This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 481: This is the "Punishment" for Selfish Desires (Second Update!)

Chapter 481: Chapter 481: This is the "Punishment" for Selfish Desires (Second Update!)

Oasis No.8.

Li Ke, who was about to sleep in the palace, suddenly received a communication request from the rear.

"What? The mother sample has been found?!"

Hearing this, he who was a bit drowsy a second ago, was instantly alert.

Limited by distance and endurance factors, communication drones could only maintain ten to twenty minutes of uptime over Oasis No.8.

He had to keep his words as brief as possible.

"Whose possession is the sample in?"

The person on the communication channel continued.

"It’s in the hands of the Beacon team. They sent a message to the nearest signal tower to the Wandering Swamp through emergency means, but due to the loss of the mobile communication base station during the operation, the Investigation Department can’t get in touch with them temporarily."

Researchers valued intellectual property rights highly; it was not only a matter of honor but crucial for their promotions.

Teams from the Investigation Department’s containment plan group, when assigned to specific operations, needed to report to their immediate superiors and were not allowed to skip levels or disclose information to unrelated personnel outside the project group.

This was a rule and a taboo.

However, there was an exception.

That was when the exploration teams accidentally lost direct communication channels with their superiors, they could refer to the "priority preservation principle" and report important news to the next higher-level department that could receive the message, and then by that department, the message could be conveyed.

All actions and measures taken by the Beacon team fully complied with the Academy’s regulations.

However, the trouble was that this message should have been reported up to the Chief Technical Officer by himself, and now any researcher with a slight bit of energy probably knew about the existence of that mutant mother sample.

This could be problematic for him who first discovered this merit.

Especially since that test tube was not in his possession, there would likely be many researchers willing to trade with the Beacon team.

Buying a few explorers was too easy.

Just let them hang a name on a few papers or outright allow them to publish a few research findings under his own name; no explorer could resist the temptation to become a researcher.

And for those who were already researchers, the opportunities for promotion they craved were as plentiful as corporate paper money in the labs of the Investigation Department.

Li Ke, tapping his index finger on his knee, frowned and muttered lowly.

"Operation... My orders to them were to follow those people, what action did they unilaterally plan?"

The man on the other end of the communication channel said helplessly.

"According to their statement, they indeed kept following the Alliance from behind, and maintained a safe distance of five kilometers without acting... but they were ambushed by people from the Alliance and corporations."

Li Ke angrily said.

"They had drones, how could they possibly get ambushed by people from the Alliance and the corporations?!"

A hesitant voice came through the communication channel.

"Well... I’m not sure either, but according to them, they repelled the attackers from the Alliance and the corporations during the operation, and took the opportunity to snatch back previously captured team members, successfully escaping with a truck and mother tissue fragments taken from the Alliance."

Li Ke closed his eyes and thought for a long time, then slowly said.

"Alright, I understand."

"And this matter..."

"Let’s talk when they get back."

If they are sensible.

He wouldn’t mind purchasing that sample for three papers worth 10,000 assessment points and a Level D achievement as compensation for their casualties.

If they are not sensible.

Then assign them to an Level A or Level S relic to handle...

...

In the Academy where money didn’t exist, scores were everything.

Assessment scores (K-scores) determined the rating levels, while reward scores (G-scores) could be used for exchanging consumer goods to improve living conditions or for purchasing research equipment, investing in exploration team gear, and more.

Completing assessments was a top priority for researchers within the span of a year.

Whether A-class or C-class, only by meeting this year’s KPI targets could one ensure receiving sufficient or even excess "funding" — that is, reward scores — and producing enough K-scores to maintain their current positions.

To be promoted, assessment scores alone were not sufficient; the queue would be endless.

To prove oneself eligible for more resources and intelligence, researchers had to submit sufficient research achievements.

Take the most numerous, Level D explorers, for example.

According to Academy rules, Level E and Level D explorers who wished to become official needed to pass at least one professional skill assessment and be designated by a Level C researcher or higher.

A Level C researcher could only take on three students at most, and could not recruit new ones until those students reached Level C.

Advancing from Level E or Level D to Level C without resources could easily take ten to fifteen years.

While the original intention of this rule was to ensure that mentors devoted themselves to a limited number of students, because mentors who had already recruited three students would hardly act as bootlickers, most Level C researchers with a modest background were very cautious in selecting students.

If not chosen by a mentor, Level D explorers could only become Level D researchers through fully accredited Level D achievements.

When this rule was first established, meeting these criteria was not very difficult, as the Wasteland had plenty of opportunities for development.

However, as more and more relics were excavated, finding a Level D technology that the Academy had not yet recorded, based solely on remaining databases and map information, became nearly impossible.

It was like reaching the end of a game and not being able to unlock that one remaining achievement — it might not be very rare, but you just couldn’t unlock it in the first playthrough.

For an explorer without resources or connections to independently develop a new technology and have it classified as Level D was extremely difficult.

Otherwise, the identity of Academy researchers would have inflated just like corporate money.

However, although it was extremely difficult for researchers without a foundation to obtain assessment scores and research achievements, it was not a problem for the academic elites who owned their own laboratories and research teams.

After more than a hundred years of development and mastering the rules, they had devised a stable method to produce "K-scores" and sub-Level D achievements.

This included but was not limited to dissecting one technology into countless sub-technologies that meet Level D criteria or innovating numerous minor but limited utility improvements for a technology that had been reclaimed.

Not to mention, the External Affairs Department and Internal Affairs Department even developed a set of "evaluation standards" completely unrelated to research.

For example, the "war mediation" project that a Level B researcher was currently engaged in.

Even if it fell short of expectations, as long as the mediation result was within the bottom line, it would still qualify as a Level C achievement.

Level D achievements could be produced, and Levels E, F, and G could also be mass-produced. However, a Level C achievement was still worth striving for by a Level B researcher.

After all, if a significant achievement beyond the expectations of the Chief Technical Officer could be achieved, who knows, they might even earn a Level B!

And if they had accumulated enough experience beforehand, or had the support of a family background, or both, they might even advance further to Level A!

At Level A, one basically joined the core management of the Academy. Serving directly under the Chief Technical Officer — who was only Level S — was a prestigious position.

This was precisely why that Level B researcher, who had witnessed Xiaoyu, could neither give up the mutant subject nor neglect his ongoing work.

Chu Guang didn’t know the name of the Level B researcher who had assigned the task to the Beacon team, nor did he know what that guy was scheming.

He merely reconstructed the outline of the entire event using his experience as a plot designer, as well as clues such as the operational trajectory of the "Reindeer" tread vehicle, a "statement" from a Level E female explorer, and intelligence on the Golden Lizard Royal Family collected by the Battlefield Atmosphere Group during the journey—

First, someone from the middle to high levels of the Academy had traveled to Oasis No.8, likely tasked by higher-ups to mediate the war in Luoxia Province.

According to a description from Edge Shoveling, he heard rumors while in the Grand Canyon—the Academy’s higher-ups had expressed displeasure with the inactivity of the Grand Canyon regarding the nuclear incident in Lost Valley, and the people of Grand Canyon responded with, "What’s it to me?"

Strictly speaking, based on the century-old contract, Luoxia Province, serving the Post-War Reconstruction Committee, should belong to the sphere of influence of the Grand Canyon.

However, after fostering the unreliable proxy of Bugra Free State, the Grand Canyon clearly no longer wanted to deal with the messy issues of the Wasteland; they contentedly became a large refuge protected by the Holy Shield, even passively ignoring the "Bone-Chewing Chaos" happening right under their noses.

If the Grand Canyon was not planning to interfere in the situation of Luoxia Province, and the Academy was unwilling to give up the Golden Lizard Kingdom, a food-producing vassal, they would inevitably send a middle to high-level person with authority to mediate in Luoxia Province.

Level C was too low, Level A was too high to risk, so the person sent had to be Level B.

And it was there that the coincidences happened.

Xiaoyu piloting the "Dragonfly" transport plane and the young fellow he picked up in mid-air were gliding right to the edge of the Wandering Swamp along with Falling Feather.

Such a huge commotion was impossible for the survivors in the Wandering Swamp to miss, and if it were a Survivor Settlement under the Academy’s banner, they would surely report back to the Academy deep within the swamp.

Once the incident was categorized as "an aftermath of the War," it made sense for it to be handled by that "supposed B-level researcher" who had gone to Luo Xia Province to mediate the war.

Then Xiaoyu’s sub-entity was spotted by that B-level researcher, who dispatched the Beacon team to reclaim it.

Chu Guang even boldly speculated that if the pilot of the "Peidao" fighter plane was still alive, he might now be held by the Academy as a bargaining chip.

Upon discovering that the mother entity was controlled by the corporation, in order not to compromise the paramount mission of "mediating the war," that B-level researcher chose to adopt a cautious strategy, not launching an all-out interception by the Golden Lizard Kingdom against the corporation and Alliance teams.

Of course, it could also be that the Golden Lizard Kingdom yielded to the Alliance’s deployed forces in Luo Xia Province, resisting pressure and refusing the Secret Country’s requests.

Perhaps things were just such a coincidence.

Even Chu Guang, who had sorted out the whole affair, found himself somewhat amused.

Of course, what surprised Chu Guang even more was Old White.

"You abducted their researcher???"

"Cough, it was an explorer... and we didn’t abduct her; we had left her by the truck, and she came over on her own."

Watching the astonished Manager on the holographic screen, Old White explained awkwardly, even using "we" to share some of the blame with his buddies.

According to Fang Chang, this was actually simple; the affection level had reached the critical point, triggering an off-main quest hidden branch—"Academy Explorer’s Defection.EVENT"

But explaining this to an NPC was probably pointless.

He remembered reading Crow’s complaints on the Forum a long time ago. If you bluntly asked a Manager, "Hey, what’s my affection level?" the answers you got were likely just poker-faced statements like "There’s no such setting" or "I’m not that kind of person."

However, according to the hints on the Forum by Dog Plan, it was obvious that the affection level setting did exist; it’s just that NPCs themselves were unaware of it.

Worried that the Manager wouldn’t understand the situation and might suspect her motives for joining the Alliance, or even arrest her as a POW or send her to a POW camp.

Watching the Manager behind the holographic screen, Old White stated cautiously.

"Respected Manager... I think you needn’t worry too much about an abandoned E-level explorer. The Academy doesn’t know she’s alive, and she has no reason to remain loyal to the Academy. Her knowledge and experience are exactly what the Alliance needs."

He admitted that he did have a bit of self-interest in saying that.

But it was not as Night Ten jokingly teased about being superficial; he was not the type of person who let his moral stance follow his facial features, and he didn’t harbor any such thoughts.

If Zhao Xiao had stayed, he would have pleaded for the young man just the same.

The reason was simple.

She had decided to leave her past behind and stay, drawn by the trust she placed in him and her aspiration for the Alliance he had depicted.

He simply didn’t want to betray that trust, nor did he want someone who dreamed about the Alliance to be disappointed by it.

Call him simple-minded or say his game neurons have been biased by muscles; he didn’t have the meticulous mind like Fang Chang, most times, he was just ensuring the coherence of his thoughts.

If Ms. Chen did something detrimental to the Alliance or was a spy sent by the Academy, he would not hesitate to bring her to justice.

But if she had done nothing, and was merely being subject to arbitrary action based on suspicion...

He couldn’t accept that.

Watching Old White on the holographic screen, Chu Guang couldn’t help but be amused.

This was the first time he had seen such a "cautious" expression on this guy’s face.

Though he had never seen Old White’s photo in real life, the man who instantly picked the top lane when playing online games, who always jumped into P City in survival games, and faced any number of consecutive defeats with a smile was always a "Three-second True Man"—the image of Tryndamere in his mind.

The comparison might sound abstract, changing it to the quirky winter-swimming pigeon, Ollie, would make it much clearer.

All in all, that hesitant expression didn’t suit his face.

Chu Guang’s lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

Just...

Play along with him.

"You’re overthinking it," Chu Guang slightly raised his chin, looking down at the player before him. "Lift your head and puff out your chest. I won’t fault you for having personal desires, but your hesitation makes me doubt your loyalty."

Old White hastily explained with a wry smile.

"I didn’t mean that—"

"It doesn’t matter," Chu Guang interrupted him, continuing in an undeniable tone, "your current state isn’t suitable for staying on the front line. I order you to leave the war zone, take the flight arranged by Falling Feather back to the City of Dawn’s Army Command, and rest there for three days. This is your punishment."

Chu Guang paused for a moment, then slowed his speech, looking at this brother who regarded him as an NPC, and continued earnestly.

"The Alliance doesn’t care about lineage or background, whether it’s Weilante People, researchers from the swamp, or wandering scavengers. Even if they were once our enemies, as long as they are willing to unite under the banner of the Alliance from their hearts, we treat them all equally... You’re a corps commander of the Alliance; others might harbor concerns and prejudices, but you shouldn’t doubt our path."

Old White couldn’t bear to look into his eyes for a moment and said with shame,

"Yes."

Odd.

It was clearly just a game, yet he didn’t know why he was so deeply immersed; could it be the "Talent" sequence?

Seeing Old White admit his fault, Chu Guang didn’t want to tease him further and softly coughed before continuing.

"Don’t take it too heavily, just think of it as a vacation. It’s probably good to have that explorer go back with you. This place is no area for her. If you get the chance, take her around and let her understand our Alliance... There’s no rush with work."

Goodness.

It turned out to trigger a hidden mission.

Old White, who thought he had fallen out of favor, breathed a sigh of relief and bowed with a fist.

"At your command!"

Three days isn’t too long, just think of it as a rotation.

Though he was reluctant to leave his brothers and go to the rear alone, he believed in their abilities to handle things perfectly without him.

Unaware of Old White’s thoughts, Chu Guang took his understanding as appreciation of his intentions and was satisfied as he ended the communication.

Watching the holographic screen close, Chu Guang finally couldn’t hold back a laugh.

"Ha ha ha ha! How interesting!"

Seeing Chu Guang suddenly burst out laughing, Xiao Qi, who sat on the edge of the pen holder, asked curiously with both hands supporting her cheeks,

"Like creating an alt account with a pretty girl’s picture to chat with roommates as if you’re a college sister?"

"Get lost, who the hell would do such a despicable thing."

Chu Guang glared at Xiao Qi sitting on the edge of the pen holder and flicked this talkative figurine into the pen holder with his finger.

He couldn’t remember if he had ever done such a thing.

Campus life was such a long time ago.

Pretending not to hear the clattering and pitiful pleas from the pen holder, Chu Guang leaned back in his chair contently.

The crash incident had come to an end.

Although the troubles of the Alliance were far from over, with the Academy’s sudden interference, the impact on the situation in Luoxia Province was still unknown.

But that’s exactly why he existed as a Manager—

He would lead this young Alliance to show those ancient "Degenerate Empires" their uncompromising bottom line and their determination to resist to the end.

Chu Guang’s gaze involuntarily drifted towards the calendar at the corner of the desk.

Perhaps one day in the future, he would reveal a little bit of the inside story to those four sons caught up in the great vortex of "Wasteland OL"—for instance, that Dawn in the game and Ah Guang on the forum were actually the same person, and then watch their comical expressions.

But now it was still too early to talk about these things.

Even his own understanding of the truth was merely the tip of the iceberg.

-

(The extra updates promised at the beginning of the month have been moved to the end of the month, but no pigeons.)