Chapter 369.1: That's Why Human Nature Is Complicated

The method to leave the virtual world was simple. All Chu Guang had to do was reach out and touch his temple and he would be able to remove his glasses.

During a casual conversation with Dr Method, Chu Guang learned that the residents of Shelter 101 had abandoned their physical bodies and uploaded their consciousness to the virtual world, embracing a higher form of evolution.

And thus, they were reborn.

He seemed to recognize the original administrator of Shelter 404, but he was reluctant to talk much about that person, only referring to him as ‘the Professor’.

However, from his demeanor, Chu Guang could feel the unspoken respect Dr. Method had for him.

A strange thought popped into Chu Guang's head.

Is his teacher and the first administrator of Shelter 404 the same person?!

When he voiced the question, the man didn’t admit anything. He merely offered a faint smile before changing the subject smoothly.

"... Our world originally had only 6,000 people, but now it has a population of 3 billion, most of whom were born from complex auto-evolution calculations. And we only need to consume a tiny, insignificant amount of resources to meet all material and spiritual needs." Sitting on a park bench, the man's gaze passed over the bustling crowd.

In the distance, the city's silhouette could be seen.

"I threw everything I had into this. We stored enough resources in the Shelter to keep this world running smoothly for a thousand years, and even longer. In fact, I made the decision to do this a long time ago...”

"... But one day it will all disappear." Chu Guang muttered.

Dr. Method smiled at that before asking in a soft voice, "Yes, but what is eternal?"

"Indestructible alliances lasted mere centuries. The Prosperity Era didn’t even last as long as the time of decline.”

"Here, we at least know when our world will be destroyed and we can calmly face our fate before doomsday arrives. It’s not a bad thing.”

As he spoke, he rose from the bench, smiling at Chu Guang who was sitting beside him. "Thank you for staying with me for so long, but now, I have to find my wife and daughter. If you're interested in our world, you're welcome to walk around."

"This world is vast and will never bore you. Of course, if you like it here, you're welcome to stay."

He wasn’t joking when he invited Chu Guang to stay.

Chu Guang hesitated for half a second, but that was all. "No need, there are many people waiting for me over there."

He had to admit that the virtual world was very beautiful.

Clean sunlight, air, and water, endless resources to sustain a population of 3 billion. That was a true game world, a perfect utopia.

There was no Slime Mold, no predators or mutants, and even the concept of exploitation did not exist.

The absence of those was also why Chu Guang was worried he might get lost in the beautiful but fake world.

Rising from the bench, he raised his index finger to his temple and felt a transparent protrusion.

According to Dr. Method, just by taking it off, he could leave the utopia.

But just as Chu Guang was about to do so, he suddenly thought of something. "If I choose to stay, wouldn't the experiment of that Professor you mentioned be a failure?"

If he remembered correctly...

After his own death, Shelter 404 would initiate a shutdown procedure, and the morphogenic field devices would stop operating, waiting for the right time to reactivate.

It could be ten years later, or even a century, or longer into the future.

"It doesn't matter, since you've come this far, you're bound to refuse." The man's face suddenly showed a sly smile. "Just consider that a courtesy."

Chu Guang couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He wanted to fuck around and agree to stay, but if he did, he might also be playing right into that bastard’s schemes.

"Alright, alright. You can continue dreaming here.” Chu Guang said before taking it off.

Watching the fading figure, Dr Method waved his hand with a smile. "Guess that’s a good sign."

...

A kaleidoscope of colors withdrew from his consciousness, and the dark lenses came into view.

Chu Guang took off his glasses, he placed them on a table next to him before walking to the door.

When the door opened and they saw Chu Guang appear, the soldiers waiting finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Standing nearby, Horn did the same.

He reached into his sleeve, took off his VM and handed it to Chu Guang. "Sir Pioneer asked me to give this to you.”

"Thank you." With a simple courtesy, Chu Guang reached out and held it in his hands.

The second his finger touched it, a pale blue interface appeared in front of him.

[Mission:

Retrieve Shelter 101’s Administrator’s VM (Complete)

]

[Reward:

3,500 gene sequences

]

A hint of joy appeared in Chu Guang’s eyes and he quickly tapped his headset.

"Little Seven..."

As his voice fell, the voice of Little Seven came from the earpiece. "Hmm... Master, I’m here."

Chu Guang immediately gave the order. "Restart player recruitment!"

"Received!"

After a crisp answer, the long-paused beta qualification distribution was finally restarted.

They were following the standard he set before where they would give out 20 slots a day.

This time he would focus more on recruiting creative players, ensuring neutrality and enriching the diversity of the player community.

3,500 gene sequences... They were enough to last until the end of the year. Considering the abundant food harvest after autumn and the gradually increasing food import quota, the pace of Beta qualification distribution was just right.

Soon, another batch of fresh leeks would enter the scene, how wonderful!

Chu Guang looked at the VM in his hand.

That was probably the easiest task he had ever completed from all the missions given out by his Administrator Menu.

When he first saw the task, he thought that it would be nearly impossible to complete. After all, it involved taking the personal item from a living administrator.

Turns out, the administrator of Shelter 101 just wanted to see him. He didn’t even play any tricks.

For Chu Guang, it was like walking through a normal cut scene.

Suddenly thinking of something, Chu Guang turned to Horn standing nearby. He asked curiously, "Do you usually communicate in this way?"

Horn nodded lightly. "Yes, after all, opening a door once consumes a lot of energy. It's more energy-efficient through the virtual reality system."

Chu Guang raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever thought about staying there?"

"Staying... There?" A blank look appeared in Horn's eyes. "You mean that pure white room? But there's nothing there."

A strange look flashed in Chu Guang's eyes.

Interesting.

As it turned out, the residents of Camp 101 had never really been to that world.

But thinking about it, it made sense.

Unless one's will was resolute, after seeing the prosperity of that world, it would be hard to stay sane. After all, a normal human life could not last for more than a century. If they could obtain a thousand years of peace, a physical body like what they currently held was of no appeal.

Seeing the unusual expression on Chu Guang's face, Horn couldn't help but ask, "Is there a problem?"

"Nothing, it's all good." Chu Guang casually replied, quickly ending the conversation.

Horn looked at him blankly, puzzled, but did not continue to inquire. After all, it wasn't anything important.

"It seems you enjoyed your conversation with our pioneer... Is there anything else you need?"

"Nothing more, thank you for your hospitality." Chu Guang nodded.

After one last look at the gear-shaped door seemingly fixed in space, Chu Guang turned to Lu Bei and the other member of the Guard Corps.

"Let's go."

...