novelraw Chapter 102
Chapter 102
A company bonus at a one-to-three rate.
A private deal with a gold-buyer at one to six.
Even a fool would know which to choose.
Who could possibly give up an extra ten million in income?
Su Wangchuan memorized the phone number Yuan Daqian had left him.
However, just after he returned to the Weapon Room and logged out, intending to focus on pushing 《Fish Scale Technique》 to the realm of Practice Makes Perfect, his phone rang.
“Wangchuan, come to the seventy-fifth floor.”
The call was from Su Wan.
Su Wangchuan paused briefly, and he more or less understood. Su Wan’s summons was likely related to the large sum of gold he was carrying.
As expected.On the seventy-fifth floor, he found Su Wan wearing a sweet smile. The freckled girl got straight to the point.
“Wangchuan, you earned quite a bit in bounties and rewards from the Blackwind Stronghold operation. Have you made any detailed plans? The company actually offers preferential treatment for large-scale exchanges.”
“Oh?”
Su Wangchuan had not expected that before he even mentioned the gold-buyer, the other party would proactively offer to raise the purchase price for the in-game currency in his possession.
“How high?” he asked calmly.
Su Wan rose and began to explain at length.
“For large-scale exchange services, the threshold is one hundred taels of silver—that is, one tael of gold. The exchange rate is one to five.”
“One tael of gold can be exchanged for five hundred thousand RMB.”
“Of course! The benefits the company provides to veteran studio players may be slightly lower than what private gold-buyers in the game offer, but we will open certain intelligence channels to help veteran players better experience spirit realm.”
It was obvious that Yuan Daqian’s contact with Su Wangchuan in the game had already drawn the studio’s attention.
A flicker of surprise crossed Su Wangchuan’s face.
The gold-buyer offered one to six.
The company’s large-scale exchange service was capped at one to five, but with so-called intelligence support added in.
Just as he hesitated, Su Wan continued:
“As long as an employee completes a large-scale exchange and provides the company with a certain amount of gold, the company will elevate their clearance level and grant access to specific intelligence. For example, the attribute point rewards each martial art can provide, shortcuts for cultivating different martial arts, and even certain pieces of intelligence about the real world.”
“…”
When Su Wangchuan heard that final sentence, his mind tightened sharply. He fixed his gaze on Su Wan.
“Real-world intelligence? What do you mean?”
Su Wan smiled faintly.
“spirit realm is a high-tech game that governments around the world are secretly promoting. For now, it is only being pushed quietly, screened on a small scale. After some time, it will likely be brought into the open. You should understand the reason… The integration of virtual reality will bring enormous benefits and enhancement to us personally. But at the same time, it will bring deadly danger.”
“So!”
“That is why governments are screening people quietly and advancing gradually.”
“It is to avoid large-scale casualties during this transformation, and at the same time to prevent widespread social unrest.”
“Is intelligence like this enough to convince you to exchange your gold with the company?”
The information Su Wan revealed was indeed shocking.
Su Wangchuan’s expression slowly grew solemn.
Global promotion.
In the end, Su Wan had said it aloud.
This game carried immense benefits and could transform a person’s physical and mental capabilities, yet it would also bring tremendous threats, causing injury or even death in reality.
The doubts he had harbored were finally answered.
Unrestricted promotion would indeed cause massive casualties and possibly social turmoil.
The promise of real-world intelligence clearance truly moved him.
However, Su Wangchuan did not agree immediately. Instead, he fell into thought and said:
“General Manager Su.”
“Since you said that countries will fully promote spirit realm once the time is right, does that mean that at that point, the demand for in-game currency will surge dramatically? And that the exchange value of gold and silver may increase several times over—or even by dozens of times?”
“…”
Su Wan’s expression changed.
She had not expected him to grasp the implication so quickly.
A trace of chagrin flashed through her eyes, and she let out a soft snort.
“No wonder Instructor Yu and Lin Xun keep praising you, saying you are bold, meticulous, and sharp-minded. The fact that you thought of that shows you are indeed intelligent…”
“That is correct.”
Su Wan folded her arms and walked toward the massive, brightly lit floor-to-ceiling window.
“Since spirit realm opened, it has been two years. At first, circulation was restricted to certain secret military units and high-level officials. A few months later, it expanded to nobles and tycoons. After that, licensed game studios were permitted, and suitable candidates were screened on a small scale to enter spirit realm…”
“Now, there are at least tens of millions of players in spirit realm.”
“…”
Su Wangchuan’s eyes widened.
Two years.
Tens of millions.
He had thought he was among the earlier players.
He had not expected…
He had entered after tens of millions.
With her back to him, Su Wan’s delicate face was filled with gravity and caution. She weighed her words carefully.
“But this game has also caused many people to die in the real world, in various ways…”
“When a game character dies, the account is deleted, and the soul withers along with it, gradually affecting the player’s real body. Whether it was the people of Tianshui Village who were eaten by wild wolves, or Heipi, who starved to death in a wooden hut in Blackstone Village… or Old Li, who died an unnatural death not long ago…”
“All across the globe, every day—even every moment—players are dying.”
“…”
Su Wangchuan felt a chill run down his spine. He could not help but blurt out:
“If spirit realm is so dangerous, why are governments around the world increasing their efforts to promote it?”
“Who exactly developed this game?”
The bright glass reflected Su Wan’s equally bewildered eyes.
She shook her head, looking as though she truly did not know.
“spirit realm appeared very suddenly. No research institution or game company ever announced its development progress… It was as if it materialized out of thin air. And then it received quiet backing from governments worldwide. Even those of us who have been in the game for over a year are still confused. We cannot find its origin.”
Su Wangchuan instinctively frowned.
A bitter, self-mocking smile appeared on Su Wan’s face.
“You do not believe me?”
“Honestly, I do not believe it myself.”
“Who would have thought that the Warring States Building, built with tens of billions in investment, is in fact just a means for the upper management to preserve their lives…”
Su Wangchuan was startled again.
Preserve their lives?
Then he understood.
“The upper management of Warring States Studio entered spirit realm first. When they encountered danger in the game—or discovered the secret of character death—they became anxious and afraid. That is why they created a studio, organized people to farm gold, accumulate advantages, and consolidate resources… Their goal was to build a force for self-protection within the game.”
Su Wan turned around without committing to agreement or denial. Her expression was blank.
“So now I need to ask clearly. You, Su Wangchuan—what are your plans in spirit realm?”
“Do you intend to exchange your gold for money, or use it to enhance your strength?”
“If you want money, I can give you a one-to-ten rate.”
“If you want to improve your strength, the studio can provide you with martial arts manuals and intelligence. You may go back and think about it.”
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