Although this month wasn't exactly uneventful, it was quite stable, with everything proceeding methodically according to Ryu's plan.
As the new generation "gaming helmet", the appearance of the AmuSphere is actually more like VR glasses; its structure is simple, light, and convenient, and the volume of the host server has been correspondingly reduced. What is commendable is that despite so many lightweight modifications, the virtual effects have not weakened too much. While it cannot compare to the full-power [NERvGear], it far exceeds other products of its class.
Ryu found it quite incredible that such a step could be achieved solely by optimizing algorithms without major hardware breakthroughs. But when Akihiko Kayaba brought up "quantum physics" to explain it, Ryu had no choice but to accept it.
In Ryu's view, that stuff is no different from metaphysics, so there was no need to delve too deeply into it.
He trusted the chips he brought back from the instance world more. He was currently unsealing them selectively, allowing Kayaba and the others to digest them step by step. Ryu would only release the more explosive material after the Kuse Group's research team had thoroughly mastered the "basics".
By combining that with Kayaba's quantum physics, they might just be able to create black technology even more advanced than that of Cyberpunk. After all, this guy is practically a cheat in the fields of AI and virtual reality; in the later stages, he could even touch upon the analysis of the "soul", whereas Cyberpunk is considered weak in that aspect.
On the game operations side, ALO and the new devices were naturally a huge hit!
The budget-friendly price and portable size made it more popular than the helmets. Now, some people even specifically take their servers to net cafes, bars, and similar places to run group sessions.
—Even though connecting online would suffice, they still chose to meet offline.
The reason for this, aside from the small circles of enthusiasts, was largely due to the gaming platform "Electric" recently launched by the Kuse Group, as well as the built-in development module [The Seed].
"Electric", now abbreviated by the public as the Power Platform, allows players to purchase, download, discuss, upload, and share games and software.
As if to encourage civilian creators, the platform provides development modules—essentially Akihiko Kayaba's intelligent engine—for free. As long as one uses this module and the assets within it, even a university club can develop their own small-scale virtual game.
The "Power Platform" welcomes this greatly. It does not extract patent or copyright fees, requiring only compliance with several agreement terms. For example, games developed using the "Seed" can only be sold on this platform and must accept the platform's cloud storage technical support... and so on.
Generally speaking, large conglomerates would suck the marrow out of civilian developers, or wait for the opportunity to ripen before stepping in to pick the fruit. Who knows how many prospective great gods have fallen under corporate "angel investments".
(And if you don't accept angel investment, they might not even give you the qualification to get on the platform to be butchered.)
But as for the terms of the "Power Platform"... aside from fair, they are simply fair; they could almost be called charity!
Is this still a capitalist? Well, I'll be damned!
It wasn't until the platform extended an olive branch to those independent game creators, inviting them and their teams to join, that everyone suddenly realized—believing they now understood—the Kuse Group's "true intentions".
Single-person workshops and civilian teams cannot compare to corporations in terms of productivity and funding. The large-scale MMOs under the Kuse Group's name exist in a different ecological niche and do not constitute a competitive relationship with them.
However, creators who can make a name for themselves on their own must have outstanding talent. Recruiting such people actually enhances the Group's technical reserves—this is how the strong get stronger!
Those wild creators were very happy. After all, the platform's terms were not mandatory; even if you refused, your game revenue wouldn't be suppressed. And joining a big company as a technical backbone is a very good destination for most people.
One must realize that many people have ideas but no resources and simply cannot demonstrate their value, potentially spending their whole lives in wasted time.
But now, the Kuse Group provided the platform and the basic tools. You only need a little more initiative to turn ideas into reality, and then compete fairly based on ability—this is practically charity!
At first, some suspected this was some kind of trap, that the Kuse Group was weaving a net to monopolize the leading position. But gradually, people really made money from indie games, and people really got corporate contracts, and those who insisted on independent status were not subjected to any suppression...
The nature of the matter began to change!
Of course, this is currently limited to Japan—the Kuse family can cover it, and there is no intention to expand overseas for the time being.
The time for Kuse to ride the wind will come when the world situation changes and Sawai Sōichirō begins to act.
Speaking of Sawai, he successfully concluded his visit to Japan, obtaining varying degrees of support from zaibatsus like Kuse, Suzuki, and Karasuma, with several others making more or less promised commitments.
Even those indifferent to the TPC did not antagonize him. It seems they don't think highly of its prospects, but if he really manages to make a stir, they will definitely show goodwill immediately.
People like Akihiko Kayaba, Higa Takeru, and Kōjiro Rinko accepted invitations to become members of the TPC.
And Ryu proactively built bridges for Uncle Sawai, establishing a good relationship with the Fujiwara family—this family isn't the most powerful in Japanese politics, but it has perhaps the longest heritage and the widest network.
The above is only a part of the personnel Sawai contacted. Before coming to Japan, he had already been emailing and video calling many scientists. The main purpose of this trip was to meet formally and confirm each other's stances and concepts.
The best example is Dr. Yao. This expert, who developed the Maxima Power System in the original work, has not yet thoroughly researched the theory, nor does he have sufficient resources for verification research; he can't even make a small-scale device (the resources required for his theory are at the particle collider level).
However, his idea of "providing cheap and clean energy for humanity" merged smoothly with Sawai's philosophy, and he decisively accepted the invitation.
—Before this, Ryu hadn't even heard of this person; it seems he was another one who "spawned" at some unknown time.
The one who surprised him the most was Professor Agasa!
He is a relatively free scientist and inventor without too many entanglements of interest. What is valuable is that he possesses a kind heart and fully agrees with the concept that "science should be applied to benefit humanity," hitting it off instantly with Sawai!
However, this person is quite lazy and not very willing to leave his comfort zone, so he also stayed in Japan, but his wisdom will become an aid to Sawai.
—Honestly, the breadth of connections and the depth of talent Sawai displayed surprised even Ryu a little.
But this isn't something to be envious of, as the two are not on the same track:
Sawai builds a community based on programs and beliefs; his powerful personal charisma and extraordinary political skills merely reduce the difficulty of doing these things.
This man spent twenty or thirty years preparing. He has already united many talented people around him who identify with his philosophy. Once the climate is right, he will have an unstoppable momentum.
And Ryu?
All resources and manpower are absolutely centered on him. There is no shared philosophy; everyone simply acknowledges, fears, respects, and follows him personally.
Of course, envy aside, Ryu does not intend to learn Sawai's way, because that requires investing all energy into managing the organization, which would not be worth the loss for Ryu.
One contributes oneself to the organization, while the other makes the organization serve oneself—there is a decisive difference between the two.
By the way, when it comes to drawing SSRs, Sawai has the strong luck to be saved even after being kidnapped by aliens (more than once); how can Ryu compare with that?~
The rest concerns the new company, [Blue Dream Group].
Preparations are going smoothly. Before Sawai left, Ryu explained the company's future blueprint to him and easily obtained his support. Now, the two are in a cooperative relationship.
There are also many scientists within the TPC who possess humanistic care and have decided to participate in research regarding medicine, Braindance, and cybernetics; they are very willing to provide help to Ryu.
Anyone else might worry about Sawai mixing in sand or the TPC taking over, but Ryu is eager to be bound to the TPC—the deeper, the better!
These are dry shares before the IPO!
Even if we really can't beat the big snail in the end, when fleeing on the "Ark", we'd be able to get a few more boat tickets, right?
On Ryu's side, the relevant technology is already prepared as a complete set. What is needed is localized magical modification. Such work is both tedious and massive; having the TPC's help can be said to greatly reduce the pressure.
As for whether they will be puzzled by technology that is slightly beyond the times?
Go talk to Akihiko Kayaba's "quantum mechanics"!
(Actually, [Braindance] can be classified as virtual reality, and Akihiko Kayaba had already researched to the level of the soul (Fluctlight), so replicating emotional fluctuations isn't that incredible.
regarding cybernetic implant technology, the real world also has very advanced products. Perhaps it exceeds the era, but not enough to overturn the scientists' worldview.
What really cannot be explained are the "materials science", "energy transmission", and "energy storage" parts; that is true black technology!
So this part is temporarily kept secret and not shared externally.)
Aside from setting up firewalls for the company intranet, Lucy's daily routine involves picking people from the network security department to form a professional hacker team.
She cares very much about those children, so she has also begun to learn about cybernetics, and she is improving rapidly.
Ruri is a very busy person. Whether it's the new company or the release of new products, she needs to ask about the situation constantly, and then select information to submit to Ryu for review.
As for Ryu himself,
He has been surprisingly well-behaved this month. He is either at school, at the company, or communicating with Sawai. Every weekend, he goes to Mount Sukuna to seek Nishikida Kagetatsu for "Illusion" and "Kendo" training.
His life was both regular and fulfilling, so this month passed quickly~
By the end of the month, the last batch of resources he prepared for the instance world had also arrived. Finally, everything was ready!
"Lord Ryu, is it the same as usual? Send these supplies to the designated warehouse?"
"That's right. I'll go 'check' them later."
Ryu finished reading the list of goods and nodded with satisfaction.
He couldn't be sure at what point in time he would enter Delicious in Dungeon, or even if it would be the main plot, so he made multiple contingency plans. The resources required for each were slightly different, so the luggage this time appeared a bit "bloated".
Just "packing" it up later would probably take most of the day~
"One more thing. I'm going to start my secluded cultivation. Clear my schedule for me."
"Understood."
Ruri nodded without surprise. In fact, she had long considered this possibility and was already adjusting the schedule.
"Is it still that century-old hot spring inn?"
"Yes."
Ryu smiled slightly, appearing to be in a very good mood, which made Ruri curious.
When he did "secluded cultivation" before, Lord Ryu didn't seem this expectant. The location is the same this time... is there something different?
---
The golden hourglass vanished into the darkness, the silver pocket watch began to spin, and Ryu's figure gradually faded away...
Splash!
Icy lake water submerged him, instantly blocking his nose and mouth. The sudden accident made him choke on a couple of mouthfuls of water.
But this didn't keep him panicked for long; he calmed down very quickly. [Demon Brain] even began to imagine his feet wearing merman flippers, and his skin turning into shark skin with countless fine scales.
An incredible thing happened. As he swam upward, the water pushed by his soles actually faintly showed the ripples of flippers, and his posture became as fast as a real shark, leaping out of the water surface in just two seconds!
Huff!
Breathing in fresh air deeply, his lungs distributed oxygen to the capillaries of his whole body like a blower.
Only then, as his field of vision widened, did Ryu realize that not far from him was a platform rising above the water, looking like a temple pillar.
"...I should have been transported to a safe place, but the structure of the dungeon itself changes, so was there an error?"
Without time to think too much, Ryu leaped onto the top of the stone pillar and began to check his belongings. But just at that moment, a melodious and lilting singing voice drifted into his ears.
That tone possessed a penetrating power difficult for humans to reach, instantly attracting Ryu's attention, making him uncontrollably want to continue listening. The constantly rippling water surface also seemed to have some magic, making him want to get closer—
"Tsk!"
Suddenly snapping to attention, Ryu frowned: "Mermaid?"
He reached into his pocket and swiped, pulling a square black speaker, a full meter tall, out of the "zipper" that distorted spatial proportions.
Mermaid Counter-Measure:
The Know-It-All King's Battle Hymn, activate!
A round of powerful music rang out; it seemed to be a very old song...
Young man!
there's no need to feel down!
I said ~young man!
pick yourself off the ground...
OHOHOHOH~~~
Young man
________________________________________
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