Great, we're doomed now!

Page 10

This was jointly developed by the Jiushi Group and [Rect]. Because it also functions as a server center, its internal structure is very different from that of a typical office building.

Kuse didn't disturb too many people. He went directly from the underground parking lot to a certain floor. The staff on duty saw that it was him and let him through. After fingerprint and iris scans, he finally arrived at his destination.

"here it is……"

Rows of rectangular, black cabinets were neatly arranged like tombstones of data, while an annoying buzzing sound filled the air. In addition, the consistently low temperature made the environment unbearable.

"Isn't this the main server room?"

Liuli asked curiously, "Why did we come here?"

"Wait a minute."

Ye Shou glanced down at his digital wristwatch: "It's not the right time yet."

"When? What are you waiting for?"

"They're not having enough fun yet."

Ye Shou asked Liu Li, "You know, in RPG games like this, you're always figuring out the system and gameplay at the beginning and don't experience much fun until you've been playing for two or three hours."

"Oh~" Liuli nodded as if she understood.

"But what does that have to do with us?"

"Being too addicted to games is not good."

Ye Shou led Liuli out of the computer room. The environment there wasn't very comfortable, and he was afraid the girl wouldn't be able to stand waiting for two or three hours.

As he walked, he said very seriously, "Video games can fuel violent tendencies among teenagers."

What is my master talking about? — Ruri blinked.

How dare you say such a thing? Who's the one who spends seven or eight hours a day playing games?

"Do not believe?"

Ye Shou found the main switch for the power supply system in the central control room and immediately smiled like a sunny and cheerful young man.

"Let's verify that today!"

Chapter 10: SAO Arc, the story ends as soon as it begins!

Today is a big day for Akihiko Kayaba to realize his dream.

People often say that "quantum physicist" and "game producer" are two completely unrelated professions, believing that games are just a hobby for Kayaba Akihiko, and that his main focus is on scientific research.

In reality, both quantum physics and game development are merely tools for Kayaba Akihiko to achieve his ideals, and there is no inherent superiority or inferiority between them.

—"Create a different world of your own."

This was a beautiful dream he had cherished since childhood. He had spent at least twenty years of his life studying and researching to lay the foundation for it, and today he was finally able to realize his wish!

The game's release was a huge success, with players focusing on a next-generation game that could simulate reality, while researchers and capitalists saw the potential in "NERvGear," which could transmit information directly to the human brain.

Imagine what changes this large-scale application would bring to society?

Gaming is just the most superficial aspect. With this device, humans can break free from dependence on the five senses and the physical body, and complete most of their social interactions, learning, and work through the internet.

Even a bedridden patient can still freely roam the electronic world by wearing a helmet!

Healthcare, education, communications, entertainment... and even the military.

Just like the internet in its early days, we can now assert that the next thirty years will belong to virtual reality!

Everyone believed that Kayaba Akihiko was destined to become a great pioneer like Turing and von Neumann, and that online games were just his "hobby," and that whether he succeeded or not would not affect his achievements.

—But Kayaba himself felt the exact opposite.

SAO is a simulation experiment, but it is also a meticulously constructed alternate world. It is a work that truly "poured his heart and soul" into, and its level of completion far surpasses all previous RPG games.

Even the NPCs inside possess advanced intelligence, and according to his calculations, they may even have the potential to develop self-awareness.

He can proudly announce to the world:

He created an almost perfect alternate world within the chaotic vortex of "1" and "0"!

Just one step away! Now, just one more step is needed to complete it and give it true life—

soul!

A true death game wagered on the souls and consciousness of tens of thousands of players!

Some might call him a mad scientist, to which he has no objection.

"Data must be collected by scanning the human brain," "The essence of the structured soul," "Creating artificial intelligence," "All for the future of humanity"—

He could give many similar reasons, and perhaps future generations will use them to exonerate him.

But ultimately it was simply because he was "crazy," a fact he was absolutely certain of and would never repent of!

...He put on the helmet and entered his personal space as the "highest GM." Kayaba Akihiko's virtual image was reflected on the mirror-like temple floor:

A middle-aged man with white hair, dressed in a red robe and resembling a priest.

"Ah……"

Sitting on the throne, which was made of molten gold and silver and inlaid with gemstones, Kayaba Akihiko couldn't help but chuckle.

"That guy—Kusei Kami will definitely be shocked."

When the news that "NERvGear developers imprisoned tens of thousands of players and launched the death game 'SAO'" spread, it was bound to cause a huge uproar. Among the panicked public, the most bewildered person must have been that young master.

Kayaba Akihiko was completely unmoved by the destructive dragons of the financial district or the vultures of Kanto!

Perhaps Ye Shou is very rich and excellent in his professional field, but what does that have to do with Kayaba Akihiko?

To outsiders, their collaboration seemed like a perfect match, but Kayaba was simply using Kuze Yoru's resources to complete his own plans!

Okay, he admitted that the man was indeed visionary and ambitious, and his ambitions went far beyond just a game or even a VR device. He had already used his hired politicians to introduce a new "home-based education bill" in Congress.

If the latest standard network protocol can be rolled out nationwide in the future, and virtual reality can replace traditional teaching methods, what benefits will Jiushijia, which has gained an early advantage, reap?

This cannot be measured by the amount of money involved; it is a power capable of shaking the very foundations of a nation!

What ambition!

If I'm willing to work honestly, Kuze Yoshimori might actually succeed—hehe!

Unfortunately, Kayaba Akihiko's ambitions lay elsewhere; he had no interest in playing the capital game with others.

Soon, he will be heading to the beautiful other world, while Ye Shou can only remain in reality, bound by heavy gravity, staring dumbfounded at the news while wearing a silly and ridiculous expression.

It's such a shame I couldn't witness that moment in person!

All right!

The time is almost up. The summoning process should have started by now. It's time to go out and announce to all the players that the death game has begun!

—Kayaba Akihiko stood up from the throne.

This is his personal space, with the highest level of access and security measures in the entire game. The data models are stored on a separate server to prevent them from being discovered by the government and police in the future.

The personal space contains several operating platforms with different functions, including a large plaza specially designed to accommodate all players, so that he can make a grand appearance... After all, he is the "god" of this world, and he must have some dignity.

He couldn't wait to see the players' shocked and panicked expressions, and to enjoy the entanglements of human love and hate in the long years to come!

hum!

Beneath the plaza, covered by a dark red sky, an enormous figure in a red robe appeared in the sky.

"Welcome to my world! I am God! Everyone..."

Kayaba Akihiko's voice was low and abruptly stopped, as if he were reaching out to embrace the world like a god.

"...Nobody here?"

—The huge square was completely deserted!

After hesitating for a moment, suspecting a network lag or a bug, Kayaba opened the interface, and then...

"The internet is down?"

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Seeing the world map, which had become a "black zone" with no response whatsoever, and the list of IPs with no one online, Kayaba Akihiko was utterly astonished.

Power outage? Internet outage? Nationwide?

No! Even if the power goes out, "NERvGear" has a backup power source (for brain training), and once you log into SAO, your account will be bound and you won't be able to log off. Even if you lose internet access, you'll only be temporarily unable to operate it!

"What's going on? Could it be something in real life...?"

Kayaba took a deep breath, intending to exit the game and check what had happened in reality.

drop!

[Warning! Unable to log out!]

"……what?"

drop!

[Warning! Unable to log out!]

"..."

drop!

[Warning! Unable to log out!]

"??????"

The mad scientist, who called himself "God," wore a dumbfounded expression that belied his intelligence.