Chapter 2417: Being Normal Is Abnormal
When Xu Huo came to Platinum Eye before, he had heard Xin Rong mention the energy conversion chip. It was said to be an energy chip with low cost but extremely powerful output, not even requiring too many rare materials. This wasn't just about reducing weapon costs; it could also maximally bypass the game's thermal weapon restrictions.
"Not that one." Xin Rong waved his hand. "The energy conversion chip never went anywhere. The latest generation of weapons has made further refinements in energy, with power superior to previous products."
Platinum Eye's weapons updated very quickly, with artificers and engineers constantly introducing new innovations. This was also an important reason why Platinum Eye was so famous in the game.
Xu Huo had seen many armed robots, but compared to humans, they were definitely not flexible enough. They were quite good for maintaining public order in cities and large-scale battles, but for players, they were somewhat mediocre for actual combat.
When it came to armed robots, Xin Rong and the others were experts. Platinum Eye's armed robots were mainly sold to other districts. Whether it was district governments using them to maintain order or powerful individuals buying them as bodyguards, they were good choices.
The only bad thing about robots was that they could be completely disabled under interference. Of course, that was still considered acceptable, as there had been cases of robots turning against their own side on the battlefield due to command issues. Platinum Eye's robots were so popular because their signal receivers were special and less susceptible to interference.
Of course, in this regard, Platinum Eye had also been constantly innovating, and they also produced jammers.
Since the Mechanical Castle hadn't released the robot's specifications yet, Xin Rong and the others could only speculate on the parts used in the robot based on what they currently knew. As they talked, they started arguing, especially those whose families were in the mechanical parts business. They argued fiercely over whether the technology could be cracked.
It was simply that they believed their own family's technology was already leading at Platinum Eye, and the Mechanical Castle couldn't possibly surpass them in innovating this technology.
These young people had great faith in Bai Kou, but they trusted their own family's artificers and engineers even more.
"Stop arguing so much!" Xin Rong called them to order. "Once I get the robot and take it apart, won't everything be clear!"
Several people at the same table knew that Xu Huo had Bai Kou's Platinum Badge. Although they didn't say it outright, their words hinted at their expectation that he could get the robot in advance.
They stopped there and, after chatting for a while, turned the topic to eating, drinking, and having fun.
Because of the advanced technology, many of Platinum Eye's entertainment options already used holographic simulations. Games similar to holographic instances were numerous and varied. Not only ordinary people played them, but players sometimes went in for training. The realism of the games was almost like living a second life. Whether pursuing someone else's experience or simply seeking thrills, it could all be done safely and harmlessly. Therefore, some minor forms of entertainment could no longer bring people pleasure.
Of course, some people pursued extreme sensations, wanting the feeling of possible death at any moment. Such risky projects were usually located elsewhere and required signing a contract to participate.
Except for Xin Rong, who frequently entered instances, the others present had basically never struggled to survive in instances. So when adventure was brought up, they were quite interested in exploring some remote places or districts.
"We're going to play in a mutant forest in a couple of days. Xin Rong, come with us," someone suggested.
Xin Rong had drunk a bit too much. "No, no. Doing instances is already exhausting enough."
The people sitting next to him all laughed. "It's not like your family can't get you a Gray Player identity. Why do you have to go take risks in the game? Isn't that too dangerous?"
Xin Rong glanced at Xu Huo, who was savoring his drink alone, and said, "You don't understand. Heroes always walk alone. My family are all businessmen. Someone has to become a powerful player."
Although the others didn't quite agree, they expressed understanding. After all, there were many ways to stand out.
The group chatted late into the night. People nowadays had abundant energy, and going one or two days without sleep had no effect at all. After leaving the bar, they were going to the next event. Xin Rong and Xu Huo left early and went to one of Xin Rong's residences in the commercial district.
The apartment was on the top floor and very spacious. As soon as they entered, the robot arranged everything properly. Xin Rong kicked off his shoes and lay down on the sofa. "I stay here when I have nothing to do. From here, you can see the most prosperous area of Platinum Eye. At night, there are light shows everywhere. It's easy on the eyes."
Even as he said this, his gaze didn't look outside. Instead, with a hint of chagrin, he said, "I used to like it. But then once, I fell into a xenomorph's lair in an instance. You don't know—when I opened my eyes, there were glowing eyeballs all around me. That scene... it's given me psychological trauma. Sometimes I wake up suddenly from sleep and get startled by the lights outside. You know that feeling, right?"
Xu Huo didn't say anything and had the robot give him the water that was meant for himself.
"Honestly, I'm also a Super Evolver, but my mental fortitude is far inferior to yours." Xin Rong rubbed his forehead. "I've recently made an appointment with a psychotherapist, hoping to adjust before my next instance."
He was usually bold because of his wealth, yet he could still be scared into having psychological trauma.
Xu Huo asked a couple more questions, and Xin Rong detailed the instance for him, emphasizing the instance's eeriness and the xenomorph's terror.
"On the first day of entering the instance, three B-level players were killed by the xenomorph. And those were B-level players, considered mid-to-upper tier in the game. Yet they died so easily, like ordinary people with no ability to fight back."
"If my mental power weren't strong, I probably would have died in there too."
"This ticket was obtained after I cleared that last instance. I feel like the game is giving me increasingly difficult instances, harder and harder to handle. It's a kind of difficulty that's a bit beyond my understanding."
"Having been to so many instances and districts, I never thought there could be a place in the world that completely overturns my perception."
"Old Xu, I'm only telling you this. My other friends definitely wouldn't understand."
Xin Rong propped his hands on his knees, a deep weariness showing in his expression. "I don't know how much longer I can hold on..."
People who spend a long time going in and out of instances all have some psychological issues to some extent.
"Being able to stay normal in an environment like an instance is actually abnormal." Xu Huo comforted him. "You're normal."
Xin Rong gave a dry laugh, without any special meaning. He leaned back and fell asleep right there on the sofa.
After coming out of the Fish Feast and wasting a few days at the Old Holy Sword Society, he hadn't been able to rest well on the train either. After a full day today, Xu Huo was also tired. Too lazy to find a bed, he sat down in a chair and fell asleep as well.
They slept straight through until noon the next day, when someone from the Xin family came to call them before they woke up.