The Count’s Youngest Son Is A Player - Chapter 294

Episode 294

“How did the negotiations go?”

“Fortunately, it seems that their interests and ours are quite similar. “The story is going well.”

“How is the migration of players and NPCs going?”

“It is said that recruitment targeting beginners and wandering refugees is showing good results. “If it proceeds without a hitch, we may be able to declare ‘independence’ sooner or later.”

A luxuriously decorated conference room.

About twenty people were gathered together and holding a meeting.

What’s unusual is that the place where they gather is not Earth.

They were gathered in a large hotel ballroom in the Free City of Connect.

First Hotel.

It has been a top-class hotel that has maintained its undisputed first place ever since the launch of the Connect service.

It was extremely popular not only because of the facility itself, which was more convenient than the top hotels on Earth, but also because of the accessibility of the portal that connects various parts of Connect.

The faces of those gathered at the banquet hall were gorgeous.

This is because the heads of the world’s best companies, who would not be surprised to appear on the front page of the news at any time, were gathered there.

Since the nationalities were diverse, it was not strange to say that it was a gathering of entrepreneurs representing various countries such as the United States, China, Japan, Russia, England, and Korea.

But the content of their conversation was anything but gentle.

“I tell you again, you should not trust anyone. The government is too slow to act despite the public’s opinions. And absolutely ignore the idiots who talk about corporate ethics. “People who can’t make decisions when they don’t know what the world will look like right now are of no help at all.”

The person leading the meeting was Gene Ryan, a famous American SNS service entrepreneur.

“Sounds right. Now, the fact that the Earth and Connect are related is not an assumption but a fact. “If you can’t admit it even after seeing that, you’re an idiot.”

A video was playing from a magic screen installed on the wall of the conference room.

The screen, divided into dozens, showed people displaying various unusual abilities.

From someone who simply creates a spark in the palm of his hand to someone who crushes a steel plate with his bare fists.

Although it was a minor supernatural power, the fact that it was filmed on Earth indicated a lot.

“Chairman Alex Song was right. The answer to Earth’s abnormalities had to be found in Connect. Whatever the direction, we definitely need to establish ourselves in Connect.”

“Isn’t that why we created this ‘Pioneer Association’ with several presidents? “Because we must become pioneers who lead the people who lack leaders like us.”

Everyone nodded at Chairman Ryan’s words.

“Then, I will organize the agenda. Through negotiations with the empire, we will establish a base for our forces in the eastern Geumyeok Elemental Jungle. “The large affiliated guilds have already secured considerable territory, but it is still not enough.”

The map unfolded.

The First Guild’s colony stretches along the border between the kingdom and the elemental jungle.

Beyond that, the area occupied by the large guild alliance was painted blue from the south to the upper center.

It was a considerable size, approximately 30% of the total area of the estimated elemental jungle.

And slightly to the north, the elf base was located, and the rest of the blackened area to the east was all occupied by the empire.

“Anyway, we can’t last long with the First Guild or the Kingdom. So there is no need to have a long border with them. “This is a new topographic map that will be formed once negotiations with the current empire are completed.”

The area of the guild union located in the southwest extended upwards from the center.

And a long black passage passing through the southern part of the elemental jungle.

They were planning to provide the empire with a path to the kingdom.

“Once the Empire secures a passage, it is inevitable that it will clash with the Kingdom and the First Guild! All we have to do is take advantage of the gap in their war. Either completely drive out the First Guild or attack the Elves and take away their assets. And if the Empire is not as powerful as we thought, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for us to attack the Empire and take over the entire Elemental Jungle.”

Of course, it was still just a concept, but if everything went according to plan, there was nothing to lose.

And those gathered here had enough power to make this plan work.

The greatest power called ‘money’.

“So, presidents, please continue to focus on securing Connect Gold. “If the situation changes in the near future, currency exchange itself may become difficult.”

“Is it possible? “We will secure sufficient funds, even if it means recruiting collaborators.”

“And… I’m saying this again, but it could be difficult if the identity or purpose of our group is revealed to the outside world. “Everyone, please be careful to keep it confidential.”

“Of course. “We will strictly crack down on it.”

Afterwards, several minor agenda items were discussed and the meeting was concluded.

The business magnates shook hands, left the banquet hall, and went their separate ways.

However, some people who were thought to have left have gathered again in a separately prepared room.

“How are you securing the items?”

“It turns out it wasn’t as easy as I thought. Since there aren’t many items that meet the conditions… Isn’t this all because of those First Guild guys? “What on earth were you thinking, attaching bodyguards to those who go out?”

“That’s right. Until recently, we were only protecting the First Company guys, and now we are even protecting the cooperating guild rankers… I guess the information was leaked?”

The person at the head of the table shook his head in an anxious voice.

“That can’t be possible. The objects we choose are completely isolated from society. “There’s no way there’s going to be a problem if one or two orphans or game troublemakers disappear, right?”

“Of course. “After all, cleaning up society’s trash that doesn’t even know how to play games is actually a social service haha.”

The people in the room laughed together.

“The problem is that we cannot procure enough goods as is. “Maybe we should lower the standards a little bit?”

“Hmm… I heard that even if your rank is low, you have to be at least a ranker to be useful as a reference.”

“Researchers are always like that. It’s like they’re a bunch of idiots who say no matter how much support they give, it’s not enough. After spending so much money for so many years, how can it be possible to not be able to replicate even one simple function of the capsule? “I wonder if this is really possible.”

“Iknow, right. The amount of money that went in is already enormous, but the only thing that comes out is nothing even if you wipe your eyes and look for it. If things continue like this, won’t it just be a waste of money?”

When several presidents expressed their dissatisfaction, the person at the head of the table applauded and drew their attention.

“There is no result without investment. Even if a capsule burns on its own once you open it, that’s not the case with the product we’re researching this time, right? “Don’t be too impatient when you can research and dispose of it.”

Then the others reluctantly nodded.

“And we will lower the standards for product procurement a little. Even if you’re not a ranker, it doesn’t matter as long as the ‘sync rate’ is high. “If one test subject is not enough, you can send several.”

“That’s a good idea. “I will tell the procurement company that.”

“It goes without saying, but things have to be done very carefully. Don’t forget that if we succeed in this, we will be able to control everything about Connect! “No matter whether it’s the First Guild or anything else, they won’t be able to stop us.”

“Haha. That’s right. If the research is successful, Bae Do-hyun and Kim Il-woo. Wouldn’t it be enough to solve these two problems first? Thankfully, the table was fully prepared.”

The eyes of those gathered in the hall were stained with greed.

The idea is to study players’ brains and connect to Connect using someone else’s account.

If this becomes possible, wouldn’t it be a piece of cake to rob the First Association Purple Guild?

“Okay then, let’s all get moving. The secured items must be delivered to the research center under strict security to avoid detection! “Never forget it.”

In this way, another hidden organization within the association was wreaking havoc on the players.

* * *

Meanwhile, everything about their suspicious meeting was being reported to Raoul.

“This time, they are having a meeting in Xena, a free city east of the Marcus Kingdom.”

Raoul frowned slightly after checking the report Kane handed him.

This is because there were more big names included than expected.

“I could not determine the actual content of the meeting, but according to information from employees, there seemed to be mention of ‘Empire’ or ‘Elemental Jungle’.”

“I can guess roughly. “Let’s raise the alertness of the elemental jungle settlement and take a closer look at the dynamics of the large guild alliance.”

“Yes Master.”

After Kane left the room, Raoul thought for a moment.

‘It’s a shame. ‘I wish I could have figured out more details.’

However, it was Raoul who built the hotel’s security system.

A hotel with perfect security that prevents anyone from eavesdropping.

Thanks to its thorough security, it was loved not only by players but also by NPC giants, so even though it was disappointing, it could not be helped.

Although it was impossible to steal and listen to what they shared, it was possible to gather enough information just by understanding the faces of those gathered and the small words or issues they shared.

Even in cases like this one, just finding out which people were having meetings could be of great help in the future.

Raoul organized the complicated character relationship chart spread out on his desk and called Ravel.

“What about them?”

“He’s very active. “It seems like they are making good use of the social surveillance system that was created with loopholes due to abnormal phenomena.”

“As expected, it seems like the power behind us is not normal.”

“maybe. “Because we are sharply aware of the surveillance cameras that have failed, roads that are not inspected, etc.”

Entering the 2030s, the Earth has established an even more perfect social surveillance system.

Surveillance cameras were installed in most places, and the various electronic devices people carried were exposed almost 24 hours a day.

As cash transactions almost disappeared and electronic payment systems took root, everything from personal property status, transaction details, and life patterns was stored as electronic information.

So, as long as security could be breached, it was not that difficult to obtain a person’s personal information.

Of course, if it had been thought that it would be so easily breached, this system would not have been built, but the abnormal phenomenon of the Earth was creating a hole in the system.

Frequent power outages, system failures, and physical damage were not problems with the system itself.

They dug into that gap.

Searches for victims who meet the criteria by browsing vast amounts of stored personal information.

We identified its location and lifestyle patterns.

And they targeted their prey by taking advantage of places where the surveillance security system was broken or down.

These are people who rarely engage in outside activities and have few family or friends.

And even within Connect, those who enjoyed solo play or had a weak presence were the target.

“Is there any problem with surveillance?”

“of course. “First Security agents are covering the parts that cannot be resolved mechanically.”

Raoul and Ravel were in Connect, and the target to monitor was active on Earth, so there were many restrictions.

However, First Security Co., Ltd. supplements that.

In addition to protecting important players, special operations teams operating under Ravel’s instructions were active throughout the area.

Even now, he was watching from afar not only the men in suits who took Bae Do-hyun’s life, but also those who similarly kidnapped and threatened players.

“When are you planning on attacking me? “The number of victims is increasing more than expected.”

Ravel asked cautiously.

Their movements became faster and more sophisticated as time went by.

Thanks to this, the number of victims was gradually increasing.

Some were simply kidnapped, but in severe cases, some almost lost their lives.

Among those that the surveillance team was unable to check, many may have actually died.

But Raoul shook his head.

“…Not yet. No matter how much you cut off their tails, you can’t stop them. “At least not until we figure out who the higher-ups are.”

In reality, there were more than just one or two people who touched players.

Since these things were being done not only in Korea but all over the world, it was not easy to figure out who the actual instructor was.

“First, let’s collect as much evidence and clues as possible. “When we are prepared so well that they cannot escape… then I will finish it once and for all.”

The cold flame of revenge was burning in Raoul’s eyes.

(Continued in the next part)