Great, now we are dead!

—Their eyes met for a fleeting moment.

After a brief pause of one second, the girl naturally and lightly reached out and placed her hand on the small server on the bedside table, past Ye Shou's line of sight.

Her expression was focused, and she would occasionally furrow her brows slightly, as if adjusting something. After about ten seconds, her brows would relax, and she would straighten up with a smile.

"My apologies, Lord Ye Shou."

"It doesn't matter."

Ye Shou casually got up and leaned against the headboard. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Even after three hours, your biological clock remains as regular as ever."

The maid's eyes flickered: "If only I could sleep a little longer..."

"what?"

"It's rare to see you enjoy a game so much; I hope you can enjoy it a little longer."

"That won't do. Today is a big day, so we have to prepare well in advance."

Ye Shou rubbed his temples, quietly waiting for the soreness in his body to subside, and then stretched out his arms and legs.

Have you done everything I asked you to do?

"Using the reputation of the Kuse family for such a trivial matter is naturally easy, but... why is that?"

Liuli had regained her composure by this time, revealing her professionalism as a corporate elite.

"This seems to pose a potential problem for the new project. The operation of SAO is secondary; if the reputation of [Rect] is affected..."

The maid wasn't worried about the operation of "SAO," or "SwordArtOnline," after its launch. In fact, she wouldn't care even if it failed on the first day.

The focus of this project is the groundbreaking "full immersion technology," namely the "NERvGear" gaming headset, which, like the personal computer that emerged in the late 20th century, is an invention that will change the entire world.

As for whether the game software included is Tetris or Sword Art Online (SAO), it doesn't really make a big difference. What Kuze Group wants to earn is never a "blockbuster online game," but rather "the right to define the most cutting-edge technology."

—Just think about how outrageously profitable some graphics card sellers are!

Basically, as soon as Sword Art Online launches, players experience the immersive thrill of the game, and like otaku tamed by a succubus, they can no longer be satisfied with just their waifu body pillows.

Kuze Group didn't even want a game that would dominate the market; they just wanted SAO to create an unparalleled craze in a short period of time. Strictly speaking, allowing the industry to "flourish" was more in their interest!

As for the gameplay and the success of subsequent operations, those are not issues they should be concerned with!

That's precisely why Liuli felt puzzled:

The important thing is the gaming headset; the quality should be strictly controlled to create a legendary product. But Kuze's orders are...

"Is it to keep Kayaba Akihiko here?"

"……what?"

"So that's how it is,"

Liuli seemed to be deep in thought, then suddenly realized, "In this way, no other group will dare to make a move. As expected of Lord Ye Shou, he has thought so far ahead!"

"Um?!"

Kayaba Akihiko is indeed a genius. Although Ruri is not a professional, she can see that his skills are far superior to those of his peers. What is even more commendable is that as a researcher in "quantum physics", he is able to apply theoretical techniques in practice... This is truly remarkable.

So even though he's a bit eccentric, everyone still chooses to accommodate him (SAO is supposed to be another world, but it has almost no magic elements, which is a fatal flaw in terms of gameplay).

To put it bluntly, even if SAO were to die out, Kayaba Akihiko would still be a guest of honor at the Kuze Group—this person himself is worthy of such dedication.

Therefore, making SAO controversial from the moment it launches would undoubtedly diminish Kayaba Akihiko's credibility as a "game producer." He could even proactively mobilize the media to let the outside world know that Kayaba is a "difficult person to work with."

Even the young master of the Kuse family couldn't suppress Kayaba Akihiko, so how much confidence could the other major families have?

To put it bluntly, Ye Shou dared to take the risk of this project because his position within the family was already very stable and unshakeable, while others did not have such a solid foundation.

At the height of public opinion, if Ye Shou were to step in to save the game's operation and salvage Kayaba's reputation, this great scientist would be extremely grateful to the Jiuze Group and would be bound to their cause from then on.

—That's what Liuli thinks.

"I understand! What a brilliant tactic! It both deters outsiders and bestows favors upon Kayaba Akihiko. Indeed, following you always brings new insights!"

"……Oh."

What does she even know?

Ye Shou was a little confused, but seeing how interested Liu Li was, he nodded in agreement.

"It's getting late, let's go out."

"Yes."

Liuli knew that today was the official launch day, and Ye Shou must want to witness this moment at the company, so she arranged her schedule well in advance.

"What time are you going to give the speech? I'll let them prepare."

No, there will be no speech.

Ye Shou smiled slightly: "Cancel all of today's schedules, and do not inform anyone of my actions."

"Ugh?"

Liuli looked up in surprise, "But today is..."

"Don't ask anything today, just be a good boy and do as I say."

"……Yes."

Meeting Ye Shou's deep gaze, Liuli's heart skipped a beat, and she obediently lowered her head.

Without any other attendants, Ye Shou and Liu Li arrived at the SAO operations building by car.

This was jointly developed by the Jiushi Group and [Rect]. Because it also functions as a server center, its internal structure is very different from that of a typical office building.

Kuse didn't disturb too many people. He went directly from the underground parking lot to a certain floor. The staff on duty saw that it was him and let him through. After fingerprint and iris scans, he finally arrived at his destination.

"here it is……"

Rows of rectangular, black cabinets were neatly arranged like tombstones of data, while an annoying buzzing sound filled the air. In addition, the consistently low temperature made the environment unbearable.

"Isn't this the main server room?"

Liuli asked curiously, "Why did you come here?"

"Wait a moment."

Ye Shou glanced down at his digital wristwatch: "It's not the right time yet."

"When? What are you waiting for?"

"They're not having enough fun yet."

Ye Shou asked Liu Li, "You know, in RPG games like this, you're always figuring out the system and gameplay at the beginning and don't experience much fun until you've been playing for two or three hours."

"Oh"

Liuli nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"But what does that have to do with us?"

"Being too addicted to games is not good."

Ye Shou led Liuli out of the computer room. The environment there wasn't very comfortable, and he was afraid the girl wouldn't be able to stand waiting for two or three hours.

As he walked, he said very seriously, "Video games can fuel violent tendencies among teenagers."

What on earth is my Master saying? — Ruri blinked.

How dare you say such a thing? Who's the one who spends seven or eight hours a day playing games?

"Do not believe?"

Ye Shou found the main switch for the power supply system in the central control room and immediately smiled like a sunny and cheerful young man.

"Let's verify that today!"

Chapter 11, SAO Arc: The End Before the Beginning!

Today is a big day for Akihiko Kayaba to realize his dream.

People often say that "quantum physicist" and "game producer" are two completely unrelated professions, believing that games are just a hobby for Kayaba Akihiko, and that his main focus is on scientific research.

In reality, both quantum physics and game development are merely tools for Kayaba Akihiko to achieve his ideals, and there is no inherent superiority or inferiority between them.

"Create your own alternate world."

This was a beautiful dream he had cherished since childhood. He had spent at least twenty years of his life studying and researching to lay the foundation for it, and today he was finally able to realize his wish!

The game's release was a huge success, with players focusing on a next-generation game that could simulate reality, while researchers and capitalists saw the potential in "NERvGear," which could transmit information directly to the human brain.

Imagine what changes this large-scale application would bring to society?

Gaming is just the most superficial aspect. With this device, humans can break free from dependence on the five senses and the physical body, and complete most of their social interactions, learning, and work through the internet.

Even a bedridden patient can still freely roam the electronic world by wearing a helmet!

Healthcare, education, communications, entertainment... and even the military.

Just like the internet in its early days, we can now assert that the next thirty years will belong to virtual reality!

Everyone believed that Kayaba Akihiko was destined to become a great pioneer like Turing and von Neumann, and that online games were merely his "hobby," and that whether he succeeded or not would not affect his achievements.

—But Kayaba himself felt the exact opposite.

SAO is a simulation experiment, but it is also a meticulously constructed otherworld, a work that truly "poured his heart and soul" into, and its level of completion far surpasses all previous RPG games.

Even the NPCs inside possess advanced intelligence, and according to his calculations, they may even have the potential to develop self-awareness.

He can proudly announce to the world:

A near-perfect alternate world was created from the chaotic vortex of "1" and "0"!

Just one step away! Now, just one more step is needed to complete it and give it true life—

soul!

A true death game wagered on the souls and consciousness of tens of thousands of players!

Some might call him a mad scientist, to which he has no objection.

"Data must be collected by scanning the human brain," "the essence of the structured soul," "creating artificial intelligence," "all for the future of humanity"—

He could give many similar reasons, and perhaps future generations will use them to exonerate him.

But ultimately it was simply because he was "crazy," a fact he was absolutely certain of and would never repent of!

...He put on the helmet and entered his personal space as the "Supreme GM." Kayaba Akihiko's virtual avatar was reflected on the mirror-like temple floor.

A middle-aged man with white hair dressed in red, resembling a priest.

"Ah……"

Sitting on the throne, made of molten gold and silver and inlaid with gemstones, Kayaba Akihiko couldn't help but chuckle.

"That guy—Kusei Kami will definitely be shocked."

The news that "NERvGear developers imprisoned tens of thousands of players and launched the death game 'SAO'" will surely cause a huge uproar, and the most bewildered person in the panicked public will definitely be that young master.

Kayaba Akihiko is completely indifferent to the destructive dragon of the financial district and the vulture of Kanto!

Perhaps Ye Shou is very rich and excellent in his professional field, but what does that have to do with Kayaba Akihiko?

To outsiders, their collaboration seemed like a perfect match, but Kayaba was simply using Kuze Yoru's resources to complete his own plans!

Okay, he admitted that the man was indeed visionary and ambitious, and his ambitions went far beyond just a game or even a VR device. He had already used his hired politicians to introduce a new "home-based education bill" in Congress.

If the latest standard network protocol can be rolled out nationwide in the future, and virtual reality can replace traditional teaching methods, what benefits will Jiushijia, which has gained an early advantage, reap?

This cannot be measured by the amount of money involved; it is a power capable of shaking the very foundations of a nation!

What ambition!

If I'm willing to work honestly, Kuze Yoshimori might actually succeed—hehe!

Unfortunately, Kayaba Akihiko's ambitions lay elsewhere; he had no interest in playing the capital game with others.

Soon, he will be heading to the beautiful other world, while Ye Shou can only remain in reality, bound by heavy gravity, staring dumbfounded at the news while wearing a silly and ridiculous expression.

It's a real shame that I couldn't witness that moment in person.

All right!

The time is almost up. The summoning process should have started by now. It's time to go out and announce to all the players that the death game has begun!