Chapter 829: Don't Just Stand Around
Xu Huo's gaze darkened slightly as he seriously looked at Wan Tingfang for a moment before speaking. "According to Director Sanyang, there are quite a few important items in the base. We can't step onto the fifth floor or above."
"Wasn't there hardly any contract staff when we came in?"
"They were fired. The reason? Stealing base secrets." He shook his head. "Being fired is the least of it. The worst-case scenario is being sent to a high-risk instance."
"That can't be..." Wan Tingfang said. "Can't the base restrict player freedom?"
"Have you forgotten that this is a base established by the Game Government?" Xu Huo said. "Since it's nominally a government, there must be corresponding laws and regulations. Although the base doesn't have the right to use force, violating the terms set by the Game Government will definitely result in punishment. It's not hard to track us down with our identity IDs."
Wan Tingfang fell into thought for a moment before saying, "I'm starting to think this job isn't so great either. Who knows, a colleague might make a mistake and we'll be punished collectively."
Xu Huo smiled and handed her a clean pack of tissues. "That's the power of the Game Government. We're just players. To keep playing, we have to follow the rules."
"I feel like there's something behind your words," Wan Tingfang said, pulling off the towel, wiping the blood haphazardly, and slapping on a sterile patch. "Don't worry. I'm curious about what's upstairs, but my life is more important than satisfying my curiosity. I won't drag you down."
"Good." Xu Huo pointed at the flashing dots on the screen. "Since we're here, let's finish the work before we leave."
Wan Tingfang resignedly sat down and complained, "Every day it's these track alarm feedbacks. More than half of them are false alarms, but we still have to categorize and check them one by one. With technology this advanced, why not just use machines to sort them? Is it just to avoid paying wages for nothing?"
Xu Huo didn't say much.
It was actually quite simple. Whether it was tracks or information related to tracks, most of it was handled using serial numbers.
For example, track alarms near Zone 011. Under normal circumstances, using a specific distribution map would be more convenient and direct, but what the base received was just a string of numbers. From zones, stations, to routes, everything was replaced with numbers. At first glance, the entire screen was filled with dense numbers.
It wasn't that the machines couldn't provide more specific information; it was done deliberately. Track information, even for the staff responsible for maintenance, was encrypted. The staff in charge of classification had to quickly categorize it in a specific way within a very short time and assign it to different teams.
Only after receiving the specific maintenance task and boarding the train would the Orbital Supply Department staff get the specific route map.
The same track, the same route, could have completely different numbers and routes the next time, not to mention the inclusion of false alarms.
Even those working for the Game Government, even if they came from wormhole points that had undergone gameification earlier, were not trusted by the game, whether subjectively or objectively.
Even the process of classifying track alarms was recorded as a basis for determining whether a staff member was copying down track numbers.
Train tracks were the foundation upon which the game of dimensional cracks was built. No matter how strict the protection of the tracks, it wasn't surprising.
After working in the office for half a day, as they were leaving the base building, they happened to hear other staff discussing the Holy Sword Society. They said the society had attacked the Game Government in a zone not far from Zone 011 and stolen an important set of experimental samples.
Wan Tingfang frowned. "Experimental samples? Is it another gene improvement experiment?"
Experiments like that were generally not good news. Many of the chaotic xenomorphs came from such things.
"As long as it's not a biochemical weapon, it's not a big deal." Xu Huo's expression was calm. "Is there a shortage of such things in the game?"
Wan Tingfang opened her mouth, then after a few seconds said, "I once went to a relatively backward zone. The Game Government built an experimental factory there. An accident caused a toxic gas leak, polluting more than half of the zone's land. Within three months, over two-thirds of the population degenerated into xenomorphs. I heard from experienced players that this zone might not last a year. Without a new population, with xenomorphs taking over the zone, the instances would also disappear."
"Is this kind of experiment really necessary?"
"You're thinking about the wrong thing." Xu Huo looked at her. "How do you know it was an accident?"
"Not just the Game Government, but some larger game factions directly turn less promising game zones into xenomorph breeding grounds."
Stopping experiments or stealing experimental samples only treated the symptoms, not the root cause. As long as this game existed, such things would never cease.
"So what can we do? The game has absolute control. For us players to turn things around, we'd have to destroy the game." Wan Tingfang shrugged. "But I've never even dared to dream of something like that."
"Aren't there so many people who keep trying? Maybe someone in the future can do it." Xu Huo smiled at her, then piloted his aircraft away.
The vehicle flew a long distance, and Xu Huo could still see Wan Tingfang standing in place. He smiled slightly, withdrew his gaze, and headed to the exchange.
Besides the prop dress he promised Little Pink Hat, he also needed to buy two suitable defense items.
"I'm really sorry, sir. Currently, all the ready-made advanced items have been taken by several dukes. New items haven't arrived yet. Why don't you leave your contact information and purchase needs? If we find suitable items, we'll contact you immediately."
He went to several places, and the answer was the same.
This was the "aftereffect" of the Harvest Festival. After celebrating the harvest, it was time to reward merits. Most of these advanced items were given to players as rewards.
Unable to buy suitable items, Xu Huo had no choice but to return to Rose Castle first.
Mr. Dong and the Painting Woman were trimming flower branches. Yan Jiayu and her stone lion were sweeping the floor and carrying buckets respectively, working very hard.
His gaze shifted to the person sitting in the garden drinking tea. Xu Huo pressed his temples. "Mr. Dong has hired quite a few servants."
"Servants aren't as efficient as players." Bai Kou sincerely suggested, "You could hire some players to do the cleaning."
"Besides, don't they seem happy enough doing it?"
"Don't just stand around. Go cut me a plate of fruit."
Xu Huo called for someone to bring fruit. "Since you have nothing to do, why not help me find someone?"
"I helped you last night." Bai Kou stared at him.
"Thank you." Xu Huo said without hesitation.
"No help." Bai Kou was also direct. "I'm here on vacation. I don't get involved in anything that doesn't bother me."
"However," she changed the subject, "if you write a will stating that the castle will be mine after you die, I'll consider it."
Xu Huo looked her over for two seconds before laughing. "No deal."
(End of Chapter)