"No pay rise! No work!"
"Our future is being stolen!"
"Don't let Cyberpunk become reality!"
"We demand human rights! We demand democracy! Down with corporate dogs!"
"Raise our wages! Our future belongs to us, not corporate puppets!"
---
Out on the streets, countless workers across America marched with protest signs, raising a roar of resistance.
Don't misunderstand; this wave of strikes wasn't triggered solely by Edgerunners.
Edgerunners was still just a manga at this point; it didn't command that kind of world-bending influence.
Even a Hollywood blockbuster treatment likely wouldn't be enough to gridlock massive labor forces into a nationwide walkout.
The true catalyst behind the strike was the workers' demand for better pay and healthcare benefits from major corporations.
It just so happened that the depressing conclusion of Edgerunners had recently sparked intense debate.
Consequently, the grim future of a Cyberpunk world resonated heavily with the working class, striking a nerve of latent fear.
They couldn't let American corporations devolve into tyrants that could trample on human rights and freedom at will.
They refused to enable these corporate bastards!
Thus, they creatively spliced the term "Cyberpunk" into their protest signs for the first time in history.
Most American workers were completely unfamiliar with the term.
But as Edgerunners fans explained the lore to those around them...
It inadvertently acted as a massive boost in promotion.
The fanbase for Edgerunners expanded significantly across the country.
This even startled several high-ranking officials.
They scrambled to understand: what on earth is Cyberpunk, and what is Edgerunners?
Oh, it turns out it's just a comic and a derivative buzzword...
But... why did the plot description match the current situation in America so perfectly?
Corporate giants dominating the state, operating as the actual puppet-masters behind the scenes.
Isn't that the exact layout today?
Cough cough... no one dared voice that out loud.
At least... not in public spaces.
America always maintained its standing as a peace-loving, beautiful beacon of freedom and democracy!
Local officials immediately spoke up, announcing their full support for the workers' rights to strike.
'You corporate lords better show some charity to the guys down the ladder and put out this fire first.'
Otherwise, explaining this to the public would be slightly awkward.
But how could those corporations submit to raising wages that easily?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
And so, the workers and labor unions entered an exhaustive cycle of pushing and pulling with corporate offices, launching a series of deadlocked negotiations.
Even Hollywood felt the tremors.
Backstage crews joined the protest ranks, demanding pay hikes from major film studios.
However, Chris Nolan was exempted from the delays.
His latest blockbuster, Daredevil: The Dark Knight Rises, had recently wrapped up its theatrical run.
He was currently in his "downtime" cycle.
Listening to the noise echoing from the streets, Chris had long since grown accustomed to this frequent "beautiful display of views."
Ding-dong,
"Hey, Chris, you home?"
A familiar voice crackled through the intercom system alongside the doorbell.
Chris immediately stood up to answer, flashing a smile as he embraced his partner Kevin, who had worked with him on The Dark Knight Rises.
"Hey, Kevin, what brings you over?" Chris asked with a smile.
"Chris, I'm here to update you concerning Edgerunners," Kevin stated with a serious look.
"Oh, thank god. Did they finally reply from across the water?"
Chris's eyes lit up with sudden fire.
"Come, get inside. Let's speak comfortably."
Once inside the villa, Kevin's face turned completely solemn.
"I have to admit, Chris, your eye for scripts is exceptional. The hype for Edgerunners is exploding into terrifying heights right now..."
"Did you think I was making it up? Edgerunners is an incredible, cross-generational masterpiece," Chris responded with focus.
"Especially after reading that ending... that manga author 'Aoyama' is a genius!"
"That ending matches my philosophy perfectly! I didn't even anticipate that final trip to the Moon trip. It elevates the entire work into an entirely different echelon!"
"Such a shame... the board didn't place heavy emphasis on it at the start," Kevin sighed.
"I'm sorry, Chris. I did explain your thoughts concerning the manga to the corporate desk beforehand..."
The main issue was that Edgerunners was still airing in segments at that time.
Even crossing the high apex of Maine's death, it hadn't fully commanded intense headlines in America just yet.
"The board must recognize its potential now, right?" Chris knitted his brows.
"Then what are we waiting for? I really want to direct this project!"
But Kevin let out a helpless laugh.
"Chris, listen to me first. We aren't the only ones competing for Edgerunners anymore..."
"All Big Six film studios are chasing the cinematic rights now. Directors like Steven, Ridley, and George are all chasing down this script."
An incredible script commands bordering lethal pull for any director.
An asset containing attractive, cross-generational world-building, a deep philosophical core, and eye-catching action layouts is any director's dream project.
Executing it right basically guarantees critical or box-office success.
It might even achieve both, cementing itself with reputation and revenue alike.
Edgerunners also carried a massive built-in fanbase boost.
Directing an adaptation like this is comfortable because there is zero risk of completely failing to find an audience.
And it offered an extra multiplier: the work originated from a comic in the Federation, where its popularity sat at peak metrics.
Securing the deal means unlocking the Federation's overseas box office,a massive, population-dense expanse that yields incredible revenue columns!
Consequently, Hollywood's Big Six and legendary directors began a race to claim Edgerunners.
"Sigh... of course Steven and Ridley would catch onto it," Chris muttered, conflicted.
"But..."
A trace of steel locked in his eyes.
"Passing on a script this good would leave me leaning on lifelong regret."
"What does the publishing house say? Did they state who they plan to sell the rights to?" Chris questioned.
"No, they haven't shown any clear preference or bias towards anyone yet," Kevin answered.
"Looks like they are watching to see who offers the better terms."
"I see... Then I'm traveling to the Federation with you in person." Chris said calmly.
"What? You're going to the Federation to negotiate yourself?!" Kevin looked startled.
"Yes. I really want to direct Edgerunners, and this represents my sincerity," Chris replied.
"And I also want to meet the author making Edgerunners face-to-face. I want to see what kind of person he is..."
Speaking of that, his eyes gleamed with intense, burning curiosity.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]