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The Unforeseen Aftermath: What Happens to V After Dex Shoots Him in Cyberpunk 2077

Dexter DeShawn’s betrayal is one of the most pivotal moments in Cyberpunk 2077. After seemingly successfully pulling off the heist at Konpeki Plaza, V and Jackie are ambushed, and Dex shoots V in the head, seemingly killing them. However, this is not the end. Death inadvertently triggers the Relic, a biochip containing the engram of the legendary rockerboy, Johnny Silverhand. The Relic initiates its resurrection protocol, repairing the damage to V’s brain but, crucially, beginning to overwrite V’s personality with Johnny’s. This process is the catalyst for the entire game’s narrative, setting V on a desperate race against time to find a solution before they are completely subsumed by Johnny Silverhand. The biochip starts using V’s brain to repair the damage, an action that will ultimately lead to V’s demise.

The Spark of a New Beginning (and End)

What makes this sequence so compelling is the inherent tragedy. V, a rising star in Night City’s mercenary scene, is brought down in what feels like an anticlimactic fashion. But from this apparent end springs a new, albeit precarious, existence. The Relic, initially intended for immortality or some other corporate purpose, becomes a parasitic life raft. It’s important to note that V wouldn’t have survived the gunshot without the Relic. The chip’s activation and subsequent repair process are the only things that kept V from permanent death.

The Enigmatic Relic: Repair and Replacement

The Relic’s functions are twofold:

Repair: It uses nanites to mend the physical trauma to V’s brain caused by the bullet. This is essentially a miraculous, though temporary, fix.
Overwrite: While repairing, the Relic also begins to imprint Johnny Silverhand’s engram onto V’s neural pathways. This is a gradual process where V’s memories, personality traits, and even physical appearance slowly morph to resemble Johnny’s.

This process of overwriting is the core conflict of Cyberpunk 2077. V is essentially fighting a losing battle for their own existence, as Johnny Silverhand gradually takes over. V faces many challenges in their journey and must make choices that will change the trajectory of their life and the game itself.

The Fight for Survival

V’s subsequent journey is a desperate search for a way to remove the Relic or somehow separate themselves from Johnny Silverhand. The relationship between V and Johnny is complex, evolving from antagonism to begrudging respect and even friendship, depending on player choices.

Consequences of Dexter’s Actions

Dexter DeShawn’s actions are ultimately the catalyst for V’s transformation and the events that unfold throughout the game. Had he not killed V, the Relic would have remained dormant, and V’s life would have taken a completely different path. His betrayal sets in motion a chain of events that involve mega-corporations, rogue AIs, and a quest for immortality. Dexter pays for his betrayal later in the game when V extracts their revenge.

Cyberpunk 2077: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the events following Dex’s betrayal and their implications for V’s journey:

Does V turn into Johnny? The degree to which V turns into Johnny depends on the player’s choices and the ending they achieve. In some endings, Johnny completely takes over V’s body, while in others, V retains control, albeit with a limited lifespan. Temperance is a unique ending that occurs every time V decides not to return to their body, Johnny will take over the body and V will be gone.
What did the Relic do to V? The Relic repaired V’s brain after being shot, saving their life. However, it simultaneously began overwriting V’s personality with the engram of Johnny Silverhand, leading to a slow assimilation. Cyberpunk 2077’s Relic is killing V. Slowly, Johnny Silverhand’s persona is taking over V’s body. If they are not careful, he will replace V.
How did V survive getting shot in the head? V was wearing body armor, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the fatal wound. The Relic’s nanites repaired the damage, preventing immediate death, but at the cost of beginning the personality overwrite.
Is V supposed to get killed by Dex? Yes, the ambush and V’s subsequent “death” at the hands of Dex is a crucial plot point that drives the narrative of Cyberpunk 2077. This sets the game on its path.
How does V survive being shot by Dex? As stated previously, V survives due to the Relic’s nanites, which repair the brain damage, but simultaneously begin the process of overwriting V’s personality with Johnny Silverhand’s.
Should you tell Dexter you have the Relic? Telling Dex that V has the Relic does not change the outcome of his betrayal. Regardless of whether V discloses information or not, he will still stab V in the back.
How did the biochip save V? Dex’s bullet triggered resurrection nanotech on the biochip, repairing the damage to V’s brain but starting an irreversible process to overwrite their memories with those of Johnny.
Why is the chip killing V? The Relic is damaging V because it is using V’s brain to repair the damage to itself, with Johnny Silverhand’s engram.
Does V get a happy ending? Happy endings don’t fit the genre. V never concretely escapes their fate, but despite the looming tragedy, V can manage to secure a happy ending – or at least the closest thing to a happy ending that exists in the dark Cyberpunk 2077 universe.
Does V only have 6 months to live cyberpunk? Depending on the ending you select, V can take his body back but only has 6 months to live.
Was V immune to cyberpsychosis? Cyberpunk 2077 suggests that V is not immune to cyberpsychosis. They are in charge of their actions. Are they a psychopath/sociopath/delusional? It’s possible, but they are definitely not a cyberpsycho.
What did Arasaka do to Jackie’s body? After dying, Arasaka took Jackie’s body and uploaded his consciousness into Mikoshi.
What happens if you betray Dex? If you betray Dex then that only has an impact on the Heist mission itself, to a fairly insignificant degree, and once it’s out of the way there will be no further repercussions for you.
What happens if you send Jackie to Viktor? If V chooses to send Jackie’s body to Vik’s, their ripperdoc, V will be locked out of the bulk of the Heroes side quest. Instead, Mama Welles will leave a box outside of V’s that contains the key to Jackie’s bike.
Is V alive in Cyberpunk? There isn’t a single ending option in the game that solves V’s condition. V will live the last 6 months of their life and go out as a legend.

A Symbiotic Relationship

The interplay between V and Johnny Silverhand is the heart of Cyberpunk 2077. The narrative explores themes of identity, memory, and what it means to be human in a world increasingly dominated by technology. V’s struggle for survival, intertwined with Johnny’s rebellious spirit and past trauma, creates a powerful and unforgettable gaming experience.

The game delves into complex philosophical questions about consciousness, identity, and the consequences of technological advancement. Cyberpunk 2077 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection and the need to resist the dehumanizing forces of corporate greed and technological overreach.

The initial shock of Dex’s betrayal sets the stage for a captivating journey, forcing V to confront their own mortality and question the very nature of their existence. The game’s exploration of transhumanism, artificial intelligence, and the blurred lines between human and machine makes it a thought-provoking and relevant commentary on our own rapidly evolving world. If you are interested in learning more about the impact of games on learning and education, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

What happens to V after Dex shoots him?