The Ghosts Put to Use
"Let me tell you, some kind of biochemical experiment was definitely conducted in that casino. It might have been a live testing ground for some conglomerate researching elixirs of immortality or something. Those corpses were all failed research samples, otherwise why would I be young one minute and old the next! Look at the attitude of the police! This definitely involves the interests of some big conglomerates, you know that?"
On the live stream screen, anchor Burrlett pointed confidently at the footage of his previous autopsy visit to a casino, while the chat was filled with viewers saying he Tough Talk.
However, the Tough Talk ones did not gain an absolute advantage, because more viewers supported the streamer's claims about biological research, radiation, and conspiracy theories, and of course, they also attributed it all to the "realistic sobriety" of post-production special effects.
This is not only because the video did not capture any images of ghosts, but also because major conglomerates began to control public opinion.
Ultimately, a ghost that can extend its lifespan through gambling is undoubtedly more valuable than those ghosts thrown into research institutes.
To the behind-the-scenes bosses of top conglomerates, Dunn and Burrlett were clearly in cahoots, a small group planning to profit from the hype surrounding the concept of ghosts and monsters.
But they don't actually care that much.
The only thing that really matters is whether ghosts actually exist.
It is an objectively existing thing, but it was discovered by a small group that intended to profit from it.
Or is it just a scam from the start, using hype and concepts to gain traffic and wealth?
If it's the latter, then major conglomerates will naturally regard it as a guiding light, making a quick profit. If the subsequent profits are considerable, then continuing to invest, seizing the project, or even sharing some of the profits with the other party is all acceptable.
But if it's the former, then the problem is much more serious.
All the evidence so far—whether it's the ghost samples in the research institute that caused the researchers to lose their hair, the increasing number of ghost-related injuries, or the intelligence brought back by their private armed forces—is sufficient to prove that ghosts truly exist.
So, is this kind of "gambling with one's life" also real?
As he pondered the thoughts of those important figures, Dunn Simone pointed to the projection screen and addressed the viewers watching the live stream in a serious tone:
"See? This is a classic Tough Talk. Why is he so Tough Talk? Because he thinks he has received higher education and frequents high society, which has led him to believe that the existence of ghosts is unscientific. Little does he know that existence implies reason, and to have the idea that ghosts are unscientific is already a sign of Believe in Science."
"What is science? Science is 'an ordered system of knowledge built on verifiable explanations and predictions of the form, organization, etc. of objective things.' Simply put, it is a mode of thinking that summarizes and generalizes. The so-called 'existence is its own justification' means that since ghosts exist, the study of them is naturally part of science. We should face their existence squarely, rather than crudely regarding them as 'unscientific'..."
As Dunn walked toward No Man's Land 33, criticizing Burrlett as unscientific, the number of comments on the screen exploded.
After glancing casually at the inciting and admonishing comments, Dunn straightened his clothes with a serious expression and then said solemnly:
"Oseus is my employee and apprentice. Although he bears some responsibility for his failure, I have decided to take on this case for the sake of Blackthorn Ghost Catching Agency's reputation."
As he spoke, he stepped out of the elevator. The Thirty-Three No Man's Land, which had appeared magnificent just a few days ago but now resembled an abandoned old city, had already been relayed to the audience in front of the screen by the Phantom Object Drone.
However, what the audience was most concerned about was that at this moment, there seemed to be quite a few more corpses in this Lawless Zone.
[Damn! There weren't this many when those pirated ghost-hunting livestreams came yesterday, were there?]
[They must have arrived last night. They were all wearing tactical gear; they're clearly a private militia.]
[It could also be from the security company. Judging from the posture, he probably died while trying to escape. Could it be that the Gambling Ghost left the casino?]
Various comments streamed across the screen. Dunn poked the corpse on the ground with his cane, frowned, and said:
"Based on the current situation, it seems that too many people have interacted with that Gambling Ghost recently, which has stimulated it in some way. Although it's unclear whether it was 'forced out' or 'lured out,' judging from the current situation, this Gambling Ghost's activity range has expanded to the entire No Man's Land."
[Host, is there any information about the ghost's activity range?]
It has to be said that once someone becomes famous, many things become much simpler. Dunn didn't even need to use his alternate account; someone had already asked him the questions he wanted.
"It's very simple. As mentioned before, the formation of ghosts can be broadly described by 'cognition' and 'obsession'."
"A strong attachment to a person will create a spirit that haunts you; an attachment to an object will create a spirit that possesses you; an attachment to a place will create Earthbound Spirit."
"Although most of them only appear after a person dies, it's not because only when a person dies can ghosts be created. Rather, it's because when a person dies, their obsessions become solidified and cannot be changed. Conversely, if someone is stubborn and determined enough, they can continuously create ghosts even if they are not dead."
"This Gambling Ghost is most likely a product of one or a group of gamblers' strong obsession, resentment, unwillingness, or some other emotion towards gambling. Therefore, he can be regarded as a 'gambling Earthbound Spirit' of the casino, and under normal circumstances, he can only appear in the casino."
But that ghost has left the casino now!
"That's exactly what I wanted to say." Dunn maintained his persona of "seriously nonsensical talk," stepped over the drained corpses, and walked to the casino's main entrance. Instead of going in, he controlled the drone to fly higher, filming the entire No Man's Land.
"Ghosts don't have intelligence in essence, only 'intelligence,' just like a robot vacuum cleaner, which is a thing that acts according to specific logic."
"Normally, a robot vacuum cleaner will only clean inside the house. However, if for some reason it recognizes the area outside the door as a cleaning area, it will also include the hallway outside the door in its cleaning range."
"The same principle applies to ghosts. Originally, this Gambling Ghost would only gamble with people inside the casino, but if someone who is gambling with him escapes, then the location where he is will also be regarded as part of the casino by the Gambling Ghost. In other words, if someone triggers the Gambling Ghost and escapes from the Lawless Zone without ending the game, then the entire Asgari City will become the territory of this Gambling Ghost."
At this point, Dunn suddenly stopped talking, slowly turned around, looked at the empty parking lot with an unusually serious expression, and solemnly said:
"Since you're here, come out."
Dunn's words seemed to trigger some kind of mechanism. As the word "ba" fell, a die with tentacles, ghostly Ghostly Shadow, and twenty-one eyes was being drawn out of thin air.
It stared at Dunn with its largest eye, and although it made no sound, those in the audience who saw that eye understood the meaning of the dice.
"Let's take a gamble!"