Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 972: Chapter 971: Dominant CEO Fang Zheng

In the upcoming period, what Fang Zheng is doing is acquiring companies related to the Perfect Stealth technology, and his target is three in total.

First is the electronics company ”ARGUS,” which developed and manufactured the Perfect Stealth device ”NERvGear.” After the outbreak of the Death Game incident, it plummeted, not only spending a large sum to handle the widespread lawsuits and compensations from victims but also because the entire board resigned and apologized. The stock also directly hit the limit down. If the Death Game incident hadn’t been completely resolved yet, ARGUS’s only path might have been bankruptcy protection.

Naturally, Fang Zheng unceremoniously bought all the ARGUS stocks being sold off in the market, becoming the company’s biggest shareholder in name and reality. Of course, the current ARGUS is basically on its last legs, but for Fang Zheng, he needs a consolidation of forces, and by chance, ARGUS has enough fame, making it very suitable to be used as the basis for development.

Next is the comprehensive electronics company ”RECT,” which released ”NERvGear.” When the Perfect Stealth gaming device hit the market, RECT, seeing the potential of this market, spent a large amount of money to acquire exclusive sales rights for ”NERvGear.” However, when the Death Game incident broke out, all that money went down the drain.

Not only that, but the government also seized all of RECT’s inventory, which caused them to suffer huge losses. Although, as a comprehensive electronics company, RECT hasn’t completely collapsed like ARGUS, their original goal was to make Perfect Stealth their next famous brand, so they invested nearly all their resources, leading to tight finances and operational difficulties.

More importantly, not so long ago, the head of RECT’s operations department, Sukei Nobu, died in a car accident. Moreover, while sorting through his belongings, the police discovered plans and attempts to utilize RECT’s SAO backup servers to imprison players and conduct brain control and manipulation.

Once exposed, this incident caused an uproar in public opinion. The Death Game alone already strained the public’s nerves, and now there was news of someone trying to use this device to control people’s brains. This caused RECT’s stock to plummet, joining ARGUS in adversity.

Fang Zheng expressed deep sympathy, so he observed a moment of silence for RECT for three seconds before buying all their stocks on the market again.

If ARGUS and RECT are down due to bad luck, then SAO’s game production company ”EagleJump” was caught in the crossfire while lying down.

As the production company of the first Perfect Stealth game, EagleJump originally planned to make a name through this game and then go global. But after the Death Game incident, no one dared to buy their games anymore. Although the entire Perfect Stealth system was designed by Kayaba Akihiko alone, and EJ was merely the game producer, their created creatures and BOSS actually killed people.

The average person wouldn’t understand this nuance, and to them, if EagleJump made the game, and monsters in the game killed people, then EagleJump killed people. Although EJ didn’t face the same legal issues as the other two, protests were constant, with people holding signs to demonstrate below sporadically, causing unrest within the company, and many employees chose to leave. Even the president considered selling the company, so Fang Zheng simply stepped in and acquired EJ.

Capitalism has this merit that, with money, nothing is impossible.

But some things cannot be achieved with money alone.

The foundation of all this is the Perfect Stealth technology, but it was wholly developed by Kayaba Akihiko. With his death, the technology development department’s progress is nearly stagnant. Although Fang Zheng may try to handle this himself, saving humanity or the world frequently leaves him no time to develop Perfect Stealth equipment.

Fortunately, Fang Zheng found a promising candidate.

That is, Tokyo Industrial University’s department of electrical and electronic engineering professor — Shigemura Takuo.

”So... you want me to join ARGUS and jointly develop the next-generation AR technology?”

In reality, Shigemura Takuo is a stern-looking man in his fifties, sitting on the sofa, staring sharply at Fang Zheng in front of him.

”That’s right.”

Fang Zheng nodded.

”Though Perfect Stealth technology is intriguing and I admit it’s enough to change human destiny and the future, with unparalleled benefits in medical and military fields, I believe AR is a better choice for civilian use.”

Fang Zheng naturally has his reasons for saying this; just look at the world in The Matrix of Hackers, where people dreamed of digitizing their entire soul to become gods, ultimately failing, leaving them to wander the Milky Way lying in hibernation pods. He doesn’t want this world’s Earth to become that.

In terms of scientific progress, Fang Zheng is relatively conservative, especially after seeing distorted technological trees causing various world problems; he is more cautious of technology’s evolution. VR takes people to Another World, but socially, VR is like a drug, inducing addiction to a false world. Over time, the nation and humanity could deteriorate.

Had it not been for the Death Game incident, in a few years, Fang Zheng might no longer see walking humans on streets — everyone would have a NERvGear, lying in rooms like the living dead. Socializing, teaching, everything would occur in the virtual realm, with no one caring about the real world. Cities would resemble enormous ICUs, filled with countless vegetative people. The mere thought of this scenario makes Fang Zheng’s hair stand on end!

”My investigation shows you, Professor Shigemura, are an expert in BMI (non-invasive brain-machine interface), so I hope you can join us and lend a hand.”

After acquiring ”ARGUS,” ”RECT,” and ”EJ,” Fang Zheng hired a professional manager to merge them into a new electronic information technology company named ”CyberConnect Corporation,” abbreviated as ”CC Corporation.”

The newly established CC Corporation needs a flagship product to eliminate the ”Death Game” shadow, as well as a new game.

This is also why Fang Zheng is here.

”....Let me think about it.”

Shigemura Takuo seemed somewhat persuaded but didn’t decide immediately, taking a moment to think before responding.

”Here’s my card. If you’re interested, please feel free to contact me.”

Fang Zheng didn’t press, knowing these plans require time, but performing such tasks in this world is immensely enjoyable for him. Despite now possessing the power to save the world, Fang Zheng still misses his pre-Rebirth work and life.

In the Main World, he finds no place for game development, but in this world, Fang Zheng can fulfill his dreams.

After all, fundamentally, he remains a game producer!

Before Rebirth, Fang Zheng’s world technology hadn’t advanced to AR, so he could only make mobile games, but now...

AR top-up games? Just thinking about it is exciting!

The thought of joyously harvesting players’ joys and sorrows makes Fang Zheng impatient.

After a few words, the two stood up and left the reception room, but as Professor Shigemura was escorting Fang Zheng out, a girl suddenly appeared from the opposite side of the corridor.

”Papa!”

”Yuna!”

Seeing the girl, Professor Shigemura’s expression softened considerably; he stepped forward quickly and grasped Yuna’s hand.

”What are you doing here? Your body...”

”I’m fine, really, my body is much better now.”

Facing Professor Shigemura’s concern, the girl cheerfully made a ”strong” gesture.

”See, Papa, I managed to walk here on my own. The doctors said I should exercise more, right?”

”That’s true, but you...”

At this point, Professor Shigemura pat his head, then turned to Fang Zheng.

”Apologies, Mr. Fang Zheng. This is my daughter, Yuna...”

”Yuna...?”

Hearing the introduction, Fang Zheng was a bit taken aback; meanwhile, the girl curiously peeked out from beside Professor Shigemura and looked at Fang Zheng. Once she saw him, she immediately lit up!

”Mr. Fang Zheng! Is it Mr. Fang Zheng!”

”Wait, that voice, you’re...”

Hearing the girl’s surprised shout, Fang Zheng frowned, scrutinizing her again.

”Yuna?”

”Yes, it’s me! Mr. Fang Zheng, I didn’t expect to meet you in reality, it’s fantastic!”

With a cheerful cheer, Yuna plunged into Fang Zheng’s arms, hugging him tightly.

At that moment, behind Yuna, Professor Shigemura’s face was already filled with black lines.