I'm in Conan, I'm not a gangster

Chapter 748 Learning in the game without killing everyone else?
The noise and excitement of the press conference hall were kept out by the heavy doors.

Inside the restroom, the gleaming marble countertop reflected the cool white light, and a faint scent of cleaning agents filled the air, creating a tranquil atmosphere that was distinctly different from the outside.

Shiraishi E and Conan stood side by side in front of the large mirror, each carefully opening the small box from Vermouth.

The specially made contact lenses lying quietly inside gleamed with a subtle, peculiar luster under the light, unlike ordinary lenses.

Conan picked up the thin, cicada-wing-like lens and awkwardly slipped it into his eyes, muttering to himself with doubt, "Just wearing this and entering the game like a normal player... is that really enough? Doesn't the whole process sound a bit too... simple and straightforward?"

He was used to dealing with intricate puzzles and plans that required meticulous reasoning, and this passive way of execution made him feel somewhat uneasy.

Shiraishi E's movements were much more practiced. He deftly put on his glasses, blinked to adjust to the foreign sensation, and said in a rather relaxed tone, "I don't understand the specific principles and techniques either. But they are professionals, and we are laymen, so it's always right to listen to the experts."

He glanced at Conan's furrowed brow in the mirror and added, "It's just wearing glasses to play a game, it's not like I'll lose a piece of flesh, so why not give it a try?"

Conan adjusted the position of his glasses in front of the mirror. Rationally, he felt that Shiraishi E's words made sense, but another kind of worry rose in his heart.

He lowered his voice, his expression serious: "There's another problem. What if... I mean, what if Vermouth uses us and disappears with the contents the instant the USB drive is cracked? With her abilities, we'll have nowhere to look for her!"

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi E turned on the tap and slowly rinsed her fingers, which had just touched the contact lenses, with the sound of running water.

He looked at Conan through the reflection in the mirror, his tone calm yet carrying a strange certainty: "So what if they ran away?"

"Huh?" Conan turned his head sharply, his face full of disbelief: "You're incredibly careless!"

How can such an important potential clue be treated with such a dismissive attitude?

“It’s not about being carefree,” Shiraishi E turned off the tap, pulled out a tissue to carefully dry her hands, turned around to face Conan, and a meaningful smile appeared on her lips: “It’s about confidence. Understand? No matter where she runs to, I can catch her!”

Conan was speechless at his appearance and couldn't help but retort, "Confidence? I really don't know where your inexplicable confidence comes from..."

He simply couldn't understand how Shiraishi E could remain so calm and composed in the face of such a mysterious and unpredictable figure as Vermouth.

Shiraishi E's smile deepened, but she did not answer.

Where does this confidence come from? It comes from the system, of course!

His ability to cheat is his greatest support in the face of all uncertainties.

He didn't explain further, but simply patted Conan on the shoulder: "Don't think about it too much, let's go."

After saying that, he turned around first, pushed open the bathroom door, leaving that quiet space to Conan who was still thinking, and then returned to the game launch event venue outside, where the light and shadow were dazzling and an unknown adventure was about to unfold.

------

Inside the Mihana City Hall, the press conference venue, named "Cocoon," was a dazzling display of light and shadow, bustling with people.

Shiraishi E and Conan mingled in the crowd, waiting for the game to officially begin. Both of them looked around listlessly. Conan's sharp gaze swept over the well-dressed children surrounded by their parents. He lowered his voice and, as if announcing a program, accurately identified their identities: "Look over there, the son of the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Department, the grandson of a financial tycoon, the eldest son of a heavyweight politician in the ruling party, and the beloved grandson of the president of Tokyo University... Ha, the 'second generation' and 'third generation' who carry the future of Japan, they've all gathered here today."

Since Ai wasn't around, Shiraishi E could only complain on her own: "This is simply a microcosm of the ugly Japanese hereditary system. With this kind of hereditary system, this country is doomed!"

Conan nodded in deep agreement: "Yes, the son of a politician is destined to become a politician, the son of a bank president will become a bank president... and so on, there is no hope for this country."

Just as the two were giving their "sharp critiques" of social phenomena, two familiar figures walked over—it was Yusaku Kudo and Professor Agasa.

Shiraishi asked with a hint of curiosity, "Mr. Kudo, how come someone as busy as you still has time to personally serve as the planner for a game?"

Upon hearing this, Kudo Yusaku smiled elegantly and explained in a relaxed tone, "I only offer advice; the actual actions are up to the people below... So, I seem to be quite free."

His gaze fell on Shiraishi E, carrying a subtle, unspoken meaning, as he added, "I hope Shiraishi-kun has a lot of fun this time."

Shiraishi E understood immediately, knowing the task implied behind the "pleasantness," and nodded calmly: "I understand."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the opening music of the press conference began, and Yusaku Kudo and Professor Agasa took their leave and headed to the guest area.

On stage, the host enthusiastically introduced the revolutionary technology of "Cocoon": "...We use state-of-the-art microwave stimulation of the nervous system to create a fully immersive virtual experience that is absolutely safe and 100% harmless to the body..."

The lengthy introduction lasted for more than ten minutes, after which the spotlight shone on Yusaku Kudo.

He calmly took the stage and, in his capacity as the game's story supervisor, began to explain the grand worldview constructed by "Cocoon" and the wonderful setting of the five historical stages.

He spoke eloquently for nearly half an hour, and after whetting the appetite of all the audience, the trial session finally officially began.

Shiraishi E and Conan joined the queue as they walked towards the game pod, which resembled an eggshell.

While waiting in line, Conan carefully observed the participants around him and whispered to Shiraishi E, "There are a total of fifty spots, but only about ten are real children. The remaining twenty or so are young adults, and nearly twenty are middle-aged people... It seems that the target audience for this game is mainly young and middle-aged people."

Shiraishi E, with a "this is normal" expression, analyzed, "Of course. Think about it, the cost of this 'Cocoon' device must be astronomical. How could an ordinary child afford to buy it?"

"It can only be consumed by economically independent adults. Moreover, the price is probably unaffordable for ordinary families, so only the rich and powerful can afford it."

He paused, then continued, letting his imagination run wild: "Even if some parents grit their teeth and buy it for their kids, they'll most likely justify it as 'for studying.' Think about it, in a game, someone can fall asleep and still use microwaves to enter the game and continue studying. Wouldn't that drive all the other students crazy?"

Conan was speechless after hearing this overly realistic speculation, and he rubbed his forehead, saying, "That's true... but can't you think a little more positively?"

As the two spoke, the line moved forward quickly, and soon it was their turn.

Shiraishi E and Conan each headed towards two adjacent egg-shaped game pods.

They took a deep breath and sat in the futuristic seats. With the help of the staff, they put on their equipment. The hatch slowly closed, shutting out the noise of the outside world, and they waited for the unknown virtual adventure to officially begin.

(End of this chapter)