Chapter 112

Chapter 112: Artificial Soul 39

The comment section and bullet screen on the video website were closed off, preventing Kuixīn from gauging the general reaction of the common folk. She refreshed the forum only to find a latest message saying that Old Kang’s video had been pushed to the trending list.

86l: Indeed, there are fearless netizens willing to try. The comments left me seething to the point of a cerebral hemorrhage; it feels like they have a reverse effect with the warning. My advice to everyone is not to look at these comments, as it leaves you doing nothing but ruining your health.

87l: Over the years, anti-intellectualism has become more prevalent.

88l: One doesn’t have to mention anti-intellectualism; without personally experiencing the transcendence, who would believe everything Old Kang said was true?

89l: Now, some bloggers have made videos analyzing frame by frame whether Old Kang’s video used any special effects. That blogger claimed there were no effects, and someone questioned if he colluded with Old Kang for game marketing.

90l: Advise everyone not to post any remarks online; when chatting with friends and family, be especially careful. Disabling the microphone function on your phone is best. In the era of the internet, there is no privacy anymore. As long as you post, people can trace back to your home through cybertrails. There are numerous instances of people being harassed and exposed online; we should all be more cautious and not underestimate someone’s limits.

116l: Old Kang’s video has been uploaded to foreign websites with subtitles added.

117l replied to 116l: This will make Old Kang globally renowned.

118l replied to 117l: The views count isn’t that high, just a few hundred or so. Videos posted by Chinese nationals there get throttled, plus this account has no fan base.

119l: Even with subtitles, I doubt the spread will be significant due to language and cultural barriers.

120l: Is there an intrepid foreign gamer willing to upload a foreign version of the video as a warning?

121l replied to 120l: It won’t be easy. Someone might start, having the courage to do so, but don’t forget that anti-intellectualism is far more severe abroad compared to here. Their social environment and culture differ significantly from ours. Even if someone steps forward, their cautionary influence would likely be minimal.

133l: Report! There’s indeed a foreign gamer posting a video explaining the basic background of Crimson Soil and showcasing his Extraordinary Abilities.

133l soon posted several screenshots showing a person who seemed to be invisible like a chameleon, with empty clothes floating in mid-air, giving it an eerie horror film effect.

Someone went onto foreign sites, watched this video, and translated crucial sentences before posting them on the forum.

149l: This gamer is off his rocker, stirring things rather than advising against it. He uses encouraging tones, saying you obtain superpowers entering that world, gaining a new life, rebirth… I strongly suspect his motives are impure.

150l: Although what he said is correct in his video, he mainly spoke about the benefits of the Second World, ignoring dangers and risks, suggesting impure motives.

151l: Don’t doubt, there are individuals who harm others without benefitting themselves. They might think since they’ve suffered already, why not cause others to suffer too? Thus, by urging others to play the game, their heart finds solace when others suffer.

152l replied to 151l: I also believe such people exist. Not because they are inherently evil, but this game easily distorts oneself. How many can preserve their core self in that cruel world? People in reality are ordinary, selfish yet kind, but after the Second World experience, how much kindness remains?

153l replied to 152l: Bad is bad, regardless of surroundings.好人不会因为进入坏的环境就变成杀人犯。

154l replied to 153l: What I meant is, without that adverse environment, most people would remain ordinary in reality, doing nothing harmful. Yet, due to the environment’s influence, they become corrupt. It’s rather bittersweet.

155l: These past weeks I’ve thought more about life than ever before and appreciate life more. Only after experiencing can one value the ordinariness.

156l: Recall last week’s revelation that the Federation in the Second World was brainwashing players? At the time, some guessed that traitors might arise among them. I think the foreign guy posting inflammatory content is exactly such a traitor.

157l: But could a traitor be this foolishly proactive? I feel this person is merely malicious…

Kuixīn closed the topic and refreshed the forum homepage for other intelligence posts.

Regarding Old Kang’s video, if uncensored by official authorities, its impact might only become clear after a few days due to necessary time for public opinion to ferment. Short-term observations or reactions from specific groups wouldn’t yield accurate insights.

Time—everything needed time.

Yet, within a week, those 100,000 player slots would be announced. Once that happens, a tidal wave of players would flood the forums making timely intervention impossible.

Kuixīn continued refreshing the posts and saw discussions of major events in Hei Hai City, directly related to her.

“Have everyone seen the news from Hei Hai City? The Deputy Director of the Investigation Bureau was assassinated by terrorists.”

Main Post: The news shocked me for an entire year. Hei Hai City is among the Federation’s key port cities, thriving economically and similar in status to New York City in a beacon country. The Investigation Bureau is also powerful, with the director’s status comparable to a mayor. If you compare it to the First World, imagine the international storm if a government official this high up was assassinated.

1l: No wonder the Second World is so surprising.

2l: Which terrorist organization was responsible?

3l: From now on, I should pay more attention to news. Working tirelessly daily in the Second World, I haven’t even had time to look at the news properly.

4l (Original Poster): This matter caused a significant commotion, making mainstream media headlines in the Second World. It remained on the news pages until the Return Day, shocking the people there as much as us. Strangely enough, a few even cheered.

8l: I kept an eye on this news. The official report states that “Mechanized Dawn,” a terrorist group, planned and executed the assassination. This group is now wanted globally, offering a reward of 100,000 federation credits for any clues aiding capture, 500,000 for critical leads, and 1 million for assistance in apprehension.

12l: Hey, I know this. Apparently, the deceased deputy director was part of a wealthy clan’s lineage, not just the official bounty but also significant private rewards worth millions, capped at 30 million! Impressive, right?

16l: That’s a deputy director. Must have bodyguards, presumably Awakened beings. What kind of terrifying force is capable of assassinating him despite such protective layers?!

17l: My question is, what’s the goal of this terrorist organization? As a terror group, they’re likely at odds with the Federation government. What could they gain by killing a political figure like this?

18l: Might be political strife commissioning assassination.

This post received moderate engagement as most were preoccupied with anticipation for the beta test and Old Kang’s video.

“Friends, my穿越地点位于第二世界，是个信息滞后的不毛之地。有时候外界已有消息，我却难以获取。要是有人能在帖子中分享第二世界的重大新闻该多好，我想了解更多关于那个世界的事。”

Main Post: As requested. No need for personal intel, just summarize the important events for me, thank you so much!

1l: So, even the advanced Second World has information gaps?

2l (Original Poster) replied to 1l: Yes. My starting village matches first world’s Equatorial Guinea in coordinates, harshly desolate, arid, and impoverished, severely polluted and devoid of resources. Almost starved upon arrival.

3l: OP, watch out for your personal info!

4l (Original Poster) : Won’t be an issue. No one visits such a place. You want to know why it’s so poor and polluted? It’s wasteland, abandoned by the Federation. There’s the most radioactive factory, sick from radiation. More tragic than even Africa’s poorest nations.

5l: OP, heartbreaking.

6l: Apologies, OP. Can’t help much, usually don’t keep track. Next week I’ll focus on tracking news while in the Second World and update you here.

7l (Original Poster): Thanks everyone.

8l: Though I haven’t memorized all, I noticed some major pieces: Deputy Hei Hai City Investigator Inspector Lin Xinji was killed by terrorist “Mechanized Dawn,” a high official allegedly embezzled 30 billion credits…

Then, the polar ice mining incident resulted in over 30 fatalities, insurers dodging responsibility and refusal to payout. Lastly, environmental scholars condemned whale hunting ships, protests against technology firms’ neural interfacing tech…

9l: Add one more: civilian versions of neural interfaces will soon be available, mental health professionals can now treat patients with brain-computer interfaces. Policies are evolving on this front. From a trusted source on the forum, mixed views on the brain-computer interface seem warranted.

10l: And a progressive advocating human rights during her speech was shot dead, culprit still at large. People took to the streets, protesting and demanding arrest, resulting in a stampede and casualties.

16l: Head spinning from all these news. The Second World is indeed a bottomless cesspool.

17l: OP, can you provide more details on the Wasteland?

18l (Original Poster): Will cover that tonight, after work. Second hand of reality still demands my attention.