Chapter 808 - This Game Is Too Realistic

Chapter 808: Isn't Eating Three Meals a Day a Reward? "...The life support system is functioning well." Looking at the report submitted by a certain player, Chu Guang's face displayed an amused and bewildered expression. What a pity. Although he had the authority to decide who would receive the game helmets, he didn't have the permission to "expand the production line for new products." Besides, isn’t eating three meals a day considered a "reward"? From what he understood, many players were quite delighted about becoming gluttons. Especially the group of drunks led by Old Bai, who loved nothing more than getting drunk online and then logging off only to continue their drinking spree. It's not just about the food. The fun and enjoyment that "Second Life" brought to players wasn't limited to just eating. It included, but wasn't limited to, players like Emperor Yu, who would wash themselves online until their skin was rubbed raw, only to continue washing after logging off. Personal tastes were something Chu Guang had no control over. After all, "Wasteland OL" wasn't a single-player game custom-crafted for individuals. The issue of "no appetite for food offline because you're full online" was something players had to figure out on their own. But then again, why did this person write about it in a report to the administrator? Could they have uncovered his little secret? A trace of doubt crept into Chu Guang's mind, but after pondering for a moment, he dismissed it. The chances were slim. From a reasonable perspective, the player probably assumed that during the beta phase of the game, the developers would be keenly monitoring user feedback, especially "review opinions" written by the players themselves, and would take a sneaky look at them. And even if he had guessed it, it didn't really matter. Discovering or guessing the truth by chance is like dreaming about a winning lottery ticket number the day after it expires. It could neither be acknowledged nor redeemed. It's merely having a piece of knowledge with no real significance. Just as Chu Guang was about to close the report, Xiao Qi, seated beside a pencil cup, eagerly interjected with a suggestion. "Technically, it's not that difficult, Master. You could just outsource this part of the equipment to qualified enterprises in the parallel world for production!" From its observations, many players and cloud players were involved in businesses related to the game in reality. Some made money by exploiting information differentials, others through technical advantages, and some engaged in currency exchange and selling peripherals. Notably, the player involved in currency exchange was running the largest operation. They not only recruited top-ranked players from the server but also used their advantage in silver reserves to expand into AI and precision machinery manufacturing. Given the capabilities of that player, setting up a cultivation pod in reality, which isn't technologically demanding, should be manageable! However, in response to Xiao Qi's suggestion, Chu Guang merely smiled faintly. "I considered that method long ago." "Huh?" Xiao Qi tilted its head, puzzled, and asked, "Then why haven't you done it, Master?" After a moment's contemplation, Chu Guang replied, "Because... I don't want to weaken their social connections in reality. What they gain from 'Wasteland OL' shouldn't only be money and status but also knowledge, skills, experience, methods, and principles, among others." "They should use these to bring positive changes to their homeland, to create their own prosperous era, and to explore their future." "Although I can't return, it's still my homeland." Whether players opted for moderate reform or radical change, Chu Guang believed they would ultimately embark on a path different from the post-apocalyptic world. Even though most players hadn't yet realized it, they had, in fact, united. And genuinely, they possessed the power to change the world. ... The next morning. Lying in her hotel bed, Sisi opened her eyes, got up, and checked the marks she left by the door. After confirming no anomalies, she moved to the washroom for a brief wash before heading out to the hotel lobby. This was a habit she'd developed during her travels, a common practice among many players when camping outside. After logging off, they could no longer control their game characters. Although the VM had functions for "online life monitoring and offline message alerts," it didn't guarantee absolute safety, only preventing lethal dangers. As Sisi reached the ground floor, she found the four guides and bodyguards arranged by the authorities of Mammoth State waiting in the lobby. The leader, Bella, was a young woman. Dressed in a crisp military uniform, she carried an LD-47 assault rifle on her back. Her short hair and sharp gaze hinted at battlefield experience. Judging by her insignia, she held the rank of sergeant. While her specific position wasn't mentioned by Axi, it was likely equivalent to a squad leader, similar to the old ten-man commander role in the imperial army. The others seemed like privates, with no notable signs of training or combat experience—probably new recruits tasked with administrative or clerical duties. Upon seeing Sisi, Bella placed her right fist on her chest in salute and courteously said, "Honorable guest from the Alliance, good morning. Did you rest well last night?" "Good morning, I rested quite well..." Sisi responded with a relaxed smile, then added, "No need for such formality, just call me Sisi." Bella showed a slightly troubled expression but nodded obediently. "Alright, Miss Sisi." Her superiors had instructed her to accommodate every reasonable request made by these esteemed visitors from the Alliance and to leave them with a positive impression. Mammoth State, wanting to survive in the perilous wastelands, needed support from at least one major faction. She was fully aware of the importance of her task. Seeing Bella's overly serious demeanor, Sisi made a helpless gesture but held back further comment. With Sisi remaining silent, Bella continued politely. "Do you have any plans today?" "Hmm," Sisi thought for a moment, looking towards the stairs. "I’m waiting for my companions to wake up. After they do, we plan to explore the area and assess the environment. By the way, do you know of any local dining places where we could have breakfast?" Upon hearing this, Bella immediately responded, "Looking for a place to eat? I understand. Just let me know when you’re ready to set off." As they conversed, a massive white bear and a short-haired girl descended the stairs. Shortly after, Zhima Hu, rubbing drowsy eyes and yawning, also came down. Accompanied by four bodyguards and guides, three others and the bear left the hotel, soon arriving at a lively, bustling street. Standing at the entrance of the street, Bella addressed Sisi’s group, a bit reservedly. "This is a snack street in the parish, run by residents from Silver Moon Bay. They typically have the habit of eating breakfast... I hope it suits your taste." Sisi smiled warmly upon hearing this. "Your worry is unnecessary." Tail interjected energetically. "Oh! That's right! The eating habits of Silver Moon Bay residents actually stem from us!" Bella was taken aback. "Eh? Is... that so? That's wonderful. I was concerned you'd find it unfamiliar." She genuinely wasn't aware of such connections. Zhima Hu chuckled. "You're being overly polite; it's unnecessary. We're all friendly folks." "Speaking of which, a ramen shop's set up here. This spread is incredible..." Rou Rou remarked as she gazed down the street, astonished to find it a replica of Dawn City's north street. Not just ramen shops were present; they had stalls selling steamed buns, shumai, soy milk, and fried dough sticks, even fish powder and hot dry noodles. Enticed by the tempting aroma, her mouth watered, unable to resist salivating several times. Tail stood beside her, nodding appreciatively. "Well done, successors of Haiji's ramen... Old Zhang would be pleased." Rou Rou couldn't help but tease, "What’s with Haiji's ramen, and you've already assumed he's an old man?" Tail smirked. "Isn't it obvious? Which young person uses their real name as their username?" Zhima Hu turned to Bella and curiously asked, "Aren't you going to have breakfast?" Shaking her head lightly, Bella’s hair swayed gently by her ear as she responded. "For us, that's a luxury. We used to have just one meal, sometimes resorting to soil... it's only recently we started eating twice a day." "Sorry," Zhima Hu apologized softly, realizing the inappropriateness of her question. However, Bella simply smiled, unconcerned. "It's fine. That was a thing of the past." The group settled into a ramen shop, and while Bella initially intended to pay, Sisi stopped her. "We exchanged money when we disembarked. I'll cover this." Saying so, she placed two 100 Mammoth bill notes on the table and addressed the shop owner. "Eight bowls of ramen, please." Surprised by the guest's generosity, Bella and her fellow guides were taken aback. "This... doesn't seem right," Bella hesitated, visibly embarrassed. Sisi chuckled warmly. "It's just a bowl of noodles, hardly a bribe." Bella quickly waved her hands. "I didn't mean it that way..." Sisi pulled out a chair, smiling. "Then sit down and eat with us." Though not accustomed to eating breakfast, Bella and her fellow guides found it hard to decline the kind offer from these distinguished guests, so they joined at the table. Observing the four, Sisi noted their nervousness seemed genuine, suggesting they didn't often eat in such "luxury" places. She couldn't determine the living standards of Mammoth State's high ranks, but its grassroots demeanor still appeared rather modest. Furthermore, she noted that the Mammoth currency, though similar to the gallon in rate, exchanged 10:1 to silver coins. Locally, it even had slightly more purchasing power. A bowl of ramen here cost about 15 Mammoth, whereas in Gold Gallon Port, it was 20 gallons. Possibly due to the Mammoth currency's recent introduction, its circulation was still limited. Of course, whether 15 Mammoth or 20 gallons, compared to 3~4 silver coins for beef noodles in Dawn City, it was considerably cheaper, though portions here were also smaller. Due to Mammoth State's poor economy and limited foreign reserves, exchanging Mammoth currency wasn't as free as that in Gallon. Locals saw it as a "coupon," whereas foreign businesses had to adhere to quota limits for conversion. Interestingly, converting silver coins to Mammoth had no restrictions, with large exchanges even granting a few extra percentage points. The authorities seemed to have learned from the mistakes of Tiger and Leopard States, implementing strict foreign exchange controls rather than blindly imitating Gold Gallon Port's wealth strategies. While waiting for their noodles, Sisi already gauged the local purchasing power and living standards pretty well. However, this was after all a district of Silver Moon Bay residents, where living costs appeared slightly higher than other parts of Mammoth City. To truly understand local reality, one must visit where locals lived. Sisi pondered on a pretext to have Bella show her the local areas when a familiar, slick voice wafted from the doorway. "Hey! Sisi! And Tail, Zhima Hu, and Miss Rou Rou... haha, what a coincidence, fancy meeting you all again!" Recognizing the voice, Tail lifted her head from her bowl, smiling as she greeted. "Oh! The bark salesman! Good morning!" "Uh... stop calling me the bark salesman, I do sell other things, you know!" Mojave, looking embarrassed by the nickname, gave Tail a stare but restrained himself from getting angry. Politeness aside, both the goddess and the financial benefits required his restraint. For a sailor like him, the shares he held in the White Bear Knights' Bank and the Bach Yue Corporation weighed heavily. Caught under his heated gaze, Sisi sighed. Though disinterested in this smooth-talker, she courteously returned the greeting. "Morning." After sitting at the neighboring table, Mojave lamented, "You're still so distant." Sipping her broth, she responded nonchalantly, "Why so eager early in the morning? Do you have business here?" "No particular reason, just here for breakfast, planning to explore the local market later," Mojave said, noticing Bella's unceasing focus on him. With a gesture indicating no ill intent, he placed a bill in the server's hand. "I'll have a bowl too... same as the lady next to me." "Very well, sir." Unwilling to meddle in these prominent figures' conversations, the server quickly retreated to the counter after receiving the payment. Sisi's eyes subtly flickered with interest as she glanced at Mojave, preparing to eat his noodles, and asked curiously, "You're quite familiar with the local market?" Perceiving her interest, Mojave visibly brightened, speaking enthusiastically, "Of course! I've been doing business here for two months before you arrived; no one knows the local market better than I... So, what brings you here?" Sisi didn't hide her intent. "We've imported food, along with some anti-inflammatory and anti-malarial medicines, from Silver Moon Bay." "Anti-inflammatory drugs are in high demand on the front lines... but food, that's still low-margin. The flooding was post-harvest, so food scarcity isn't severe here, especially for those who can afford it," Mojave shook his head, appearing somewhat regretful. Sisi, intrigued, probed further. "Then what business opportunities exist here?" "You've come to the right person! I don't usually share this, but for you... I'll let you in for free," Mojave whispered conspiratorially, "Priceless jewels, crafts from Ideal City, luxurious furs... especially the furs prized by desert tycoons, can fetch premium prices here!" Upon hearing this, Tail and Zhima Hu exchanged puzzled looks. Sitting beside them, Rou Rou asked bluntly, "Desert tycoon's prized furs... why not sell directly to them?" Zhima Hu also questioned, "Yes... is local pricing higher than Silver Moon Bay's?" Mojave smiled secretively, elaborating, "What you don't understand is, even the poorest places have wealthy people. They buy these luxuries not just for personal use but for asset preservation, often willing to pay higher than desert tycoons." Sisi, pondering, asked, "Are there many wealthy individuals here?" Mojave laughed heartily. "Far more than you'd imagine! Especially the old aristocrats, bought out by the new authorities... with Mammoth currency, of course." Sisi's eyes lit up upon hearing this, quickly grasping the implications. "I see, you're involved in money laundering..." Mojave gave a thumbs up, chuckling, "Nothing escapes your keen eyes." Rou Rou, confused, looked to Sisi and asked in a whisper, "What does that mean... how is it money laundering?" In a soft voice, Sisi explained, "It's simple. The Laxi authorities issued massive Mammoth currency to buy out submerged lands from old aristocrats. Since the currency isn't freely convertible, they convert it into luxury goods for preservation. These are easier to transport and can be exchanged for lots of silver coins in Silver Moon Bay." The Bach Yue Province, known for its fur production, also differed in rarity and value, with cheap ones less than cotton fabric, while the expensive ones could reach exorbitant prices. She knew of a quality blood mink fur that could fetch a million silver coins. A newbie had once hit the jackpot by catching a blood mink, becoming wealthy overnight on the forums. Reflecting on these insights, Rou Rou remarked appreciatively, "These aristocrats are truly cunning..." Still perplexed, Zhima Hu addressed Sisi with a question. "But why do they pay? Couldn't they just confiscate the lands?" Patiently, Sisi explained, "Paying has its merits. A regime can't govern by fear alone, especially being outsiders here. To rule, initiate emancipation, they must collaborate with local forces on some level." "Of course, it's also possible that Laxi didn't think too deeply about it and merely mirrored the methods the Burning Legion used in Golden Gallon Port." Back then, when the Burning Legion occupied Golden Gallon Port, they acted similarly. Aside from tossing several war criminals like Nihak into prison, Brother Fang and his team didn't take anything from either the local nobility or common folk. While many old nobles found themselves left behind by the tides of a new era, the overall social mobility occurred relatively peacefully, without provoking a large-scale conservative backlash. Building on that, Laxi appeared to have made improvements, particularly regarding land issues. After all, the Alliance didn't need to profit from land, nor did Golden Gallon Port, but Mammoth State's economy was primarily agricultural with zero industrial base, so their focus naturally fell on land and population. Pausing, Sisi thought aloud, "Besides garnering support, I suspect he hopes some of these old nobles would invest their money in industrial ventures. Even if they merely hire workers to build houses in Mammoth City, it would aid the local economy..." "However, not all these old nobles seem to be on board with his vision. Some may indeed invest in businesses, but others simply want to convert Mammoth currency or commodities into silver and cash out." As Sisi and her companions conversed in a language the military personnel couldn't understand, the soldiers stared daggers at Mojave, making him uncomfortable as if seated on a burning chair. He wasn't particularly worried about these privates reporting him, either. Being from Silver Moon Bay, he enjoyed certain "immunities" locally. Doing this shadowy business indicated he had local backing. More importantly, there were no laws prohibiting his actions from the authorities, immoral as they might be. "Ahem... I have something else to attend to, I'll be going now. If you're interested in the local market, we can talk privately later." Hastily finishing his noodles, Mojave tossed his chopsticks aside, winked at Sisi at the neighboring table, and left. Watching his figure disappear through the door, a female soldier seated at the table cursed under her breath. "These parasites..." Much of Mammoth State's foreign exchange came from the hard labor of overseas workers, brick by brick, yet these scoundrels seemed intent on snatching their meager earnings. Bella shot a look at the young woman, reminding her to hold her tongue, which she did. However, Tail overheard the grumbling and nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Tail thinks so too... stealing even from the poor, it's despicable!" Bella remained silent for a moment, her eyes complicated as she peered toward the door before sighing. "It's true, but we still need people like that... trying to survive on our own is a daunting prospect." Rou Rou looked puzzled. "Can't we just allow the good and keep the bad out?" Bella shook her head. "Master Laxi said that Mammoth State is like a moldy old house. We can't just move in and do nothing, we must not only clean up but also open windows to air it out. Naturally, flies and mosquitoes may come in, but we can't leave the windows shut out of fear." Tail's eyes widened in shock, and in the special "language" of Vault 404, she muttered quietly, "I can't believe... That's something Laxi would say?" Sisi's expression was one of surprise too, doubting Laxi, who seemed more like a bandit, could say such a thing. Steadying herself, she cautiously suggested, "Actually, Laxi isn't wrong... but why not fit the windows with screens?" Bella was taken aback. "...Screens?" Sisi nodded, continuing, "Even within the Alliance, our silver currency isn't without oversight. And until now, we've continually refined legislative measures. You’re just starting out, so I wouldn’t suggest copying us exactly, but maybe consider establishing a central bank to direct funds to where society needs them most, rather than relying on the goodwill of merchants. Goodwill isn't something they deal in." At Fry Port, Mojave wouldn't dare engage in money-laundering as getting fined once would bankrupt him. This fellow wasn’t entirely bad, having done some good deeds, but his greed got the better of him. Bella hesitated, looking at Sisi. "But... Mr. Liszt is quite nice, we all like him." Then, as if recalling something, she softly added, "And, of course, there's you... We think you're good people, not like him, trying to exploit our loopholes." Faced with her innocent remark, Sisi couldn't help but hold her forehead, speaking resignedly. "He was trained by our administrators, and frankly... given his wealth and status, he doesn't need to resort to risky ventures, while another might act differently." Take Brother Mosquito, for example. For some mischief, he might even forego money altogether. Though not inherently bad, the outcome might still be negative. Realizing the logic in Sisi's words, Bella's expression grew serious, and she earnestly said, "I understand... thank you for the advice, I'll relay it to my superiors." Seeing her sincere willingness to learn, Sisi smiled gently, seizing the moment to share her long-thought-out idea. "We're considering expanding the White Bear Knights' banking business here, perhaps offering you some guidance when the time comes." Bella's eyes sparkled with excitement, almost standing up from the table. "Really? Thank you so much!" The look was unmistakably familiar. It was exactly how the wastelanders gazed in awe at the Pioneer when it landed on the outskirts of Wellspring. Sisi's heart was filled with emotion as she continued, "Of course it's true... But before that, I would like to understand the local situation better. If it's convenient, could you show us around the residential areas where locals live?" Faced with this request, Bella hesitated briefly but nodded in the end. "No problem... though there's not much to see there, you might be disappointed." To be continued...