Well, this simplified version of the chat room Luke designed is truly interesting.
Though it wasn't like the Greed Island system that allowed users' bodies to be fully virtualized into the network world, it was still powerful enough to support countless mobile users being online on the same platform simultaneously, with messages pouring in all at once.
This is all thanks to Ickshonpe, who controls the entire current network world and naturally possesses such a large server.
Had it been any other operator, they wouldn't have been able to run such a real-time chat room!
And Ickshonpe had already noticed that many users inside were posting quite interesting opinions.
Soon, he planned to select a few from among them and, as mentioned in the earlier messages, send out some exquisite small gifts.
He found the idea rather fascinating himself.
"It seems he has let down his guard against me a bit."
Nearby, as Luke continued to immerse himself in boosting his aura capacity, he sensed the gradual shift in Ickshonpe's emotions and the change in his attitude toward him.
The corners of his lips slowly curled upward.
He uses the Woodcutter's Spring within this network world, and then immediately uses the upgraded power booster to strengthen himself further.
All of this was something Luke deliberately did for Ickshonpe to see!
Including his own ability and the means he used to increase his strength, he intentionally revealed them.
After all, if he truly didn't want Ickshonpe to know anything about his abilities, Luke could have easily found an excuse to leave, gone to some remote and deserted place, taken out the Woodcutter's Spring, used it, and then, after using the upgraded power booster to boost his strength, he could have leisurely returned to the network world.
That way, he could have hidden both his ability and strength, perfectly concealing his growth.
However, doing so would only make Ickshonpe increasingly wary and defensive of him.
Ultimately, he would become less and less trusting.
Luke felt that as partners, they should demonstrate some trustworthy sincerity.
So, Luke revealed some information about his ability to him.
Ultimately, in the near future… If the internet truly developed into what it would be like a decade from now… He guessed there would be very few secrets in the world that Ickshonpe wouldn't discover.
The power of the internet is the strength of this person.
So powerful that even Ickshonpe himself might not know the extent to which the internet would evolve once it flourished and reached global coverage.
By that time, Luke felt that Ickshonpe would likely know about his ability.
After all, the conditions for activating his ability were simple and easy to discern.
Just like how Ickshonpe could already make a good guess now.
Rather than waiting for that future moment when Ickshonpe would still be wary and on guard against him, it was better to dissolve that sense of resistance now and let him understand what his actions were really for.
Otherwise, in their future collaboration, Ickshonpe might always hold back and take extra precautions in mind.
That would be truly unnecessary.
Since they wanted to cooperate, they should be open and honest. Luke also demonstrated his sincerity.
Without compromising his fundamental interests or endangering his own safety, he revealed his abilities to the fullest.
He clearly sensed the shift in Ickshonpe's attitude after his sudden realization.
And this was exactly what Luke wanted.
Ickshonpe had clearly come to his senses and demonstrated his sincerity:
These firewalls are the perfect response!
The conditions required for Luke's ability didn't hinder Ickshonpe or the network world in any way.
On the contrary, the fulfillment of these conditions largely depends on the network.
In other words, the better the network world develops, the more users become internet users.
Then Luke will seize this opportunity to further fulfill the conditions for his ability.
It can be said that Luke's own interests are also based on promoting the development of the network world.
So, Ickshonpe understood what Luke meant, that there was no conflict between them.
In fact, they shared the same goal: to make the network world even better.
Therefore, there was nothing more to say.
The two hit it off immediately; this was a true win-win cooperation.
So, to protect Luke, Ickshonpe thoughtfully gave him a large number of firewalls.
This could be considered Ickshonpe's feedback and response.
From now on, the two of them would no longer have the estrangement they once had.
Everything was developing in a mutually beneficial direction.
The two tacitly agreed to further their partnership. With this mutual benefit, Ickshonpe was happy to provide Luke with some assistance.
This network world would be the perfect place for Luke to improve his strength.
And speaking of improving his strength…
"It's truly an upgraded version of the power booster. I can clearly feel the increase in aura far surpassing the previous level..."
After comparing the before and after, Luke and his body were both in the perfect position to judge.
After experiencing such a level of enhancement several times over, he could easily stand at the peak of this world!
"There are still thirteen years before the start of the original main storyline… thirteen years, more than enough!"
Luke slowly closed his eyes, carefully feeling this surge of power.
Thirteen years of strengthening would be enough to provide him with an immense level of power.
If it weren't for the fact that Nen's abilities were so abstract and subjective, full of unpredictable and uncertain possibilities, capable of suddenly forcing growth or awakening power equal to one's future, fully trained self, then Luke might have already dared to walk this world fearlessly.
But precisely because of the existence of Nen ability, there were infinite possibilities here.
Everything had to be approached with respect and caution.
Luke's approach was to arm himself to the teeth, whether in strength or through invention; if he mastered both, he would truly have the confidence to hold real power in this world.
"True freedom isn't about being able to do whatever you want…"
Luke's soft murmur began to echo through the network world.
"It's being able to not do what you don't want to do."
Everyone has their own definition of freedom, especially in this world.
What Luke desired was freedom from interference from anyone.
And with these inventions in hand, plus this power booster that would boost his strength, Luke believed that day would not be far off.
The launch of the chat room caused a stir within the Hunter Association.
This chat platform, established through mobile phone networks, has indeed attracted considerable attention.
This is especially true among the discerning and intelligent professional hunters.
They naturally see the value of this chat room.
It could provide an exchange platform for active professional hunters.
Just that one sentence already contained enough value to make people take notice.
For a time, there were plenty of undercurrents stirring; many people were eager to act.
Especially after Ickshonpe presented the so-called exquisite gifts to some commentators.
Some professional hunters tried their best to obtain these gifts, and then immediately set about trying to determine who had created them.
What they could think of, Ickshonpe could also consider.
He wouldn't leave such an obvious loophole.
Thus, those hunters who wanted to trace the source ultimately found nothing.
And just as they were about to take more extreme measures, the Hunter Association directly intervened and called it off.
[This is truly an interesting place, Hohoho.]
When a user posted this message in the chat room, everything was settled.
The Hunter Association issued relevant documents supporting the existence of this chat room.
Furthermore, the chat rooms were divided into two categories: one for all professional hunters.
The other, once the internet was fully developed, would be open to all internet users.
And since the chat room was open to professional hunters, the name was also changed.
It was called the Hunter Chat Site.
Yes, this was the prototype of the future hunter forum website.
And with the Hunter Association's endorsement, this clearly meant…
[We have been recruited.]
In the network world, Ickshonpe held the cardboard in one hand and, with the other, picked up chopsticks and plunged them into the steaming hot pot before him.
Amidst the billowing mist, Ickshonpe's chopsticks sank into the scalding red oil.
He picked up a piece of beef roll and placed it on his graffiti face.
He didn't know how he managed to eat it, but Luke could only see a delightful expression on his face.
The taste was simply divine.
A hotpot could be eaten like this, so spicy, so scalding.
Who on earth came up with this idea?!
"I used to be curious about how you eat."
Luke said, stirring a piece of luscious beef tripe in the pot. "But now I'm even more curious."
[My business isn't important.]
Ickshonpe's scribbled eyes remained fixed on the large slices of meat simmering in the pot: [The main point is the chatroom, no, it should be called Hunter Chat Site now!]
"I know."
After the beef tripe was cooked, Luke dipped it in his saucepan: "Did you find someone?"
"Otherwise, Chairman Netero, that… Old man, wouldn't easily comment on such a matter."
Then he took a bite, mmm, one word: perfect!
[Yeah, that guy went to find Chairman Netero.]
Ickshonpe kept talking, and the message on the cardboard in his hand kept coming: [After this chat room was established, I knew there would be all kinds of troubles later.]
[Relying on just us, we couldn't support it for long.]
[Not to mention all the other powerful professional hunters and various organizations.]
[For example, V5 and their subordinate factions were all very interested in our chat room.]
[So at that point, we needed someone to back us up.]
"So you went to find Chairman Netero?"
Luke added some tenderloin to the pot.
[It was that guy, Ging, who went to find Chairman Netero.]
Ickshonpe continued: [I contacted him, he contacted Chairman Netero, and then everything was fine.]
[After all, that guy casually handed out the invitation code I gave him to someone else.]
Speaking of that, Ickshonpe got annoyed: [If he doesn't make up for it somehow, I'm seriously cutting ties with him!]
Clearly, Ickshonpe still held some resentment toward Ging Freecss's careless disregard for others' feelings.
Fortunately, when real trouble came, Ging could be counted on.
He personally went to Chairman Netero and had the Hunter Association endorse the chat room.
Of course, that didn't come without a price.
That's what Ickshonpe said: they were recruited.
That was natural, though. After all, Ickshonpe himself was part of the Hunter Association.
So he was one of their own, and it made sense for the association to step in.
Ickshonpe was also perfectly content with the arrangement.
It was good to have a strong backer; once they got through the vulnerable early stage, the network world could grow into a colossal force.
Of course, just like the relationship between Luke and Ickshonpe, the alliance between Ickshonpe and the Hunter Association is a mutually beneficial win-win situation.
Chairman Netero is a seasoned man, and his vision in this area is also razor-sharp.
"What a pity."
In an office of the Hunter Association. Pariston Hill placed the document on the table.
"I had originally thought I could seize control of such a promising industry."
Pariston Hill smiled gently: "But it seems the other party is more vigilant than I imagined."
"The one with the most foresight is Chairman Netero."
He, the future Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association, is also one of the people who clearly see the value of the internet.
He had originally thought he could use this chat room for his own benefit.
But he didn't expect them to join so quickly, and to establish contact with Chairman Netero so quickly.
"If it were just tied to Chairman Netero personally, I might still have a chance to win it over."
"But if it's fully under the association's name..."
Pariston Hill tapped his fingers gently, then shoved the document into a nearby trash can.
As one of the Hunter Association's top brass, Pariston Hill was well aware of one thing.
Although outsiders only knew Netero as the Hunter Association's Chairman, the truth was…
Chairman Netero was merely the Hunter Association's public face.
The ultimate authority over the Hunter Association's interpretation and influence lay with V5.
The Hunter Association is essentially a non-governmental organization jointly established by V5…
It was they who granted the Hunter Association its numerous privileges and the rights of its professional hunters in this world.
It could be said that everything the Hunter Association currently possessed was given by V5.
So, with this chat room backed by the Hunter Association, it was effectively under V5's control.
And if it were to compete with V5 for food…
Pariston Hill didn't think it was a wise move.
"Let's wait and see."
His thoughts shifted quickly, and he immediately pulled out another document from the pile beside him, examining it carefully.