“The prospects in this endeavour might be grand, yet System feels the need point out that the amount of work that is required to fulfil User’s plan is enormous and the accumulated work so far might be rendered somewhat useless.” The System analysed after a moment of silence.
“I thought you might say that. However, if we make the very first VRMMORPG in this world, we can instantly reach hundreds of thousands of people and allow them to play our dungeons. There will be no need to solely confine everything to this store.” Jin argued while he shared his thoughts from the reclining chair.
“On top of that, nothing is stopping us from exporting these virtual reality machines to other worlds and increase the customer base that way. They will be able to play and interact with the cultivators from our world or the demons from the Dungeon World. Connecting people’s lives and bringing them together? Isn’t that part of the purpose of a Dungeon Supplier as well?”
“This also ties to the main reason for slowing down the rate of growth of our cultivators. I intend to work on some proper reward achievements, but it will at least include a voucher allowing customers to attend our ‘secret’ shop where they can really practice their cultivation.”
“So, the VRMMORPG will actually be like a grinding mechanism for them to earn the rights to get to User’s real shop with the current dungeon instances intact?” The System questioned.
“Exactly! That way, we can cut contact with most people and allow people through invitations or by the meritocracy of their hard work. At the same time, we can continue to create dungeons and supply them. Our upcoming Island Instances can pretty much be used as a template for the starting locations for the players. As for the dungeon content and such, we can pretty much use the dungeons from the Dungeon World and copy-paste them over, perhaps with some changes. We can also try out experimental builds for the dungeons for the secret shop in reality.”
“Honestly, System feels that is a very loose interpretation of being a Dungeon Supplier but still not an invalid one.” The System concluded.
“Our dungeon instances have been bordering to a virtual reality simulation, so will it be that much different?” Jin questioned, and now with new answers and explanations, the System created a permutation of scenarios.
“User seems to underestimate the difficulty of his request. It was one thing to allow cultivators to enter the dungeon who all come to a place under the System’s jurisdiction. Judging on User’s vision of our new business route, we need Virtual Simulators to be portable and compact, and most importantly they need to be able to connect to a space even if they are on the other side of the world, or potentially from a different world entirely. At the very least System is able to search for products in the Black Market with these specifications but there are only a few models available. Just like with the potions or any other products they will rise in cost if the sellers notice System starting to buy batches of them.”
“I vaguely remember Ayse had some lost tech on it so I can ask her about it. Also, Rei is from the Mecha World. They are more advanced than us, so they should have some VR technology on his planet, right? And that is excluding worlds that have such technology as their main staple for gaming or life. Surely we can travel to such worlds to get it.” Jin retorted.
“While the System has no qualms about letting User enter a new world, System would like to remind User about his history of poking his nose into every major conflict situation of the worlds he had visited, with the only exception being the one the Shadow Dagen originated from. Until User has dealt with the problems of those worlds at hand, System will not entertain such a request.”
“Just another good reason to close the shop for now.” Jin agreed, yet the System begged to differ.
“On the contrary, with such a grand endeavour, System cannot recommend User to close his shop. We will require the customers’ aid before everything is set up.”
“But we have Claire to help us win stocks that are worth thousands of dungeon dollars, right? We can use that money for investment. Even without factoring in Claire, we still have Demon Metropolis and Pandapolis too.”
“That is assuming User wishes to proceed with the opening of Pandapolis and allow the Church of the Afterlife’s agents to infiltrate.” System reminded Jin.
“Urgh, yet another set of politics…” Jin grumbled and started to see where the System was coming from when he said he handled all the current worlds first before moving ahead.
“Exactly. The money that Intern Claire might have gotten us is only a temporary measure as well. It will not sustain us in the long run, especially when we have another upcoming war.” The System warned.
“Unlike governments, the System does not have any bonds to sell to keep the production afloat. System and User have to use our own pocket money to purchase items. And most of our wars and battles are for good causes. Please remember that the cultivators are the ones footing some of the bills to offload our expenses.”
“But earlier you claimed they only made up 27% profit or somewhere around that line…”
“For this particular month and perhaps the next since we received major rewards for getting the Demon Metropolis. There are expenses attached to them as well. Therefore, the System asks User to please reconsider his decision to close the shop.” The System emphasised, and Jin repeatedly brought up the concern that the cultivators might get too strong in the future.
“Then all the User has to do is to create the Virtual Reality as soon as possible so he can keep his shop as a secret reward for them to enter.” The System countered, and Jin felt this would be another overwhelming task he imposed on himself.
“However, while System is a multitude of beings all with the same goal to revive the Panda Clan, System shall give its un-humbled opinion to not forgo the links User made so far. While they may be troublesome, System’s analysis proves that they will be worth the trouble in the future.”
“Even though it will come as exposing them to the truth? We might get exploited, you know? Unlike those Royal Clans, we do not have the prestige preventing others from doing. Power maybe and perhaps we have some connections to rely on especially our links with other worlds, but without a doubt, if they come together they can crush us.” Jin finally revealed the real reason why he insisted on this VR component.
“Not just my world but others too. None will take kindly to a superpower even if it helps them when they can use the superpower to dominate others. I’ve finally come to understand your point of view of wanting to stay hidden, but now you are rejecting me? That’s honestly something new.”
“Make no mistake. System was doubtful about the idea, but that does not mean System does not assess the risk consistently.” The System rebutted.
“System does not outright reject User’s proposal. In fact, System is supportive and only wishes to point out the flaws of the current plan. If anything, System sees the potential the User has in making use of his current connections and achieving better immunity against his potential enemies. In short, System believed the trouble to glory will be worth it… though it has to follow a proper procedure first.”
“Heh for you to think further than me. That’s more like the System.” Jin thought about it a moment and smiled.
“Naturally. All for the glory of the Panda Clan.”
