Ryan E Muise

As I wrap up this book and make it available for publishing I wanted to share a thank you to all the readers here on Wattpad who supported this project. You can pick up a copy of the ebook or print version on your local Amazon website. Please share the link around to anyone you may know who would be interested in a cyberpunk action story.
          
          And most especially I want to thank users @empalgepuk, and @Chaptermuse_, Your comments, reactions, and curiosity meant a lot, and I thank you for your interest and words of encouragement. Your usernames are in the acknowledgements page of the ebook and print versions that are available now on Amazon globally :-)
          
          https://www.amazon.com/Neon-Black-Ryan-Muise/dp/B0G6NPTRN2

This is it? This is the end? This is a big chapter, it’s the finale, there’s a lot of ground to cover, I hope you enjoyed the levity of the previous chapter because this one is far more dour. I’ll have more to say on the process soon, because maaaaayyybe this isn’t exactly the last chapter? You’ll see what I mean soon. Stay tuned ;-)
          
          Also the eBook is ready but I’m waiting for a new printing proof from Amazon before publishing the physical book. I made the rookie mistake of forgetting to add page numbers!!!!!

The story is rapidly approaching its conclusion as the assault on Anodyne begins! This is it, the penultimate week! Yes, week, not chapter. Next week I've got some surprises in store for the finale of the book. 
          
          Also, I am almost ready to publish, I have loved gathering so much feedback from you all and will include those who provided said feedback in the acknowledgments section of the published version. So thank you again. As I have said each week, I won’t be stubbing this story, I want you all to enjoy the finale next week, the reading numbers and story rankings have been such a welcome surprise and I am very thankful. I will announce links to buy the book if you feel so inclined, I would also love if you shared it around with friends.

This is it, as we approach the climax of the story we've taken one last flashback break to investigate where Nameless came from. This man of mystery has finally been laid bare. We now know the trauma that guides each character, for good or ill. 
          
          Note that to get to the finale faster I am going to post extra chapters this week. Two more small lore building side chapters will come this week so that next week we can get to the beginning of the end with our group's attack on Anodyne. 
          
          So over the next couple of days please look forward to that! :-)

The story is approaching the climax! To celebrate getting close to launching the final, self-published version, check out the new cover!!! The old cover was a fun image I found on Pintrest that I threw into Canva. This cover is AI generated, but the result of a lot of prompts and many generations, and also a fair amount of hand made tweaks by me in photoshop. What does everyone think?

Did I get you with that bait and switch? I had an idea for a cool action scene but it ultimately played out too similar to the attack at Nameless’ home so I then thought “what if this was all in their heads?” The enemy tried to pull the same operation twice, because they are severely underestimating our team, and they failed because of it. I think it also helps remind you that our heroes are badasses, even if they’ve been on the back foot lately.
          
          Next week they are on the road again with a clear objective. Come on back, and if you enjoyed this chapter please share this story with folks you think will like it.

I enjoy these interludes, I hope you do too. I see it as a fun way to explore the world and expand the story in ways that don’t require a connection to the plot. Sci-fi work has always been an associated aspect of Cyberpunk. Blade Runner’s Pris, the infamous triple-breasted woman in Total Recall, Joy Toys in Cyberpunk 2077. In this case I wanted to imagine what modern sex work would be like when taken to the extreme. A place where you choose from a menu, and then indulge like you are at a hookah bar. I hope it reads, not smutty, but sensual and an overall positive experience for the worker, Whisper, and you the reader.
          
          Next week back into other kinds of action! Some cool fight scenes and cyberspace hacking! So look forward to it!

This is it! The back story we were all waiting for! The mysterious Reaper sure has a complicated history huh? What did we think? Was it crazy? Was it unexpected? It was crazy and unexpected for me when I was writing it. When I was fleshing out our group of heroes I naturally wanted to include the stereotypical hulking brute. The silent, stoic death machine we all know and love in this genre!
          
          But I also wanted to use them as a way to explore, however briefly, what gender means in a world where you can replace your limbs, your internal organs, your brain even. I’m not so concerned about the soul, the ship of theseus and all that, rather I was more interested in identity, how to you see yourself and present yourself in a world where you can change it at a whim.