Graduation Mock Exam
The quadcopter was quite quiet, and after a journey that wasn't exactly comfortable, but at least not noisy, Mr. Dunn finally saw what the world called the outskirts of the city.
Feng Xue didn't know whether this was due to the geographical factors of the Asgari City or because most of the soil in this world had become desert, but in any case, the place where he landed was indeed a desert.
However, there were quite a few drought-resistant plants like cacti in this desert, which proved that it wasn't the nuclear wasteland he had imagined.
"This is it. Two hours ago, we airdropped supplies from more than three medium-sized supermarkets to the target location. This is the Live Broadcast Drone. The audience has also undergone some initial screening. We've assigned fifty moderators to ensure there won't be any malicious troublemakers. Is there anything else you'd like to add?"
Sai Chi, who followed Dunn off the aircraft, pointed to the distance and said in a somewhat uneasy tone, as if afraid that the Gambling Ghost would rush out.
Dunn gently shook his head and said:
"That's enough. Also, don't be too strict with the viewers. The comments need to be diverse to be engaging. If it's all positive comments, it's easy to arouse suspicion and it won't be easy to get people emotional. Just keep it within a certain range. In fact, if there's a lack of negative comments to stir up trouble, you'll have to find someone to help post some."
"Uh... I understand." As a negotiator for a mechanical design company, Sai Chi wasn't very knowledgeable about Self-Media. Hearing Dunn's response, he could only nod and then take out his communicator to notify the back office.
However, his colleagues in charge of this matter clearly knew more than him, and after a few dozen seconds of conversation, he awkwardly responded:
"They're all professionals over there; they've already made preparations in this regard and will adjust the live chat according to the situation."
"Then there's no problem. Have your people step back. I'm about to start the live stream." Dunn pressed a button on the wearable terminal, causing a series of Live Broadcast Drone to slowly take off.
Compared to the Live Broadcast Drone he created using the [Masterful Creation] power and transformed into Companion Phantom through the [Atypical Streamer] Trait, these drones need to be produced in sufficient quantities to achieve the best effect.
However, Feng Xue did not mention that she was developing drones, which would demonstrate that she possessed superior mechanical technology compared to a military industry company, which in itself is not a smart move.
As soon as Sai Chi saw the drone take off, he immediately waved for his men to retreat. He knew far better than his employees just how dangerous this place was.
As the aircraft ascended into the sky, Dunn pressed the switch on the drone's camera. As the footage entered the Live Broadcast Room, he subtly adjusted his breathing and facial expressions, adopting that overly serious yet comical look, and addressed the viewers in the Live Broadcast Room:
"Welcome to the Blackthorn Ghost Catching Agency's ghost-hunting Live Broadcast Room. Today, the host has been invited to the outskirts of the city, and the target is a big one."
Good heavens, outside the city?
[Are you sure this isn't a green screen projection?]
[Is there anyone skilled enough to pinpoint the exact location?]
[We can only determine that the cactus is from the Vera Desert, suggesting it's located near the Asgari City, but we can't pinpoint the exact species.]
Looking at the popular science that immediately popped up in the barrage, Dunn had a rough idea of the audience level of this live broadcast, and immediately said:
"That's right, this place is right outside the Asgari City. It's precisely because it's so close to the city that the employer was worried about it posing a threat to the city, which is why the anchor was sent on this field mission."
As he spoke, Dunn rode his balance bike toward the brightly colored target area in the distance, saying:
"I heard this time the target wiped out an entire settlement. I guarantee they won't be watching the streamer's livestream!"
[Who's watching the live stream outside the city?!]
[Yes, yes, they have their own inter-village network!]
[Look up "information cocoons": villagers can only see messages between villages, while intercity networks only circulate between major Main City.]
[Didn't they say there's also a dark web...?]
Your account is gone!
Glancing at the noisy comments, Dunn relaxed slightly. Although the target this time was still Gambling Ghost, it was fundamentally different from before.
Because that Gambling Ghost has become a Weird Tale.
Of course, this was part of his plan, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly thanks to the efforts of those large companies.
However, even if it becomes Weird Tale, it is still based on the Gu Poison Body. Just like the acquired Acquired Supernatural Tale came into existence before the legends, because the Gu Poison Body existed first, the Weird Tale. Therefore, it will not be completely affected by the legends like the Innate Supernatural Tale, but will still retain the characteristics of the Gu Poison Body.
It has become an independent entity simply because of its Weird Tale nature.
Therefore, this ghost-hunting project is fundamentally different from his previous acting roles. If his previous films were American Superhero movies with all sorts of flashy special effects, then this time, Dunn is going to make a Jackie Chan -style action movie. Forget special effects, he doesn't even plan to use a stunt double!
He wasn't deliberately courting death; rather, he wanted to take this opportunity to test the targeted equipment he had accumulated since coming to this world, and also to try to complete the final piece of his targeted equipment set.
The Segway was fast enough to get to the sand quickly, and within minutes, the destination was almost in sight. Looking at the scenery before them, the live chat exploded with comments, not because the landscape was too horrific, but because...
Is this Garbage Dump?
Why is there trash everywhere?
[Damn, where are these Garbage Dump now?! Shouldn't expired food be recycled and made into Nutrient Paste?]
"No wonder they're a bunch of mechanics people, so honest!" Looking at the food scattered all over the ground, Dunn's lips twitched slightly. Although he said he would throw the entire department store over, he didn't expect that these people would actually throw it all away untouched! Even snacks, groceries, and cooking oil were thrown away!
Fortunately, perhaps due to the unique desert climate, or perhaps because it hadn't been there long, there wasn't a particularly unpleasant smell. He casually picked up an unbroken bag of potato chips, looked at the date on it, and said:
"Looking at the production date, these things aren't even close to their expiration date, let alone expired. So it seems they weren't deliberately discarded... Speaking of which, is this some kind of twisted pleasure of that ghost, enjoying wasting food? Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if my employer set this up for me!"
As Dunn spoke, he casually tore open a bag of potato chips, ate some, and then found a reasonably straight stick, kicked it aside to clear a space, and stood it upright.
"Alright, enough chit-chat, let's start looking for ghosts!"
Regarding the creation of ghosts to kill, I wrote about the details very clearly. All ghosts that actively kill are involved in the concept of "resentment," that is, "Revenge for wrongs." For example, the owner of a haunted house mentioned before. Of course, this ghost is not the person himself, but it can only be said to be similar to the Libra pattern.
As for those who died while catching ghosts...
Well, I have a basic principle when writing about combat casualties. "Picking up a gun means being prepared to be killed." Since you're risking your life to earn this money, dying is your own business. That's how it is.
In my previous books, the protagonists sometimes waged wars of national annihilation or even destroyed the world, but they generally followed this principle and never attacked innocent bystanders.
In general, the ghosts spread by the protagonist usually only scare people. A few will kill "murderers." Even when attacked by ghost-hunting streamers, most of the time they are "sent to the Big Bird Spin Spin Bar." The only indiscriminate killer, the Gambling Ghost, only kills people who knowingly approach him despite knowing he is a killer. That's how it is.
Of course, I'm not saying the protagonist is a good person; he acts for his own purposes, but he doesn't harm the innocent. Of course, if we're being precise, theoretically, there aren't many "innocent" people living in cities in the Cyberpunk World; it's just a matter of exploiters and troublemakers. Even ordinary troublemakers aren't even allowed into the city.