NOVEL WEB Chapter 476: Winner Takes It All (2)
Arcadia is an extreme hardcore RPG that forces extreme discomfort under the guise of realism.
Therefore, among those who enjoy this virtual reality game, there are not that many people who enjoy the contents in the game in a small way than expected.
“The usage fee of 300,000 won per month is constantly going out, and over 10 million won has already been spent on just one capsule, so what fun is it? At least we should pay for it.”
“Even if you are a bare-handed beginner without a single item, you can make a profit by just hunting and running daily quests or working as a mining slave in a mine...
” They said they bought a small one... I really felt sorry for myself, who only worked while earning a little over 200 a month.”
Not just a hobby or leisure to pass the time, but people who dream of reversing their lives by somehow gaining wealth and high status in this virtual world. That's why the percentage of people who seriously risked their lives on this game, rather than just a pastime, was higher than expected, and that's why, as time passed, in this equal world where everyone started from an equal starting point, irrational things began to happen little by little. started to emerge
“This hunting ground is occupied by our Abyss Guild. It's under control from now on, so don't mess around and go away.”
“Hey, that item looks good? If you don't want to be taken by force, why don't you give it to us for a cheap price?”
“what? If the delivery of goods fails this time, the merchant company will be ruined? Do I need to know that?”
A situation in which numerous victims are mass-produced as acts of robbing merchants that transported goods for trade, robbing other users' items by force, and blocking open hunting grounds without any conditions are taking place. However, there was nothing that users who suffered great damage from these inept people could do, except appeal to others with tears.
Infinite freedom and infinite possibilities.
Under the great principle of Arcadia Co., Ltd. that all stories of Arcadia are made by users themselves, the immoral atrocities of those who are stained with greed were also accepted and legitimate play in principle. Also, this fantasy world Arcadia is not a world where everyone in fairy tales has a happy and beautiful ending , but a dangerous and heartless world full of swords, magic, blood, and death...
In a way, it was a very natural thing for the weak to be dominated and plundered by the rich.
That's why, among those who play Arcadia, few stick to solo play.
The scales varied greatly, but from small fixed parties to blood alliances made with acquaintances, and users who belonged to a specific guild and prepared to resist the tyranny of unreasonable external forces. If you pay a certain amount of gold every month, it was like having a strong support, so everyone gathered to join a prestigious guild, and there were quite a few places that were more frightening than I thought.
-China's biggest guild [Wulin] has surpassed 900 million subscribers.
-European Union Guild [Twelve Stars] Members reached an average level of 180.
-The No. 1 guild in North America [Heroes] announced a large-scale talent recruitment investment worth $100 million.
Top guilds with tens of millions to billions of subscribers. The number of people and capabilities were different for each of them, but each of them had a dominant influence that could be said to be absolute within the continent they were based on, and they were controlling the adventurers without knowing or not knowing.
The guilds have grown into an enormous economic group and armed group with an estimated value of more than trillions of items and gold. The scale has become so huge that it cannot be ignored, so when a collision occurs, the damage is also astronomical. Although they are not very close, they have been trying to avoid invading each other's territory as much as possible in order not to create unnecessary trouble.
Hegemonic guilds that insisted on non-intervention and walked their own path.
However, a historic moment began to occur when the heads of such guilds gathered together for the first time in history.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the distinguished guests who decided to gather here and listen to our proposal despite their busy schedules. My name is Peter Worth, General Manager of Strategic Investments at Blue Rock Investments. Nice to meet you.”
An adventurer wearing shoddy gear, as if he hadn't reached level 100 yet. However, in contrast to him, those sitting at the round table were exuding intense momentum while wearing dazzling costumes. In Arcadia, where level and strength determine one's status, Peter is nothing more than an insignificant player who would not even be able to talk to him.
Originally, it was impossible to even dare to imagine that the top ranker over level 300 and the head of the continent's hegemony guilds should come, but Blue Rock Investment, a huge capital that dominated the world's economy, and the position he held in reality. ‘s status made the impossible possible.
“Blue Rock Investment... This is a very famous place that is interested in us.”
“I heard that there is a proposal that might be tempting.... What kind of proposal is it?”
“Clack-clap... It looks like you’ve been pretty pissed off because of this scenario, right?”
The heads of the top guilds look at Blue Rock's top executive, Peter, with curious eyes. In reality, he was a person of great influence who did not have to say a word, but now, looking at him treating them with a respectful attitude and courteous attitude more than anyone else, they did not seem to hate this situation so much.
“I’ll be honest and tell you the main point. As the master of the Moorim Guild said, I prepared this place to make a suggestion regarding the recently announced second scenario.”
Arcadia's second finale scenario Winner Takes It All.
Since all the information related to the scenario has been released, each person nodded with strange eyes shining as if they had guessed about the purpose of this place to some extent.
“Each of you has built a firm force in each continent and reached the pinnacle... In other words, you are a guild that has secured dominance and supremacy in each continent. In order to clear this second scenario, they have a powerful influence... In other words, they are the giants who will decide the direction of the scenario.”
“None of the guilds present here, either through negotiations or through domination by force, can arbitrarily refuse to participate in this scenario. The influence they have is too great for that.”
“.....”
Giant guilds that each accounted for more than a single digit. Everyone was silent at Peter's words because they both knew well that they weren't half-sized small talkers. He just looked at me quietly... what the hell was the proposal he was trying to make?
“But... why do we have to fight in the face of blood? We decided that this issue could be resolved peacefully through dialogue and negotiation, so we gathered all of you together. If all the guilds here work together, no matter how hard the rest of the guilds try, they will never be able to win the second scenario.”
Peter's suggestion to solve this scenario in the clearest and easiest way. As he said, it was not an offer that could be easily rejected, knowing that everyone would suffer losses if they were fiercely confronted and divided, and each other fell into an endless muddy war, but it was not a situation that they could readily accept, so their expressions gradually changed. it got complicated
“Once I understand what you suggest, Mr. Peter. But you know how unrealistic that offer is, right? Other guilds will do the same, but... I'm currently sitting in the seat of the Master representing the twelve stars, but I don't have the authority to arbitrarily accept that proposal.”
A union guild established by mixing people from dozens of countries belonging to the European Union.
twelve stars.
Currently, Jeanne, who is famous as the strongest female knight of French nationality, was leading this guild, but there were other people who actually had the authority to command the guild.
“That’s right, Mademoiselle Jeanne. It is said that our Blue Rock Investment boasts a strong influence on various large guilds, including Heroes, but that is not absolute. Guilds within the European Union, including the Twelve Stars, fully understand that the will of the Rothschilds and the City of London cannot be ignored. In the case of the Murim Guild here... I am fully aware of the fact that we have no choice but to consider the will of the Chinese Communist Party.”
A sharp stake in Arcadia's 15% stake. Like Blue Rock, he nodded as if he understood and murmured, knowing that behind the various guilds gathered here were huge forces in reality with enormous funds and power.
“Kuhmm...”
Moorim's master cleared his throat as if he felt uncomfortable at the word that he was representing the Chinese government. However, Peter looked at everyone and talked seriously, not expressing himself at all.
“But our goals are the same. By securing a stake in Arcadia Co., Ltd., which sucks up a lot of capital from around the world, reducing their influence and further revealing the source of virtual reality technology they have been hiding so far to the world. That's what you... no, those who have given you a lot of money, that's what you want.”
Blue Rock is confident that if they secure the technology, they can develop a service similar to Arcadia and take a huge piece of the pie called the virtual reality industry that is growing day by day. The lack of technology was the problem, not the lack of funds, so he said with confidence that other forces would have similar thoughts.
“Please pass it on to those who have the say in our proposals. The strongest Guild Heroes in the North American continent dominated by Blue Rock Investment, Oceania and the South American Union... Join hands to win this scenario, share the stake in Arcadia to everyone's satisfaction, and share the source of virtual reality technology.”
war and peace.
Peter suggests choosing one of them.
However, this time, Geum-Rang, the master of the Moorim Guild, opened his mouth to his proposal.
“We share the source of virtual reality technology... We admit that the proposal is very tempting on our part. But even if you guys decided to do that, the US government wouldn’t be able to just sit back and watch it?”
Virtual reality technology is already in the arms of the United States.
There was no way to let it flow into the world... and to the Chinese government, which was challenging the US hegemony. However, in response to Geum Rang's question, Peter nodded as if it was an expected question and gave an immediate answer.
“That's right. It's difficult with the current Pearson government and Republicans in power. But doesn’t all power change over time?”
The situation has already been coordinated with the Democratic Party regarding this issue. That's why Peter promised everyone with a confident face as if it wasn't a problem at all.
“All I can tell you is... that after the next presidential election, there will be a huge change in the overall policy of the United States government towards the virtual reality industry itself.”
Blue Rock Investment has the confidence to change even the highest level of power in the world's hegemon, the United States, based on its enormous financial power. In the intense desire to take a stake in Arcadia, the super-giant guilds that rule Arcadia joined hands.
In the midst of numerous interests and fierce behind-the-scenes negotiations... In
solidarity with Arcadia Co., Ltd. and the forces hiding in the shadows who want to expand their influence on the virtual reality industry as a whole.