Chapter 971 - This Game Is Too Realistic

Chapter 971: The Unexpected Fortunes of Luck To be honest, although the expansion pack lottery in "Wasteland OL" doesn't have concepts like guarantees, the randomness is genuinely just that—random. There's no such thing as "being more likely to get a piece of equipment if it suits someone better." Yet, because it is truly random, even if the "overall drop rate" fits a normal distribution curve, occasionally, a few players might have exceptionally bad luck or extraordinary good fortune. In such cases, the only remedy is for the administrators to intervene and generously compensate those with bad luck. As for the extremely fortunate ones, well, there's nothing to be done. If they get something, you can't just take it back, can you? Though he occasionally entertains darker thoughts, Chu Guang reassures himself that his actions are principled. He never goes back on his word, retaliates after the fact, and always uses the power of rules when possible. But honestly, Brother Quanshui sometimes has absurdly good luck, to the point where even Chu Guang, pretending to be an inside man with "game secrets," can't help but wonder if this guy is cheating. Similarly, the unluckiest of the unlucky is astonishingly unlucky—as though he committed some grave sin in a past life... In the study of the B4 level of the shelter, Chu Guang lounged on a sofa, sipping milk-laden tea while scrolling through the forums. At this moment, My Darkest Brother, who was filled with negative energy a second ago, was now thrilled—perhaps even gloating—over a screenshot of his "Golden Legend." What My Darkest Brother didn't know, however, was that drawing the Golden Legend wasn't due to any "change in fortune" or pre-luck mouse rituals, but rather to the benevolent intervention of A-Guang. "Xiao Qi, be honest with me—did this guy really manage to draw twenty ramen coupons through sheer luck?" Xiao Qi, perched in a pen holder, looked exasperated. "Master, don't you trust Xiao Qi?" Chu Guang took another sip of tea and shook his head. "Not really. It's just that his sheer unluckiness tugs at one's heartstrings, lowering our credibility through sheer force." Some players on the forums always claim there's an inside plot with the expansion pack lottery, but there really isn't. At best, if you're too outrageous or delusional, you might not get the "visa" to enter another world—that is, the helmet. To be fair, he didn't know Quanshui outside the game, so if there were any corruption, it certainly wouldn't involve the guy. But objectively speaking, unlucky cases are in the minority; most players have managed to draw quite a few good items. With the recent surge in the alliance’s power, the players' reward pool has become richer. In addition to high-tech equipment originating from the shelter's blueprints and manufacturing center, the pool also includes equipment commissioned for testing by enterprises and their subsidiaries, as well as experimental equipment designed in collaboration with the alliance's scientific expedition team and relevant units. Things like plasma cutters, magnetic slingshots, neural acceleration modules, and portable rocket launchers. These gadgets are more for fun than serious combat, hard to consider effective on battlefields, yet possess certain utility in wasteland adventures. For instance, to reach "resource points" inaccessible through normal means, equipping a rocket pack and enhanced tendon implants might just enable someone to fly—or jump over to it. Moreover, while the plasma cutter might not surpass the deadliness of a Deathclaw's claws, unveiling it could give a Deathclaw pause. Additionally, popular items proven in combat are planned for mass production and will be available for players to purchase in the in-game store. Generally speaking, such items are usable only by players. As for other wasteland dwellers—well, they'll need exceptionally good fortune. Chu Guang browsed through the forums, watching players creatively use their rewards, unable to help but smirk with satisfaction. That's when Xiao Qi looked up, her voice melodious and clear. "Master, the head of the Academy's Directorate of Investigation wishes to discuss with you... concerning their missing research vessel in Avent City and the 'pseudo-nest' from the 'Tower of Worlds.'" The pseudo-nest is what the Alliance Bio-research Institute calls it. According to Xiao Yu, that entity isn't significantly related to the mutant mycelium mother nest. From the Academy's behavior, they clearly possess intelligence unknown to the Alliance. But they've always been so—ultra-sensitive when it comes to technology, even regarding "directions" beyond the technology itself. Chu Guang slightly arched an eyebrow, his interest piqued. It seems the research vessel holds more significance to the Academy than he initially thought. The Director of the Four Divisions, as an A-level researcher, already counts as part of the core inner circle of the Academy. Beyond them lies the sole S-ranked Chief Technical Officer Mu Bei, and beyond him, the enigmatic Dr. Conclusion. "When?" Xiao Qi: "He is already near Dawn City and wants to know when you are available." He's already here? Setting the teacup back on the tray, Chu Guang indicated to the waiting X-16 to clear it for him, rising from the sofa. "Have him wait for me in Conference Room 1 of the Alliance Building." --- Alliance Building, Conference Room 1. A middle-aged man, about 40-years-old, sat at the conference table. His appearance was unremarkable, someone you'd lose in a crowd. The silver-white researcher's uniform he wore was also a common style in the Academy. A staff member approached and poured him a cup of coffee. The man whispered thanks, then sat still, quietly waiting. Soon, footsteps could be heard outside the meeting room, followed by the door opening. Seeing Chu Guang enter, the man stood up from the table, courteously saying: "Honorable Administrator, greetings. I am Qi Liu, Director of the Academy's Directorate of Investigation. My apologies for disturbing you without an appointment amid your busy schedule." "No need to be so formal, Mr. Qi. I happened to be on a break. As I have no pressing matters at hand, you're not interrupting anything. Please, sit." Chu Guang smiled and nodded, then pulled out a chair to sit across the table. Seeing Chu Guang seated, the reserved Qi Liu followed suit. A staff member approached silently and poured a cup of red tea for Chu Guang. Without wasting time on pleasantries, Chu Guang directly addressed the matter. "My assistant mentioned that concerning the missing research vessel and its unauthorized investigation in Avent City... you have additional information you'd like to provide?" Hearing the slightly probing tone, Qi Liu didn't hide anything and candidly acknowledged. "Yes, but please believe our intent wasn't malicious in withholding relevant leads." After speaking, he retrieved a holo-computer pen from his pocket and placed it on the table, gently pushing it forward. Watching the holo-computer pen slide to the center of the table, Chu Guang slightly raised an eyebrow, then looked at the staff beside him. Acknowledging Chu Guang's signal, the staff moved to the table, retrieved the holo-computer pen for him, then exited the room. Chu Guang pressed a button on the pen, and soon a pale blue holographic projection unfolded over the conference table. Displayed in the hologram was a document, including analysis and appraisal conclusions regarding the bioweapon used by Tyr in the decisive battle. However, perhaps due to missing data, the report was largely qualitative, lacking a quantitative analysis section. Skimming through the document, Chu Guang's eyebrows rose with a spark of interest. "Seeds of Gaia?" "Or rather, a Gaia-like organism," Qi Liu remarked earnestly, observing Chu Guang's expression closely. "That's what we call the bioweapon used by Tyr... You must have realized it's something quite different from the mutant mycelium mother nest." "Indeed." Chu Guang nodded, lightly swiping a finger in the air before him, shutting off the holographic display. “Though in our view, the mutant mycelium mother nest appears to be more threatening, Tyr's trick doesn't quite measure up... of course, perhaps you have differing insights to offer?" "I am here for that very reason," Qi Liu nodded with solemnity, continuing intensely, "Misunderstandings arise because you lack comprehensive knowledge of Gaia. Distinguishing threats by mere strength isn't scientifically prudent. Naturally, we bear some responsibility for concealing part of the information." His tone carried a hint of apology. Or perhaps that was his apology. Chu Guang remained silent, regarding the Academy's Investigator Director, gesturing with his eyes for him to continue. Qi Liu paused briefly, then resumed talking. "That was a long time ago, even before the Wasteland Era and the Three-Year War," Qi Liu began. "When the colonists arrived at Nandou-2 and realized they were on a 'living planet,' the colony's researchers conducted an in-depth investigation of Gaia. The results were unexpected; we discovered a hive-like civilization unlike anything we'd ever seen." According to the research reports from the colony, it was a stagnant society. Whether it fell from a higher civilization to this state or slowly climbed from a primitive society, it had lost the ability to evolve socio-economically, both upwardly and downwardly. Chu Guang nodded. "The Alliance's Academy of Social Sciences has similar reports." Qi Liu acknowledged, "I've read it. The report is quite well-written, even by our academy's standards." Chu Guang chuckled, "Well, thank you for the compliment." "It's not a compliment; it's a fact," Qi Liu replied earnestly, continuing, "Although Gaia lost the drive for social evolution, its existence offers immense insights. The report and related studies inspired significant technological advancements in biology, astrophysics, and sociology. For instance, the mind-interference technology you're using now originated from this period." Chu Guang was aware of this. In the manager's logs of Shelter 401 near Springs City, it was noted that the mind-interference technology was initially developed as an alternative to the infrasonic barriers used to repel alien creatures. This technology accidentally opened doors to a new world, establishing communication between humans and Gaia, who previously couldn't converse. Many players in the Alliance also use this equipment to communicate with Xiaoyu's avatars. However, at the time, this technology sparked considerable commotion, being misappropriated by unscrupulous companies for marketing stunts and thus came under the scrutiny of the Scientific Ethics Committee. Seeing Chu Guang deep in thought, Qi Liu continued. "The effects of force are mutual, as are interactions between civilizations. We learned a great deal from Gaia, things we never imagined, while Gaia was profoundly struck by the complexities of our social forms and individual consciousness. Prior to our arrival, Gaia had always been in solitude, occasionally visited by non-intriguing meteor-born life." "Regardless of why Gaia abandoned its societal structures or any potential individual consciousness, it doesn't remember much of pre-mutation history—what your Alliance report dubbed the 'Great Explosion.'" "Our emergence revealed to Gaia an alternative cosmic possibility—provoking it to ponder what its 'children' might look like if they existed, or what its 'parents' might have been." "So it's intrigued by our legacy," Chu Guang mused. Qi Liu nodded slowly. "This sparked debate in the academic community. Some believed understanding human society could foster exchanges and social progress, possibly even making Gaia a steadfast ally. Conversely, others argued that awakening a prehistoric titan was fraught with danger, as its lifespan might dwarf human history, and we risk a giant exterminating us." Chu Guang nodded in agreement. "Such concerns are warranted." Indeed, its progeny had already consumed many, Springs City included. Xiaoyu’s integration into the Alliance was largely thanks to the Wastelanders’ adaptation rather than a defeat of the mutant spores—a reality beyond eradication. The spores, like other aberrations, have become part of the ecosystem. Rather than wage a futile war, the focus shifted to control and coexistence. Qi Liu continued, "One side's conservative scientists worked through the Scientific Ethics Committee to tighten legislative reins on technological excess. Meanwhile, radical scientists—the so-called 'leftists' in your terms—offered assistance. Using the technology learned from Gaia, they helped it clone its offspring." Chu Guang offered a wry smile. "That's quite a bold notion." Compared with such audacity, the Alliance's radicals seemed tame, merely displaying unnecessary empathy toward the Barrenlanders, ensuring they wouldn’t choke with spoon-fed provisions. Qi Liu nodded, "Indeed, even in a permissive era tolerating genetic modifications and human-android marriages, giving birth to Gaia's children was avant-garde... after all, it's another species." "Setting aside the uncontrollable risks of such experiments, there were significant ethical controversies. Gaia lacked the ability to split into another persona, necessitating a human volunteer with intact mind to provide the mental template—even if the volunteer was willing." Wait— This all sounded perplexingly familiar to Chu Guang, triggering memories of Luoyu. Although their situation differed slightly, the coincidental parallels were uncanny. Qi Liu, oblivious to Chu Guang's nuanced expression, solemnly continued, "Though deemed insane by many, fate intervened. With Gaia's active cooperation, the seemingly mad experiment surprisingly succeeded." "Thus, an entity endowed with a Human Federation citizenship emerged—a completely new form of life determined by consciousness. Using gender, age, or skin color to define it was superficial. If it desired wings to fly or gills to swim, it could manifest them—provided an environment rich in nutrition." "Some hailed it, envisioning technology's role in planetary terraforming, broadening human habitability. Others were anxious, fearing humanity would mutate into legendary creatures." "But regardless, the technology's invention was inevitable—preceding our ‘Gestalt Entity’ achievement by fulfilling another's ‘Amorphous Lifeform’ milestone. Philosophically, it represented another evolutionary branch—'I am it, and it is the whole.'" A slight bewilderment emerged on Chu Guang's face. "...Is this Gaia's Seed?" The boss that Old Bai vanquished so effortlessly was such a groundbreaking entity?! Qi Liu, eyes serious, nodded. "A war-crazed control-freak transformed into a tentacled monstrosity. Tanks or artillery were no longer required. Given enough time and the entire Province of Batoia, he would've been a one-man army... Fortunately, you cornered him before he abandoned his final restraint. Timely decisions left no opportunity for revival." Chu Guang coughed lightly. "...Perhaps it’s because he didn’t fully grasp the technology he possessed. It's unlikely the Enlightenment Society would disclose everything." "Enlightenment Society..." Qi Liu laughed, shaking his head, "those clandestine radicals know little, at most acting as pawns." Chu Guang frowned slightly. "...Are you suggesting the real masterminds are the 'Celestials'?" The descendants of the expeditionary force hidden in Lagrange Point Station... Purportedly harboring remnants of the Torch Church's outsiders. So, was it this bunch that supplied Tyr with the ultimate weapon?! Using the Enlightenment Society as intermediaries... Seeing Chu Guang deep in thought, Qi Liu nodded gently, confessing the academy's long-kept secret. "The Celestials." "They alone possess both the Human Federation's and the Colony's technological archives... the sole survivors with mastery of 'Gaia's Seed.’" "If they still qualify as survivors, that is." To be continued.