with real skills. Their food is a hundred times better than that lousy fast food!"

"Oh, then I'd like to try it."

Vera immediately became interested, but hesitated for a moment: "Speaking of which, what about the money? V can crack the machine, but not people."

“That’s easy,” the elderly Johnny said with practiced ease. “Just borrow some from a few cleaners.”

"Hey, that's a great idea! V, are you coming?"

V looked speechless: "Can't you guys do something productive for once?!"

Aren't you going?

"Of course I'm going!"

The three of them went out laughing and joking, had a friendly chat with the 2013 street cleaner, found the stall that old Johnny had enthusiastically recommended, and had a heartwarming breakfast.

"Let's go back to Atlantis and finish explaining everything that needs to be explained, then we'll head back."

"Huh, so fast? I thought we were going to overthrow the company and promote nanonetworks throughout the world." Vera was a little surprised.

V shook his head: "I already said, this is just a test, there's no need to make such a big deal out of it."

"I see. Well then, it's a pity I haven't finished the game yet. But oh well, life is rarely perfect, and regrets are unavoidable. That's why we have the motivation to keep pursuing perfection."

V and old Johnny were stunned.

"Did she get an intelligence boost?"

"No, it's still Intelligence 3!"

Vera: 凸(￣皿￣)

When the three returned to Atlantis, they found a crowd gathered at the entrance. It wasn't Arasaka who had sent pursuers, but rather the famous rock singer Johnny Silverhand arguing with his girlfriend on the rooftop.

Johnny the idiot stands on the left, Ultraman stands on the right.

Ultraman spoke first: "You have to give me a straight answer today, do you love me or not!"

Johnny, the idiot, rubbed his crotch, his face full of disdain: "Fuck you!"

Chapter 166 My Lifelong Love

The phrase "I love you, you motherfucker" drew cheers and applause from the onlookers.

Older Johnny frowned: "I don't remember this happening."

"You didn't rescue Ultraman back then either, this is a new plot in the second playthrough." Vera looked like she was enjoying the drama.

V noticed that Roger and Santiago were also in the crowd, so he called them over and asked, "What's going on?"

“Who knows?” Santiago shrugged. “They’ve been arguing ever since they came out of their room, and now they’re arguing all the way to the rooftop.”

Roger, however, seemed unsurprised: "Hmph, that idiot Johnny's gone crazy again. He's done having fun and then starts worrying about the country and its people. That's his old tradition."

Vera suddenly realized: "I get it, the post-coital period."

Santiago couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Haha, he's a pervert when he takes his pants off, but a saint when he puts them on. Silverhand is really something else!"

But Otto didn't find it funny at all. His words, "I love you, you motherfucker," deeply hurt her, causing their argument to escalate.

"Johnny, can't you put your mind to this?!" Ultraman said angrily.

"If you can't talk, then shut the hell up!" Johnny said, sounding utterly exasperated. "You always have to babble after you've had your fun!"

Otto was even angrier: "You're the one who had your fun, what's wrong with me saying a few words! Johnny, sometimes you're such a jerk!"

"Damn it, are you never going to stop today?!"

“This isn’t a matter of which day, Johnny. You’re really too slow-witted, and you call yourself an artist!”

"Damn it, we were just getting along fine a moment ago, and now you're turning on me like that? You're like a dog, aren't you? You know exactly what kind of person I am!"

"Let me tell you, Johnny, if you're just a narcissist with a bit of charm, constantly yelling about chasing your dreams, I won't bother with you!"

Johnny snorted: "But?"

"But you're lying to yourself. Samurai Band, the concerts, it's all fake! Admit it, Johnny, you're not a rock star at all. You're no different from those drug-addled lunatics on the street who foam at the mouth and shout 'Arasaka, die!' all the time!"

“I understand.” Johnny sneered, “You think you’re one of my men, trying to persuade me to reform, huh? You’re not the first one.”

"You've got it wrong. I just want you to understand that you're deceiving yourself!"

"Are you bored? We just hooked up and slept together, don't give me some psychological analysis!"

"This isn't psychological analysis. I'm telling you that going against the company won't end well. Only you can save yourself!"

Johnny suddenly realized: "So you're scared, just like Kerry. I'm the only one who dares to stand up to Arasaka, and what about you? You're all cowards, scared out of your wits!"

“Yes, yes, Johnny Silverhand, the savior of the world, it’s a shame you’re stuck in Night City! That’s your problem. You always think you can change the world, but you can’t do anything. If it weren’t for Rogue and the others helping you, you wouldn’t even have been able to rescue me!”

"That's great! You still remember that I saved you!"

"I not only remember you saving me, I also remember you almost killing me. If those twins hadn't stopped you, you would have fucking pulled out my tubes yourself. Johnny, face reality, you're just a good-for-nothing street thug, you can't change the world, you're nothing!"

Johnny was furious and slammed his fist on the rooftop railing, creating a large crater: "Who I am is none of your business! You got arrested because of me, and now that I've rescued you, we're even. You can get lost!"

But Ott didn't leave. She took a deep breath, tried to calm herself down, and said seriously, "Johnny, let's get married."

"Huh?" Johnny was taken aback: "What the hell are you talking about? I'm not getting married, and I'm not going to be tied down by a stupid family!"

“I’m serious, Johnny.” Otto was very calm, but anyone could see the unease beneath that calm: “Think carefully before you answer. You only have one chance.”

"Holy crap." Santiago, who was watching the drama unfold, realized the seriousness of the situation: "Ultraman is serious."

"That's how it is when you're Johnny's woman. If you're not serious, you'll never get Johnny to be serious." Roger sighed softly. "Unfortunately, I could tell even with my ass how Johnny would answer."

All eyes were on Johnny, and everyone could see the disdain and impatience on his face. He had no feelings for love or romance, or rather, those feelings had long been burned to ashes by the more intense flame in his heart.

Johnny spoke up: "I..."

Old Johnny also spoke up: "V".

V glanced at him: "Are you sure?"

"Sure!"

"Alright, do you remember how to connect via wired connection?"

Old Johnny opened the nerve slot behind his ear, and V pulled out a personal data cable from his wrist and connected it.

The next second, old Johnny's consciousness was pulled out of his body, and V opened his mouth and blew, immediately creating a strong wind that blinded everyone.

But the wind came and went quickly, and when everyone opened their eyes, they saw Johnny walking towards Ultraman.

He wasn't walking fast, nor was he walking slow. The two of them weren't far apart to begin with, and as long as they were willing to walk, they would definitely be able to reach each other.

Otto had never seen Johnny with such a serious look in his eyes. She realized something, and her chest began to heave violently.

Johnny stopped in front of Ultraman, his gaze seemingly transcending time and space. He said nothing, but simply hugged Ultraman tightly and kissed him passionately. Ultraman was stunned for a moment, then began to respond passionately in return.

The two lovers greedily inhaled each other's scent. Otto felt that Johnny was incredibly strong, as if she would disappear if he let go. Only at this moment did she realize just how much this man loved her.

The passionate kiss finally ended. Johnny gripped Ultraman's shoulders tightly with both hands, took a deep breath, and as if using all the strength he had in his life, said heavily:

"I love you, Ultraman, let's get married!"