Chapter 29: Now, It Is Your Turn

“Hello, may I speak with Mr. Lu Yuxi?” A pleasant female voice came through the phone, strikingly similar to the tone of the Fantasy system prompt.

Since when had my phone number become so widely known? Out of politeness, I replied courteously, “This is he. May I ask what this is regarding?”

“Mr. Lu, good day. I am Luo Yun, head of the Public Relations Department at Xingrui Group. I apologize for contacting you unannounced, but I wish to discuss the recent sensational PK incident at the forum.” Unlike Xiaoxue’s crisp and melodious youthful tone, Luo Yun’s voice was soft with a mature, magnetic resonance that stirred an inexplicable urge within.

Since this was a call from a senior executive at Xingrui, they must already have a resolution for the incident, one that surely involved my interests—hence the polite inquiry for my opinion. A plan forming in my mind, I calmly responded, “Oh! I’m quite eager to know your resolution. I imagine the intelligent mainframe developed by your three top networking companies must have a truthful record of the entire process. If you make that public, wouldn’t everything settle down peacefully?”

Luo Yun couldn’t glean any hint from me and, realizing that without explaining the company’s decision clearly it would be hard to reach consensus, reluctantly said, “We have absolute confidence in the intelligence of the Fantasy mainframe. We never suspected any bugs. The whole incident was stirred up by someone behind the scenes, causing extreme panic among players. We reviewed the mainframe’s records—your innocence is undeniable! We hope you can understand our predicament. MMORPGs are complex ecosystems of many players; if we cannot present a ‘reasonable fact’ that everyone accepts, the unrest won’t cease. Of course, we won’t distort the truth. We only ask your permission to disclose your equipment attributes and some other data. We know this invades your privacy, but we hope for your understanding. Our company will provide appropriate compensation. What do you think?”

Damn, that was just sacrificing my privacy to quell everyone’s doubts! I retorted, “Miss Luo, I’d like to know—if you lived under constant public scrutiny, with no privacy and every move of yours known, would you still enjoy playing the game and be able to develop within it?”

“Sorry, Mr. Lu. I didn’t explain clearly. The disclosure of your equipment and some data will be a one-time thing. For instance, the key point of suspicion in this incident was the skill attached to your golden necklace. We will only publish its attributes on the equipment leaderboard. As for your other equipment and skill potions, we will only display your current stats on the website. We won’t interfere with any future changes you make. All this is to rationalize the strength you demonstrated in the PK video. Additionally, we hope to include your PK footage in the ‘Fantasy Highlights Collection’ as promotional material. Of course, we will pay you corresponding advertising fees.” Luo Yun patiently explained.

This approach didn’t harm any of my substantial interests. Revealing my character data simply showed my current strength, which wouldn’t negatively impact my future development—only shattering my wish to remain low-profile. Since I was already prepared to accept any outcome, their compensation and advertising fees were an unexpected gain. With interest, I said, “As a devoted Fantasy player, I support your decision if it can resolve this smoothly. Also, I’d like to learn the specifics of your compensation and advertising fees.”

“On behalf of Xingrui Group, I sincerely thank you for your understanding, Mr. Lu. This incident made us aware of some shortcomings in our company, which we will promptly address to ensure no similar mistakes occur again. We hope you won’t pursue those silly slanders on the forum; most are innocent victims misled into panic and lost reason. Once we reveal the truth, they will surely regret their reckless actions. Our company will compensate you with a diamond helmet worth 100,000 RMB and 200,000 RMB in cash. If you agree, we will pay 600,000 RMB in advertising fees to acquire all rights to this footage. Your local manager, Mr. Zhen from H City, will contact you to discuss contract details. We have already provided him with your contact information. Should he be unable to resolve any issues, you may call me directly. Thank you for your cooperation.”

After hanging up, the unexpected windfall left me in a daze, almost disbelieving the reality. I pinched my thigh hard. “Ouch…” The pain was sharp.

“Ha ha…” I laughed heartily, releasing the sudden joy. “Come on, I’m a spinach, veggie veggie veggie… Come on, I’m a banana, banana banana banana…”

“Bang!” An unknown object struck my head. Could it be another pie falling on me? Chuckling again at my own wit.

Xiaoxue at the door could no longer bear it. She grabbed my ear and scolded harshly, “You lecherous wolf! You laughed so indecently just from a phone call. You must be up to something bad! Even books can’t wake you—have you fried your brain?”

The sharp pain near my ear snapped me back to reality. That was close, really close! I almost ended up like Fan Jin.

“Ouch, let go, Xiaoxue! You’re about to tear off my ear!” I yelled in pain.

***

“You still feel pain? That’s good. I really thought your brain short-circuited. What’s got you so happy?” Xiaoxue eyed me like an alien, curious.

“Well, that’s a secret!” I smiled mysteriously.

“Hmph, you must be thinking of some dirty scheme, laughing like that! Spill it.”

“Ouch…”

***

On August 5th, just after midnight, Fantasy officially lifted the closure of the Chinese regional servers and published the truth behind the “August 3rd incident” on their website:

“Due to numerous players questioning the strength displayed by player Blue Bat during the PK in Forgotten Ruins on August 3rd and accusing the character of having a bug, our company accepted this matter at the joint request of hundreds of thousands of players. After thorough investigation, the Fantasy intelligent mainframe ran smoothly without any anomalies. The alleged bug is baseless. Data recorded by the mainframe confirms Blue Bat’s strength was normal. To clarify the truth to all players, with Blue Bat’s consent, we will disclose part of his data. Furthermore, after consultation with Blue Bat, his ‘August 3rd PK’ footage will be included in the ‘Fantasy Highlights Collection,’ making him the first Fantasy star. Any unauthorized recording or broadcasting of this footage will be considered infringement. We wish all players a joyful Fantasy journey!”

Hours after the official announcement, at the Asahi Club headquarters in Mihua Building, Nansaka City, Japan:

“Matsumoto-kun, how is your progress in Fantasy?” a middle-aged man dressed in a kimono asked his respectfully bowed subordinate while skillfully preparing tea.

“Sir Okada, we have organized over two thousand players into Fantasy. Once the guild system opens, we will be the first to create a guild and become the largest in Greater Japan.”

“Matsumoto-kun, you never disappoint. Any updates on the bug incident causing such a stir on the Chinese Fantasy forums? Those foolish Chinese always love dog-eat-dog fights.”

“The Chinese are stupid; they don’t deserve the fertile lands of East Asia. According to their announcement, no bug existed. That Chinese player named Blue Bat won by strength and strategy against overwhelming odds,” Matsumoto replied.

“Oh, such a strong Chinese player! Do you currently have subordinates with that level of strength?”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Okada-san. We have yet to cultivate such talent,” Matsumoto hung his head in shame.

“Baka! Not even up to the level of a Chinese player. You have two months to surpass them in Fantasy, or you’ll have to commit hara-kiri with the samurai sword I gave you to show loyalty to the Emperor!” Okada’s tone was stern as his porcelain tea cup spilled across the table in anger.

“Yes, sir!” Matsumoto responded respectfully.

***

“Matsumoto-kun, our Greater Japanese Empire’s battlefield against the Chinese will shift to Fantasy! Keep a close eye on the Chinese player who was the central figure in this incident. He will surely become an obstacle to our advance into China!”

***

At the seaside villa of the renowned Mod company president in Country A, the young CEO in a pale yellow robe and brown sunglasses leisurely enjoyed watching a group of blonde women barely covered by strips of cloth splash and play.

“Boss, there’s new development on the Chinese ‘PK incident.’ After analysis by the three major companies, no bugs were found. The whole thing was just hype!” a subordinate in a suit reported.

The CEO shrugged off his shoulders habitually, expressing skepticism. “Chinese people love to be cunning! I wonder what tricks they’re playing by making such a fuss over a fake bug incident?”

“They love internal strife! I don’t like the Chinese—they’re always scheming!”

“Tom, we don’t need to like them, only their money! China is a big, ripe piece of meat everyone wants a bite of. In Fantasy, we must speed up strengthening our forces and recruit elites from every class. When the borders open, we must seize Chinese resources first.”

“I’ll follow your orders!” Tom knew his boss demanded decisiveness and efficiency. As he turned to leave, the boss called out, “Wait, Tom. See if you can contact the player Blue Bat who was involved in this incident. He’s a strong player. If we get his help, we can cultivate influence in China through him. Whatever he asks for, just report it to me. Chinese people all like money; the only difference is the size of their appetite.”

***

At the European Mountain Hawk Organization’s G country branch, in the St. Bilu Cathedral confessional room, a refined priest respectfully reported to a noble bishop:

“Your Excellency, the matter you instructed me to monitor has reached a conclusion.”

“Proceed,” the elderly bishop said, conserving energy to maintain his dignified and sacred image before the faithful, speaking succinctly.

“As you suspected, there was no bug. The Chinese bug incident was deliberately incited by someone behind the scenes. The greatest beneficiary of the resolution is the central figure of the event, Blue Bat! He has been recruited by Xingrui Group as a Fantasy star,” the priest carefully relayed the intelligence.

After hearing this, the bishop closed his eyes in contemplation. After a long pause, his voice reached the priest’s ears: “Inform the Hawks to identify who instigated this incident. Establish contact with them and cultivate our agents in China.”

The priest received the order and quietly withdrew.

***

Fantasy MMORPG